AJC > Blog > Archives > 2007 > April > 04 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMy pitch for Davies
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Here’s why I will always like Kyle Davies, no matter what: At Braves Winter FanFest 2006, when the lower-level management types were doing their level best to keep the fans from having any actual contact or conversation with the players (yeah - at FANFest) Kyle Davies and I hacked those geeks off by talking about a subject we both know pretty well: being from the Southside of Atlanta.
Davies is from Stockbridge and I grew up not far from there. When I told him where I live and where I’d gone to high school, he broke into a huge smile and laughed, saying, “We used to play y’all in baseball.” Then I talked about how everyone who used to live where we grew up has moved down to McDonough and he laughed again and agreed that “it’s crazy.” The junior suits in the room were breaking a sweat by now, the specter of an MLB player and a regular fan chatting like Just Folks nearly being too much for them to take.
And so I hope that if Kyle gets the Sunday start against the New York JV Squad, he gets the win or has a good enough outing to return from Richmond for the season. But I hope Cormier gets well soon. Better to have two good arms to choose from than to worry about who’ll start in the five slot.
Permalink | Comments (16) | Post your comment | Categories: Chop Chick
Comments
By Lee
April 4, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Chop Chick - It sure is good to have Davis as a replacement for Cormier. A team cannot be overloaded with starters; however, IF, +and I know this is a big IF+, Hampton comes back in April or May and seems to be healthy enough to pitch regularly and Cormier returns there appears to be an abundance of starting pitchers. It will be interesting to see what development occurs. Leadoff position with Johnson playing 2nd is still questionable so is 1B and LF. It appears that every team each year has at least one full time player that has a off-year or does not live up to potential; you figure this is bound to happen to the Braves also. Do you or anyone else foresee a trade involving one of these starters.
By Zane Smith
April 4, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this
Braves suck. Fans dont even show up for games. And I’m sure Skip Caray is ready for another season of pitching his BBQ stand and t-shirts for 3hrs of the 3 1/2 hr broadcast.
By MizzouGuru
April 4, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
ChopChick- don’t you work for the AJC? I ask because you referred to yourself as a regular fan.
By LivininAL
April 4, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
Zane many of the “Braves Fan” no-shows have been priced out of the stadium in recent years.
By Bethany
April 4, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
I agree, the fans have been priced out of the stadium. For a decent ticket plus parking it’s getting to be too much. But I always look forward to listening to Skip Caray, and who cares if he talks about his BBQ? He’s a joy to listen to. I also have always liked Davies, he seems like a normal guy and the professional world hasn’t gone to his head yet.
By Chop Chick
April 4, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
I do work for the AJC but I’m a regular fan. I don’t get any perks and I am not a beat writer. You won’t find any inside info here - just an average take on the Braves that anyone hanging at the sports bar would gladly debate. I go to the games the same as you. I buy tickets.
By tom
April 5, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this
The braves are no different than any other professional franchise. The bottom line is the profit. If you can afford it and are willing to pay its nothing more than 3 hours of diversion. If you get to into it your shortchanging yourself on other fine things in life.
By El Caganer
April 5, 2007 6:17 PM | Link to this
Looks like Jimmy Rollins was right, the Phillies are the “team to beat”. The Braves just beat them three times in a row! {-;
By Chop Chick
April 5, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this
Well, if ever a town needed a good spring clean sweeping, Philly is it.
By RA
April 6, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
Hey Tom,
I know how you feel, but the thing to remember is that baseball, like a lot of other things in life is a wonderful thing, when kept in perspective. You know, I used to be one of those guys that lived at Turner field, bought every new jersey that came out, had to have every $40.00 hat that hibbet could get in. But now, a wife, a mortgage, and a car note later, the Braves (and Hawks, and the Falcons…) are a lot lower on my priority list, but I still don’t mind being distracted for two or three hours a week, and if I ever have kids, I’m going to take time out for them and take them to baseball games so that every once in a while, they can forget about how rotten the world can be and be distracted too.
By Braves Fan 79
April 6, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
why did we have redmen starting our home opener?? i pray to God when it comes playoff time cox dosent start redman or hampton…ever!! And we played….woodward?? escobar should be the backup to johnson because hes our best option….and i think in the future a very good player! And why did we have our worst hitter hitting first..?? it seemed to kill the offence tonight.
By John Schuerholz
April 8, 2007 7:05 PM | Link to this
Herein lies the reason women will never run baseball teams. Women would make personnel decisions based on which player has the best personality. Perfectly fine if you’re hiring a secretary. But not OK if selecting your starting rotation. Now luckily, in this case, Kyle Davies is also a helluva pitcher, not just a great guy.
By Chop Chick
April 9, 2007 10:04 AM | Link to this
Note to “John Schuerholz” (ha - funny) - I’m well aware of Kyle Davies’ struggles in the starting rotation. All I’m saying is this: I hope the hometown guy can turn it around and live up to his full MLB potential.
I wonder if you’re one of those flip-floppers who was ready to scrap Smoltzie back in 1991 when he was 2-11 - you know, right before he went 12-2. A little loyalty to our guys when they’re struggling, “Mr. GM”? Thanks.
By Randall -Scott
April 9, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
BC & JS have proven themselves. Lets let them run the club and sit back and enjoy. I even enjoyed them last year. Just pulled for them and knew BC & JS would fix them.
By Brian
April 11, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this
Prediction: Bobby Cox will burn up the bullpen before we get to the postseason. Gonzalez, Soriano, and Wickman pitch in every game whether we need them to or not. At this rate they will have nothing left for the stretch drive.
By Mary K
April 12, 2007 7:26 PM | Link to this
Zane, I agree with you 100%. I feel bad for the Braves that no one is showing up at the games. It kinda reminds me of My Jacksonville Jaguars games, same thing here ..Except.Black-outs!! However, There does not seem to be any problems with my NASCAR BOYZ.GO # 20 If u wanna chat and catch up =)bjnmj1@yahoo.com.(LUVR OF# 41)