AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > March > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBack from D.C. … is it opening day?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Now that the Braves have done a whirlwind trip to D.C., helped open a new park and provided almost no offensive support for Tim Hudson (sound familiar?), time to open the season for real tonight against the Pirates at Turner Field.
What’s that? That game at Nationals Park counted? Oh, nevermind.
Why does tonight feel more like a season opener than Monday, even though that was nationally televised and had a president throwing out the ceremonial first pitch? Why, of course: Because tonight’s a home game, the start of a series, and yes, because Tom Glavine is making his much-anticipated first start back with the Braves.
You gonna cheer or jeer? I’m guessing the vast majority here tonight cheers. And I mean the vast, vast majority. But we’ll see.
But seriously, upon further review I’m going to have to revise my ballpark rankings, at least in one respect. This is important. Please pay attention (OK, it’s not really that important).
After I took another look at the bland exterior of Nationals Park as I was leaving last night, and then compared that to Turner Field when I drove by it on the way back home from the airport late this morning, I gotta say it’s no contest.
Say what you will about the kiddie carnival-like attractions at Turner Field — not what I look for in a ballpark, but I understand how those with little kids might love it — but there’s no denying the place looks like a ballpark, with the brick exterior and the exposed steel upper deck and all.
And though I like the interior of Nationals Park, gotta put it behind Turner Field and the new parks in Philly and St. Louis in terms of overall evaluation, because of the points the D.C. park loses for having an exterior that looks more like the Georgia World Congress Center than a ballpark.
OK, getting to the important stuff. Peter Moylan gave up a walkoff homer to Ryan Zimmerman last night, in case you were out and missed the ajc.com postgame update. Threw him a poorly located sinker that started up and away and ended up squarely over the middle of the plate, about belt-high. He did what a hitter such as Zimmerman is usually going to do with a pitch like that. Crushed it.
So what does this mean for Peter Moylan> He had a sore elbow early in spring training, then pitched well for most of three weeks, then had a rough outing in the last game at Florida when he pitched the first inning and gave up three runs against the Mets. So what does Sunday’s outing mean?
Well, probably nothing other than he made a bad pitch in his first outing. It’s not the first time, you might recall.
Last year in his first outing after being called up from Triple-A, Moylan gave up three runs, three hits and one walk while recording just one out in an April 15 game against Florida. He had slept little if any the night before, after scrambling to catch a flight from some Triple-A outpost.
Anyway, immediately after that rough outing, Moylan reeled off a torrid five-week stretch in which he posted a 0.43 ERA and .125 opponents’ average, allowing eight hits and one run in 21 innings over his next 14 appearances.
In fact, after that debut last season, and Moylan posted a stunning 1.51 ERA and .201 opponents’ average over his remaining 79 appearances and 89-2/3 innings.
Hoss’ homer in opener: Certainly there wasn’t a whole lot to recommend of the team’s five-hit offensive “performance” against Nationals starter Odalis Perez and four relievers including Ray “I Will Have a Job As Long as Baseball is Played” King.
But Chipper Jones hit a home run off a left-hander (Perez), and that’s potentially very good news for him and the Braves. Because if Hoss gets his right-handed swing on a par with his left, it could mean big things.
He led the NL with a 1.029 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) last season, but Chipper’s 1.171 OPS vs. righties dwarfed his .803 OPS vs. lefties.
He hit .274 with seven homers and a .458 slugging percentage in 201 at-bats vs. lefties, compared to .378 with 22 homers and an astounding .699 slugging percentage in 312 at-bats vs. righties.
But it wasn’t always this way. In fact, in some of Jones’ best seasons he actually hit as good or better against lefties than against righties.
As recently as 2006, he hit .293 with six homers and a .576 slugging percentage in 92 at-bats vs. lefties, and .332 with 20 homers and a .602 slugging percentage in 319 at-bats vs. righties. Not that dramatic a difference.
In his career-worst .248 season in 2004, he hit 30 points higher (.268) against lefties than against righties, and had a slugging percentage that was 105 points higher against lefties.
In his .305-27-106 season in 2003, he hit .306 against lefties and .304 against righties, but Chipper had only two homers and a .380 slugging percentage in 121 at-bats vs lefties, compared to 25 homers and a .555 slugging percentage in 434 at-bats against righties.
His power splits were fairly even in 2002 and 2001 (though he hit .376 vs. lefties and .320 vs. righties in ’01), but go back to 2000 and things really get interesting.
Do you folks remember what he did in 2000, the year after he won the MVP? Jones turned in a .311-36-111 season that included basically a demolition of lefties.
He hit a blistering .415 against left-handers, with 12 homers in 130 at-bats, along with a .480 OBP and .777 slugging percentage. Against righties that year, he hit .281 with 24 homers, a .382 OBP and .506 slugging percentage.
And in his MVP season (.319-45-110) in 1999, Chipper also fared better against lefties than righties. That year he hit .352 with 15 homers, a .450 OBP and .739 slugging percentage in 142 at-bats against lefties, while against righties he hit .308 with 30 homers, a .438 OBP and .598 slugging percentage.
So you see, that’s my very long-winded way of saying, if Chipper starts hitting lefties as well or better that righties, it’ll be interesting to see what kind of overall numbers he produces.
I just find it fascinating that a guy’s lefty-righty numbers can fluctuate so much from year to year, or at least every few years.
OK, gotta get to the park now. By the way, I’m listening to the new Van Morrison that comes out this week or next. Good tuneage. Someone let me know when you hear the new Black Keys CD produced by Danger Mouse. That’s one I’ve gotta get soon as it’s out (tomorrow?).
“DESOLATION ROW” by Bob Dylan
They’re selling postcards of the hanging
They’re painting the passports brown
The beauty parlor is filled with sailors
The circus is in town
Here comes the blind commissioner
They’ve got him in a trance
One hand is tied to the tight-rope walker
The other is in his pants
And the riot squad they’re restless
They need somewhere to go
As Lady and I look out tonight
From Desolation Row
Cinderella, she seems so easy
“It takes one to know one,” she smiles
And puts her hands in her back pockets
Bette Davis style
And in comes Romeo, he’s moaning
“You Belong to Me I Believe”
And someone says,” You’re in the wrong place, my friend
You better leave”
And the only sound that’s left
After the ambulances go
Is Cinderella sweeping up
On Desolation Row
Now the moon is almost hidden
The stars are beginning to hide
The fortunetelling lady
Has even taken all her things inside
All except for Cain and Abel
And the hunchback of Notre Dame
Everybody is making love
Or else expecting rain
And the Good Samaritan, he’s dressing
He’s getting ready for the show
He’s going to the carnival tonight
On Desolation Row
Now Ophelia, she’s ‘neath the window
For her I feel so afraid
On her twenty-second birthday
She already is an old maid
To her, death is quite romantic
She wears an iron vest
Her profession’s her religion
Her sin is her lifelessness
And though her eyes are fixed upon
Noah’s great rainbow
She spends her time peeking
Into Desolation Row
Einstein, disguised as Robin Hood
With his memories in a trunk
Passed this way an hour ago
With his friend, a jealous monk
He looked so immaculately frightful
As he bummed a cigarette
Then he went off sniffing drainpipes
And reciting the alphabet
Now you would not think to look at him
But he was famous long ago
For playing the electric violin
On Desolation Row
Dr. Filth, he keeps his world
Inside of a leather cup
But all his sexless patients
They’re trying to blow it up
Now his nurse, some local loser
She’s in charge of the cyanide hole
And she also keeps the cards that read
“Have Mercy on His Soul”
They all play on penny whistles
You can hear them blow
If you lean your head out far enough
From Desolation Row
Across the street they’ve nailed the curtains
They’re getting ready for the feast
The Phantom of the Opera
A perfect image of a priest
They’re spoonfeeding Casanova
To get him to feel more assured
Then they’ll kill him with self-confidence
After poisoning him with words
And the Phantom’s shouting to skinny girls
“Get Outa Here If You Don’t Know
Casanova is just being punished for going
To Desolation Row”
Now at midnight all the agents
And the superhuman crew
Come out and round up everyone
That knows more than they do
Then they bring them to the factory
Where the heart-attack machine
Is strapped across their shoulders
And then the kerosene
Is brought down from the castles
By insurance men who go
Check to see that nobody is escaping
To Desolation Row
Praise be to Nero’s Neptune
The Titanic sails at dawn
And everybody’s shouting
“Which Side Are You On?”
And Ezra Pound and T. S. Eliot
Fighting in the captain’s tower
While calypso singers laugh at them
And fishermen hold flowers
Between the windows of the sea
Where lovely mermaids flow
And nobody has to think too much
About Desolation Row
Yes, I received your letter yesterday
(About the time the door knob broke)
When you asked how I was doing
Was that some kind of joke?
All these people that you mention
Yes, I know them, they’re quite lame
I had to rearrange their faces
And give them all another name
Right now I can’t read too good
Don’t send me no more letters no
Not unless you mail them
From Desolation Row
Comments
By JimD
March 31, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
I never get to be first
By rupert
March 31, 2008 2:42 PM | Link to this
DOB, what was the general reaction from the guys about the new duds?
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
DAP and N8: I had a different take on the national anthem last evening. While not a fan of opera, I still prefer a straight up rendition of our national anthem than some of the interpretations we have to endure these days.
Has anybody ever sang the second verse only? That would be a novel concept!
By ElbravoX-- EbX
March 31, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Rob Neyer: (1:07 PM ET ) Well, here comes the first pitch in Detroit … and I arrived home a few moments ago to find a nice surprise … Extra Innings apparently is offering BOTH broadcasts — the home team’s and the away team’s — this year. I don’t know what took so long, but it would be crass to complain now, right?…SWEET…
By Apaul404
March 31, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Gotta get back on track tonight. No more baserunning errors.
By Original Jon
March 31, 2008 2:45 PM | Link to this
Since you are never first, guess I am.
By Where in the hell is Peachtree TV?
March 31, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
Is it the early 70’s again, I can’t watch the damn game tonight, and I’m not happy about it.
By Jokerz
March 31, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
DOB what do you think about some of the games especially the home opener on Peachtree TV as opposed to FSN or SPSO? It’s crappy that fans not in the metro area Atlanta missing out on 45 games. Oh btw FIRST!
By Dustin R.
March 31, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait to see Tom Glavine’s return to Atlanta tonight. I’ll be right in front of the TV when it starts—oh wait…that’s right, the game’s on stupid Peachtree TV so I, being about 50 miles away in Macon, can’t watch it.
Great TV deal there.
By bulldog
March 31, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
You are now, JimD.
The winning streak starts tonight!! Go Braves!!!
By Braves fan in NC
March 31, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
For anyone with DirecTV and in the Braves territory, the games on Peachtree TV will be shown on ch. 617.
By doug
March 31, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this
You know what this team needs. This team needs Letwan to go over to his Mama’s house for a big ole homemade pie. I’ll bet DOB will even stop by and pick it up on the way to the ballpark and deliver it the players himself.
Not much pie being spoken about round here anymore (that’d be a good name for a Tom Petty song). That’s a shame.
By ssiscribe
March 31, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Indeed, I love the look of Turner Field. Drove past it around 11:45 last night, after leaving the KC-inspired blog party at Frankie.
(Great time, by the way, at Frankie’s, with KC and the gang. Good company, even if the final score didn’t turn out the way we hoped. Fun times. Thanks much to KC for setting it up and we’ll have to do it again, for sure).
Where were we? Oh yeah, Turner Field. As I drove by, the lights were on and the yard stood proud by the interstate as I trucked it toward the southern rim of the capital city and a short night of sleep. Even if last night’s performance was a bit of a downer, all it took was one look at the ballpark, with its lights shining bright against the damp Georgia night, to get me fired up to push through today and get to the stadium tonight.
The home opener always gets my blood pumping. Tonight will be the 27th home opener in the past 29 years I’ve attended in person. Always one of my favorite days of the year. So many wonderful memories, memories I’m now blessed to share with my kids.
It may be chilly and overcast today, but that’s OK. Baseball season is back, and in two hours, I head north to the ballpark with the family in tow. Can’t wait to get the home portion of the schedule started.
Our second home for the next seven months is open for business this evening. Welcome home, denizens. Welcome home, Braves.
Let’s do this.
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By j-school dropout
March 31, 2008 2:52 PM | Link to this
Does anyone have a handle on this Peachtree TV thing? Is Time Warner carrying tonight’s game in Charlotte?
By woogidy
March 31, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
nice work DOB, now get to the ballpark.
By Sturg
March 31, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Good blog DOB, you always get me through the day… How do you think Glavine will fare tonight?
By Thrillhouse44
March 31, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the clean slate. Hopefully it’s time for the bloggers and the Braves to start over again on a positive note.
Here’s to the first win of the season coming tonight.
By Erik
March 31, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Hmm, Desolation Row. That’s probably my 3rd favorite song off of that album. I think that’s a compliment, strangely enough. What a fantastic album- my favorite of his.
(In case you’re wondering, it is #1 Tombstone Blues, #2 Like a Rolling Stone, #3 Desolation row)
Also: Chipper is going to rake this year. But I guess everyone knew that.
By Stuart
March 31, 2008 3:01 PM | Link to this
If you are in the Chattanooga area, the peachtree TV games will be shown on Comcast on CSS channel 27. If you have access to CSS in your neck of the woods and you are in the braves home market, you should be able to get the PTV games.
Hope this helps.
By David
March 31, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
Man, I feel kinda like a d*ck asking this, since those of you without Peachtree TV are going to get to watch the game at all, but…..is P’Tree TV broadcast in HD at all? I have Comcast…..
By john
March 31, 2008 3:04 PM | Link to this
J-school dropout Time Warner said that it will be on ch 24 in charlotte
By john
March 31, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
J-school dropout Time Warner said that it will be on ch 24 in charlotte
By john
March 31, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
J-school dropout Time Warner said that it will be on ch 24 in charlotte
By Bubdylan
March 31, 2008 3:05 PM | Link to this
Focus, Braves. If you don’t focus, you’ll (alternate pronounciation of “focus”).
By David
March 31, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
Man, I feel kinda like a d*ck asking this, since those of you without Peachtree TV aren’t going to get to watch the game at all, but…..is P’Tree TV broadcast in HD at all? I have Comcast…..
By Gamecock Brave
March 31, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
DOB new Van Morrison?! oo i like the sound of that. very exciting… How’d you get the cd before it comes out? connections? Cool guy, haha jk
DOB or anyone any hope, aside from mlb.tv, of gettin the game in Columbia SC due to it being on the esteemed network of Peachtree TV.
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this
That Detroit bullpen is getting an early season test today.
By bulldog
March 31, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
For those of you that have Cox Cable in the central Georgia area around Macon, I just got off the phone with one of their representatives. They said that they are attempting to negotiate an agreement with Peachtree TV.
The most important thing for us Braves fans is that they will, at least temporarily, be showing the Peachtree TV games on basic cable channel 15 starting with the home opener tonight at seven.
I hope this helps….
LET’S GO BRAVES!!
By woogidy
March 31, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this
I think the ratio of complaints about Peachtree TV should be less than 3 in 9. That complaint is getting old. Get over it. Extra innings isn’t really that expensive.
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
No Peachtree TV out here in Utah.
By VolBrave
March 31, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Trivia Question
How many different ballparks has Chipper Jones hit at least one homerun in?
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 3:17 PM | Link to this
Gamecock Being the cheapskate I am, I went for the $14.95 per year Audio package.
By Shamus Thacker
March 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Summa you folks need to visit Radio Shack for an old fashioned antenna.
P.S. If you happen to be a redneck, don’t install it during a thunder storm…
By Josh H
March 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
David:
It was my understanding that Comcast showed Braves games in HD on channel 755.
Of course, that channel is not in the lineup right now. And I’m a little ticked off about that. So I’ll probably have to make do watching the game in low-def.
But at least I’ll be able to see the game. Somebody, somewhere, made a big mistake with putting the games on Peachtree TV, when they weren’t prepared to address the issue of showing the games in the Braves market.
Why did I not buy tickets to the game again? Oh yeah, a strong distaste of “convenience charges”. A 25% convenience charge is a little excessive, TicketMaster.
By justinstud
March 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
I said it before and now again, TBS trying to do this national televising of games, trying to be like the NBA on TNT, and dropping the Braves has led to this Peachtree TV nonsense. I am up in Ohio and if it weren’t for the Extra Innings thing, I would never see any Braves games, which is unacceptable. It is ridiculous that people in Georgia can’t get the coverage.
Anybody else think that last night seemed like a spring training game? Seemed like they looked a little flat. Tonight will be better.
By midtownBrave
March 31, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
So not everyone gets P’tree TV? WOW, that sucks! Why are they doing this to the fans? It’s like ‘they’ are trying to kill baseball!
By tkg
March 31, 2008 3:19 PM | Link to this
I wonder if those of us in B’ham can get Peachtree on DirecTV 617?
Doubt it.
By Shamus Thacker
March 31, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
Is tonight’s game a sellout?
By matt
March 31, 2008 3:22 PM | Link to this
I’m in south GA (Bainbridge) and just found out that the Peachtree TV games will be shown here on channel 78 and 230. Oh yeah, we’re on Mediacom here.
By AC
March 31, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
David, I agree about with you about Turner Field. I always feel like I am going to a kiddie carnival than a baseball game. What can you say, I am an originalist. It’s entertainment right(sarcasim)
By THE BEAR
March 31, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
Down here in DEEP S. Florida I am going to watch tonight’s opener on my computer and on my new SAMSUNG 24” monitor via MLB-TV Premium. And what a picture it is. Just great.
By Yars
March 31, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
DOB….do you see KJ’s sore right knee being a problem throughout the season? What exactly is wrong with it? It seems like KJ has no clue as to why it’s been sore since spring training ‘07.
By VolBrave
March 31, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Up here in Nashville, the games on Peachtree TV have been picked up by CSS. FSN games go on as normal. But for some reason, we won’t get SportsSouth televised games…strange.
By BamaBravesFan
March 31, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
For those of you in B’ham with BrightHouse Cable, the Braves games that are on Peachtree TV will be shown on channel 90.
By j-school dropout
March 31, 2008 3:36 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the info, John, but 24 is TBS on Time Warner in Charlotte. I think you spoke with someone who still thought Braves games are on TBS. I hope I’m wrong, but TW tried that Okey Doke on me earlier today. They don’t know about this mess.
By brent a.
March 31, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
I live in Atlanta, but what is disappointing to me about the whole Peachtree TV thing, is that this was all very public information before last season was even over.
Even the part about PTV negotiating with with the cable companies about airing the games in some out of market areas.
All of this was known. It should not be a newsflash to anyone that the Braves moved (sort of); yet, here were are at opening day, and the cable companies are scrambling because Braves fans all over the south can’t watch Tom Glavine’s return.
Am I the only one who pays this much attention to TV/Sports on TV?
I really don’t think so.
However, sadly, I do think that I pay more attention to TV/Sports on TV than the cable companies themselves, which is borderline ridiculous.
By kdbanks
March 31, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Chipper got two really good pitches to hit last night. The first on the homerun of course, but the second on the line drive that the picture just happened to snag in his glove. He smoked that one, and I believe that was a righty reliever, so he smoked one from each side of the plate. I’m guessing that having Tex behind him led to a couple of juicy fastballs.
By N8
March 31, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
Somebody call and tell Buck and Kincade that they need to simmer down a little bit. The season is ONLY one game old.
Good god.
Signed……The Pot
By j-school dropout
March 31, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
To the guy who said Extra Innings isn’t that much money. It’s $160, and it’s not even in HD. Also, I’m paying for thousands of games I don’t want to see. Let me pay for just the Braves in HD for about $50 for the season, about a dollar per game on Peachtree and then I’d agree with you. But Extra Innings is way too high, and you have to have a converter box to see it, so only one TV in my house can get it. This stuff sucks. I hate TBS!
By Jokerz
March 31, 2008 3:42 PM | Link to this
Looks like Charter picked up the CSS feed for the Peachtree TV games in the Carolinas. Good news abounds for Los Bravos…. !!!!
By jbutler
March 31, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Out here in dusty ‘ol cowtown Denver, we will never get to see a Braves game except for the 2x/year they might make it to ESPN. Its insane. Truly- we have two major franchises (Avs/Nuggets) who are about to be in the playoffs, and you stand a better chance of finding Waldo than one of their games.
But you can catch the football arena league anytime you want!! So…I will get my Braves fix next week during their Coors Field trip. Hope it doesn’t turn into ski weather. Ugh.
By brent a.
March 31, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Something else:
Why do people complain so much about “convenience charges”?
When doing so, do they actually take the time to consider their own personal cost (both in $$$ and time spent) to drive to Turner Field and buy tickets?
Personally, it is easier/cheaper for me to go to TF, but if it weren’t, I’d gladly absorb the convenience charge.
I guess some of you long for the days of paying by the minute for long-distance phone calls, and waiting on hold to speak with a ticket representative, who then tries to describe to you the different sections of the ballpark.
Or better yet, I guess we could go back to the days of sleeping on the sidewalk the night before tickets went on sale so we could be first in line.
By Lew
March 31, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
John Adcox-It’s no trouble-it just might take me a bit longer, is all. Contact me LewHartman@comcast.net
Nathan-I don’t take your rants as angry, but you ARE in mid season form, that’s certain. Better take it easy or you’ll burn yourself out by May. Stockpile those anti depressants, Dude. Looks like you’re going to need them.
By The Piece
March 31, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
Am I the only one who thinks (while a die-hard braves fan) that if we were going to lose a game all season that this is the one to lose. For a relatively young team, in a brand new stadium playing for a city that probably will not sell out a lot of games to come out and experience a great night with a thrilling victory. Perhaps this will spark more interest in an otherwise not very good team—and that’s only a good thing in baseball.
What do you all think. As annoyed as I was last night with the loss, I found myself thinking that it really was probably a really great thing for the Nats.
By David O'Brien
March 31, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Almost forgot the big event of the night, of couse: Glavine’s return in a Braves uni. I went back in the original post and wrote something about it.
What do you guys think? Standing ovation for him tonight? I’m betting it happens when he’s introduced, a louder ovation than anyone except perhaps Smoltz and Chipper. It’ll be interesting to see (and hear).
OK, going down to the clubhouse.
By Robert (chipper Is The Best)
March 31, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
All this complaining about the televison situation is falling on deaf ears over here. I live in Oklahoma and can’t see the Braves at all unless they are on ESPN or Fox because of TBS dropping their telecasts. I think my cable company has extra innings but won’t show it until the NHL season is over because the cable company is so backwoods that apparently they can’t show both Extra Innings and the NHL at the same time!
By joe
March 31, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
kelly johnson looks lost, hudson throws the ball away at first, two throws by francouer that should have nailed both runners..it did look like spring training.. chipper looked great at the plate and in the field.. go braves..101 wins..
By StingerSplash
March 31, 2008 3:51 PM | Link to this
DOB,
First of all, how are you listening to Van Morrison before it’s out next week? What kind of underground, black market connection do you have? Second, how scared do the visiting clubhouse attendants get when they see Ray King walking in, thinking about how much more food they have to put out? Would he be Bill Gates rich if he stuffed his meal money into stocks instead of his gut?
By kdbanks
March 31, 2008 3:52 PM | Link to this
Clearly I meant “pitcher” and not “picture”…sorry to the blog’s editorial advisory board. :)
By Yars
March 31, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
VolBrave…..Man it makes no sense that you don’t get Braves games that are to be on SportSouth & you live in Nashville.
By Drew
March 31, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Kelly Johnson and Yunel looked like they were soccer players in Braves uniforms. They looked more foreign to the game than Scotty Smalls from the Sandlot. The baserunning errors are excusable in Pee-Wee gentlemen. Hudson looked AWESOME….after the first inning. I just thought Bobby would have this team a little better prepared than they looked. Let’s cross our fingers for Tommy tonight though and pray for our bats…
By N8
March 31, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
kdbanks
“Chipper got two really good pitches to hit last night.”
Actually, he got THREE really good pitches to hit. He popped the first one up to RF.
Even the great ones miss a pitch once in a while. But more often than not, Chipper HAMMERS that pitch he popped up in the first inning.
By kdbanks
March 31, 2008 3:57 PM | Link to this
Absolutely a standing “o” for Tommy, but I bet Bobby will get a big one too from the fans who want to make sure this isn’t his last season.
By tarheelbrave
March 31, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
I wish the games were on tbs like the old days don’t get to see as many as i used dig the new road uniforms go Braves
By VolBrave
March 31, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
I think my 3:16 trivia question scared off some people…
True Braves fans: How many different ballparks has Chipper hit at least one homerun?
By Chop Chop
March 31, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
The season opener against the Nats last night is the type of game that I will be mad about if it happens repeatedly throughout the season. Otherwise, it’s just one game. Whoop-dee-do.
By Interested Observer
March 31, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
For those of us outside the Atlanta area, how is the weather there today? Is there any threat of rain for the game tonight?
By McFann
March 31, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Speaking of Tom Glavine pitching against Pittsburgh, the very first game I ever went to was Tom against the Pirates. That was back in ‘97, when Turner Field still had that “new Stadium smell”. My Dad won two tickets from a radio show, and since he had taken my brother to a football game back in the fall, he took me to see the Braves. (My sister was still a baby) The date was May 3rd, and the Braves lost 3-0. Jeff Blauser had three of our four hits. (I wouldn’t know that now had it not been for Baseball-Reference.com.) We had GREAT SEATS, too—aisle 111, row 17: seats 1 and 2…or 2 and 3…Anyway, my ticket says seat 2.
That lineup would look really old if it wasn’t for Chipper. He and Tom are the only ones who are still playing. But check this out:
Lineup:
K. Lofton
M. Tucker
C. Jones
F. McGriff
R. Klesko
J. Lopez
M. Lemke (Dirt)
J. Blauser
T. Glavine
And the Braves record after that loss was 20-8—not bad!
It was Tom’s first loss of the year…Let’s hope he doesn’t get the same result tonight!
By Saltywoody
March 31, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Glavine’s got my applause. I just hope we give him a lot more run support than Huddie got last night.
Anyone have any idea if the game is being televised tonight? And, if so, what channel?
By Spider29
March 31, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
I will be very disappointed if the Atlanta fans boo Tom Glavine. If I was attending the game, I’d give him a standing O. Alas, I will be watching on Extra Innings instead of being there in person. By the way, if anyone out there knows whether or not Comsouth Cable in the Perry, GA area will be carrying the game tonight, please let me know. My parents are big fans and hope to watch tonight.
By Dr. Tobias Funke
March 31, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
Regarding last night’s sloppy play — let’s not lose sight of the fact that it was 43 degrees out there. That’s not exactly conducive to slugfests, especially when the batters can’t feel their hands.
By shawshank
March 31, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
DOB, I write to agree on your revised evaluation of Nationals Park. It sure beats RFK, but it does not have the feel of Turner. Put simply, Nats Park needs continuing development to make it less “bland.” It has potential, but they need to keep building it. Ultimately, as Half Street develops, it will gain character, which will be very good.
And one more thing — they must fix the concessions lines, or it will be a real mess.
By VolBrave
March 31, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
Thank you Yars, I’ll never understand it. Both Knoxville and Memphis markets get SportsSouth but not Nashville (middle TN)…go figure
By ncscoots
March 31, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
I’m happy for Glavine, truly I am, despite my offseason comments on his signing. But he has no picnic tonight with Ian Snell. Nor Jurrjens tomorrow with Gorzelanny. Many bloggers may dismiss the Pirates, but those two pitchers are the real deal. They aren’t exactly the recipe for getting your hitting shoes broken in.
Having said that, of course, Braves will probably score 25 runs in the series, LOL.
By Joe Don Barker
March 31, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Well Erik - I’ve got to say order of kickassishniss from Dylan’s Hwy 61 Revisited is as follows:
1) Just Like Tom Thumb’s Blues 2) It Takes a Lot to Laugh )it takes a train to cry) 3) From a Buick 6
Desolation Row would come in much further down the list (it’s about 2 minutes too long)
By N8
March 31, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Lew
“Stockpile those anti depressants, Dude. Looks like you’re going to need them.”
Is that a “round-about” way of saying you think it’s gonna be a long season for the Bravos? :-)
Oooops. How silly of me to ask such a question to Mr. Optimism. LOL!
Just giving you crap man.
But on a serious note, if the Braves aren’t up 10-0 by the end of the 2nd inning, I am gonna REALLY freak out.
OK. That’s not all together true.
VolBrave
The answer to your question, with last night’s HR, is 35. Leaving 5 parks that he’s had AB’s in that he HASN’T hit a HR in.
Can you name them?
By chemdawg
March 31, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this
Who else cringed every time the president opened his mouth to talk? When asked about steroids Bush tried to talk about new designer drugs but couldn’t piece together a single coherent sentence. Does anyone have a recording of his booth appearance?
By boca brave
March 31, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
i was discussing last night’s game with a couple of guys at work. We agreed that Hudson had Cy Young Award stuff last night-as good as I’ve ever seen him pitch. Everything was down and moving, big time moving. I know it’s only one game, but he could have a monster year. Now, let’s score some runs!!!
By Lew
March 31, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
It will be interesting to see whose reception gets the most boos-Glavine or Our Esteemed Presidential Person.
By Yars
March 31, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Tommy will get a standing ovation if Bobby takes him out of the game like in the 5th or 6th inning & the Braves are ahead. While Tommy is walking back to the dugout, we will then officially forgive & forget that he was ever in a Mets uniform. It would be really cool if he were to tip his hat to the crowd.
By flange1
March 31, 2008 4:22 PM | Link to this
Afternoon all,
I missed out on yesterday’s game and blog and KC’s viewing because of a nasty car wreck, but I am primed for tonight’s match up.
Remember 1 game does not a season make.
I will standing for Tommy G!
The winning streak starts tonight!
By etownbrave
March 31, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Any hope for us DISH customers in NE Georgia?
By stutterin' br-br-brave
March 31, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
b-b-b-bottom line:
br-br-br-brave are 0 and 1
Last pl-pl-pl-place.
By Saltywoody
March 31, 2008 4:25 PM | Link to this
Bush was HILARIOUS last night, by the way.
His posture and demeanor were as if he were sitting on the couch at home, with a can of coors in a koozie, shootin the fat…you know, about the same as if he were holding a press conference on the war or something.
2 lines come to mind:
President is asked what he’s doing the next few days. He responds in his riotous southern drawl “Well, Joe, headed out to the Ukraine in a couple hours,” as if “the Ukraine” were only a hope skip and a jump away.
When commenting on Chipper’s homer and being teased about his very high presidential first pitch, he comments “Well, you know? If he’d thrown it up there like I did, he never would’ve had it hit out.”
Frankly, I think Bushie needs to join the commentating crew on a major sports network after he’s done ruining the reputation of the US presidency. I mean, how good would he look alongside Boomer, Dan Marino, et al on Sunday during the season?
By Lew
March 31, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
Nathan-Nah Dude, just concerned for your mental health. If this first game garners such an outburst, then you should lose it before the end of April.
By N8
March 31, 2008 4:27 PM | Link to this
chemdawg
Why does it surprise you that G.W. struggled behind the mic last night? Without giving any political commentary, he has NEVER been comfortable when discussing political topics, so WHY would he sound comfy talking baseball?
I suspect that Joe Simpson and Skip Caray would sound just as ridiculous if they were guests on Bill O’Reilly’s show or the Daily Show, or am I wrong?
We used to have a local radio station that every friday would have local bands come on and play a few tunes acoustically and gab for a while, and every now and then, if one of the DJ’s was off on vacation they would have a local band guy come down and fill in on the morning show. I did that twice and it SUCKS. It takes a special breed of person to be able to talk to literally ONE other guy in the booth (in person), but to be speaking to many who are tuning in without sounding like an idiot.
Ask DOB if he liked filling with Pete this spring. While DOB did a fine job, and obviously knows a thing or two about baseball, he didn’t appear to be real comfortable doing it.
Why would he? It’s not his gig.
If you don’t like G.W., that’s fine by me. I’ve never stated my political beliefs (other than on the steroids issue) on this blog, and I’m not gonna start now.
Feel free to rag on the man for what he hasn’t or hasn’t done as the PUSA, but to rip the guy for his “play by play” ability, is a bit silly, dontcha’ think?
By Josh H
March 31, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
Agreed on Gorzelanny and Snell. Even if we can’t hit these guys well, we need to work the count. Get them out of there and get into the bullpen.
Of course…if we can hit them well, that will be nice too :)
By JoshfromDEC
March 31, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
I imagine the ovation for Glavine tonight will be an overwhelming positive one, rivaling one’s of past for the likes of Andres Galaraga upon his return from cancer. Hit what ended up being a game winning home run and I personally have never witnessed something so inspiring. Look for a solid start tonight! GO BRAVES!
By VolBrave
March 31, 2008 4:29 PM | Link to this
N8… thanks for the answer.
I do not know the other 5 parks, but am willing to throw a quick guess without much thinking going into it: Petco (SD) Safeco(Seattle) Fenway Tropicana (TB) Ballpark in Arlington
By Greg in TN
March 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
Evening friends and neighbors…
Sitting in my temporary digs just across Pollard Blvd from the focal point of Braves Nation and the view is mighty nice indeed.
DOB, will try and get down to say hey during BP either tonight or Wednesday if you’re around the cage.
I’ll be cheering for number 47 when he takes the mound for his second tour of duty with dixie’s darlings. A solid start to his season tonight will do much to turn the page from last night’s game.
We’ll find out soon enough whether the bats have thawed on the trip down from the beltway. In two appearances last year against Snell, the Braves were able to plate nine runs (six of which were earned) on 15 hits and 3 homers. It’s feast or famine with Snell, he either strikes out a bunch or gets lit up.
Time to shut ‘er down here and get ready to make the walk over to the ballpark. Nothing like the home opener on Planet Braves gang.
By tj
March 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
TO Dustin R
If you have Cox Cable in Macon you can see the game on Cox channel 15. They have all the Peachtree games scheduled on that channel.
By OrlandoFan
March 31, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this
McFann…nice post about 1999. Made me feel old! Powerful lineup… But a frustrating one, too. But that rotation that year. That fast start carried the team a long way.
By STRETCH
March 31, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
Whats the point of having satellite when you cant watch a baseball team? I HATE ALL THESE CHANGES AND TBS FOR DROPPING BRAVES B-BALL!!!
By cricket
March 31, 2008 4:37 PM | Link to this
Robert (chipper Is The Best) NHL season is still going on?:) You may want to subscribe mlb.tv as it can be cancelled anytime. Off course this will work only if you have broadband internet connection in the backwoods.:). You can connect your comp to the TV and then it is pretty good.
By BravesBlast.com
March 31, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
I can’t wait for tonight’s game or the season. Getting ready to head down to the ballpark for the first game in our season tickets.
I can’t wait to see Glav tonight. I’ll be cheering for sure - I hope we don’t hear any boos. Need to get a W on the board tonight!
By Robert (chipper Is The Best)
March 31, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
N8, I bet Skip would do great on Bill O’Reilly’s show or The Daily Show. Fact is, Bush sounded last night like he does during every press conference…………….AN IDIOT!
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Enough of the negative commentary about the President. N8, thanks for the comments. There might actually be some of us that approve of the job he has done. Nobody ever claimed Dubya was a strong speaker.
(I promise not to rag on liberal political persons, though they make themselves easy “targets” sometimes too.)
By Josh H
March 31, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
ESPN’s production crew ticked me off after the first inning in their need to focus on anything besides the game.
But you have to admit, the “Presidential K-Zone” was pretty classic…
By N8
March 31, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
VolBrave
You’ve got 2 of the 5 correct. (Texas park - whatever the hell it was called last time Chipper played there & Safeco).
The other 3?
Oakland’s stadium (again - who knows what it’s called now), Jacob’s Field, and one that is “listed” as being against Washington, which I believe is the park down in San Juan?? I could be wrong. I didn’t recognize the stadium and already forgot what it was called.
The BEST baseball “stats” sight, IMO is:
baseball-reference.com
ANYTHING you want to know about players or teams is available there. I’m sure there are other sites that are cool, but that’s the one that I use (I fear change - so I’ll continue going there. It’s kind of like ordering the SAME thing every time you eat at a particular resaurant.)
By N8
March 31, 2008 4:53 PM | Link to this
Robert (chipper Is The Best)
“N8, I bet Skip would do great on Bill O’Reilly’s show or The Daily Show. Fact is, Bush sounded last night like he does during every press conference…………….AN IDIOT!”
You are probably correct about Skip. LOL!
But your final comment lets your TRUE feelings about GW shine through. You think he is an idiot. Period.
So WHY ON EARTH would you expect anything less of him as a baseball commentator.
Rosie O’Donnell is fat and ugly. And if somebody put her in a booth with two super-models…she STILL would be fat an ugly.
You is what you is, right?
Speaking of being “what you is”, Buck and Kincade just mentioned that Andruw grounded out in his first Dodgers AB. :-)
By BravesBlast.com
March 31, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this
baseball-reference.com is a great site. I’d also recommend firstinning.com for prospect information.
By SandyB
March 31, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
I don’t know…I personally was rather impressed that W knew about Francoeur getting hit in the face. Do you think he reads the blog?
Josh H.: I agree with the presidential K zone. Pretty funny stuff. The boys got on my nerves a little, though, with the “this is the first….”
By TJ
March 31, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
N8, it’s obvious that you have a bit of a reputation, so I’ll quit complaining about your complaining, as it’s apparently what you do. Not to say I won’t argue, but not about that.
As to the “take” sign for Frenchy, go to baseballreference and look at Jeff’s career batting “after 0-1”. This is just a guy who can’t afford to give away one strike. This is why I don’t think forcing him to take pitches is a good way to teach him.
Actually, I do share your frustrations with him, if not your expectations. I think some hitters (usually the very good ones) have an innate ability to detect a hittable pitch very early.
As athletically blessed as he is, I don’t think Jeff has this ability in big measure. I DO think he’s working at it (or at least he’s said he is), and hopefully he’ll improve.
By Robert (chipper Is The Best)
March 31, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
N8, you’re right about Rosie and I did let my true feelings slip about Bush. I can’t help it. Everytime I hear that man speak I think I’m listening to some 8 year old who is being forced to speak and use big words he can’t pronounce nor knows what they mean.
By mo in the boonies
March 31, 2008 5:11 PM | Link to this
Well crap, as usual just when I post the blog changes, so I’m moving it over here.
N8 I have to agree with you on much of the last night’s game stuff. Team looked exactly like the one at the end of last season. I had hopes for more. But you had me wondering for a while how you were going to play in the NBA with three feet…. Seems like you would be constantly stumbling over one of them….oh, you meant three feet taller! nevermind…;-)
I absolutely hate both Miller and Morgan, but Miller has to be the most asinine one of the pair. And damn, but I’m sick of wasting most of the game time watching the guys in the Booth. Half the time they don’t even know who is up to bat, and they didn’t even mention the new uniforms. Although I have to disagree with the ones who were knocking the President. No matter how much anyone dislikes him, or what party he belongs to, they should respect the Office of the Presidency. As for how the President was in the Booth last night must depend on the eye of the beholder. I too thought he came across as the real Bush: A nice, human guy, who loves baseball. He wasn’t there to be political, nor Presidential
Won’t be able to see the Braves game tonight. :-(
By AGTfan
March 31, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Shamus Thacker P.S. If you happen to be a redneck, don’t install it during a thunder storm…
But if you’re a real bad redneck, please do.
McFann Were you long out of diapers for that 97 game? just kidding.
But I bet I was older for my first game a ATL-Fulton County than you were for your Turner Field game. Heck, I’m afraid I might have been older for my first Ponce de Leon Park game. $@#$@##
By McFann
March 31, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Thanks, OrlandoFan. Yeah, I’d take a start like that now. Heck, they just gotta go 20-7 in their next 27 games, and there we are!
I thought Dudya was funny last night! And I’m with Wayne & N8—enough with the trash talk of our Commander In Chief. This is a baseball blog; let’s not get all political.
The BEST baseball “stats” sight, IMO is:
baseball-reference.com
ANYTHING you want to know about players or teams is available there. I’m sure there are other sites that are cool, but that’s the one that I use (I fear change - so I’ll continue going there. It’s kind of like ordering the SAME thing every time you eat at a particular resaurant.) N8
I agree. And I order the SAME thing every time I eat at particular restaurant, too.
: )
By McFann
March 31, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this
Thanks, OrlandoFan. Yeah, I’d take a start like that now. Heck, they just gotta go 20-7 in their next 27 games, and there we are!
I thought Dudya was funny last night! And I’m with Wayne & N8—enough with the trash talk of our Commander In Chief. This is a baseball blog; let’s not get all political.
The BEST baseball “stats” sight, IMO is:
baseball-reference.com
ANYTHING you want to know about players or teams is available there. I’m sure there are other sites that are cool, but that’s the one that I use (I fear change - so I’ll continue going there. It’s kind of like ordering the SAME thing every time you eat at a particular resaurant.) N8
I agree. And I order the SAME thing every time I eat at particular restaurant, too.
: )
By knoxbrave
March 31, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Just an FYI for those who use Knology for cable (not a huge company, but still) — they signed their deal with Peachtree TV Friday at 3 p.m., and should have it up and running by Thursday at the latest. Some markets by tonight.
So this is good.
By McFann
March 31, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
Sorry if that last post of mine comes up twice. I accidently closed the window just as I sent it, so I sent it again.
I loved the Presidential K-Zone! That was great! I also liked it when Dubya said—about Perez when he gave up Chipper’s homer—“If he’da pitched the pitch I pitched, that wouldn’t’ve happened.” Haha! Classic!
By McFann
March 31, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, AGTfan. The day after the game, I lost my first tooth!
By Wayne in Utah
March 31, 2008 5:32 PM | Link to this
McFann and N8
Yeah, I order the same thing at my fav restaurants too: Whopper w/ Cheese, no onions……..
By Commies
March 31, 2008 5:33 PM | Link to this
A Huge sports fan but all of you anti bush commies at Nationals Park who booed Bush last night are morons. Unedu