Chop Chick

By geekboy

March 24, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

I like Ron Gant because once in 1989 I was in a bleacher seat heckling him and the dismal failure of a team the Braves were at that point and he laughed and said “We aren’t doing so good this year, but next year you watch out!”

There were 1,400 people in the stadium that day.

His prediction was only one year off!

By wilson

March 24, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this

I dislike Roger Clemens, because of one time when i was a kid at Fenway. After the game I saw some kid try to get his autograph. Clemens took the ball and then dropped it and said: “yeah, right”.

By lanceinFL

March 24, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this

I hate Jeff Reardon, and countless other Braves that have drifted in and out over the last 17 years, brought in to make sure we won the WS, only to blow it….yeah I’m talking to you Dan Kolb! and Chris Retisma!

By Kristi Dosh

March 24, 2008 12:38 PM | Link to this

The Astros do charge for parking, but it’s a far better experience at Osceola County Stadium than at Disney’s Wide World of Sports. As a matter of fact, I’ve been to about half of the Spring Training sites in Florida and the Astros camp is by far the best experience. It’s one of the smallest (if not the smallest) stadiums for Spring Training play, giving it the feel of a college game. There are long walls down both lines where you can line up to meet the players. I’m not one for autographs, but it’s still neat to get that close to them. I was there for Glavine’s first outing this spring and was close enough to touch him when he was warming up.

My experiences at Disney have been my least favorite at Spring Training, despite the fact that I’m a Braves fan. The stadium is way too big and overly commercial. It feels like going to any old big league game. On top of that, you have all the people who have wandered in from Disney and could care less about the Braves or baseball in general. Not to mention there’s virtually no access to the players, unlike basically every other Spring Training park. It’s just a completely different feel than any of the other Spring Training camps and I haven’t been a fan.

By JohnGTFan

March 24, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

This could very well be the MOST USELESS article every written. This should be copied and pasted to media outlets all over the country for humor that ANYONE would actually approve it’s posting.

By matlanta

March 24, 2008 1:13 PM | Link to this

i don’t like whoever was in charge of fanfest this year.

By M_HOLMZ

March 24, 2008 1:17 PM | Link to this

I strongly dislike every NY Met player because they have the most moronic fans.

GO BRAVES!

By Chopdawg

March 24, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Reading the post about Ron Gant reminded me of a Sunday afternoon in either 1989 or 1990; I’m pretty sure there was a Beach Boys concert right after the game. Smoltz got into a pitcher’s duel with the Cardinals; game was tied in the late innings and Smoltz was removed for a pinch hitter. My 11-year-old daughter couldn’t understand why Smoltz, who’d been pitching really well, was removed from the game, so I tried to explain to her about pitchers not usually being good hitters, etc. Ron Gant proceeded to make a big error at 3B (which of course proved to be not his position) and the Cards won the game in extra innings. My daughter was really mad at Gant for making that error, but she became a huge baseball & Braves fan because of that day, & we’ve enjoyed many more baseball games since then.

By Carroll

March 24, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this

Kristi: I agree 110%. I went to Disney last weekend for the Rays/Braves and it was without a doubt the most useless baseball game experience I’ve ever had. I am officially done going there for ST. The number of people that go there is completely out of control, as is the commercialism that you mentioned. And they had better not charge for parking considering how far you have to walk to get to the stadium.

geekboy: I remember telling my 7th grade teacher at Sweetwater elementary in 1990 that the braves would be in the WS the next year…she made fun of me the rest of the year for that comment, and justifiably so…you couldn’t imagine the braves higher than 4th back then. But the few of us that were actually paying attention to them back then just knew that they had way too much young talent to keep losing.

By Carroll

March 24, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Sorry…meant to say Sweetwater Middle, obvioulsy ;P

By Blake

March 24, 2008 1:47 PM | Link to this

I disliked Glavine for years. I have warmed up to him now that I am older and forgave him. It was about 15 years ago, and I was around 11. Glavine was signing autographs and I was right there in line. I had my card and pen out so he could sign. He skipped over me! On the way back he skipped over me again! I dont know why. Looking back it was probably an accident, but I was p**.

By Kevin F.

March 24, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this

Ryan “Heinz” Drese hsa 57 different ways to get a batter out. clearly, the walking 5 straight batters is an intentional ploy to tap into the mitch “wild thing” williams M.O. of making batters think he’s a bit crazy. In big game situations, Drese is the best condiment to get the braves out of a pickle and help them katchup.

By Lauren T.

March 24, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this

I dislike Chipper because of several interactions with him, but it started out at a Make A Wish Foundation party in 1995, when he told my state champ all-star pitcher little brother, “Pitching sucks. You should play third base.” LilBro tried not to cry all the way home, but Chipper really hurt his feelings.

By gvillebraves

March 24, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this

The honor of most disliked brave has to be Chipper. Even in his minor league days, he was a jerk. While in Chattanooga, most gville braves signed autographs for free. Chipper was asking 35 a pop. btw, that gville team had klesko, houston(big name on team then), lopez, tarasco, neives, and many others. They were loaded that year. they won over 100 in only 144 games. wow

By dino

March 24, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

wow first off baseball is only ahead of soccer as the 2nd most boring thing to watch or play out there and you are right larry jones is one of the most obnoxious braves but there are plenty to choose from glavine smoltz francouer

By BOSTON BRAVES

March 24, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this

My reasons for switching from a Red Sox fan to a Braves fan back in 1991 (Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon, but have stayed ever since and yes, I live in Boston)is my total lack of respect for Roger Clemens getting thrown out vs. the A’s in the playoffs, then whenever the Sox gave Jose Offerman a big contract, that just sealed it for me. Might be irrational thinking but I am proud to be a Braves Fan!

By BOSTON BRAVES

March 24, 2008 2:47 PM | Link to this

My reasons for switching from a Red Sox fan to a Braves fan back in 1991 (Yes, I jumped on the bandwagon, but have stayed ever since and yes, I live in Boston)is my total lack of respect for Roger Clemens getting thrown out vs. the A’s in the playoffs, then whenever the Sox gave Jose Offerman a big contract, that just sealed it for me. Might be irrational thinking but I am proud to be a Braves Fan!

By rob

March 24, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

The guy I really hate is Jim Leyritz. Not because of his DUI Manslaughter, but because of his unforgettable 3 run shot in 1996 that took the decade of dominance away from the Braves and handed it to the Yankees. I hate that guy, and of course he made it worse by his insult to injury shot to cap off the sweep in 99.

By Gary Hoff

March 24, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this

Roger Clemens is the guy I can’t stand. I saw him once when he was pitching for the Blue Jays against the Yankees in New York in ‘98 or ‘99. He threw at a Yankee and both benches and bullpens emptied in a near-brawl. Where was Clemens in the midst of the mele? He ducked into the Blue Jay dugout to avoid any injury! I also hate Larry Bird for wanting to charge me $1.00 for an autograph at Indianapolis airport in 1984!

By Paul W

March 24, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this

In 1991, I had trouble getting playoff tickets in ATL and decided to drive my then 5-year-old to Pittsburg, where tickets were plentiful. The entire experience was great with one exception. During the afternoon before the game, we were walking around Three Rivers when an SUV pulled up next to us. I immediately recognized Bobby Bonds, but before I could say anything, his charming son jumped out of the car with his duffel bag and headed into the stadium. My 5-year-old immediately recognized Barry Bonds and stepped toward him. Barry immediately pushed him away and made his way into the clubhouse.

My son thought Barry Bonds was a jerk. 16 years have proved him to be a good judge of character.

By blackjacket

March 24, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

Clemens is the suckingest of them all.Not from his steroid use which is a “positive” but in a game against the mets whom I don’t like either, Mike Piazza broke his bat, which trickled toward the mound. Clemens the coward, picked it up and threw it at Piazza and barely missed. I almost wish he’d hit him and he would have got his worthless a$$ suspended and fined.

By edward

March 24, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

I don’t think I have a certain player I dislike the most. The one that makes me crazy is Scott Thorman. I have never met him personally, but he just can’t play baseball. I just wish he would get traded. Chipper and Glavine are the worst to try to get an autograph from, but I guess after 16yrs or so of people screaming at you constantly to sign something they get a little tired of it. I don’t blame them for that. The money they make may not be tough, but the invasion on their lives are and sometimes it leaks out. Remember people, these guys are human too. Well, except for Barry Bonds. He is just a walking a*****.

By oasisbraves

March 24, 2008 4:49 PM | Link to this

I like Chop Chick, but I think I wrote a better blog this morning on my myspace page. It seemed like she just spit something out really quickly to make the deadline without thinking about the quality of the reporting.

zero stars…sorry chop chick

By Hal Todd

March 24, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

The merchants at West Palm Beach made it very difficult to park by leasing vast acreage for their non- baseball fan customers. Now I hear that the fans must walk just as far at Disney to get to the game. I quit trying after one season. Maybe spring training fans will cease to be fans and the players can train all alone. Who needs fans anyway?

By Christian Schultz

March 24, 2008 6:09 PM | Link to this

Are you serious? This article sucks! Maybe instead of taking the 3 1/2 year old to the game you could have stayed in your hotel room and read some sports pages. And by the way, if you decide to take your 3 1/2 year old to a baseball game be smart about it and expect something to go wrong. Fill up that “bag of parent tricks” a little more. Have you ever been to a game before this one? Are you serious? Not sure what is worse, your writing or your parental skills. I know a 9 year old that could do a better job. At both I would imagine.

By oasisbraves

March 24, 2008 6:49 PM | Link to this

wow…we all really ripped Chop Chick a new one…we should cut her a little slack. Maybe she’s just having an off day.

GO BRAVES!!!

By richbrave

March 24, 2008 6:59 PM | Link to this

BOSTON BRAVES:

My dislike for Boston’d fans began when the Braves left town in ‘53. I never had much respect for a town who couldn’t support a team of the Braves’ caliber.

By richbrave

March 24, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

CC:

How badly must we malign Mr. Drese here in Richmond? Should he be excluded from the dinner I’m planning for the team? Should he be harassed from the stands. Buy him a plane ticket to Class A Rome, Georgia?

By old timer

March 24, 2008 7:11 PM | Link to this

CHOP CHICK You ought to be ashamed to put out a blog like this. I suppose an all expense paid vacation trip like this shouldn’t require you to produce a real sports article for the AJC.

By tbryan

March 24, 2008 7:14 PM | Link to this

my brother and i have been going to spring training every year for the last 20 years. over that time, prices have risen and access to players has declined. many older parks have been replaced with newer more “fan friendly” venues. parking fees at these facilities has also risen. our trip varies from year to year as we try to see many contenders from both leagues as well as our team “the Braves”. the newer parks are very nice but have less access to the players, reducing, sadly, contact between kids and players. the newer parks have great site lines to the game, if you can endure much smaller very uncomfortable seats, and very little leg room. that being said, it is still a wonderful close up view the game that, unless you are very wealthy you cannot get at Turner Field. although there is not a bad seat in the house at The Ted, they prime or even very good seats are not priced for the average fan or family of 4.

we have found we really like the older parks, they tie the present to the past and provide a nostalgic look that cannot be found during the regular season. but, sadly enough these parks are either gone or on the way out. Jack Russell, the old Phillies stadium in Clearwater was a wonderful place to see a game, the coziness, ambiance, and smells could not be beat. thier new stadium, Brighthouse Field, though, is also a very pleasant day at the ballpark. it is sad that the older parks are just about gone, we addended a Indians game this year in Winter Haven, which is going to be bulldozed this summer, and Dodgertown in Vero Beach, in order to get one last experience with the fabulous history of baseball. there are still a few places where access to players is not bad. try Tigertown in Lakeland, and the Rays stadium in beautiful downtown St. Petersburg. Disney is the only venue that does not charge for parking and you will pay from 5 to 10 dollars to park. the point i am trying to make is see the Braves, but you might want too check them our at one of the other parks, they all have there good points, and those are very good, but may have some limitations also. but you can’t beat the spring training experience, no matter where you see a game. lastly, the Atlanta Braves will be the National League East Champions this year, and you can say you heard it first here, unless you have heard it from somewhere else.

By Claw

March 24, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this

Followed the Braves since 1969 (I was 6) and have seen them play over the years in 12 different parks. Braves had a rep in the 90s for being very UN fan-friendly in opposing parks. My list of ZEROES - Wohlers, Andruw, Sheffield, Klesko, Chipper, Maddux, Smoltz (that one kills me), and all-time worst - Pedro Borbon, Jr. He laughed at my 4 year old crying for a ball in Coors Field and actually taunted him.

List of HEROES - Javy, John Rocker, JD Drew, Russ Ortiz, Millwood, Vinny, Giles, Lemke, Crime Dog, Francouer, and all time best - Brian McCann who gave my 12 year-old his batting gloves last year in Florida because he was wearing a David Pollack jersey.

By Chop Chick

March 24, 2008 7:38 PM | Link to this

Wow, I thought sports fans would get the joke here. I didn’t ask which player you disliked most, and I’m not REALLY ticked off at Ryan Drese — thus, the “irrational” part of the question. Tongue planted firmly in cheek.

I thought it would be a fun topic for fans, since we can be an irrational bunch, and I think it was for those of you who got in the spirit of it.

If you don’t like this entry, come back and see if the next one is of more interest.

And, old timer, this trip was on my own dime, not on the AJC’s.

By gman

March 24, 2008 7:50 PM | Link to this

Smoltz is a sanctimonious POS. Years ago, was with a friend at PDK airport and he was with Glavine. Nobody else there and my friend whose daughter was a classmate of JS’s son, Andrew says “hi John my daughter is in Andrew’s class.” Smoltz stood there, clearly heard him, stared at him, and walked off to stand on the other side of the room. Just a big-time jack-a$$. The place was so empty it would’ve been awkward not to say anything.

Remember when he sued his neighbor because the neighbor’s house created shade around his backyard pool? Remember ditching his wife? Remember him crying about run support every year? This born-again hero is a real a-hole.

By Richard

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

I could never figure out the value of a celebrity autograph, so I never asked for one. Therefore I don’t “hate” any baseball players. Not to fond of Barry Bonds but other than that I like them all…even players on teams other than the Braves. I am also an old Boston Braves fan and saw them in the 1948 World Series against Lou Boudreau’s Cleveland Indians. Lou was both the manager and a player then. My memory tells me he played first base, but I may be wrong.

By Richard

March 24, 2008 9:34 PM | Link to this

Someone mentioned John Rocker above. I was a big fan of John Rocker and was shocked the way the Braves caved in to the politically correct crowd. Everything he said about New York and the subway was absolutely correct. I think the Braves ruined his career.

By justin

March 24, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

Richard I think you are wrong about what Rocker said, but he was a fairly nice dude to meet at the games.

My all time favorite baseball player is hands down Craig Biggio. It’s too bad he’s retired now, but everything about the way he played the game was what I wanted to be when I was little.

By JB in ATL

March 25, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this

Leyritz had hit something like 6 HR’s in 1996 and then magically destroys a series that BELONGED to us til then.

I never thought much about the Y*s until that Series but I’ve hated Jim and that team from New York ever since.

BravesBlog.net JB in ATL

By rekkidbraka

March 25, 2008 8:45 AM | Link to this

Watch it, y’all. I just emailed geekboy off the board and he says that the next person who insults CC about her parenting or blogging skills gets to spend an intimate, all-expenses-paid evening with him at Casa Del Guapogeeko going over his fantasy baseball stats “in detail.”

By Daddy Reitsma

March 25, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this

I address this comment to lancein Fl,regarding my boy Chris Reitsma,you are so out of reality,my son Chris was and still will be in my opinion the best closer the Braves ever had.he is huet now and recovering but some team is gonna realize what a good closer he is and will sihn him.I told him just a couple days ago to not to worry that to just go ahead and follow all his doctors advise to rehab and that some team will sign him once he gets better.guess what you sorry no good Braves fans we got several offers from teams that want my Boy Chris.when his health is completly heath he is gonna make Soriano and the rest of your bullpen cronies look like fools.my son Chris is the best closer to ever play the game.at least at our home he is appreciated. oh,BTW Chris told me that JS and BC are nothing but scum.they both suck and got no inkling as to good talent when they see it.thats why they only one one world series.both of them were idiots and still are idiots for letting Chris go.he will bounce back and we his family will have the last laugh at you no good raves fans. When Chris gets better and can play again look out.Omar m we will call you in NY.Go Mets.the greatest team to ever play the game.NY rules,Atl sucks.

By Matt the Brave

March 25, 2008 9:29 AM | Link to this

I just wanted y’all to know not to say bad things about Reardon or Bedrosian. We went down to Spring Training in the early 90s, and there were quite a few players who just left the ballpark without signing anything. Bedrock stayed for a LONG time signing autographs, as did David Justice. We got Reardon’s autograph in Atlanta and he was as nice as he could be before a game…

By BlueWorkhorse.com

March 25, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

When I was like 8 or 9 (‘93-‘94), I went with my dad to a baseball card and collectibles show. At the show, Glavine, Avery, and an unproven youngster by the name of Chipper Jones. My dad paid for me to get the autographs of Glavine and Avery (like $35-$40 combined), but couldn’t afford for me to get Chipper’s signature, which was only like $10.

Nonetheless, my dad told me to go up and see if he would sign my baseball card anyways. I walked up (there was no one lined up at his table while the Glavine/Avery table was backed up with people) and immediately the two security guys asked where my ticket was (you had to buy a certain colored ticket at the front for each signature). I just kinda looked down and shrugged since I didn’t have a ticket, but Chipper immediately told the guys that it was Ok and took the card from my hand and signed it.

Since then Chipper has always been a favorite of mine.

By Kris in NC

March 25, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

I thought I would add my two cents to this “love” fest of hate. Let me address this comment directly to Dino, have you even met Frenchy to say he is obnoxious? I have at Fan Fest this year and that is probably the furthest thing from the truth. He greeted every fan, from the smallest to the oldest fan, with a handshake, smile and a “hello”, if that is obnoxious, I will take that. Several of you have voiced your dislike for Chipper. Funny how he showed up on DOB’s blog towards the end of Jan and beginning of Feb. talking with the fans and surprised DOB and us fans.

If there is any player to be disliked and there is one I dislike alot, it is Barry Bonds.

I enjoy reading Chop Chick’s blog because it is nice to get a female’s side of things. Keep up the good work. Don’t worry CC, Drese seems to have found his way to Richmond.

By propp

March 25, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this

ill never forget Kent Hrbek doing his wrestling imitation and pulling Ron Gant’s leg off first base and being called out

By Bill ladd Smith

March 25, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a Braves fan since 1954 Little League. In all those years there has been a lot of instances of inexcusable behavior by players, managers, and fans. But nothing matches the arrogance and public disdain of Barry Bonds. He should be shunned if not barred