Braves

By stephen jones

March 6, 2008 1:25 PM | Link to this

damn!

By DAP

March 6, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

ive never been first before.

By Luke

March 6, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

first???

By Luke

March 6, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this

first???

By Yars

March 6, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Second?

By cardvol

March 6, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Who would be the leaders for the 11-12th men on the pitching staff and are Javy, Thorman, Lillibridge and Anderson close to being locks for four of the five utility spots?

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this

Glavine’s looked sharp so far, retiring the side in order in the first on two flyouts and a Sheff popup, then getting a groundout to start the second before Ryan Raburn blooped a single to left.

Struck out Jacque Jones, now a Brent Clevlen is batting.

He just reached on an infield hit that went off Glavine’s glove. Runners at first and second, two out.

Tigers lineup includes Granderson, Inge, Sheff and Jones, and the rest are subs.

By Reid in EAV

March 6, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

First? Oh heck, I’ll take any position in the top 5. Why? I have no idea.

By Paul

March 6, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

1st

By ssiscribe

March 6, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Ah, to be sitting on the berm at Tigertown, or in those metal bleachers down the third-base line, looking out at the advertisements adoring the outfield wall.

What an awesome place. Talked to some longtime fans down there two years ago. Man, the Tigers just run in the blood of the people in that place.

And yeah, Flowers hitting ‘em to the top of the berm in left-center with no wind blowing is quite a poke indeed …

Pete passed along the Diaz grandfather story a few minutes ago during Matt’s first AB. Great stuff …

Through the first week of real Grapefruit League games, I think you’ve got to be pleased with what the Braves have done. Very solid pitching from the starters. Health for Hampton and Kotsay. Anderson playing his way into the fourth outfield spot. Jurrjens being just as good as advertised and grabbing hold of a rotation spot. Lil’ Bridge starting to hit. Francoeur hitting well. Excellent work from Ring and Ohman and Moylan. Boyer making a good push for the final bullpen spot.

Yeah, Chipper’s missed the past few games and Soriano has yet to pitch. Chipper figures to play tomorrow (if I heard that correctly). Soriano is supposed to pitch first in a couple of days, I think? Obviously, gotta get those two guys back into the fold, but there’s three and a half weeks of games left. It’s early.

So far, so good.

—30—

By nOLIE

March 6, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Good for Glvine getting outta that inning,

By ssiscribe

March 6, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

FYI, O’B on the webcast now.

—30—

By The Man

March 6, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

I see there will be no regrets or griping about trading away McBride.

By Matt_T

March 6, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this

DOB- Any chance we’ll get the pictures of Tiger Woods in the Braves jersey?

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

March 6, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

Speaking of Tom Glavine. Did you hear Joe Sheehan , Co-author of Baseball Prospectus 2008 predicting that Glavine will pitch just 96 innings with an ERA over five before going bust.

I don’t know who this fat tub of lard is , but please. We obviously have another Braves hater on our hands. Joe Sheehan clearly stated that he doesn’t like Glavine which completely undercuts any prediction made.

Here is a more realistic prediction. 25 to 30 starts and 180 to 200 innings with an ERA around four.

By James

March 6, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox is a genius. Give him another 20 years, he’ll take over the world.

By Yars

March 6, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

DOB….how does KJ’s defense look so far this spring training? Has he handled any back handed plays thus far? I see Bobby keeps hitting him leadoff. Looks like Yunel is rippig the ball. Out of all the players, I’m most excited to see what type numbers KJ & Yunel are going to put up this season. now playing: William, It Was Really Nothing by the Smiths.

By Drew

March 6, 2008 1:45 PM | Link to this

anybody else glad Andruw Jones is gone besides me?

I just bought MLB 08 the Show for PS# and ran through the first 2 months of the season to see if it was a crystal ball…there were a few things I noticed:

1. The Nationals new stadium looks like $100 million of crap

2. Mark Kotsay is batting .343 with 6 bombs through April, even though he did just get hurt (in the game simulation)

3. Chipper’s been on fire, .337 with 9 bombs through May

4. Mike Hampton got hurt after his first start

I’m a nerd..

By JasonInMaine

March 6, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Listening to DOB with Pete & Skip on MLB Audio…

By Chopdawg

March 6, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

By Murphy

March 6, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

Leave a worthwhile comment. What is with this first crap? So stupid. You don’t win a damn award.

By James

March 6, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Coach, I feel your pain. There are tons of haters out there with absolutely no idea what they are talking about. How does Glavine go from being sixth in the league in quality starts to stats like those? He’s an idiot. There’s a special place in baseball purgatory for people like that. No worries.

By Steve in DC

March 6, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

I think my brother (Reid in EAV) posted this on yesterday’s blog, but in light of the discussions on Andruw’s weight by DOB, I thought you guys might have seen the picture and graphic that accompanied Plaschke’s article in the LA Times today.

Did anyone notice the other options?

http://tinyurl.com/2c74ak

By James

March 6, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

I think we should bring Steve Bedrosan (sp?) out of retirement. He could be that 12th man on the pitching staff. Plus, he eats thunder and s%its lightening.

By Reid in EAV

March 6, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

@Murphy. It’s a fun game. You know, “fun?” Pointless? Sure. But who are we hurting?

By David-ATL14

March 6, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Solid work on the Game today DOB!

As usual Joe Sheehan at BP continues in the best tradition of a “hack writer” This is the same guy a few year ago couldn’t pull himself away from “humping” Josh Phelps and his ascension to stardom.

Nice call Sheehan. How’s that observation working out for ya?

By ssiscribe

March 6, 2008 1:57 PM | Link to this

That’s what I get for saying solid starting pitching … Glavine muddling through the third inning, and now he’s reached his pitch count (apparently), because he’s gone with two outs in the third inning.

Four hits, two runs, three walks, two strikeouts … Ryan Drese coming into pitch.

—30—

By GoBravos

March 6, 2008 1:58 PM | Link to this

DOB U da man

By Steve in DC

March 6, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

Easy Murph. Not sure if you’re new, but it’s an ongoing, and yes a little silly, tradition on the MIB/DOB blog. Just letting him know we’re all ready when he posts…

By jeffc

March 6, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this

Any truth to the rumor that Tiger Woods wants to play second base for the Braves?

By Oregon_Braves

March 6, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

Leaving a “first” comment, lame as it might be, is every talk-backers God-given right.

David - Interesting that you added a Leonard Cohen song because I just listened to his original version last night for the first time. The Jeff Buckley version is so iconic, I went to find the source. Was bitterly disappointed. Just like Concrete Blonde’s version of Everbody Knows, other artist’s visions of his songs seem so much better to me. Fantastic lyricist, though.

Oh, before I forget, DAYN PERRY IS A DOUCHEBAG!!! Been a long off-season. Good to get that first one off my chest.

By jon

March 6, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

When will the games start being broadcast on the radio? The AJC claims they are on 94.9FM & 640AM, but they’re not.

By Pete H.

March 6, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

It’s still way early, but it sure looks like Jair has the edge in making the rotation. Richmond is going to have a monster team with whomever doesn’t make the cut.

I realize he has little chance of making the team, but Borchard is ripping the ball. He must have a slugging percentage well over a thousand and he’s hitting nearly .600.

Not bad injury insurance, assuming he’s willing to to AAA.

By ippississiM

March 6, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

I’ve been working on a few things as far as predictions, and commentary, and here’s what I have so far.

What do you guys think I should work on next? Pros-n-cons on the various bench candidates? More in-depth Mets injury analysis? More coverage of the Phillies pitching issues? Or maybe a look at the guys who are in the Braves farm system but are still a year or two from getting that first call-up….

By Niels Boor

March 6, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

Lew, Lew, Lew, Lew, Lew—

(sadly shakes head)

On the one hand, you claim merely to give 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 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 heedlessly wandering down the same garden path blazed by a couple of dearly 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 Embizzle

March 6, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this

Drew, i simulated the whole season as well… get this tex finished with 48 homers and 157 RBI.

By Jon

March 6, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this

jon Where do you live?

By GoBravos

March 6, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

DOB, How do the relievers look collectively? My dad is in Sarasota and he’s going to the game when the braves are in town. What time should he get there to maybe meet some guys and get some autographs?

By DAP

March 6, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

drew interesting comments on the show 08. i have MLB 2K7, they for the braves, they have aybar as the leadoff hitter and starting 2nd baseman. kelly johnson is on the bench, and hits right handed!!! i couldnt believe it! so ipinch hit with kelly johnson, and on this game, they let you switch what side of the plate they hit from, even if they arent switch hitters…so i switch johnson to batlefty, and the announcers go crazy, saying he has never hit lefty before, and was going to embarrass himself!! pretty funny.

the announcers are joe morgan and that other guy, and even on the game, the other guy wont stop talking about joe morgan being a hall of famer and all that jazz. get a room!

By Oregon_Braves

March 6, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this

David - Guess I should have actually included the song I mentioned. It’s Hallelujah, but you probably figured that out…

By DAP

March 6, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this

murphy Leave a worthwhile comment. What is with this first crap? So stupid. You don’t win a damn award.

thanx for the input. id say the parts where you say Leave a worthwhile comment. and So stupid. definetly apply to you.

By jeffc

March 6, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

If Glavine fails early, I hope the Braves move him to long relief, and let the kids take over the starting rotation. It’s a miracle if we win the East this year. The World Series clearly belongs to Detroit.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

March 6, 2008 2:17 PM | Link to this

Ssicribe , Glavine struggled today and it doesn’t mean a thing. After all , I’m watching the Dodgers / Red Sox game and Derek Lowe just got shelled for five hits and three runs in the first two innings.

By Reid in EAV

March 6, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Between Yunel and Lillibridge, it seems we’re suddenly stacked for the future up the middle. Anyone else think so?

By jon

March 6, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Jon atlanta

By Jon

March 6, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this

Thats last years game DAP. I remember that though, I thought it was nuts to have Kelly as a right hander. But MLB 08 is pretty cool.

By Jon

March 6, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this

jon That is a bit odd then, you would figure that since you live in the area that you would get the games on the radio. I dont live in the area so I have to suffer through refreshing MLB.com’s scoreboard.

By Nick

March 6, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Drew, what do you think of ‘08 so far? I have 06 and 07 for the PSP, and they’re both great, so I’m trying to decide if it’s worth another 50 bucks for 08…

DAP, 2K7 is the worst baseball game I’ve ever played. My friend and I gave up after about half an hour. Morgan and Miller as video game announcers are even worse than in real life, and 2K7 on XBOX 360 looks worse than MLB 06 on PSP…plus the control are just terrible for batting and for pitching.

DOB, what happened with Glavine today? 4 hits I can live with, but 3 walks??

By Some Blogs Have Quizzes

March 6, 2008 2:31 PM | 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 2:36 PM | Link to this

what the heck is going on with the game? anyone? anyone?

By Niels Boor

March 6, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Reid in EAV—

A quantity of 2 hardly comprises a “stack”.

Not even at IHOP.

I think three is the minimum for a stack — we are satcked in CF.

By DAP

March 6, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Nick 2K7 is the worst baseball game I’ve ever played.

i dont really play video games much so i dont know any better!

i just got an xbox 360 (my first system since middle school) so im just feeling it out.

i really like call of duty 4.

By Pete H.

March 6, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this

ESPN’s baseball page is just about all Braves, btw. Hampton and Glavine, mainly. And their article on Alou says pretty much what I have been saying…they gambled on a lot of old guys and they are paying the price.

Here’s a snip:

“We came into the season with a track record of Alou, knowing that Alou was going to give us a certain amount of games,” Minaya said, according to MLB.com. “We felt that the number of games he was going to give us would be very productive games, and I think that bore out last year.”

Now, six of New York’s eight regulars are sidelined, plus one member of the rotation — and it’s still early in spring training.

Remember all that excitement and bravado after Johan Santana was acquired from Minnesota last month? With the best pitcher in baseball suddenly on their side, the star-studded Mets were supposed to be NL favorites.

But age is becoming a major question mark for this team, which might be too injury-prone to win.

“I myself have never seen so many injuries at one time,” Minaya said. “The good thing is it’s early in camp.”

By DAP

March 6, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Jon Thats last years game DAP.

i guessed that since it said 2k7 on it. im so behind the times.

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this

Just got back from talking to Glavine. Said his arm feels fine, no physical problems at all. Just couldn’t put guys away in the last inning after getting ahead. Said that’s typical of him down here, struggling more with making pitches to put guys away than with getting ahead in counts, which he did against most hitters today.

Hey, it was a bad outing, folks. No two ways around it. But long as the arm isn’t hurting, Braves and Glavine aren’t going to be concerned about a March 6 game with two runs, four hits and three walks in three innings.

By StingerSplash

March 6, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Followed the link DOB provided to the denizens on Plaschke’s take (and isn’t Plaschke just the most glass half-full guy in the world? No? Oh, well.) on Andruw and was struck by Andruw’s comment that he wanted to be heavier. Maybe the Olsen twins need to be sent to live with him for a while - could help out all involved.

By Niels Boor

March 6, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

jeffc—

Y.A.I.

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this

I missed Escobar’s three-run double in the five-run fifth, but I hear he crushed it, to the wall just to the left of straightaway center, about 400 feet.

Schafer playing right field now.

Resop’s in to pitch.

By DAP

March 6, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this

ya’ll!!!! check this out!

John Smoltz Reading to Children

funny stuff.

By BossLady

March 6, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this

History will show that Glavine has a way of pitching, his way. He does not give in and is known for walks. Remember, there is room for you on the bags. He pitches his way into a S’load of trouble and pitches his way out. Sometimes the offense gets him out and sometimes they don’t. But,he won’t cruise many on the plate

By Lew

March 6, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this

Niels-Thank you so much for posting that on both blogs. I answered you on the other one. I won’t transfer it. If you’re interested, then go look it up. If not, Oh well. I will get over it quickly, I assure you.

By Goodoleboy58

March 6, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this

I hope Tommy has better first inning success then he had his last few years here.. I don’t have any stats but I remember thinking how he would always get in trouble in the first and then settle down and mow down the hitters..
I’m not worried about 1 spring training start though..

David is there any chance that the pitching rotation is Smoltz/Glavine? I go on leave from Iraq in April and want to catch a Braves game but I want to see both Smoltz and Glavine pitch. I don’t get back from the desert til October so if I don’t see them in April I may never get to see ol’ Tommy pitch for us again.

By Niels Boor

March 6, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this

Wrong answer, pismire.

Thanks, Lew — so much can fall thru the cracks when a new blog is posted. I’ll check it out now.

By Josh H

March 6, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this

Goodoleboy58: It does look like smoltz will pitch the opener, and glavine the home opener. So you might get a chance to catch them in a series.

DAP, Joe, I downloaded the demo for MLB 2K8 last night, and I was not impressed. I still like the pitching interface even though I don’t like the new controls (it definitely isn’t intuitive, like they suggest) but fielding, the jerky cameras, and the announcing has taken a step backwards. Plus, the game really doesn’t look that good, considering it is next generation. Plus, the soundtrack has no place in baseball. Just doesn’t feel right…

The demo was supposed to come out in early February and it just released yesterday, a day after the game was out, so that should tell you something.

By HuffBraves

March 6, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this

Any reason to be concerned about McCann? I heard his laser eye surgery over the offseason was gonna help him hit .300 again. But he’s only at .091 so far… I know it’s early, but with his nagging injury history, I’d feel more comfortable if HE was a little more comfortable at the plate.

By wide right

March 6, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this

I’m not worried about Glavine. He is about as great a #5 starter as there is in the league….and based on what I have seen from JJ and MH i expect him to be in that slot by end of year.

By ncscoots

March 6, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this

Any reason to be concerned about McCann?

No. Nor anyone else, a week into Grapefruit League. Most here know my feelings on Glavine-as-savior this year, but even I won’t get worked up about his bad outing today. There’s a reason ST is 4 weeks long, not 1 week.

The only sure thing about ST this early is this: I’d be batting .091 at this point, and I’d STILL be batting .091 three weeks from now. Anything else is up for discussion and liable to change, LOL.

By MGL

March 6, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this

Demon Moss in to pitch the bottom of the 8th.

By FJR

March 6, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

watching the dodgers/sawks game. Peter Gammons said we have the best position players in the NL. Said that if Hampton continues to throw like he is now we’re going to be very hard to beat. Also said that getting gonzalez back will give us one of the better bullpens.

By OrlandoFan

March 6, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

what’s the answer to the trivia quiz? I missed it and have no idea.

By FJR

March 6, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this

HuffBraves, chill. Heck, most baseball people don’t even worry about hitting .091 over the # of ABs he’s had so far, even if it was during the regular season. Small sample size. Three bloop hits and we’d be talking about McCann’s laser eye surgery really helping him see the ball. If it’s mid-may and he’s hitting around .200, then worry. He’s had what, 12 ABs? You’re seriously fretting over that? His bats not even tarred up right yet.

By Renegator

March 6, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this

HuffBraves:

Good question about McCann. Let’s hope he has a bounce back year and that .333 year he had wasn’t a total aberation.

By MGL

March 6, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this

The Demon gives up 2 runs!

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this

Believe it or not, we’re having a RAIN DELAY before the bottom of the ninth inning. Braves lead 5-4 after giving up two runs in the eighth.

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this

That’s it. They’ve called it.

And can we maybe stop with the Damian Moss talk for now? Two runs, three hits and a walk in that eighth inning, and he got out of it on a rather lucky double play.

By Drew

March 6, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

MLB 08 the show

2008 isn’t that bad, I just got it but I’m playing on a 1080P samsung LCD I just bought. It’s actually pretty deep, even includes Jurrjens in AAA. I would especially recommend the upgrade if your last game had Kelly Johnson batting righty… if you have the right hardware you might as well be getting what you pay for.

I’ll keep simulating and let anyone who wants to know how the season ends up…* and to see if Glavine blows the doors off those projected 90 IP or whatever Joe Sheehan says*

By i humpback humpback i crooked-letter crooked-letter

March 6, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this

So I know that over 20 denizens of the blog have checked out my Braves page, so have any of you come up with suggestions for my next research topic? I typically stay up a 4-5 hours after the rest of my household is asleep, so I have a bit of free time….

By fastasballs

March 6, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this

Maybe Thorman can learn something about hitting from Flowers, as weird as that sounds.

The Braves are going to end up being one of the deepest teams in the NL. The majority of AAA players will have MLB experience or are more than ready. I’ll give it to Wren & JS, they have done a helluva job the past few years. Just consider the talent that’s in the minors that will be the Braves over the next decade. Things look good folks, really good for a while.

The trades everyone was complaining about are going to turn out great in the long run. I can’t pass judgement on the Tex trade, but as everyone now knows JS didn’t depleat the farm system in order to trade for Tex. Getting a starter for this season & the future & a grade A CF prospect for Edgar was a steal. Also picking up Anderson for virtually a scrap pile middle reliever was also a great move. As was getting Kotsay as a stop gap.

The Muts are going to be sniffing our tails for years to come. Their team is in shambles after this season, hell the way they are going maybe this year as well.

By King521

March 6, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

DOB -

How would you say the race between Josh Anderson and Brandon Jones is going? Who will be our 4th outfielder. Is it possible we keep them both on the roster bc of the speed of Anderson?

By Anders

March 6, 2008 4:08 PM | Link to this

Orlando Fan

what’s the answer to the trivia quiz? I missed it and have no idea.

I didn’t even hear the question and I’m gonna guess “David Wright”.

By McFann

March 6, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this

HuffBraves, Renegator—

If this was the regular season, I would be about to lose my MIND! Arg! At this point last year, he was hitting around .333, just so ya know. I am a tad on the what-the-heck-is-wrong-here side. Maybe I’m just being paranoid…At any rate, he better play in one or more of those televised night games coming up! I want to see what he’s doing at the plate!

But the bottom line is, ST games are not his forte.

By BossLady

March 6, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this

There you go the offense got him out

By stephen jones

March 6, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

Its Jair, not James

By TFB

March 6, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this

DOB, how is the scenery today? Fill us in now that there is a break in action. Saw my first spring training game there back in 1978. Got a foul ball off the bat of Rusty Staub. A cracked bat from Milt May. Just asked the batboy for it. Also, saw Mark Fidrych pitch when he was trying to make it back after surgery.

By Pete H.

March 6, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Dodgers got a three-run shot followed a few minutes later by a salami to score 7 in the ninth vs. Sox. There are two young men who will not be part of the Boston bullpen after that disaster.

By Anders

March 6, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

McFann

Not to worry about McCann at this stage. Catchers have it toughest in early ST. They have to work out lots of pitchers from day one. Work on there defense, work in infield practice etc.. They don’t get to just mainly focus on hitting like the other position players. He’ll hit.

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

just realized after getting back upstairs that Moylan had been on list to pitch today originally, but didn’t get in. Turns out he threw back at Disney this morning. Gonna have to wait to ask Bobby tomorrow to make sure he’s not hurt, since the PR guy didn’t know exactly why Moylan was scratched from list. Roger Mc told PR guy to take Moylan off list before team bus left this morning, didn’t give reason….

king521, I don’t know that it’s really a competition for the fourth-outfielder job. I think it’s Anderson’s sort of by default, because with Kotsay in center the Braves need an experienced backup, and Infante is gonna open on the DL. B Jones isn’t a center fielder.

Don’t know that they’d take both, probably not the best use of the roster spot. Especially if ‘Bridge can play some CF in addition to multiple INF positions.

Could keep Prado and ‘Bridge to start season. Who knows, just way too early.

By I'm Ron Burgundy?

March 6, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Glavine is the worst pitcher in our rotation with some luck he’ll win more than he loses…

Jurjjens on the other hand is going to make you all wet yourselves and Wren look like an absolute genius exactly what we needed…He’ll never be the ace of our staff but a great 3rd starter or solid #2 for years to come…

By Pete H.

March 6, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this

I’m not worried about McCann. In so few at-bats, there’s no way to know if he’s struggling or just hitting atom balls. He’s a professional hitter and supposedly a lot more healthy than last year, so he’ll be ready to go.

Dodgers doing their best to give the game back to the sox.

By GoBravos

March 6, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

humpback, you’re missing manny acosta from the bullpen, he’s a shoe-in. nice page, though the black writing on blue background is hard to read.other than that, good job it’s coming along.

By Some Blogs Have Quizzes Have Answers

March 6, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this

In addition to their Hall of Fame credentials, what rare feat do the following five great hitters have in common?

Honus Wagner (1916), Luis Aparicio (1962), Hank Aaron (1967), Willie Stargell (1971) and Wade Boggs (1983) all struck out to end a no-hitter.

By McFann

March 6, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Anders—

Yeah, man! He’ll hit. Folks better believe he’ll hit…………………someday. OK, sorry. When the season begins, so will his hitting……Yes it will!

By ncscoots

March 6, 2008 4:28 PM | Link to this

I didn’t even hear the question and I’m gonna guess “David Wright”.

Give the man credit, THAT was funny.

By McFann

March 6, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this

He’s a professional hitter Pete H

So true, dude! I’m not worried, either. Nope! No sir…not me…I’m…uh…NOT WORRIED!

By TJ

March 6, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

I’m not the least bit worried about McCann’s Oh Ninety One. As noted, it’s not nearly enough ab’s to be meaningful, and it’s too early to worry.

However, I think we shouldn’t expect too much from McCann. I’m putting him at about .280/.340/.450, with maybe 20 HR and (depending on where he bats) about 90 rbi. If he repeats his ‘06 numbers, I’ll gladly eat crow.

I just think that it’s pretty rare and pretty difficult for a catcher to be a great hitter for more than a year or two - and I know there are exceptions.

Too much physical wear and tear on the body, too much mental focus on the defensive end of the job.

I’ll take those numbers from him any day… he’s a leader and a great asset to the team. I just hope he can stay healthy and catch 135 games, whether he hits .260 or .330.

By Pete H.

March 6, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this

That’s one hell of a great piece of trivia, SomeBlogs.

By Shamus Thacker

March 6, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

Andruw needs an off-season working with a garbage crew. He’d drop weight like Karen Carpenter on crack. I know this because a colleague took a 3-month leave of absence a few Summers back; no, not for an extended Jamaica holiday, but for Waste Management Inc.. He left looking like, well, Andruw, but returned 30-lbs lighter. He’d tried everything imaginable to lose weight, nothing less drastic than swinging on a trash truck worked. Gave most of the credit to not being able to snack all day; be kinda hard to think about snacks with soiled diapers flying all over the place… Claims it was the most enjoyable summer of his life.

Hope you see this Andruw…

A word of caution: He told me to never anger a trash truck dude, because they CAN, and WILL, kick your azz!! Just thought I’d pass that along as a public service….

By MGL

March 6, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this

The Mets have a split squad day Saturday, Reds and Marlins. I wonder if they will send the only two lineup regulars to the same game or split them up.

By Big Easy

March 6, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

McFann, take a few deep breaths, relax, and remember: They don’t count yet.

No need to worry about McCann. He’ll be fine.

~E~

By McFann

March 6, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this

Good post, TJ. Now, I hope he never hits as low as .260 for a season, but what you say makes a ton of sense. I think he might exceed the 90 RBI, considering our lineup. But your last paragraph hit the nail on the head! So yeah…I think I would almost take .260 from him! (Though I might be slightly disappointed.)

By Nick

March 6, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this

MGL: rofl

And as far as McCann is concerned, I agree with TJ. We don’t need him to hit .333, although that would certainly be great. If he hits around .290, keeps having good bats (I remember a number of times last year of him fouling off outside pitch after outside pitch en route to a 10 pitch at bat, often resulting in a left field double), and stays healthy and solid behind the plate, we’ll be just fine.

By Anders

March 6, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this

DOB

Bobby didn’t mention anything being wrong with him or that he wouldn’t be here today, when we talked to manager this morning….

(I just read rolling my eyes)

The last scene in the Movie “Hunt For Red October” just flashed in my head. DOB playing the Russian consulate sitting across the table from the AJC sports editor telling him the line he wrote above. The editor responds “DOB, don’t tell me Cox is holding back injury info from you again?” DOB nervously fumbling with his motorcycle helmet and head bowed saying ” I’m afraid he has.”

Cut to Bobby Cox and Roger McDowell with their heads sticking out of the emergency hatch on the team motor coach cruising back to Dark Star and McDowell pointing out to Cox where he grew up along I-4.

By McFann

March 6, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

OK, Big E…[INHALE]…I’ll try to chill out…[EXHALE]…Ah! I’m OK. Just had to get a minor-freak-out-over-a-minor-game off my chest. I think I’m ready for games that count, though.

Guess I’m just an impatient little Grasshopper!

; )

By Niels Boor

March 6, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Yes, Reid in EAV, you’re the pismire I was referring to earlier.

By McFann

March 6, 2008 5:01 PM | Link to this

Nicely typed, Nick. I agree 100%!

By Niels Boor

March 6, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

ippississiM—

Maybe you can figure out if Glavine actually mentored any young Mets left-handers during his tenure there (and whether they seemed to have benefitted therefrom).

If you’re interested, I’ll give you some links to what I’ve done so far (not so much, by your standards, I’m afraid).

By I'm Ron Burgundy?

March 6, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this

Best roations in the league?

1.)Atlanta Braves With two ace caliber guys in Smoltz and Hudson, a healthy Hampton and Jurjjens coming into his own this is the best rotation in the majors.

2.)New York Mets Bill Smith’s gift-giving of future hall of famer Johan Santana in his PRIME to the Mets this offseason (excuse me as I throw up a little in my mouth) has elevated a respectable rotation to a scary one provided Pedro Martinez has something left in the tank.

3.)Arizona Diamondbacks Brandon Webb, Dan Haren, and Randy Johnson make Arizona an extremely dangerous postseason opponent and Micah Owings can bring it

4.)Chicago Cubs Carlos Zambrano is nasty, Lilly and Hill are very good, and Marquis and Lieber as fourth and fifth starters are very nice.

5.)Seattle Mariners King Felix and Bedard along with a very solid 3-5 will be hell on the AL West…unfortunately for Seattle fans the lineup is garbage

By Anders

March 6, 2008 5:16 PM | Link to this

ippississiM*

Maybe you can figure out if Glavine actually mentored any young Mets left-handers during his tenure there (and whether they seemed to have benefitted therefrom).

As Glavine does not speak spanish I’m going to go out on a limb and say he couldn’t mentor them.

By McFann

March 6, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this

Hey, I’m Ron Burgundy? where’d you get that from, or did you do it on your own?

By OrlandoFan

March 6, 2008 5:27 PM | Link to this

Anders, that was funny about the trivia quiz.

Then I saw the answer posted just after that. I thought it was lame. That is really a fine, fine question when it’s about who struck out to end a no-hitter. A little too hard.

Anyway, it was interesting.

And plaudits on the Red October scene for DOB

If Moylan is indeed ailling along with Soriano, Bobby may be yelling “dive, dive, dive.”

By Reid in EAV

March 6, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

Niels Boor — I’m just touched that you care enough to put my name in bold and your epithets in bold-blue! How NEAT!

Now, can you tell me more about quantum physics or am I confusing you with someone else?

By I'm Ron Burgundy?

March 6, 2008 5:34 PM | Link to this

McFann

That’s copied and pasted straight from the gospel of Ron Burgundy.

Also, Brandon Jones needs to be dangled as trade bait while he still has value I don’t see him ever being a contributor at the big league level.

Also, Peter Moylan is the best reliever on the Braves if there is anything wrong with him I will poop myself.

By Anders

March 6, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this

Orlando Fan

I had an earlier scene where Hampton is laying on the locker room floor with his shoulder all bandaged up and he says:

” I always wanted to pitch in Atlanta”.

To be fair if I was to do a Mets injury movie for this ST I would have to use the opening of “Saving Private Ryan”.

By McFann

March 6, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this

Gotcha, Ron. Hope it’s true, anyway! (That is…that the Braves have the best rotation in MLB!)

By OrlandoFan

March 6, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this

Anders Very funny on Saving Private Ryan Either that or MASH (the movie, not the TV show).

BTW, Burgundy….. Brandon Jones may have a week or two before loses his trade value.

By NorthBeach Scott

March 6, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this

Lew Update from Tigerland. You are right about Josh Anderson’s speed. He can really fly. He beat out a ground ball to the first baseman (Thames) in the game today as the pitcher was a bit slow in covering. Made a dramatic slide into first.

Thorman appears to have taken lessons from Andruw on how to hit for an even lower batting average this year. He is chopping like Paul Bunyan at every pitch. I think he may not make the team as he looks completely incompetent as a hitter.

Resop impressed with his work today. Very efficient and appeared in control.

Escobar nailed that double to score three runs. He has quite the sense of timing of the dramatic.

Brandon Jones looks lost, but will soon find his way back to Richmond for some needed seasoning. I think we will see him included in some sort of trade as he does not look like the real deal.

By GoBravos

March 6, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this

Ron Burgandy Dont forget about san diego. not only the rotation but possibly best bullpen in the league.

By Luther

March 6, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this

*Niels Boor-A quantity of 2 hardly comprises a “stack”.

Not even at IHOP.

I think three is the minimum for a stack — we are satcked in CF.*

I guess you have never been to Wendy’s and ordered a Double “Stack”

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 6:28 PM | Link to this

Just got off the phone with Frank Wren, who said Moylan was “just a little tender” in the elbow this morning, which is why he tested it over there and wasn’t brought on the trip.

Wren said it’s not a concern and that Moylan might throw in Friday’s game.

By Roman Gal

March 6, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this

Anders, you’re on a roll today.

By I'm Ron Burgundy?

March 6, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

GoBravos

Yeah, a lot of pitching talent on the West coast with the Padres, Angels, and Dodgers all having great starters but they all lack quality depth…

In fact, the Giants could have the best rotation of all if that hippie Barry Zito wasn’t such a prolific bust…

By Bryan

March 6, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

DOB, what’s your take on Scott Thorman?? I know he’s out of options, and I guess ATL seems to think he’s got great potential, but his BA and patience (or lack of) at the plate is terrible! How long do you see the Braves keeping Thorman, or do they place him on waivers/trade him? ATL must think he has a great upside to keep him this long.. he does have good power when he connects, but unfortunately doesn’t happen very often. Thanks for the great reports, and keep up the great work for us fans DOB!!

By Reid in EAV

March 6, 2008 7:15 PM | Link to this

Thank you, DOB. I know the Braves are extra-cautious in March, but that doesn’t do my heart any favors. A hurt Moylan would be more painful than many folks realize, I think.

By ippississiM

March 6, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this

GoBravos:

Thanks for reminding me about Acosta. I spend much time at all on the bullpen projections, as you could probably tell. I did, however, spend several hours on research for the piece on the Phillies rotation. I plan to go back and rework that table I used for the Braves lineups, and also to do a more in-depth analysis of the Braves bench and bullpen.

Niels Boor:

Yes, please give me the links to what you’ve come up with on Glavine’s effectiveness as a mentor. I will use it in the next couple of days (possibly tonight, depending on how long it takes) as the basis for a deep-digging report.

By midtownBrave

March 6, 2008 7:22 PM | Link to this

Soriano… and now Moylan?? Hope both of them are alright b/c too much depends on them being healthy and performing like last year. I was counting on Soriano, Moylan, and Acosta to lead the pen. I was counting on Acosta/Moylan/Soriano setting up games for Gonzalez to save when he comes back healthy and sharp around June-July. Now they are toying with my mind here.

By Capt. Caveman

March 6, 2008 7:27 PM | Link to this

Please tell me we are not going through another day of “As The LEW Turns” / “The Bold and The LEWdicrous” / “Days Of Our LEW” / “According to LEW” / OR “LEW 9-0-1-WHO-CARES??”.

I keep expecting the first post to read “HI - My name is LEW and I’m a blog-a-holic !!”

Now there are no curse words or rude name callings in that post but “I got 5 on it” that says he just blew a O-ring seal !!

By midtownBrave

March 6, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this

I’m Ron Burgundy? I’m gonna have to agree with you on that ‘Glavine being the weakest link in the braves rotation this year’ comment. Sure he is one of the best pitchers of all time and I have always admired (don’t know if that’s the right word) him, but age has definitely caught up with him. I am counting on Hampton having his second-best career year (22 wins might be too much too ask, but I’m counting on 16-18 wins from Hampton), and JJ should be able to get at least 13-15 wins. Smoltz and Huddy should be what they were last year - the aces. Now if the bullpen is healthy, we might be taking back the throne in NL East.

By DonCoburleone

March 6, 2008 7:42 PM | Link to this

Ummm, yeah, if we lose Soriano and Moylan for any significant stretch this season we are going to be in big-time trouble. Say what you want about our offense and starting rotation (which are both rock solid), if our bullpen reverts back to ‘06 form we ain’t gonna even sniff the 90+ wins we need to make the postseason this year. I mean, even losing one of Moylan/Soriano for a significant stretch this season will seriously hurt our chances.

Close your eyes for a minute if you will, and just imagine a season where Acosta and Will Ohman are the primary setup men for Tyler Yates! AAAAAHHHHH!!! AAAAHHHH!!

By McFann

March 6, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

I was thinkin’ the same thing, Roman Gal!

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this

DonC, I dare say almost any team that goes without both its closer and top setup man (and closer option) would be severely weakened by the situation. The Braves aren’t unusual in that regard. In fact, they’d be in better shape than many teams simply because they would have a few others who could at least fill those roles without embarrassment.

And they also have several prospects at well-stocked positions that could be used to trade for a closer or setup man, if nececessary.

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Bryan, I don’t think many in the Braves organization believe Thorman has “great potential.” Potential, yes. But not great potential.

Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see him traded before opening day, but Braves don’t want to just give him away. They’d probably rather wait to see if some team has an injury and a need.

By Lew

March 6, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this

Caveman-No, I won’t blow an O ring a gasket or my blood pressure.

Only thing that mystifies me is exactly what your problem with me is? I haven’t even posted anything since before 3 this afternoon and that only in response to someone who posted in reference to me. It was a couple hours before that since I had posted previously.

It totally amazes me that you think so much of me that you have to bring up my name despite not even being here for over 5 hours, nor having referenced your illustrious self for two days. Just who is trying to stir up the cesspool here?

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this

Speaking of pitching injuries, I just got this e-mail from the Giants:

SCOTTSDALE, AZ — Giants left-handed starter Noah Lowry will undergo surgery tomorrow to address the exertional compartment syndrome of his left forearm, the club announced today.

The 27-year-old pitcher was diagnosed with exertional compartment syndrome, which is when there is high pressure in the forearm which compresses the nerve, today after undergoing diagnostic tests in the Bay Area over the last two days.

Dr. Gordon Brody will perform the procedure, in which he will release the fascia around the forearm muscles, tomorrow in the Bay Area. Lowry is expected to return to Scottsdale this weekend to begin his rehabilitation program. A prognosis will not be determined until after tomorrow’s procedure.

The diagnosis was made following a battery of tests, which included: an EMG nerve conduction study, a forearm compartment pressure test as well as MRIs of his left wrist, forearm and elbow.

By DonCoburleone

March 6, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this

“And they also have several prospects at well-stocked positions that could be used to trade for a closer or setup man, if nececessary.”

True, but then we are weakening our farm system which already took a hit last July. Not to mention, if you are including Lillibridge or Thorman or Prado as trading chips then we would be immediately impacting our big league club at what I feel is the weakest part of our team (the Bench).

By Lew

March 6, 2008 8:13 PM | Link to this

Lowrey had injury issues and missed the better part of September last season. Despite this, his name was mentioned as someone many Braves fans thought we should try to trade for him. Looks like it was a good thing it never happened. It also may explain why the Gianys pulled Lincecum off the available list when they did during the offseason.

By McFann

March 6, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this

Close your eyes for a minute if you will, and just imagine a season where Acosta and Will Ohman are the primary setup men for Tyler Yates! AAAAAHHHHH!!! AAAAHHHH!!

Don’t even go there!!! That’s scary!!

By I'm Ron Burgundy?

March 6, 2008 8:23 PM | Link to this

And they also have several prospects at well-stocked positions that could be used to trade for a closer or setup man, if nececessary.

See ya later, Martin Prado/Scott Thorman/Brandon Jones…

That sucks about Lowry…

If we lost Soriano I like Manny Acosta as setup man and Moylan to CL…

If we lost Moylan then I still like Acosta as setup man…

If we lost both I like Manny Acosta to gather the women and children and hide them from me…

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 8:27 PM | Link to this

DonC, who said anything about trading Lillibridge?

And you think that trading Thorman or Prado would “immediately impact” the big league team?

By Braveheart

March 6, 2008 8:29 PM | Link to this

I’m betting this is just usual soreness that Moylan and Soriano have. I bet Moylan and Soriano probably had the same kind fo soreness last year and pitched through it. It’s spring training so the team is taking it easier. No need for macho men in spring training.

I think Moylan and Soriano are the third most important tandem on this team. Here are my rankings of most important tandems on the Braves in order:

1. Smoltz/Hudson

2. Chipper/Tex

3. Moylan/Soriano

4. Glavine/Hampton

5. McCann/Frenchy

6. KJ/Escobar

7. James/Jurrjens

8. Ring/Ohman

9. Diaz/Kotsay

10. Infante/Anderson

11. Yates/Acosta

12. Javy/Lillibridge

13. Bennett/JoJo

14. Thorman/Brandon Jones

15. Prado/Pena

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this

Ron Burgundy, THAT (8:23) was funny. Thank you.

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 8:40 PM | Link to this

Braveheart, there is no room for a voice of reason in this dire situation. No room at all. Get it together, man. Either get on the doom-and-gloom train or get out of the way.

By Andy

March 6, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this

Cox pitched Moylan and Soriano to hell and back last season. This isn’t a huge suprise to me. All of Chuck James’ 4 inning masterpieces, and Mike Redman’s abominal 2 inning performances KILLED us!

By SNIPER-69

March 6, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this

I think the Mets will have the better bench and bullpen. This will be the difference this coming season that will allow the Mets to win the division. Much of the observations made on both teams focus’s on offense and starting pitching. Both teams seem strong in both these departments. so the X factor will come down the the benches and bullpens.

By Smitty

March 6, 2008 8:49 PM | Link to this

Found the blog a while back. I skim through from time to time. Good to see a group of folks as excited about the Braves in ‘08 as me.

DOB, I meant to chime in last week. I caught Jason Isbell and Will Hoge at the Georgia Theater. They put on one hell of a show despite the notoriously suspect sound system at the theatre. I’ve been an Isbell fan since his first show here in athens 6 -7 months or so ago. IMO, he’s the best young singer/songwriter out there. I hadn’t seen Hoge live, but he tore it up. For my money, there’s nothing like being able to see Danko/Manuel and GD Lonely love performed live along with Sirens. Great blog, I hope to pop in from time to time.

By ippississiM

March 6, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

GoBravos:

I took your suggestions for my 2008 projections page. Thanks for reminding me about Acosta, and for pointing out the problem with the lineup table.

By Capt. Caveman

March 6, 2008 9:05 PM | Link to this

Well - “Leave it to LEWser” / “One LEW Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” / “Mission Impossible LEW” / and my personal favorite film based on LEW — “JACKASS”.

Although I heard Rainman was loosely based but there are some characters even Dustin Hoffman wont play.

By Murphy

March 6, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this

Trying to be the first on the blog is not unique to DOB’s blog, but I hope you enjoy your game while others of us skip ahead to read or respond to actual baseball analysis.
Yeah on the Win! Thanks for the updates DOB!

By Capt. Caveman

March 6, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this

DOB

Your 8:40 post — now that was funny !!

By Lew

March 6, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this

Smitty-Have they made any improvements on the Georgia Theater since I saw the Dixie Dregs there in 1980?

By Braveheart

March 6, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this

My bad, DOB. The world is going to hell in a handbasket. It’s the end of the world as we know it.

Sniper, I agree with you that people focus too much on the starting pitchers, the starting lineup and back end of the pen and too often forget the last 10 guys on the roster.

Bobby Cox and John Scheurholz were often the most guilty of forgetting the importance of these depth guys. They could get away with it during the regular season when they were dominant but the weak bench and middle of pen usually stuck out like a sore thumb in the postseason. Now that the pitching is not as good, it sticks out like a sore thumb during the regular season.

But I have to disagree with you that the Braves have a weak bench this season. One thing I have been very impressed by with Frank Wren is how concerned he seems with building a legit bench, bullpen, and depth with the starting rotation. I truly have been very pleased with Wren about this new approach which is so much different than Scheurholz.

Infante, Prado, Javy, Lillibridge, Anderson, Brandon Jones, Pena, Thorman have the potential to make this a very quality bench. I’m excited about their potential.

But I do have to hand it to the Mets. One thing Omar has done very well is make sure he has a strong bench. Whereas the Braves are dependent upon their minor league system to bolster their depth, the Mets have the money to add pieces throughout the season here and there.

But Omar does have an eye for marginal talent he can make do with if the need arises. I don’t believe the Mets would have had the same success the last few years without the invaluable contributions of Chavez, Easley, Franco, Valentin, Castro, Gotay, Milledge.

However, I’m not too sure Omar has built a good bench again this year - the bench becomes that much weaker if all those starting players are not ready to go. But Omar will most likely figure something out. He has the financial resources to piece together an adequate bench.

I’m not too sure if he has the starting lineup figured out right though. And I’m not sure that he has the minor league pieces left to trade during the season to make the starting lineup better.

The other benefit the Mets have is Peterson. He made Sosa serviceable enough last year. He has done wonders with Oliver Perez and John Maine. He turned around Glavine. I think with Peterson on your side, he will figure something out to make magic out of a crappy pitcher or two every season - kinda like Leo would do here every season.

But I think the Braves under Wren have finally put together a bunch of pitchers that suits the old Met Roger McDowell’s sinkerballing style. Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, Glavine, Jurrjens, Moylan, JoJo should all greatly benefit from being McDowell style pitchers.

The benefit of McDowell’s style is that when you go down, down, down, the flames don’t go higher and you don’t get burnt, burnt, burnt, and find yourself in a ring of fire.

It’s gonna be a fun season.

By 30YrBravesFan

March 6, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

DOB Anything more on what Soriano’s status is?

By Smitty

March 6, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

Doubtful, Lew. Same old place everybody remembers, I’m sure. Not a bad place to catch a show, but definitely not on par with the 40 Watt.

By bruce

March 6, 2008 9:50 PM | Link to this

Dave… how bout rather than get on the gloom and doom train… lay down on the tracks in front of the gloom and doom train. Thanks Bruce BTW no luck on getting stubhub to let me have the opening day Nats tix from the cancelled game… I tried about three rounds of e-mails before giving up.

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this

Soriano might throw off mound in a couple days, according to Bobby Cox. He said Soriano has thrown long-toss last couple days. Still didn’t give us a day that Soriano might pitch in a game.

By Nick

March 6, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this

DOB: Why is it that you and Mark Bowman always write the same stories? Does he just rip you off constantly, or are you guys like good buddies and share story ideas?

(For what it’s worth, you’re a much better writer than he is)

By David O'Brien

March 6, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this

Smitty, good to have you. We saw that Isbell/Hoge show in Charleston on New Year’s Eve. Isbell solid as always, but I was surprised how great Hoge was live. He really has a good time up there, and that’s cool to see a performer acting like he’s having fun, sort of like the Boss with the E-Street Band.

By I'm Ron Burgundy?

March 6, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this

Mark Bowman is a David O’Brien pseudonym, as is Dr. Seuss.

By ssiscribe

March 6, 2008 10:09 PM | Link to this

Moylan’s elbow is a bit tender and we’ve not seen Soriano pitch yet. Bennett’s pitched just once and Chipper’s missed the past five games.

Hmmmmm. Were this March 26, I’d be concerned. But wait, it’s March 6. The season starts in 24 days. There are three and a half week to go between now and the start of the season.

Relax, everybody. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Chill out, pour yourself a drink of your choosing and get ready for a fantastic three-team chase in the NL East.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By Thrillhouse44

March 6, 2008 10:11 PM | Link to this

Was Soriano’s stomach ailment caused by too many shrimp sandwiches?

By Thrillhouse44

March 6, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this

How did Lil’ Bridge look on the hot corner today? I didn’t see it mentioned anywhere on here.

By Gator

March 6, 2008 10:17 PM | Link to this

DOB, Who is scheduled to pitch on Sunday? I’m making the trip and I couldn’t figure out who’s turn it would be.

By chuckaluck

March 6, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this

Not trying to crash the “doom-and-gloom train,” but DOB who’s scheduled to throw tomorrow?

By Nick

March 6, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

Hampton is tomorrow. It’s Jo-Jo’s turn on Saturday, and Huddy’s turn on Sunday, but I don’t know if the split-squad on Saturday will affect that.

By Roman Gal

March 6, 2008 10:37 PM | Link to this

Thrillhouse, yes. That must be the cause. Good one…made me laugh.

By Steve McP

March 6, 2008 10:42 PM | Link to this

Hampton is the guy for tomorrow, can’t help viewing each pitch with trepidation!

By Steve McP

March 6, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this

Hampton is the guy for tomorrow, can’t help viewing each pitch with trepidation!

Actually a good guy to have if you want to ride the doom and gloom train

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

March 6, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this

O’Brien , when is the first roster cut of spring training ?

Doom and Gloom ! puulleeesse , the team is 7-2 after nine games played. The Braves have outscored the opposition 56 to 26 and posted an ERA of 2.91

By Greg in TN

March 6, 2008 11:00 PM | Link to this

Evening folks…

Even with the sunshine gang, there’ll be some clouds here and there most days.

Sure it’s something the team will keep an eye on talking in terms of Moylan and Soriano’s sore wings. Those two will anchor what I feel will be a good bully and quite formidable once Mike Gonzalez is able to return sometime during the summer. Add to that Chipper’s hamstring and I can understand a bit of the consternation, however as the esteemed scribe mentioned, March is still quite young and there’s more Grapefruit ball to be played.

I think Glavine drew a tough opponent today in what could be the team that will play deep into October in Lakeland today.

Hide the cameramen tomorrow folks, Kenny Rogers is coming to town. Every time he walks to the mound from now until deep in the season, Hampton will draw quite a bit of attention from Planet Braves. The Tigers should be one of the best litmus tests he’ll face in the spring.

By chuckaluck

March 6, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this

Hampton could be the conductor of the doom and gloom train.

By ippississiM

March 6, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this

Does anybody remember who’s out of options as as far as position players? I’m pretty sure Thorman and Pena or out of options, but what about Prado, Anderson, Blanco, Brandon Jones, Infante and Sammons? I’m working on an analysis of the pros and cons of the various bench candidates.

I was going to research the influence Tom Glavine may or may not have had on various younger lefties over time, but I’m still waiting for some info from Neils Boor.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

March 6, 2008 11:09 PM | Link to this

By the way , Manny Acosta (41) and Chris Resop have (39) have eighty combined saves in the minors.

By ippississiM

March 6, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this

Y’all quit ragging on Hampton, you’re gonna jinx him.

By chuckaluck

March 6, 2008 11:21 PM | Link to this

I’m not ragging on Hampton, just hoping — praying, actually — the bubble gum in his arm sticks.

By Nick

March 6, 2008 11:23 PM | Link to this

ippississiM: Here

Keep up the good work. And if you haven’t yet, please change the color scheme…

By Nick

March 6, 2008 11:29 PM | Link to this

I think Infante is out of options too, but if any of the others were, we probably would have heard about it by now.

By chrisklob

March 6, 2008 11:33 PM | Link to this

ippi, Thorman and Pena are both out of options. Anderson, Jones and Sammons all have options remaining. I believe that Prado and Anderson have one option remaining and Blanco has all his options (3) still. I think Infante has one option remaining but I don’t see the Braves sending him down based on what they will be paying him this year.

By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)

March 6, 2008 11:44 PM | Link to this

Infante is the utility back up and slated to be with the team all season , whether or not he has options is a moot point.

Yes, Thorman and Pena are out of options. But , Thorman is the back up to Teixeira and he will make the team barring a trade.

Brayan Pena is the only position player on the bubble , so to speak.

Anderson , Prado , Jones , Blanco and Sammons all have option years remaining.

By Shamus Thacker

March 7, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this

How many times do we play division opponents this year, and how many interleague games?

I love, and hate, interleague play.

By uga-brave

March 7, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this

well gold is going to $1,000.00 oz. oil is pushing $105.00

the stock market is plunging, CITIBANK might be insolvent.

AMBAC, MBIA, the companies that insure all those nice mortgages that we have, must have a bailout, or they flatline.

on to baseball, well i would not be to worried about glav’s outing, he knows where he needs to be when the bell rings.

By StingerSplash

March 7, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

DOB,

I have heard lots of good things about Will Hoge and almost went to that Charleston NYE show myownself. Radio station in Charleston that has since been reformatted (a tremendous, tremendous loss to the radio landscape when it was undone) used to play quite of bit of Mr. Hoge. Good stuff, in my book. Haven’t seen Isbell solo yet. But saw a couple of DBT shows and the last one I saw in Charleston they absolutely tore the roof off the sucka.

By Metropolitan Man

March 7, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

Glavine’s outing is a carry over from the end of 07. Say hello to your new number 5 starter who should be retired.
I see Inge of Detroit put himself on display for you guys, he knows you will need an everyday 3b. Better trade for him now before Chipper tricks you guys again.

By uga-brave

March 7, 2008 1:09 AM | Link to this

why do you guys want to keep attacking LEW,

he is the one constant on the blog. his love for the braves will never be questioned. he will always defend the home team, might be ornery at times, but so what.

he is more informed about players, and the pulse of the braves then just about any of us.

how many of you or us spend two weeks in orlando, just to watch the workouts before the games even start?

lew, i know you dont need anyone defending you, nor do you want it.

just got sick of it.

By uga-brave

March 7, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this

metro,

told a lot of people over the summer that a financial meltdown was coming. i will tell you this, glav will win at least 12.

he has got to, no way can he come back here and bomb. when he left for the mets for more money, he alienated a lot of fans.

never heard a ex brave booed louder then glavine when he came home.

this is the guy that pitched a one hitter in our only world series championship.

he cant fail here and he KNOWS IT, it would destroy his legacy.

By Nick

March 7, 2008 1:33 AM | Link to this

metro man: What are Santana, Pedro, Maine, Perez, and Hernandez’s ERAs so far this spring?

By uga-brave

March 7, 2008 1:50 AM | Link to this

DOB,

do you think there is a little pressure on glavine?

considering the way he was received by fans when he came back, i think he must have a good year, or fans are really going to sour.

By uga-brave

March 7, 2008 2:14 AM | Link to this

final fact, commodities are going up, both hard and soft.

on the hard side oil, gold, silver, and paladium are at record highs.

on the soft side, wheat, coccoa, oj, and other consumpton products are at highs.

housing blows, our dollar is now worth 50 cents against the euro.

so a little joke. how does obama get elected in the south?

add a G.

GO BAMMA. thought braveheart might like that one.

By Double Deuce

March 7, 2008 2:44 AM | Link to this

++Metro Man++ You wish Chipper would miss the year since he absolutely owns the Mets. And since you brought it up, Glavine may be a holdover from late ‘07, but we only have one. You have your entire useless lineup that was 7 up with 17 to go when they choked. CHOKED. Probably a prelude to’08.

By BayAreaSteve

March 7, 2008 3:00 AM | Link to this

UGA,

Should I sell my silver? Even if I don’t need the money for whiskey?

By Braveheart

March 7, 2008 3:15 AM | Link to this

final fact, commodities are going up, both hard and soft.

how can a commodity that is going up be both hard and soft? if the commodity is both hard and soft, it sounds like it ain’t going up. sounds like it is a sidewinder. at least that is my experience.

housing blows

well if you are gonna tell us something like that, why don’t you give us housing’s number?

By Braveheart

March 7, 2008 3:17 AM | Link to this

If Lillibridge ever commits an error on the road, it will be interesting to see if the home team has the guts to play the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Under the Bridge.

By Braveheart

March 7, 2008 3:42 AM | Link to this

So a Tech pro golfer gets charged with killing a hawk. How the hell do Billy Knight, Mike Woodson, and the 9 losers that own the team continue to escape prosecution for killing the Hawks?

And Stan Kasten might currently be playing little Hermey the Elf from Rudolph the RedNosed Reindeer and pretending he is gonna be the champion with that Island of Misfit Toys he is fielding up there in D.C. but that dude deserves a little prosecution for killing the Hawks too.

Speaking of Rudolph the Rednosed Reindeer, what the hell is up with ugabrave and all his talk of silver and gold? You’re sounding like that greedy Yukon Cornelius, who is not to be confused with that groovy Don Cornelius who has soooooooooooooul. I’m gonna hire Sam the Snowman and have him sing the Yukon Cornelius Silver and Gold song from Rudolph’s little show and make it ugabrave’s new theme song.

Silver and gold Silver and gold Everyone wishes for silver and gold How do you measure its worth? Just by the pleasure it gives here on Earth.

Silver and gold Silver and gold Means so much more when I see Silver and gold decorations On every Christmas tree.

What’s a Christmas tree without tinsel and pretty silver and gold decorations? Can’t really call it a Christmas tree, now can you? And think of all the fun and joy that would be lost on Christmas morning if all the young folks didn’t get see that sparkling, happy tree.

Silver and gold Silver and gold Means so much more when I see Silver and gold decorations On every Christmas tree!

Speaking of Tech golfers, what the hell ever happened to David Duval? When is someone gonna be prosecuted for killing that dude’s career? Or did he kill his own career? Or was it a Tiger staredown?

By Braveheart

March 7, 2008 4:15 AM | Link to this

I could care less how many games any of our starting pitchers personally win. What I am looking for is for the Braves offense to score 850 runs, a 40 run increase from last season. What I am looking for out of the Braves rotation is for the Braves to get 450 innings out of Smoltz and Hudson with a 3.25 ERA, 500 innings combined out of Jurrjens, Hampton, Glavine, James with an ERA of 4.50, and 500 innings out of the bullpen with an ERA of 4.00. If you add in 65 expected unearned runs given up during the season, you have the Braves scoring about 850 runs and giving up about 700 runs. 150 run differential. That’s not unreasonable, is it? If you have any faith in ole Pythagoras, that should make the Braves a 96 win team. About every 10 run differential is a win over 81.

Pythagoras has let his ugly bride Lady Luck smack him up the last two years with the Braves winning 11 less games than they should have according to Pythagoras. Or is Bobby Cox the one at fault for that? Pythagoras says the Braves should have won 89 games last year and 84 games the year before. Pythagoras might get screwed by that evil wench Lady Luck from time to time but Pythagoras is a vengeful SOB and is mean when sober and, if you give him enough time, he eventually beats the heck out of his ugly bride Lady Luck. Karma is a b1tch there lady luck. I don’t condone wife beating at all but after the last two years, it is about time for Pythagoras to grow a pair and go like Prodigy and change that pitch up and smack that b!tch up. Were there any other lyrics to that song? Or maybe just be like Chris Rocks says, “I won’t hit a woman. But I sure as hell will shake the living sheesh out of one.” Lord knows Lady Luck has it coming to her after the last two years. Karma just might be on the Braves side this season. It’s hard to believe Pythagoras will get so badly screwed by that fat ugly broad for a third season in a row. Maybe he’ll even try to get her to even things up and make the Braves win 100 games even though Pythagoras would only think 96 wins would happen if all goes fine and dandy. Yeah right on that.

Worst case scenario, if the Braves score 850 runs, Hudson and Smoltz have a 3.50 ERA, the other starters have a 5.00 ERA and the pen has a 4.50 ERA, that should still make the Braves an 89 win team. 850 for, 770 against, 700 earned, 70 unearned, 80 run diff., 89 wins.

So when I hear people talk about how many games Glavine or Smoltz or Hudson or Hampton or Jurrjens or James need to personally win, I say who cares? All I care about is their ERA and the starting pitchers gobbling up innings like Pacman while the hitters get it on like Donkey Kong and the fielders attack balls like they’re playing Space Invaders.

Alright, never mind me. I’m drunk, don’t know what the hell I just typed, if it made any sense, and it is well past time to go to bed. I think I did some math up there. But a drunk with a calculator ain’t to be trusted. Oh well. Figure it out yeselves. Maybe I did it right.

By Capt. Caveman

March 7, 2008 4:31 AM | Link to this

Braveheart

I really enjoyed that last posts. LOL

Might be time to put the BONG down though.

By Metropolitan Man

March 7, 2008 5:21 AM | Link to this

Braveheart: Runs will get you to the dance, pitching will seal the deal. The days of Leo is gone and he proved he happended to be at the right place at the right time to get all the braves pitching accolades of the 90’s. You might want to score 850 runs, but give me a combines era of 3-4 for the year and that team will meet and beat your offensive juggernaut in the playoffs. Boston seems like the only offensive team that beats team up in the playoffs recently.

By David O'Brien

March 7, 2008 5:52 AM | Link to this

BayAreaSteve and Braveheart: Priceless.

By David O'Brien

March 7, 2008 5:58 AM | Link to this

do you think there is a little pressure on glavine uga-brave

Yes, I do. That had nothing to do with yesterday’s results, if you were implying that. But yes, I agree with you there’s pressure coming back to Atlanta, and plenty of fans could turn on him if he doesn’t perform.

Oh, by the way, you’d need to also add an “m” to get “go bamma.” Maybe just stick with “go bama”? (just busting on you, man.)

By stephen jones

March 7, 2008 5:58 AM | Link to this

DOB u feelin ok? Gettin up earlier by the day.

By David O'Brien

March 7, 2008 6:06 AM | Link to this

Coach, I asked Bobby yesterday about first cuts. The brass is meeting on Tuesday, cut could come after that.

I’d expect another round of cuts after the overnight trip to Jupiter March 16-17.

By David O'Brien

March 7, 2008 6:08 AM | Link to this

stephen, i’m fine. just transitioning into a new state of being that requires no sleep. like braveheart.

By chuckaluck

March 7, 2008 6:22 AM | Link to this

DOB Good morning. What’s the TV deal with Peachtree this year? Specifically, what does it mean to those of us in outlying areas like Columbus?

By ncscoots

March 7, 2008 6:32 AM | Link to this

All I care about is their ERA and the starting pitchers gobbling up innings like Pacman while the hitters get it on like Donkey Kong and the fielders attack balls like they’re playing Space Invaders.

Jim Caple weeps at the beauty of it…as do I.

The numbers are right (Braveheart is seldom off the mark in that area), and Pythagoras lives. You may slight the dude at some point, and he may not react, but he never…ever…forgets. Eventually, the scales balance, and over-achievers sleep with the Pythagorean fishes. Under-achievers don’t always get the flip side of the coin, but one can hope.

Those who have been been blithely dropping projections of the Braves winning 90+, or 95+, games this year might want to look at BH’s numbers to get a grip on just how dynamic a team must be to reach that lofty pinnacle.

Too much to hope for, perhaps, but maybe such a glance would forever relieve us of such posts as “he’s only hitting 8”, LOL.

Good post, my man.

By David O'Brien

March 7, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this

Chuckaluck, I’m not exaggerating when I say that question has been asked more than 50 times on here in the past five weeks (and answered 31 times).

Not blaming you for asking; I should’ve saved a paragraph to cut-and-paste the answer here.

Long story short: Peachtree told our Tim Tucker they were trying to work out deals with various local cable companies in places outside the Atlanta area. I haven’t seen any announcements about said deals, and it’s just not a story I’m following because I simply don’t have time to stay abreast of that while doing everything I’ve got to do covering the actual team on the field.

Probably not the answer you want, but I just don’t know. No one does yet, or if they (Peachtree) do, they haven’t said.

By stephen jones

March 7, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this

DOB:

I hope your still recognizable due to the new sleep pattern. I may not notice you at Dark Star next week. Although you can find me because I’ll be the idiot holding up a sign that says “DOBloggers here”. That was Lew’s idea.

By David O'Brien

March 7, 2008 7:21 AM | Link to this

How ‘bout Albert Pujols? In his right elbow he has a high-grade ligament tear, bone spurs, inflammation and arthritis.

Other than that, the elbow’s good to go.

By JasonInMaine

March 7, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this

DOB, what’s up? Anderson is making it tough on the Braves to go with the assumed platoon of B. Jones/Diaz. I like the idea of having some speed on the bench. I have heard you mention that the Brass is speaking highly of him. Does you gut tell you he will be the 4th OF?

By chuckw/deadjournalist

March 7, 2008 7:45 AM | Link to this

anyone that has ever thrown a baseball, at any level, knows there’s always going to be sore elbows and shoulders the first couple of weeks. but …

going back to a blog conversation between ssscribe and myself a week or so ago, i still have concern about moylan’s health this year given the number of appearances/innings he made last year (and in ‘06 when he was up and down) based on the fact he was out of the game for five years.

i hope i’m wrong. but i’m just concerned.

he was a hot topic weeks ago, but in skimming the blogs recently, what’s the skinny on bennett?

is there really anything more important in today’s game that quality depth?

speaking of, this is the point in my post were i reintroduce my belief that major league rosters should expand to 27 or 28 with one or two game-day inactives.

while i’m a traditionalist (i loath the dh; it took me ten years to warm to the wild card and i still don’t like interleague play) i firmly believe rosters needs more flexibility.

with most teams carrying 12 or 13 pitchers because of the increased role of relievers during the past 10 years, it’s meant less offensive strategy because of shorter benches.

remember last year in the game that rentaria was hurt late in the game, but after woodward had been used? chipper had to move to short and willie harris had to play third. the braves had the lead and there were smiles all around because of chipper playing short. harris (no knock, it was the first time he’d played 3rd in a game in years) made an error on the first ball hit to him and the braves went on to loose the game.

i recant that story, because if the braves would have had a couple of extra roster spots, maybe there would have been an extra spot on the bench for another utility infielder.

and while it didn’t happen last year (it almost did but a braves rally failed in extra innings late in the season) who among us really wants to see matt diaz have to catch?

i won’t even get into the benefit of match-ups based on usage or more day-to-day strategy.

anyway, that ended up be a much longer post that i planned on, oh well.

By ssiscribe

March 7, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

Chuck: I was at the game you referenced above when Renteria was hurt. It’s the night Mike Lamb hit a grand slam off Soriano in the eighth inning as the Braves blew a big lead and lost in, I think, 14 innings.

That’s the night the Braves lost the division right there. Renteria, that one tried AB in Cincy aside, missed a month. It all started crumbling from there.

But back to your point: Yeah, Willie nearly killed himself running into the wall next to the dugout chasing a pop up. He made an error (I think it loaded the bases for Lamb, who followed with a game-trying grand slam).

Also, remember the game in Florida when Frenchy got tossed for arguing, Pete Orr had to go to left field and he and Andruw miscommunicated on a ball that cost the Braves the game?

You make a really good point about having an extra player or two. But I wouldn’t label them as inactives. I’m a deep traditionalist, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I think expanding the rosters by one, to 26, is an interesting idea.

If you carry 12 pitchers — and I honestly don’t know if more teams carry 12 or 13 — but if you carry 12, having a 26-man roster gives you six position players on your bench.

Opponents will argue that this allows 30 non-major league caliber players into the league, expands payroll, etc. But I think it’s an interesting idea. Unlike hockey, I don’t think it makes a lot of sense to have a gameday inactive player or two. You don’t know at 7 p.m. if you’re going to play 14 innings that night, or if you’re going to have to stick your left fielder at third base.

Anyway, just my two cents worth. May have to write about this on my blog one slow day, because I think it’s an interesting idea. And I’m interested to hear what the other denizens have to say about this.

The Scribe abides

—30—

By stephen jones

March 7, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

what this years team need to do is put together strings of games where they win several in a row, not win 2 lose 2 or any other combo. not sure what our longest winning streak was last year but i know it wasnt much. kinda hard when we were doomed from the 4 & 5 hole. albeit they only finished 4 games back, just a couple hops our way and we could been there only to lose in the playoffs.

By David O'Brien

March 7, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this

Ugly day at the park, dark and rain threatening. But we’ll see. We got it in yesterday when it looked like we wouldn’t (or at least 8-1/2 innings)….

This just in: Pujols brushed his teeth this morning without the elbow blowing….

JasoninMaine, the supposed platoon in LF has been debunked for a couple weeks now, or longer actually (since about the time it became clear Infante would be on the DL to start season).

It’s pretty obvious they’re leaning toward Anderson as a fourth OF, in large part because he plays a solid CF (B Jones does not).

By JasonInMaine

March 7, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

DOB, sorry for the “obvious” comment/question. I had been traveling for a couple of weeks and am getting caught up.

By chuckw/deadjournalist

March 7, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this

ssscribe -

you are dead on that the harris at 3rd game changed the whole division picture.

my idea on the game day inactive, would allow the previous day’s starter to be designated in-active if the rosters only expanded to 26. with a 27 or 28 man roster, the variables increase.

i too will be interested to see what the rest of the group thinks on the idea, although i’m going to be away from the computer for a good chunk of the rest of the day.

By atown

March 7, 2008 9:13 AM | Link to this

DOB,

Smitty’s blog got me thinking. I haven’t seen DBT in person since Isbell left the band. Do you think DBT’s sound and overall vibe has suffered without Isbell?

By Jeff R

March 7, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Drawing conclusions about Glavine’s effectiveness this early in Spring training makes no sense. I’m more interested in how he performs from late July on. Then we’ll see if his age factors into his results.

Flowers… I didn’t catch if management is going to work him behind the plate or at 1B. With McCann, what sense would it make to develop Flowers as a backstop? Better to have him in the queue to replace Tex, if or when he accepts a mega deal elsewhere for his services.

By Niels Boor

March 7, 2008 9:28 AM | Link to this

Luther—

Nope, I never have. (But this guy has, and he’s got something to say about it.

These two guys are divided.

While “double” obviously refers to the two beef patties, the burger itself is a stack of not only those patties, but also cheese, onions and pickles. They have met the minimum — call off the FTC.

(A short stack at IHOP is three cakes.)

By knowitall

March 7, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this

chuck I’ve never understood the whole game day inactive thing. It kind of defeats the purpose if you as me. In football your allowed a 53 man roster but on Sunday, you can only have something like 47 active. Now if one of your inactives is a QB and the first two QBs get hurt, then you can bring in your third QB. But what if you only have 2 running backs active? The third one standing beside you in street clothes can do you no good if the 2 active ones get hurt.

It would be the same in baseball. Once the game starts, you’ve already made the decision on who’s not going to play that night and if 8 players get hurt, those inactive guys will do you know good. So again what would be the point. They hide behind the excuse that they need the extra guys to practice in football but there is no such need in baseball.

By Steve McP

March 7, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Increasing the rosters would be a good idea, but my concern is that it would give even more power to the rich teams as they could buy depth.

I think that it would be a good idea if the roster was increased if there was a stipulation that a roster must include a certain number of players with less than 3 years in the majors, this would stop teams buying pennants (not that it has worked for the Yankees and Mets of late) and reward teams that invested in their farm systems.

By KC

March 7, 2008 9:44 AM | Link to this

Moylan’s elbow is sore too??

I don’t like hearing this stuff. It’s probably nothing in Moylan’s case… andhopefully nothing in Soriano’s case. But there’s always the possibility that the elbow soreness IS in fact a sign of something more.

That scares the hell out of me.

By Reid in EAV

March 7, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

DOB 7:21 am — LOL! “So, Mrs. Lincoln, aside from all that other business, how was the play?”

By David O'Brien

March 7, 2008 9:47 AM | Link to this

atown, if you’ve heard the new DBTs album, I think you’d agree they have not suffered. it’s a great album, ranks with their best, in my opinion.

By Jersey Gil

March 7, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

DOB Talking about Cut…how this work…if like the Movie “Major League”?..That they put a tag color in they lucker..or the boss call the player in his office a let him know? Give me some inside. I been follow the spring training games on MLB and ours Bravos look pretty good…special the bench guys, Prado,Borschard, Anderson, I think a lot Baseball Writer going to be in chuck when the Braves the fisrt month run with the Division.

By Lew

March 7, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this

Pujols less than 100%. Good thing I drafted Tex for my fantasy team.

UGABrave-Thanks for your 1:09 post. It’s appreciated.

Sounds like there’s some pretty nasty weather in N. Florida and S. Georgia today-lots of tornado warnings out. Hope Savannah Guy and all others in that area are doing all right.

By Braveheart

March 7, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

From Bob Raismann of the NY Daily News:

Anyone hanging on for dear life, dangling precariously from the ledge of a high rise, would not want to look up and see their only lifeline is a Mets suit or manager Willie Randolph.

The Mets guys would tell you not to worry. They will save you. Just hang on. Right about then you could book a 20-story fall and a date with the pavement.

Last September, when their free fall was on, Randolph, Omar Minaya, and Wilpon Incorporated were pushing sunshine and lollipops. With enough injured players to fill seven rooms of gloom, the same cast of characters now acts as if it has that tiny lottery dude, “Little Bit of Luck,” under contract.

If the Mets organization is delusional, fine. Randolph already has worn out the “if it was a week to go in spring training, I’d be very worried” line. If this happens to be some kind of stiff-upper-lip strategy designed to put up a strong front to the media while soothing the ticket-buying public’s fears, it’s not only moronic, it’s already an abject failure.

Yesterday, any number of baseball columnists picked it apart, chronicling the depths, and consequences, of the Mets’ injury epidemic. None of them was buying the party line that it’s too early to panic. Their analysis was blunt. It carried a who-do-you-think-you’re-kidding tone. Unlike sports talkies, who are paid to cry wolf, the writers’ words had legitimate impact.

The Daily News’ Bill Madden wrote: “This is no longer anything to make light of, no longer something to be dismissed as typical early spring (black and) blues.”

The New York Post’s Joel Sherman wrote: “The (Mets) organization is becoming expert in downplaying players going down.”

Will being labeled baseball ostrich’s change the Mets’ methods? Or will they continue distributing autographed Alfred E. Neuman sunglasses to the media?

“The key in a crisis is not to box yourself in (with the media),” said a veteran sports executive. “If you confront the situation, acknowledge the severity of the problem, the press has no place to go. They will back off. The Mets organization is inflaming the situation. It’s perplexing.”

Especially when putting the Mets’ “image” entering spring training in context. Memories of the team’s monumental gag job should have lingered. Instead, Johan Santana, a very expensive bottle of perfume, deodorized the room. All the injuries, and the Mets’ spin on them, have aligned to bring the stench back.

Although they would never admit it, Yankees brass must be laughing out loud over the Mets taking a negative spotlight and shining it on themselves. Going into spring training it was the Yankees who owned the nasty headlines. Andy Pettitte, an admitted liar and cheater, entered camp apologizing to everyone except the peanut vendors.

How would Pettitte react?

How will this affect the team?

Will there be more revelations?

Will Andy testify against Roger?

Thanks to the Mets’ attempt to take reality and bend it, all this Pettitte stuff now seems like a distant memory. Instead of putting this all to rest by stealing a line from Brian McNamee and saying, “It is what it is,” mumbo-jumbo is leaving the mouths of Mets executives. Some of it would be hilarious if these fellows were not so serious.

Like Mets COO Jeff Wilpon, who said, “You have to separate the guys who came to camp after surgery and the guys who have gotten hurt here.”

Is this his version of the Mets’ Maginot Line, dividing offseason injuries from the others? Please. The injured players are all on the shelf. They all are now question marks.

Another can of media worms is about to be opened. It won’t be long before inquiring minds start poking around to see what kind of offseason fitness regimen the Mets ran for players - young and old. Maybe there will be a list (weights included) of who showed up in shape and who didn’t.

The story becomes even meatier considering the fascination with Joe Girardi’s desire to field the best-conditioned team in baseball. Already, Girardi’s obsessive fitness philosophy has been contrasted to Joe Torre’s laissez-faire approach. Look for comparisons to be made between Giradi’s drill sergeant routine and Randolph’s slant on strength and health.

The Mets’ manager already is on the spot. He does not need more media baggage. Randolph is point man/target on this subject of injuries. If the wounded don’t start walking soon, those questions will continue - day after day. Maybe one of these days, Randolph actually will offer a straight answer.

Even if the truth pushes him closer to that ledge.

By Jersey Gil

March 7, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

LEW Pal…the same system is coming this way tonight & tomorrow. Buy a lot of bread & Milk..it going to Snow heavy.

By ssiscribe

March 7, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Yeah Lew and DOB, ugly weather all around. Woke up to see a forecast that included rain, thunderstorms, strong winds, snow showers and wind chills in the teens … all of that between this morning and tomorrow afternoon.

March weather in the A can be a wild ride. We had the worst snowstorm of our lives here in mid March in 1993, 14 inches of snow in the western suburbs (the famed “Blizzard of ‘93). Remember buying tickets at the old stadium five or six days later, and the remnants of the snow was piled up on the sidewalks (like you see up north) and it was all dirty and nasty looking.

Chuck: Saw you mention making the previous night’s starter inactive. Another thought: Almost never do you see the previous night’s starter AND the next night’s projected starter get into a game. So, if you had a 27-man roster and made the previous night’s starter and the next night’s projected starter inactive, then you still have a 25-man roster at your disposal, but you’d have two more bench players.

And were it tied in the 15th and I needed a pinch hitter or a pinch runner, I’d rather have a bench position player than put tomorrow night’s starting pitcher out there and potentially get him hurt.

OK, back to it.

—30—

By Ramblin Wrecker

March 7, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

DOB,

On a scale from 1 to 10, how concerned are you about the soreness of elbows between both Soriano and Moylan? I know you’ve told us what Frank Wren and Bobby Cox have said. But you are there and we are not. Just from observing the mood of the players involved or how everyone answers the questions, do you sense any real concern about the situation?

By Braves2622

March 7, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Not to burst the Tyler Flowers is awesome bubble, but wasn’t he suspended 50 games for taking steroids? Yes, he was. On August 1, 2006. Maybe that has something to do with him hitting Sammy Sosa style 500 foot bombs off of chino during bp.

By SNIPER-69

March 7, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Texiera would look good in a Mets uniform. With Pedro, Delgado and I believe El Duque coming off the books the Mets will have mucho money to afford Texiera and then some.

By Tomahawkin' Again (Like it's 1995)

March 7, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

DOB, keep the updates coming on the whether the game is still on. I have tickets today and am still planning on bailing out of work to catch the game. Since it’s another day, has another Met been put on the DL yet? Ha Ha

By Niels Boor

March 7, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

ippississiM—

re: Glavine/mentor

Check out this and this.

My approach has been to look only at left-handed pitchers 10 years or younger than Glavine on the Mets roster sometime during his five years there.

First, see whose performance improved, and whose did not. (Throw out the latter — I’m not currently interested in trying to find a negative influence from Glavine.)

After identifying who improved, somehow determine what Glavine’s influence on that improvement might have been.

It’s probably a futile exercise — you can have it. If you want it.

Cheers!

By Jon

March 7, 2008 10:34 AM | Link to this

Braves2622 Flowers did that a while back and said he would never make that same mistake again. He is not on the stuff now, he is using raw power to hit those bombs.

By Lew

March 7, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this

According to Anders (who would have little reason to disseminate false information in this case) DelGado has a player’s option for 09. Dream on about Tex. You’re stuck with what you have. Aren’t you happy about that?

By DCbrave

March 7, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this

Braveheart- Did you have any sleep at all for the past 24 hrs? I am concerned, sir, no matter what heart you have, brave or not. I loved your posts and believed your math, but even a drunk needs some sleep :-)

By Overlord

March 7, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this

Moises Alou is hitting the surgery room. I guess that will be a big problem for the mets. Knees are a problem and groin is a problem. That is not good, specially for a 40+ YO OF. He is supposed to be be back in late april or early may, but to tell you the truth, i think it will be more than that. He will have an hernia repaired and he will have to take it easy on a tissue that has herniated. You can add to that the fact that he will have no spring training under his belt, so he will be rusty. He is a great player, mets need him badly, and i think they will not have him for half or the season. I expect him to play 80 games, no more than that.

By Thrillhouse44

March 7, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, you’re alive? I didn’t expect to see anything from you until well after lunchtime today. Great stuff late last night - especially 3:15 a.m. I hope you saved enough for this weekend’s St. Patty Day’s celebrations.

Too bad for Pujols that Larussa wasn’t able to get Bonds. His elbow would be in the Clear in no time.

By SNIPER-69

March 7, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

I think the Mets have a “Buy Out” option in 2009. When all is said and done the Mets will have the cash to pay Texiera. More so than the braves anyway.

By David O'Brien

March 7, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

new blog going up now…

By Stewart Nunn

March 7, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

Josh Anderson to lead off!!

Why can’t we give Josh a chance to lead off. With his speed and batting average he appears to be a perfect table setter for Escobar, Chipper, and Tex. Got to be better than Kelly.

By Overlord

March 7, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

Poll (CBS sports site)

Will the Braves make the playoffs? 31% Yes: As a wild card

58% No: They’re not good

11% Yes: They’ll win the East

Total Votes: 991

By Stewart Nunn

March 7, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Josh Anderson should lead off. Speed, 350+ average, scores runs. Look at the stats. Dump Kelly yesterday. He can bat 7 or 8.

By BabyGoatEater

March 7, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this

sscribe:

I too remember that blizzard or ‘93.I lived in Ohio at the time. We had off school for a month straight…..it was great really…. now im in PA and I’m sure we’ll get hammered again this weekend (like many before, this year so far) a few inches of the great white flakey stuff.

By Overlord

March 7, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this

I know its only spring, but we have taken care of the indians and tigers. We are looking good.

By DAP

March 7, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

speaking of the fantasy team…FJR, i havent heard anything else about the blog fantasy baseball league. any updates?

By DAP

March 7, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Braves2262 i dont see how flowers failing a steriods test in august of ‘06 has alot to do with him hitting bombs off of chino in march of ‘08. it doesnt last that long.

unless youre saying he is probably still on them and just hasnt been caught lately. i doubt thats true. flowers has addressed the whole issue already this spring and seems like he is past it.

By DAP

March 7, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this

Stewart Nunn Look at the stats

you first. anderson has 67 major league at bats. kelly johnson is a proven leadoff guy, over 500 at bats last year alone.

im not saying anderson shouldnt leadoff…that is yet to be seen…but dump johnson yesterday? anderson isnt even a major leaguer yet.

By protégé

March 7, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

protégé

By Niels© Boor©

March 7, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

ippississiM—

re: Glavine/mentor

Check out this and this.

My approach was to look only at left-handed pitchers 10 years or younger than Glavine on the Mets roster sometime during his five years there.

First, see whose performance improved, and whose did not. (Throw out the latter — I’m not interested in trying to find a negative influence from Glavine.)

After identifying who improved, somehow determine what Glavine’s influence on that improvement might have been.

It’s probably a futile exercise — you can have it. If you want.

Cheers!