AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 26 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USYates traded, another move coming?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. _ Ah, the last week of spring training, when the Braves trade away out-of-options guys like Tyler Yates (dealt to Pittsburgh this morning) and I try to stuff everything accumulated over the past six weeks into the luggage that was already full when I flew down here.
But I’m guessing you’re probably more interested in the Yates deal and other potential trades, rather than how I’m gonna make extra room to take home the 15 CDs and Bob Dylan coffee-table scrapbook and Harley-Davidson denim shirt and a few other things I’ve purchased since I got to Florida.
So we’ll get to it.
Oh, before I forget: Braves going with their “real” lineup today against Nats: 1. Johnson, 2B; 2. Escobar, SS; 3. Chipper, 3B; 4. Teixeira, 1B; 5. Francoeur, RF; 6. McCann, C; 7. Diaz, RF; 8. Kotsay, CF; 9. Bennett RHP.
OK, the trade. For the past week or so, it had become increasingly apparent that Yates was most likely to be moved from among the four out-of-options relievers. Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop and lefty Royce Ring remain standing, and I think the trio will probably make it to opening day.
The Braves got 22-year-old right-hander Todd Redmond in exchange for Yates. Redmond (yes, the name will make Braves fans cringe) was rated the No. 27 prospect in the Pirates organization, no great shakes but a potential back-end rotation member in a few years. He’ll go to Double-A. More on him in a moment.
GM Frank Wren said the Braves need to make one more move to make their roster “manageable” before opening day. He wouldn’t name names or even positions, but I’m thinking that either Brayan Pena or Scott Thorman (both out of options) will be moved in the next day or two, with Pena most likely to go.
The switch-hitting Cuban has drawn far more trade interest and is expendable due to the Braves having Corky Miller and Clint Sammons as backup-catcher options. Stay tuned. We’ll let you know something soon as we hear it.
Braves can take an extra reliever if they want to because John Smoltz will be DL’d for first week of the season. I just asked Bobby Cox and he confirmed that’s a possibility.
So the 12-man pitcher staff to open the season could go like this. First, the certainties: Starters Tim Hudson, Tom Glavine, Jair Jurrjens and Mike Hampton (they’ll begin the season in that order); relievers Rafael Soriano, Peter Moylan, Manny Acosta and Will Ohman.
Then you have Boyer and Resop, who both seem like sure things to me to be on the roster, unless the Braves get some too-good-to-refuse offer before opening day, which I don’t foresee. I also think Ring will make it, at least until Smoltz gets back, at which time they could try to get him through waivers.
And the extra spot? Jeff Bennett’s name is all over it, in my view. He’s not out of options, so the Braves could move him to the minors when Smoltz gets back. But he might also be too valuable as a spot-starter to send down.
Ring could be the odd man out a week in, but that’s getting way ahead of ourselves, and so much can happen between now and then, a sore elbow here or a trade offer there, etc.
Another Redmond: Hey, it’s not spelled Redman, it’s Redmond. Like Mike Redmond, the former Marlins catcher who used to wreck Tom Glavine and the Braves. Not like Mark Redman, the lefty who was merely a wreck for the Braves last season.
But anyway, the scouting report on this kid they got from the Pirates is that he has a very good curveball, good changeup and sinker, and excellent command. Tops out at about 90 mph with his fastball, which is just OK by big league standards.
He had a very good season in 2006 in low-A, going 13-6 with a 2.75 ERA and 148 strikeouts with only 38 walks in 160 innings.
Last season, not so good. He was 8-13 with a 4.39 ERA in 28 starts, 25 of them in high-A and three at Double-A. He gave up 166 hits and his strikeouts dropped to 107 in 160 innings, though he still kept the walks down (35).
And the positive note was that he pitched well after the promotion to Double-A, posting a 3.12 ERA in three starts with 15 hits, three wlks and 12 strikeouts in 17-1/3 innings.
OK, that’s more than really I care to write at this point about a former 39th-round draft pick with a 22-21 career record in three minor league seasons (but a solid 3.27 ERA with 318 strikeouts and 89 walks in 393 innings … seriously stop me, please.)
Could the Braves have gotten more? Obviously not, or they’d have pulled the trigger. Other teams were probably waiting to see if the Braves would release Tyler before the deadline Wednesday to do so and owe non-guaranteed contract players only 45 days’ termination pay.
But also, they didn’t have teams knocking down their doors, probably, because Tyler’s had a bad spring after posting a 5.18 ERA in a career-high 75 appearances last season.
Really good dude, Yates is. He’s a Hawaii native, and he and his wife liked Atlanta so much they just bought a house in the north ‘burbs. And he has a filthy slider and throws hard, too.
But command is sketchy at times, and he had too many bad streaks to rely on him in a prominent role this time around, in an improved bullpen and a team with serious playoff aspirations. The Braves had younger guys and/or other guys out of options who had better arms. So he got dealt.
“It’s part of the business,” Yates said, as he picked up his bag and headed out of the clubhouse. “See you guys Monday.”
The Braves play the Pirates in the home opener at Turner Field on Monday.
Tex for MVP: He’s batting .188 this spring, but Mark Teixeira isn’t the least bit concerned about his Grapefruit League batting average. And neither are the Braves.
Some great hitters have great springs. Some have terrible springs. They have one thing in common: Their spring results are quickly forgotten once the season begins.
“I never get hits in spring training,” said Teixeira, who’s a .286 career hitter in five major league seasons, and ranks fifth in the majors in extra-base hits (365) during that period, eighth in RBI (555) and ninth in homers (170).
“My spring training is more geared toward getting ready for 162.”
He played all 162 games in the 2005 and 2006 seasons for Texas, and last season had his first DL stint for a quadriceps injury when he was still with the Rangers.
Teixeira has 106 homers and 359 RBI in 456 games over the past three seasons, including a stunning 17 homers and 56 RBI (with a .317 average) in his 54 games for the Braves after a July 31 blockbuster seven-player trade.
Chipper Jones was dressing this morning in the clubhouse and Tex was sitting at his stall across the way.
“I just read a magazine where they predicted you’d be the National League MVP this year,” Chipper said.
“Whoopidy-do,” Teixeira replied, and both of them laughed.
“You should be flattered they think highly enough of you to predict you’ll be the MVP,” Chipper said, with his familiar smirk.
“You want to hit fourth and I’ll hit third, then maybe it’ll happen,” Teixeira said, smiling.
Chipper shook his head no, and smiled.
OK, so back to Tex’s spring. He’s 9-for-48 going into today’s game against the Nationals here at Dark Star. He’s got one double, one homer, eight RBI. His .271 slugging percentage is lower than Brent Lillibridge’s (.314), and his .250 OBP is almost as low as Thorman’s (.241).
And you won’t find one person on the team who is the least bit concerned (about Tex, that is). For good reason.
“The point of my spring training isn’t to get hits, it’s to get ready for the season,” said Teixeira, who said that he does so much extra work during the spring that he’s not going to be at his best for Grapefruit League games.
“Lifting extra weights, taking extra batting practice, if you do those things you’re probably not going to perform [well in spring games],” he said.
If you’re trying to make a team, that’s one thing, he said. You gear your work towards performing in the games and trying to earn a spot.
But if you have a spot, you gear it towards getting ready for the long grind ahead.
“If you don’t do the things to prepare for 162, you can peter out during the season,” he said. “Happened to me my rookie year. Couldn’t lift a bat the last month of the season. In spring training I played every day, wasn’t doing extra work.”
How does he feel this spring, entering his free-agent contract year?
“I feel great,” he said. “I’m happy with where I’m at. Ready to get out of here and start playing for real.”
Hitting coach Terry Pendleton said the switch-hitting Teixeira has gotten his swing into form as the spring’s progressed. And T.P. also agreed that spring training stats mean next to nothing for veterans.
“I was horrible in spring training,” said Pendleton, who was the NL MVP in 1991 for the worst-to-first Braves. “I remember in ‘92 we left [spring training] and went to Little Rock to plan an exhibition game against the Cardinals. The skipper [Cox] said to me, ‘I’ve got to be honest, I’m a little concerned.’”
“I said, ‘Don’t worry about me, I’ll be alright.’
Pendleton continued, “He said [before the Cardinals exhibition], ‘I’m gonna give you two at-bats today and then you’re out,’ OK?’
“I went deep twice, back-to-back [at-bats]. He said, ‘OK, we’re alright.’”
Lefties are different: Will Ohman blew into camp talking a mile a minute, often in a loud voice that filled the room. He’s gregarious, to say the least. This raised a few eyebrows in the low-key Braves clubhouse, at least initially.
But Ohman’s outgoing personality - he says he’s “loquacious” — has found a fit in the eclectic bullpen mix, with its tattooed, gregarious Aussie (Moylan) and its glaring but good-natured Dominican (Soriano) and quiet flamethrower (Acosta).
Or maybe I’m just letting the fact that I like Ohman’s musical tastes color my opinion. So be it.
He’s only the second major leaguer in 14 years who ever welcomed a music recommendation from me and actually purchased the CD I suggested. The other was also a lefty reliever, Vic Darensbourg of the Marlins in the late ‘90s.
Vic, a tough little dude from South Central L.A., and I used to talk about jazz and and old-school funk. And I recommended a CD by the jazz singer Cassandra Wilson, Blue Light ‘Til Dawn He totally dug it.
And Ohman? He’s a rocker, and I heard a Social Distortion song on his ringtone the first day he got to camp. We talked about Social D and Mike Ness (lead singer) and about how every album they put out was solid. Even the live album, I said.
He didn’t know about the live album I referred to, Live at the Roxy. Couple days later, he came in and said I was right, he had bought a copy and loved it.
So lefties may be “flaky” in the baseball vernacular, but they’re the ones with good musical taste.
Ahh, sweeping generalizations are a good thing.
”DON’T THINK TWICE” by Bob Dylan (covered later, much later, by Mike Ness — with a sneer)
Well there ain’t no use to sit and wonder why
If you don’t know by now
And it ain’t no use to sit and wonder why
It doesn’t matter any how
When the rooster crows at the break of dawn
Look out your window and I’ll be gone
You’re the reason I’m traveling on
But don’t think twice
It’s alright
And it ain’t no use in turnin’ on your light
The light I never knew
And it ain’t no use in turnin’ on your light
I’m on the dark side of the road
I wish there was something you could do or say
Make me wanna change my mind and stay
We never did much talking anyway
But don’t think twice
It’s alright
There ain’t no use in calling out my name
Like you never did before
And there ain’t no use in calling out my name
I can’t hear you anymore
I’m Thinking and wondering on the way down the road
I once loved a woman
A child I’m told
I’d give her my heart but she wanted my soul
Don’t think twice
It’s alright
Well going down that old lonesome road
Where I’m bound
I can’t tell
But goodbye’s too good a word
So I’ll just say fair thee well
Well I ain’t saying you treated me unkind
I coulda done better
But I don’t mind
Just kind of wasted my precious time
But don’t think twice
It’s alright
Yeah, don’t think twice
It’s alright
It’s alright
Don’t you ever think twice
It’s alright
Yeah, don’t think twice
It’s alright.
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Comments
By bravesfan
March 26, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
1st?
By Andy
March 26, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
DOB, after this season, who will be free agents for us? I’m just trying to figure out how we could pay Tex. Glavine, Hampton and who else?
By DannyDean
March 26, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
First?
By David-ATL14
March 26, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Solid work again DOB.
I hope it’s Thorman departing instead of Pena. if it’s only one of them going.
Pena could help us win a game sometime this summer.
By Philliesuk
March 26, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this
Good trade. Granted, Yates throws hard, but he’s not a reliable reliever. Like DOB alluded to, I’m sure there was little interest in him. A little reading about Redmond, however, makes me a little skeptical about his potential. Who knows, maybe we can get a season or two where he plays above his potential, like our boy Spoonybarger.
By Austin
March 26, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the Blog DOB?
Who are the scheduled relievers?
By Braveheart
March 26, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
Is that through the same levels for everybody or does it include AA/AAA numbers for some of the other guys?
Nolie, that’s a good point. It’s just based on their overall minor league stats. I just wasn’t in the mood to go breaking the stats down for an hour when a simplistic evaluation and provision of those stats sufficed to get a decent general picture about what the Braves see in Redmond.
By Randy S
March 26, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
I find it interesting that the team with the worst record in the National League, and therefore the first to have a chance to grab Yates off of waivers, ended up trading for him. Of course there was no assurance that Yates would be waived and not traded to another team, just found it interesting. Not gonna over analyze this trade. In the end, I like it. Braves got a (non-surgically-repaired) arm with good control for a guy they might have lost for nothing. I’ll take it.
By TN-MAN
March 26, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Goob blog DOB. Glad to see Yates go, mianly because looks like Resop is going to help the Braves. How is the weather looking for Sunday?
By Bawlmer Brave
March 26, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
Who else is counting down the hours until Sunday night? I can’t wait for this season to get underway. (No, the Japan games don’t feel like they count to me.)
By TBraveFan
March 26, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
DOB - Surely you’ve heard that we lefties are the only ones who are in our right minds!
So, of course we should have good taste - in everything!
By Bo
March 26, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Great job DOB in the Fla.sun. Can’t wait till season starts. Hope Anderson makes it as 4th OF. Looking forward to another trade that will help this year. Go Braves!!!!!!!
By Runnin
March 26, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Cool song! Who’s Mike Ness?
By Mike
March 26, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
10th?
By 3trees
March 26, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Really good entry, DOB. That exchange w/Chipper and Tex was priceless. I must hand it to you, the blog this spring has been very good.
Glad we got something for Yates. He teased us these last couple of years and yes, I know he was a bit overworked last year, but I never felt comfortable with him. Had the stuff, but either couldn’t or wouldn’t trust it. At least Redmond has control, who knows?
You probably meant that was Mike Ness’s version, but that’s a Bobby Z tune.
Go Braves!
By Ramblin Wrecker
March 26, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
I may be alone here, but I’d rather keep Bryan Pena and lose Thorman to the waiver wire, than keep Thorman and trade Pena for who knows what. I see no value in Thorman. There are several players I’d rather see at the plate as a pinch hitter or at 1B defensively than Thorman. Pena is one of them. I think he has a nice bat, from both sides of the plate and he offers flexibility of position and is serviceable. He also is a good influence to keep around for Yunel. I just can’t see how they would get enough back for Pena to make it worth keeping Thorman. Thorman would be a waste of a roster spot, and when he spends the first quarter of the season hitting under .200, they’ll have to risk waivers to send him to Richmond and they would have lost Pena.
Wren said, we’re going to keep the best 25 and then try to trade whoever is left without options, not they’ll trade the one that fetches the most and keep the rest. To me that adds up to keeping Pena, trading Thorman or sending him thru waivers.
By jed
March 26, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
psst! dave…dude…that’s a bob dylan song.
By ernesto
March 26, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Don’t think twice by Mike Ness????? Come on you got to give our boy Bobby D. his props.
By NRBQ
March 26, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
DOB
I’m sure you meant by Bob Dylan.
By the Stranger
March 26, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
Always a lot of great stats sprinkled into your stories, DOB, but the fact that there has been only two major leaguers who have ever welcomed your musical recommendations is astounding. What a waste.
By Matt the Brave
March 26, 2008 12:44 PM | Link to this
First?
By Gus
March 26, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this
DOB — What about Damian Moss? I may have missed it if he already left; is he still trying out for a minor-league job with the Braves? (Just read the name “Spooneybarger” and thought of Mr. Moss).
By TJ
March 26, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, another site you might like is www.minorleaguesplits.com. It’s not very pretty, or intuitive, but has a lot of numbers.
By Sir Stealth
March 26, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
Randy S, that’s a good point - interesting indeed.
By BTP
March 26, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this
I’m glad to Yates out of a Braves uniform…he drove me crazy last 2 years!
By TJ
March 26, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
Either I started drinking too early today, or DOB needs to turn off the italics on this blog!
By bravesfan
March 26, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
Lineup: Johnson 2B Escobar SS C, Jones 3B Tex 1B Francoeur RF McCann C Diaz LF Kotsay CF Bennett P
DOB, do you think this will more than likely be the opening day lineup?
By GeorgetownKid
March 26, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
This Redmond kid seems like a pretty good haul for us, given that we only had to part with a rather mediocre right-handed reliever whom we picked up on waivers 1.5 years ago and wasn’t going to make our team anyway.
I think it is totally unrealistic that we could have dreamed of getting anything more. Indeed, I’m suprised we got as much as we did.
By Moby Grape
March 26, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
DOB
perhaps you should credit the songwriter on your lyrics. Some of the younguns might actually think Ness wrote that.
By Renegator
March 26, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Nice all italics. That sure is easy on the eyes.
By Ramblin Wrecker
March 26, 2008 12:53 PM | Link to this
One day someone will have to explain to me the glory of being the first person to get an entry on a blog, when all they intend to contribute is “first?”
Wouldn’t getting the last word be more important?
By Section 412
March 26, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Yates trade was a good one, in my opinion. Something for nothing, in that they probably would have just let him go. If Redmond is no good, so what? If he matures and develops, though, you never know. Nothing like stockpiling young arms, especially guys who throw strikes. Even if they get very little for Pena, at least they are getting something and not just watching guys walk away for nothing.
By StingerSplash
March 26, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Social D. Now that’s the way to start a day, not watching The Mayor ground into a 4-6-3 DP against Alan Embree. Frankly, I kinda like the two-game Japan set. It may be the national pastime, but it’s an international game. One look at the Braves roster tells you that. It’s the coming back to the States to play a three-game exhibition series with the Dodgers in LA that’s stupid.
By Long Duck Dong
March 26, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
I really wish everyone would stop with the ‘first’ crap on these blogs. I could understand it better if we were on a blog with a bunch of seventh graders.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Of course we were referring to Mike and the boys’ excellent cover of Mr. Zimmerman’s classic tune. Was typing fast, fellas.
By Vol
March 26, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Did anyone see the Rob Neyer article on ESPN.com ranking the top players over the next 5 years? I scanned it wondering if Escobar was in it (assuming not…yet) and guess who was right in the middle? Kelly Johnson. Just ahead of Tex (even though they are only one year apart in age, ahead of McCann, and ahead of Frenchy )who didn’t make the top 50).
By kdbanks
March 26, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
You gotta think that the Braves are hoping for a viable Triple A 1B in return for Pena or Thorman, whoever it may be. I’m guessing Pena would bring more talent.
I expect Tex to play at least 150 games this year, which means a backup 1B is a wasted roster spot unless he is your number one bat off the bench. I just don’t think Thorman can be that. I’d rather keep Blanco and Anderson on the 25-man and have someone that will get on base at least, even sacrificing the homeruns.
I think the bullpen will work itself out after 6 games, making it clear who should be sent through waivers (if no one gets a phantom shoulder injury that puts them on the DL for a bit).
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this
Speaking of … The Freewheelin’ Bob Dylan — where does it rank in the discography? What say you, Dylanphiles (and there are obviously a bunch of them among our fine group).
I put it behind Blonde on Blonde and Blood on the Tracks, but can’t think of any others I’d put clearly ahead of it. Highway 61, maybe. But it’s close. And frankly, I put the relatively recent Time Out of My Mind among his classics, though I know some here will argue strongly against that.
By effingham
March 26, 2008 1:00 PM | Link to this
First time poster but blog follower and long time Braves fan since 1966. Saw a day night double header verses the Giants that year. Braves won both games. I went with my Dad. What a memory. Anyway, can’t wait for the season and hope to participate with you guys with whom I certainly share a passion.
By Bob Dylan
March 26, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
DOB, Can I have my song back? I like SD’s version as much as the next guy, but Mike Ness still doesn’t get my writing credit.
Why you treat me that way, DOB? It is me you’re looking for.
Bob.
By Mike
March 26, 2008 1:01 PM | Link to this
Ahh! Italics everywhere! Either that or one cheek is sitting on a phonebook…
By Sir Stealth
March 26, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Randy S, that’s a good point - interesting indeed.
By Mark in PA
March 26, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
I heard it this morning on the drive in to work—
Both Stark and Olney from ESPN are now picking the Braves for the NL East, with the Mutts as WC.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 1:05 PM | Link to this
And one last one from the previous blog:
Braveheart, as long was we’re looking at Redmon’s GB% and bring James into the picture, here’s the rest of the minor league stats with James juxtaposed:
ERA: Redmond, 3.30; Jurrjens, 3.21; Carmona, 3.41; Wang, 3.37; James 2.09
H9: Redmond, 8.36; Jurrjens, 8.53; Carmona, 9.14; Wang, 8.90; James 5.97
HR9: Redmond, 0.69; Jurrjens, 0.50; Carmona, 0.65; Wang, 0.45; James 0.45
BB9: Redmond, 2.04; Jurrjens, 2.17; Carmona, 1.68; Wang, 2.03; James 2.49
K9: Redmond, 7.28; Jurrjens, 7.24; Carmona, 5.77; Wang, 7.06; James 10.54
K/BB: Redmond, 3.57; Jurrjens, 3.34; Carmona, 3.43; Wang, 3.47; James 4.06
WHIP: Redmond, 1.16; Jurrjens, 1.19; Carmona, 1.20; Wang, 1.21; James 0.95
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Today’s scheduled relievers: Acosta, Moylan, Ohman, Ridgway.
We’re getting to that time, folks. Finally. The actual team is playing.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
… well, the real team except Ridgway.
And speaking of the real team, we just kicked things off with an E6 to lead off this game. Escobar threw wide to Tex.
By DonCoburleone
March 26, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
I seriously doubt Brayan Pena could bring a bench bat that could help us this year… Seems to me like our roster is pretty close to being set, with Pena probably bringing us another mid-level prospect (similar to Redmond I would guess).
On another note, I am reeeeaaaallly glad the Braves decided to keep Boyer instead of Yates. I really think Boyer could turn into a top-notch setup man as soon as this year (not to mention the fact he’s younger and cheaper than Yates). Our bullpen should be borderline awesome this year; with a 6th/7th inning combo of Acosta/Boyer/Ohman handing it off to Moylan and Soriano… Throw in the fact that Mike Gonzalez is due back in May and our bullpen is shaping up to be one of the best in baseball.
By Reid in EAV
March 26, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this
Woo hoo, we’re all in italics today! ;-)
I like the kid we got. Give me a kid with pinpoint control any day — who knows if it’ll happen, but there’s a lot of potential upside in a scenario like that. I’m hoping that after Glav retires as a player he’ll stick with the organization as a roving pitching instructor or something — would be great for kids like this.
Remember the “Dodger Way” back in the Lasorda era? The way the Braves organization grooms its young talent feels the same way to me today.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this
And I love Infidels, and also Slow Train Coming (much more than some Dylan fans; I love his singing on that album).
Oh, and Nashville Skyline (Dylan and Cash together? Sublime)
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
My favorite Dylan album is The Basement Tapes. I’m probably in a very small minority in that taste. It’s kinda amazing that a bunch of guys sitting around the basement could record these gems as throwaways.
I’d put Highway 61 next, et apres il, le deluge. Just too many albums to rank.
By Sir Stealth
March 26, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Dylan Rank: 1) Blonde on Blonde, 2) Bringing it All Back Home, 3(tie) Blood on the Tracks/Freewheelin’/Highway 61
By Mike
March 26, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Vol, I’m surprised that list didn’t include Delgado, Alou, Pedro, and Jamie Moyer on it.
By Gig'em Braves
March 26, 2008 1:16 PM | Link to this
Granted I don’t know the guy, but from all the articles I have read and from all the Rangers fans I’ve talked with here in Texas, I get this impression of Teixeira:
He wants to do his thing, put in his work, and ultimately get paid for it, without any regard to what team he plays for.
I have 0% confidence in him staying in Atlanta beyond this season.
Does anybody else feel this way, or am I alone in my pessimism?
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this
Wow, what a question DOB on Dylan. This is where, in your case iPod, comes in handy. Just toss ‘em all on there and enjoy.
By Sir Stealth
March 26, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
I don’t think anyone expects Yunel to make less errors than Edgar, but I do hope he makes less than 5 times as many.
By Evan
March 26, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
For those of you having trouble with the italics: Try clicking refresh it worked for me.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 1:24 PM | Link to this
Scoots: those other three starters have to max their innings for the Braves to have a shot. End of story.
I don’t know, with the 6 man rotation if we can get 180 from Glavine and Smoltz, 150 from Hampton, 200 from Hudson with Jair pitching in 140, that 6th starter, Bennett it appears, only needs to get in about 160+ innings (as a starter plus whatever he needs to do as a reliever, long man). Seems like a good plan. He’s had 2 starts in the majors to go with his great 13 start South American experience so we should be good. What a story, from large and obscure with 6 starts at the end of the previous season to around 200 relief and starting innings in the majors the following season, and he lost weight! Subway’s Jared can’t even top that. Not even after ten years of eating the same sandwich every single day.
By Braveheart
March 26, 2008 1:26 PM | Link to this
10Paul, I’m the biggest Chuck James lover on here. I really am puzzled at how poorly he is badmouthed by so many on here. I think everyone is sick of hearing me go on about him. At least, I’m sick of hearing myself talk about him. No matter what I say, ain’t gonna change the way the Braves or some of the morons view him.
Jared said it best yesterday: If the Braves had two of Chuck James last year, the Braves win the division. The only point of comparing Redmond, Jurrjens, Carmona, and Wang is because their rate stats are sooooooooo similar as minor leaguers.
Wouldn’t have made much sense to say here are four guys who are so similar but look over here at this guy that has stats nothing like them unless I was continuing my Chuck crusade.
I’m just trying find a way to be positive with Redmond and Jurrjens because their K9 rates are so low as compared to big time prospects such as the Red Sox and Yankees young pitchers. The best way to do it is show how similar they were to Wang or Carmona.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Tyler Yates on arriving at the clubhouse this morning: “I walked in and Roger said, ‘We need to talk to you.’ I thought, ‘Oh, God.’”
By Runnin
March 26, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
I mostly agree with you on the Dylan, though put Blood On the Tracks on top. Nashville Skyline featured my favorite Dylan voice. Don’t think he ever recorded with it again.
By ncscoots
March 26, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
I dunno, ranking Dylan’s music seems, oh, evil, somehow. Maybe even un-American American. In other words, I don’t wanna say nothin’, but it just don’t seem right.
That being said, Blonde On Blonde.
By Jake C.
March 26, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
DOB, have you seen Peter King’s latest MMQB article on CNNSI? He gives a nice shout out to you and the blog. Keep up the good work!
By Robert
March 26, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this
As a team, we are not hitting the ball real well right now
By Ted
March 26, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
DOB—Everytime you mention Social D, I feel I have to suggest you check out a Denver band called Reno Divorce (actually started in Florida in the early ‘90’s then relocated). Great Riffs, great lyrics.
By Efrim
March 26, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
I hope Bennett gets 100 innings this year as a swing man. He can miss bats too, so I expect to see him in high leverage situations as well. Good stuff.
By hirsutedawg
March 26, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this
DOB Freewheelin’ would also be behind “Bringin’ It All Back Home” “Nashville Skyline” and the underrated “Infidels” but that’s just me.
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Blonde on Blonde, Blood on the Tracks, Highway, then Freewheelin.
I can’t help but think of Yates cruising down the turnpike towards Pittsburgh and blasting the Dylan version.
Nice to see the real line up together. Bottom is threatening with two outs.
By cw
March 26, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this
Keep Pena? Thorman is no good!
By Braveheart
March 26, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, another site you might like is www.minorleaguesplits.com. It’s not very pretty, or intuitive, but has a lot of numbers.
Oh, damn, thanks, TJ. I’ve been just using baseball-reference and baseballcube and angry that I could not find more detailed splits on minor leaguers. It’s been real frustrating. Thanks, man.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 1:39 PM | Link to this
Braveheart: I know. I’ve seen your posts and I haven’t tired of them. The disdain for the man and glee of his “demotion” is baffling. For some reason turning in a league average season while pitching 1 or 2 spots ahead of where he should have is awful. I don’t get it. The season stunk. It wasn’t James fault. He filled in well. The blame can go to JS for banking on Hampton and then thinking Redman would be a solid stand in.
But you’re right. Comparing James minor league numbers to these guys isn’t really fair.
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this
Nashville Skyline is underrated.
Braveheart, if we had two CJ’s on our roster, both of their change ups would have gotten hit any worse. And we wouldn’t have won the division. We would have had the same troubles with innings pitched and strain on bullpen.
This was discussed extensively on the last blog, so I will can it. But again, Chuck James will never be more than a 4-5 guy unless he develops a third pitch. As it stands now, Big League hitters can sit on that change up, and either hit it out of the park or draw a walk. James needs the slider.
By Mark Lemke
March 26, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
I missed something….what happened to Buddy Carlyle?
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 1:46 PM | Link to this
Breaveheart: Use that minor league splits sight with care. For some reason it doesn’t include 100% of the season. I’ve noticed this on a few players. They show up there with 50 less total AB or 15 less total innings or something. Like they just quit before the season was over. maybe they went on vacation… Still pretty handy though. I use it to temper expectations with “power results” from Braves A ballers at Myrtle Beach. You’ll here a lot about how some guy cranked a lot of homers while a Pelican but if you check the sight he usually hits ‘em out while on the road and his home numbers are drained.
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
A few crumbs of cheese for us cube rats?
By Earl
March 26, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
As a huge Dylan fan, I’d have to say Blonde on Blonde is overrated, there’s no song I’m crazy about except Visions of Johanna, and i’ve heard better versions of it, and everything else on it just bores me or he did it better on another album. I agree with most of the rest of you, Blood on the Tracks is easily the best one. I love his recent three albums (Time out of Mind, Love and Theft, and Modern Times) as well as Highway 61, Bringing it all Back Home, Infidels, and Oh Mercy (honestly, I hated Oh Mercy the first time I played it, but it’s now one of my favorites).
As for the Braves roster, I like the Yates trade, we got someone with the potential to at least make the majors and throw strikes for someone I was always nervous watching who we got on waivers and wasn’t going to make the team anyway. I still hope we keep Ring for a second lefty and he’s pitched well before.
I’d also rather keep Pena and lose Thorman off waivers than trading Pena, at least Pena would be able to put the ball in play. Plus, I don’t see how we couldn’t use Pena for 5 games or so when Teixeira is not in the lineup. If Teixeira were to miss more time, I think we would have to get another first baseman anyway (Hatteberg?) because Thorman wouldn’t cut it.
By Mike
March 26, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine, if batters are sitting on his changeup, then he doesn’t need a power pitch to mix in, he needs another offspeed pitch, like a curve ball.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine, agreed — on Nashville Skyline (under 30 minutes, and total bliss) and on Chuck. Needs to hone the slider he’s worked on but not used enough.
Give him Yates’ slider, and you’d have a 20-game winner.
Meanwhile, in the real world….
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
After the game , I’m gonna throw down on why Chuck James is in Richmond and deserves to be there.
By ernesto
March 26, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
Blood on the Tracks, Desire (my 2 faves), Hwy 61, Blonde on Blonde, Nville Skyline, Freewheelin’, you can’t go wrong with most Bob.
Even the much maligned Empire Burlesque had the excellent (IMO) “Jokerman”
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this
helluva defensive play by Chipper, caught that ball on the short hop and fired to first.
you guys help Pete H. out, I’m trying to write a couple stories here.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
The Dirtbags are now ranked 4th in the nation. This coming mainly after destroying the pre-season favorite UCLA Bruins in a three game Easter weekend set. The Dirtbags scored 26 runs in that series against the Bruins 8. The middle game of that set was the closest as the Bruins held the Dirtbags scoreless through 8+ innings only to blow it in the bottom of the 9th giving Long Beach a 3-2. The opening and closing games were laughers. Long Beach opened by pounding the Bruins 13-3 and closed with another womping of 10-3.
They also continued humiliating those Harvard boys the next day. Harvard played two that day, one against San Diego U and one against the Dirtbags. In one day Harvard managed to get a hit through 18 innings while giving up 28 runs. It wasn’t fair really. Harvard should stick to the books.
By Reid in EAV
March 26, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
I’m with the majority here on how difficult it is to pick a fave Dylan — kinda like picking your favorite child.
I find that my favorite changes with my frame of mind — lately I’ve been listening to the two most recent: “Love & Theft” and “Modern Times.” Great, low-key records, lots of roots genres covered in a really relaxed way — and Dylan’s matchless lyrical gifts, of course.
Beyond that I go back to “Highway 61” quite a bit. “Blonde on Blonde” almost as much.
Into the 4th, btw, Bennett is really dealing. No ERs as of yet.
By Braveheart
March 26, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
But you’re right. Comparing James minor league numbers to these guys isn’t really fair.
No, it’s really not fair.
The biggest reason I advocated for the Glavine signing was what Jared said yesterday: The Braves needed two of Chuck James. At this stage of his career, Glavine puts up similar ERAs to Chuck and pitches a few more innings. So I thought the signing of Glavine would have given the Braves the 2+ of Chuck James that they sorely needed last season. But now Chuck is hurt or whatever and, more so, seems to have fallen out of favor for whatever peculiar Bobby Cox reason…. And we’re hoping Glavine, Hampton, and Jurrjens are up to the task.
Instead of going into the season expecting Jurrjens to be another Kyle Davies, I’d rather go in hoping he can be another Wang or Carmona.
If not, then Chuck, I guess, is only one phone call away
A concern I have though is innings pitched with Jurrjens. He only pitched 140 innings the last two years. He had arm problems late last season.
The rest of baseball seems concerned with not increasing the innings pitched totals of young pitchers past 30 beyond the prior season. The Braves have been curiously mum on this about Jurrjens.
I hope they learned a lesson from Horam. The pushed him from 90 innings in 2002 to 180 innings in 2003 and as a result, he had to sit out most of 2004 and by the time he was 27 years old in 2007 he was washed up and by 2008 he was released.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Lemke, you should know Carlyle pitched Monday.
Or were you asking what happened to him, in terms of making the team? He’s depth at Richmond, I’d guess. I’d figure Bennett ahead of him.
By Chop Chop
March 26, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
My Top Three Dylan Albums
Highway 61 Revisited (Like a Rolling Stone, Tombstone Blues, It Takes a Lot to Laugh…, Highway 61 Revisited, Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues, Desolation Row…awesome stuff…and I didn’t even list Thin Man or Queen Jane. That leaves one song on the album I don’t like: “From a Buick 6.” And I’m a tough person to please, so this one’s gotta be the best.)
Blonde on Blonde (Really tough to list this one second, what with Johanna, One of Us Must Know, Stuck Inside of Mobile, Just Like a Woman, Sad-Eyed Lady, and so many other strong songs…but it’s second. The double-album aspect of “Blonde” is what knocks this down. There’s always some filler, albeit mostly high quality filler from Dylan here, on a double album. It can’t be helped.)
Blood on the Tracks (This album is the one that grows on you because of “life experience”, so it’s probably Dylan’s best…but screw him, I like the other two better. DOB, have you ever posted the lyrics to “Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts”? You might have, but if not, feel free to post it everyday in order to make the denizens scroll.)
By Luther
March 26, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Blonde on Blonde,Blood on the Tracks, Bringing it all Back Home,HWY 61, and tie-Freewheelin and Times are a-changing
Thats my top 5/6, but to quote the Bob’s from Office Space “I celebrate the man’s entire collection”. I think I might even like Blood the best for a straight through listen except I’m not a huge fan of the Jack of Hearts song though its very listenable just not on the level of the rest of the album in my opinion.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
I hope Bennett gets 100 innings this year as a swing man. He can miss bats too, so I expect to see him in high leverage situations as well. Good stuff
We’ll need more than that from him if Smoltz and Glavine only give us 180 innings each.
By ManOfTeal
March 26, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Go Marlins
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
The blog karma worked again: Teixera just hit a TWO-RUN BOMB off lefty Matt Chico in the fourth.
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
Chipper draws a walk, heart of the line up coming up.
And Tex just went slappy go jacky. DOB, what was that you were saying about Tex not being worried? Remember to do that mid season…
By TJ
March 26, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
10Paul, you’re right (on minorleaguesplits). I’ve noticed some inconsistencies there too, but guess it’s better than nothing, and good as a general guide.
Also, count me in as a fan who’s glad we have Chuck James. Now, if our top 5 stay healthy and effective all season, I’d love to see him spend the whole year in the minors, to work on some things, but somehow I don’t think that’ll be the case.
Regardless, we’ll almost certainly need a #3 or 4 starter next year, and Chuck slots real nicely there. All he needs to do is extend his effectiveness one more inning, and he’s among the 50 best starters in baseball. Not bad for a guy starting the year as a #6.
His minor league numbers, btw, are absolutely awesome. Phil Hughes stuff.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
The blog karma worked again: Teixera just hit a TWO-RUN BOMB off lefty Matt Chico in the fourth….
Ernesto, Jokerman’s on Infidels.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
See Ya ! Tex just unloaded on a first pitch fastball after Chipper walked. 2-0 Atlanta.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Earl, Blonde on Blonde “overrated?” Oh, my. Dude, you should watch out for lightning today.
By Kev
March 26, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
OH LORDY!!!! Tex with a SHOT to LF!!! 2-run HR!!!
By The Duke
March 26, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Ernesto, “Jokerman” is a great song, but it’s on the “Infidels” album. And David, Greg Dulli is one of the best out there, I love that you gave him a shout-out.
As far as a baseball pickup, I say Scott Spiezio is with the Braves by the start of next week.
By KC
March 26, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
I’ll tell ya what… I really think the Braves should go with Bennett next Thursday, and Hampton on Friday. I think that for 2 reasons:
First, Bennett deserves a crack at the rotation. I know Jurrjens has impressed, but certainly no more so than Bennett (another 4 innings of no-hit baseball today, so far).
Let’s get a look at Jurrjens and Bennett side by side in regular season games.
The other reason is that, with the way Hampton is throwing… I’d like to see him go in the Mets series.
By bill
March 26, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
too long obrien… tighten up buddy.
By sri
March 26, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
Two run homer by Tex after a Chipper walk. After 4 innings Braves 2, Was 0
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
Another stellar performance by Bennett: 4 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 2 walks, 3 K’s. Threw 34 strikes in 60 pitches.
Get yourself an apartment in Atlanta, Jeff.
By ernesto
March 26, 2008 2:11 PM | Link to this
you are correct sir.
So malign away at Empire Burlesque!
By Reid in EAV
March 26, 2008 2:12 PM | Link to this
Ball over Kotsay’s head and over the wall for a ground-rule double, one run scores. I can hear all y’all thinking it now, so I may as well say it: “Andruw woulda got to that ball.” Not sure that’s actually true, because that ball really jumped, but I know that’s the rap poor Mark is gonna get on plays like that.
By KC
March 26, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
*DOB:: “Or were you asking what happened to him, in terms of making the team? He’s depth at Richmond, I’d guess.”
“at Richmond”…
It’s going to sound really weird when we start saying “at Gwinnett”, isn’t it?
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Ohman is woeful so far today: single, sac, double, double to start the fifth. Two runs in to tie it.
By Sir Stealth
March 26, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Definitely not one to take too much out of one bad spring appearance, but maybe a little uncertainty from Ohman adds to the need to keep Ring around as another lefty option.
By TJ
March 26, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Ohman is getting smacked around pretty good.
By Robert
March 26, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
isn’t 2-1
By Braveheart
March 26, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine Braveheart, if we had two CJ’s on our roster, both of their change ups would have gotten hit any worse. And we wouldn’t have won the division. We would have had the same troubles with innings pitched and strain on bullpen.
We’re not talking about similar styles. We’re talking about similar results. You all seem way too willing to dump a guy with a league average ERA for a bunch of guys in Glavine, Hampton, and Jurrjens that you really have no clue whether they can even be average or not.
Smoltz, 18-14 Hudson, 22-12 James, 17-13 Buddy, 11-9 Davies, 7-10 A second James, 16-13
That would have made them 91-71 and the winner of the division. A second Chuck James was indeed the difference. Tom Glavine was supposed to be that second Chuck James this season.
By NRBQ
March 26, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Highway 61, hands down. Best songs, best later covers (Johnny Winter on the title song, Hendrix on Rolling Stone [a MUST-SEE youtube], Blue Cheer on It Takes A Lot…, etc.
What, no love for John Wesley Harding?
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Since this is the way it started, what’s the best Dylan cover ever? Since there are, at last count, 21.7 million covers, this should make for a lively debate while we exult over the Tex bomb.
For me, it’s a tie. Blue Cheer’s version of It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry and Bryan Ferry’s version of A Hard Rain’s Gonna Fall.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Close the book on Bennett. Four more great innings of work, one hit, two walks, three strikeouts and a nifty 1.93 ERA
Ohman is in the game in the fifth and he stinks so far. He’s getting lit up, 2-2 tie already.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
I hope they learned a lesson from Horam. They pushed him from 90 innings in 2002 to 180 innings in 2003 and as a result, he had to sit out most of 2004 and by the time he was 27 years old in 2007 he was washed up and by 2008 he was released.
Isn’t that’s the truth. Jair is supposed to be the young stud for the future, but if he is expected to go 200 innings this season the future goes with him. Now we have Smoltz and Glavine limiting their innings as well. 180 from those 2 and 140 from Jair leaves 500+ starting innings to be picked up by Hudson and Hampton. Hudson could be good for 200+ but then you have 300+ to split between Hampton and the sixth man. And that sixth man is also expected to step in as long relief when one of the other starters is off and only lasts a few innings, which happens, even to Smoltz, on occasion.
By Mike
March 26, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
DOB = double post.
By Efrim
March 26, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
KC
You shouldn’t be so wound up about that Mets series. After those three games, we head out to Colorado to face the defending NL Champs for 4 games.
I like how the rotation is currently set. Bennett is best served as a long man/spot starter right now. Jurrjens certainly shouldn’t be in that role and neither should Chuck, when he gets back. It is really the perfect role for Bennett here in 2008.
And again, if he keeps pitching like this, then I fully expect BC to use him in more high leverage situations. Villareal always scared me to death in tight games, I don’t expect Bennett to worry me as much. The guy could be a valuable bullpen piece.
By flange1
March 26, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
10Paul,
Your post at 1:24 is exactly what I was trying to say a couple of blogs back, and you said it much better here. Give Bennett (and/or James) 160 innings as a starter and a reliever and you take some of the strain off of the older guys.
I know Coach is going to give us 20 reasons why Chuckie should be in the minors, but I agree with Braveheart that Chuck gets a bad wrap on this blog. Yes it would be great if he could learn another pitch, but before he was injured in the second half of last year, he had 1 1/2 pretty good seasons. I still think that he is a good #5 starter, probably not on this team this year, but next year.
I wouldn’t trade Chuck unless we could pick up either a player that could have immediate impact (and we don’t have an opening for that) or a prospect with a big upside at position the Braves need (like 1B).
By bravos08
March 26, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Great song DOB, first post on the blog though I’ve been reading for a while. Just a comment on the song, also done by Eric Clapton (excellent version) and my favorite by Susan Tedeschi (married to Derek Trucks of the Allman Brothers) Check them out let me know what you think…Looking forward to catching a preseason game this weekend at the TED.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Yo Jared, where ya at buddy ? Time to take your medicine.
Yea, Bennett really stunk today didn’t he. NOT !
By Bobby
March 26, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
CONGRATS DAVE ON THE 680 DEAL!!!!! I look forward to hearing you durning the season. So how hard did 790zone go after you? Why did you choose 680 over them? More money?
By Bubdylan
March 26, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
DOB, we agree exactly on the top five Dylan albums, and that’s a first for me. Makes me all warm and fuzzy. (Though, of course, Blonde, Blood, and Hwy 61 all make most top fives, I guess.)
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, if we had two CJ’s on our roster, both of their change ups would have gotten hit any worse. And we wouldn’t have won the division. We would have had the same troubles with innings pitched and strain on bullpen.
In James first 21 starts he had a 3.55 ERA. So, we would have had Hudson, Smoltz, 3.55 ERA and 3.55 ERA then Buddy Carlyle for over half the season. The team would have been in a better position. Instead the team received Hudson, Smoltz, 3.55, Buddy Carlyle and a nice fat 6.65 from Lance, JoJo, Lerew, Bennett, Redman, and Davies.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this
Braveheart doesn’t have a damn clue , LOL. He’s gonna hate me by the end of the day.
By Reid in EAV
March 26, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this
Two Dylan covers that rank as definitive:
The Byrds “Mr. Tamborine Man” Jimi Hendrix “All Along The Watchtower”
By Randy S
March 26, 2008 2:35 PM | Link to this
Another extra base hit for Tex. DOB you are a slumpbreaker. Wait, that sounds bad.
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 26, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
For kicks, here are Tex’s career ST stats:
2007: .275 (11-for-40), 1 HR, 7 RBI, .450 SLG
2006: .267 (12-for-45), 4 HR, 10 RBI, .622 SLG
2005: .226 (12-for-53), 1 HR, 8 RBI, .377 SLG
2004: .260 (13-for-50), 3 HR, 8 RBI, .520 SLG
2003: .322 (29-for-90), 7 HR, 19 RBI, .656 SLG
By Lawdog
March 26, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this
Wow, NRBQ. What are the chances of two mentions of that Blue Cheer version within a couple posts of each other? About the chances of Ridgway being our closer this year, I would guess.
By Reid in EAV
March 26, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
Tex: 2 for 3, Double, HR — yeah, I’d say he’s ready to go north. No worries here.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 2:37 PM | Link to this
Hey 10Paul , what was Chuck James ERA in his last ten starts ? I posted it yesterday , lets see if you remember or if anybody can figure out why I’m about to tear Chuck James a new BUTTHOLE.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this
flange1: Give Bennett (and/or James) 160 innings as a starter and a reliever and you take some of the strain off of the older guys.
Actually the post was about the need for Bennett (and/or James) to give the Braves 160 innings as a Starter only if he was to be the 6th man as planed by keeping Glavine and Smoltz to 180 innings or less. Perhaps my parenthetical statement wasn’t as clear as I intended.
But being the long man he’d also have to come in for more innings. Asking Bennett to toss 200 innings in the majors and banking on this as a good thing seems, well, Kool Aid comes to mind.
Of course, if Hampton keeps his health, I say ride him hard. We have nothing to lose if they run him out there for 250 innings this season. Sort of like a rental car…
By McFann
March 26, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
How many of you thought that was gonna be a single for Matty?
; )
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this
For those attending tomorrow’s Grapefruit finale, Charlie Morton will be starting for the Braves against Mets lefty (and Braves nemesis) Oliver Perez.
Braves had to adjust their pitching plans after Smoltz injury. Glavine had been scheduled to start that game, but they moved him up to yesterday to get him ready for his game 2 start
By SoDakBrave
March 26, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Talking about my two favorite things (Braves and Dylan) has made me break silence and chime in.
Freewheelin is by far my favorite pre-rock-era Dylan album, but for overall tops I’d put Bringin It, Oh Mercy, and John Wesley Harding ahead of it. (shout out to the other guy on the planet who loves JWH, and we’re reading the same blog!)
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
Speaking as a Chicago resident, get used to this from Ohman. He has great stuff, but every now and then he gets CLOBBERED. You gotta have a quick hook with him, because when he doesn’t have it, he really gets tattooed.
How did we get the other two runs?
By GermanBravesFan
March 26, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
“Laird named Rangers’ starting catcher, Saltalamacchia sent down” … (from ESPN.com)
By Chop Chop
March 26, 2008 2:44 PM | Link to this
John Wesley Harding was a friend to the poor
F***! Shoot me now. Please.
(Note: I give props to Bob Dylan for picking the worst song on his album and making it first. That takes guts. Too bad “Wigwam” wasn’t available.)
By Fan Smoltz
March 26, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
DOB
Who wears a DENIM SHIRT?!?
By NRBQ
March 26, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Pete H.
Blue Cheer? Really?
I thought I was the only geezer here that would be aware of that cover (post just above yours).
Still have New, Improved on vinyl.
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
Watchtower has to rate as the best.
I also like Sam Bush’s Girl From North Country.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 2:49 PM | Link to this
By the way, the Braves are winning 5-2 in the seventh inning.
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 26, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
I’m a huge Dylan fan, and never have I heard anyone call “Blonde on Blonde” overrated. Wow.
My favorites would include…
Time Out of Mind, Oh Mercy, Desire, Blood on the Tracks, New Morning, Self Portrait, and then all of his 60’s stuff. Pretty much everything from his first 15 years is a classic album in my book.
As great as his early work is, I would have to say that 1967-1970 would be my favorite “period” of his. The four albums he released in that period — John Wesley Harding (1967), Nashville Skyline (1969), Self Portrait (1970) and New Morning (1970) — are among my personal favorites.
By Luther
March 26, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
Used to love GNR and Axel singing Knockin on Heaven’s Door.
By Chop Chop
March 26, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Speaking of “Wigwam”…
DOB, could you post the lyrics for that? They are heart-rending.
By Bubdylan
March 26, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
I wanted so badly to like John Wesley Harding. I juiced my will power with all I had. I lost. It’s terrible, to me. The writing seems lazy.
By Robert
March 26, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Peter Moylan’s numbers have been good this spring, but he has not looked that sharp
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Peter Moylan is in the game. Aussie aussie aussie, oy oy oy !
By Lawton
March 26, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
yeah, Salty sent to the minors. I believe the Rangers want to trade Laird, but would likley get mor near the trade deadline.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Soriano’s first back-to-back days of the spring. He goes an inning today, gives up one walk.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
Hey Coach, Here you go…
Last 10 you say? Why 10? Why not 8? Tell ya what, let’s take this split and run with it:
Looks like Glavine pitched himself right out of the rotation last year with those last 8 starts.
What’s that you say, we shouldn’t look at the way Glavine finished the season to make a judgment on him? Oh. OK.
By Jim
March 26, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
With the Red Sox going so deep into the playoffs last year (all the way) and with ESPNs love affair with the Sox and Yankees, we got to see a lot of Dice K’s outings. The thing that was most noticeable to me was his struggles the third time through the batting order after 5th inning. It was certainly not because he lacked a third pitch — he had an assortment of pitches, but by the 5th inning his pitch count was up around 100 pitches (same thing yesterday).
I see some similarities he with Chuck James, although they have a much different approach. I think what James needs more than a third pitch is to be more efficient with the pitches he throws. James like Dice K is up near 100 pitches by the time he reaches the 6th inning, and begins to hit a wall at this point. If that is the case, the third pitch won’t help him much get through the 6th and 7th innings of his games if he has thrown 90+ pitches in 5 innings. And if he could be around 60 to 70 pitches after 5 innings, I suspect that he will get by OK with the stuff he has the next time through the order. Glavine rarely threw anything but variations on the speed of his fastball and his change, and Maddux also primarily used a fastball and a change and varied his location and movement on these pitches. It is not so much that Chuck needs a third pitch (which would be mediocre and not something to be shown in many situations) as it is to have more variation on the two he features and particularly to be more efficient in getting outs.
By flange1
March 26, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
10Paul,
Yes, I understand what you meant. That is what I was trying to say (obviously I did not of a very good job of it)
I agree on riding Hampton as far as possible.
By champ
March 26, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Maybe I missed this the past couple of weeks, but did Javy Lopez get released?
By Robert
March 26, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
Borchard just saved Moylan’s A**
By sri
March 26, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this
After reading the posts regarding innings expected from different starters, I thought I will take a stab at the projected numbers from our staff.
Starters IP (Games) 2007
Hudson - 210 (32) (224.1/34) Smoltz - 180 (27) (205.2/32) Glavine - 180 (30) (200/34) Hampton - 120 (22) Jurrjens - 160 (27) Bennet - 70 (12) James - 70 (12) (161.1/30) 2008 - (990 innings)
2007 - we used 10 different starters who gave us 914.2 innings. I am hoping we can expect a few more nnings from our starters this year mainly because our 4/5 starters are better than last year.
Relievers IP (Games) 2007 Bennet - 50 (25)
Soriano - 55 (55) (72/71) Moylan - 70 (70) (90/80) Acosta - 55 (55) (23.2/21) Boyer - 50 (45) (5.1/5) Ohman - 45 (40) Resop - 40 (40) Ring - 35 (40) (5/11) Gonzalez - 20 (20) xxxx - 15 xxxx - 15 2008 - (450 innings)
2007 notables Yates - (66/75) Wickman - (43.2/49) Villareal - (76.1/51) Paronto - (40.1/41) Mahay - (28/30)
2007 - we had 23 relievers in the season, 540 innings.
2007 starters complete stats http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/stats/historical/playerstats.jsp?cid=atl&baseballScope=BS1&teamPosCode=all&statType=2&sitSplit=gsp&venueID=&timeSubFrame2=1&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2007&Submit=Submit
2007 relievers complete stats http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/stats/historical/playerstats.jsp?cid=atl&baseballScope=BS1&subScope=pos&teamPosCode=all&statType=2&sitSplit=grp&venueID=&timeSubFrame2=1&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2007&Submit=Submit
Ok, time to get back to work..
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Cube rats want cheese. Don’t get the cube rats all riled up. We’ll steal your garbage and give you diseases.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
I did not know (Carson voice) that Joe Borchard could do that.
He just robbed a three-run homer from Lastings Milledge with a leaping catch at the LF wall. Great grab.
You want Borchard as your fifth OF and backup 1B in a pinch, instead of Thorman? Perhaps….
At worst, Borchard goes to Richmond and is a call away. He’s on a minor league contract, not on 40-man roster.
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
TennPaul,
Why, again, are Smoltz and Glav limiting their innings? Smoltz has said he might take a few starts off, but he and Glavine both expect to hit 200. Further, Jair pitched 140 last year, so by a normal development curve he should be around 170 this year if we are cautious. But nice work on making 90 innings disappear for the sake of your desire to have Chuck in the rotation. Saying Hampton and Hudson have 500 innings between them to cover is just silly. You are just trying to rationalize needing Chucky in the rotation, rather than actually trying to put together a cogent argument.
Do I think we will need Chuck? Sure, and he is an asset. But you are drinking Kool-Aid if you are actually this blind to the serious shortcomings in Chuck’s game. You can quote his ERA and Win total all you want. The simple truth of the matter is that the problems with Chuck are simply not covered with the stats. If you want to be a fan, great, that is what this is about. But don’t try and pass your argument off as objective.
By Shaun
March 26, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Spring Training stats aren’t very telling because of sample size…a months worth of stats at any time are rarely telling. Look at Dustin Pedoroia last season. First month of the season he hit .182/.308/.236. He went on to be named the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year…and one of the best offensive secondbasemen in the league.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
10Paul , you would defend a w******* caught in the act.
By dack jerrick
March 26, 2008 3:02 PM | Link to this
Watched a lot of Cubs games on WGN last year and everytime Ohman pitched, he got bombed. Hope it’ll be different this year. Guess the Braves think so, but it’ll be elevated pucker factor when Ohman comes out.
By Oregon_Braves
March 26, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Odd things are afoot. As I’m sitting here at work with my iPod on shuffle mode, U2’s version of “All Along the Watchtower” was followed one song later by G’NR’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door.” No lie. Creepy!
By KC
March 26, 2008 3:06 PM | Link to this
Efrim: “You shouldn’t be so wound up about that Mets series. After those three games, we head out to Colorado to face the defending NL Champs for 4 games.”
Yeah… no disrespect to Colorado, but I think the Mets are going to be a better team this year than the Rockies. That’s not to say the Rockies won’t be tough though.
Also, I think the East is going to come down to the Braves and Mets (I don’t think the Phillies have enough pitching). So these head to head games mean an awful lot. Even in April.
“I like how the rotation is currently set. Bennett is best served as a long man/spot starter right now. Jurrjens certainly shouldn’t be in that role and neither should Chuck, when he gets back.”
Hmmm… I like Jurrjens. I really do. But I’m not sure he’s a better choice for the 5 slot than Bennett.
Also, I think Chuck James would make a truly excellent long relief man.
I know, I know… “look at all the HRs he gave up”. Yeah, I get that. But here’s the thing…
When you look at when Chuck James got in trouble, it wasn’t in the first 3 or 4 innings. I’d be willing to bet that most of CJ’s homers were surrendered the second time through the opposing team’s order.
One time though the other team’s lineup (for 3 or 4 innings)… Chuck James is absolutely perfect for that.
By jon
March 26, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
chuck more than anything wore down at the end of the year because he never had to pitch that many inning before he also developed that tear at some point during the season too which affected him as well. When healthy the guy is a great 4 or 5 in any rotation period.
By Braveheart
March 26, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Coach, I’ll save you the work:
John Maine, last 10 starts: 56 IP, 5.45 ERA
Chuck James, last 10 starts: 50 IP, 5.68 ERA
Tom Glavine, second half: 85 IP, 4.57 ERA
Chuck James, second half: 63.7 IP, 4.66 ERA
John Maine, May 9 until end of season: 51 IP, 4.57 ERA
Chuck James, May 9 until end of season: 126 IP, 4.06 ERA
According to Coach’s logic, Maine and Glavine belong in AAA as well.
Sorry, Coach, bore us all night with your boneheaded beliefs all you want. You will never support your opinion to anyone with a functioning brain.
The only way you can convince me about Bennett is to tell me that when he was drafted in the 19th round of the 1998 draft that he was drafted 561st instead of 570th.
Maybe just maybe being drafted 9 slots higher in the 19th round of the 1998 draft will convince me
By 3trees
March 26, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
Way to go Bennett. I like the idea of him getting some more innings. Well at least Ohman’s got a built in nickname.
If I had to (and I don’t), I’d probably go something like: Highway, Blood, Time Out of Mind. It ain’t that easy or accurate, but… Its all about timing. Freewheelin and Highway were just a little before my time. Blood was solidly “in my time” and Time Out of Mind is just stunning - dark - but stunning.
Go Braves! (and I’ll go mine)
By NRBQ
March 26, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Best cover candidate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGy_7qTvjDsHere
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Why Did Chuck James have that 5.68 ERA ? I’ll tell you why , Because he was pitching with a partially torn rotator cuff.
And further more , he didn’t tell anybody about it. If Cox or Roger McDowell had known , they would shut him down.
James pitched hurt and he hurt the team in doing so , which is why he is in Bobby Cox’s dog house.
And now you know the real reason why James will start the season in Richmond.
I’ll take a bow and exit stage left.
By doc
March 26, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
first time i heard the nashville skyline songs was sitting in the middle of the infield at atl international raceway with about 125,000 hippies for the first atlanta pop festival. it was so hot they brought out the local fire trucks to hose us down. such a great album and it had not even come out yet, couldn’t wait to get one for my 8 track to play while i rode around in my ‘62 caddy. you should have heard the shocks on that thing.
it was the middle of the summer 1968 the braves were out of the race already i am sure and folks were talking up big this happenin comin up in new york at yasgur’s farm called woodstock. man have times changed, who would have thought back then that the braves would become the dodgers and go out and dominate their division the way the boys in blue used to do.
nostalgia is what it is all about in baseball and music. i am sure many will revel in the future years of getting up early n the morning to watch the season opener in japan for the baseball season 2008.
safe travels david and remember if you had waited a week the delta folks would have docked you another $25 bucks to get your luggage home.
go braves!
dob braves blog fever … catch it!!!!
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
Jim, first off your assessment of Maddux and Glavine is dead wrong. Maddux had a great curve and slider. Second, Glav throws a sinker, a curve, a fastball, and a change. Maddux and Glavine’s best pitches were the change up. But it was their ability to throw other pitches that kept hitters from sitting on the change. Oh that and the fact that they had ridiculous talent, movement, and control. Chuck James has none of those things.
Second, Chuck James’ high pitch count is due in part to his lack of a third pitch. He cannot afford to make mistakes with the change and the fastball, so he has to aim his pitches. You cannot get through 5 innings with an average fastball and a plus change in 70 pitches. If that is what you are throwing, your pitches need to be perfect. Hitters are sitting on your change and your fastball, and one stray pitch over the middle is gone. Hence, the home run numbers.
Third, Dice K and Chuck James? Really? Apart from their high pitch counts, the two probably couldn’t be more different pitchers. Making a comparison between those two is a reach to say the least.
By Reid in EAV
March 26, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
I missed this, so I’m betting most of you did too, but Frenchy’s now blogging over at delta.com, and it appears he’ll be keeping it going until October:
http://blog.delta.com/2008/03/25/greetings-from-spring-training/
By Braveheart
March 26, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
10Paul , you would defend a w* caught in the act.
In his other life, 10Paul is known as Client#9Paul.
By Kevin
March 26, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
For accuracy sake, “Dont’ Think Twice” was covered by Mike Ness as a solo artist, not the mighty Social D.
By Lawton
March 26, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
A solid third pitch could make a huge difference for Chuck. Simply giving the hitting something else to think about is a big deal. Also, a third pitch could help him tremendously in terms of getting through the lineup a third and fourth. When hitters have seen everything you’ve got in your first two trips, they sit on you in their third and fourth trips.
Good point though about hitting 100 pitches too early in the game. But, I think that Chuck’s having just two pitches causes him to be too perfect with his location. The result is he nibbles way too much. He has a great changeup, but he doesn’t have the kind of command that Glavine has. Glavine will throw a changeup earyy in the count or even when he is behind in the count. He’ll hit the black (or somewhere close) and still get the out and he avoids going to deep into counts hitter after hitter after hitter.
If Chuck could develop a a decent slider and find a way to stop nibbling (a little more movement on his fastball might help), he would be more effective pitching deeper into ballgames.
By Stuart
March 26, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Not to get in the middle of the Chuck v. Glavine battle…..What I am saying, I love it.
Chuck James is an slightly above averge 4 starter. He has stuff to be better than that. When good, strike throwing Chuck shows up, he is good. However, that Chuck doesn’t show up enough.
Glavine did fade at the end last year, but some of those numbers that are getting bantered about are scewed a bit that last start (1/3 of an inning, 7 earned will do that).
The Braves dont need Cy Young Tommy Glavine. They need Quality Start Tommy Glavine to ease the burden on the bully, which wore down as the year went on. QT Tommy is a better 3 than Bad Chucky James. However, on the days that Chuck is on, he does have more upside than Tommy does.
In conculsion, the Braves don’t need the world from Glavine, they just need alot of 6 inning quality starts.
By Maybe so
March 26, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Jim, Very good post on James. I was wondering when someone would actually see this as at least a possibility rather than assuming that James gets hit 3rd time around because of batters being able to get a read on him after seeing him twice.
Seems to me that pitch efficiency not only affects him in game longevity, but also in terms of wearing down toward the end of the season.
Though I appreciate your willingness to express it, it probably won’t change many minds on this blog about James.
Plus, there is more to it all than meets the fans’ eyes. But that takes all the fun out of fans trying to be GMs.
By Braveheart
March 26, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
Spring Training stats aren’t very telling because of sample size
Also because they are often facing inferior pitchers and hitters. Some are not taking that spring seriously at all. Some are taking it too seriously. Many are experimenting with new stances, new approaches, new positions. There are just so many things going on in the spring with each individual player that it’s about how they look in their skills rather than stats.
By TJ
March 26, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this
Coach, do you have any “proof” that Chuck James knew he had a torn rotator cuff (or any serious shoulder problem), and didn’t tell anyone? That’s a pretty serious charge; I’ve never heard it before, but maybe I missed some reporting somewhere along the line.
By NRBQ
March 26, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
doc
Actually, the First Atlanta Pop was in 1969, about a month before Woodstock.
The 2nd was in 1970, in Byron.
I was at both, so I can understand how your memory might be a little clouded.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Prado with a two-run single here in the eighth to put Braves up 7-2.
Just saw that Salty got sent down by Rangers, beat out by Gerald Laird for their starting job.
Saltalamacchia hit .250 in 13 spring training games, with two home runs and eight RBIs and eight strikeouts. In 14 games before Wednesday, Laird was hitting .263 with four homers and nine RBIs.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Since 10Paul decided to skewer the numbers of Tom Glavine and expect me to buy the lie, I’ll give you the real stats.
Glavine had 23 quality starts in 2007.
His ERA right up to his last three starts was 3.88.
In fact, Glavine’s ERA in his previous seven starts before right before those horrendous last three games 2.54
Glavine simply ran out of gas in those last three starts. Posting an ERA of 14.81
So, the real story is, Glavine was terrific in his first 31 starts and brutal in his last three and there you have it.
By Lawton
March 26, 2008 3:24 PM | Link to this
FY
Chuck in 2007:
1st time through order: Opponents .715 OPS
2nd time through order: Opponents .750 OPS
3rd time through order: Opponents 1.053 OPS
Inning 1-3: Opponents .693 OPS Inning 4: Opponents .763 OPS Inning 5: Opponents .891 OPS Inning 6: Opponents 1.263 OPS Inning 7: Opponents 1.027 OPS
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Then a two-run triple by the Lil’ Bridge, thanks to CF Milledge’s bad route to the ball. Would’ve taken a nice place, but it was very catchable, a sinking liner to the L-C gap that he came in on, too fast and too far.
By Greg in TN
March 26, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this
Afternoon baseball fans…
A few thoughts as the game wades into the bottom half of the seventh. Nothing like get away day for the spring as the Notorious one wraps up another spring of Florida sunshine, milkshakes, Susie Q (I don’t think anyone ever answered you Chris Klob, but I think she’s the between innings host there at Dark Star. Someone will correct me if I’m assuming wrong I am sure, so let me know), tunes and BBQ to bring the goods to the denizens of the Braves/MIB blog. Thank you for making it through another spring with “the company” to bring us the Grapefruit skinny.
Tyler Yates is a great guy, and I feel for him and his reaction this morning when Roger caught him in the clubhouse. He didn’t complain, took the ball from BC when his name was called and went out to do the best he could. Was he overworked at times last year? I think so, however it was the circumstances we were faced with in 2007. Good luck Tyler, I think Adam will take care of you in the Steel City. Todd Redmond sounds like he’ll be fine. I like a control guy that can get the ball over the plate. Sounds like he’s got a pretty good hook, a good change and a good sinker, so we will be able to benefit from that.
There were three youngsters I was interested in seeing coming into the spring. Charlie Morton, Jordan Schafer and Brandon Jones.
Morton, who DOB mentions will start in tomorrow’s Grapefruit finale, has only seen three innings of Grapefruit action. I thought he might see a little more game action, however I’ll be interested to see how Charlie progresses this season in the minors. Schafer has done little to temper the enthusiasm that Planet Braves have bestowed in the former Myrtle Beach Pelican. I will certainly circle the dates the Mississippi Braves are in town and do my best to catch at least a couple games with the hometown Smokies. Barring injury, I think he’s a lock to be with the big club in September. Jones struggled at the plate and in the field early and never really seemed to get on track. Hopefully he will put it together in either Pearl or Richmond.
Still have to shake my head at the realization that after today, there will be no Dodgers in Dodgertown.
Tom Glavine’s birthday was yesterday. He’s a hot/cold guy with Braves Nation. I said last year that I respected what he did while he was in the uniform, but when he was pitching in New York, he was another player to me (don’t take it personal mets fans, the only exception I ever made to that wore #3 in Atlanta and looked horrible in a Phillies uniform). Now that he’s back, I will be cheering him on again. Lots of folks like to hold the ‘94 strike and his time as a met against him. It’s up to them, they can treat the man however they want, however to me at some point it’s time to just let it go. A very wise person told me some time ago that holding on to that kind of animosity isn’t healthy.
Sounds like we’ve chased Ray King from the game. If you start your thoughts on the blog and suddenly realize we’re an inning further into the game, it’s likely time to wrap it up gang, so I’ll do that.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine: regarding the post you allude to, I’m not trying to get Chuck in the rotation. Merely stating that I don’t think it’s a good plan to head into the season with only one starter aiming for 200 innings.
A post the other day mentioned keeping Smoltz and Glavine at 180 innings and pushing Jair to 200. I don’t think that’s a good plan either. A 6th man can work. And, rarely a season goes by when a team only uses 5 starters. But the plan is to go in with 5 and use a 6th when needed which is a different perspective I suppose than planning on a 6 man rotation and having that 6th man double as a long reliever.
Your post did make me go back and re calculate. I’m not sure of the 90 innings you allude to. 180+180+140 = 500. The whole premise was based on a 1500 inning season with 1000 innings from starters and 500 from relievers coupled with the afore mentioned idea of keeping Smoltz and Glavine at 180 innings and the knowledge that Jair has never thrown more than 143 innings in a season in his life, so I rounded Jair down to 140. That’d leave 500 innings between Hampton and Hudson, assuming Hudson gets 200, that’s 300 to Hampton, or 150 each to Hampton and the 6th man. With that 6th man still getting innings in relief in addition to starting. It’s not a good goal in my opinion Chuck James or not.
Not sure what the attitude is all about either.
When it comes to Chuck, tossing him under the buss is ridiculous from my point of view. And when I look at his season and career, I don’t see a reason he should be discarded like he’s Kyle Davies, HoRam, or Redman. He’s drastically better than all of those guys. And I think the team should keep him, not trade him. He’ll be needed next season if not this season.
By Andy K
March 26, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
DOB:Who do you see the Bravos getting in the Thorman/Pena type trade? Is Hatteberg still a possibility? Or are we more going to be limited to guys like Wes Helms?
By DAP
March 26, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
coach what was Chuck James ERA in his last ten starts ? I posted it yesterday , lets see if you remember or if anybody can figure out why I’m about to tear Chuck James a new BUTTHOLE.
you mean his last ten after he had a messed up shoulder, or before that?
what’s your boy bennett’s ERA in his last ten starts? what? hes never even started ten games?
and so you want to crown bennett and dump james. not a good idea.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, son, your nothing but a poser. Just another amateur , pretending to know more than you really do.
Here you go , explain it to me in baseball lingo. What does ROLL THE HOLE mean in layman’s terms ?
I’m betting you and 95 percent of this blog have no clue what it means.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
Yes, yes, Very true. It’s ness on his solo album Cheating at Solitaire. Gotta say, Social D fans, I like that album as much if not more than any of the group’s great albums. That thing is strong, start to finish. Got so much rockabilly/country-punk edge to it, just a beauty of a record.
Everyone go get Cheating at Solitaire. Great way to start the season, just crank it up all weekend.
By Reid in EAV
March 26, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Uh oh, here comes Ridgway, leading off with a BB.
I suppose it could be worse — it could be Drese.
By KC
March 26, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Braveheart & Coach: I’ll throw something else out there on Chuck James…
Sure, we were all concerned about the rate at which he gave up the longball last year, and he throws entirely too many pitches in an inning (keeping him from going far into starts).
HOWEVER, until his shoulder started bothering him last year, he had been pretty damned good for the Braves.
From the time he came up in 2007, through July 25th of last year (about 2/3 of the way though the season)… here were Chuck’s numbers as a Brave:
In 235.66 innings (39 starts):
19-12, 3.66 ERA
When he’s healthy, he doesn’t give many innings… but the innings he does give you are usually pretty good.
By Robert (chipper Is The Best)
March 26, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
DOB, has anybody with the Braves mentioned Kevin Millar as a bench candidate?
By Workinlkeadawg
March 26, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
IMO Thorman’s a wasted roster spot. Our All Star Platoner Can and Did Play 1B at FSU. Oh I know I offended so many people buy that. So why don’t you ask Diaz DOB? I bet he’d do it in a heartbeat and that leaves room for Anderson, someone who will prove his value. He’d be a sure roster player on almost any other team. I hope Wren opens his eyes. Diaz was a 1bman long befor he was a LF. I know you stat nerds don’t count anything but minor or major league exp. The Braves are gonna have to go out on a limb to win the East.High hopes coming off the bench are a luxury the Braves don’t have. Since Tex aint gonna be around for ‘09 seaso the Braves better go out on another limb and drill Flowers thru a season of AAA.
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, sorry about the attitude, it is just frustrating to me that the defenders of James refuse to acknowledge his shortcomings.
With that being said, I am also not looking at Chuck’s numbers down the stretch or any of that nonsense.
But anyway, didn’t mean to come off as rude, just frustrated.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Coach: Nice, succinct post at 3:22, re: Glavine.
Don’t know why folks try to make the numbers tell something different than the simple truth (well, except for our Mets fan obsessed with Glav’s departure).
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Doc: The Braves were not out of it in 69. They made the first playoffs and lost to, grumble, the Mutts.
Remember, Braves vs Mets on ESPN tomorrow. This might be the last time I see them for a month or more. I’m thinking about getting an XM radio so I can at least listen. Probably a good deal anyway, except I get a bunch of Sirius music channels on my Dish Network, so the duplication might be kinda stoopit.
By Reid in EAV
March 26, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Well, Ridgway gets three outs and finishes the game — shows what I know.
Then again, even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. ;-)
By TJ
March 26, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Wow, Kelvim Escobar is out for the season. I’m a Chuck James fan, but would a James for Chone Figgins, Reggie Willits or Juan Rivera deal make sense for both teams? Haven’t given this a lot of though (so be gentle), but we deal from a position of strengtth to fill a need. Thoughts?
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
March 26, 2008 3:09 PM | Link to this
Why Did Chuck James have that 5.68 ERA ? I’ll tell you why , Because he was pitching with a partially torn rotator cuff.
And further more , he didn’t tell anybody about it. If Cox or Roger McDowell had known , they would shut him down.
James pitched hurt and he hurt the team in doing so , which is why he is in Bobby Cox’s dog house.
And now you know the real reason why James will start the season in Richmond.
I’ll take a bow and exit stage left.
And now you know why Chuck James is in my DOG HOUSE !
By propp
March 26, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
you guys forget that stretch around june/july where chucky was dominant. i don’t have the stats infront of me, but i believe he went 5-6 starts allowing one run or less. had bad luck with the bullpen and lack of hitting which cost hims some W’s during that stretch. Granted, he was only working 5-6 innings per appearance, but that is still a nice stretch
By Shaun
March 26, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Just saw that Salty got sent down by Rangers, beat out by Gerald Laird for their starting job.
To keep the theme going, the Rangers trust the spring stats and give a career .246/.297/.377 (64 OPS+) major league hitter the job over the guy who’s hit .266/.310/.422 in his limited time in the majors and .273/.369/.453 in the minor…and he’s not even 23 yet.
Or maybe it just has to do with options and the Rangers don’t think they are going to contend, so what do they have to lose by letting Salty get seasoning as an everyday player in the minors. Certainly they can’t really think Laird’s the better player.
By ROCHIE
March 26, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
GO BRAVES! im having mad baseball fever as we get closer!
By Bobby
March 26, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
DAVE-SO WHATS THE DEAL WITH 680FAN!!!!!!!!!!
By Jim
March 26, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Obviously James and Dice K are two very different pitchers — that is the point I was trying to make! The similarity between the two is that they both reach the 6th inning with an excessive pitch count and get hit hard at that point. The “good” starts for CJ when he lasts into the 7th or 8th inning are the games when he has a lower pitch count after 5. Dice K has an assortment of pitches, but that hasn’t helped him get past the 5th with less than 80 pitches thrown and doesn’t help him get further into the game afterward.
As for the comparisons with Glavine and Maddux, I will give you that Maddux did have a good curve that he threw occasionally, and very effectively, but primarily worked off his fastball. As for Glavine, his curveball was very mediocre during his peak years and he rarely used it. His fasball and sinker were essentially the same pitch — he threw a sinking fasball and was more of a groundball pitcher, but 90+% of his pitches were either sinking fastballs or change-ups, and he effectively varied the speed on both of them. (He also rarely threw inside in his peak years with the Braves.) He too can have a lot of high pitch outings that don’t get him past the 6th inning. Glavine won’t be of much help teaching James a new pitch, nor should he, but could be extremely helpful in teaching him to more effectively vary the assortment he does have and to get better sink on his fastball.
By Warren Haynes For President
March 26, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I ran across this link last week. Our boy Jason Isbell’s tune Dress Blues set to video with pictures of Matt Conley somehow ended up on ESPN. I guess it must have been an outside the lines type deal. Anyway check this out …
http://sports.espn.go.com/broadband/video/videopage?videoId=3293239&n8pe6c=3
By Jonathan
March 26, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
You are all forgetting Planet Waves, as most Dylan critics do; that album is seriously underrated.
My top five Zimmerman’s:
But, honestly, with Dylan a “worst-five” is appreciably easier to categorize than a “best-five.” Still, I like my list, despite including several seriously-underrated selections.
By DAP
March 26, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
DOB dont encourage coach. he is using chuck’s era from his last 10 games to justify why he shouldnt be in the majors, but wants ingnore that fact that glavine last ten were even worse. bad games skew numbers!
glavine a good in his first 31, but then messed up in his last three…ok, thats fine, but if we are going to use qualifiers, chuck pitched pretty well before he got hurt.
By ncscoots
March 26, 2008 3:54 PM | Link to this
Certainly they can’t really think Laird’s the better player.
You mean, in some context other than “as of today”?
On another note: TJ, I’ll be gentle, alright. Mention Chone Figgins again, and I’ll track you down and knee-cap you, LOL.
Add Ryan Freel to your blogs, and I might really have violent thoughts in your direction. :-)
By ROCHIE
March 26, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
whats wrong with 680 thefan?
By Braveheart
March 26, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
With 7 starts left, Glavine’s ERA was 4.32.
Glavine ended the season with a 4.45 ERA.
Glavine was average for his first 27 starts, good for his next 4 starts, and horrendous in his last 3 starts.
It’s a good signing but let’s stop the spin.
By flange1
March 26, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
DOB,
With all of the discussions about how many innings we should expect from our starters this year,
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
By TJ
March 26, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Chone Figgins
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Robert (CIB), I think Kevin MIllar would be a great fit in every way for the Braves, backing up 1B and pinch-hitting and great in the clubhouse. But problem is, he’s the Orioles’ 1B/cleanup hitter. They’re not trying to trade him at all, from what I hear. He’s been out a week with a finger injury.
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Both Kyle Davies and Chris Reitsma were sent to the minors today. I’ll let others get the cheap laughs.
By ernesto
March 26, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
If we trade Thor they’re going to have to install an HVAC system at the Ted to make up for the lack of his breeze generating stick.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
By the way, Morton’s not starting tomorrow. It was wrong in game notes, a misunderstanding. Bobby said five relievers would pitch, then Morton.
By ippississiM
March 26, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
Who else, non Smoltz/Hudson, did as well as Chuck’s injured stretch? I know I’m hard on him for being a little blond-between-the-ears, but how is a hurt Chuck any worse than a healthy Redman or Davies?
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Shaun, Laird’s the incumbent and a significantly better defensive catcher than Salty.
So after the Rangers bring the two to spring and tell them they’re fighting for the starting job, and give them equal playing time in the spring, and Laird hits twice as many homers and a little higher average, how you going to give the job to Salty?
You that upset they don’t reward jobs based on your projections of his immense talent?
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what Millar is earning, but it would be way too much for a bench guy. I love that guy, though. He plays the game the right way.
By Warren Haynes For President
March 26, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
Lets trade Thorman for Ryan Freel!!
By ObiWanKobe
March 26, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
Angels’ Escobar has torn shoulder
The pitcher says he might face surgery that would force him to miss the season or, worse, end his career.
By Mike DiGiovanna, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer 11:09 AM PDT, March 26, 2008 TEMPE, Ariz. — Pitcher Kelvim Escobar, an 18-game winner last season, revealed this morning that he has a tear in his shoulder, an injury that could require season-ending surgery and, possibly, end his career.
“I’m concerned, I don’t know what’s going to happen, I don’t even know if I’ll be able to pitch again,” said Escobar, who, just a week into his throwing program, was shut down Sunday because of shoulder pain.
Kelvim Escobar click to enlarge “I’m still young. I’ll be 32 in two weeks, but retirement is getting into my head, because it’s hard to rehab. I want to be out there playing, and I’ve done everything I can do to be healthy.”
Escobar spent two months rehabilitating and strengthening the shoulder, and on March 15, he began playing catch, at 45 feet. But after his third throwing session, the discomfort returned.
The right-hander will spend another two weeks trying to strengthen the shoulder, but if he does not improve significantly, he will probably visit a shoulder specialist in New York and consider arthroscopic surgery.
“They would look at it and fix whatever I have,” Escobar said of a possible medical procedure. “But that would take 10 months to recover from.”
Escobar, who is in the second year of a three-year, $28.5-million contract, said he was “expecting to feel a lot better” when he started throwing because he had made so much progress in his strengthening program.
“I was able to do a lot of the exercises I couldn’t do before,” Escobar said, “and I didn’t feel pain.”
The fact that the pain returned after only three throwing sessions was cause for great concern for Escobar.
“I don’t know if I need to be more patient and do more exercises, or what,” Escobar said. “If that doesn’t work, what’s next, keep doing exercises the whole year? They told me I had a pretty beat-up shoulder because I’ve pitched for such a long time.”
Several pitchers, including Mark Mulder and Bartolo Colon, have struggled to come back from similar shoulder injuries.
“This could be the end of my career,” Escobar said. “They’re not sure if I’d be able to come back after surgery.”
mike.digiovanna@latimes.com
Maybe they’ll be intrested in trading Rivera or Morales now. They need pitchers. Lackey is on the DL too and Scot Shields is soon to be. Braves may be able to take advantage of the Angels situation. Thoughts?
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 4:15 PM | Link to this
In his other life, 10Paul is known as Client#9Paul
LOL. (there you go Scoots). That was funny. Plus, it helped decipher the blog censor. I wasn’t sure what was under the asterisk at first. Good stuff.
By GT81
March 26, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Can anyone explain why Pena is expendable when Corky is not? I remember Corky last year as an automatic big swinging out when in pressure situations, as bad as AJ. And Pena is 26 and a switch hitter. What’s the deal?
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Orr and Langerhans both cut from Nats’ camp roster, and Langy already cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A. Orr was a non-roster invitee who had a great spring, batting .390. But that’s the life of a non-roster guy. Rough.
Langerhans had a bad spring, hitting .226 with just one extra-base hit (double) and 13 K’s in 31 at-bats.
By ROCHIE
March 26, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
i like the kevin millar idea. solid bench with eperience. this would be nice upgrade over free swinging thorman
By dgd
March 26, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Getting rid of Yates makes it a good day. My favorite cover of “Don’t Think Twice” is by Jerry Jeff Walker……
By OrlandoFan
March 26, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Ernesto at 4:05 post… Very funny on Thorman/HVAC
By Duke
March 26, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
ObiWanKobe, what do you believe we should do? Trade one of our pitchers for something that we really dont need? I mean maybe a utillity player or some young guys but that wouldnt be very smart of us at this time seeing as Smoltzy is already a little dinged up, although im not worried about it, and we have Hampton in our rotation. You have to feel that he will have an injury or two this season and that would be a best case scenario. We need our major league ready starters to back one of them up they need to miss a couple of starts. If we were to start trading away those guys like Buddy and Chuck, that will be in Richmond ready on call, then we would kind of be in the same situation as last year wouldnt we?
By Duke
March 26, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
ObiWanKobe, what do you believe we should do? Trade one of our pitchers for something that we really dont need? I mean maybe a utillity player or some young guys but that wouldnt be very smart of us at this time seeing as Smoltzy is already a little dinged up, although im not worried about it, and we have Hampton in our rotation. You have to feel that he will have an injury or two this season and that would be a best case scenario. We need our major league ready starters to back one of them up they need to miss a couple of starts. If we were to start trading away those guys like Buddy and Chuck, that will be in Richmond ready on call, then we would kind of be in the same situation as last year wouldnt we? Just doesnt really make since. We don’t really need that much anyway. We are pretty set at every position.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this
Concerning Chuck James. Aside from being in the Dog House, if healthy, he should do really well pitching every fifth day for the Richmond Braves.
In fact, James will probably dominate minor league hitters, like before. Which should do wonders for his confidence.
I want the guy to succeed. The better he is in Richmond, the higher in quality is the Braves depth.
By Duke
March 26, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
DOB, its never good to hear about a guy like Pete getting cut, especially after a good spring. Hopefully he will get another chance on someones roster. Just dont see it though.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Since 10Paul decided to skewer the numbers of Tom Glavine and expect me to buy the lie
I did not “skewer” any numbers. I simply took his last 8 starts and summed up the columns. Why did I do this? As a point about James…
Don’t know why folks try to make the numbers tell something different than the simple truth
Exactly. Why would one take the final 10 or 8 or 3 starts of any pitcher and cast them down as is done with James. Which is why I provided all the numbers for James prior to his bad stretch, which I see Coach did for Glavine.
I could be mistaken. Perhaps DOB is saying we should just focus on James last 10 starts, but not Glavine’s last 8. Or whatever split you want. I get the feeling that if I were to claim this was actually DOB’s position, he’d start laying into me like I’m Anders.
Epinephrine: No worries. I can tell Spring Training has been good to me. I’ve spent the whole off season being labeled the most pessimistic poster on the blog. Now I’ve got you calling me a homer. Sounds like my fingers are ready to take this blog North.
Other than that, can you at least see the point? Merely trying to say James is worth holding on to and not as bad as some advertise. And in addition, that Smoltz and Glavine, along with Hudson need to throw as close to, if not surpass, 200 innings as possible. Bennett, as well as his 2 MLB starts were last year, isn’t going to be capable of throwing 150 innings as a starter while also being a long reliever. Last season Villarreal’s job was long man (no starts for him) and it allowed him to tally 76 innings. That’d make for over 200 innings from Bennett this season if he is to cover both roles.
By TJ
March 26, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
ncscoots… sorry. I really didn’t know that name was on the banned list. I knew about Baldelli (though, maybe we should… oh, nevermind) and Crawford. Please accept my apology, and know that I’ll never type the name Chone Figgins again.
Chone Figgins
oops! God, how does that keep happening?
Anyway, there may be an opportunity here, just before the cut-down date, so I’m sure the Braves are looking at it. I like our pitching depth, but don’t see that we have a legit backup at 3B or 1B, which is a bit of a weakness, IMO.
By Gus
March 26, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Damian Moss — is he going to the Braves’ minors, or already gone? Just curious.
Also noticed that Roman Colon was sent to minor league camp by KC. Former Braves pitchers… there’s a (not very good) reality show waiting to happen.
By DAP
March 26, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
third day did bob’s “saved” on their first offerings album. its good.
By Big Easy
March 26, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Man, what happened to Langerhans? The guy was a great player with us, and then, BAM, he can’t hit a lick.
It’s a shame, really. I liked Langy a lot.
~E~
By Shamus Thacker
March 26, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Ever heard Johnny Winter play Highway 61? One of the great slide guitarists of our time…
By Renegator
March 26, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Wow, sad when guys that were on our team last year get cut by the Nationals.
That’s how bad our bench was last year.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Payne: I saw that about Salty a couple weeks ago. They’ve been discussing it in camp for a while. Might also have to do with controlling the player for longer during his prime… as well as what DOB said.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Tom Glavine is a WINNER, period. And his signing wasn’t good, it was GREAT !
I fully expect that Glavine will win 60 to 65 percent of his starts, post an ERA around 3.75 and give the Braves 23 to 25 quality starts. While pitching 180-190 innings and making at least 32 starts on the season.
By @#(!*!%
March 26, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
TJ, Chuck will start the season on the DL… the big league dl… you should get back onstage, just for alittle while
By ncscoots
March 26, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
TJ, that’s actually just my personal banned list :-), and as someone long ago said,
“I’m able to laugh about it, now.”
TennPaul, good use of the initials, my man. Tomorrow, emoticons; later, the world.
By Shamus Thacker
March 26, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
Remember “The Bomb Squad” bench from years back? Last year’s pine-riders were “The Sqad That Bombed.”
By ArkyTech
March 26, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this
By David O’Brien
March 26, 2008 4:21 PM | Link to this
Langerhans had a bad spring, hitting .226 with just one extra-base hit (double) and 13 K’s in 31 at-bats.
Actually, those numbers might qualify as a GOOD spring for Langy.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 4:52 PM | Link to this
I want the guy to succeed
That’s the spirit Coach!
And further more , he didn’t tell anybody about it.
But you still gotta answer for this. Chuck knew his rotator cuff was torn? I’ll need you to site the proof of this and also display how you knew, Chuck knew, but Bobby didn’t know. Otherwise, drop this line of reasoning. At that point the injury only goes to explain a poor ending to what was an other wise good effort by James to fill in as the 3rd starter when he should have been the 4th or 5th last season.
By Jim
March 26, 2008 4:54 PM | Link to this
While it would be nice to have players like Figgins or Rivera, it is more important to have pitching depth for now and for the immediate future. Both of these players are established major leaguers with a significant salary. Do you want them to replace someone like Diaz, or KJ, or to use instead of Prado or Infante for our bench? We may need a new 1b next year, but let’s hope that the backup 1b this year is one of the least visible people on our team. The players you have mentioned are more than just pinch hitters and very occaisional replacements. The specific bench player we need is a more reliable Thorman — someone like D. Ward (or not to encourage Anders and all) a marlon Anderson.
By ObiWanKobe
March 26, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Duke, The Braves have 3 pitchers in the minors who pitched in the Majors last year, Bennett, James, & Reyes. The Braves have no one on the bench with any power, a glaring weakness that will cost them games unless it is addressed. Trading one of those starters and an extra bullpen arm for a legit player that would start for a majority of other teams would suit the Braves well. You could expand the deal with pitching prospects and try to pry Figgins out of them. And remeber you have to give to get and this is a situation when the Braves could get more for less because of the Angels pitching needs. Which are critical, there is no way the Angels won’t do something. They have to, with their payroll being what it is. They can’t waste this year and that money. They are exploitable is what I am saying.
By Scott
March 26, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
ahhhh—the Braves AND Dylan.
By Big Easy
March 26, 2008 4:56 PM | Link to this
I’m sure this will get me lambasted here, but was never really a Dylan fan. Of course, I grew up listening to Guns N’ Roses, so hearing their version of “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” brings back a lot of memories. It was the first song I ever learned on the guitar.
Love GNR’s version. Also, as mentioned above, Third Day’s version of “Saved,” and Jimi’s version of “All Along the Watchtower.” Also am very partial to the all-star version of “My Back Pages” from the 1992 Dylan tribute.
~E~
By Lew
March 26, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
I’ve got to go with Ernesto on this one-Blood On The Tracks and Desire. Lily Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts is one of the best songs-lyrically and compositionally-ever written. He didn’t do that one when I saw him last year, but he did do Tangled Up In Blue, which is another great song. He also played several cuts from Blonde on Blonde.
Coach-Yes, we’re all aware of your dog house (Abu Gharaib, Guantanemo?), but I’m not so sure you can assume that Chucky is in Bobby Cox’s Doghouse. Never heard him state that, nor have I heard it from anyone except you and other disgruntled Denizens. I think (and considering BC talked about it in his last Chop Talk column-Wren, too) that all anyone is concerned with is getting him ready to rejoin the rotation. Wren claims that should be a week or so after the season starts. He’s a much more integral part of the equation than y’all give him credit for. Like DOB said, if he can develop that slider, he may win 20.
By @#(!*!%
March 26, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
Re-Direct Of my comment from TJ to COACH
By Lew
March 26, 2008 5:02 PM | Link to this
Shamus-Hwy. 61 Revisited was the encore that Johnny Winter played when I saw him-well, last Winter (12 below that night). It was worth the price of admission. Unfortunately Johnny is pretty infirm these days and needs help walking onto and off the stage. He sits in a chair and plays. Played several old Muddy Waters tunes, too and some of the old stuff from Progressive Blues Experiment. Still plays some Mean Town Blues.
By cityofdecatur
March 26, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
got in late to the blog so i’m answering DOB’s earlier question about Dylan’s best. My choice Highway 61 then Blonde then everything else. Dylan’s music and words are best done BY OTHERS. I collect covers of his songs and while he’s an icon and one of the great writers …. his stuff is best done by others. I got a Watchtower by Santana and the Grateful Dead together that is awesome. I could go on and on DOB there was a website with a (found out later) Dylan imitator doing Dr. Suess . you think your listening to Dylan from the 66-69 era and when you listen closely it’s ‘GREEN EGGS AND HAM’ the estate of Seuss made it close down but the music was being offered FREE and can i send you a copy.
Can’t wait for openning day …. Spring training plans crapped out with car problems.
Yates trade good would have lost him to waivers. would like to keep pena but he probably has greater trade value.
Time to read the rest of the blog from the beginning.
By doc
March 26, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this
nrbq and pete h agree with the dates and comments. was at both though the second event memories a little more hazy than the first. 68 as a is a big year so it slipped in there but definitely 69 and 70. allso remember some dreadful finishes where if you went to the park in september you had your choice of seats behind the dugout and could yell what you wanted to and be heard by all in the stadium. kind of like being in a minor league ballpark. thanks goodness for ted turner who finally learned how to do it and fill the stadium up. as far as the mets wasnt that about the time they had koosman and seaver to lead the way?
By Jim
March 26, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
I don’t think Chuck James is a likely candidate for med school when his playing career is done. He knew his arm was hurting, but I doubt he KNEW his rotator cuff was torn. When do we distinguish between the guy that goes out there and pitches even when his arm is hurting, and the guy that has a bit of a sore arm and begs out of an an assignment? Does that behavior keep you out of Bobby’s doghouse?
By flange1
March 26, 2008 5:14 PM | Link to this
Hey Lew,
I saw Johnny Winter on the last tour as well. Sad to see him in such bad physical shape. His playing speed has decreased ALOT, but he is still very tasteful sounding tone. Wish he would use the Firebird ALL the time!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
GT81 , Brayan Pena is the proverbial jack of all trades, master of none, with little big league experience.
His work behind the plate is less than desirable. He’s not a good defensive catcher. However, man can rake. He is a good line drive hitter with gap power but little HR ability.
His big league AVG of .221 isn’t a good sample size because it only reflects 113 at bats.
Pena’s minor league numbers are more revealing. He hit over .300 in five different seasons and has an outstanding AVG. of .314 in 1769 minor league at bats.
As for Corky Miller, it’s almost the exact opposite.
The seven year veteran has stuck around due to his outstanding defensive game behind the plate.
The man has a rocket launcher for an arm and calls a good game for his pitcher on the mound. Miller blocks everything behind the plate and presents a solid target with the catchers mitt.
The flip side is , he can’t hit his way out of a paper bag. check the .196 career batting AVG.
Predictably , Cox will go with the veteran and I concur.
Miller won’t hit much , but he will do a great job of filling in when McCann needs a day off.
By AGTfan
March 26, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
All this stuff about CJ. I happen to think he’s going to be fine player for the Braves for many years to come. I think he’s starting the season in Richmond because we have the luxury of allowing him that extra time to get to full strength. I don’t get the bashing him that’s gone on here. Yeah Coach, he made a dumb rookie mistake in not telling his coaches he was playing hurt. Considering how desperate we were for pitching at that time, they might have let him keep pitching anyway. He wanted to help his team and made a mistake. He still has tremendous potential. In his second season in the bigs he started 30 games, pitched 161.1 innings, had a 4.24 ERA. Right now he compares pretty favorably with some pretty good pitchers in their second season. It’s a little too early to throw him under the bus.
By ippississiM
March 26, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
I know I totally dumped on Chuck and called him a moron and lots of other really rank stuff, some of which I’ve taken a lot of flack for, but here’s the thing:
Suppose Chuck had said, “Bobby, I’m hurting. I need to get this checked out.” He’s out for his last, say, 10 starts. There was absolutely no one available in the Braves organization who could have done any better in that time period, and it would have been miserable to try to spread the pitiful back-end callups over THREE roster spots. Chuck did what he had to to help the team stay in the division race last year.
It would have been easier NOT to take the mound with shoulder pain. It would have been great to get it seen to. But the team would have had absolutely no chance whatsoever after Chuck got hurt, instead of staying in the race until the final few weeks.
That’s my final word on Chuck playing hurt.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
I saw Dylan twice. I can recall snippets of the night but that’s about it. I recall the first time I saw him he was good, and it was fun but he lacked energy on the stage. I didn’t think much of it at the time. Then the second time I saw him Kenny Wayne opened up for him. Dylan had tons more energy that night. Gave the man a hug when the show was done. Then I was escorted out of the venue.
By Chop Chop
March 26, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
It would be damn hard for anyone else to sing “Isis”, “Just Like a Woman”, or “One of Us Must Know (Sooner or Later)” better than Bob Dylan. Some of his stuff is almost better if you just read it (“Idiot Wind” is one of those songs to me).
Lew, I agree with you about “Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts”. Just classic writing there. That’s what makes Dylan so great. I really appreciate roundabout rhyming, which probably explains why Warren Zevon is one of my all-time favorites.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
Lew , Chuck James won’t be rejoining the rotation unless one of the current starting five can’t pitch.
Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, Jurrjens and Hampton are locked in.
By Yars
March 26, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
I think we all root for ex-Braves. Salty is still young, & maybe he just needs a bit more seasoning. I still see him as the Rangers everyday catcher at some point. I feel bad for Orr & Langy. I hope Orr catches on with another team. As for Langy, what the hell did happen to him? Seems like not too long ago he was a good looking player for Atlanta that had a lot of upside. I figured he would be in the show for a long time. I think the reason the Braves don’t see Pena as even a backup catcher is because of his defense. With McCann playing pretty much everyday, Miller would be the wise choice as his backup. With some of you, when Corky is mentioned, you automatically think of Todd Pratt! Good to see KJ back in the lineup. Nice sacrifice bunt as well. I liked how the camera caught Chipper going over some batting tips with KJ before the game. My all time favorite cover song? Get It On by Power Station. A T-Rex cover.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
At any rate, the lineup is set. The rotation is locked in and the bullpen is all but finished.
The only thing left undecided is the bench.
Prado, Lillibridge and Miller are in. Infante will eventually join them and Brent will be sent packing back to the minors.
Blanco and Anderson are presenting Bobby Cox with the toughest decision of spring training as to who will be the fourth outfielder.
Thorman continues to be the question mark. Will the Braves keep him or try to find another veteran bat via trade or the waiver wire.
By flange1
March 26, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this
Best Cover Songs?
Carol (Chuck Berry) by The Stones on Get yer Ya Ya’s Out
The Race is on (G.Jones) Georgia Satellites
I’m so lonesome I could cry (H Williams) Jason And teh Scorchers
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 5:39 PM | Link to this
gene therapy might be the next shortcut for athletes trying to get ahead
—Ken Rosenthal
That could get real ugly. Not just pot marks on a face any more. Do this wrong and we could have some real buttheads on the field.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 5:42 PM | Link to this
O’Brien, do you think that Bobby Cox will roll the hole a little more this season compared to years past ?
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
Doc:
I used to go to Atlanta on business quite a bit in the late 80s and early 90s. Several times, I timed it so I could get to my hotel, drop off the luggage, then take a bus to the game, buy a ticket and then just go down to the fourth or fifth row behind first base. There were seats everywhere and no one checked your stub. It was great. Well, the results of the games weren’t so great, usually, but you sure got your $7 worth. I wonder what equivalent seats would cost me now. Sigh.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
I’m sure this will get me lambasted here, but was never really a Dylan fan.Big Easy
My man, there’s no reason to criticize those who don’t get or like Dylan. He’s above all that. Beyond reproach. Not just the finest American songwriter, but one of the great poets of our time.
Agreed on “Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts,” but I haven’t used the lyrics here just because of its extreme length.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Chuck James won’t be rejoining the rotation unless one of the current starting five can’t pitch
Not sure that is entirely true what with all the 6 man talk and long relievers and what not. But even still, going with this mindset I’d say there is a high probability James would be in the rotation. His replacement, Jair, hasn’t pitched more than 140 innings in his career. And the other guy, Hampton, hasn’t pitched in a game in 2.5 seasons. That opens a window of opportunity for a lot of the guys on the farm to get the call. But I’d imagine, James would be at the top of that list. He’ll eventually have to be taken off the DL to which the Braves will have to option him down or slide him into the rotation. I’d imagine that would be pending the health of other players. It’s one thing to say a guy is a phone call away it’s another thing to have room for him on the 25 man roster.
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
Best three covers songs, in my opinion, are
Jeff Buckley, Hallelujah Gary Jules, Mad World Jimi Hendrix, Watchtower
By Mark Fanxeira- kudos distributor, Atlanta chapter- section 8
March 26, 2008 5:53 PM | Link to this
T- Paul
that was pretty clever
6 kudos
By TJ
March 26, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Coach, I think Thorman would cruise through waivers, and the Braves could assign him to AAA to work on his swing.
Pena is apparently the last “tradeable” player on the roster. I don’t see the big deal about his bat. A decent batting average (in the minors), but no power. Actually, Corky Miller has a better minor league OPS than Pena. If we can deal him for something worthwhile, I say do it.
Don’t mean to press, Coach, but I’m still kinda waiting on your “documentation” of James hiding his injury from the Braves coaches. Just seems like a pretty big motza ball to throw out there unless there’s some basis for it.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 5:56 PM | Link to this
TennPaul: Agree with you on James, he’ll be up, I’d bet before All-Star break. Somehow. Whether because of injury or whatever, I think we’ll see him before too long.
By ippississiM
March 26, 2008 5:58 PM | Link to this
It seems like it would make more sense NOT to DL Chuck James—just stick him on the Richmond or Mississippi roster, and let him work at a rehab pace. Then, when he’s back to full speed, he can lie low and work on a third pitch (I don’t think he should keep the slider, since he’s obviously scared snotless to throw it anymore) in a confidence-building environment.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine: Buckley and Jimi for sure. Gotta agree with that. Buckley’s cover is about as perfect as that song could ever be done. I’m not familiar with the other one.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
ippississiM: I could be way off on this… I’m sure I’ll be told if I am… but if you DL chuck and send him to “rehab” in the minors you don’t use an option. So if things turn about one way and Chuck comes back and is on the 25 man roster he could stay there all season. Next season he’d still have an option.
That’s probably not why they’re doing it. But having him on the DL does make him closer to the 25 man roster than demoting him to AAA right off the bat. There might also be a rule around sending a guy to the minors and how long he must be there before you can call him up.
In short, this probably makes James more available.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 6:07 PM | Link to this
In eighty and a third innings of work, the following six pitchers : Smoltz, Hudson, Glavine, Jurrjens, Hampton and Bennett have posted an ERA of 2.91
Soriano, Moylan, Acosta, Ohman, Boyer, Resop and Ring have combined for sixty-five innings, eighteen earned runs and an ERA of 2.49
While the offense has averaged more than six runs per game.
Ain’t ya glad that these spring training numbers don’t foretell the truth.
Can the so called experts read between the lines.
I will, it’s called a big can of W-H-U-P-A-Z-Z about to be opened.
By dumpi
March 26, 2008 6:10 PM | Link to this
Hi Fellow Braves Fans look at www.namemyteam.com and get your own personal ATL Braves domain today. Support your team or sport!!
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 6:15 PM | Link to this
TJ: Don’t mean to press, Coach, but I’m still kinda waiting on your “documentation” of James hiding his injury from the Braves coaches
I’m waiting with you. Wouldn’t have noticed had you not highlighted it earlier. And then had Coach not reposted it…
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 3:09 PM
And again at March 26, 2008 3:42 PM
…he was pitching with a partially torn rotator cuff…And further more , he didn’t tell anybody about it. If Cox or Roger McDowell had known , they would shut him down…
By Luther
March 26, 2008 6:16 PM | Link to this
Not to make a big deal, but the reason I like Blood so much is that it comes across as so unapologetically personal and very related to his personal dealings of the time. I don’t dislike Jack of Hearts, but for me it came across as much more veiled and playfull than the rest of the songs on the album(Tangled and Buckets included). I respect many of the people’s opinions here who are praising that song, so with that I am off for my drive home and will start the drive with “Lily, Rosemary and the Jack of Hearts.”
Good topic today, I enjoyed hearing all the different opinions on Dylan.
By woogidy
March 26, 2008 6:24 PM | Link to this
I think we’ve know for a few weeks that the Braves were going to lose or trade some decent players before the season started. If we knew that so do the teams doing the trading. I think the Braves get the same type deal for Pena or Thorman, if anything. The only way the the Braves end up with a guy like Thames is if they trade one of the real prospects such as Lil’bridge. Just my opinion after seeing what they got for Yates.
By ObiWanKobe
March 26, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
In the BOB/MIB Blog no one list Johnny Cash with the cover of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails!!!
By Skip Caray
March 26, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this
I wish Bobby would stop making his finger roll the hole every time we put our cameras on him.
By ObiWanKobe
March 26, 2008 6:40 PM | Link to this
I’d also add
Sinead O’Connor covering Prince’s “Nothing Compares to U”
The Clash covering The Crickets (minus Buddy Holly) “I Fought the Law”
The 10,000 Maniacs covering Joni Mitchell’s “Because the Night”
And for the Southerners, The Black Crows covering Otis Redding’s “Hard to Handle”
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
Best cover version of all time has to be Aztec Camera’s version of Van Halen’s Jump. Starts out all folky and turns into screaming guitar rave-up.
By ippississiM
March 26, 2008 6:43 PM | Link to this
I believe there’s also a rule about how many days a player may stay on the DL once they make their first “rehab” game. I’m short on time, or I’d look it up, but I know I read something about that. So if he’s on the DL, he’ll eventually have to come off, with no real advantage unless he comes off in April or early May.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 6:45 PM | Link to this
TJ, 10Paul, show me the documentation that says that James didn’t know about or conceal an arm injury.
Show it to me , NOW.
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 6:50 PM | Link to this
Oh, and John Cale’s version of Hallelujah is the premiere version, IMO. I nearly fell over when I took the kid to Shrek and John Cale came on.
BTW, I saw Jeff Buckley’s first actual show, apart from a few club gigs. He played with Cale and Bobby Neuwirth at St. Ann’s in Brooklyn. Someone had just given me a boot cassette of Grace a few months before its release, knowing I liked Tim Buckley, and that night he appeared with Cale. Weird coincidence.
By flange1
March 26, 2008 6:52 PM | Link to this
ObiWan, I think Bruce Springsteen amd Patti Smith wrote Because the Night
By Yars
March 26, 2008 6:53 PM | Link to this
The Johnny Cash cover of Depeche Mode’s, “Personal Jesus” is a great *ucking cover. Mode’s version is more of a dance-rock type track, whereas Cash version is stripped down-simple, but in a good way. I’m not a huge fan of cover songs, but there are some that are really good & do the original versions some justice. Off the top of my head, some that really stand out are Stone Temple Pilot’s cover of the Doors song, “Break on Through”, Duran Duran’s cover of the Lou Reed song, “Perfect Day”, Depeche Mode’s cover of Iggy Pop’s “Dirt”, Marilyn Manson’s version of Soft Cell’s, “Tainted Love”, & Fear Factory’s cover of Gary Numan’s “Cars”.
By Pete H.
March 26, 2008 6:55 PM | Link to this
Obi, that was the Bobby Fuller Four who did I Fought the Law. Bobby Fuller later got murdered by the mob, but his one album is as good as any that Buddy Holly put out.
By RedandBlack
March 26, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB,
The Mundahs are out of Hilton Head, SC I believe. Google them to find their website. Good tunes. Enjoy.
You all take care and have a great day!! Go Dogs and Go Braves!!!
By TJ
March 26, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this
Guilty until proven innocent. Yes, I’m sure that’s how it works. LOL, coach.
By Judge Nocahoma
March 26, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
TJ, 10Paul, show me the documentation that says that James didn’t know about or conceal an arm injury. Show it to me , NOW.
You made the allegation counselor.
Support your baseless allegation with something other than your bogus speculation or get the hell out of my courtroom.
Bring another baseless allegation like that into my courtroom and I will hold your fat behind in contempt and you’ll spend the night in the county jail.
Then you’ll find out what it’s like when a big fella named Bubba rolls your hole.
By ObiWanKobe
March 26, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
That’s what I get for reading those British music magazines, flange1 is correct, it was not Joni Mitchell, put Springstean / Smith
By Yars
March 26, 2008 7:07 PM | Link to this
ObiWanKobe…. hell man I forgot that, “Nothing Compares To U” is actually a Prince cover. I recall that being a huge hit for Sinead O’Connor back in the early 90’s. The video always freaked me out for some reason.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
Coach: The burden of proof is on you. You and you alone. You must show the premise for your repeated claims. You made the claim. You must prove it. So… please present the documentation that proves your statement true.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 7:12 PM | Link to this
Coach: In the mean time chew on this:
Chop Talk: How’s your shoulder feeling?
James: Much better. At the end of the season, they found a small tear in my rotator cuff, which really surprised me.
By jrjags
March 26, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this
DOB
Baseball America’s prospect handbook projects Redmond as a middle reliever long term. It says his curve is his best pitch while his change is improving, and his fastball tops out at 90. Braves.com, however, says his change is listed as the best in the Pirates organization. I was wondering what the Braves’ projections for him were. What is and how good is his third pitch? If he is a two pitch guy with a 90 mph fastball, he seems similar to Chuck James, and we’ve seen how important that third pitch is to be a consistent starter in the majors.
By Duke
March 26, 2008 7:18 PM | Link to this
ObiWanKobe, I totally agree with you on them needing pitching and us taking advantage of that, but I see no way that we could get Figgins and he’s just too good of a player to be just a pinch hitter or a runner. He is gonna be playing everyday. Plus do you really think that they are gonna try and get JoJo who may have a little bit of experience but just not enough to put him out there and think his experience will trumph the way he has been picthing? No, i dont think so. Yes, they would probably love to have Chuck or Bennett or maybe even Buddy but i’d take our roster and have those three ready at call over adding a bat off the bench. I just think our arms are too old not to have those options and lets say we trade Bennett. Then you would probably have Buddy in the spot start role with Chuck probably taking over later. Do you want to have to rely on Buddy again, while he did a decent job last year, if Hampton or Smoltz or even any of the others go down for a significant time? I sure dont.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
March 26, 2008 7:23 PM | Link to this
Hey TJ, ask Roger McDowell why James all but stopped throwing his slider last season and altered his delivery because his shoulder was hurting.
1.James knew he had a sore shoulder.
3.He all but abandoned his slider.
4.His velocity was down.
5.Every time he would try to correct one problem, something else would go wrong.
Add all that up and James is either a complete idiot or he was afraid to tell anyone for fear of not being able to pitch.
By Kevin
March 26, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
It may not be any of my business but I’ll jump right in anyway. I seem to remember Chuck saying something after he found out about his injury in the offseason that he had never had any sort of arm problems in the past. He didn’t know how to react to the soreness. I really think he thought the soreness was normal. I also don’t think he had ever really pitched that many innings in a year either. He probably thought he was running out of gas.
Also, you have to think, most arm problems in pitchers lead to surgery and this one only needed rest and rehab so who’s to say that it was that big of an injury in the first place. I truly think he was surprised to find out about the tear.
By Im
March 26, 2008 7:35 PM | Link to this
DOB any chance you can explain the intuition behind the nats starting the season with a 4 man rotation? especially after releasing john patterson. i dont get it.
By David-San
March 26, 2008 7:40 PM | Link to this
The braves will sign Bobby Bonds this year.
By Choppinmama
March 26, 2008 7:45 PM | Link to this
Aloha, Tyler, and mahalo for the effort. Looks like Bennett will be needing a place to stay - have his real estate agent contact your real estate agent.
By ncscoots
March 26, 2008 7:49 PM | Link to this
3.He all but abandoned his slider.
coach, LOL, that’s a nice try, but Chuck abandoned that “slider” long before last year. Sometime around Pony League, is my guess, and injury has nothing to do with it.
I’ll admit, I have seen Chuck actually throw a breaking pitch. I suppose it could have been a slider, though it looked more like a cutter. Mainly because it had zero tilt. And I mean zero. If that’s gonna his third pitch, I’d agree with the poster who said he’s scared snotless to throw it. Maybe that’s because Chuck’s not as dumb as he makes out.
By Brad
March 26, 2008 7:53 PM | Link to this
Anyboby else ready to give martin Prado a chance a 2nd. He should have got it last year but since hubby worked all off season with him he was a shoe-in even though plenty of people said Prado should have got it. His defence is superb and he hits like yunel (lots of tb’s and doubles) Rather have a guy with a 300 avg and 60-80 RBI’s than a guy that might hit a home run every 20 games (Johnson). I think we would gain more with Johnson on the bench.
By ole timerbrave
March 26, 2008 7:55 PM | Link to this
Thought you would like to see the post from thphilles board
[http://www.philaphans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=68458] It’s funny!
By ole timerbrave
March 26, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
DOB, you need to tell WRen he needs to lock Frency up, longterm.
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
Brad,
End Yourself,
Sincerely,
Rational thinkers
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 8:03 PM | Link to this
jrjags: Braves say his changeup is his best pitch, and he has a good sinker and very good command in general. They are looking at him as a starter. Could that change? Sure. But they’re going to watch him develop before they make any such decision…
David-San: Bobby Bonds died in 2003. Had lung cancer and a brain tumor.
By brian
March 26, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
Brad - get ready for a slew of responses disagreeing with you
Kelly was tremendous in his first full season in the majors, especially considering he was learning a new position on the fly while returning from a major injury. This offseason, spring training, and season he can focus much more on hitting. Yes we will lose a little bit with the glove with KJ but the bats are not even comparable.
Prado will be a solid utility IF who can do well with spot starts.
I know Yunel Escobar and Prado is NOT Yunel Escobar
By @!%#&
March 26, 2008 8:05 PM | Link to this
I made a previous statement towards TJ that should have been at COACH..
Coach, Chuck will begin the season on the big league DL, so give it about 15 days and then see where the braves are at…
And NCSCOOTS:Chuck didn’t at all abandon his slider. He’s been throwing it this spring and has become a moderately effective pitch..still a work in progress though..
By Maybe so
March 26, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Could it be that there is something missing in the equation?
I wonder if we could expect James to know his body as Smoltz knows his.
Could it be, that James looks at Smoltz and sees a gamer that plays in pain, but works his pitches around the pain. Could it be that he thought he should do the same? Not knowing the difference between pain to work through and pain that needs attention?
Could it be, as already has been pointed out, that James put pressure on himself since he not only had such an example from Smoltz, but also because, there was no one else to take his place?
Everything I have read about the whole thing says that he was surprised that there was a tear in his shoulder. Somehow I do not find this hard to believe considering his personality and his inexperience.
Again, there is really a lot that is not known by the fans. But it is also true that players and managers, just like the rest of us, do not have “all knowledge” even about themselves.
At any rate, it is very hard to make any judgment on the matter considering what we have been told (and what we have not).
But the question is, could there not be another alternative than just to think that James definitely withheld information?
The questions that you have raised, Coach, seems to me that it points more to the managements error, that they did not recognize all these signs that you have mentioned concerning a young player. If those signs are so obvious to you and seemingly should have been so obvious to Chuck, should they not also been obvious to management?
I don’t mean to get an answer. The question is asked just to say that there could be a different way to see all of this. It is not to say that you are wrong, but to say that there could be other summations. In a + b + c =, If you only know the value of a and b, then the summation can not be known for sure. There can be many possible answers. But most likely only one (or at least few) answer is correct.
By Kevin
March 26, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
No Brad I’m not ready to give him a chance. Kelly is a much better offensive player. Prado doesn’t scare anyone. They have known what they have in him for three years. We already have a plus offensive player at a position that most teams have mediocre offensive players. Would you even be asking this if Kelly were hitting say .280. I doubt it. Be patient, he has been hitting the ball well, just right at people. They’ll start dropping for hits soon.
By Wayne in Utah
March 26, 2008 8:14 PM | Link to this
Hey Coach, where the heck is Jared tonight??? I don’t catch the games, but Bennett’s box score looked good.
As for the whole Chuckie vs others discussion:
I think we all hope the best for each and every one of our players. I don’t think a single soul on this blog would be disappointed if Thorman discovered his stroke, started getting better AB’s, or if Chuckie developed a killer slider, and healed from his shoulder woes of last fall.
Nothing wrong with having guys like Chuck James, Buddy Carlyle, JoJo Reyes and Charlie Morton starting down at Richmond (sorry if I forgot somebody….Bueno maybe).
We all hope that Smoltz, Huddy, TG, JJJ, and Hampton all out do themselves. I think that as the year progresses, BC has got to figure out a way to minimize the number of starts for some of the older dudes. Wouldn’t it be great if Smoltz, TG, Hampton got about 30 starts each. No more. Then, you got 72 left. Maybe 34-35 for Hudson, and 25 for JJJ.
Now, those numbers aren’t going to happen, so having Bennett, James, Carlyle in the wings for some starts here and there are going to be critical.
The realist in me says that we should COUNT on one of the old three to break down this year. Then Chuckie becomes even more important.
So, lets get off all this back and forth stuff, and just be thankful we have a loaded staff (for now), cause one elbow or shoulder can screw up the whole picture.
Oh Jared, where art thou?
PS: Too much getting hung up on this guy and that guy being drafted in this round or that round.
OK, I am done!
By texmex
March 26, 2008 8:15 PM | Link to this
a homer every 20 games? you mean 10 games…
By Wayne in Utah
March 26, 2008 8:17 PM | Link to this
Brad: You think KJ is only going to hit 8 HR’s this year? Also, how much higher a BA do you think Prado would have than KJ.
Respectfully, I think you are all wet on this one. Prado MIGHT make it as a utility guy, if he can handle SS.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 8:20 PM | Link to this
Pete H.: Great call on Aztec Camera’s “Jump” cover. Strong….
Cash’s cover of “Hurt” is one of the most wrenching, beautiful covers ever, and the video is hands-down the best video ever. No contest….
But Cash’s “Rusty Cage” might be even better, just strictly as a song. Not the video. Hurt is the best video. The BEST….
Tough to beat the Clash’s cover of “I Fought The Law.” But Hendrix’ “All Along The Watchtower” probably does….
Until you’ve heard Shane MacGowan and the Popes’ version of “Cracklin’ Rosie,” you haven’t lived.
But listening to the Gourds’ hillbilly version of Snoop Dogg’s “Gin and Juice” will do. If you haven’t heard that song, you MUST download it now. Not tomorrow, now….
And, oh, yeah: Dinosaur Jr.’s cover of the Cure’s “Just Like Heaven.” Oh, tasty stuff. Huge guitars, like everything else Dinosaur Jr. does…
Speaking of Dylan, how ‘bout The Byrds’ cover of “My Back Pages”? Terrific…. And so is their version of “Mr. Tambourine Man.”…
Then there’s Cowboy Junkies’ cover of “Sweet Jane.” Oh, that’s great stuff….
And Patti Smith shreds “Gloria.” Glorious….
But really, can there be a better cover than The King’s “Hound Dog”? I mean, that’s a beaut. It was originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton.
By Brad
March 26, 2008 8:21 PM | Link to this
I know prado is no yunel(he’s the man) I will say now johnson will have a 960 or below fielding avg and will hit above 250 . I think we will have a prado-johnson platoon on by june. I heard all this 2 years ago when I tried to talk about yunel, everybody siad no way and look now. Prado is just now getting comfortable in the majors, he will shine off the bench and in a platoon in june. MARK MY WORDS
By TJ
March 26, 2008 8:28 PM | Link to this
Coach, so in other words, it’s your opinion that Chuck pitched through an injury that he knew he had, as opposed to any kind of report from anyone connected with the club. right?
By Shamus Thacker
March 26, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, great piece on Bennett. Just to let you know [and somebody probably already has] that the very last paragraph of the Bennett article didn’t post properly.
Well, I gotta go get possums outa the dog food.
By #@!$%
March 26, 2008 8:31 PM | Link to this
Coach, Chuck didn’t throw his slider much, because its not good.. He was almost better off telling the hitter a change was coming than throwing the slider. Second, have you dominated as a pitcher for 5 pro seasons, then had trouble getting the same results you had? Well chuck did… if you had trouble, wouldnt you try to make adjustments every time you pitched? And might I add, that he was trying to adjust, not just for himself, but because McDowell was trying to change him.. And above all of this, chuck was a pretty good pitcher until the later innings of his outtings. What pitcher goes out and pitches well for 3 or 4 innings and then thinks, “I must be hurt?”. He’s said it was mostly a stamina problem, ontop of mechanics, then add on that he wasn’t healthy.. I really don’t anyone can be so sure or have such strong opinions about it..And the truth is that certain staff members did know there was a problem. One because he said his shoulder was bothering him, and also, the most obvious, his performance wasn’t as good as it had been in 5 previous pro seasons
By McFann
March 26, 2008 8:32 PM | Link to this
I agree with Wayne and everyone else (except Brad) on the Prado subject.
Is that all ya got? C’mon, that don’t make sense, Brad.
And yeah, where did Jared go? For that matter, where’s Ron Roberts?
By efuzz
March 26, 2008 8:36 PM | Link to this
DOB just wanted to say thanks for the blog this Spring. Man, I love this time of year - my brackets are crap, allergies are up and the Braves are coming home! I’m ready to get this season started. By the way, I just snagged the Mike Ness solo disc - thanks for the recommend. I’m liking it.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
But really, can there be a better cover than The King’s “Hound Dog”? I mean, that’s a beaut. It was originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton.
Yes, it was recorded by Big Mama, but it wasn’t her song. The song writers wrote it on a paper bag and hung around the studio until some one agreed to sing it. I love Big Mama’s version of that song. I like it better than the King’s, but that isn’t because I think the King’s version stunk. It too was fabulous. I just like Big Mama’s version.
By McFann
March 26, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this
Brad, we’ll get back to you in June. 960 fielding percentage? Come on, man!
So……kinda scary picture on the Braves’ AJC home page. Yikes…
Oh, and I almost tossed my cookies (OK, chocolate eggs…) when I saw another article about Smoltz and Woods on atlantabraves.com. Why must they torture us poor fans???
By dragrace79
March 26, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
DOB- Right on with Cash’s Rusty Cage. As much as I love Soungarden, which is quite a bit, the Cash version might actually be better than the original IMO. Do you listen to the band Clutch at all? Their older stuff is a little strange, but their latest album, “From Beale St. To Oblivion” is some really kick a$$ bluesy, rock ‘n roll type stuff. I can’t take it out of the player.
By GT81
March 26, 2008 8:45 PM | Link to this
Coach—
thanks for the Corky v. Pena analysis. It makes sense, but I still would rather a line drive hitter who, at 26, can still improve his work defensively. We maybe could bring in a good defensive ex-catcher to work with the kid. Corky scares me with risp late in the game.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
TJ: so in other words, it’s your opinion that Chuck pitched through an injury that he knew he had, as opposed to any kind of report from anyone connected with the club. right?
This must be amended. Apparently Chuck new exactly that he had a torn rotator cuff and intentionally kept it under wraps. But it was so obvious that Coach didn’t once mention it during the season and no one else knew about it, except Chuck, until after the season and an MRI was administered. Upon which four months later it was so obvious anyone who didn’t know at the time, last July, was an idiot. And for proof, ask those who have been accused of not knowing. They would admit that they didn’t know. So there it is.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 8:48 PM | Link to this
efuzz, thanks for readin’ and postin’. And if I persuaded someone to get the Mike Ness album, well, then I guess my time spent at Dark Star was not in vain. Or something like that.
By Shamus Thacker
March 26, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
Hey Lew, I don’t think Johnny is as infirm as he is intoxicated. I saw him years ago at the Agora Ballroom. He played in a chair that night too, I think. I was as blitzed as JW, so the memory is a little fogged-up.
By Brad
March 26, 2008 8:51 PM | Link to this
Let me just say this. It took diaz 2 years to prove his self and now when he come to bad fans are let down if he doesnt get a hit because we expect out of him (right) when we traded for diaz people were like WTH is going on, NO NO NO , ya I know his bat was avg before, but now wow when he come to the plate with risp we are thinking oh ya we have some runs in. and yes his defence is 100% better also. I think all yall Prado haters on here will be sing singing praises of joy mis season on Prado. Johnson is not a infeilder, he doesnt hit for avg. either, he just has a little pop in his bat(when he can hit it) If he didnt have a eye at the plate (or just scared 2 hit, havnt decided yet) and get the lead off spot, he would have been in the deal with yates. The omly reason I think last year he got the 2nd base pos. is because we didnt have a leadoff man and he could fill the viod. He’s tanked
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, I know she didn’t WRITE it, but very few early blues, country and rock hits were actually written by the performers. She first recorded it. Different era, different industry then. Carole King and those folks used to sit in the Brill Building cranking out hit songs for singers and bands, who didn’t actually write their own stuff.
Hound Dog was by the great songwriting team of Leiber & Stoller, who also wrote Jailhouse Rock (among dozens of other hits)
Hound Dog was covered by a bunch of huge artists, including Hendrix and the Stones.
By jb
March 26, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
With the braves line up, trading Chuck James makes no sense. Does anyone remember last spring when the pitching staff looked good? Then Hampton is reinjured, Gonzalez get injured, Comier gets injured and never came close to pitching like he did in the spring. Point is, Chuck James is a proven arm. How nice for him to be available to call up from the minors if something happens to a starter. Also knowing James’s track record indicates you may need a reliever during or soon after the 5th inning, have a reliever warmed up who could go more than one inning. It would give someone like Bennett a few more innings and help bridge until Moylan, Acosta, and Soriano are there to finish the game in the 8th and 9th innings. I also think James get thrown under the bus too much. He wins games. Isn’t that what you really want from a pitcher? I do worry about him in post season, however, with his current array and action on his pitches.
By Judge Nocahoma
March 26, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this
The dumb f$#@! can barely hang shingles on a f$#@!ing roof but he’s able to diagnose himself with a torn rotator cuff.
Get the hell out of my courtroom!
By Lew
March 26, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
DOB-Don’t forget Mott The Hoople’s cover of Sweet Jane.
By Judge Nocahoma
March 26, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
The f$#@!ing retard broke both of his wrists jumping off a f$#@!ing roof, now he does MRIs on himself with his eyes.
Get the hell out of my courtroom!
By Kevin
March 26, 2008 9:01 PM | Link to this
It sounds like you are trying to convince yourself Brad. It doesn’t matter what you think because Kelly is the second baseman. Deal with it.
By Lew
March 26, 2008 9:02 PM | Link to this
Also got a live Mott cd with a Mean cover of CSN&Y’s Ohio. Sounds like something Crazy Horse would have done. Maybe they did.
By Judge Nocahoma
March 26, 2008 9:06 PM | Link to this
I know prado is no yunel(he’s the man) I will say now johnson will have a 960 or below fielding avg and will hit above 250. I think we will have a prado-johnson platoon on by june. Prado is just now getting comfortable in the majors, he will shine off the bench and in a platoon in june. MARK MY WORDS
I ain’t marking any of your words. THAT was the dumbest assertion ever argued in the Nocahoma County Courthouse.
Now, get the f$#@! out of my courtroom!
By McFann
March 26, 2008 9:11 PM | Link to this
Brad, are you OK man? Your sentences make no sense, let alone your subject.
You made my little sister mad, dude. ; )
Get help.
By The Man
March 26, 2008 9:13 PM | Link to this
Don’t think the Braves are pending their playoff hopes on Prado or James. Think some fans think Prado will be the 2nd comng of Lemke or something. Sonmething will more likely be it. Also if one of the age-less starters breaks down completely or if Hampton goes down I canot actaully believe the Braves expect James to be the solution for this major problem. Watch out for a major trade for a proven starter if this occurs.
By Sorry Brad
March 26, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this
Whiskey?
Maybe too much. Breath, man.
By TennesseePaul
March 26, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
DOB: Yes, I figured you knew she didn’t write it. But I like the story of how it came to be recorded. And her version… good stuff.
I like Willie Nelson’s cover of Blue Skies. Probably my favorite cover of that song.
By Steve McP
March 26, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
DOB - if Chuck is in Richmond will Roger still be able to work with him or will it all be down to the pitching coach in Richmond?
I think that it is possible that one of the advantages of having the AAA team in Gwinnett will be that the better players can train with the major league guys a bit, so that the jump to the bigs is not such a shock to them.
By Brad
March 26, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
KEVIN he will be 2nd base until bobby rubs his eyes and sees whats going on
By chrisklob
March 26, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
Brad, it’s official.
Your and idiot.
By Lew
March 26, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Brad-I would love for Prado to be a productive big league ballplayer. However, I’m a bit mystified exactly why you think he would be better than Kelly Johnson. Exactly what are you basing this on? It can’t be their respective Minor OR Major League stats, because Prado’s aren’t better than Kelly’s in either case.
For his Minor League career, KJ had a .281 Batting average, with an OBP of .366 and a slugging % of .435. Prado had a .300 BA, a .353 OBP and a .366 slugging %. Prado had a slightly higher batting average, but got on base less and hit for considerably less power.
Same in ML play. KJ batted .276 with an OBP of .375 and .457 slg last year, while hitting 16HR and knocking in 68. In all of his ML play, Prado hit .277 with a .330 OBP and a .366 slg %.
Like I said-Exactly what leads you to believe anything in Prado’s game gives him any kind of preference over Kelly? I sure as hell can’t see anything to get excited about with Prado. Kelly, on the other hand, could easily hit 20-25 HR with 75-90 RBI. No way that happens with Prado.
By Steve McP
March 26, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
By the way - is Chuck officially on the DL or will he just be assigned to Richmond anyway?
By Judge Nocahoma
March 26, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this
Anyboby else ready to give martin Prado a chance a 2nd.
Son, you ain’t from this here Nocahoma County, are ya?
By JJMB
March 26, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Brad, I’m with you on Prado. KJ is a square peg forced into a round hole. As a leadoff hitter, he is the only weakness in the batting order.
As far as Prado’s chances to actually play 2nd everyday, not good. Bobby has invested too much in KJ, and we all know Bobby would rather lose than not play Kelly Johnson.
By Brad
March 26, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
Nocahoma you sound liberal you from NY or CA
By Dr. Chuckie James
March 26, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
Sounds like the good judge fell off a roof himself. On his head. Guess the shingles were a bit loose.
Leave his courtroom before he throws a gavelhawk at your head.
By woogidy
March 26, 2008 9:24 PM | Link to this
McFann, may have something to do with the fact that Tiger is the most dominant, most popular athlete in the history of sports worldwide. Kids in Ireland want to be Tiger. I can’t get enough of it honestly.
By johnny 99
March 26, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
ObiWan, et. al—-
“Because the Night” is Springsteen’s song, not Joni Mitchell’s. And all his versions, especially the live ones, are definitive…
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 26, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
DOB — LOVE Dino Jr’s cover of “Just Like Heaven,” especially when they get to the “YOUU!!!” part. Good call.
I’m also a big fan of the late Chris Whitley’s “I Wanna Be Your Dog” cover (if you’re not familiar with him, check him out) and The Pixies’ cover of “Head On.”
By TheOleBallCoach
March 26, 2008 9:27 PM | Link to this
BESIDES YATES THIS MORNING, IS THERE ANY NEW ON THE TRADE FRONT SINCE YATES THIS MORNING?
By Sorry Brad
March 26, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Maybe rub out your own red eyes, pilgrim.
And drink some black coffee.
By Wayne in Utah
March 26, 2008 9:28 PM | Link to this
Brad, if nobody else is going to do it, I guess I need to step forward and award you the “your and idiot” award for the night.
Congratulations!
By Wayne in Utah
March 26, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
Sorry chris, didn’t see that you had already “crowned” Brad tonight!
Let’s not be upsetting McLillyFann’s little sister now!
:-)
PS: I hope Prado turns into a dymnamo that causes Bobby to want to platoon he and KJ. I don’t think it’s going to happen though.
JJMB Your comments were about as lame as Brad’s!
By Sorry JJMB
March 26, 2008 9:35 PM | Link to this
Seriously? You must be thinking of a different Kelly Johnson than the one that plays for the Braves.
I hope your moniker stands for “Just Joking My Brother.”
By doug
March 26, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this
Coach (I’m not a real coach, I just portray one on a blog),
Did you just wake up hating on Chuck James today? What brought on all this hate?
If you are just trying to prove a point, then you are doing a bad job, you sound like you are trying to prove what a prophet you are, and you’re coming across as a pompass butt.
And you can take your Role the Hole homo terminology, and thrill the other guys in the guardshack with it tonight.
By RiverDawg
March 26, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this
Great cover of powderfinger by accoustic syndicate. Can’t wait for the season to begin….
By Some Blogs Have Jokes
March 26, 2008 9:43 PM | Link to this
Brad says: kelly johnson is I’m not kidding a not good for his spot. martin Prado play reel pritty. Play him all time beecuz i think hes gr8.
Judge Nocahoma says: #@%$!
Lew says: The honest to goodness truth.
By Judge Nocahoma
March 26, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Nocahoma you sound liberal you from NY or CA
Son, if I was a liberal, I wouldn’t be rooting for the white guy to play second over the Hispanic guy.
Oh, hell.
You are hereby banished from Nocahoma County.
By chrisklob
March 26, 2008 9:46 PM | Link to this
Wayne, no problem. It was definitely worth repeating!
I wish the best for Prado too. He’s just not going to supplant Johnson at 2b.
By Brad
March 26, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
lol say what yall want all of yall will XXXXXing when kelly starts his error ways and his bat tanks. Oh it has 2 get back out of the tank first. Its funny alot of people on here (when Im watching the game) wow that was a good hit from kelly or he got into that one (as Im watching it) WHAT??????? is that false hope he might start hitting better. LOL wish on
By TheOleBallCoach
March 26, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
BESIDES YATES THIS MORNING, IS THERE ANY NEW ON THE TRADE FRONT SINCE YATES THIS MORNING?
By flange1
March 26, 2008 9:55 PM | Link to this
Don’t forget All the young dudes cover by Mott the Hoople
Wriiten By David Bowie!
By Duke
March 26, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Brad, first of all hillarious post. I laughed for 5 minutes straight. Second, whats wrong with being liberal. Im liberal and im from south Georgia. Really south so nice posts. Man that was funny, cant really get over it.
By McFann
March 26, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Woogity—
You can’t get enough of it? Hmm. Intr’esting…
Kids in Ireland want to be Tiger? Must be the green jacket…
Wayne—
Doesn’t matter that Klobber crowned him, you cann, too! He deserves a couple.
Oh, and don’t worry: Brad’s lack of a proper way to speak allowed my little sister to not get too upset and just realize he couldn’t possibly know what he was talking about.
: )
By Duke
March 26, 2008 9:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Brad, first of all hillarious post about Prado and Kelly. I laughed for 5 minutes straight. Second, whats wrong with being liberal. Im liberal and im from south Georgia. Really south so nice posts. Man that was funny, cant really get over it.
By JJMB
March 26, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Considering my critics, I’m glad they think I’m an idiot.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Daybed, is there a more underappreciated musician than the late, great Chris Whitley? Tremendous songwriter/singer/guitarist who just cannont be pigeonholed or easily described. From Texas blues to alt-rock, he sounded like no one else, really. Love “Rocket House” and “Din of Ecstasy” so much other stuff he did. Died at 45 of lung cancer, but so many people just assume he OD’d because he battled the demons a long time and was so gaunt.
I saw him one time at a hot, cramped, smoke-filled bar in Fort Lauderdale, about 1991 maybe. He had on the wife-beater shirt, as usual. Jammed his arse off that night.
Hey, if you don’t have it, “Dislocation Blues,” the album he did with Aussie blues man Jeff Lang is great, raw stuff. Came out after he died, I’m pretty sure. It’s got a cover of “Stagger Lee” and a couple of Dylan songs on it.
By McFann
March 26, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Oops. Now I repeated what Klobber said.
Dang, sorry, Chris.
: )
By McFann
March 26, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Good one, Judge!
By woogidy
March 26, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
Oh the horror! Chekezie just got eliminated!
By William
March 26, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
DOB -
Not to change the subject, but what the heck happened to Marcus Giles? I saw today where the Rockies released him. How does a guy go from an All-Star in 2003 to out of a job 5 years later? He’s not even 30 yet. What’s the deal?
By BT
March 26, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
So is it true that everyone still on roster now has to be paid for the full year. Do we still have until midnight to make a trade?
By Brad
March 26, 2008 10:08 PM | Link to this
let me put it like this kelly and yunel started playing the same they came out the same for some reason kelly has not played much lately. Where was taking balls from hubby, nope hubby was att the games, he was were ahh taking at bats and he made his big return today because yunel and kelly do need to play together a little (I would guess thats why he’s back) and on his big return he tanked again but did hit the ball good one time for all yall hopefuls out there. Alot of people thought Bobby was giving Prado so many at bats because he would be traded but NO NO it was to see what he could do lets see—- most games, at bats, tied 1st with yunel in rbi’s , doubles and wow no errors. I would take that over a little pop in the bad any day hmmmmm and I say bobby is saying the same thing.
By chrisklob
March 26, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
No problem, McFann. Dude keeps going on talking nonsense so I have a feeling that the crown will be applied several more times this evening!
By Brad
March 26, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Oh and I forgot 2 ask what has kelly done
By rlpmetro
March 26, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Fantasy BB question for you fellow fans! My outfield is Magglio Ordonez, Bobby Abreu, Eric Byrnes, Brad Hawpe (util), Francouer as a backup and Adrian Ethier as a backup (thanks to some good advice by DOB). My closers….well they are terrible. Soira with KC and Sherrill with Bal. I have been offered the following two deals: 1. Billy Wagner and Matt Diaz for Bobby Abreu and Soira; or 2. Jason Isringhausen and Diaz for Francouer and Soira.
Any thoughts? I really don’t want to dump Abreu with this being a contract year, but Isringhausen’s injury history scares me. Especially when I think Frenchy is poised for a breakout season.
By CharlieAlphaBravo
March 26, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this
DOB:
First let me say that Johnny Cash’s cover of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails is one of the greatest covers of all-time. That being said, I believe the emotional strength of the video can primarily be attributed to Cash and the song, rather than anything particularly stunning about the video. Great song, great video, but hardly the greatest ever.
I’m not particularly sure about what I would call the greatest video ever, but I can suggest a few that I think are at least better than Cash’s Hurt. Fatboy Slim’s Weapon of Choice video, in which Christopher Walken dances around an empty hotel lobby was an instant classic. The Beastie Boys’ Sabotage is an easy favorite. Hell, I’d even put Thriller ahead of Hurt based solely on the video. If you’re looking for something a little more modern, I believe Feist’s 1,2,3,4 is everything a music video should be. Simple, elegant, and great when you’re stoned…
As far as covers go, you named a lot of great ones… What about Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker? If you can find it, I strongly suggest Edwin McCain’s cover of Mark Knopfler’s Romeo & Juliet. That one gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.
By Duke
March 26, 2008 10:15 PM | Link to this
hey DOB, since you’ve spoke so much of the Dylan tonight, have you ever heard of Daniel Johnston? Oh and if you havent checked out Jack Johnson’s new Album then you really should. Its amazing.
By MIBravesFan
March 26, 2008 10:16 PM | Link to this
Never planned to post on the blog and certainly never thought if I did it would be about music, but about the Cash video “Hurt” being the best video ever - you said something with which I so totally agreed I had to say so.
By chrisklob
March 26, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
Brad, stop embarrassing yourself. Johnson has a sore knee. That’s why he hasn’t been playing lately.
Besides, you don’t know if FW was/is planning on trading Prado anyway.
By Yars
March 26, 2008 10:19 PM | Link to this
The Braves don’t see Prado as a everyday player. I hope he makes a fine utility player. KJ has the potential to be an all star type 2B. I believe he will be that good very soon. If the Braves didn’t have faith in him, he would have been traded by now. He’s the type of player I hope the team keeps for a long time. Build your team around players like KJ, Frenchy, Yunel, McCann, & soon to be Schafer. All home grown talent.
By Brent S.
March 26, 2008 10:22 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I was a bit confused with some of the sound of the new Panic at the Disco, but then read the piece in the new Rolling Stone and realized it was the influences of some other decades and artists (Who, Dylan, Beatles, etc) that made the sound different. Another listen and its pulled me in.
I still have not wrapped my mind around enjoying The Raveonettes album.
You always pass along your CD-sprees, so I’ll pass mine along today. The new Counting Crows, Switch “Lay Down the Law” (very hype Hives-like sound), Foals LP is a nice new listen (and cheap at $7.99), and NIN Ghosts. I’ve not started listening to Ghosts yet, but plan to this weekend in Memphis. Couple nice singles from These New Puritans including “En papier” and “Numerology (A.k.a. Numbers)”.
By The Man
March 26, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
I am still in a state of shock Marcus Giles or his brother Brain was not mentioned in the MItchell report.
Brad I will give you this, Prado will have his chance to prove you right. I see a platoon situation with him and KJ most of the year. Cox has got to do this with someone and either him or Diaz have to be the chosen ones.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 10:26 PM | Link to this
CharlieAlphaBravo: Love the Cocker cover.
Completely disagree with you on the video. Because you can name them all, the technologically brilliant ones, the irony-infused ones, the witty ones, etc., and none compare with Hurt.
As for your explanation, that the “emotional strength of the video can primarily be attributed to Cash and the song, rather than anything particularly stunning about the video.”
No argument. But I don’t get your point. It’s the greatest, most powerful video ever. To say that something else is better, like Thriller, because it’s technically superior … well, maybe that’s how a cinematographer or director or producer or someone else in the business judges it. I don’t. I judge it by what I think is the best video, and to me there’s nothing close. Not before or since.
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 10:29 PM | Link to this
Remember folks,
Brad is the one that said Diaz should be hitting second in this line up because of his speed…I mean his K ratio…I mean his OBP…I mean-well the truth is Brad didn’t give a reason. What he did make clear, though, is he knows nothing about baseball. So don’t bother.
Great music discussion today. Let me add Elliott Smith’s cover of These Days (Nico) as a underrated effort. Elliott was always pretty darn good with covers (When I Paint My Masterpiece, Big Star’s Thirteen).
As far as best videos go, hard to not to go with Thriller.
And a synthesis of the two? How bout the cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps by Petty, Prince, etc. at George Harrison’s induction? If you haven’t seen this, click the link. Prince absolutely SHREDS the solo. It is was guitar playing was meant to be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5zOPGMIyMQ
Seriously, watch it. If the link does work, youtube “Prince weeps”
By Brad
March 26, 2008 10:31 PM | Link to this
OK when kelly still has a sore knee in june or what ever they come up with and prado is platooning yall will asking didnt we tak about this in spring training. LOL sore knee
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
Actually do this one, the other has a small glitch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7sT1HRV2qU
By Judge Nocahoma
March 26, 2008 10:32 PM | Link to this
Brad, we got a lawyer around here named Shaun. He’s batsh!t crazy but I’ve learned a thing or two from that batsh!t crazy boy. KJ provides a 20 to 25 run difference over the course of 162 over Prado. Prado is just average with his glove and will not make up for the 20 runs lost with his bat. Those lost 20 to 25 runs account for at least 2 lost wins a season. An entire team of Kelly Johnsons would finish 20 to 25 games ahead of a an entire team of Martin Prados. But go ahead. Play Prado. You just ain’t doing it in Nocahoma County. Now, if you will please get the hell out of my chambers, I’ve got some insulin shots I need to administer to myself.
By chrisklob
March 26, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
Brad, if you are an ESPN insider you might want to read this link that I found on mlbtraderumors:
Buster Olney learned from Braves GM Frank Wren that Kelly Johnson has been the team’s most asked-for player in trade talks this winter.
Here’s the link to mlbtraderumors.com:
That sentence alone should tell you what the Braves think of Johnson as well as what the rest of baseball thinks of him.
By Steve McP
March 26, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this
If we have moved on to covers in general, two of my favourites were a couple of well known Beatles tracks, given a new twist.
Money - covered by the Flying Lizards,
Dear Prudence - covered by Siouxsie and The Banshees
Oh and just because it had a profound effect on my as a teenager more than anything else, Denis by Blondie, I still remember the little red dress Debbie Harry wore to sing that on Top of The Pops.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
BT, yes, unless they’re on a minor league contract (like a Borchard), in which case they can be released any time.
The Braves had no one besides Yates for whom today’s deadline was even relevant, no one with a big salary they didn’t want to pay. They also said Yates’ modest salary ($800,000) wasn’t one they were really worried about being stuck with….
WILLIAM, what do you mean, “What’s the deal?” with Marcus Giles? His numbers went in free-fall mode for the past years. He made $7 mill over the past two seasons combined while hitting .247 with 15 homers and 99 RBI in 970 at-bats.
Last season he hit an anemic .227 with 19 doubles, four homers, 39 RBI and a .304 OBP in 420 at-bats.
Colorado cut him rather than pay him or try to send him to Triple-A. I don’t know if he said he didn’t want to go to Triple-A, or if they just cut him without giving him a choice of going.
By David O'Brien
March 26, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Duke, you ever seen the documentary on Daniel Johnston? It’s called “The Devil and Daniel Johnston.” If you’re a fan, you gotta see it. He’s been to hell and back, in and out of mental institutions. What a story it is. Very sad….
Not a Jack Johnson fan. Just bores me. Too mellow. But then, I’m not much of a Dave Matthews fan, either. And I know both of them are wildly popular, particularly with folks in their 20s and 30s. Just never did it for me, either one of them.
By Steve McP
March 26, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
Please can I get a job with such a modest salary?
By Brad
March 26, 2008 10:49 PM | Link to this
Judge Nocahoma::::: SHAUN?? that is whats wrong with our court systems now, we let the bad ones play while the good ones get sentenced to sit. I see your court is now different. maybe you should just lets say retire
By Kevin
March 26, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
Brad You are starting to get a little annoying. Prado is just not that great. Did you just wait for Prado to have a good day to start spouting off this garbage. I never pull against our own players but you have me on the verge of pulling against Prado just to rub it in your face. I think Kelly has made like 1 error this spring. You’d probably love a team full of singles hitting Prado’s. Not me, I’ll take Kelly.
By Joel
March 26, 2008 10:52 PM | Link to this
First of all I don’t know why Brad and JJMB are argueing about this b/c we should be happy that both players (KJ and Prado) are on our team. But I also don’t understand how come they are so blind and stupid. Everyone knows that KJ is better right now and has the bigger upside. Not that Prado isn’t a good player, but right now he is best suited as the utility infielder, but who knows what will happen in the future. So quit argueing about this and just be glad they are BRAVES.
By ippississiM
March 26, 2008 10:54 PM | Link to this
Judge Nocahoma
Your 8:59 PM is a thing of beauty.
On Chuck’s slider:
I think, and I’m just speculating, that what happened to the slider is that when he first tried it out in a game situation, he was nervous, and his lack of confidence threw off his mechanics. I’ve had being rattled cause me to throw overhand four-seamers 55 feet and leave a divot in the grass, myself, so I can absolutely see being nervous about a new pitch could screw with his stuff. Anyhoo, he gets out there, tries a slider, hangs it, and it sails back over his head like a bottle rocket. Not a good first impression, so the next time he tries it out, that first time is on his mind and he screws it up again. After this pattern plays out three or four more times, he can’t throw the d^mn’d thing without shutting his eyes and ducking, and it’s ruined. He’s even said in interviews (last year sometime, I don’t have a link handy) that he only throws the slider if he’s looking to give up a longball, or something to that effect. Kid’s scared of his slider, because when he throws it it gets lit up, because he’s scared of it, because it gets lit up, because he’s scared of it. That’s the pattern, and the more he throws it, the worse it gets. DOB even said that the one time Chuck threw a slider in his first Spring appearance, it hit the dirt in front of the plate.
Somebody teach that kid a sinker. It’s fairly simple to figure out, just fastball mechanics with a different grip (although it does take some practice to get the arm speed right to make it drop at the right moment), and if Chuck could try it in BP and side sessions, NEVER in a game, just work on it with Roger until after the All-Star break, and then keep it under wraps until the third time he sees the leadoff hitter, he’d be scary.
Just a thought.
By bears51
March 26, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
DOB, if you haven’t picked up the 2007 2 DVD of the Johnny Cash Show yet, do it now. Amazon around $22. Great stuff including duets with Dylan, Rondstadt (she must be all of 19), Satchmo, and the infamous many others. Kris Kristofferson narrates parts of it. Can Braves find a reliable pinch hitter before the season?
By chrisklob
March 26, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
Brad, you’re just mad because your case has no merit.
By Maybe so
March 26, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Marcus Giles info:
text to be linked
By ippississiM
March 26, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Seriously, Nockahoma, I laughed till I cried on this one. I’m just glad I’m not the only one who thinks Chuck could use a designated thinker.
By bfan54
March 26, 2008 11:01 PM | Link to this
“Donnie’s in the basement mixin’ up the medicine on the pavement thinkin’ ‘bout the government.” - “Subterranean Homesick Blues.”
I’d rank Freewheelin’just a tad below “Bringing it all back home” - a lot of these are close. “Highway 61 Revisited” with the 17 minute long “Desolation Row” is my Number One.
By N8
March 26, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Sounds like Giles might get a shot to play 3B for the Dodgers. Forgot where I read it, but I read it somewhere today.
On a side note….
WHERE ARE ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE KYLE DAVIES FAN CLUB NOW!!!??!!
The kid couldn’t even make the frickin’ KC Royals rotation. Yet we “gave up on him to soon” according to some last summer.
Just looks like another case of people taking the “junk” on our roster off our hands, only to find out that there was a REASON we weren’t interested anymore.
I actually wish the kid well. He appeared to be a well-grounded, decent human being. But some people last summer acted like JS just traded John Smoltz away. THEN proceeded to rip anybody who agreed with the move.
By Rooster
March 26, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
BREAKING NEWS: Braves sign Barry Bonds to be back up LF and Scientific Chemist on Braves staff. OOOOPS they are coming for me, I guess its back to Betty Ford Clinic. GO BRAVES!!!! BONDS UNEMPLOYED THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.
By Shamus Thacker
March 26, 2008 11:03 PM | Link to this
I like Manfred Mann’s cover of Springsteen’s Blinded By The Light. It’s a little more polished than I usually prefer my music to be, but I still like it for some reason.
By Wayne in Utah
March 26, 2008 11:10 PM | Link to this
Epie I have never been a big Prince fan, but the man can play! Love Jeff Lynne btw….
Ever hear the story of how Jeff and Tom Petty got together and wrote “Free Falling?” Funny story.
By #$@$!
March 26, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
Chuck wil be placed on the DL shortly… He’ll go with the team to ATL.. Where he will be at the mercy of the powers that be… so he’ll be able to work with McDowell. Guy Hansen the AAA pitching coach isn’t too shabby himself
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 11:12 PM | Link to this
Holy crap, how could I forget Parson’s Wild Horses (not fair considering he probably wrote some of it)-and heck, just about every other Parson’s cover. He could sing a tune.
By N8
March 26, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
“I like Manfred Mann’s cover of Springsteen’s Blinded By The Light.” Shamus Thacker
Not sure why, but that song always reminds me of water and vinegar.
:-)
By doc
March 26, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
as far as covers, richie havens brought me to my knees on several he did back in the day. the likes of strawberry fields, just like a woman … awesome.
By Epinephrine
March 26, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this
Wayne, the best is how they got Dylan in. They needed a studio, Bob’s was open, an lo and behold, Willburys are formed.
If anyone has the chance to check out the Petty documentary running down the dream, do it. It is actually really good.
But yeah, not a Prince fan either…but the guy can flat out shred.
By N8
March 26, 2008 11:28 PM | Link to this
DOB
Speaking of covers, there was a moment on American Idol a few weeks ago, that would have made the world come to a complete “stop”.
The previous two weeks were Beatles weeks, where contestants got to choose songs from the Lennon/McCartney songbooks.
Some guy chose the “Whitesnake” version of Day Tripper (I actually didn’t know one exsisted).
But, by DOB definition, I’m not sure that there could be a bigger form of blasphemy….A Whitesnake cover of a Beatles song on American Idol.
Thought you’d enjoy that. Sadly enough, I laughed out loud thinking of you when that moment happened. Just forgot to blog about it. This ongoing conversation of cover tunes, seemed like the right moment.
:-)
By glove51
March 26, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
A recent cover that I really like is Diana Krall doing Tom Waits’ “The Heart of Saturday Night. How about Ms. Krall’s husband, Elvis Costello, on Nick Lowe’s “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding”?
One more great, fairly recent cover: The Blakc Keys covering The Beatles’ “She Said, She Said”.
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 26, 2008 11:37 PM | Link to this
My favorite cover is Ugly Kid Joe’s version of Cats in the Cradle.
2nd would have to be Faith No More’s cover of easy.
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 26, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this
My favorite cover is Ugly Kid Joe’s version of Cats in the Cradle.
2nd would have to be Faith No More’s cover of easy. I’m serious of FNM.
By ippississiM
March 26, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
Prince is my guitar hero, the love-child of Jimi Hendrix and David Bowie. I don’t know why he doesn’t get more mention as a guitar god.
By Mike S
March 27, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
Stuck Mojo’s cover of Motley Crue’s “Shout at the Devil” is one of my all time favorite covers. For those into harder stuff, definitely check it out. They take a great song and make it fantastic. Stuck Mojo, an Atlanta band, also do a great cover of Iron Maiden’s “Wrathchild”. Even though I’m not crazy about the original, their version just rocks.
By William
March 27, 2008 12:01 AM | Link to this
DOB -
Thanks for taking a simple question and being a smart-a* about it without actually answering it. My previous inquiry about Marcus Giles was not some expression of disbelief that the Padres and Rockies had the temerity to get rid of a declining, overpriced ballplayer. I figured that you might have gotten to know the guy while he was a player here and could offer some “insider” information for such a rapid decline in performance and skills over a relatively short period of time since 2003. Sorry to waste your valuable time, douchebag.
By Debbie Gibson
March 27, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
My favourite cover is Tiffany doing Tommy James and the Shondells “I think we’re Alone Now” and the video was shot at the mall outside an Orange Julius in the food court.
By Gamecock Brave
March 27, 2008 12:07 AM | Link to this
DOB Dino Jr fan? really… good to hear… i would understand u not being into DMB and Jack Johnson with you no being fond of OAR… Whats your take on FranzFerdinand? and have you heard of a group called Guster?
And ippississiM definately gettin into some old school Prince, Artist Formely known, ect… the riffs from this man are great… did you see his performance at the super bowl?
By uga-brave
March 27, 2008 12:15 AM | Link to this
nothing like 10 straight hours of debate about chuck and duck. fact of the matter is chuck just gives up too many long balls, period.
it does not matter if he ever learns a third pitch or not. until he learns how to challenge hitters and keep the ball in the park, he is what he is, just an average pitcher.
coach is right, he got in bobby’s dog house down the stretch. whether it was an injury or not cox definitely got fustrated with him in august.
no reason not to study scouting reports, especially when opposing batters are hitting moonshots against you.
looks like marcus giles might need a day job.
By Toby Keith
March 27, 2008 12:20 AM | Link to this
Reba did a pretty good remake of Vicki Lawrence’s “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia” , no?
By Wayne in Utah
March 27, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
Kept waiting for that second trade today, that was not to be…..
Oh well, tomorrow is another day!
Nite friends….(fading to some Traveling Wilbury’s tunes )
By JP
March 27, 2008 12:23 AM | Link to this
Hey DOB, i listened you the other day in ESPN Radio Gamenight, nice DOB, nice to hear from ya!!!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
March 27, 2008 12:41 AM | Link to this
Nobody knows what “Roll the Hole” means, I’m not surprised.
It’s strictly insider baseball knowledge.
By Wide Right
March 27, 2008 12:43 AM | Link to this
I’m with those that don’t like Dave Matthews..I never got it. I think I might have had more friends in college if I’d willed myself to go along with it but I just couldn’t.
“I was there when the bear Ate his head, thought it was a candy”
And its not just how bad the lyric is but how he would deliver the word “candy”. Cannn-deee. He sounded like a deranged muppet.
Best Dylan albums: BonB and Bringing it home.
Most underrated: Empire Burlesque
But there is nothing more beautiful than “don’t think twice” and “hard rain’s a gonna fall” on freewheelin…
By FJR
March 27, 2008 12:45 AM | Link to this
wanted to give some love to:
Uncle Tupelo’s cover of the stooges’ I wanna be your dog.
Ben Harper’s cover of The Verve’s The Drugs Don’t Work.
The Allman Brothers doing Blind Willie McTell’s Statesboro Blues (via Taj Mahal)
Speaking of Allman’s, Wilson Picket’s version of Hey Jude
Cream’s Crossroads
Derek and the dominos version of Little Wing
Gomez’s version of Getting Better
My mornign Jacket’s version of The Band’s - it makes no difference
Nirvana’s cover of The Man who sold the world by bowie
Oasis’s cover of Helter Skelter
Rooney’s cover of forever young
run - dmc’s cover of walk this way
ryan adams’ cover of wonderwall
By nolie
March 27, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this
I’ve been just using baseball-reference and baseballcubeBraveheart
(MILB.COM) [is a pretty handy site too.]
By nolie
March 27, 2008 1:26 AM | Link to this
Re Redmond MILB shows an GO/AO ratio of .77 for his minor league career. Am I mis-comprehending or does this not conflict with the .39 groundball ratio of MinorLeagueSplits? Are they not the same thing more or less?
By nolie
March 27, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this
Jair is supposed to be the young stud for the future, but if he is expected to go 200 innings this season the future goes with him.TennPaul
not so sure he’s gonna be a stud. most rate him as a mid-rotation guy , not a #1 or #2.
By SeattleBravesFan
March 27, 2008 1:35 AM | Link to this
Tool doing Led’s “No Quarter”
By SeattleBravesFan
March 27, 2008 1:36 AM | Link to this
Tool doing Led Zep’s “No Quarter”
By Metropolitan Man
March 27, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this
… and at the other end of the spectrum: Thats right DOB, being an individual has its rewards. Mind over matter. METS on my MIND, braves dont MATTER. MetMan Ok, what’s the over/under? Age 13 or 14?
Not baseball related but I thought you might want to know where I got the phrase “mind over matter”. Any Drill SGT, or higher ups in the Army would tell this to a soldier wehn they wanted to stop, rest, quit, or to just motivate them to push harder. If what you are doing can be focused on (mind), then the adversity can be eliminated therefore no longer being a factor (matter).
Basball related: Keep trading bullpen pieces for guys of the future. The last 2 years of bullpen futility for the braves, better get that act together before next week.
By SeattleBravesFan
March 27, 2008 1:39 AM | Link to this
Deftones did a nice cover of Skynyrd’s “Simple Man”
By ObiWanKobe
March 27, 2008 1:42 AM | Link to this
N8, You saw the Giles thing in the Bible (aka the LA Times), the part you missed is the fact that Giles has only 9 ML games as a 3rd baseman. The Dodgers are kind of screwed w/ Nomar, A. LaRoche, & Kent hurt. Someone asked how Giles’ performance could decline so fast for someone barely 30; the answer is Steroids, it runs in the family. And on to covers; some that won’t win any awards but are fun include 1) The Donnas doing “Dancing with Myself”, Pearl Jam doing “Dock of the Bay”. And I just had an epiphany to tie the whole theme of this blog together, and my all time favorite cover; Social Distortion doing “Ring of Fire” by the MIB. Done: Over.
By SeattleBravesFan
March 27, 2008 1:43 AM | Link to this
the Metallica Garage Inc. double disc is full of great covers
By SeattleBravesFan
March 27, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this
Social D “Ring of Fire”…very nice pick ObiWan…
2nd that motion…
By Randy S
March 27, 2008 1:55 AM | Link to this
Just got back from the Stephen Malkmus show at the Variety. Dude can sing. Dude can play the hell out of the guitar.
Any mention of Sweet Jane gives me goosebumps.
By justdoit
March 27, 2008 2:18 AM | Link to this
who is piching tomorrow for braves and mets? anyone?
By Metropolitan Man
March 27, 2008 2:28 AM | Link to this
justdoit:
Up next for the Mets: Disney will list to the left on Thursday. The Mets are sending left-handed pitchers Oliver Perez and Scott Schoeneweis to the Happiest Place on Earth to face the Braves in a 1:05 p.m. ET start. Perez allowed four home runs to the Indians in his most recent start last week. Thursday’s start will be his final apprearance in an exhibition game before he faces the Marlins in the third game of the regular season. Right-handed Charlie Morton is scheduled to start for the Braves.
Beat Perez now when it doesnt count so he can continue his braves mastery in the season. Man that guys owns that team.
By BA
March 27, 2008 2:34 AM | Link to this
What about Uncle Tupelo doing “Mr Soul” by Neil Young? Or Stevie Ray’s “Voodoo chile (slight return)” ?
By jed
March 27, 2008 2:46 AM | Link to this
the most underrated dylan album is streetlegal. believe it.
By Oregon_Braves
March 27, 2008 2:47 AM | Link to this
18 Wheels - I’m right there with you on Faith No More. What a great, under-appreciated band. Their covers were off the wall, but my favorite of theirs was the cover of Sabbath’s “War Pigs”. Absolutely fantastic and it stands with the original.
By Mike S
March 27, 2008 3:15 AM | Link to this
SeattleBravesFan, you are dead on about Metallica’s Garage Inc 2-disc set. Soooo many great covers on there. My favorites by far are Stone Cold Crazy and Breadfan (I saw them play this one live in Nashville a couple of years ago and it was tremendous), but Last Caress, So What?, Overkill and so many more on there are superb.
The greatest thing about Kevin Gryboski pitching for the Braves was that he came out to Metallica’s version of “Stone Cold Crazy.” That’s been my favorite “player intro” song of all time. I wish someone else on the Braves would pick it up. DOB, why don’t you mention it to Ohman? :)
By nolie
March 27, 2008 3:23 AM | Link to this
Then there’s Cowboy Junkies’ cover of “Sweet Jane.” Oh, that’s great stuff….DOB
I love that entire first album Trinity Sessions. Great stuff
By ippississiM
March 27, 2008 3:32 AM | Link to this
I got this import two-disc compilation set called “Come Again” I was wondering if any of you guys have heard of—it was released in the States as “Essential Interpretations.” It’s 22 various covers put together from the EMI/Capitol catalog. My favorites are Dubstar doing the Pet Shop Boys’ Jealousy, Foo Fighters doing Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street, and Sparklehorse with Thom Yorke doing Pink Floyd’s Wish You Were Here. Good stuff.
By nolie
March 27, 2008 3:50 AM | Link to this
know prado is no yunel(he’s the man) I will say now johnson will have a 960 or below fielding avg and will hit above 250 . Brad
I like Prado a lot.I think he will develop good doubles power and hit for a good average if he gets a chance to play a lot.I think he is vastly underrated here(mostly cause they don’t want a platoon with Johnson). However I doubt that Kelly is gonna have a .960 FP. His FP last season was a bit below average but his range factor was above average. I do think that he and Yunel both will make some spectacular plays but boot a few more average plays than we are gonna like, but not to the extent that you are predicting.
By ippississiM
March 27, 2008 4:03 AM | Link to this
I know we’re off on a tangent about covers right now, but all the Dylan earlier got me in the mood for one of my favorite under-the-radar Mississippi artists, Braden Land.
His song “In A Place” haunts me, and “Evangeline Tonight” makes me mourn a little for what was. He’s amazing. The link above takes you to his site’s music samples, but the stuff on his MySpace is also great, especially “Evangeline Tonight” and “So Cold About It.” His whole album is solid, and the tracks he doesn’t have up on his pages aren’t just filler, either.
By ippississiM
March 27, 2008 4:14 AM | Link to this
Sorry, forgot to link to Braden Land’s MySpace.
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 27, 2008 4:38 AM | Link to this
is there a more underappreciated musician than the late, great Chris Whitley?
Yep. The late, greater Arthur Alexander.
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 4:43 AM | Link to this
Top ‘o the morning. I’m up to finish packing (fell asleep doing it last night)….
Nolie, for the 20th anniversary of that masterpiece album, Cowboy Junkies have Trinity Revisited either already out or coming out soon (Don got me a copy before spring training). It’s a must-have for Junkies fans. Go to their site and you can see some video from it.
They returned to the same Toronto church where they recorded the original, re-recording the songs this time with help from Ryan Adams, Vic Chesnutt and Natalie Merchant. It works.
I got a deluxe version that’s got a CD and DVD of the entire thing. You’ll love it. Most of the songs are close to as good or as good as the originals, and a few might actually be a bit better, hard as that is to believe.
And yes, Margot Timmons looks as good as ever.
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 4:46 AM | Link to this
ObiWanKobe: I can’t BELIEVE it took one of us that long to mention Social D’s “Ring of Fire.” That’s right up there with the all-time, all-time covers. And the live version is even better than the studio cut. I mean, they just tear it up live, and you can just tell how much Ness loves the song by the way he sings it. He’s a huge Cash fan, no surprise.
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 4:58 AM | Link to this
GamecockBrave
FJR, Uncle Tupelo’s cover of “I Wanna Be Your Dog”…niiice.
And for Dylanphiles, if you don’t have the two-CD soundtrack from the movie “I’m Not There,” you’re missing about 10 great covers of His Bobness….
But, by DOB definition, I’m not sure that there could be a bigger form of blasphemy….A Whitesnake cover of a Beatles song on American Idol.N8
N8, no doubt about that statement…
A recent cover that I really like is Diana Krall doing Tom Waits’ “The Heart of Saturday Night. How about Ms. Krall’s husband, Elvis Costello, on Nick Lowe’s “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding”?Glove51
Great calls on these two. Ms. Krall makes it her own, doesn’t she? Beautiful….
I figured that you might have gotten to know the guy while he was a player here and could offer some “insider” information for such a rapid decline in performance and skills over a relatively short period of time since 2003. Sorry to waste your valuable time, douchebag.William
Thanks, William. Have you met MetroMan?
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 5:18 AM | Link to this
Talk about interest spiking in this Braves team … All you need to know is that as of 5:20 a.m., two Braves items are atop the ajc.com “most popular” list ahead of this story: “Circus of horrors: Girls forced to perform with snakes, piranhas”
What is wrong with you people? How can we possibly be ahead of that story? HOW!?
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 5:21 AM | Link to this
By the way, William: It’s actually been a more precipitous decline that “since 2003.”
After his career year in 2003 and his mediocre season in ‘04, Giles had a fine rebound season in ‘05, hitting .291 with 64 extra-base hits (45 doubles, 15 homers), 63 RBI, .365 OBP and .451 slugging in 152 games. Hell of a year.
But since then: Total free-fall. Nagging injuries, smaller physique….
(I think this would fall under the category of taking the high road, both with you and this subject)
By nolie
March 27, 2008 5:44 AM | Link to this
for the 20th anniversary of that masterpiece album, Cowboy Junkies have Trinity Revisited either already out or coming out soon (Don got me a copy before spring training). It’s a must-have for Junkies fans. Go to their site and you can see some video from it.DOB
Thanks for the heads-up Dave. I’ll look around for it. The original ranks in my top 50 of all time, and believe me I’ve been around listening for just about ‘all time’. ;-)
By The Goche (A.J.)
March 27, 2008 5:45 AM | Link to this
rlpmetro
Do NOT take either of those trades. They are terrible. You really shouldn’t get any OF back in the trade because you already have too many.
Wagner is not worth anywhere near what Abreu is. Isringhausen not close to Francouer. Not by a long shot.
Keep Soria. Look at his numbers last year. He’s got great command and throws heat. Don’t expect much regression.
Offer Francouer straight up for Wagner or maybe just Hawpe and Sherrill for Izzy and a pretty solid backup in a position you are weak. (Francoeur is usually rated ahead of Hawpe because Hawpe can’t hit lefties.)
Long story short, keep Soria. And trade that depth at OF to fill in things you need. Especially target teams with weak starting outfields. And remember, saves are only one catagory, if your closers stink just watch the waiver wire, something will come.
By MisterD
March 27, 2008 6:44 AM | Link to this
Everyone’s covered Dont Think Twice. Heck, I’m in a bluegrass band and even we’ve covered it!
By Shamus Thacker
March 27, 2008 7:16 AM | Link to this
Whaddabout JC’s version of Sunday Morning Coming Down by Kristofferson?
Ole Kris [a Rhodes Scholar] ain’t a bad songwriter himself. I love The Prophet.
By joe fan
March 27, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this
Two of my favorite covers….
Uncle Tupelo’s version of Effigie
and
Built to Spill’s version of Cortez the Killer
By Shamus Thacker
March 27, 2008 7:23 AM | Link to this
Sorry, it’s not The Prophet but “The Pilgrim.” Been a long night for me too… lol
By Shamus Thacker
March 27, 2008 7:33 AM | Link to this
How bout all those hard rock covers Pat Boone did a few years back!? Nobody has mentioned them! LMFAO!
By chuckw/deadjournalist
March 27, 2008 7:35 AM | Link to this
DOB -
I’m a day late on chiming in on Social D, but I wholeheartedly agree with you on Live at the Roxy. Maybe the best live album I own. Although the BoDeans’ put out a double-live album in the mid-‘90’s (pre Party of Five) that is extremely good as well.
And here my vote for top 10 cover song of all time: Keith Whitley’s version of “I Never Go Around Mirrors” which was a David Frizzell tune that Merle Haggard released.
It’s a tear-in-your-beer/whiskey drinking song is there ever was one.
By Moby Grape
March 27, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this
I see that the Cubbies are shopping Murton. He’s an outfielder as far as I know, but a good hitter. They probably want a lot I’d guess.
By Shamus Thacker
March 27, 2008 7:38 AM | Link to this
I like Aerosmith’s version of Come Together better than the Beatles’.
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 27, 2008 7:41 AM | Link to this
I’m with you on Faith No More’s War Pigs!
By bevsouth
March 27, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
How about Smoltz & Glave 180 innings each, 200 for Huddy, 140 for JJ, 150 for Hampton, 75 each for Bennet & James.=1000 innings If Hampton can’t go more then 100 then we need 100 out of James and Bennet. Quite possible
By Shamus Thacker
March 27, 2008 7:44 AM | Link to this
Government Mule does some good cover tunes. Blue Jean Blues is one of them.
By nolie
March 27, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
Ole Kris [a Rhodes Scholar] ain’t a bad songwriter himself. I love The Prophet.Shamus
he sure was as I rhapsodized the otherday whe Dave posted some lyrics of his. The lyrics just flow easily from rhyme to rhyme. Lotsa dank stff, but he also wrote several Christian songs. Championed John Prine and John Denver early in their careers. BTW I’m guessing that you mean The Pilgrim instead of The Prophet. Easy to do as the refrain is
*He’s a poet, he’s a picker
He’s a prophet, he’s a pusher
He’s a pilgrim and a preacher, and a problem when he’s stoned
He’s a walkin’ contradiction,
partly truth and partly fiction,
Takin’ ev’ry wrong direction on his lonely way back home*
By Runnin
March 27, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Pat Boone’s version of Good Golly Miss Molly is indeed a classic. lol
By rlpmetro
March 27, 2008 8:00 AM | Link to this
The Goche (A.J.)
Thanks for the tip. I loaded up at OF in case of injuries. Ordonez was healthy LAST year, but his history isn’t exactly sparkling with perfect health! If you can believe it, I also picked up Todd Helton in the 17th round to back up Tex at 1st base! I have been trying to offer him up straight up for K-Rod, but the guy won’t budge because he thinks James Loney will put up better numbers in his Utility spot than Helton!
By Steve McP
March 27, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
I don’t know if the album reached the US, but there was a release in the UK which only had covers of Stairway to Heaven on it, (I think they were originally done on an Aussie talk show).
The most amazing version was by Rolf Harris, who is most “famous” for “Tie me Kangaroo Down” and “Two Little Boys”. It became a minor hit in the UK and Rolf when interviewed admitted that he had never heard the original!
By eware
March 27, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
Speaking of Dylan covers, howabout Dylan’s cover of “House of the Rising Sun”. Dy-na-mite!
Also, DOB, have you heard Ryan Adam’s cover of Alice in Chains “Down in a Hole” on his recent EP? Great stuff.
By Kevin
March 27, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with Dave on the Mike Ness album. He even managed to get Bruce Springsteen to record a track with him on the record. It is a great record, but does not have the punk fury of Social D. There is something to be said for being able to wear two hats as Mike Ness does, even if Social D is essentially a solo project now. No other original members join the band on stage. If you love Social D and Mike Ness, check out Under the Influences. Ness covers many classic country and rockabilly tunes, including his own countrified version of the Social D classic “Ball and Chain”. Want more? Ness is coming to the Variety Playhouse on May 9. Check it out. May be a long time before he comes back.
By Epinephrine
March 27, 2008 8:30 AM | Link to this
For Gram Parsons alone, I submit: Wild Horses Dark End of the Street Love Hurts (With Emmylou)
By kdbanks
March 27, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
Got to love Jeff Buckley’s cover of Hallelujah (original of Leonard Cohen, I believe). Just don’t listen to it while swimming.
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 8:41 AM | Link to this
The dapper Omar Minaya just walked in from the outfield entrance, wearing his usual sports jacket. I think I saw him tossing back a roll of Tums….
By Mr. Plow
March 27, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
To chime in on the cover debate, my iPod top 10 covers playlist:
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 8:46 AM | Link to this
Shamus, I’m with you on Sunday Morning Coming Down. I say it’s a tie between Kris’ and Johnny’s versions. Both tremendous. Kristofferson put out a live, acoustic disc couple years ago that had that on it, a great version (he seems to sing that song better and better the older he gets).
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this
Joe Fan, I was astounded the first time I heard Built To Spill’s 10-minute (or longer, I forget) version of Cortez The Killer. Tough to match Neil, but they were spot-on with that cover, and the guitars … oh, my.
By doc
March 27, 2008 8:49 AM | Link to this
tying in baseball and music, again, what do gram parsons and chipper have in common?
By Epinephrine
March 27, 2008 8:55 AM | Link to this
Both enjoy nudie suits with naked woman and marijuana leaves on them? Wait that’s just Gram.
I don’t know, both grew up in Northern Florida? Do tell.
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Doc, I’ll go with, they both spent much of their formative years in Central Florida.
By Epinephrine
March 27, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Also, going back to the original topic-I cannot believe I forgot this, AND that no one else mentioned it: Old Crow Medicine Show’s Wagon Wheel, which is a cover of an original Bob Dylan chorus.
By Shaun
March 27, 2008 9:05 AM | Link to this
Shaun, Laird’s the incumbent and a significantly better defensive catcher than Salty.
So after the Rangers bring the two to spring and tell them they’re fighting for the starting job, and give them equal playing time in the spring, and Laird hits twice as many homers and a little higher average, how you going to give the job to Salty?
You that upset they don’t reward jobs based on your projections of his immense talent?
I understand why they did it. And I didn’t mean to question their decision as much as I tried to make a point about Spring Training and judging players over the course of a handful of games. Also, I suppose it was a reaction to the few folks out there who are trying to make this into a Salty-equals-Marte story. (And no I’m not one of those dopes who thinks the Teixeira deal was a bad move for the Braves.)
Salty, from all I’ve heard and read, could use some defensive work and what better way to get it than to have him play everyday at catcher in the minors instead of sharing time in the majors at catcher, firstbase and DH. He’s not even 23 and the Rangers probably aren’t going anywhere this season. Why not send him down and let him play everyday behind the plate?
But I seriously doubt the decision has as much to do with Laird’s abilities as it does the Rangers just wanting Salty to play catcher everyday somewhere.
A month of spring stats doesn’t cover up the fact that Laird is a .246/.297/.377 career hitter in the majors. And I know it’s not a huge sample, but Salty has done better than that (.266/.310/.422) in 329 PA.
By doc
March 27, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
dob, close; both graduated from bolles school in jacksonville before they became leaders in their industry at precocious ages. fortunately, chipper only ventured as far as texas and avoided the southwest desert.
By Bring Me the Head of Francisco Cabrera
March 27, 2008 9:12 AM | Link to this
Oh, my God, chuckw/deadjournalist! Kindly get your Frizzells straight! It was Lefty, Lefty, LEFTY!!
And Arthur Alexander’s still the most criminally underappreciated musical genius, Dave.
By A Coach Syllogism
March 27, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
Coach said Salty has “Johnny Bench talent” AND
Coach cannot possibly be wrong. THEREFORE,
The Salty trade was a bad one for the Braves.
By Efrim
March 27, 2008 9:19 AM | Link to this
But I seriously doubt the decision has as much to do with Laird’s abilities as it does the Rangers just wanting Salty to play catcher everyday somewhere.
Agreed.
By Shaun
March 27, 2008 9:21 AM | Link to this
Oh, and here are several projections, not from my personal opinion, but from several different projection systems:
Laird:
Bill James- .252/.308/.400
CHONE - .245/.303/.395
Marcel - .251/.304.390
MINER - .235/.281/.385
ZiPS - .249/.305/.391
Saltalamacchia:
Bill James- .264/.340/.447
CHONE - .256/.326/.414
Marcel - .279/.333/.444
MINER - .276/.326/.430
ZiPS - .257/.323/.425
By Shaun
March 27, 2008 9:27 AM | Link to this
I don’t know if Salty has “Johnny Bench talent.” If he was that kind of talent, no way the Rangers would send him to the minors. I do think he could develop into a player with similar value to Jason Varitek.
By Lew
March 27, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
Shamus-Another Springsteen cover by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (one of the best live bands I’ve seen in 40+ years of concert going) is Spirits In The Night from the Nightingales and Bombers album. Much better than Blinded By The Light.
By Jeff321
March 27, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
I have to say, getting rid of Yates made me very happy!
By Contactbuzz
March 27, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this
DOB - nice job on 680 this morning. Now, if we could just get Rude to play the part of the interviewer - more questions and less editorializing.
A cover that I’m partial to is Cracker’s version of the Grateful Dead’s “Loser”.
A couple more that play well live (I don’t think they’re recorded, however) are Collective Soul covering ACDCs “Highway to Hell” (matched with “Shine”) and Pink Floyd’s “Mother”. Also, DBT’s cover of Jim Carroll’s “People Who Died”.
By Runnin
March 27, 2008 9:39 AM | Link to this
Let’s not forgot Janis’s “Me and Bobby McGhee”.
By doc
March 27, 2008 9:48 AM | Link to this
contactbuzz, didnt hear the interview but someone who interviews needs to learn to shut up. it isnt as if we are interested in his opinions, which sometimes we are, most times not, more so that we want to hear what the guys interviewed has to say. also heard the interview with jeff and i didnt really like the way a “met fan” interviewer wanted to hear the gory details of the facial injury and the incident this spring in terms of; doesnt it make it difficult to get up there and hit? seems like there is more to it than info only trying to embellish the negative.
By Bravetiger
March 27, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this
Hey DOB - a question that I have wondered about for many years.
Since the Braves are breaking camp today, do most players and coach’s drive there own vehicles to spring training or do they rent? If they drive their own, how do they get them back to Atlanta since they fly back as a team?
Also, do most players stay in a team hotel or do most rent something like you have done.
As I said, just curious.
BTY - the “Sunday Morning Coming Down” is probably my fav Cash song!!
By ippississiM
March 27, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
Foo Fighters covering Prince’s Darling Nikki was very nice, but the absolutely most disturbing thing I’ve ever heard in my life was Veruca Salt’s version of My Sharona—creepy song made even creepier by the treatment it was given by the girls.
By SeattleBravesFan
March 27, 2008 9:54 AM | Link to this
I hate to admit it but that vomit inducing American Idol did bring me to a great cover song. A guy did a Chris Cornell version of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”, forget the Idol portion of this and check out Chris Cornell’s version. I am reminded how amazing his voice is and his talent listening to that cover…
By Thrillhouse44
March 27, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
I’ll chime in on the covers: I love Phish’s version of “Psycho Killer”. I also heard Braveheart’s karaoke version of “Everything I Do”; quite a classic.
Salty’s going to be a good ballplayer, but Tex is going to help us win the division this year.
By Big Easy
March 27, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
A couple more that play well live (I don’t think they’re recorded, however) are Collective Soul covering ACDCs “Highway to Hell” (matched with “Shine”) and Pink Floyd’s “Mother”. Contactbuzz
I have both of those Collective Soul tunes, bootlegged, on my iPod. They only did “Mother” once, and that was at Music Midtown in 2000. It is a pretty good cover. Was awesome for me because it was one of my favorite bands covering my all-time favorite band.
They covered “Highway to Hell” and “Crazy Train” a lot on the road. Both covers were spectacular. Recently they were covering “Personal Jesus,” which I wasn’t too fond of. But Collective Soul’s best cover is probably U2’s “I Will Follow.” Better than the original, I think.
~E~
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 27, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this
New Raconeurs is out. Songs sound strong so far…up there with the first record.
By rlpmetro
March 27, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this
Bravetiger
Based on my experiences here in Fort Myers (had a buddy who worked for the Single A Miracle, a Twins affiliate), the players bring their own vehicles down for the most part. The vehicles get shipped home for them. I do know that Curt Schilling used to rent a Hummer from the local Hum-V dealership though.
A lot of the players down here used to buy or rent a condo to stay in. With the Twins especially, a lot of those guys start out it Low A, come to Fort Myers for High A, and work their way up through the system. Since Spring Training is at the same place as High A, several of the Twins own a second home here, and it is where they lived during the offseason so they are close to the facilities and can work out.
By Billy Walsh
March 27, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this
I always liked the Clash’s version of Time is Tight (Booker T and the MG’s). The Dead’s version of Mama Tried is very good too. Dave, since you mentioned Charlie Morton, what is the overall opinion on him? (Starter in 2009, bullpen?). And finally, when are the boys from Entourage coming back!?
By Shaun
March 27, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Jeff Raconeur is one of my favorite players.
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 27, 2008 10:45 AM | Link to this
Nice one Sean.
By ippississiM
March 27, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
Shaun, RUOK?
By NRBQ
March 27, 2008 10:51 AM | Link to this
Since we moved past Dylan covers, I’ll throw in Bonnie Raitt’s versions of Green Lights and Me and the Boys.
Best “cover” story: Nicolette Larson found a cassette demo-tape of Neil Young’s Gonna Take a Lotta Love in a rental car. She called him, he gave her the okay to record it, and thus she became a one-hit wonder.
And worst cover ever:
Rod Stewart butchering Little Wing.
By Lew
March 27, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Of course, there’s always Deep Purple’s cover of Hush by Joe South.
By ippississiM
March 27, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this
18 Wheels, priceless.
By brooklynbrave
March 27, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this
DOB- ever heard yo la tengo cover “i’m so lonesome i could cry”? they did it at a show in massachusetts last year. georgia sang. great stuff.
By TennesseePaul
March 27, 2008 11:05 AM | Link to this
nolie: Whatever his future holds, running him into the ground this season isn’t in the best interest of the team which was the point.
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 27, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Can you consider a rap song that samples music a cover? If so, as great as it is, De La Soul’s 3 Feet High & Rising is the perfect example. More samples than Paul’s Boutique i betcha.
By chrisklob
March 27, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Jeff Raconeur is one of my favorite players.
And some people here think that Shaun has no sense of humor!
By Daybed Wagmoe
March 27, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
DOB - Didn’t realize that you were such a Chris Whitley fan, otherwise I wouldn’t have said “if you’re not familiar with him, check him out.” A friend of mine turned me onto Whitley a couple years ago. I’m a big fan of “Terra Incongita” and “Reiter In.” Not too familiar with the rest, but he’s great though, you’re right.
For anyone who’s interested, here is the link to this morning’s 960 The Ref Bill Shanks interview: Shanks interview. Thanks to Bill M for putting it up!
By doug
March 27, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble did a spot on version of Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) on Live Alive. and Superstition too.
By wiki
March 27, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
How about this for going off the deep end: Kid Rock’s remake of George Michael’s faith. I throw that in only because Kid Rock butchers an awful tune to start with.
By Lew
March 27, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
Another good cover is Patty Smyth (John McEnroe’s wife, not the other one) doing Downtown Train. Much better than Rod Stewart’s version.
By Lew
March 27, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
Doug-Saw Stevie Ray do Voodoo Chile in concert about three weeks before he was killed. He had it down perfectly. Great cover.
By Shaun
March 27, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Joe Cocker’s version of “The Letter” is so cool. The 10,000 Maniacs cover of “Because the Night” is also a great one.
By DAP
March 27, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
A guy did a Chris Cornell version of Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”,
that would be david cook. that guy is good.
By ippississiM
March 27, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
I have most of the pre-1977 Elton John catalog on vinyl and all of it on CD (you just about can’t beat Taupin’s lyrics), and someone who knew this bought me a copy of Reg Dwight’s Piano Goes Pop, a collection of tracks from back when companies put out cheap albums with covers of current hits, performed by studio musicians, to save on royalties. The thing they all had in common, was that Elton John was one of the studio cats doing the covers, back before he made it big-time. There’s an absolutely hilarious cover of CCR’s Travelin’ Band it would behoove anyone in need of a good laugh to track down.
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 27, 2008 11:22 AM | Link to this
Wilco’s cover of Steely Dan’s ‘Any Major Dude’ is a good one.
Anyone seen the Peter Frampton Geico (or whatever company it is) commercial? Awesome.
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
Smoltz just threw a 20-minute (or so) bullpen and said it was his best day of the spring, said the soreness is gone from his shoulder.
He’ll pitch in a camp game down here Sunday or Monday and get ready for his April 6 start.
Gonna write a new blog now. I just watched big Jason Heyward take BP. He’s gonna be a huge dude, Derrek Lee-sized I’d think. Right now still slender, but strong, very strong hands.
By McFann
March 27, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
We’ve been watching a Titmouse build a nest in our bird house out back. We’ve got an infrared camera hooked up inside the house so we cann watch it on our TV. It’s really cool!
Salty has Johnny Bench talent? I don’t think there’s any catcher with that kind of talent at this time.
By Big Easy
March 27, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
Doug-Saw Stevie Ray do Voodoo Chile in concert about three weeks before he was killed. He had it down perfectly. Great cover. Lew
The only man that could do Hendrix as good, or better, than Hendrix could.
Stevie Ray was one of the best. A shame such talent was lost, right as he had turned it all around.
~E~
By DAP
March 27, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this
i acually like limp bizkit’s version of faith better than the original. but neither are that good.
By Jonathon
March 27, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
DOB - Any news you can give us on the “secret” blue road alternate jerseys the Braves are going to wear Sunday night? Yeah, it’s just laundry, but I’m still curious.
By McFann
March 27, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
18 Wheels of Love—
I’ve seen it. That is a good one!
By Gamecock Brave
March 27, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
If you are gonna consider rap sampling and go that route… how bout what brought rap to the mainstream… Run DMC and Aerosmith Walk This Way(not so much a cover as a colaboration, but still)… I know that many of you may not be a fan of OAR, but they did a cover of U2’s Sunday Bloody Sunday in a live show a couple years ago thats on my iPod, i enjoy it, but that may not be the consensus in regards to OAR here, haha… and Bob Dylan and Van Morrison doing Crazy Love.
By BravesFanInRockies
March 27, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Late to the cover parade, but my two cents:
“Cortez the Killer” by Dave Matthews Band w/Warren Haynes on gittar (the Central Park concert). Not a DMB fan either, generally speaking, but they really nailed this one. WH of course makes it work.
Zevon’s version of “Back in the High Life” is brilliant, too. Giving a sardonic twist to a fine but sappy song. Genius.
I also like Graham Parker’s cover of “Sugaree.”
And how bout rockabilly crooner Robert Gordon’s version of Springsteen’s “Fire.” (Or does that count as a cover because I think the Boss actually wrote it for Gordon? Hmmm.)
By Epinephrine
March 27, 2008 11:42 AM | Link to this
great news on smoltzie
By Steve McP
March 27, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this
Surprised no one has mentioned the 16 minute version of Heard it on the Grapevine by CCR, very atmospheric.
By 18 Wheels of Love
March 27, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
IMO The Sugarhill Gang is what put rap on the map….then the RDMC/Aerosmith put it on MTV.
By sri
March 27, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this
Bravetiger,
During yesterday’s game audiocast, they were talking about your question. It seems they hire policemen to drive their cars back to Atlanta, and usually the cars end up at Turner field by the time the players make it to the ballpark from the airport.
By Mark Fanxeira/ BBFCFM
March 27, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
How about the Grateful Dead version of “one toke over the line”. I just love that song. Always puts me in a good mood
By Rick Roberts
March 27, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
The Bench:
a. Keep Pena as he can backup 1B and 3B if needed.
b. Trade Thorman—SFO? For Durham? c. When Infante comes back, then we should have a versatile Bench.
Trade thought:
Brian Roberts from the O’s: For Kelly Johnson, Gregor Blanco, and Lillibridge. Gives us the true, speed lead off hitter. Baltimore gets a 2B, SS, and CF—what more could a team ask for in a trade? We overpay a little, but the dividends are huge for winning the NL and getting to the Series.
By Austin
March 27, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
DOB
Yeah, any news on the blue alternates?
By KC
March 27, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
Best cover?
Black Crows’ “Hard To Handle” comes to mind.
good stuff.
By Random
March 27, 2008 11:53 AM | Link to this
Locally, best covers I’ve heard (and can remember) are Slim Chance and the Convicts’ cover of the Clashs Gates of the West, and Oh, Okay’s cover of Third Uncle by Brian Eno.
By ippississiM
March 27, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
DMB’s live cover of the Stones’ Sympathy for the Devil is eerily good, mostly because of the fact that I think Dave Matthews sounds like the father of lies himself doing a Stones cover. His meek delivery and round pronunciation make the pleading for understanding that much more serpent-like. Shivers.
By ernesto
March 27, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
The Gourds do a very nice job with “Pancho and Lefty”.
By Nick
March 27, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this
DOB, thanks for the update. Good to hear Smoltzie is doing well again. I wasn’t sure how to answer the poll question… I’m pretty sure Smoltz will start the season on the DL, but I’m not too worried about it…
By Bawlmer Brave
March 27, 2008 12:02 PM | Link to this
Dear G-d, Rick Roberts, I hope we don’t do that trade. We would definitely be overpaying for that, and I don’t see that we need to be that desperate.
By Gamecock Brave
March 27, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this
R Roberts… overpay a little? thats an understatement in my opinion. I think Brian Roberts is a really good player, but i think we could make a package that doesnt hurt our future as much… Maybe KJ prado/lillbridge and an arm or somethin of that sort… personally givin up a SS isn’t a big deal cause Yunel will be there for a good while… but i dont see that as a likely trade, but you never know…
By Disappointed
March 27, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
I came to the sports section of the AJC website. I have read this blog many times and gotten some very good information. I know that music has always been entwined in the blog, but it has always been secondary. How can it be justified to have no Braves information, only music opinions?
Sure I know some have complained about there being any music mentioned on the blog. Having in the background is one thing, but for there to be only music??? Those who have complained have been ridiculed or ignored. It seems that there could be some measure of respect for both sides. Please, get this on subject. Please.
By AdirondackDave
March 27, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Man, I sure hope Smoltz feels as good tomorrow as he does today. Smoltz, Chipper, and Hudson needs to stay healthy to get deep into the playoffs.
By David
March 27, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
DOB - I love this blog and your writing especially, but I gotta admit that William’s post a while about calling you a smart a** for your Giles reply made me laugh out loud. I’ll admit that I am surprised when it seems a player’s skill diminish that quickly, like a Kevin Brown or a Brett Boone.
By BravesFanInRockies
March 27, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
Most inspired cover might be Dave Edmunds’ take on Khachaturian’s Sabre Dance (he first did it in ‘68). The guitar as orchestra. Saw him perform it live, too.
Nike used it for that great commercial they did with Ken Griffey Jr. (“I got it!”) Remember that?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Q-l-F_d3I
By Reid in EAV
March 27, 2008 12:12 PM | Link to this
Why yes, I do collect oddball covers. Here are two faves off the top of my head:
Ray LaMontagne “Crazy” (Gnarls Barkley)
Ted Leo “Since You’ve Been Gone” (Kelly Clarkson)
By Saltywoody
March 27, 2008 12:13 PM | Link to this
As far as covers go, how about the cute young girl in Into the Wild and her version of Angel from Montgomery?
Did that movie make anyone else want to light out for the territory, or what?
By David
March 27, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
Wow, that trade idea from Rick Roberts is awful….would sink the Brave’s future in one fell swoop. Dissapointed - it’s a user-driven blog, so the subject seems to follow what people are interested in on any given day. Music’s a big part of it here.
By UGA MAN
March 27, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
BRIAN ROBERTS IS A GOOD PLAYER AND I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE HIM. BUT YOUR STILL NOT SURING UP THE THING YOU NEED THE MOST… BENCH, BRAVES HAVE A REALLY GOOD TEAM AS IT SITS JUST NEED A LITTLE SURING UP.. LOVE THE IDEA THOUGH AND MAYBE ANY OTHER YEAR I MIGHT AGREE..
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
March 27, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this
I don’t think trading for Brian Roberts would be wise. I prefer Kelly Johnson at 2B. Now, the Durham idea is intriguing but he just makes too much money for the production he is likely to give.
I do believe the Angels could be more open to a deal now for Morales or Rivera but the Braves would definitely have to give up Chuck James. Question is would the Angels want him?
By Epinephrine
March 27, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Disappointed: this blog isn’t about pleasing your interests. It is about discussing topics that the author and the majority of posters find interesting.
Here is the deal. It is the end of spring training. WE have spent the last three blogs discussing the only topics that are even marginally relevant anymore (Chuck James, what happens if there are injuries, and what about a power bat off the bench). All of them have been beaten to death, mercilessly. All of them are tenuous and hypothetical. If the majority of people here are thus rightly interested in talking about something else, deal with it. The internet is a big place. If the blog isn’t getting it done for you, go try another address. This isn’t a forum to keep you and only you entertained.
But I have to ask-What braves news? DOB posted the Smoltz thing. You think there is breaking news from the hours of 8pm to 8am, on the day we head north, that is being withheld? Get over yourself.
By mr baseball
March 27, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Best 2 covers ever of same song: Derek and the Dominos & SRV’s versions of Hendrix’s “Little Wing.” Clapton and Duane sound like they’re playing guitars from outer space on the D&D version.
Worth mentioning: Bonnie Raitt’s rendition of Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery” and Johnny Winter’s romp through Dylan’s “Highway 61.” Winter also has the best of the 4,567 versions of “Johnny B. Good.”
A bleak historic note for the Spring Training worshipers on the blog. This is the anniversary of the most infamous week in post-1990 Braves’ history from any month other than October. 11 years ago this week, our allegedly genius ex-GM traded away Justice, Grissom & Dye for what amounted to next to nothing.
After going to the World Series 4 times in the previous 5 full length seasons, the Braves have been back once since, and from 1997-2005 are arguably the most underachieving post-season franchise in any sport ever. And the Grissom-Justice fiasco got the ball rolling.
Happy anniversary, JS.
By chrisklob
March 27, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
Disappointed Those who have complained have been ridiculed or ignored.
Prepare yourself then, as you are about to be soundly ridiculed. This is DOB’s house and he makes the rules. If you don’t like it you can choose to do one of two things. Either scroll on by (as I often do) or find another place to blog.
It is quite obvious that many, many of DOB’s readers are music fans too. Music is clearly a big part of his life and as he spends so much of his personal time here, it is only natural that he would share that and encourage feedback from his readers. Get used to it.
By BravesFanInRockies
March 27, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Horrible trade idea. Roberts gives you baserunning speed. KJ is a better offensive player in every other way, and for less money for several years. AND you’re sacrificing Lil’ Bridge?
Get a grip, man.
By Nick
March 27, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Disappointed, it’s a slow news day. The roster is pretty much set, and there isn’t much to discuss. We’re all just sitting around waiting for a trade, and for today’s game to start. Unless you have any input on who we’d have to give up to get Ty Wigginton, Wes Helms, Marcus Thames, Brian Roberts, etc etc etc
By Steve McP
March 27, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Hey don’t be disappointed, Disappointed, it has been a bit music orientated, but obviously the covers got a lot of people interested.
It’s been a slow baseball period as we wait for the season to begin in earnest (or DC to be physically accurate) and with no news there would not have been much debate, i think we all want the season to start so that baseball returns to the fore, but for now chill out and enjoy the downtime.
By Epinephrine
March 27, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this
What is the deal around here with KJ? He is one of my favorite players. We asked him to play 2b last year in the fall, he busts his tail all winter, and comes in and surpasses all expectations. He understandably crashed at the end of the year, but he still put up great numbers that figure to only go up. He is young, cheap, and both his defense and offense should only continue to improve. Yes he is streaky, but even in a slump he is still out there working counts and drawing walks. And again, he only figures to get better. Why people want to bring in someone else, or play Prado, is just beyond me. I don’t think people realize what we have with KJ.
By VegasBrave
March 27, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Disappointed, its okay. It’s still spring training. There’s been weeks of talk about baseball and our regular season hasn’t even started yet. I read this blog all the time (don’t post too often, though), and after weeks of hearing the same old “I hope the starting rotation stays healthy,” or “I hope this person does/does not get traded”, its kinda nice to get off topic for a day. If anything happens of note, DOB will let us know. Until then, enjoy the discussion, or do what others do and simply scroll past the music talk.
By Salty
March 27, 2008 12:31 PM | Link to this
That as many discuss music as baseball should tell you all you need to know, Disappointed. Thus, you shall remain so. :-)
By Shaun
March 27, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Brian Roberts from the O’s: For Kelly Johnson, Gregor Blanco, and Lillibridge. Gives us the true, speed lead off hitter. Baltimore gets a 2B, SS, and CF—what more could a team ask for in a trade? We overpay a little, but the dividends are huge for winning the NL and getting to the Series.
I agree with those who say this is a bad idea. Johnson will outplay Roberts this season and for the remainder of his time with the Braves. I wouldn’t trade Kelly Johnson straight up for Roberts.
By Braveheart
March 27, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
I have always liked the Gourd’s cover of Snoop Dogg’s Gin and Juice. That was great.
Also very underrated are some karaoke covers by our very own Thrillhouse44:
Thrillhouse puts George Harrison to shame when Thrillhouse sings “I’ve Got My Mind Set on You.”
Also, don’t miss Thrillhouse’s special karaoke version of Jefferson Starship’s “We Built This City”
By Braves20
March 27, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
As always interesting stuff.
Very little has been made of K. Johnson’s less than spectacular spring. If the funk continues long into the regular season, the platoon we may see this year will perhaps not be in left field but at second base.
Prado has played well this spring. While not an overwhelming fan of his, if Kelly’s fade continues, we may see more of him at second. Seems a little more consistent with the glove than Johnson but doesn’t seem to have as much range.
Oh and let me add to the mounting chorus - so long Tyler. His departure has to mean a 2 or 3 game addition to the win column - or should I say 2 or 3 less in the loss column.
By David O'Brien
March 27, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOGGAGE IS UP
By TJ
March 27, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this
Disappointed, I won’t ridicule or ignore: I’ll suggest you post something baseball-related - a question, an idea, an opinion - and chances are pretty good you’ll get some feedback. Just like Ron Roberts did with his (terrible!:) trade idea).
It does seem to be a very quiet “baseball day” so far, so I’m sure a good discussion-starter would be welcomed as we await DOB’s next report.
By McFann
March 27, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Rick, bad trade idea.
OK! OK! I got one!! I love Rascal Flatts’ cover of Life Is a Highway! Awesome! The original version’s got nuthin on that one.
By Shaun
March 27, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
Oh, Rob Neyer has Kelly Johnson at number 28 on his list of top 50 players over the next five years.
Johnson’s been a second baseman for less than two years, but has made the switch from the outfield with great skill and established himself as one of the National League’s top second basemen.
Let’s look at some 2008 projections (I’ll just use ZiPS this time):
Kelly Johnson - .271/.376/.464
Brian Roberts - .287/.363/.437
If you look at fangraphs.com, every projection system they have on their site has Kelly Johnson in the top five in OPS amount major league secondbaseman and only one system has Roberts ahead of Johnson (and it’s not by much)…oh, and Johnson is five years younger than Roberts.
Again, no way the Braves should trade Johnson for Roberts, even straight up.
By Braveheart
March 27, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
I came to the sports section of the AJC website. I have read this blog many times and gotten some very good information. I know that music has always been entwined in the blog, but it has always been secondary. How can it be justified to have no Braves information, only music opinions?
What the hell do you want? We’re all so sick and tired of talking about the bench and everyone is tired of me, Lew, Coach, Scoots, Coach, and Jared having a Chuck James, Jeff Bennett, and whomever battle just for the sake of having something to fight about.
By snowball's chance
March 27, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Ernesto brought up Pancho and Lefty, My favorite song. The first cover I heard was Emmylou Harris’ version on Luxury Liner. The test of a cover is if an artist can make it their own.Emmylou does.
Another great version of Heart of Saturday Night is by Jerry Jeff Walker.
By Serge45
March 27, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
Few covers off the top of my head - the Grateful Dead and Atlanta’s own Black Crowes doing “Hard to Handle”, Pigpen and Chris Robinson being hard to handle in two different ways, which shows in the song. Another Dead cover, sung by Pigpen, Wilson Pickett’s “In the Midnight Hour”
By Random
March 27, 2008 1:07 PM | Link to this
Last?
By Tommy
March 27, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Can anyone tell me who is going to start the 5th game, which happens to be the first one against the Mets, on April 4?
By BS
March 27, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Yates is gone! Finally! Somebody close the door to the locker room quick! I don’t want him to sneak back in! The worst hard throwing reliever in the big leagues!
Getting someone to wear the Braves mascot outfit for Yates would have been a steal, much less a prospect. So could the Braves get rid of Pena/Thorman and another expendable reliever for a strong 3rd/4th outfielder? A new Hunter Pence?