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DEL.ICIO.USOnce again, Cox has a luxury of lefties
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Furman Bisher
Lake Buena Vista, Fla. — It has been long ago that the Braves could check down their roster and consider themselves southpaw-rich. Once they had Tom Glavine, but he had been allowed to take a left turn to the ruddy enemy, the Mets, with barely a goodbye. But who needed him? Didn’t they have Mike Hampton?
That was before Hampton’s $15-million arm broke down, not once but twice. Two and a half years on the payroll without a payoff pitch, which leads us into the spring of ‘08. Glavine returned. He’d put his pride on the back-burner, taken a deep pay cut and come back to where his heart is. He has his 303 victories and one might suspect that he would be one of the three left-handers on hand, and so it was that St. Patrick’s Day was of considerable greater significance around here than a Green Beer Day.
Not only was Hampton making the start that could establish his presence, but so was Chuck James, the left-hander from Mableton. James finished last season with a “tired” arm, which had something to do with that mysterious portion of the body known as the rotator cuff. While Hampton had been oh-for-oh the past two seasons, James had won 22 games and filled a crying vacancy.
So Monday was final test day. Hampton pitched into the fifth inning against the Cardinals over in Jupiter, and graded out well. Meanwhile, back in the Magic Kingdom, Chuck James was being tested out of the glare. He was pitching on one of the outlying diamonds, where the Braves farmhands frolic, against a lineup of Cleveland farmhands.
It’s away from the raging throng, hidden behind hedges and fencing. Spectators, the few who show, usually kinfolks and wives, are seated in two sets of bleachers, each about the size of a choir loft. No concession stand, no scoreboard, no public address system. You’re on your own, and there was little cheering, except for an occasional yelp of glee. Grass roots baseball at the very roots. Two fences away, high school kids from the north were running up their lacrosse game.
Bobby Cox had left James there for a vital check-out. While the Indian farmhands lofted a few high-risers to the outfield, James went along smoothly, and was treated to a 2-0 lead when a Georgia Tech alum, Michael Fisher, cleared the fence with a man on. He grew more impressive with each inning.
“I had a little trouble at first, but I feel good now, ready to roll,” James said. No pain, no twitches, no tweaks.
Bruce Dal Canton, once a Braves relief pitcher, now a farm system pitching coach, saw it this way: “His location was good. His change-up got sharper as he went along, and that’s his bread-and-butter.”
It having been an informal atmosphere, friends, family and autograph collectors came out of the wee stands to share in James’ moment, far from the milling throng. Now with Glavine on hand, this gives the Braves three left-handers who start, which is one more than there would appear to be room for. With John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and three left-handers, not to mention the rookie from Curaçao, Jair Jurrjens, to sort out, this is a luxury Cox hasn’t been able to revel in for quite a spell.
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By rupert
March 18, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
hell of a luxury, that’s for sure
By hop
March 18, 2008 9:45 PM | Link to this
maybe, some of these guys can be used later on as trade bait.
By D-john
March 18, 2008 9:54 PM | Link to this
Jair Jurrjens….Im not afraid to say that this kid COULD be the key to our success, especially if Hampton goes down. I hope to God Hampton stays healthy though.
By richbrave
March 18, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this
Mr.BISHER:
Good article. My pick is HUDSON, SMOLTZ, GLAVINE, HAMPTON, JURRJENS. James to Richmond until someone breaks down. Keep swimmin’ Furman. I’ll see you further up stream.
By Santa3247
March 18, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
Now Braves need lefty who don’t obedient to Babylon Who’s Babylon? Read this:
In the beginning of second creation, God Elohim created proper number of population. And after some times passed on, God Elohim orderred Adam to descent to the land of Egypt, and in that times, people of Judah were lived in Egypt area. David was emperor of Yerusalem(Laputa), and son of David, king Solomon was Osiris. And troops of Laputa, that is, Anubises were palace guard of Osiris. Solomon’s Era was Day Times and powerfull energy of Sun made earth miraculous and Osiris, Lion(Sphinx) teached special art of soul to human beings, and this is original of the Sorcery. After all, the culture of Pagan was Sorcery, and Paganists were all magician, but the splendid magic could be done under the powerful energy of Sun.
After all, the era of Solomon king was sun’s era and miraculous one. But, somedays King Solomon got the sixth sense from heaven and said, “Era of Sun will be over soon, and era of Darkness will begin soon”, and he made Calendar of 5,775years 525times 11years sun’s period and gave to the Judah’s 12tribes and said again, “The ear of darkness will be disappeared to this calendar, and on the last judgement, I and Yerusalems and troops of Anubis will be returned, don’t forget Yerusalem, if you would forget this Yerusalem, you must forget God Elohim and me and Anubises and must be like the people of Sodom and Gomora and your soul must be exterminated completely”
After that Osiris erected 12 apprentices from Judah’s 12tribes, and teached so many Gospels of heaven. This Gospels of 114 is basis of Torah, Bible etc you read, of course, almost changed to another contents by Jacob grandfather of Jesus and Joseph father of Jesus, together with Babylon’s special envoy. You got it?
And let’s look at the past history, in past-testament, Judah and Israel were, and Judah was in Egypt now, and Israel was in Israel around now, so Osiris’s great palace is the great Phramid together with Sphinx(Lion). ^*^ David don’t judge, but Solomon did judge through the troops of Anubises, so in Arab’s proverb, “Human fear time and time fear great Phiramid(Osiris and Anubises)” exist.
And look Abraham is not differ from Mahomet, Abraham came from far east, from where? Abraham descent from Yerusalem to southkorea in first, and he ruled almost east asia with flying sword, and when Abraham attacked final land of God, Miyazaki Kyusyu Island Japan, David and Leah were moved there for enlightenment of Japan tribe through Yerusalem. After all, David(Ise Emperor) departed to India and Leah(Amaterastu Empress) remained in Japan, but for protection, Osiris moved to Miyazaki through Yerusalem, and he taught the light of Messiah to Japan tribe, and people of Miyazaki could defeat the army of Abraham, and Abraham departed to India again, and he changed his mind for the meet with Guatama who met with David in India. After that, David died at Ancorwat in Indochina, and Abraham went to Judah and Israel.
These David and Leah and Abraham(Amida) and Guatama are Four Living Gods.
David made Budda religion and Nichiren and Okada Mokich Religious foundations. And Guatama made Budda religion and Oomoto religion. And Abraham made Budda religion and Isram religion and Oomoto religion. And Leah made Shindoh religion and Tenseishinbikai Japan.
You got it? ^*^
And Judah nation disappeared for the attack of Babylon, but, Israel was spy of Babylon from past to now. And you have to know how you Jewish people got the land returned under the Babylon’s ruling world through neutron? Why Jesuit gave you Jewish people the land? Reason might be. For disturbance of power of Jewish in USA, after fraud construction in the land, Jesuit gave the land to you. You got it?
Messiah must kill the descendants of Israel, and must give chance of salvation to the descendants of Judah. In 1947, Jewish god the land back, but, returned David in Japan, Okada Mokich, died in fighting with neutron in 1955. Whole David’s members implanted, 28elders borned in human died for neutron attack.
Furthermore, Babylon ate half of Korean Peninsula, and through underground, Babylon grabbed southkorea theseday. Ex-president Kim Dae Jung was Jesuit. The same family of Kim Jung Il of north korea. Both are babylonian. And Japanese almost implanted. What are you doing?
Defense must be lost to Babylon’s neutron. Only Attack can defeat neutron. How?
Neutron Clear Bomb! the good never die under the Neuclear bomb. Proof were in Hirosima and Nagasaki in Japan. You got it?
“May the force of Messiah be with you”
By Stewart Nunn
March 18, 2008 10:44 PM | Link to this
What was all that religious mumbo jumbo all about. I thought we were here to discuss the Braves.
By john
March 18, 2008 10:47 PM | Link to this
what a nut! Anyways, I like Jurrjens. I think he will be the surprise this year. What a SOLID rotation. If Hampton stays healthy I think this will be the best in the NL.
By Gene
March 18, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
Hanging around those outlying practice fields is a great treat of spring baseball. I would have paid to see Smoltz pitch to Tiger Wood. This will be a good year!
By Bart Campanella
March 19, 2008 5:51 AM | Link to this
Cox really needs to make the right choices for middle relief and closer.he has a lot of talented pitchers to chose from.
By Arkie Fan
March 19, 2008 7:08 AM | Link to this
I think James needs to go down. He has to develop a third pitch to be a successful, long term major league pitcher. Once thru any teams line-up, he is no mistery to hit. Keep him down for a couple months then bring him back to work with Glavine. Tom can really help this young man learn how to pitch.
By Paddy
March 19, 2008 7:49 AM | Link to this
Santa…I would have understood your repy had it been written in “tongues”. WOW, where did all that come from and what the heck did it mean and have to do with baseball?I see a street corner waiting for your message and a free bottle of Mogan-David.
By ismeal
March 19, 2008 8:08 AM | Link to this
Santa doesnt really exist.
By ismeal
March 19, 2008 8:10 AM | Link to this
too much of a bad thing me thinks
By Dick Kelley
March 19, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this
I can’t stand to watch Chuck James pitch. His motion and footwork are horrible. I don’t know how he does it. Someone needs to help him totally overhaul his follow through. He can be very good, but I don’t see it with those mechanics.
By STRETCH
March 19, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Arkie fan, i agree with you. I wonder why or how does this guy think he can pitch in the bigs with 2 pitches??? But other than that, this rotation, if it stays healthy will be really hard to beat.
The NL East is going to be fun or gut wrenching!
By Red Clay Hound
March 19, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
I think what Santa was trying to say is that there are a lot of good pitching prospects in Babylon.
By formerscout
March 19, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this
I truly laugh my butt off at people like STRETCH and Dick Kelley giving their imperical judgements about Chuck James. What are your credentials for judging a major league pitcher, his mechanics, and how many pitches he needs? The fact is, he is a young pitcher who has won 11 games, two years straight for pretty average Braves teams. How do you know he only has two pitches? And, if he does, they must be pretty damn good if he can win 22 major league games with those two. Do you realize his record is much better than Sandy Koufax record at the same stage? Get a life, people. Just because you played or coached Little League doesn’t mean you know nearly enough to pass judgement on James or the talent of any other player. I read these blogs sometimes just to get a few laughs….there are some real baseball experts on here today.
By BN
March 19, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this
What are the ages and how long is the season—-WOW
By JUST LISTENING
March 19, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
HEY BY FORMER SCOUT, MAYBE WE UNDERSTAND WHY YOU’R A FORMER SCOUT. ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE, ATTITUDE.
By Paddy
March 19, 2008 9:38 AM | Link to this
Red Clay….You may not have heard, Babylon’s franchise has been pulled by the League Comish. Something to do about pre-game promotions and human sacrifices. On its face value it did not sound like a bad idea. Heard that Jerry Fallwell and Pat Robertson was to throw out the first brimstone. It got nixed because neither was lefthanded. Look for the Babylon 666’ers to win it all in ‘09
By MOBRAVESFAN
March 19, 2008 10:42 AM | Link to this
I must agree with formerscout, how far did any of you get with your mechanics, about as far as the rest of us bloggers on here so lay off the kid he has worked hard to get where he is. I know because i tried and busted my a* and still didn’t make it. Fans should be fans and let the players play and the coaches coach.
By Steve in DC
March 19, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Whoah there formerscout. Easy!
Anyone who’s watched some baseball can tell you that Chuckie’s delivery is extremely unorthodox, and he most definitely tosses two pitches: a fastball that he can locate, and a changeup. Most of us Braves fans have watched as he fools hitters the first time, maybe the second time with that deceptive delivery and “slow” stuff, and then the lock in and start jacking homers off him. (And hoping he’ll pick up a 3rd pitch along the way.)
It’s the beauty of baseball, really, that you can be a fan, watch 162 games a year, and learn quite a bit. Though we may not be on par with all the tiny details that scouts pick up, it’s quite possible to know a great deal about baseball just by watching it for a long time.
By Bravesologist
March 19, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
Very ignorant response by formerscout. I for one am a very big Chuck James fan and believe he can have a good future in baseball, but to say that we don’t know his mechanics are flawed or that we don’t know that he has two pitches because we don’t play the game is absurd.
Chuck James is your classic fastball/changeup pitcher. Tom Glavine was the same way, however Tom also had a deceptive curveball and slider that can keep the hitter off balance catch a hitter looking for the change/fastball.
Lastly, won games isn’t the way you judge how well a player has pitched. The offense bailed him out tremendously last year, and if you look at his ERA and WHIP you will see the kind of pitcher he was. He needs to go to Richmond and develop a third pitch. This is something he would have been working on all off season if not for his injured shoulder. Good Luck Chuck, but the spot is Jair’s for now.
By Hooter
March 19, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
I’m pulling for Hampton. When he was on the field he was dangerous with the bat and could even pinch run. He played hard and left it on the field. Hopefully he’ll get on the field to do that again this season.
As for Chuck James. He has no balance. Too many times have I seen him release the ball and fall backwards.
I’m no former scout, but I did pitch into college and even stayed at a _ Inn Express last night.
By Chattanooga Sonny
March 19, 2008 5:13 PM | Link to this
Jair is the man for now, richbrave is right on the money. BTW I was lucky enough to see Koufax pitch several times including when he first came up and trusy me here, James will never, ever, ever be a Sandy Koufax.
Peace
By mimi
March 19, 2008 7:02 PM | Link to this
what is the 411 on damian moss?is he minor or major league ST?so,is he still there or out of there.
By coopdawg
March 19, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this
Dont get Santa started on Damian
By Drew
March 20, 2008 12:16 AM | Link to this
James deserves a shot as a starter but the way he runs out of gas. I see him a long reliever and a start here and there. He throws all arm. To much stress.
By falcon80
March 21, 2008 1:58 AM | Link to this
Though I often disagree or am ambivalent to the subject, Mr. Bisher, you are the best writer to ever grace the pages of the AJC. If only the News writers of your paper had the same skill!
By Furman Bisher
March 23, 2008 3:08 AM | Link to this
Anybody seen my bedpan?