AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 25 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USChipper, chop shops, and Shea
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
New York — So here we are, back at Shea Stadium for the first of our three visits in the swan-song season of the multi-purpose relic located across the streeet from many of Flushing’s finest automobile chop shops.
Far as I know, they haven’t planned any beer dousing or other special presentation for Chipper Jones, the man that iron-lunged Shea fans love to hate most (well, except for that brief period when he was supplanted by John Rocker).
Chipper comes to town on one of his best surges in years, and the Braves are on a good run themselves. Or had some of you forgotten? I know, those back-to-back mid-week losses against Washington and Florida took some of the oomph out of it for many of you, particularly the disappointing loss on the night John Smoltz got his 3,000th strikeout.
But the fact remains, the Braves are 6-2 with a .313 team batting average and 2.13 ERA in their past eight games. They have the best record, batting average and ERA in the NL East in that span, better even than the Phillies, who’ve crushed 18 homers in their last eight games (5-3).
The other three teams in the division have a .500 or below record in their past eight games, including the Mets, who’ve hit .242 with a 4.07 ERA while splitting their last eight games.
Speaking of Chipper, as good as he’s been lately, there’s no guarantee that he’ll be the NL Player of the Month (he was already passed over for the weekly honor despite back-to-back two-homer games).
Because while Chipper is batting a majors-leading (by a wide margin) .442 with four doubles, seven homers, 20 RBI and a 1.217 on base-plus-slugging percentage (OPS), Philly’s Chase Utley is hitting .385 with more extra-base hits (20), more homers (10), more RBI (21) and a higher OPS (1.288, best in the majors).
The American League has been known as the superior offensive league for years, but right now, this month, senior-circuit stars are putting up far superior numbers.
In fact, the top seven OPS totals in the majors are by National League players, led by Utley and teammate Pat Burrell (1.224). Chipper (1.217) is third and Albert Pujols (1.135) is fourth.
The NL’s seventh-highest OPS belongs to Lance Berkman (1.102), while the AL leader is Manny Ramirez (1.101).
But enough statistical overload…. I saw the latest Judd Apatow comedy, Forgetting Sarah Marshall, yesterday. Loved it. But I have to disagree with one of our denizens who said it was funnier than Superbad or Knocked Up.
Funniest movie I’ve seen since Juno, yes. But not funnier than Superbad, in my opinion. But I’d put all of Apatow’s recent movies, 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad and Forgetting Sarah Marshall on my all-time list of comedies, a top 25 or 30 or whatever.
Hey, I’m not offended by raunchy comedy, not when it’s as clever as what Apatow and his crew put out. This stuff is laugh-out-loud brilliant. And they showed previews for yet another one that’s coming out this summer.
Don’t know how long he can keep his golden touch going, but it’s been an impressive run, for sure.
OK, back to statistical overload…. To underscore how much more depth the Braves have in their rotation now compared to a year ago at this time, consider this: Atlanta starters rank second in the NL with a 3.05 ERA, just behind Arizona (3.04).
This despite the fact that John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, Mike Hampton and Chuck James have all spent time on the disabled list.
Think about that — Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton and James have all been on the DL, or are still on it, and we’re only 21 games into the season. And still, Braves starters rank second in the NL with a 3.05 ERA.
The Braves have managed to use only six different starters, despite all the health woes. The only one of the six who has an ERA over 3.20 is Chuck James (2-1, 7.62), whom the Braves probably didn’t plan to have in the majors this early, after he rested his shoulder all winter to heal a partial rotator-cuff tear.
James (three) and Bennett (two) have also given up five of the seven homers yielded by Braves starters. The other four starte4rs have given up a total of two homers in 90-1/3 innings.
In overall staff ERA, the Braves’ 3.50 also ranks second in the NL, behind Arizona’s 3.09.
The largely inexperienced and injury-depleted bullpen has been shaky some nights and ranks ninth in the league with a 4.17 ERA. But given that they’ve been without their best two relievers, Peter Moylan and Rafael Soriano, for much of April, I’m frankly surprised the Braves don’t rank below ninth in ERA.
And by the way, for those who keep saying you’re not sold on Acosta, what does the guy have to do exactly? What’s it gonna take to convince some of you?
The guy was tagged for four runs in his first appearance March 31. But since then he’s pitched 10-1/3 scoreless innings in nine appearances, with a miniscule .147 opponets’ average in that stretch, no more than one hit or one walk in any appearance until he walked two in two hitless innings last night.
Seriously, that’s enough stat talk…. There are a few good bands this weekend in New York, now we’ll just have to see if we can avoid rain delays Saturday and Sunday and try to make it out to see some music after a day game.
American Music Club is playing at the Music Hall I Williamsburg (Brooklyn) Saturday and the Mercury Lounge on the Lower East Side on Sunday. That would be cool to see. Definite possibility. Fiery Furnaces are playing Saturday, but they’re a bit too odd for my tastes.
Paul Simon is also playing a sort of American music retrospective with the great Gillian Welch and Grizzly Bear at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, but all nights are sold out Friday through Sunday.
Several great shows — Crowded House, Feist, Was (Not Was), Van Hunt, etc. — here next week, but I leave for D.C. on Monday morning.
Hey, while I’m thinking about it. Just saw footage of Wesley Snipes leaving court after his sentencing yesterday on tax-evasion charges (three years; yikes). Someone should’ve told Wesley that the glasses and Nipsey Russell haircut made him look sort of peculiar for a courtroom appearance in 2008.
OK, just one more stat flurry: David Wright strikes me as sort of the Mets’ version of a young Chipper Jones. But you’ll have to excuse the Braves if perhaps they don’t fear Wright as much as some other teams do, or at least if they’re not quite as mindful of Wright as the Mets are of Chipper.
Because against the Braves, The World’s Most Interesting Man (I’m aping the Dos Equis commercials, which, by the way, seem to me like a total ripoff of the SNL Bill Brasky skit) hasn’t exactly cut great swaths with his bat.
Or maybe it’s because they have been mindful of him in the past couple of seasons, after Wright hit a bunch of homers against them earlier.
Anyway, Wright has a .262 career average and .346 on-base percentage against the Braves, compared to .311 overall career average and .390 OBP. He had six homers against the Braves as a rookie in 2005, and a two-homer game against them in ’06.
But in his last 27 games against the Braves, Wright has hit .198 (20-for-101) with 26 strikeouts, a .287 OBP and more errors (five) than home runs (four).
Chipper hasn’t shredded the Mets in recent years anywhere near like he did in 1999 and a few other seasons. But since the beginning of the ’05 season, he’s still hit .285 with six homers, 20 RBI and a .375 OBP in 35 games against them.
By the way, Chipper has more homers (38) against the Mets than against any other team, but he’s hit for a higher average against three NL teams than his .328 vs. the Mets (.334 vs. Philly, .331 vs. Houston, .330 vs. Arizona).
And his best overall numbers against an NL opponent are actually against Philly. He’s hit .334 with 37 homers, 116 RBI and a 1.060 OPS in 178 games against the Phillies, and hit .328 with 38 homers, 118 RBI and a .988 OPS in 179 games against the Mets.
But he named one of his sons Shea for a reason: Chipper’s hit .310 in 83 games at Shea with more homers (19) and RBI (53) than at any ballpark outside Atlanta.
He’s got higher slugging percentages at several other NL parks than he does at Shea (.565), including the current parks at San Diego (.813, are you kidding me?), Houston, Cincinnati and Colorado.
But even if he were to have another child, I don’t think there’s any chance he’d name him or her PETCO, Minute Maid (or Enron), Great America, or Coors.
At least I hope not.
Oh, and in case you were wondering: Hoss is 1-for-4 with a homer against tonight’s Mets starter Mike Pelfrey, and 4-for-7 with a homer against Saturday starter John Maine.
Since we’re at Shea…. Let’s go out with a tune by the coolest four guys who ever played at Shea — the Clash (and don’t argue the Beatles were cooler, please. Bigger, yes; cooler, no.) This one was written by bass player Paul Simonon, not Joe Strummer.
“GUNS OF BRIXTON” by The Clash
When they kick out your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
When the law break in
How you gonna go?
Shot down on the pavement
Or waiting in death row
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you’ll have to answer to
Ohh, Guns of Brixton
The money feels good
And your life you like it well
But surely your time will come
As in heaven, as in hell
You see, he feels like Ivan
Born under the Brixton sun
His game is called survivin’
At the end of the harder they come
You know it means no mercy
They caught him with a gun
No need for the Black Maria
Goodbye to the Brixton sun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you’ll have to answer to
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
When they kick out your front door
How you gonna come?
With your hands on your head
Or on the trigger of your gun
You can crush us
You can bruise us
And even shoot us
But ohh, the guns of Brixton
Shot down on the pavement
Waiting in death row
His game was survivin’
As in heaven as in hell
You can crush us
You can bruise us
But you’ll have to answer to
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
Ohh, the guns of Brixton
Comments
By Herschel Talker
April 25, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
THIRD!
By brian
April 25, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
1st?
By Johnny G
April 25, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Tommy Hanson on Weekly hot prospect sheet again! Where’s Jo-Jo? And since we’re still on the farm- Heyward is hitting over .300… Can’t complain too much about our kids
By Pfunkatl
April 25, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
WHAT A DAY for Chipper! Hope I am first, but if not, so be it. BAD error call on Yunel as well.
By 18 Wheels of Love
April 25, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Peterbilt Peterbilt
Wow…Isbell and the DBT’s live within a 2 week span! Gonna be fun!
By Robert
April 25, 2008 2:07 PM | Link to this
DOB
Is Phil Stockman the player getting called up
By Stuart
April 25, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
What did the city ever do with all those Chop Shops across the street from Shea?
Gosh, I hate that place.
By 22oz
April 25, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Any word on who the new bullpen arm will be?
By redgoat
April 25, 2008 2:18 PM | Link to this
I do believe that Preacher Boy over there sounds a bit like Blanche Dubois
Well, anyways, Go Braves!
By Captain Calabash
April 25, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
Ron, Julia, party of two. Your table is ready.
We think you’ll like our SAMMICHES.
The sammiches might leave a bit of a pooch though.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
And by the way, for those who keep saying you’re not sold on Acosta, what does the guy have to do exactly? What’s it gonna take to convince some of you?
Maybe because Acosta has a career minor league BB/9 Innings ratio of 5.23 to go along with 1.54 WHIP and almost allowing a hit an inning in something like 450 innings.
He has had a pretty good 30 innings of major league work thus far, but I am sorry if I am still waiting for a larger sample size before I evaluate Acosta.
By Thrillhouse44
April 25, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Acosta reminds me of one of the pitchers from the Nintendo game Bases Loaded. Very tall, very thin. Has anyone else noticed that?
By WordWizardHobo
April 25, 2008 2:24 PM | Link to this
Nice blog DOB. I’m excited to see how Jair does against the Mets this weekend. Good reference to Bill Brasky….
“Did I ever tell you about the time Brasky took me out to go get a drink with him? We go off looking for a bar and we can’t find one. Finally Brasky takes me to a vacant lot and says, ‘Here we are.’ We sat there for a year and a half — until sure enough, someone constructs a bar around us. Well, the day they opened we ordered a shot, drank it, and then burned the place to the ground. Brasky yelled over the roar of the flames, ‘Always leave things the way you found ‘em!”
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
Braves haven’t announced the callup yet, and I’m going to get on the 7 train. So if it they release it in next 45 minutes, it might be on their sight, but not gonna have it here until I get to ballpark.
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, regarding your post from the last blog about the Braves developing front-line, “ace” pitchers:
I would argue that Jason Schmidt and Kevin Millwood, maybe Wainwright, will end up with better careers than quite a few of those guys you listed. A LOT of those guys you listed are still very young and we all know about young pitching.
Going through I only count about 12 of those guys (out of those 23 teams) that have actually been ace/front-line type pitchers for more than a season or two in the majors.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 2:38 PM | Link to this
(Maybe less class for Amazin, but he’s funny and seems to be good-natured.) Bottom line is both of you guys would take Smoltz and Chipper in a heartbeat, if for no other reason than to not have to face them any more.
hey I gots lots of class, it’s just a little lower class. And as I have said several times on here Chipper is my favorite non-Mets player. I have tremendous respect for the way he hits against us and the Phillies. And I have few biases against the Braves, heck some of my best friends are Braves fans, but don’t youse tell anybody. It’s kinda embarrassing.
By DAP
April 25, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
bill brasky has nothing on chipper jones.
id love to see him continue his good start against the mets.
pelfry has done ok this year, though his last start was not a good one. hes not a stikeout guy, but more of a ground ball pitcher, which i think is good for the braves. he hasnt thrown more than 100 pitches, so if we can work the count, and let make him throw alot of pitches early, we can get into thier bullpen, and hopefully face sosa!!!!
By Smoothie
April 25, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
No way in hell that Superbad is funnier than 40 Year Old Virgin.
Thanks for the great bloggin’ Dave. Never thought a reformed Yankees fan like myself would be blogging on a die-hard Braves blog. Then again, never thought there would be such a thing as sports blogs!
Go Bravos! Sweep the Mets!
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this
Payne: I know I didn’t list all I could during that span. But I’m not sure you’re going to get much better numbers out of Schit or Millwood. For Millwoood not until he has a contract due and Schit will never be the same again if he ever pitches again. Either way the point remains, All of those guys are not Braves on the list and they are all getting the Press and have been for years which is what instigates the perception coupled with the tag line “pitching rich” that usually goes with the Braves.
By redgoat
April 25, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this
hey I gots lots of class, it’s just a little lower class. And as I have said several times on here Chipper is my favorite non-Mets player. I have tremendous respect for the way he hits against us and the Phillies. And I have few biases against the Braves, heck some of my best friends are Braves fans, but don’t youse tell anybody. It’s kinda embarrassing.
hey, i’d be embarrassed as well if the only friend I had better than the right hand was the left hand.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
You know, the coolest band to ever play Shea was the Beatles. Not the Clash. And don’t even try to argue the other way… oh wait a minute. “Coolness” is in the eye of the beholder and not an official ranking. Carry on.
By David-ATL14
April 25, 2008 2:53 PM | Link to this
* Stockman recalled*
Per MLB Gameday Notes
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 2:56 PM | Link to this
we can get into thier bullpen, and hopefully face Sosa!!!!
Or Heilman for that matter. They’ve both been atrocious lately. But you’d expect that much out of Sosa.
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, fair enough. But I’d say perception isn’t reality and a good portion of those guys won’t become ace/front-line type pitchers.
Yes, some teams have done much better than the Braves at developing front-line pitchers recently, some have done a little better, but I’d argue quite a few have done worse.
I guess my point is that I think it’s a mistake to assume something is wrong with the farm system/player development because it hasn’t developed an ace type pitcher. They aren’t as easy to develop as it might seem at first glance.
By Cecil34
April 25, 2008 2:59 PM | Link to this
DOB - Off of baseball for a sec.
Have you heard or seen Rocco Deluca and the Burden? - now that guy can play some guitar!
By Thrillhouse44
April 25, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this
“…and I’m going to get on the 7 train” Be sure to tell Rocker we said hello.
By AmazinsAgain08
April 25, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
hey, i’d be embarrassed as well if the only friend I had better than the right hand was the left hand.redgoat
Gee I’m sorry to hear that you have that problem, goat. I can sorta see why though with your attitude. Yo’ mamma shoulda taught you better, that It’s nice to be nice to the nice, y’know?
Guess we’re just gonna hafta kick some Braves’ butt now cause of your unfriendly behavior. If the Braves lose the blog can blame it all on you. :-)
GO METS!!
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, oh, regarding Millwood and Schmidt. Yes, I realize they aren’t going to get any better and that Schmidt may never pitch again. But I still would bet their careers will turn out better than some of the pitchers you listed when all is said and done with some of those guys and we can look back 30 years from now.
I guess my point there was that the Braves haven’t done as poor a job as people think developing pitchers. They’ve developed some pretty good ones even fairly recently. Just no Glavine’s.
That brings up another side to the debate: Why does the Braves farm system need to develop aces to be considered good at developing pitchers? I mean the Braves have developed a lot of decent-to-good starters over the past year, I’m sure more than a lot of other organizations. That should count for something.
You could argue the Indians or Diamondbacks haven’t developed any superstars recently, but look what those teams did in recent years and are doing now from developing just solid major leaguers. Developing a lot of solid players has to count for something just like developing aces or superstars does.
(TennPaul, I’m not attributing those views of the Braves’ pitcher development to you, necessarily.)
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 25, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
We lose Moylan and gain Stockman.
Aussie, aussie, aussie, aussie !
By Randy
April 25, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
Phil Stockman is recalled according to C.B.S sportline
By BA
April 25, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
DOB, can we expect a one-on-one in depth interview with Stockman?
By Andy K.
April 25, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Mike Hampton squares off against the Tides tonight in Virginia (Norfolk).
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 3:13 PM | Link to this
I think it’s a mistake to assume something is wrong with the farm system/player development because it hasn’t developed an ace type pitcher
I’d agree with this. I don’t think this team has a problem with it’s farm system. It’s strength might be more in the hitter’s realm than in the pitchers realm but that doesn’t mean much. They can always trade for a pitcher using the young hitters. However, there is this new crop of guys coming up that might change all of this. We just need one young guy from our system to stick in the rotation for a while and produce good to great results. The talk will subside at that point. Until then the grass will appear greener on the other fields…
By brooklynbrave
April 25, 2008 3:15 PM | Link to this
DOB, you been to dinosaur for bbq in harlem yet? best ribs in the city [this from an eastern NC transplant who has spent plenty of time at Wilbers in goldsboro]. ive got 2 other options in the city, if you need ‘em.
By nolie
April 25, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Let’s go out with a tune by the coolest four guys who ever played at Shea — the ClashDOB
I must be missing something I guess. I never cared all that much for the Clash. Never cared all that much for that whole genre acually, but music is certainly a personal thing and nobody is really right or wrong.
By Murphy
April 25, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
DOB, When you are in NY, do you get down to Canal Street? If so, have some of the street vendor mixed nuts for me. oh…just the smell is intoxicating.
By Andy K.
April 25, 2008 3:21 PM | Link to this
My bad, the game is in Richmond tonight…
By Shaun
April 25, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, yeah, I suspect, just like a lot of other things in baseball, player development is cyclical. For about 5-10 years and organization may find and develop a group of solid position players. The next 5-10 years, maybe they develop a group of solid pitchers. Maybe there is a period where they develop a couple of star position players and two or three great pitchers but no supporting cast.
If player development was easy, the same teams would win for 50-60 years straight. But even the Yankees have had down times.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
I mean the Braves have developed a lot of decent-to-good starters over the past year, I’m sure more than a lot of other organizations
This type of statement has the ability to be backed up with a list and an analysis of some sort. I haven’t seen one yet. Merely the assertion which doesn’t seem to marry well with what I can recall. (I could be forgetting or overlooking some though and I’d love to have the light shed on them).
I’ll debate the value and worth of Schit and Millwood all day and probably never agree that they are worthy of valuable praise. I’ll agree that some pitchers I listed, such as Jimenez, may start off as well as Millwood and then fade only to Blauser every time a contract comes around. But I’m not sure you can list a large swath of “decent-to-good starters” developed by the Braves organization. So many that you’d out number “a lot of other organizations”. I guess the matter would depend on how you define “decent-to-good”. If that includes Odalis Perez and Jason Marquis then the bar is set as low as it can go at which point I might agree on the quantity. But the quality would still be debated.
By Epinephrine
April 25, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this
Really big series for the Braves, really big day for the Braves.
For the series, we have some of our best going against their worst, except when healthy Jurrjens would probably match up against their 5 (how absurd is that?). No reason why we shouldn’t take this series, especially with Chipper behaving like he is.
Imagine this: we take the series, Hampton throws well, and Soriano throws pain free. It would be an absolutely huge momentum boost. That is because we would then go into next week’s game with the Nats, with Hampton and Glavine coming off the DL. Further, we would be closer to having Gonzo and Infante ready to play, and Soriano presumably within days of getting back in the pen.
Basically, this is a time when this team should be able to begin showcasing what it can really be. We can set the tone tonight. I for one am looking to forward to a really positive end to this month.
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
It is indeed PHIL STOCKMAN
The balance of power has shifted now, folks…
By Robert (Chipper Is The Best)
April 25, 2008 3:32 PM | Link to this
This is a really big series for the Braves. The Mets are somewhat reeling after getting their asses handed to them by the Cubs. The Braves definitely have the pitching matchup. They should win 2 of 3 at least. Actually, they should sweep. The Mets are sending out the scrubs to start. The Braves need to take advantage. No Santana. No Maine. No Perez!
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I must be missing something I guess. I never cared all that much for the Clash.nolie
Uh, that’s no lie — you’re definitely, unquestionably missing something.
By the way, just noticed that Josh Ritter is also playing here Sunday night. Now that’s the show I need to see about attending.
Or perhaps I should just walk a few blocks from my hotel to Radio City Music Hall and see the circus … er, the NFL draft.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
I’ll be at the game tomorrow two rows behind the Braves dugout. Hopefully I’ll see Huddy throw a gem against the Mutts.
GO BRAVES!!!
By Coach (Lets Go Braves in 2008)
April 25, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
This is a snippet from one of Dave O’Brien’s blogs back in February.
Since Stockman was just called up, hopefully he brought his good luck charm.
Good luck, mate: Before I head down to the field, I’d like to say something about a sensitive subject.
Kangaroo testicles.
Now, before we go any further, I’d like to make it clear I neither condone the hunting or taxidermy of kangaroos or their body parts. Let’s get that straight. I can’t even fathom someone shooting one of those cute, goofy looking animals.
But for whatever reason, some are killed legally in Australia (you can look it up, but they laws that permit annual quotas and also allow farmers to kill kangaroos on their property, something like that. Like I said, complicated).
Anyway, back to the testicles. Apparently a pair of taxidermied kangaroo testicles is regarded as a good-luck charm by Aussies, like a rabbit’s foot (or like me rubbing my bust of Elvis that I bought one late night many years ago at a cheap gift shop on the Canada side of Niagara Falls).
So Braves reliever Phil Stockman, a good bloke if I’ve ever met one, gave starting pitchers Tim Hudson and Mike Hampton each a pair of kangaroo testicles on a key chain. And told them to rub them before each start.
Hudson’s “charm” was hanging in his locker last I checked.
That’s all. I really don’t need to add to this note, do I?
By Roman Gal
April 25, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Here’s a funny joke from Metsblog.
According to Metsie, Citi Field will soon be renamed Denny’s Field, “Home of the Grand Slam.”
Now THAT is funny!
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 3:39 PM | Link to this
By the way, the new ballpark is going to be beautiful here. It’s towering over this thing now.
From Shea to that will be even more of an upgrade than Nats made from RFK to their new park. This new place is huge and looks totally old-school on the exterior, l very much like Ebbetts Field. Very impressive when you come off the subway platform.
And the chop shops, by the way, have to be gone by 2009. State told them that a while back.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Shaun and TennPaul
Just wait until the high revenue teams like the Mets start paying above slot money in the draft like the Red Sox and Yankees. Not saying that those draftees will be superstars, but the more money a team like the Mets puts into the Draft, the better their farm system and overall future will be.
By Alan
April 25, 2008 3:41 PM | Link to this
Great job as always, DOB. And great reference to Nipsey Russell re: Wesley Snipe’s haircut! I’ve gotta believe you’re the only sports scribe in America who’s mentioned Nipsey Russell today — or any day this century. Good points about the Braves’ pitching, too, which really has been good so far. Especially the starters. It’s the offense that’s been inconsistent — just like the past two seasons. I’m not at all sold on KJ as the leadoff hitter. I’d move Yunel or Blanco/Diaz to the top and drop KJ to 7th or 8th. I’d also seriously consider playing Prado at 2nd against most (if not all) lefties.
By MGL
April 25, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine - I agree with you. Now is the time to put the pedal to the metal. The Mutts series, Nats for two, then back home for three with the Reds and Padres. Then its off to Pittsburg before the Phillies. We need at least two out of three at Shea, then we should be able to get eight or nine out of the next eleven.
By JT
April 25, 2008 3:44 PM | Link to this
Is Phil Stockman a sidearmer like Moylan too????
By David O'Brien
April 25, 2008 3:46 PM | Link to this
OK, time to go down and hold Stockman accountable for the curse of the ‘roo nads.
By Efrim
April 25, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
It is indeed PHIL STOCKMAN
The balance of power has shifted now, folks…
Why even play the games? It’s over people……
By Caleb
April 25, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, jealous of you being in NY. Lived there for a few years, loved it. If you have the time or are down in the East Village, you definitely have to try Crif Dogs. Great little 80’s dive on St. Mark’s Pl between 1st Ave and Ave A with the best hot dogs ever. Get the Tsunami or the Chihuahua. They wrap the dogs in bacon and fry them. I know, I know, overload. But they’re amazing!
Also, if you’re a sushi fan, check out Monster Sushi. Amazing prices for alot of incredible sushi. Best place for it in NY. They have a couple places in the city, one on 46th between 5th and 6th aves.
By Dan
April 25, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
How has Stockman been doing in the minors this year?
By ncscoots
April 25, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
I sense that DOB has grown weary of Phil Stockman posts, LOL. Somebody let Phil know he needs to produce a Cohiba for the man to re-instill a few good graces. :-)
Though I’m happy to see the guy get a shot, too. At least, for however long he can stay up and/or stay healthy.
By DCbrave
April 25, 2008 4:07 PM | Link to this
Stockman? Oh no, the Braves security must search him and get rid of his stock of RooNads!
By Overlord
April 25, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
TJ i like you way of thinking about Hampton.
DAP I see you would like James in the rotation next year, and also see JOJO there… what about Bennett? I think of the 3, Bennett is the bettet as we speak.
Did you forget about him? or you just dont think he is better than James and JOJO???
DOB is Stockman in NY???, I mean, did he traveled there with the rest of the team??? Available for tonights game???
By Phil StockFan
April 25, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Looks like Phil sabotaged Hampton and Hudson. Hammy rubbed some ‘roo balls (sounds like candy, huh?) and tore a breast. Huddy fondled some kang’ cojones and lost 5 pounds and 5 mph. I’m not trying to be insensitive, but I believe we should burn all kangaroo testicles found in Braves’ facilities.
By brooklynbrave
April 25, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
caleb- ive got a monster one block away from work, they just redid the place and JACKED the prices. sushi is ok but you can find a better deals in the city.
By La Jolla Dawg
April 25, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
DOB great song choice—The Clash are among the best ever. Are you a Carbon/Silicon fan? I think I prefer them to B.A.D.—though I thought the first B.A.D. album was great. American Music Club—I remember playing one song by them when I worked at WUOG—In the Room Above the Club—loved that song.
Looking forward to the Braves coming out here. Hopefully, the Padres won’t find their bats during that series. They are struggling. Big time. I caved and purchased the MLB package from DirecTv, my son and I watched Smoltz strike out #3,000-that was great to see.
By timmy
April 25, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
hey DOB, I’ll be at the game sunday. I am from NY so I make I go to a few games every Mets/Braves series they are here. I was there for the catch that Willie Harris made, I was actually sitting in the left field foul section when he caught it. My Dad and I were the 1st ones to see him catch that potnetial Delgado homer. If you couldve been over there to hear the shift in sound effects and the silence it created, that was PRICELESS!!!! If you want some BBQ, go to Daisy Mays on 46 or 47th btwn 9th-10th aves. GREAT FOOD!!!! Looking for a series win!!!!!
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Hey, I was at Shea for that concert. David Johansen opened, then the Clash, then the Who. The problem was, the stage was set up in left center, and I had seats in the first balcony behind third base, so visually it was fine. However, the Who were dicks and didn’t let the other bands use their PA, so unless you were on the field, in front of the stage, they were only sporadically audible. You could tell which song it was, but the tinny sound sorta floated off into space.
That was my last stadium show. And will remain my last. Blech.
BTW, this was the post-Moon Who. They weren’t very good.
By Thrillhouse44
April 25, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Dan, Stockman is 1-0 with a 1.54 ERA in 11.2 innings pitched. He’s only given up 4 hits.
http://www.rbraves.com/team/teams/index.html?autoload=teamstatspitching&teamid=431
By Lew
April 25, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this
Nolie-It’s a generational thing with the Clash-we’ve spoken of it here numerous times in the past.
The Clash were an angry group of youths who were highly influential AFTER the angry youths who influenced us-that’s all.
By TJ
April 25, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Developing “aces” is more a crapshoot than winning in the playoffs.
Consider these pitchers and where they were selected in their respective drafts: Peavy (472); Smoltz (574); Clemens (284); Oswalt (684); B Webb (249); Hudson (185); Mussina (273); Pettite (594); Harrang (661); Penny (155).
Obviously, no one knew that they we gonna be stars, but they developed into some of the best pitchers of our generation. (and this was just from random searching; I’m sure there are many other examples).
Developing an ace probably requires a degree of scouting and coaching skills, but more importantly, it requires talent and good health, neither of which is very projectable for a young pitcher.
Give me a quality overall minor league system (which the Braves have), a few dollars to spend (which we sorta have) and a GM smart enough to get guys like Smoltz, Tex, Renteria, Jurrjens, Soriano, Gonzo, etc, in trades for players we no longer need or can replace.
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 4:35 PM | Link to this
I said it a few weeks ago: Stockman cursed the pen with those roo nads so that enough people would get hurt so that he’d get a shot.
Thrillhouse, you’re getting married next month and you still have RBI Baseball on Nintendo on your mind? Your poor wife to be…….
By OrlandoFan
April 25, 2008 4:36 PM | Link to this
Lew… Good pointa about the Clash… I was thinking someone slipped DOB a bad pretzel or something after that comparison.
By etownbrave
April 25, 2008 4:40 PM | Link to this
Has anyone heard if or when DISH will pick up PeachtreeTV? Will have to catch Pete and Chip on the radio tonight since PTV unavailable in our area right now. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!
By cafleming
April 25, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
It sucks that Charter Cable service in Alabama does not carry the peachtree channel for the game tonight. Any one know if charter is working on to getting that channel soon? I miss the good ole days of TBS.
By AdirondackDave
April 25, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Just got back from 2 boring months in Florida to find Chipper is still crushing the ball. Hope this continues tonight and the starters keep up their great run. Time for Tex to show what he’s got if he wants to get that huge contract from one of the NY teams next year. He’s got to pick up the pace if he expects 20+ for 6-7 years.
My iBook seems to be on its last legs. Only half of my bookmarks seem to come in, fortunately including the AJC stuff. I guess 5 years, more or less, is a good record for these units.
By Thrillhouse44
April 25, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, I can’t help it. It’s like the makers of that game drew Acosta. But, I was talking about Bases Loaded, not RBI. RBI was far superior, with one exception: you could incite a benches clearing brawl in Bases Loaded. The Girl used to dog on me and my friends about video games (particularly Madden) until I introduced her to Guitar Hero.
Hopefully Stockman didn’t take any roo balls with him to Richmond. Our whole minor league system could be depleted before too long.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 4:50 PM | Link to this
The Clash. I just googled them out of boredom. (Work is just a thrill right now). I pulled up the Wiki entry on them and started reading. Saw they were listed as having the 8th greatest album of all time by Rolling Stone. Not too shabby. I was curious as to what else was lumped into the top 10.
1. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, The Beatles
2. Pet Sounds, The Beach Boys
3. Revolver, The Beatles
4. Highway 61 Revisited, Bob Dylan
5. Rubber Soul, The Beatles
6. What’s Going On, Marvin Gaye
7. Exile on Main Street, The Rolling Stones
8. London Calling, The Clash
9. Blonde on Blonde, Bob Dylan
10. The Beatles (“The White Album”), The Beatles
—Rolling Stone Top 500 Albums
Mighty strong showing by the Beatles. Personally I would have had some Zeppelin higher in the order. Interesting list to peruse though.
By AdirondackDave
April 25, 2008 4:55 PM | Link to this
Just got back from 2 boring months in Florida to find Chipper is still crushing the ball. Hope this continues tonight and the starters keep up their great run. Time for Tex to show what he’s got if he wants to get that huge contract from one of the NY teams next year. He’s got to pick up the pace if he expects 20+ for 6-7 years.
My iBook seems to be on its last legs. Only half of my bookmarks seem to come in, fortunately including the AJC stuff. I guess 5 years, more or less, is a good record for these units.
By AGTfan
April 25, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
The Clash were an angry group of youths who were highly influential AFTER the angry youths who influenced us-that’s all.
And all those angry young men (of many generation) produced great Rock & Roll. I’ll raise a glass to all those musically inclined angry young men (and women).
By DAP
April 25, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this
overlord I see you would like James in the rotation next year, and also see JOJO there
well i didnt really say that i WANTED them in the rotation next year. i was showing someone who said they wouldnt be surprised if they traded james that we need him, because we could feesably lose 3 starters next year, and our current depth would be cut into.
honestly, i dont know how it will work…but if bennett continues to do well in the majors, i think he may have a spot. jojo might STILL not be ready, i dont know. and while james is already a good #5, i would be all for using a better one if we could get one.
so i guess im saying that i want to hang onto ALL the pitching we have, and not trade any of it…because who knows what will happen.
honestly, i dont think that rotation i posted is good enough.
what i imagine will happen, is that we will get ONE major league starter by trade or free agency in the offseaosn, that we can automatically plug in. i think glavine and hampton will be gone, and smoltz will be back, and also that some of our minor leaguers (jojo?) might be ready. i think we will be in the same situation for ‘09 as we were this season, with tons of pitchers to plug into holes when we need them.
jojo is a stretch, who knows if hes ready…but bennett vs. james? id have to lean towards james…but a good season out of bennett would change my mind quick. i definetly like bennett’s stuff better, but james has the track record, so….?
By nolie
April 25, 2008 5:04 PM | Link to this
Pet Sounds highly overrated IMO, and I too would put some Zep in there and get rid of that Clash thingy too ;-)
By the Stranger
April 25, 2008 5:06 PM | Link to this
Yeah, that Bob Dylan guy is soooo overrated.
…gonna be a clash tonight!
By Lew
April 25, 2008 5:09 PM | Link to this
AGTFan-And in the immortal words of Rainbow-“If you don’t like Rock and Roll-well, you’re too late now.”
By Big Easy
April 25, 2008 5:10 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, that list illustrates the main reason that I think Rolling Stone Magazine is a pile of crap. A list of the top 10 greatest albums, and no mention of Dark Side of the Moon? Sorry, but that is just crazy.
~E~
By doug
April 25, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
cafleming, charter in montgomery shows peachtree tv games. they are shown on css in analog, and also in HD. we have a new channel and the only thing that shows up on it is the peachtree games. there is also another hd channel for fsn games on wed nights.
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Thrillhouse: here was how to maintain a no hitter in RBI Baseball:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=wwmx2ya11Ao
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Thrillhouse44 and Braveheart,
Doesn’t Brian McCann remind you a little of Charlie Kerfeld (and every other player) on RBI Baseball for the Nintendo?
By StingerSplash
April 25, 2008 5:20 PM | Link to this
To paraphrase the two great philosophers, Mr. B. Eavis and Mr. B. Utthead:
Yes! yes! yes! “Guns of Brixton” rules!
By Pete H.
April 25, 2008 5:22 PM | Link to this
Know your rights! All THREE OF EM!!!
-The Clash-
This is a public service announcement With guitar Know your rights all three of them
Number 1 You have the right not to be killed Murder is a crime! Unless it was done by a Policeman or aristocrat Know your rights
And number 2 You have the right to food money Providing of course you Dont mind a little Investigation, humiliation And if you cross your fingers Rehabilitation
Know your rights These are your rights Wang
Know these rights
Number 3 You have the right to free Speech as long as youre not Dumb enough to actually try it.
Know your rights These are your rights All three of em It has been suggested In some quarters that this is not enough! Well…………………………
Get off the streets Get off the streets Run You dont have a home to go to Smush
Finally then I will read you your rights
You have the right to remain silent You are warned that anything you say Can and will be taken down And used as evidence against you
Listen to this Run
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
My brother and I would play RBI Baseball a lot. He would drive me bat-s** insane by taking as many fielders as he could to the outfield and doing, as he called it, “the chicken dance.” He would just let the ball sit on the ground and not pick it up for fifteen minutes while he circled the guys around the outfield.
I owe him a beating for that.
By McFann
April 25, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this
I know, those back-to-back mid-week losses against Washington and Florida took some of the oomph out of it for many of you…DOB
Mmm…maybe a little. But ALL the oomph got put back in that eighth inning last night!!
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop, McCann is definitely straight out of RBI Baseball.
By Bravosimos
April 25, 2008 5:29 PM | Link to this
Go Braves! Chip will hit .421 with teo homers and six Rbi’s against the mats this weekend!
By Bravosimos
April 25, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this
Go Braves! Chip will hit .421 with two homers and six RBI’s against the mets this weekend!
By AGTfan
April 25, 2008 5:31 PM | Link to this
Pet Sounds highly overrated IMO, and I too would put some Zep in there and get rid of that Clash thingy too ;-)
Where I would have reversed numbers one and two and would have thrown in some Kinks.
By Mr. Mann
April 25, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
DOB, I’m a long time reader but have never posted. Just looking for good Braves info, and you provide it better than anyone. Have to comment, however, on your music choice today. Those lyrics seek only to justify, glorify and defend those who practice violent lawlessness. There are innocent people hurt every day by those who advocate such lawlessnes, not to mention the good law enforcement personel who must risk their lives to protect the rest of us from those who wait with their finger “on the trigger of a gun”. There is no justification for your promtion of it. It is deplorable and frankly disgusting that someone with as wide an audience as you could praise such lyrics and those who create them. It is a slap in the face to victims of violent crime and hard working men and women of our law enforcement. I had expected better of you.
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2008 5:40 PM | Link to this
Ray King would also be a good RBI Baseball player. The only problem is that RBI Baseball players didn’t have different skin colors. The good folks at Tengen forgot that minor detail.
By Chop Chop
April 25, 2008 5:46 PM | Link to this
Bravosimos,
I hope Chip hits teo homers and six Rbi’s against the mats this weekend. No need to correct that. You were just letting the spirit move you. That is all that matters here at the MIB/Braves/BBQ/Clash-toleratin’ Blog.
By Lew
April 25, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
AGTFan-Just a matter of Preservation-Act 2 that is.
By nolie
April 25, 2008 5:47 PM | Link to this
Where I would have reversed numbers one and two and would have thrown in some Kinks.AGTfan
Kinks are cool. I just never cared all that much for the Beach Boys though I agree that Pet Sounds is their best. I do have that one on CD. Actually I wouldn’t put all that Beatles in my top ten either. But hey, it’s all good, even White Snake.
By OrlandoFan
April 25, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Rolling Stone list(thanks TennPaul): Had seen taht when it came out. Good list. Much grist for the mill. But the record is established about the bset. Personally, I thought the Eagles and, say, Hotel California should have been somewhere in the top 10.
By La Jolla Dawg
April 25, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
Great choice Pete H.! I see your Know Your Rights and raise you a Lost in the Supermarket
The Clash
Im all lost in the supermarket I can no longer shop happily I came in here for that special offer A guaranteed personality
I wasnt born so much as I fell out Nobody seemed to notice me We had a hedge back home in the suburbs Over which I never could see
I heard the people who lived on the ceiling Scream and fight most scarily Hearing that noise was my first ever feeling Thats how its been all around me
Im all tuned in, I see all the programmes I save coupons from packets of tea Ive got my giant hit discoteque album I empty a bottle and I feel a bit free
The kids in the halls and the pipes in the walls Make me noises for company Long distance callers make long distance calls And the silence makes me lonely
And its not hear It disappear Im all lost
By Alex
April 25, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
DOB-
I was going to give you a bit of a hard time for gently calling me out for my Sarah Marshall statement but then you had to go and put “Guns of Brixton” down at the end…how could I tease someone for not agreeing with me when they’ve obviously got it right in the music department…and especially since you’re currently stuck in the BBQ desert that is NYC.
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
Big Easy: Dark Side of the Moon Pink Floyd was listed at #43, just under The Doors The Doors.
By Braveheart
April 25, 2008 5:59 PM | Link to this
CHop Chop, after I dropped back 100 yards from my brother’s 1 yard line to my own endzone and threw a touchdown pass down the length of the field in Ten Yard Fight, my brother flung not only the joystick at me but the entire Nintendo console. It broke and we went 5 years in that house without playing another video game.
By Shamus Thacker
April 25, 2008 6:00 PM | Link to this
Bout what time will Hammy be warming up in VA?
Summa those minor league pens are practically in the stands. Hope folks in the first few rows wear helmets. Hammy’s arm could go ballistic at any time… Wonder how much it’d fetch on ebay? Guess you’d have to negotiate with Hammy on the way to the hospital…
SWEEPETH THY MUTTETHS!!
I think we’re watching one of the all-time-greats in Chipper. He may be somewhat overshadowed by Smoltzie in that regard, but he’s on equal ground to me.
By Savannah Guy
April 25, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
Maybe you don’t like the way he wins, but the fact remains that he DOES win. Again I ask-What’s up with THAT?
Lew, winning is a good thing to be sure, but I really don’t like the way Chuck James wins. Here’s what’s up: might sound crazy at first blush, but my opinion isn’t based on the way Chuck holds his mouth or anything when he pitches and yes, he’s had his victories and good outings. Question is, many of his wins are at what cost to the team on the days he pitches and immediately following his short outings?
What does it cost the whole team when the pen use adds up over the course of the season. So it’s really not so much about CJ’s stats, it’s about the cumulative team effect of his pitching. Hell, Andruw Jones had good HR and RBI stats but look what he did to the team when he was in the cleanup spot.
Shaun, good stats as always and valid points made. Consider this: as you well know, a win in the books for a pitcher isn’t always due to the pitcher’s prowess. All pitchers have non-quality starts and get wins due to lots of run support. They give up 6, we get 8. Sure, wins are on Chuck’s scorecard, but who measures the wear and tear and damage done to the pen with his short outings? Where can those numbers be found?
Further, which other Braves starting pitchers wind up with a loss because the pen can’t hold their small lead due to being worn out from CJ’s short starts? Maybe there’s a record or metrics around that, but I doubt it. I’d appreciate seeing them if they’re available, but it seems the cause-effect analysis would be impossible to retrace, add up and reconcile.
Regardless, until he gets another pitch and starts using his noggin, gets his control down better and can go a solid six innings on a consistent basis, he’s not on my Atlanta roster… not as a starter anyway. Nothing personal about him, mind you. I just want the Braves… all the pitchers, the bullpen, the whole team… to have the best shot at winning the whole season. Again… I’ll hope along with you that he comes around after another AAA stint.
And now that Lew and Shaun are actually agreeing on this and the river hasn’t iced over here on the coast, I’m gonna drop the Chuck James subject before I get roundly pummeled into submission.
Then again, sometimes it just hurts to be right.
By nolie
April 25, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this
BASEBALL AMERICA Prospect Hot Sheet lists Hanson at #2 right now. HERE
By TennesseePaul
April 25, 2008 6:06 PM | Link to this
nolie: I can understand the point on The Beach Boys. I love Pet Sounds and think it is a great album, but that band’s catalog as a whole never really inspired me. Other bands would take precedent in my library. I appreciate their work though.
After looking at the list some more I noticed the bummer results for Pixies albums. Only 2, and they didn’t appear until 226 and 315. And only half the Zeppelin albums were listed with Houses of the Holy as the lowest ranked one.
Not a single Rascal Flatts album anywhere in the list… Probably for the best.