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DEL.ICIO.USIf Andruw bolts, welcome Hunter ‘home’
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
Ideally, Andruw Jones stays with the Braves. Not only after this season as a free agent, but forever. Still, if he decides to bolt to the highest bidder with his mighty bat and magic glove, his replacement makes too much sense.
Torii Hunter.
“Me, playing in Atlanta?” said Hunter, with wide eyes, during a chat last week before a game involving his Minnesota Twins in Anaheim. He laughed, saying, “Kind of getting ahead of things with that thought, but if I could go to Atlanta, I’d be highly visible. People would get a chance to see my face as an African-American, and they definitely would get more of the African-American population coming to games.”
That’s African-Americans, Caucasians, Asians, Samoans, Martians.
Everybody loves Hunter. In fact, nobody in baseball is more engaging than this center fielder with six consecutive Gold Gloves in eight full seasons. Jones has nine straight in 10 seasons. And while the 30-year-old Jones is a more prolific slugger, the 31-year-old Hunter has a higher career batting average and swifter legs. If you add all of that to Hunter’s fan-friendly ways, he is a public relations dream for anybody.
He is also a pending free agent, and his Twins, who host the Braves in a three-game interleague series starting tonight, are suggesting they haven’t the funds to keep him.
So listen to this: If Hunter can’t stay with the Twins, he said he wouldn’t mind joining the team he idolized as a youth growing up in Pine Bluff, Ark. He was so much into it while watching TBS that he wore a Braves jersey on June 3, 1993, the day of the major league draft that year.
“I was sitting there thinking I was going to get picked by the Atlanta Braves,” said Hunter, nodding. “I was hoping I would get picked by the Atlanta Braves.”
The Twins got Hunter instead. Even so, the Braves still could make Hunter’s smile blind the sun even more than it does.
With no Jones, they could sign Hunter, but they likely won’t.
See, there is something else you should know about this guy: He owns an honest tongue, and he isn’t afraid to flap it. In other words, he’s a David Justice clone.
We’re talking about the same David Justice who was dealt by the Braves’ Designated Geniuses in his prime for having too much of a tutti-frutti personality in their preferred world of vanilla.
Just last week, when others blasted former Braves outfielder Gary Sheffield for saying many of his fellow African-American players were being replaced by Latin players for various reasons, Hunter agreed with Sheffield. Hunter also went further by saying baseball will lack African-American players within 10 years.
Somewhere, after hearing Hunter’s words, John Schuerholz was probably leading the Braves’ braintrust in a collective cringe.
We can hope, though.
“Atlanta has a big part of my past, because my granddaddy made me watch the Braves all the time, so I was kind of brainwashed with them,” said Hunter, chuckling. “I couldn’t go outside and play, because my granddaddy made me watch what the Braves were doing.
“Terry Pendleton in the eighth or ninth inning getting clutch base hits. I’ve got David Justice in my head hitting two home runs in a game a couple of times. Ron Gant, his power surges for a month at a time.”
What about Hunter becoming the next Andruw Jones? “I would love to, but, wow, he was there for so many years, and even if he leaves, he’s going to leave that mark in center field,” Hunter said. “It’s going to be like, ‘This was Andruw Jones territory.’ I’d have to come in and fill his void. I don’t know if I want to do that. I’ve got my own name. I’ve done my own thing, so it would be tough to go to Atlanta and play after what Andruw has done.”
Then Hunter thought, then thought some more, before saying, “Man, I’ve got so many friends from Pine Bluff in Atlanta, maybe 40 or 50. I also have a couple family members there and a couple of ex-teammates. I wouldn’t be a stranger. It would be right at home for me.”
So come on home.
You know, if the Braves’ honchos don’t lock the door.
Permalink | Comments (194) | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
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By BnB
June 11, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
terrence=zzzzzzzzzz
By TennesseePaul
June 11, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
Moore: To do some real justice for the cause you should meantion all of what Sheff said. Put the shoe on the other foot and you might just write a scathing article about the matter. In other words, you have a double standard.
Other than that, if Andruw Jones chooses to leave Atlanta, Hunter wouldn’t be a bad replacement. But, for the same reasons Andruw would be leaving, Hunter probably wouldn’t be coming. Finances are supposed to be too tight to afford AJ, how would we afford Hunter?
By KD
June 11, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
Valid point Mr.Moore, we don’t take to his kind down here!!!!!
By Matthew at the SLC
June 11, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
Andruw’s sorry butt should have been shipped out of here 2 years ago. He is the biggest rally killer on the team.
Good Riddance Lard A$$!
By Chris Brown
June 11, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this
Terence another stellar column. Although I hate to see Jones bolt for GREENER pastures, I would love for the Braves to get Hunter. But we all know John Schuerholz gets rid of anyone with a dark pigment that doesn’t speak a foreign language. I think a guy with some spunk will help the Braves in the playoffs…that’s all they are missing. But the brain trust will not allow an African-American to be the face of this franchise. Sad, but true!
By bb
June 11, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this
i dont think i want anyone on this team who agrees with sheffield’s asinine comment.
By Bill
June 11, 2007 9:35 PM | Link to this
They don’t need Tori Hunter or Andrew Jones. The Braves need to spend their resources on pitching. They can find a good and cheap CF.
By UNKNOWN HINSON
June 11, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
SHEFFIELD AND HUNTER ARE GREAT PLAYERS, EXCEPT FOR SHEF WHEN HE WENT 3 FOR 30 SOMETHING IN THE PLAYOFFS FOR US. HOWEVER, BOTH ARE ALWAYS TALKIN, TALKIN, TALKIN. BRINGING IN NY CAMERA’S TO BOBBY’S DUGOUT ASKING WHAT HE THINKS ABOUT THE RECENT COMMENTS. TERRENCE, WOULD YOU AS A MANAGER WANT THAT? IT’S A DISTRACTION AND THAT’S WHY BOBBY HAS BEEN SO SUCCESSFUL, HE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY OLD SCHOOL OFFENDER, AND AVOIDS DISTRACTION FOR GOOD REASON. I DON’T THINK IT’S RACE RELATED IT’S BUSINESS RELATED. GRANTED HUNTER SAYS WHAT HE FEELS BUT YOU KNOW BOBBY DOES NOT WANT ANY EXTRA ATTENTION AROUND THE CLUBHOUSE FOR BASEBALL REASONS NOT RACE. PLUS I LIKE OUR NEW DRAFT PICK FOR THAT JOB, AND GUESS WHAT TERRENCE? HE’S BLACK.
By bryan
June 11, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
I thought the reason why the braves dealt justice was so we could make room to sign the big 3 long term
By Jt
June 11, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
I am an Andruw fan, but he is gone from Atlanta come next year. If you don’t like Tori Hunter-both as a player and a personality- the problem is with you. He would be greatly welcomed by this Braves fan.
By A-ville Ranger
June 11, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
Do you have to play the race card on everything ? I was injoying this acticle till I saw where it was going.Did anybody outside Atlanta know who you were before your rabble rousing ? I’m not going to aggravate myself with your self serving bs again. I’m sure Hunter would be welcome here.I think your’s is worn out.
By Bill
June 11, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Another double standard column by a double standard person. We don’t need the sorry butts like Sheffield, Justice or Hunter. I always thought you put your best players on the field regardless of color. I don’t pay any attention to color of skin as long as they can play. What color of skin was 06 & 07 first round draft picks? I believe they were black and I’m proud of both picks. I think they are going to be outstanding prospects. I believe the Braves have about 5 players of color. The Afro-American Community are to blame for not having more kids involved in baseball. How in the world can you blame anyone else? I’m am proud of all our players regarless of color. By the way I’m not a racist.
By Diogenes
June 11, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, your constant race-baiting is disgusting. Are you truly that obssessed? So sad … and a disgrace.
By Bill
June 11, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
Another double standard column by a double standard person. We don’t need the sorry butts like Sheffield, Justice or Hunter. I always thought you put your best players on the field regardless of color. I don’t pay any attention to color of skin as long as they can play. What color of skin was 06 & 07 first round draft picks? I believe they were black and I’m proud of both picks. I think they are going to be outstanding prospects. I believe the Braves have about 5 players of color. The Afro-American Community are to blame for not having more kids involved in baseball. How in the world can you blame anyone else? I’m am proud of all our players regarless of color. By the way I’m not a racist.
By A-ville Ranger
June 11, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
Let me add,I heard Hunter’s comments that there would likely be no black Americans in the game in 10 years.By his logic that teams can sign players in hispanic countries cheaper.The exact same forces are working against white Americans as well.How about it Mr Moore does your conspiracy theory have a convoluted answer for that ? Maybe teams would pay whites but not blacks the higher signing cost.That must be it,we’re all out to get you.
By The Grinch
June 11, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this
Terrence, I’ve got news for you. Andruw, Harris, Renteria and Rafael Soriano are all black. Andruw’s blacker than Sheffield, and the other three are blacker than you. None of you are “African-Americans;” none of you emigrated from Africa. Andruw would be the closest thing to one having come from and island off the coast. I’m not a “Scotch-Irish” American, I’m an American. I’m white. You’re black. We’re both human beings. Guess what else: nobody besides you, Sheffield, Torii Hunter and the Rainbow/PUSH coalition gives a rat’s @$$ what color the Braves are, as long as they’re good players and good people. You’re smarter than that, Terrence, and I know you just write the crap you write so you can get on “Rome is Burning,” but I’m tired of reading it. Try some honest journalism every now and then, instead of copping out with race-baiting nonsense.
By Jeff in Roswell
June 11, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
What in the hell is wrong with this guy? Does anyone know? Seriously… what gets into a person that all they talk about is somebody holding a black man down? Terence, the ONLY reason African Americans are not playing the game is because THEY DON’T WANT TO! You know damn well that if they have talent and can play at this level then they will be there! MLB teams don’t give a damn what the color of your skin is - they just want guys that will produce. You are SICK to believe anything else. Why are you even writing about sports? It’s crystal clear what you really want to be writing about. Get some nads and go write a book about racism. Anything - anything that will get you away from the sports column. Why the AJC hasn’t booted you before is beyond comprehension… oh wait - we’re talking about the AJC here, aren’t we?
By jed
June 11, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
yeah…i’ve defended your poiints before, but this sounds like race-baiting to me too. how bout you write about willie harris? what a great story, and he’s from georgia as well.
By Jeff in Roswell
June 11, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
I would actually like to see Terence respond to some of these posts. Do you think he will?
By The Truth
June 11, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
I’ve always liked Hunter, and wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Braves uniform…but man oh man what a disgusting article. It’s people like Moore who are fueling this racist garbage while the majority of us are trying to progessively get past it. Why don’t you just head out to L.A. and get a permanent seat on the Jim Rome show because your abilities as a journalist are flat out laughable. The Braves just drafted Heyward and have a fan-favorite in Harris…technically speaking, Edgar and Andruw are both dark-skinned as well. Get over it!
By Bruce
June 11, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
AJ is not going anywhere. He does not want to play anywhere else. He will take a hometown discount to play here. Drew is not only a great player but also a great peason. In reference to Sheff’s and Hunters remarks, Most people don’t see Drew as black or brown. We see him as him as GREAT. Like the late great Martin Luther King said, I hope to be judged by the content of my heart ruther than the color of my skin. One thing that Mr Jones has, its HEART.
By Bob
June 11, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
Lets see. Who did we get in return for David Justice and Marquis Grissom in that trade? I believe it was Alan Embree to help our ever troublesome bullpen. And I think the second guy was uh…..Kenny Lofton. Is Kenny Lofton an Afro-American??? Duh. Also, is Kenny Lofton less “difficult” to deal with than David Justice was? Give me a break. It was a HORRIBLE trade, but it hardly had anything to do with race.
By dexter
June 11, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this
Hey Grinch,you rigth,Terence usually writes about the race and I’m tired reading that.The blacks,whites,latinos.etc.. are human beings and sons of GOD.All of us are people and those guys are as blacks as SHEFFIELD,HUNTER and others and whats the matter? you ok,TERENCE should write about anothers items,instead write usually about racism,like the people full of complexs.
By TommyBoy
June 11, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this
Ho hum … the sun rose and the sun set, the wind blew and the grass grew, Terrence Moore wrote a column about the black man being held down.
Seems some things are just part of life, huh? Terrence, you are a talented guy, but is EVERYTHING a racial issue?
I am a HUGE Braves fan and have been for years. I want to see Andruw stay, but if he can’t — bring Torii Hunter on board. What an awesome replacement that would be.
Can’t you just put your argument like that, Terrence?
If the Braves are so racist an organization, why are the YOU the only one to ever say it?
By Not worth it
June 11, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this
Andruw is not worth $18M/year nor worth $12M/year. He is inconsistent at best when batting and he refuses to make changes with his approach. He always ends up with good numbers but they rarely ever come at the right times. Andruw needs to be in a lineup full of consistent hitters where he can occupy the 7th spot and swing recklessly for the fences. With an $80M payroll, it ain’t going to happen in Atlanta.
I’d take Willie Harris in center if it mean’t getting two good starters in the rotation. Andruw had his time here and produced zero WS titles. Time to change the strategy.
By Ripme
June 11, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
I would love to get Toriiand let AJ hit the road. Color? What color? We are all God’s children. Now just play ball.
By Kentavo
June 11, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
Where’s the Ken Griffey Jr. will be Andruw’s perfect replacement article? Is that next? I know it’s coming? Do we have to wait unitl we play the Reds?
By Bo
June 11, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this
I’d take Willie Harris in center for one good pitcher…oh! I’d take him anyway BA 395 and AJ’s BA 210. What a joke.
By Jack
June 11, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this
You are the dumbest human being ever Mr Terrence Moore.
By Daxxed
June 11, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
I have read so much rhetoric about this subject. But seems no one follows the fact. Baseball is a much harder sport to learn and master than basketball. In basketball all you have to do is know how to jump, hit the same bucket time after time in the same location from different areas of the floor. Granted there is allot more running in basketball, but if you are 6’4” or taller then all you need to learn how to do is rebound, block and dunk. And in basketball, which is a minority, dominated sport, which has, stars right out of high school. There is no minor league except college but many skip college or leave early. Why because basketball is easier to master. The ball is as big as your head, the rim is 18 inches and it never moves. You notice there is no Hoopla or Rainbow Push Coalition complaining that there are not enough African Americans in Hockey. Which by the way also has a minor league system to hone skills before becoming a Pro such as Baseball. See in baseball you have to learn to hit a moving object smaller than a fist traveling faster than an auto on the interstate and what to do with it once it is hit or what play to make after it is caught. And many blacks do not want to spend the time perfecting their skills at baseball in the minor leagues when they can play Basketball now. You know it is funny that you never hear much about blacks not being Olympic swimmers, Divers, Snow Skier, Water Skier, Racecar Drivers. It’s so funny that there is a BET (Black Entertainment Television) but there is no WET (White Entertainment Television) there is a Miss Black America, Miss Black USA and even a Miss Black Georgia. But no Miss White anything. So drop the racist crap. If a black kid wants to learn to play baseball and has the talent, the drive and the patience then more power to him. But he does not deserve to be on a team just because the color of his skin. He has to earn it. And I do not care what color skin he has, if he plays I pull for him.
By Drew
June 11, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this
Can’t the city of Atlanta catch a break on the race issue.
By Kerry
June 12, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
This column is proof that any moron can get a job as a sportswriter with the AJC.
By josh stevens
June 12, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
I hope all you so called AA’s(african American). I’f you don’t know what AA’s meant. know that terrence moore is useing his little column to rant about race not to try to help his beloved AA’s but use them to futher his own name. This guy only cares about himself and his wallet. If I were an AA I would boycott the ajc. I would call for him to be fired.For basically making all AA’s all over look bad. I mean how long does it take for you AA’S to see what this jerk is doing in your name. The real problem is that most of you AA’s believe in him and his messed up way of thinking. Even though it seems well void of making any kind of sense.
By Can We Get A RACISM-FREE Sports Column in this Town?
June 12, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
Hey there, Terence!
Let’s get rid of ALL the Caucasian and Hispanic players on the Braves and replace them with some bruthas! I can stand all those “Casper” and “Taco Bell” players down at Turner Field!
We can even change the name to the CHOCOLATE CITY BRAVES!
Whaddaya say, T-Dog?
Shalom!
Isn’t it about time for your yearly “We Must Trade for Ken Griffey, Jr. NOW Before Atlanta Burns to the Ground” article, Terence?
Terence Moore, you are a racist piece of $#!T. Please take your own life and better our society, Hatemonger.
By TruthHurts
June 12, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this
Daxxed…you must be kidding. That was a weak argument at best. It’s not about baseball being harder to master. The other sport you mentioned, basketball, does not have the history baseball has with regards to exclusion. After all, baseball has always marketed itself as America’s favorite pastime. And unfortunately, part of baseball’s history is exclusion. And even when baseball moved to inclusion, the players did not all behave as if they wanted black players in the game, i.e., spitting on players, racist remarks, etc.
And just so you know, WET (White Entertainment Television) already exist as 95 percent of all programming is targeted at white consumers. So it’s not about one station, WET is 95 percent of all stations. And I hope your educated enough to know that the events featuring an emphasis on “black” anything were created to showcase black heritage that is almost always misreported by HIStory.
By Mrs. Beans
June 12, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this
Torii Hunter?
Isn’t he that racist who didn’t want to honor JACKIE ROBINSON and wear his jersey during the MLB celebration a couple of months ago?
Oh, I see, Terence. You’re a one racist simply defending another. ( You Go, BO-EEEEEE!!! ) “Racists of a Feather……” I suppose.
I’ve heard this buffoon, Mr. Hunter, interviewed before. What an uninformed-sounding simpleton! Andruw Jones is much better with English than this egotist who is currently Minnesota’s problem.
By jimmy
June 12, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this
whats wrong terrence did some mean ol white person treat you fairly when you fully expected a free ride or special treatment. For your unfortunate minority status? I’m sorry you hate white people so much. Because most of us are really good people and don’t deserve to be bullied or railroded. By anyone. Are you trying to pick a fight with all the white people in Atlanta? yea there are some of us left in this hellhole. So come see for your self or are you only seeing in black and white. you are a very sad excuse for a human you make me sick.
By Rosa
June 12, 2007 2:28 AM | Link to this
Terence, does Jesse Jackson pay you by the word?
Spend your silver well, ‘Judas’ Moore.
By TP
June 12, 2007 2:29 AM | Link to this
Judging from the comments I read on this board gives me the impression that most are coming from white folks. Who ever you are, you need to get off of this idea that Terence is racist. He is simple saying that black folks are going to speak their minds on issues that white folks can’t deal with. As an African American, I can relate to where Terence Moore is coming from in his column. I use to work for this dump truck company 5 months ago until I was let go. I remember the day they hired me that I wasn’t going to work for them that long because the person who did the hiring would call the black drivers bud. To me, that is a slur term white people use to make you feel little. I put up with it for a little while until I couldn’t take it any more. I confronted him by letting him know that I didn’t want him calling me bud anymore. I told him that I am a 44 year old man and that I would like to be treated like one. Well, 3 weeks later, I was fired. Guess what excuse they gave me for letting me go? They told me I had too many blow-outs. I told him to prove it, but he couldn’t because he claim he didn’t have my driver’s record in front of him. I shook his hand and went home. See, they have a track record of firing black drivers so it didn’t matter if they fired me or not. Again, I understand TM column.
By mt
June 12, 2007 3:24 AM | Link to this
TP and TRUTH HURTS you took the words right out of my mouth. Great posts. T. Moore keep up the good work, you are doing a great job.
By Terrell in the ATL
June 12, 2007 3:38 AM | Link to this
TP, get that chip off your shoulder, “Bud.” You are WAY too sensitive. Please seek professional help before you take all that blind rage at the world and hurt someone.
FYI: Georgia is a “Right to Work” State. Your employer can fire you for any reason they choose, ESPECIALLY if you act like a complete @$$ to your boss. Welcome to Reality, “Bud.”
Obviously, it was more important to you to be a jerk to your boss, regardless of whether he/she was a jerk to you, than it was for you to maintain a regular paycheck at that job until you found something better. However, you now want to BLAME WHITE PEOPLE for your own stupidity. Man you ARE dumb, TP.
Not everyone in this world is entitled to kiss your rear end so you can feel good about yourself, TP, so STOP expecting it.
p.s. Gary Sheffield is asking you to get your lips off his jock so he can go belittle some more Hispanics.
p.p.s.
Q: How do circumcise TP?
A: Kick mt in the jaw.
By Ed Amiss Jr
June 12, 2007 3:47 AM | Link to this
If Andruw splits, Tori would be GREAT. AWESOME.
By Scott
June 12, 2007 4:19 AM | Link to this
You people are so damn freaking NUTS. You don’t think the Braves would want a black player as the face of the franchise? Hank freaking Aaron? You ever heard of him? The guy with the statue out front of Turner Field. The same Hank Aaron of 755 Hank Aaron drive? You know that guy? The black guy from Mobile, Alabama? He’s the ultimate Brave and the guy everyone thinks about when you mention the Braves.
And Torrie Hunter wouldn’t be the face of the franchise anyway. He’s not that good. John Smoltz and Chipper Jones are the face of the franchise and will be until they retire. And Torrie Hunter will probably cost too much for the Braves to sign and the Braves already have a prospect ready to take over centerfield. His name is Brandon Jones and get this, the guy is BLACK!!!! That’s right, a real black person!!!! People just like to start crap up and it makes me ashamed to be black sometimes.
By TP
June 12, 2007 4:30 AM | Link to this
mt, why don’t you just call me n**** or boy? My grandfather was called n**** in his time on a regular basics. Then white they narrow it down to boy during my daddy’s time. Now it’s bud in my time. I wonder what slur term they will use during my sons time. I have a home and a business of my own so I’m doing ok for myself. My youngest son is a jurior at Savannah State and my oldest son did 2 years in college and continuing to get his degree as a computer technician. So calm yourself down before you commit a criminal act.
By Bill
June 12, 2007 5:55 AM | Link to this
I am white and I don’t like to hear anyone called n——- but can you explain to me that’s it’s o.k. for a black to call another black that name. This is 2007 and what is wrong with calling some bud or boy. I’ve done that all my life and I don’t mean anything by it. I’ve heard blacks call each other boy, so where is the problem. Everyone need to get a life and not be so pickey.
By edward
June 12, 2007 6:14 AM | Link to this
TP. I am wondering where you get that “bud” is racist?? I am white and have been called “bud” many times. You never explained either what “bud” means. So how do you know it is racist? I use the term “african-american” but it feels silly to me at the same time. If you or your parents came from africa, yes, I see the point. I am Russian,French,and Italian. So what does that make me? I was born in the United States, so that makes me American. I suspect you are too. Get over it. “bud” is a name alot of people are called, white,black,asian…If you want to see more african-americans playing baseball, tell them not to go for the fast money of basketball and football and stick with baseball.
By TP
June 12, 2007 6:56 AM | Link to this
To Bill and edward. The question is, do you know what bud mean? If not, then why call someone something that you don’t know the meaning of. I chose to be call by my name. If a black person don’t mind being call a n**by anther black person, then it’s ok with him. However, if a black person don’t want to be call a n**** by a white person, then it’s not ok. If you have a problem calling someone by what they want to be call, then that’s your business. No one can make you do anything that you don’t want to do. Galatians 6:6,7
By steve
June 12, 2007 7:25 AM | Link to this
Here we go with the race thing again. Can’t you so called “journalists” try another angle once in a while? That’s it, ride a horse ‘til it dies then change riders. What a crock! Keep the pot stirred dumba$$…
By Daxxed
June 12, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this
TruthHurts you missed the point. The fact is Baseball is open to any race that can master it. It just takes allot more to master Baseball than it does Basketball. The problem is that the majority of black youth of today want to be the next Koby or James and not the next Bonds or Mays. Look at today’s youth. My son plays is 8 years old and plays baseball on a league with over 230 kids. Only 11 black kids played and 1 of them was a girl. And I know there are more black kids in this area than that. It is a parent’s issue of not allowing or directing their children toward the game of baseball. Why? My theory is basketball can be practiced solo. Without the aid of any additional person or equipment while baseball cannot. Put up a goal and rim next to a hard surface toss a kid a basketball and there you have it. They can shoot, dribble and score. Now toss a kid a baseball, oops forgot the glove, know we need a bat. But where do we play. Driveway is too small. And you sure cannot play it alone. Or learn the fundamentals of the game without someone teaching you. But Basketball you can. It all has to do with the direction the parent wants the child to go. Baseball requires assistance and coaching just to learn the fundamentals, Basketball does not. Baseball requires many different skills, Basketball requires few, Baseball requires a team to learn the game Basketball does not. Baseball requires allot more room to play, Basketball does not. You can even play Basketball one on one Baseball you can’t. Fact is baseball requires many different skills to become a Pro while Basketball does not. Basketball is something that can be practiced anytime Baseball is not. Basketball can be played with one goal and still remain fundamentally the same. It’s not a race issue but a Parent issue. Fact is Basketball is a fast track to allot of money while Baseball takes time. Funny thing is their is not anyone complaining that there are not any Indians or Egyptians playing in either sport.
By mart
June 12, 2007 8:00 AM | Link to this
Yeah, Terence, and we ought to sign Albert Pujols to replace Adam LaRoche.
By h_charles
June 12, 2007 8:08 AM | Link to this
What a disgrace. Way to gloss over what Sheffield really said, which was Latino players were suck-up sycophants who are only in the league because they do what they are told. Talk about racist!
By hammerstone
June 12, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
Why cant “black men” just think of themselves and everyone else of other genetic origins as simply “men”? I am caucasian, and try my best to see all men and simply men, but so many of the men keep pointing out that they are black unnecessarily. I think the whole issue of race would dissappear if it were simply dropped. When the Super Bowl coaches were asked about the significance of being the first black coaches, I thought it would have been so cool and admirable if they had said “Well to be honest I just think of myself as a man- period”, but of course they continued the trend of being mentally separate. The men who point out their african genes decry the separation that they feel, yet seem to insist on keeping it that way.
By hammerstone
June 12, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this
Why cant “black men” just think of themselves and everyone else of other genetic origins as simply “men”? I am caucasian, and try my best to see all men and simply men, but so many of the men keep pointing out that they are black unnecessarily. I think the whole issue of race would dissappear if it were simply dropped. When the Super Bowl coaches were asked about the significance of being the first black coaches, I thought it would have been so cool and admirable if they had said “Well to be honest I just think of myself as a man- period”, but of course they continued the trend of being mentally separate. The men who point out their african genes decry the separation that they feel, yet seem to insist on keeping it that way.
By hammerstone
June 12, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
h_charles:
so you are saying that Sheffield acknowledged that baseball managers prefer players that are agreeable and not difficult to deal with…..and he is upset about it? THAT makes sense….What a self-absorbed and bitter person. You want to be wanted and liked? Make yourself likeable….That is not selling out- that is being big enough to give of yourself….
By TM is a retard
June 12, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this
If we can’t afford AJ, how would we get someone thats better. TM, what a retard.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
June 12, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this
TM wrote this article to give us sports junkies an alternative to Druw in Hunter. Now we all know, if you have read TM for any extended period of time that he will throw out the race card often. We though as consumers should not let that detract from the main point of Torri Hunter is nothing but class and would be a tremendous asset to the Atlanta Braves. This is the type of sports role model the African American community lacks in Atlanta. Torri Hunter would embrass the role. Lets let TM be TM b/c for better or worse we are stuck with this cat.
By Daxxed
June 12, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this
TP…the definition of bud is part of a flower or plant, but in slang it is short for buddy: friend, bro, pal, chum, compadre, amigo, companion, etc. I have been called bud and bro many times. Does that mean that someone was being racist and demeening toward me. Shoot and I just thought they were trying to be friendly.
By CM
June 12, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this
Another pathetic race laced article..can YOU please talk about something else. Of course I suppose as long as ‘we’ respond to your garbage, you’ll keep tossing it up there. Seriously Terence, get over it and write some decent articles.
By Dick
June 12, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
Put Willie Harris in center field. Atleast he will take a walk, Jones doesn’t. Chip tickles me, guys on secondand third, two outs they want to pitch carefully as Andrew is on deck. Shoot walk the batter, load the bases—Andrew is going to strike out.
By Rod
June 12, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this
Terence - typical racist crap. Why are you joining the racist bandwagon questioning why there are fewer and fewer blacks (not African-Americans, as none of them actually came from Africa) in MLB? Why don’t you ask why there are fewer and fewer whites (again, not European-Americans) playing in the NBA? Huh?
By Ken
June 12, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
Andruw Jones is the epitome of potential unfulfilled. A lifetime .270 hitter because he refuses to drive the outside pitch to right-center, he could have approached Willie Mays’ level, but he won’t. Unfortunately I see Jeff Francouer also falling in love with the upper deck homer, and his batting average reflects it until Terry Pendleton forces him to focus on driving the ball to the opposite field. As good as Jones could be, his overall impact has been a hindrance.
By Jeffrey
June 12, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this
Only Terence Moore could turn an topic dealing centered around the Braves’ alternatives in centerfield for 2008 into a racial issue. And when did Moore’s idol worship of David “I can’t hit a curveball” Justice begin exactly?
By Daxxed
June 12, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
I have to agree that if NJ bolts, put WH in CF. His batting average is much higher than AJ’s, he knows how to bunt and steal a base, he is much more of a clutch hitter than AJ. And he would cost allot less. We may not have as a spectacular array or artistic dives as with AJ. But we will surely have more hits which wuld lead to more runs. And that money that would be used for AJ could be used to help the pitching staff.
By mikedarwin
June 12, 2007 9:13 AM | Link to this
Since there does seem to be evidence for a decline in black baseball players, the issue to be addressed by the sports world is the “why” question. Regardless of Sheffield’s argument that there is a pro-Hispanic basis, you need to check out the ratio of black to white to Hispanic players at all levels of baseball. For example, I stopped on the way to my truck yesterday and watched 12 teams of t-ballers. I realized that the white to black ratio was over 4 to 1, yet our community is over 30 percent black. I thought it might be due to the time of day and SES, but basketball plays at the same time during the winter and the ratio was 1:1. So why choose basketball which has fewer potential professional positions in basketball than baseball. Could it be due to more college scholarships in basketball? I don’t know, but the difference is showing up at a level where how you talk does matter; if you speak English, then the coaches will love you.
By The Grinch
June 12, 2007 9:20 AM | Link to this
Daxxed, your 8:42 just took the words right out of my mouth. TP, do something different all day besides sitting around watching “Roots” and it will gradually begin to dawn on you that all white people aren’t Simon LeGree. Hey, I get mad every time I watch “Braveheart,” does it mean I should demand special treatment from every British person I meet? Get over yourself. Nobody owes me anything based on my genetics, and nobody owes you anything for the same reason. You owe your employer an honest day’s work just like I do mine. Start putting them in consistently and you’d be surprised how fast the “racism” disappears.
By TP
June 12, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
Daxxed, I being waiting for someone like you to come along and not give the word bud it’s true meaning. Bud is an undeveloped embryonic shoot and normally occurs in the axil of a leaf or at the tip of the stem. So tell me, what does that word has to do with a grown man. Are you telling me that as a 44 year old man that he hasn’t developed to adulthood? Do you call every person you meet in every day life bud. If not, explain why.
By keeping it real
June 12, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
To fit Terrence’s profile you must be black, born in the USA, english as the first language and must be willing to make loud and shallow statments.
If you want more black Americans playing major league baseball, there would have to be major changes within the black community. For example, south Dekalb is considered one of the weathliest black communities in the US. Where are the little league parks? Where are the black fathers volunteering to coach and run the leagues?
By the way, bud is a term of affection. He was really making a sexual advance towards you.
By Diogenes
June 12, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this
What you apparently don’t understand, Terrence (and TP, etc.), is that the more you continue to assert these knee-jerk, lame, disingenuous, indefensible, nonsensical race-based arguments, the more you drive many whites to conclude that blacks are nothing but immature, clueless whiners (which I know isn’t the case for ALL black people — some of the finest people I know happen to be black — but you sure make it sound that way at times). Accordingly, we simply tune you out as too laughable and immature to ever take seriously. Do you not understand the serious harm this kind of drivel does to the cause of improving race relations? You come across as throwing a race-based temper tantrum due to a lack of maturity and and critical thinking … is that really what you want?
By Thomas
June 12, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
He is the only center fielder I have seen that is better in the field than Andruw Jones.
By jamie
June 12, 2007 9:23 AM | Link to this
You won’t find T.Moore responding to anything written here. He doesn’t even know he has a blog. They pay some guy $6 an hour to take whatever he writes for the paper and post it here.
By matt bignon
June 12, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
terrabce, why do you always have to talk about race? just talk about baseball. if anyone is a bigot, it is you!!!!!!!!!!
By matt bignon
June 12, 2007 9:26 AM | Link to this
terrance, why do you always have to talk about race? just talk about baseball. if anyone is a bigot, it is you!!!!!!!!!!
By dawginLex
June 12, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
TM,
You started out the column talking about Tori Hunter coming here if Andruw leaves. You fill the column with more of your agenda about poor black folk not getting a chance to succeed.
Give it a rest. Blacks go to school and get an education just like whites and do succeed in life. It’s called America. Give it a rest.
I hear your phone ringing-it’s Rev Al on line 1 and Jesse is holding on line 2. They want to know where to wire your agenda bonus check.
By josh
June 12, 2007 9:28 AM | Link to this
i will go on record as willing to wager any amount of money that mr hunter is comfortable with that in ten years african-americans will remain a presence in MLB. that’s a bet i’d love to take with him.
By esoy2u
June 12, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this
Some will fall for anything.. there is no such person as an American African. Just a “cute” litle euphemism that has confused everyone about what someone is supposed to be called. Calling the “black box” on an airliner, does not change its color from yellow
By feel the love
June 12, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
the hell w/Jones, the hell w/Hunter & the hell w/Terence & his pathetic excuse for a “sports” column. This guy could F-up a bread sandwich. we can’t afford AJ or TH but we CAN afford Carl Crawford of Tampa Bay (who also happens to be black). He’s younger, faster & a lot cheaper than either of the other guys. We should trade Salty, Prado & Hampton to Tampa for Crawford & Scott Kazmir. This solves our issues in center, on the hill & adds another black face to the team so TM will be happy…for a few weeks anyway.
By Dap
June 12, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
For those who thinks that the Braves would not like an African American to do well as a Brave is ignorant and racist.
We pull for the Braves. Not a certain color Brave. We want to win.
We don’t care what color the face is. Apparently the only ones who cares is the ones always calling others racist.
Hunter is a great player but he is expensive also.
Get a clue.
By gtfan
June 12, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this
Using your rainbow coalition, race baiting argument:
Maybe the Hawks should get some more white players, since apparently the colored ones aren’t getting the job done.
Maybe the Falcons should of got rid of Vic and kept Shaub b/c the colored quarterback isn’t getting the job done either.
By biffpocoroba
June 12, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
If AJ leaves, his replacement is Brandon Jones who is playing very well in Mississippi. Francoeur or Harris will play CF and the extra dough will be spent on starting pitching.
By Wes
June 12, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this
Alright, let’s think about this logically instead of racially You already have a bargain standing right next to Andruw in Francoeur, considering his natural position is center field. On top of that, he puts just as many, if not more, fans in the stands than Andruw does. Why pay millions to bring someone in from the outside when you’ve already got the answer on your roster?
By Jeff in Roswell
June 12, 2007 9:47 AM | Link to this
TP You need to broaden your horizons. You have a serious chip on your shoulder if you think “Bud” is anything but a term for addressing someone. I know a guy who’s name is Bud - his real name! Please educate yourself before you blather on and on about things like this. I understand that everyone likes to be called by their own name - I don’t care to be called “sport” or “b!tch” but, I have been called it before by an employer. There are different ways of dealing with it and I chose to tell them that wasn’t my name and I would appreciate being called by my name. Most times they complied and we went on with life.
By braves fan
June 12, 2007 9:50 AM | Link to this
Wow!! TMoore, why don’t you just man up and say what you really want to say? That the Braves are racists. What a fckng studge you are. The lack of african american players is an national issue, not a Atlanta Braves issue. Instead of always pointing the finger at somebody else, why don’t you and all the rest of the african american community take a long hard look in the mirror and see who is really to blame. Baseball is the one major sport that has what amounts to an intern program…the minor leagues. It’s a barrier to taking a poor rural kid or poor inner city kid and making him a bazillionaire overnight. The NBA and NFL do not have this problem and you’ll notice that they are not lacking for, as the wise old sage Gary Sheffield would put it, “black faces with English coming out of their mouths.” The players that are in MLB are people who made a decision to work hard for a little money with the dream of making it big. My point is that YOUR community as a whole is failing at promoting baseball as a sport because it does not have an immediate pay off to those who chose to try it. Sheff mouths off about MLB building baseball academies in Latin countries and laments the lack of such facilities in inner cities. Well if he’d just did a little research, he’d know that MLB just opened such an academy in Compton, CA. You don’t get much more inner city or smack dab in the middle of african americans that need a positive influence and way to make it out than that place. Sheff also misses the fact that in the Atlanta area several academies have been opened thru the graces of guys like Chipper Jones, Brian Jordan and John Smoltz. Maybe if he took a break from criticizing others, he could dip into his vault and get off his own a$$ and open an academy in the Tampa area where he grew up, or the place where “they can’t control us.”
Oh and go f*ck yourself TMoore. You are such a biggoted fool. Vanilla?!?!?
By Greg
June 12, 2007 9:52 AM | Link to this
Hey TM, why don’t we get rid of Chipper, McCann, Francoer, Salt., etc. Obviously, they’re the wrong color. It ain’t about winning and all that anymore, is it?
By braves fan
June 12, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this
Oh and by the fckn way TMoore…..the Braves #1 pick a few days ago was a local african american kid. There is no racism or vanilla flavor with the Braves, just a lack of african american kids picking up a bat and ball to learn the game….everywhere.
By jason
June 12, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, I do not like your opinions ever with the exception of this time
By CLear Perspective
June 12, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this
Terence Moore’s columns always bring out the worst in the black culture. As a lifelong Braves fan, I remember sitting in Fulton County Stadium dozens of times and never missing a Braves game on TV. My grandparents watched the Braves, my parents watched the Braves, I watched the Braves. My favorite player as a kid was Jerry Royster. When we played ball in the yard, I was Royster. When we went to the game, it was Royster’s autograph I was after. My dad’s favorites included Rico Carty and Ralph Garr. My grandfather never got over Eddie Matthews. I remember sitting in the left field stands when Hammerin Hank was in the last few years of his Atlanta tenure and hearing fans ridicule him. Black fans. Calling him names like “lazy n****”. This was the home run king, I could never understand it. In the 90s, I loved the play of Justice, Gant, Pendleton, McGriff, Bream, and of course Maddux, Smoltz, and Glavine. But looking back, I have no memories of race having anything to do with me enjoying watching players like Rowland Office, Sugar Bear Blanks, Jeff Burroughs, or Andy Messersmith. I think Ted Turner probably did more to promote minorities in the Braves organization than anyone in baseball. Not because he was forced to, but because he knew it was the right thing to do. So given the fact that Bill Lucas and Henry Aaron had a big role in the Braves front office for many years, whose fault is it that the Braves don’t have more black players? Mine? Ted Turner’s? The general managers? Bobby Cox? (Heck, Cox got along with Sheffield and Justice better than anyone. And look at the fairness he’s displayed with players like Andruw Jones.) So, if all of the Jesse Jackson/Al Sharpton disciples would get off their rear ends, get serious about being parents, and get your kids involved in Little League……..maybe, just maybe we will continue to see an equal representation of our society in the game of baseball. If not, the Latinos will keep coming, looking for an opportunity……………. God Bless Terry Harper and Larry Bradford!
By Coach
June 12, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this
You want to do what with who ? Hey , Terence. You are aware of Gregor Blanco and Brandon Jones. Jones is of course , black. Which means , in your manner of thinking , Jones is doomed to be traded. Loauud knowwwwws we dont be wantin no moooo of dem tutti-frutti baseball players in hot lanta ! Yea right , sure and Andruw , Renteria , Willie , Escobar and Soriano must be purple. Or maybe your just wearing rose colored glasses ?
By TP
June 12, 2007 10:11 AM | Link to this
You all better start show me RESPECT right now!!!!! You all OWE ME RESPECT!! It doesn’t matter that I’ve done absolutely nothing to EARN your respect but you all better give it to me!! Otherwise, you shall all feel my rage or be subjected to my passive-aggressive attempts to use religion to put you all down while elevating myself above you all. RESPECT ME.
By jp
June 12, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
We all know Moore is a racist. He hasn’t written an article that isn’t racially biased in quite sometime. The sports columnist at the AJC are pretty poor. That’s why I get the NY times now and not the AJC.
But if Andruw were to leave, I think the cheaper investment would be Ichiro. WHy did you not mention him at all moore? The guy is a perennial hall of famer and averages 200 hits a year. Something andruw or Torii couldn’t dream about doing. Ichiro will be cheaper than the other two also.
By Sobecat
June 12, 2007 10:16 AM | Link to this
The real irony is that Terrance wouldn’t even be writing for the AJC except for the color of his skin. His writing his terrible, grammatically and substantively.
By INGY Q BINGLEBOP
June 12, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
IT IS A FACT THAT BRAVES ARE RACIST. EVER WONDER WHY MADDUX, GLAVINE, AND SMOLTZ WERE THE BIG 3 IN THE MID 90S AND NOT ANY BROTHERS? SHUERHOLTZ IS RACIST AND BOBBY COX DONT LIKE BLACKS OR MEXICAN IN THE CLUBHOUSE. TORII WOULD LIKE TO COME TO ATLANTA BUT THEY DONT LIKE HIS KIND THERE. HE IS BETTER OFF GOING TO A LIBERAL CLIMATE LIKE THE DODGERS PADRES OR RED SOX.
By Flip
June 12, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
Terrence, one of the problems with decreasing numbers of black representation in baseball, is basketball. Kids can get together for a pick-up game of basketball a lot easier than they can get a group together for baseball. Also basketball affords more individual gratification, which plays into the me first mental state that most youth are into today.
By TP
June 12, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
Dogenes, be careful what you write.(the more) in your sentence is pass tense. That means white people thought of black people as immature people before this column was written. Let me tell you what immature mean. Taken away a country that didn’t belong to you, taking people by force from their land to do things you wouldn’t do, hang slaves for recreation purpose, didn’t want to share your restrooms, allow women to expose their neckiness on tv to influence our youth, allow gambling on tv knowing it teach grieve amonst our youth, went to Iraq to get their oil, give young able body black women welfare assistence knowing that it has a negative affect in the black communities, attacking 1 man(OJ) instead of letting him reap what he sow and lastly re-elect Bush. I can go on and on, but I’m just too tired. You just setting yourself up for a major fall. One day you will see what I mean. Terrence and Sheffield, don’t stop speaking your minds. You have that right rather they agree with you or not.
By Chris
June 12, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
After the Braves traded Dave Justice, he batted 284 and averaged 83 RBIs per season. Respectable, but not some huge missed opportunity for the Braves. Terrence, if you want to complain about losing somebody, you would be better off focusing on Jermaine Dye
By Andrus Fan
June 12, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
TERRANCE! Guess what? The Braves just drafted…………….a black player! Please jump off that stinkin’ race card!
Speaking of, Jason Heyward will be a serious asset to the Braves. Watch this kid!
By Rainbow Joe
June 12, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this
EVER WONDER WHY MADDUX, GLAVINE, AND SMOLTZ WERE THE BIG 3 IN THE MID 90S AND NOT ANY BROTHERS? - INGY Q. BINGLEBOP
Baseball is a cerebral game that requires players to demonstrate THINKING and PATIENCE.
The BRAVES prefer to build a WINNING team with players who possess BOTH THINKING and PATIENCE but WITHOUT having chips on their shoulders. (Brian Jordan, Dale Murphy, Tom Glavine, Marquis Grissom, Hank Aaron, etc.).
Leo Mazzone wanted players who were both talented AND coachable. Gary Sheffield would never have made it as a BRAVES pitcher with all the yelling and reverse psychology Mazzone uses for ALL his players, not just the racist ones with chips on their shoulders.
By Bill
June 12, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
Ha T.Moore why don’t you defend yourself. I don’t think you are man enough.
By Andruw Fan
June 12, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this
BILL Well said. Just give us the best man for the job, Regardless of his color. Who cares! (Other than those who insist on playing the race card!) Again….Check out the Braves most recent draft pick!
By Bill
June 12, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this
Ha T.Moore why don’t you defend yourself. I don’t think you are man enough.
By Andruw Jones
June 12, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
GRINCH - Maybe you outta write a column! I like you.
By Terrell in the ATL
June 12, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
RE: “I told him that I am a 44 year old man and that I would like to be treated like one. Well, 3 weeks later, I was fired. Guess what excuse they gave me for letting me go? They told me I had too many blow-outs.” by “TP”
TP,
Are you sure you weren’t fired from your last job due to many blow-UPS instead of blow-outs??
By blow-UPS, I mean the EMOTIONAL variety typically experienced by easily-angered, not-very-intelligent, poor-communicating people such as yourself who get outraged at little things and call “Racism!” at things they obviously do NOT understand or don’t like.
Recognize, TP. Hey, get someone to change your diaper while you’re at it, Dawg.
You ‘claim’ to be 44 years old, but you sound like you are going on 4 years old.
By LB
June 12, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
Hey Terence, how about doing your homework! Instead of copping-out by using the race-card, try using some common sense and dig a little deeper for the truth, like this article from USAToday: [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/columnist/bodley/2007-06-12-bodley-sheffield_N.htm]
By feel the love
June 12, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
to jp…Ichiro is great - no doubt about it. but…do you want a guy that steals 50 bases, hits 250 singles & a handful of 2B’s, 3B’s & hr’s (not to mention maybe 50 rbi’s at most), OR, a guy like Crawford that has 35 HR power, & the ability to drive in 100 & steal 30+ bases? I’ll take CC every time. Plus, if we can snag a stud like Kazmir - and yes, he is a stud - all the better. The Rays can’t afford either of them, & to get a great young talent like Salty (plus Prado & maybe even James or Davies), I think they’d be willing to take on the deadweight of Hampton. Mike Hampton has single-handedly crippled this franchise’s ability to pursue talent w/his $hitty left arm & insane contract. What a joke. Yes, it would hurt to part w/Salty, but that’s why they call them “trades” & not “fleeces”. Side note: T Moore is a jackass. Anyone who disagrees has a right to do so & god bless them, but they’re fools to back a clown like TM. the man cares not for what’s best for the home teams, but only for the shameless promotion of himself & his weak agendas. But i gotta hand it to him on this - he sure knows how to get us fools stirred up enough to stop working & start talking about his…um..writing. Here’s the 08 lineup: 1)Harris/LF, 2)Crawford/CF, 3)Johnson/2B, 4)Jones/3B, 5)Francouer/RF, 6)McCann/C, 7)Renteria/SS, 8) Thorman/1B. Starting 5 = Smoltz, Kazmir, Hudson, James/Davies, Lerew/Carlyle. Not bad. Plus, w/the extra $ saved from dropping AJ & MH, we can sign some bench help. W/the big 3 in the bullpen, that sounds like a sweet formula for Oct.
By Terrence Moore
June 12, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this
I just wanted to respond to all of the hate messages I am receiving from the oppressors. I do not race bait and I do not ever play the race card. I simply just tell it like it is.
You white people, I mean oppressors, won’t ever let a black man get his just due. Black people are better than every other race at all sports. It is a fact. Look at Hockey, Baseball, Golf, Soccer, UFC, etc.
You think that you can keep African Americans out of baseball! I will not let that happen. I will continually write on this topic until some like minded people, African Americans, will see the truth and actually start taking back the sport that is rightfully theirs.
I am still waiting for reparations and blame the white man for everything. He is the reason I have to pay taxes. He is the reason we have ghettos. He is the reason I have to continually write these obnoxious beliefs so that I can get my message out there and corrupt my readers.
By Terence Moore
June 12, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
I just wanted to respond to all of the hate messages I am receiving from the oppressors. I do not race bait and I do not ever play the race card. I simply just tell it like it is.
You white people, I mean oppressors, won’t ever let a black man get his just due. Black people are better than every other race at all sports. It is a fact. Look at Hockey, Baseball, Golf, Soccer, UFC, etc.
You think that you can keep African Americans out of baseball! I will not let that happen. I will continually write on this topic until some like minded people, African Americans, will see the truth and actually start taking back the sport that is rightfully theirs.
I am still waiting for reparations and blame the white man for everything. He is the reason I have to pay taxes. He is the reason we have ghettos. He is the reason I have to continually write these obnoxious beliefs so that I can get my message out there and corrupt my readers.
By Diogenes
June 12, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this
Oh TP, who’s obssessed with the past? Look forward, my man. Put down the crack pipe. Marry your babymama. Raise your children. Get an education. Get a job. Focus on your family and your career, and stop reliving past injustices (which all cultures have suffered at one time or another). Take the chip off of your shoulder. Realize that YOU are “responsible” (think about that word carefully) for YOU. Use and speak with your brain, and not your emotions. Realize your life is what YOU make of it, not the result of what generations past have done or suffered. Take off the racial blinders, as they cause NO ONE to take you seriously. Work toward building a responsible life you can be proud of, not one filled with whining and complaints and demands for special treatment based on past transgressions. Make yourself someone any employer would want to hire, and any woman would want to marry. Respect yourself for who YOU are, and not for what class or culture you happen to belong to … and others will respect you, too. You and all the TP’s of the world CAN do this. You ARE somebody. Now, go forth into the world, my man, and whine no more.
By Nitz
June 12, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
It is time for Andrew to go. He is a great fielder, but never hits the clutch shot. His HR’s come when they are up by 5 runs! He stikes out so much it hurts watching him! Use the money to pay him on pitching. Smotlz is not getting any younger!
By dewan Lee
June 12, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Who told you all that basketball takes no skills. If that was the case then they would not have coaches or basketball clinics. The Hawks would be World Champs and GT and UGA would win every year. Basketball takes a lot of talent and skills jsut as hockey, baseball, soccer, etc.. I played baseball for years and I did find a way to practice alone. Its called get a bat and go to the cage or get a bat and use a Tee. Get a bat and put tape on a fence and swing at the different colors or marks. Throw a ball in the air and judge how to catch it. Need I keep going on. I was a pretty good player but I did not get the call and I am okay with that. Can MLB do a better job of making the game wanted by the Black community yes indeed. Its sad that Academies are set up in foreign countries but not in the states. If you start to put more commercials on TV then more blacs could equaate to baseball but we dont see that. Growing up the only commercial I sdaw was Jr and I wanted to be like him and Rickey Henderson. There was not a white person that I wanted to emulate because my skill set compared to Jr. and Rickey (grace and speed). While I miss the game you better believe that the Braves better send a scout to scout my 6 year old son who will be the next Andruw Jones or Chipper Jones. Last fact is again I am not an African American since no one in America can say that they did not hail from Africa. Go back and read the bible and tell me where the Garden of Eden is and if Adam and Eve were the 1st 2 humans on earth then that would make everyone African in some form. Ever notice how Asians look alike, Alaskans and MExicans look alike, Moroccoans and Spanish look alike, and so on and so on. Only in America do we segregate our colors. Puerto Rico does not do that, England does not do that. Grow up America and lets all have fun cause I love this GAME.
By PS
June 12, 2007 10:59 AM | Link to this
Tori Hunter sounds good to me, i mean Andruw is good too, but i bet he’ll leave the team- so Hunter it is, they better not make some stupid deal in which they get a sucky hitter/fielder
there has to be some trades in that braves roster
By blaylock
June 12, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this
You are about the sorriest excuse for a writer and everyone knows it. Now, knowing your stance on sports and race, I am still waiting on a story about Willie Harris. This guy exemplifies everything that is RIGHT with baseball. Haven’t heard you say one stinking word about him or his accomplishments yet. Guess you can’t stir the pot with writing a story about a stand up kid who plays the game he loves just for that very reason. You really are a P.O.S. Terrence.
ESPN will be calling soon so they can mock you and your absurd points of view. Hell, everyone else does…
By ken shamrock
June 12, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
Seriously Terrence, why don’t you do this city and the readers of the AJC a favor a nd quit. Go move to some other city and torture the residents there. Atlanta has had enough of your garbage mouth.
Here is my question to you, if the Braves can’t afford to resign Andruw how in the hell are they going to be able to afford tori Hunter?
Maybe they could let Tim Hudson go at the end of the season and pick up the Rocket in his place. That probably makes perfect sense to you, moron.
By TP
June 12, 2007 11:24 AM | Link to this
Terrell, I know my communication isn’t that good, but you know what, at lease I was given a mouth to speak. Now that you have criticize my limitation in communicating, don’t fret when that bad seed you planted in your heart come back to knock you over(Galatians 6:7,8). Do you know Moses. He had a speech ailment but he was able speak against a powerful king. I to will continue to say whats on my mind.
By Sick or it all
June 12, 2007 11:25 AM | Link to this
Cos Enterprises owns the AJC, right? Check out their Diversity Policy. Terrance doesn’t fit this does he?
Cox Commitment to Diversity Cox is committed to having a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. Also, we want to capitalize on the unique talents that come from a variety of people and perspectives.
Our managers are committed to valuing a diverse workforce and they demonstrate this by:
Confronting and eliminating intolerant behavior
By aqg
June 12, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
those colored folks just keep messing up my baseball team! we should change our name back to the crackers and field only whitey! let blank and co. have all of the thugs! keep baseball pure…
sarcasm, one of the finest forms of communication ever!!!!!!!!!!!
By Chris Norwood
June 12, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
“But we all know John Schuerholz gets rid of anyone with a dark pigment that doesn’t speak a foreign language. I think a guy with some spunk will help the Braves in the playoffs…that’s all they are missing. But the brain trust will not allow an African-American to be the face of this franchise. Sad, but true!” - Chris Brown
The first and last sentences of this comment are just totally useless and baseless.
First off, Mr. Brown, I would wager $100 that you have not spent even 1 hour speaking personaly with Mr. Schuerholz. So, for you to make that accusation publicly is wreckless and way out of line (no matter who you heard it from third hand).
Secondly, your last sentence is just flat out false. I can remember many instances where persons of color were allowed to (as if it was anyone’s choice but the press’) be a part of the face of the franchise. Fred McGriff, Andres Galaragga, Justice, Gant, and Sheff for instance. They all had their share of the limelight here.
I won’t speak (and I don’t think anyone should here) about what drove the organization to let any particular player leave, not hire any particular player, etc. because I don’t know and I bet you don’t either.
It’s that kind of unsubstantiated BS in that one paragraph Mr. Brown that infuriates me about Terrances articles. I want to read the comments and opinions about sports, but instead what I usually get is racism.
By Sobecat
June 12, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this
Why is there no outrage about the lack of Mexicans or Causcausions in basketball?
By kris
June 12, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
honestly, torii would be an upgrade in atlanta. if you look statistically, that is. he has a higher career ba, and his fielding stats make andruw look like he belongs in single a.
By Larvell Jenkins
June 12, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
TP, I would fire your uneducated, angry, disrespectful, cancer in the workplace azzzzzzzz too!
You apparently talk AND write like a self righteous, hypocritical, holier than thou idiot. Thanks for making Christians ( and Baseball Fans! ) of color sound like stupid people who just want to HATE the whole world!
By TP
June 12, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
Diogenes, apparently you didn’t catch on. I am not living in the past. I was simply breaking down everything that took place from slavery to our day. You’re only demonstating that you want complete control over want a black man can say and what he can not say, otherwise you would ignore the things you don’t agree without making childish insults. You just can’t take it could you?
By Dan
June 12, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Time to hang it up, Terrance. You and Cynthia McKinney should need to move to an uninhabited island and populate it together. If things go awry, at least won’t be able to play the race card for your problems.
I’m sick of your bs - you are the black equivalent to the KKK.
By BP
June 12, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this
Jesse Jackson, didn’t we just draft an African-American with our 1st pick in last week’s draft???
Funny how there are no responses from Moore, just his unfounded comments about Schuerholz’s disdain of blacks from the soapbox.
If you hate the way the Braves operate so much, stop writing about them because the majority of us hate your writing. Please.
By Sobecat
June 12, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
I have so many black friends that hate Terrence and Sharpton’s of the world. They believe they are the biggest traders to their race. They want to live in the past so they can make money talking about it all to the detriment of other african-americans who are making it on their own abilities. Sad really.
By Najeh Davenpoop
June 12, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
Disregarding the race issue, Hunter would be a very good replacement for Andruw if/when he leaves, he would probably be cheaper than Andruw. And for whatever it’s worth he would attract more black people to Braves games. But would he really be cheap enough to justify spending on him in free agency, when half the Braves’ payroll is already tied up in 6-7 players? I’d think some team in need of team speed and a center fielder would be willing to overpay for him. The Braves would probably be better off trying to acquire someone younger and cheaper like Carl Crawford in a trade, or bringing up someone from the minors like Gregor Blanco. Especially considering that this team has a hard enough time getting all their hot bats in the lineup at once, it probably wouldn’t make sense to sign Hunter. Use that money to get a pitcher, or get someone younger and cheaper to play CF.
By Diogenes
June 12, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this
Sorry, TP, jut can’t take you seriously, for the reasons stated previously — you’re just a caricature of what I’m talking about. That’s okay, though — read what I wrote again, and take it to heart. If you do, you’ll have as good a chance to “be somebody” as anyone else (mean ol’ white people included). I’m pullin’ for ya!
And oh, yeah, a reminder … when Moses talked back to Pharaoh, he actually had something substantive to say. Ciao!
By loafer
June 12, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this
Andrews “Mighty Bat”?????
Have you watched a Braves game in the last 5 years??
By Proud Dawg
June 12, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
Gee, another racially inspired column by the diverse Terence Moore. Maybe its time the AJC change its roster and bring in another white man to replace the complaining, yet, loudmouthed and talentless black man it has. But that would be discrimination wouldn’t it Terence?
By Don Imus
June 12, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Why does the AJC let him get away with his racist ranting? Because he is black.
If he was a white man spewing racist crap like he does he would not only be fired but would probably be sued and/or put in prison for civil rights violations. I dont blame TM. He is just being himself. I blame the AJC for allowing his racist garbage to be printed in their newspaper.
But of course the AJC is a left wing BS paper and to them there is no such thing as a black racist.
By Gregg
June 12, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
Everybody always has to throw up the “race card” these days. Damn, it’s getting a little out of hand. It’s nobody’s fault there isn’t alot of African Americans in baseball. They prefer to take the quicker route like Basketball or Football. Minor league before the good money?? No way!
By Rondo
June 12, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this
QUIT PLAYING THE RACE CARD Terrence! Oh, I forgot, that is ALL YOU EVER DO! I am sick of your agendas. I do not understand why the AJC pays you to write this garbage. Maybe I can write an article about wanting some more Chinese, Japanese, French, Italian, Australian, and Danish players here because they are under-represented in MLB. African-Americans account for about 14% of the U.S. population and 10% of MLB, so it is pretty close to the average. What are the percentages of African-Americans and Caucasian-Americans in the NFL and NBA?
It would be nice to have Torii Hunter here not because he is black (Andruw Jones is too), or African-American, but that he is a GREAT BASEBALL PLAYER.
Andruw is hitting .221 with 11 HRs, 42 RBIs, and 62 strikeouts in 231 at-bats.
Torii is hitting .308 with 13 HR and 44 RBIs and only 44 strikeouts in 224 at-bats.
Since Torii is making the most out of his contract year, putting up MUCH BETTER NUMBERS, and Andruw is definitely not, I would imagine that Hunter get paid MORE THAN ANDRUW.
So what’s the sense on paying Torii to come here when we could have Andruw for less $$$? Oh, I forgot, because he is a black African-American rather than a black Curacaoan, and that fits your agenda.
By TP
June 12, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this
Larvell, don’t be so angry my friend. You don’t have to agree with me. Speaking of uneducated. I have a high school diploma, autobody and truck driving certificate. I plan to go back to trade school and take up webdesign. Don’t be fool by my poor communication. I’m just glad I’m able to do things for myself. Since I made my first comment on this issue, not once did I use any derogatory remark toward anyone. If I disrespect anyone for saying what’s on my mind I would like for you to point it out to me. Otherwise keep your inflammatory remarks to yourself. You only showing that you are a weak humanbeing.
By DR. King
June 12, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
Why do you always have to bring up African American? Tori is a man of color now the color has to come from Africa? I don’t think ANY ball player is from Africa or from Europe or Germany for that matter. Baseball has color. If you want color watch the NBA , the NFL , go to downtown Atlanta or visit any prison in the USA. Plenty there Mr. Moore. Baseball isn’t about color, it’s the best ball player and how he carries himself on and off the field. Get a life and “LET IT GO” Mr. Mo, er Mr. Moore..
By dwonz
June 12, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
i don’t get how the braves could afford tori if they can’t afford to keep andruw. keep andruw!
By rk
June 12, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Hopefully you will figure out the dearth and lack of interest of Caucasians in NFL and NBA…Or don’t you care???
By Edd
June 12, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
Terence Moore, Thanks for reminding whitey why we from African descent can never get away from the racist when our own people have turned into the worst racist ever! I have yet moved on. WE WISH YOU WOULD AS WELL. Terence is not speaking for me or anyone I know. thanks.
By kl
June 12, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this
Terence Moore, Thanks for reminding whitey why we from African descent can never get away from the racist when our own people have turned into the worst racist ever! I have yet moved on. WE WISH YOU WOULD AS WELL. Terence is not speaking for me or anyone I know. thanks.
By AJ
June 12, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
Terrence What is this wisecrack, “We’re talking about the same David Justice who was dealt by the Braves’ Designated Geniuses in his prime for having too much of a tutti-frutti personality in their preferred world of vanilla.”
Are you calling white people vanilla? Are you a chocolate/ mocha black man? Do you know why Justice was traded? Apparently not.
David Justice and Marquis Grissom were traded for Kenny Lofton (not vanilla) and a pitcher to improve the team. The team won another 9 consecutive division titles after then.
Perhaps a more LOGICAL and sensical column would be to call for Carl Crawford to come to Atlanta, rather than a more EXPENSIVE player than Andruw Jones in Torii Hunter. If we can’t afford Andruw, there is no way we can afford Torii.
I really don’t understand why Terrence Moore has such a racial hatred towards African-Latin American-Americans. Andruw is not from Africa, neither is Torii, and neither is Terrence.
By Drought- more than rain
June 12, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
Until we deal with yesterdays race issues all conversations will be reduced to race. Its affecting our comedy, radio and sports. SAD! By the way, the Braves will never win the big one with CLIPPER Jones.
By Kyle
June 12, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
All you guys that think the Braves intentionally avoid black people are idiots. First of all, look at Willie Harris. He is black if you ask me. And he sucked before he got here. So why would they get him if they were avoiding black people? you might have a case if Harris was on fire before he got here, but he wasnt. Second of all, in today’s society you cant affort to hire based on color if you want to win (especially in sports).
By Joe Smoe
June 12, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
All I wanted to read about was a good choice of replacement for AJ, when he goes to get his paycheck. Next time, TM, please leave race out of the article. Baseball deserves better.
Funny thing about sports is that when your winning, no-one cares what color the players are, only the color of the uniform.
By ChampDawg
June 12, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Terence— Andruw’s “mighty bat” is batting less than 230 and too often has batted around 260 or 270. I’ll give him credit as a great defensive player but without better offensive credentials isn’t worth the money he will demand. If the bank roll is there, sure let’s keep him. But it won’t be and he’s gone after this year- he knows it, Booby Cox knows it, and JS knows it. The Braves will be just fine without him- I’d just as soon see Harris in center and spend Andruws money on pitching. Andruw has got to be the most over-rated player in the game.
By Bill
June 12, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
Race is not the reason the Braves have not won more. It takes alot of resources and this bunch that just bought the Braves could care less.TM rest in peace after you read what people thinks of you. Even people in your own race can’t stand you.
By Bill
June 12, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
Race is not the reason the Braves have not won more. It takes alot of resources and this bunch that just bought the Braves could care less.TM rest in peace after you read what people thinks of you. Even people in your own race can’t stand you.
By Just Wondering
June 12, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this
Why not just move Willie Harris to centerfield. Given the seasons they are having it will cost a whole lot more to sign Hunter than Andruw. Everybody realizes this, except maybe Andruw.
By jeff
June 12, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
we have spent over a week dissecting shef’s words and attitude. From my white perspective, I can see how an African man carries the chip of discrimination on his shoulder. We still have racists in our society and we will always have them. But we also have the proverbial “race card” being played in too many instance where it is not present and it is like “the boy who called wolf too many times”. When so many instances fail to have a race issue, then people stop listening to the accussation. Second, if you were management and had two employees of equal talent but one was angry and confrontational and the other tried to work with you and listened who would you keep?
By Mark
June 12, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Terrance,
You are such a biggot. You speak as if there is some vast conspiracy to exclude African-Americans from baseball. And you single out John Schuerholz? I honestly wish you would think past your own side of the argument. I wish you would approach this subject with some intelligence. I understand your argument. I think about your side of things. I think long and hard. And at the end of the day, I still believe your argument is weak and flawed.
This is baseball. The requirements to play the game are to hit well and field well. And once that is accomplished, a player must also prove to be a positive force in the clubhouse. If their behavior begins disrupting the team chemistry to a detriment, then they must go. John Rocker anyone???
Race isn’t an issue. It can’t be. The bottom line is the issue. And the bottom line is preserved by putting the best players on that field and in that club house.
Maintain your own integrity by speaking respectfully of those with integrity. Or pick up an application for The Atlanta Braves General Manager. I hear they might be hiring in a year or so.
By DC
June 12, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
Well lets not forget we dont even know for sure that Andruw is even leaving but if he were to leave i think Hunter would be a great replacement and also Hunters batting average is way higher than Andruw will ever have, yes there will be a decrease in home runs but atleast we will have a guy that can keep rallys going and plus hes not to bad on defense either
By Mike
June 12, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Interesting article but, in my opinion, spending a ton of money to keep A. Jones or to sign Hunter is unnecesary. When Andruw leaves, move Francoeur to CF, play Salty in right (I believe he has the athleticism and the arm to do it—remember a guy named Murphy?) and keep developing Brandon Jones. If we have free-agent money to spend, spend it on starting pitching.
By monty
June 12, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
i hate to burst “Drought More than Rains” bubble but Atlanta has already won “the big one” with Chipper in 1995. Remember? Why are there not more blacks in Basebll? Drive through any black neighborhood in July and see where the kids are playing, it isn’t a baseball diamond where I spent my summers, you’ll see them on a basketball court playing pick-up games all day.
By Sobecat
June 12, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
Hunter is not is not coming here. Terrence just picked an issue where he could though out the race card (quite illogically I might add) so that he would get a lot of responses so he could tell his editors about it. What a trader to his race.
By Flatbush Bill
June 12, 2007 1:54 PM | Link to this
Funny how folks run to defend Sheff’s comments, but no one found ANY truth in Rocker’s. Dude, have you seen some of these Asians drive? I’m from NY, so I KNOW of the hell he talked about!
By Koz
June 12, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
I’m glad you let us know it was Torii early in the story, because after reading your title I thought you meant Brian Hunter.
By scooter11
June 12, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
It’s after 2:00 and comments are still being accepted to Mooron’s blog. Is this a record?
By los bravos son mi hombres
June 12, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
Wow i would love torri hunter. I think if we do lose andruw js will spend some money and get something valuable, he wont screw us over in center field. We might get a plus from andruw leaving. But ya gotta root for him to stay considering his history
By Techie
June 12, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
Whatever this story is about (and honestly, no, I haven’t read it), I guarantee it’s got racism laced throughout it somewhere…and that’s just not interesting reading from a sports columnist…Terence, you’re a race-baiter just like Jessee and Al…you have so much potential but you’re a major turn off because the only thing you whine, I mean write, about is racism.
By RJ
June 12, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Just once Mr. Moore, try writing a collumn where you don’t play the race card. Let’s try that.
By Sobecat
June 12, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Anyone else hearing the rumor that we just acquired Ken Griffey, Jr.? What a perfectly timed slap in the face that would be to Terrence.
By madison
June 12, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Sheffield shouldn’t have shot off his mouth like that in that tasteless way. Maybe he should’ve gotten more involved with african-american youths and did an interview from there where they’re at to get some attention onj the subject!! but no he wanted to sound like a complete jacknass! and make us good black men look bad… he has a point, but he’s full of B.S. and asanine to make a such vulgar statement!
By Ryan
June 12, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
You got to be kidding me. Hunter??? Seriously, he’s going to break the bank somewhere too. And if he agrees with Sheffield, then I surely don’t want him in a uniform. Scheurholtz ships out players who are know it all’s and idiots. Justice was awesome until he felt his opinion could right all the wrong in the world.
Plain and simple. Look at the Braves now. Our problem isn’t offense, it’s pitching. An outfield of Diaz, Harris, and Francouer would be just as productive as what we’re seeing this year.
By alodawg
June 12, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
I’d rather read an article on Paris Hilton and Rosie O’Donnell than crap from Terence Moore. What a freakin waste of time.
By Mark
June 12, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
The funny thing is that there were only 2 sentences in the article that had mentioned race outside of Torii’s quotes and that is the only thing that people focused on. That is sad. As far as Sheff’s comments….one of his Latin teammates also supported him. Have any of you stopped to think that some of his Latin teammates have privately expressed these things to him in the locker room knowing that he would speak up for them??? We don’t know what is talked about in the locker room but we all want to be an armchair reporter. Think about things from all angles before you put your foot in your mouth.
By JCSmalls
June 12, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Ok so the Braves are not going to pay a home grown 30 year old 9 time Gold Glover that averages .265 with 33 HR’s and 100 RBI’s and 158 games played for his career, but they are going to dish out the money to sign a 31 year old 6 time gold glove that averages .271 with 21 HR and 77 RBI’s and 133 games played for his career? You think Hunter isn’t going t get paid as well? Stupid artice…I like Hunter, but we are not going to get any kind of bargain for him to come to Atlanta…sing Andruw and make him a lifetime Brave. If we want to save money try and get rid of Thumbs McGee aka Chipper Jones and his half season on the DL A$$!!!
By KDog
June 12, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Who are we gonna get to write these race baiting columns if Mr. Moore ever left the AJC?
Gary Sheffield, David Justice, Terrance Moore = All Talk
People always talk about David Justice but as I recall Tom Glavine pitched a pretty good game that day back in 95.
By NO~TO~AMNESTY~!
June 12, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Leave it tou you to bring such a racist article to the AJC…SHAME. Did anyone notice that Hunter didn’t mention onw white Braves player….REVERSE RACISM is NEVER MENTIONED AT THE AJC!
By FIRE THIS RACIST!
June 12, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore you are an idiot RACIST!
By Torpedo
June 12, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
I prefer Hunter of Jones anytime. I also love Gary Sheffield the ballplayer however, there is a reason why on EVERY TEAM he has played for he has had issues with and it always blamed on speaking his mind. Forget about that, because there are many great players that speake their mind, David Ortiz, Smoltz, Schilling,etc. However, they don’t say such non sense like Sheffield that makes their team trade him or not sign him regardless of his great production.
BTW LETS NOT BLAME IT ON RACE EITHER!
By Tired O'race
June 12, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
Gary Sheffield = John Rocker side by side on my piano, keyboard, oh lord… same old song. Terrence, write about baseball please.
By bravesfanbob
June 12, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
If Terrance Moore would spend as much time recruting young African-Americans to play baseball as he does putting down white Americans for the fact they don’t, the major leagues would be 50% black in 10 years. And as a white American, I would be thrilled. We need more Hank Aarons, Willie Mays, Jackie Robinsons, and Reggie Jacksons in the game. Why fuss about it to the higher ups of baseball? Why not fuss at your inner city commissioners who don’t spend any money to promote baseball in urban neighborhoods? They are to blame more than anyone, but the ones around here tell me that they can’t get the kids to leave the basketball courts long enough to field one ground ball. Baseball isn’t hip in most of these neighborhoods, and that is the problem nationwide. So money is spent elsewhere. So Terrance, blame the fact that basketball is more appealing in the inner cities than baseball, and STOP PLAYING THE RACE CARD! We are sick of people like you blaming everything that goes on in this country negatively on race, and not telling the truth about the situation. Too many white Americans like myself are very disappointed with the lack of blacks in our favorite game, but the truth is that they aren’t playing the game as kids, and thus they don’t play pro ball. By the way, I wish we had 9 David Justices starting on the Braves every night. The attendance would be up 25%, and that would be mostly white fans. We don’t care what race the player is, we only care, “Can he play?”.
By FIRE MOORE!
June 12, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
The reason for the lack of African-Americans in MLB reverts to the lack of African-American fathers in the home…TELL THE TRUTH!!!!
By Optimist
June 12, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Well, there you go again with your racist finger pointing. Youth baseball is available to all kids, even black ones. They just prefer football and basketball because it gives them instant gratification, and they don’t have to work for peanuts while riding buses through the minor leagues. Black kids can play the game and it’s their choice to not play. If black parents want them to play baseball, maybe they should quit talking like you (reciat) and get involved. Part of the problen is too many black kids don’t have a daddy in the house. And the last time I looked the Braves had several latin players who are black — Andruw, Renteria, and Soriano for example. You think they are white?
By Vicks a Role Model Too!
June 12, 2007 3:13 PM | Link to this
I suppose Mr. Moore will begin defending Mr. Vick soon. We all know that Michael has set a wonderful example for young blacks all over the South.
By aqg
June 12, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this
why does the nba cater to only blacks, how come there isn’t a concerted effort to bring white people back to basketball. thats the same thing that terrence moore is proposing for mlb as well as other “leaders” in the black community!
By BamaBrave
June 12, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
If this is a blog…why isn’t Terence participating? He hasn’t weighed in once. Feelin’ the love, Mr. Moore?
By Larvell Jenkins
June 12, 2007 3:23 PM | Link to this
TP, I am not your friend, but I will be your “BUD,” BUD.
TP = Racist Dumbazzzzzzzzzzzz
???????????????
TP’s Favorite NASCAR Racer - The #8 BUD Car
TP’s Favorite Beverage - Schlitz Malt Liquor
TPS’s Second Favorite - BUD Light
TP’s Favorite Fantasy - Gary Sheffield Massaging His Little BUD and Making It Sprout
TP’s Favorite Dessert - BUnDt Cake
TP’s Favorite Activity - Racism
TP’s Least-Favorite Activity - Reading
TP’s Favorite Love - Gary Sheffield, A Hot Tub and a Bottle of Thousand Island salad dressing
TP’s Second-Favorite Love - HATIN’ On Whitey!!!
TP - He my best BUD. - “Rev.” Sharpton
By DD
June 12, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
If you manage to weed through all the racism arguments, there have been some really good suggestions on here about next year’s team. I definitely think that the suggestion of having Francour, Willie Harris, and Salty in the outfield is the best idea. My next favorite suggestion would be Carl Crawford. Tori Hunter is great, but Crawford will give you more years. If it really does come down to signing Hunter or Jones, thats a no-brainer as long as the price tags are somewhere in the same ballpark. I’d take Hunter any day over Jones.
By Scooter
June 12, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
RE: REVERSE RACISM is NEVER MENTIONED AT THE AJC!
NO~TO~AMNESTY~! please stop being an idiot.
There is NO SUCH THING as “REVERSE RACISM.”
RACISM is RACISM, no matter who is the on the receiving end.
Recognize.
By bfred
June 12, 2007 3:31 PM | Link to this
I think the Braves outfield is going to give Terrence plenty of material for his deranged rants for some time to come:
AJ is hurting his value with his play this year, but some team will still pay him a ridiculous amount and the Braves will let him go.
Torii will get more than Jones, so the Braves won’t sign him.
Griffey would be great but plays fewer games per year than Chipper and is not getting any younger.
Harris is having a career year, but eventually will trend towards his career numbers and is not a long-term solution in center.
Every one of these is a sound reason for not looking to that player as a multi-year replacement for AJ, not that it matters to the AJC victim factory. Unless we trade for Crawford (probably the best available CF) it looks like the Braves will not be fielding any high-profile black outfielders in the near future, so we are stuck listening to Terrence’s conspiracy theories for a while.
Great.
By Ryder
June 12, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
Racists comments aside, I’d have to agree with Terence on bringing in Torii Hunter. Although I’ll always hate the Twins for what happened in ‘91, I do admit I enjoy watching Hunter play in centerfield. What’s more, unlike Andruw Torii seems to enjoy the game whenever he’s playing and adds a bit of excitement when he’s at the plate or making great catches in the field.
What it comes down to is this, who would you rather pay to see? To be honest, I’d rather have Torii Hunter, even if he’s a bit older than Carl Crawford or other players in CF. Unlike Andruw he seems to actually care about playing and from watching his interviews he likes to have fun. Remember at the end of the day this game is all about entertainment, and i’d think in a bigger market Hunter will deservedly get over. Andruw probably does need a change of scenery. I love his talent but he doesn’t seem to want to improve the way Torii Hunter has.
By BULL OF THE WOODS
June 12, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Terence, why do you keep doing this?
As a black man I must say that you are not doing us any good. You have just destroyed any possibility of Tori Hunter coming to Atlanta. And that is hurtful to him and to the Braves and the city of Atlanta. And it is most hurtful to Tori Hunter’s family and friends who would have loved to have seen him play in Atlanta.
I honestly believe you would better serve our cause if you tried to tone down your rhetoric about race. Quite honestly many of us are tired of reading it. It is not helping at all to try to start fights all the time with the white populace of Georgia. Think about that for a moment sometime when you have nothing better to do.
By Tim
June 12, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
Can Terence Moore EVER POSSIBLY write a column about ANYTHING that has nothing to do with a person’s skin pigmentation? This dude is so utterly obsessed with it.
Get the hell over it, man. Geez
By Sobecat
June 12, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Bull of the Woods, It is helping his pocket book. I know, pathetic. What TM does is sell out his race to make money. I am white, but my black friends feel that people like TM are much more harmful to the AA race than any white racists could be.
By Ryder
June 12, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
Listen, I don’t care if we get Ichiro, Torii, Carl Crawford, or Brandon Jones comes up here next year. I don’t care about color, just give me more players like Jeff Francoeur who play the game with PASSION! Can you say that with me P-A-S-S-I-O-N? This is why Andruw Jones will never reach his full potential and this team doesn’t win when it matters most, because the majority of the players on this team lacks PASSION. Guys like Jeff, Willie Harris, Smoltz those are the guys I want on my team everyday. Edgar, Kelly Johnson, Brian, Jared, more guys who are willing to play hard everyday. Unfortunately the heart of this team is surrounded by two guys who lost that passion a long time ago, Chipper and Andruw. Andruw needs to go and the Braves need to infuse someone with PASSION. Torii has it, Ichiro has it, and most importantly they are exciting to watch. When’s the last time anyone can say that about Andruw having PASSION?
I could care less about color, and I’m half black half white. Yes it would be great to have more blacks represent, but it wouldn’t kill me if the Braves were all lily white or all hispanic, just so as long as they have PASSION for what they do.
It’s time the Braves get back that PASSION they lost years ago. They haven’t had it since that series with the Mets in ‘99.
By MooreHater
June 12, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
Terrance Moore is just another loud mouth ape trying to cause a stir. He rambles about Hunter coming to Atlanta, then realizes it likely won’t happen, causing me to wonder why I just spent time reading the worthless blog. Then of course, in Moore fashion, he rambles about being black and running his mouth. Moore wants him here because he’s black, nothing more. He probably wet his pants when Willie Harris was called up to play LF.
Moore, why don’t you get off your worthless ape butt and write about something that’s not racist. Even your own race is turning against you now. Get a clue ape. You’re worthless, even to other apes.
By BULL OF THE WOODS
June 12, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
One other point I want to make. African Americans account for about 12% of the US population. If we apply that percentage to each baseball team we could expect 2-3 black players on each team. I believe we currently have more than that.
For sure the percentage is far greater in basketball and football because we have concentrated on those sports.
As for me I don’t care. If he is black and can play at the major league level then that is fine but if he can’t and a white player can then I want the white player in there. I want a winning team and if it consists of whites, blacks and Hispanics that is fine with me.
Anyway there is little chance you are going to keep a real black star down anyway. It just isn’t going to happen. Look at those huge contracts signed last winter. Who got them?
By Bill
June 12, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
A-Men to Bull Of The Woods
By Bill
June 12, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
A-Men to Bull Of The Woods
By brave1970
June 12, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this
when is #10 getting out of her? Keep A.J. the guy never misses a game.
By Luv 2 Hate Me
June 12, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
I say let Mike broke down Hampton go along with Chipper & sign Andrew and Tori. Let Escobar play third. That kid is going to be a star one day. Just hope the Braves aren’t stupid to trade him. Don’t let him go like Wilson B.
By Bill
June 12, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
Ronnie Ramos or whoever is calling the shots over there, why do you allow this to go on unchecked?
We’re talking about the same David Justice who was dealt by the Braves’ Designated Geniuses in his prime for having too much of a tutti-frutti personality in their preferred world of vanilla.
Are you friggin kidding me? You would allow a white writer to write the equivalent about an african-american player?
What type of journalism is this? Luckily it appears from comments here that most everyone - “vanilla”, “tutti frutti”, basically anyone with half a functioning brain wave - can see Terence for what he is: a bigot.
By Jimbo
June 12, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
A question for T. Moore: If there are no black players in 10 years from now will we still need to celebrate Jackie Robinson Day?
By dal
June 12, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
Mr. Moore,
What is the difference between the lack of blacks in baseball vs the lack of whites in basketball. Should the white population start complaining about equality in the NBA??? I don’t see that happening
By Rick
June 12, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Adding Hunter wouldnt be a bad move if the Braves are unable to sign Jones.
By BamaBrave
June 12, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
Don’t let him go like Wilson B. Is that the same Wilson B. currently batting .200?
By Sobecat
June 12, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this
dal, no one like Terrence will ever try to answer that question. Bottom line is, I guess, Terrence is just too dumb to realize that winning is WAY too important in professional sports these days for race to even be the slightest issue. Why wouldn’t there be racism in basketball if there is in baseball? Blacks are as a whole simply better at basketball than whites. On the otherside, white players, as a whole, are simply better than blacks in baseball.
By Pepe
June 12, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Just a guess, but might “Bud” be short for buddy? What about weed…?