AJC > Sports > Columnists > Archives > 2008 > January > 15 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHomegrown touch for Gwinnett Braves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Terence Moore
The coming of the Gwinnett Braves, as opposed to their going, going, nearly gone Class AAA forefathers in Richmond, makes so much sense. “I mean, if there was a day game here [in Gwinnett], I wouldn’t be surprised if Bobby and the coaches stopped by to see a couple of innings before they went to [Turner Field],” said Braves general manager Frank Wren, referring to Bobby Cox and others involved with the major-league staff.
Cox is the game’s best manager. Not only that, he showed his brilliance as a talent evaluator while serving as general manger during the Braves’ acquisition and development of David Justice, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Mark Lemke, Steve Avery, Jeff Blauser and the rest of those who set the foundation for their run of goodness through the 1990s.
It’s also like this: If you think you’ve already seen this team become the “Atlanta” Braves in recent years, with homegrown folks such as Jeff Francoeur and Brian McCann sprinkled throughout their roster, just wait a short while. Added Wren, nodding when asked if the Gwinnett Braves means the Atlanta Braves will be even more apt to scout and sign local talent: “The exposure that these players will have in close proximity to us I think will make a change in the way that we’ve done business in the past, and also in the way that we’ve developed players.”
In other words, if you can hit, pitch, run, catch and throw a little, and if you reside within a couple of fungoes of I-285, you suddenly have more of a chance to play for your local major-league team.
It all goes back to officials from the Braves, Gwinnett County and the International League announcing a couple of interesting things on Tuesday at the Gwinnett Arena. First, they said that the Class AAA Braves will make their move from Richmond official with the first pitch of the 2009 season, and then they said that the Gwinnett Braves will do so in a new $38 million facility.
Francoeur still is smiling. Before becoming a rising star with the Atlanta Braves, he was a baseball and football standout at Gwinnett’s Parkview High School. He also lives in the county, along with other Atlanta Braves. “In addition to myself, you have McCann, and I’m still counting Andruw [Jones], even though he’s gone, and Kelly Johnson lives just on the other side of the line,” said Francoeur, thinking and smiling. “Clint Sammons lives here, and Chipper [Jones] used to live here.”
Francoeur even joked with Braves management about allowing him to play “25 games” in Gwinnett instead of Turner Field to save on gas money.
Except for those in Virginia’s state capital, where their sporting life will soon revolve mostly around the Richmond Spiders and the VCU Rams instead of their Class AAA team of more than four decades, everybody into tomahawks is a winner with this decision. Yes, the Braves’ top minor-league affiliate can prosper in Gwinnett. And, no, the arrival of that team to the Atlanta area won’t affect the historically slow-clicking turnstiles at Turner Field.
Such also will apply when both of these Braves teams are playing on the same day or even at the same time. These are two different animals.
Speaking of animals, while the majority of those attending Atlanta Braves games will be going for Smoltz, Chipper Jones and Francoeur, the majority of those attending Gwinnett Braves games will be going for Pee Wee Geese, Shaquille O’Seal, Deion Salamander.
You know, ZOOper creatures. Then you have The Chicken, and the merry-go-rounds, and the clowns, and the whatever you can think of that’s zany. That’s all part of the minor-league experience, which is more about the atmosphere than the game. “I also think it’s cool because this will give the family that sometimes can’t afford to go down to [Turner Field] for four tickets — because it can get expensive — to come out to a minor-league game and see good baseball,” said Francoeur, pausing, before adding in a hurry. “Not that we don’t want them to see us.”
They will. They’ll do both, at least occasionally.
Permalink | Comments (32) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves / MLB, Terence Moore
Comments
By Herschel Talker
January 15, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
Huh?
By Ricky in Big D
January 15, 2008 10:12 PM | Link to this
Great move. I am a big Braves fan in Dallas,Tx. The Rangers use Frisco their AA team as a local resourse. Player are sent to this local minor league team for rehab starts which lets people see stars in a much smaller venue. For instance, last year Julio Franco could have played a few games in Gwinnett and not Rome. Rehab starts for picture like MIke Hampton can be just up the road
By bubbaBaseballhead2
January 15, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this
Moore with something positive to say, huh!!!! Must be some special type of koolaide
By bubbabaseballhead22
January 15, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
Moore saying something positive about an Atlanta team and Bobby Cox? Must have switched Koolaide.
By NASCARfan
January 15, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Since when is Booby Cox anything but the most overrated manager in the history of Major League Baseball?
When it is all said and done, Booby Cox will be seen as the manager who could win in the regular season when the pressure was off (almost all of the 14 straight divisions were won with double digit win leads at some point in the season) but choked extremely hard when the pressure was on.
The 1991 Braves? The 1993 Braves? The 1996 Braves? The 1997 Braves? The 2000 Braves?
All should have won World Series Titles.
And it is Booby Cox’s direct fault that they didn’t. His lackadaisical approach to managing the postseason like the he does the regular season has led to him leaving in pitchers too long, sticking with cold bats and leaving hot bats on the bench, and screwing up the bullpen.
He sucks. And the ONLY reason the Braves won in 1995 is because Mike Hargrove sucks worse than he does.
And that’s the unvarnished truth.
By Fred
January 15, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
While it always bothers me to see the Government give welfare to big prganizations such as the Braves, I don’t live in Gwinnett County so this time i don’t care.
I like minor league baseball and can’t wait to go see some future stars, some future journymen and some guys that may never make it but will play their hearts out just for the chance at one inning in the Majors.
By LJ
January 16, 2008 12:34 AM | Link to this
This is awesome news!! I am so excited to start taking my kids to these games. I would love to take them to Turner Field - but it’s just too expensive for us to afford 5 tickets every time we want to go to a game. The minor league games are affordable for families and the atmosphere is fun! We took our kids to Chattanooga to see the minor league team there and they had a blast! It will be great to take them to these games - especially if a major leaguer is doing rehab in Gwinnett!
This is a great move!
By Brian
January 16, 2008 1:18 AM | Link to this
I can’t wait. Already have a deposit down on Season Tickets. Go to www.gwinnettbraves.com
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
January 16, 2008 2:47 AM | Link to this
Well , I don’t have an opinion on the impending move of the Richmond Braves to Gwinnett County.
However , there are others reasons why this makes sense for the Braves as a franchise with logistics being at the top of the list.
How many times over the years have we heard about the problems of getting a player from Richmond to Atlanta when somebody goes on the D.L. during the season.
It’s happened repeatedly where the Braves were forced to go with 24 players because they couldn’t find a connecting flight for a player coming from Richmmond and he was late getting to the game.
With Hartsfield being in Atlanta , even when the Braves are on the road , this should be less of a problem due to the fact that the AAA team will be playing half it’s games right down the road.
Not to mention the luxury of making a phone call and having the Braves AAA players just a cab ride away.
By xo
January 16, 2008 5:47 AM | Link to this
let me see if i can put this together: lorraine green, bartow morgan and mitch peevy
By joebrave
January 16, 2008 6:52 AM | Link to this
Terrence Moron,You’re still a racist B@stard!!!
By Marbles
January 16, 2008 6:54 AM | Link to this
The only thing that bothers me is the ajc poll that shows a majority of folks are in favor of this being completed with Public Funds!! Further proof that people are clueless when it comes to taxes. How in the world is this okay to pursue with public funds? Hey people! Public Funds are YOUR MONEY!!! Don’t comment about how going to Turner Field is not affordable then vote in a poll to approve using tax money for this. Sheesh………..
By Tyre
January 16, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this
This is a good deal for the Braves. It is a double RAW deal for Gwinnett taxpayers. We make all the payments and turn over COMPLETE control for just $250K per year? How much of Bert’s money is being spent on this deal? Zero? and somehow he gets the glory? Commissioners pat themselves on the back for spending OUR money?
By RIC Fan
January 16, 2008 7:59 AM | Link to this
I am excited for us but sad for Richmond. In HS I worked in operations at the ‘NEW’ Diamond and got to hang with the likes of Lemke, Justice, Merker,etc…it was fun, but even at 17 I knew the stadium was a pile of poop. ITs 20 years later and they havent really updated the place, no wonder the Braves want to move. Too bad Richmond couldnt get through the politics and make something happen.Their loss is our gain!
By BirdMahn
January 16, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
Hey NascarFan, By typing your thoughts you show what a small mind you have. Leave us alone, get off the computer and go kiss your Earnhardt poster. Varoom! Yehaw!
By sports report
January 16, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this
NASCARFAN- Right you are.I agree 100% Bobby Cox is the most over rated Donkey in the dugout. He just happened to be in right place at right time. We will see again this year just how great Mr. Cox and Mr. Wren are.
By DLA
January 16, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
This is GREAT news. Being a transplant from Chattanooga, and being a season ticket holder for the minor league Lookouts, this is just like being home. Now my family of 6 can enjoy a game with the LITTLE Braves for what we’d pay for 2 tickets at the BIG Braves games. Way to go Gwinn!
By Good for a laugh
January 16, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
Thanks NASCARFan. Your idiot rants are always good for a laugh. Although sometimes I feel guilty for laughing at those of diminished mental and emotional capacity.
By stack
January 16, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
I hope the big braves lose attendance due to this move. Thanks for pulling the rug out from under jolly old Richmond. I guess a championship, even in sub-standard stadium, isn’t appreciated in this organization.
By Kevin
January 16, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
NICE!!!!!!!!! i live in the gwinnett area and i am like super excited about this cause i get to see my braves play!
By Ace
January 16, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this
If only we could get the AA team back here Greenville SC (2-2.5 hours away)…. Oh well
By robert
January 16, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
I say bad idea. People from Gwinnett already think they have a pro Hockey team, so they think why drive downtown to see the Thrashers.
Samething will happen to the braves.
By NewBravesNeighbor
January 16, 2008 10:38 AM | Link to this
Ok, let me get this right, the county is using my tax money to build a facility that will not only bring more traffic into my neighborhood, more crowds to my grocery store, and noise and activity at night? Great. As if avoiding the traffic on the other side of the interstate wasn’t agravating enough. Anyone wanna buy a house walking distance from the stadium?
By RC
January 16, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
I don’t think so. I’ve followed minor league baseball for 60 years and have photographed hundreds of ballparks. I’ve sold AAA season tickets, examined minor league financial records, etc.
Just because Detroit has its AAA team 50 miles away in Toledo doesn’t mean more people from Toledo play for the Tigers.
Ditto the Red Sox and Pawtucket, as well as other teams over the years.
However, it does make callups and farm outs less expensive and more convenient.
The visits by top brass to Toledo, Pawtucket, etc., are pretty much Public Relations. That’s because the reporting on player performance from AAA to the majors is daily and constant and intense. So, the big league team already knows what’s going on.
By AdirondackDave
January 16, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Great blog, Terrance.
Joe Brave.. You’re an imbecile. Give it a rest.
By former reds scout
January 16, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Nascarfan, you better stick to your stock cars because you don’t know squat about baseball. Tell me who the “great” manager is who won 15 straight division titles. It takes a real moron to conclude that Bobby Cox is a terrible manager, or that any manager has that much impact on a short series.
Go ahead, dumbo; let’s hear your idea of the person who is a “great manager”. Was it the clown who coached you in little league? That is probably as high as you ever played in baseball and you were probably the one the coach had to stick in right field for one inning because the rules made him do it. You know absolutely nothing about baseball.
By STL
January 16, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this
Logistically for a ball team to move the farm location closer to its major league city does make sense. It’s more efficient to move players between clubs. However, teams that have their farm locations closer to their major league city (i.e. within 100 miles) actually limit their fan base. The R-Braves (I’m sure soon to be) had fans in Richmond and it’s surrounding area. Now that they are moving, those fans (don’t know how many) will turn their fan ship from the major league Braves to another organization (i.e. Nationals).
I thought it was smart for a farm team to establish in a smaller market away from the major league team. It spreads the team’s fan base into opposing territories. In this case Braves AAA team is not moving to a smaller market, Buford, which practically an extension of the city of Atlanta. Just my two cents though.
Congrats to Gwinnett and surrounding area. Just remember, ball fields take a lot of water to keep them in pristine condition. ;)
By Ryder
January 16, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Going to VCU back in the day my buddies and I used to love watching the Braves of tomorrow playing at the Diamond. Special moment was watching Jermaine Dye the week before he was called up. I’m going to miss the Richmond Braves, but it’s probably best for the organization.
Props to Terence for providing a well rounded article. See TM, must feel good not having to write an article that deals with the lack of black guys on the Braves doesn’t it?
By MrHughes
January 16, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this
Marbles and Tyre are on point. Toss out a few free hats and the ham and eggers think they hit the lottery. Of course the Braves are willing to give out swag and glad hand everyone. Gwinnett laid down like a $2 you know what and proceeds to hand out $45 million dollars when they are the ones helping the Braves out of a potentially bad situation (Isn’t funny that the cost estimates are now $8 million lower. Who wants to bet it ends up costing closer to $53 million?) The saddest part of all of this is that “$12 million from tax funds earmarked for recreation and would finance the [stadium, and the] other $33 million [is fiananced] with bonds. Sorry Johnny and Jerimiah there are not enough trails for you to ride your bike on or parks to play in because we built a baseball stadium for a MINOR league baseball team. Hey kids, your schools are overcrowding, but we cheer on Johnny What’s His Name instead of John Smoltz, Chipper Jones, Frenchie, or Brian McCAnn. That’s like offering the kids Chucky Cheese, Pizza Hut, or Papa Johns and pulling a freezer burned pie from the freezer and heating. Take a family trip and go see a real minor league team like the Durham Bulls rather than these major-minor league teams that extort money like their big league counterparts.
By PaulWinchester
January 16, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
Dale Murphy has continued to make a fool of himself by slandering his contemporaries. Its not just the fact that it was Bonds and Clemens that he has slandered, but those two guys represent the most accomplished two baseball players in our lifetime. Clemens has 7 Cy Youngs and Bonds has 7 MVPs, respectively. Those two are the best that baseball has ever seen in this generation and Murphy was so heartbroken, jealous and disappointed that he was not voted into the HOF, that he decided that he would make a crusade to discredit the great careers of both Bonds and Clemens. I feel that Murphy should make a sincere apology to both of those athletes and try to keep his mouth shut for now on. Hopefully Murph will realize the damage he has done and in the future think before you speak and reveal your stupidity.
By Thomas M.
January 16, 2008 8:30 PM | Link to this
As a native of Richmond I can understand the economics of the whole thing, but there is just something unseemly about the way the Braves handled this announcement of the move from Richmond. Maybe a heads-up to the City of Richmond before it’s announced in a press conference in Georgia. You’d think a 42 year relationship would get you a little love.
And now it seems the Braves were negotiating with Gwinnett for quite some time while also negotiating with Richmond. While I can understand the move, and it may have been ultimately inevitable, it was still delivered with a sucker punch. It was also announced the International League will not let Richmond negotiate with other potential teams to fill the void until the Braves leave in 2009 because Richmond is considered “Braves” territory. Insult to injury. Thanks alot Atlanta.
Shame on you Braves….Shame on you.
By jay
January 16, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this
Terrence I thought we all were in agreement that you were suppose to write about the Hawks and Falcoons. Not about baseball not even minor league teams. I guess you just a hard head or mabey just brainless. I don’t know but it seems to me you haven’t learned anything on your vacation. I seen your ugly mugg on T.V not to long ago. I just wanted you to know that my kids had nightmares for two weeks. Makes me glad they don’t read the paper. Long live DOB and go Braves.