ajcsportstalk

By Mark

August 5, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

Andrew should leave. He won’t ever win a championship here. This is why I told all you people not to get caught up in this braves hype weeks ago when they were scoring all those runs. They need more speedsters on the team. In fact they need more players of color on the team. This Langerhans, Diaz, Frenchy crap is not working. In the early nineties the braves had many players of color and they were a little more successful. They use to have an all black outfield, with exception of Klesko. They had guys on the infield like Pendleton, Belliard, McGriff. I know they had Lemke Blauser, Bream, Treadway, Giles, and Chipper also. When they had more of an integrated team they were more competitive. In those days we had Gant, Sanders, Nixon, Justice (Who everybody hated!) We had speed and power. It seems now that our GM gets rid of all the colored players. You can’t be an average colored player on this team , they will get rid of you. We got rid of Dye Grissom, and Justice in one whole offseason and they were great!. I know we got Lofton( for one season) and Tucker in exchange but come on! We have never really had pitchers of color. When we did have we got rid of them too. It just kills me how we can get rid of players of color whether they are american or latin, but stick with players like Langerhans, Giles, Laroche, hurt up Chipper,McCann, and Francouer. When we won our only WS series we had lots of players of color such as McGriff, Belliard, Grissom, Justice, Mike Devereax (Who was the NLCS MVP)Luis Polonia, and Alejandro Pena. It doesn’t suprise me that they have Andruw out on the trading block! We never really have enough money to sign or resign players of color. I know some of you people are going to say what about Sheffield and Renteria, we have signed some players of color. They never stay too long. Outside of Andrew, we don’t really too many players of color that stick around. Maybe Furcal McGriff and Justice. We don’t have to have a lilly white team to win. I know some of you people are going to say that what I am saying is racist, and it could be but it is truthful. This run of so called success started with more of an integrated team, but now as the team has gotten whiter and whiter, the success has dwindled to what you see everyday.

By Ted

August 5, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

Andruw needs to get over it. Most players get put on waivers - only to get pulled back if claimed. I’m pretty sure he wasn’t the only Brave posted and he won’t be the last.

If he has any reason to be annoyed at someone, be annoyed at the leak in MLB offices who disclosed that he was posted in the first place - not the Braves since they did what they were supposed to do - keep it confidential.

Anyway, I’m glad he’s here. Hard to find 35+ HR CF who play great defense for “only” $13.5M (in 2007).

By sam

August 5, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

This waivers thing was never an issue. The media once again sensationalized a “no-story. My perspective is that if Andruw doesn’t want to be traded, he should approach JS and indicate that he wants to talk now about extending his stay with the braves. He should not expect the braves to sit on their bottoms and wait for him to grab the big bucks after next season. If it is a money thing with him, it is a money thing with braves management.

Furthermore, if he does stay after openly criticising management, this will be an exception. For example most recently Remlinger did not stay long after complaining about Chipper not coming off the bag to catch Remlinger’s throw. In fact, I can’t recall anyony staying with the team who openly complained about anyone in the organization.

By Reality

August 5, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this

Hope the Braves get nothing for Andrew. He has never been a leader. He just sniffs up the asses of the major player in the locker room and he just gathers a paycheck and plays for himself (and with himself, probably) Good Ridence Andrew and don’t let the dorr hit you in the a*s on the way out.

By jerry

August 5, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this

let him go and wish him the best

By Jimbo

August 5, 2006 08:45 PM | Link to this

Fatso says: “They should have called.”

Real fans say: “You should run hard to first base.” “You should learn the strike zone.” “You should not trying to pull every pitch.” “You should hit in the clutch.” “You should suck it up and give an effort equal to your pay”.

By sam

August 5, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

I had rather watch Andruw play center field than anyone since Mays but he is not worth what the market will pay him. Boras is really facilitating the disparity between the “haves” and the “have-nots” by making his players availablt only to big market/deep pocket teams.

By Matt

August 5, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this

Mark- Can you escape your Jim Crow mentality? In case you haven’t noticed, the “speed” game in the majors has no color these days. What about guys like Scott Posednik for the White Sox? Rocco Baldelli? Johnny Damon? The days of pinning the style of baseball to the player’s “color” are over. Get the chip off your shoulder!

By Murphy

August 5, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this

I agree with mark up at the very top of this blog. The braves just dont get it, you need other races to win. It is a race thing and we will never get rid of our Jim Crow mentality matt!!! Its been proven that other races besides whites are more athletic. Look at every single sport that yall Allow us to play. We dominate them all. So for a team to move away from black or international players is really stupid… Now why would you put a hall of famer on the trading block. He has done so much for this team he gives 100% effort in the outfield every night and you cant say that he hasnt carried the team cause that is exactly what he did last year. Chipper gets hurt every year and dosent do a dam* thing and every body still dangles from a hair on his testicles.

By Realism

August 5, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this

This is typical Braves style in trying to get rid of their minority players. It never amazes me. They deserve this first to worst season!

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 5, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this

Race has nothing to do with this. I’m a black guy and I don’t see where this has anything to do with race. The talk of trading Andruw has to do with money and his white agent who is seeking to get at least 17 million per year for Andruw. Andruw’s race has nothing to do with this. Believe me if Chipper didn’t have his 10/5 status you can bet your a** that JS would be on the phone with any American League team that would listen trying to convince them that if Chipper were their DH his proneness to injury would lessen and he would be a monster of a hitter. Which is true by the way. He would kill the ball in the American League.

By mark

August 5, 2006 09:51 PM | Link to this

Robert, don’t forget that Chipper and Smoltz both were willing to waive their no trade clause if it would help the team. They didn’t try to trade them.

By KneeJerk

August 5, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this

Isn’t there a Terrence Moore column that some of you ignorant people can comment on? If you don’t like our team, find another. I think the Mets have 2 starters that are not “of color”. Their GM and manager are also “men of color”. Go jump on their bandwagon

By sam

August 5, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this

It is well known that baseball higher ups are beginning to address the declining participation by african americans in major league baseball as latin americans and caucasions are more and more dominating the rosters of major league teams.

It seems unlikely that owners and upper management would place race before making money as money is what drives baseball today. I work with people who have been/ are victims of racial prejudice and let me say that there is no comparison to what is mentioned on this board and what my colleagues and i see in the communities in which our program is involved.

By zach

August 5, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this

I know he cost alot of money but he is one good thing the braves have right now and we need to hold on to him

By hop

August 5, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

so much for team loyalty,after andrew took much less money the last time his contract was up. the braves return that loyalty by putting andrew on waivers, how bush league can the braves get. JS showed his class by putting the greatest centerfielder since willie mays on waivers, andrew has every right to be upset with the braves organization.

the signal has been sent out loud and clear to other potential free agents and current players, this is not the same braves as in the past, when they demonstrated a much higher degree of appreciation of a players contribution.

can you see hank aaron,willie mays or mickey mantle handled this way, no way.

the braves have selected the wrong jones to be their franchise player; chipper is not half the player andrew is and their committed to chipper for the long term is a joke. gone are the days when any player worth his salt will deal with the braves as andrew did before. the braves just drew a different line IN THE SAND, with the atlanta fans being the BIG loser, with a return to noncontending finishes.

SO MUCH FOR CORPORATE OWNERSHIP! IT SIMPLY DOES NOT WORK MOST OF THE TIME!!!!!!!!!

By To Mark

August 5, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this

One word, “paragraph.” Learn how to use them.

By Paul Hamilton

August 5, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this

What color players do we need Mark? Brown, Black, Yellow? maybe some green? Once we settle on color, which nationality? Japanese, puerto rican, korean, mexican, morrocan, kenyan, canadian? Why don’t you make a list for us Mark so we can understand your jibberish. I could care less what color there skin is, there are only like a million different shades. I care about good quality players that are going to play hard and win. I have to agree with Robert, if Chipper wasnt so injury prone/10-5 they would have a lot of interest in him and they also would be listening to offers.

By jc

August 5, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this

Maybe we need a few fudgepackers too, Mark. And let’s survey all players’ religions as well. You, sir, are a moron.

By KneeJerk

August 5, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this

Everyone would be shocked if we saw the entire list of players put on waivers. Many teams put superstar players through waivers. That info was leaked and not meant to be public. Putting a player on waivers means, “if you put a package together that blows us away, we may consider trading this player.” I am against trading Andruw, but Boras is his agent, and if he’s involved in the contract negotiations Andruw has no long-term future in Atlanta.

By mark

August 5, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this

I guess you right Paul Hamilton, all we need is good quality players. I just have one question for you Paul? Do they have to be majority white? Why Andrew? Oh I know because of his contract right. WHy Betemit?

By KneeJerk

August 5, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

Because there was a market for Betemit. Nobody wanted Giles.

By Possum

August 5, 2006 10:25 PM | Link to this

I have been screaming “FIRESALE!” all season. I’ve been defending this team since April, however it just dawned on me that we have no pitching. The best thing we could have done would have been to trade Andrew to Boston for Jon Lester and Coco Crisp, and move Smoltzy back to Detroit for Joel Zumuya. We have to get back to pitching, pitching, pitching. We have a great young offense. It’s time to change the tide.

Possum

By KneeJerk

August 5, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this

Yeah, Coco is a great run producer. He’ll hit 50 HRs and drive in 130. Lester is proven. He’s been a major league dominant pitcher for years. If you move Andruw, you’d better get PROVEN talent.

By KneeJerk

August 5, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this

How good would our “great young offense” be with nobody in the 4 slot? Who are you going to put there? Francouer?

By mark

August 5, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this

JC please let’s not start name calling on this blog. I don’t think you are a moron and I hope you’re not a fudgepacker so please. I never said the team was racist, I just feel that they get rid of minority players.

By sam

August 5, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

I don’t blame JS if he is looking to trade Andruw before he opts for free agency. As a brave fan [and an Andruw fan]I want the braves to receive compensation for Andruw when he leaves. We have lost too many players recently to free agency with little return for these players. I think we need to look at the big picture, as braves fans, and think how best we can move on to the next era of braves baseball. Signing Andruw to an eighteen million dollar per year contract for five years is, in my opinion, not the efficient thing to do.

By KneeJerk

August 5, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

Mark, I feel like you brought this blog down by playing the race card (which you have in other blogs as well). Why would the higher-ups make any decisions based on anything else but economics and wins and losses? It makes no sense, and to continue to bring it up, in my opinion is pure ignorance.

By KneeJerk

August 5, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this

Mark, I just went back and read your opening statement. All the players “of color” that you listed played for several teams. Are you playing the race card on their sites as well?

By sam

August 5, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this

One perspective that has not been discussed on this blog is a comparison between getting something for Andruw and getting nothing for Andruw. Nothing is essentially what we will get if Andruw opts for free agency. My point is that the real issue should be something vs nothing when Andruw leaves!!

By nathan

August 5, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this

Maddux, Glavine, Millwood, Klesko, Boone, Farnsworth, Wright, JD Drew.

What do all of these players have in common!

They are all EX-BRAVES and THEY’RE FRICKIN WHITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

TAKE YOUR DAMN “RACIST” REMARKS AND GO SHOVE STRAIGHT UP YOUR “FILL IN THE BLANK”! I’M DAMN TIRED OF IT. IF YOU WANNA TALK BASEBALL MOVES, TALK BASEBALL MOVES. IF YOU WANNA TALK “RACE”, CALL AL SHARPTON!

WHAT A BUNCH OF MORONS!

By mark

August 5, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this

Maybe you’re right KneeJerk. In the world we live in the truth can negative. The blog wasn’t affected either way. I just raise some real issues within this organization. Would it be economical to get rid of Andruw. You might free up some money under the salary cap, but you might lose part of your fan base. He is one of the reason you draw fans now right Kneejerk? Would they win more games if they got rid of Andruw? Is this comment ignorant?

By jc

August 5, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this

Why trade Andruw? Scott Podsednik signed a FA contract with the CHAMPION Chisox at just over 2 mil per because he doesn’t hit homers. How much worse off would we have been with his .350 OBP and 32 steals at the top but losing Andruw’s homers? And by the way, you could also get a Zito at 7.8 mil or a Santana at 8.8 mil. You could then afford 28 of the closers in baseball at $3m. This doesn’t even take into account the prospects you’d get in return. Now is the time to trade him while his value is high.

By MBATL

August 5, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this

Not just ignorant to inject race into this, but insulting to JS, the Braves, and the fans.

The issues with AJ are (1) his contract status and (2) his failure to reach his full potential.

Sam is right; it’s probably going to take something like $18 mil/year over 5 years to sign AJ. The question is, can the Braves afford that, and still field a good team around him? I’m sure JS has a much better idea of what it will take to sign AJ, and what we can afford, than any of us do.

Personally, I can take or leave AJ. He produces runs, which of course is a good thing, and plays great D. But he has the potential to be so much better than he is, if he would just stop swinging for the fences on every at bat. There is no reason he shouldn’t be a .300 hitter, and he’d still drive in 120 runs, probably score 100.

If we do trade him in the offseason, we will NOT get “equal value” as some have suggested. We’ll get prospects, maybe one proven young pitcher. But we’ll also get payroll freedom, flexibility, to improve the team.

And, in my opinion, if we haven’t signed him by July 31 of next year, we WILL trade him for whatever we can get. No way will JS let this go to the point that we get nothing but draft compensation.

By mark

August 5, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this

Cool off Nathan, their just truthful words on a screen. Calm down and take a deep breath. You don’t have to curse man.

By jc

August 5, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

He’s cursing you Mark, not a man.

By sam

August 5, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this

With Andruw, we are under .500 for the year. Just maybe we could improve by using some of his salary to buy some starting pitchers for next year. I think we need to unload hudson also, although we won’t get much for him as he may have ruined his arm and/or damaged his body someway while at oakland. he does have a frail looking body.

By Murphy

August 5, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this

You know what guys?! I think Nathan is right maybe we should call AL Sharpton and maybe he can talk to JS and convince him to let Andruw stay. Thanks Nat dogg

By mark

August 5, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this

MBATL how much does Chipper make? It might give us some flexibility within the payroll ,but our payroll is so low we will never win again!

By KneeJerk

August 5, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this

Mark, It depends on what we get back. I do not want to trade him, but we can’t afford to spend 20-25% of our total payroll on any one player. His power numbers will be impossible to replace. It’s $$$$$ and nothing else. jc, you will not be able to get Zito at 7.8 and yes, we’d be much worse off with Podsednik than Andruw. Podsednik would get on, steal second and be stranded because there’d be nobody to bring him in.

By nathan

August 5, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this

Sorry, I’m so tired of the s**t about race “motivating” JS’s moves, it distracted me from my original reason for coming on to post!

For all of you that actually care, mark today’s date down.

Next year at this time when the Braves are farther out of the division race and much farther out of the wild card race, and all of you want to know “why the Braves can’t win a game to save their a*s.”

You can all go back to today. JS should’ve moved Andruw for anything he could’ve got for him. Since next year, due to Andruw’s HUGE contract number, we won’t be able to aquire any pitching help, Smoltz will be one year worse as will Hudson (not sure if he can actually get worse). Mark my words, we will have a worse record next year than we do this year. 9 games under .500 will seem like heaven compared to how far this team will fall.

Then JS will try to move Andruw at the deadline, Andruw will veto due to his 10/5 status. Then JS and Boras will not be able to come to an agreement on a new contract for Andruw (which is fine by me!) so he will test Free Agency. JS will be afraid of having the “Maddux Syndrom” happen all over again so he won’t offer Andruw arbitration. Thus Andruw will leave to the highest bidder (probably the Red Sox - since they called about trading for him), and the Braves will recieve NO Draft Picks in return for Andruw leaving. And believe me, he WILL leave, he’s pissed off now, even though he has no reason to be. VERY FEW PLAYERS HAVE NO TRADE CLAUSES IN THEIR CONTRACTS (other than the 10/5 guys). So if he wants to be mad at anybody, he should be mad at himself, since him and his dad negotiated his last contract and didn’t demand a “no trade clause”.

The Big Picture is that at 12:00 PM Eastern Time today, JS sealed the fate of the 2007 Braves by not ridding them of Andruws contract.

I’m not jumping ship, I LOVE THIS TEAM! ALWAYS WILL.

But don’t say I didn’t say I tell ya so!

This one is WAAAAAAAY too easy to predict. So next year when I’m repeating my comments, don’t come yelling at me for having “20/20 hindsight”. I’m calling this one months before it happens. And I’ll damn near guarantee it to happen. If it doesn’t, I’ll come on here and admit my wrong prediction and appologize!

Good night all! Time to root for Maddux and the Dodgers, I guess?

By MBATL

August 5, 2006 11:04 PM | Link to this

Mark, not sure I understand your point, but I’ll assume that I do.

AJ is at almost EXACTLY the same point Chipper was in ‘01 when we signed him to a longterm contract. Chipper was a perennial allstar, and had never been hurt (except a full year in ‘94 when he broke his leg). And now we’re stuck with a big contract on a player who has trouble staying healthy (I like CJ, but facts is facts).

You make my point for me; I don’t WANT to be saddled with an aging, declining AJ in 2010, paying him huge money, and no way out of the contract. Maybe he’ll be Willie Mays in 2010, 2011… but it’s a pretty big bet.

I would bet (though of course can’t be sure) that the Braves would trade Chipper if there were a decent offer. I suspect that there are none.

I’d rather have the flexibility to fill needs, rather than be locked into more huge longterm contracts.

By jc

August 5, 2006 11:05 PM | Link to this

I guarantee you that if you handed John Schuerholz 90 mil and told him to build a 25 man roster he’d build a Series caliber club. Big contracts are killing us. Just think where we’d be if Cleveland would give us Travis Hafner, Jake Westbrook, Cliff Lee, and Jhonny Peralta for Andruw. They obviously wouldn’t do it but those four players make less than half what Andruw makes. You could still spend 6 mil on the pen. Even getting zip for Andruw the 13 mil would be better used on 3 to 4 good players.

By nathan

August 5, 2006 11:05 PM | Link to this

Am I not mistaking in the fact that we got two minorities in return for one, in the betemit trade?

WOW, what an odd situation that is! Why would JS do that?

OH! …….maybe he’s just trying to get good PLAYERS!

But on a different twist, if this is true that the Braves “dump” all of the “non-white” players. Is there anyway possible that we could invent somthing to make Tim Hudson a minority, so JS can trade or release him? LOL!

Sorry guys, if I don’t try and find some humor in those comments, I’ll just keep getting mad!

By don

August 5, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this

Nathan, before you go to bed call Al Sharpton for me or post his number so we can call him. Thanks Nathan!

By MBATL

August 5, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this

Nathan, you know your BB; always enjoy your posts. I have a feeling that JS is not completely clueless in this matter, and that he’s got a plan for dealing with AJ.

Anyway, I hate the “you don’t know better than the professionals” argument, and don’t mean to use it, but I think you’re being too pessimistic about our prospects. That’a a pretty general statement, so blast away if you want!

By jc

August 5, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this

The problem isn’t Schuerholz. Go down to the hood sometime during daylight hours and count the ratio of basketball courts to baseball fields. there’s your issue.

By Deal

August 5, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

Well then Mark would you agree that caucasians are the minority in the basketball world, and if people of “color” were dominating that sport so much then how come the co-college players of the year were both caucasians and oh yeah so was the NBA MVP. So then are the Hawks wrong for not choosing minority players. Just a thought.

By jc

August 5, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this

Good point Deal the NBA teams swap honkies like livestock don’t they?

By nathan

August 5, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this

If I actually had Al Sharpton’s number to give to you guys, HE WOULD LAUGH HIS A*S OFF AT YOUR ACCUSATIONS! Don’t ya Think?

I feel bad for you guys, if you really think these moves are about race. What if JS lets go or trades Giles in the off season so Prado, Pena Jr., or Aybar can play 2B? What will you make of that?

Maybe, just maybe, if he trades all 3 of those guys so we can keep Giles, will I think you’re on to somthing. But until something that stupid happens, you guys are reaching! Sorry to get mad and vent a little, I just don’t see it!

Have a good night guys! 2006 BRAVES SUCK!

GO BRAVES IN 2007! LOL!

By mark

August 5, 2006 11:20 PM | Link to this

MBATL the braves may need to take that chance on Andruw simply because he has never been injured(for the most part). He is one of the few players on the team that fans seem to like. Why can’t we give Andruw mor money and get rid of Chipper next year.

By jc

August 5, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this

Mark please allow me to spell it out for you. We’re stuck with Chipper through 2008 because no one will take him and baseball contracts are guaranteed. People will take Andruw and give players back for him. Get it?

By nathan

August 5, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this

MBATL

Thanks. I agree with you, I’m sure JS has a “plan”. But it just seems like he maybe blew it today. But I guess if what I said about Andruw for sure leaving and/or being upset at the Braves for all of “this”. Then I’m sure JS will try to make an offer for a longterm contract he thinks the Braves can “live with”, even in the future. Then if Andruw balks at that offer, I’m sure he’ll shop him. My guess is, if Andruw won’t sign an extension, then he’d accept a trade. So, I’ll give JS the benefit of the doubt.

jc

Obviously, the Indians would never make a stupid move like that, for blatent reasons. But you’re dead on. Even if we get nothing in return for Andruw, we would get salary relief to use on other players (pitchers) which we so desperately need.

Now you may ask “why trade him for nothing as opposed to letting him walk for nothing after next year?”

My answer is: WHY WAIT A YEAR? Get the ball rolling NOW. Rebuild, re-tool, re-vamp….whatever you want to call it. GET STARTED ASAP! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. It’s not that I don’t want Andruw in a Braves uniform or that the Braves can use or don’t need him! That couldn’t be farther from the truth! But at this current payroll that we are alotted, it’s not feasible to keep him on this team and have HORRIBLE starting pitching. What a waste of Andruw’s talent!

Last time I checked, we haven’t won a title with him on the 25 man roster. If he didn’t help us win a title when we had 3 future HOF pitchers on the staff, he aint gonna help us win won with these worthless excuses of pitchers.

OK, for the 3rd time. GOOD NIGHT! LOL! (probably won’t be the last time I say that tonight!)

By MBATL

August 5, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

Few players fans seem to like? I don’t know, Mark, when I go to a game, seems like the fans like most all of the Braves. Now, bloggers may be a different story. But bloggers are a miniscule part of the Braves’ public.

I would not be opposed to trading Chipper (though I’m not saying we SHOULD, I’d listen to any offers). With his age, contract status, and injuries, I have a feeling there are not many takers. Plus, he has the no trade rights. But he’d be great as a DH, and if some AL team offered a good package for him, I wouldn’t jump off a cliff.

I’m not saying we shouldn’t re-sign AJ (though that’s my inclination); just that if we DON’T sign him, there are good reasons that have nothing to do with skin color.

By jc

August 5, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

ESPN just reported that Matt Harpring was traded for three swine and four head of cattle…

By Klux

August 5, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this

Braves didn’t get rid of players because they were black—Braves got rid of them because their black arses couldn’t play baseball worth a shyt!…

By Klu

August 5, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this

Hey hey,,,ho ho,,,fat arsed Andruw needs to go!…

By mark

August 5, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this

Pray before you go to bed Nathan so you ask God to rid of your anger. Deal do you really think that Steve Nash was the MVP, yeah right. He much more valuable to his team than Lebron is to his. Maybe Nash is better than Lebron. He might be better than Wade. Just another thought.

By Deal

August 5, 2006 11:32 PM | Link to this

But hey dont get me wrong the Hawks are making a push for the playoffs this year and many to come with the squad we have now. Just tryin to make a point that blaming JS for all of this and Braves losing b/c we don’t have enough “minorities” on the team, which you should look at the farm system to know that isn’t true, is just silly. The real problem is that Time Warner doesn’t spend the amount of money teams like the Mets and Yankees do for their talent. Leaving JS to try and figure out how to keep a contending ball team without a contending budget. So I think we should all applaud him for the deals he can get, so us the fans can have a decent team to route for.

But it seems like most of the fairweather fans here in this city don’t realize that its about the team and not the race content within it.

Oh and what are ya’lls thoughts our former team the Atlanta Crackers.

By jc

August 5, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this

Dan Dickau just went for a dozen hens and a stud mule…

By MBATL

August 5, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

oops, there goes the blog. ‘nite all.

By Sane Jane

August 5, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this

The only color that counts in this sport is green.

Sure, 8 bucks for a $hitty lite beer sounds great!

By sam

August 5, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this

Let’s face it! The combination of a restricted budget with a few big contracts, some of which we are getting little or nothing from, has the braves in a bind. We need to trust JS to get us thru this with minimal damage to the franchise. It won’t be easy. As great as Cox has been during the regular season, we need to change managers as it will take a different style of managing to bring us back to the level we were over the past few years.

By Lance

August 5, 2006 11:42 PM | Link to this

The Red Sox had no problem putting Manny Ramirez on waivers.

Sometimes you have to move your better assets to build a stronger team. The Braves have too many weaknesses to hold on to all of their better players. No one is untouchable at this point (except McCann?).

By Jeffrey

August 5, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this

The time has come for this entire organization to start over. Use the Florida Marlins as an example. They are ahead of us in the standings and their highest paid player is Dontrelle Willis at over $4 million per year. Trade all of the Braves who make over $5 million for as many young players as possible. Start over like Florida and never give away $10 million plus contracts to anyone again.

By mark

August 5, 2006 11:46 PM | Link to this

MBATL, I know JS has no money to spend, but why are the minorities the first to go?

By MBATL

August 5, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this

Because they’re the highest paid. Go figure.

By jc

August 5, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

The contracts themselves aren’t the problem. If we were getting 30 mil worth of production from Chipper (due to missed games), Hampton, and Hudson we’d be fine.

By jc

August 5, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this

WOW! Bobby Sura traded for 20 sheep and six bags of chicken feed…I would’ve held out for a tractor.

By mark

August 6, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this

You’re right MBATL, Betemit contract was up there with Chippers of Andruws. Right? I know Jermaine Dye contract in 1996 was more than Andruw’s contract. Charles Thomas contract was pretty high as well.

By mark

August 6, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this

Correction: Chippers or Andruws

By jc

August 6, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this

Betemit and Aybar are just as black and just as Dominican as the other. Jermaine Dye brought Michael Tucker and they also signed Gerald Williams I think that same year. Now I’ll grant you that Thomas was traded for Hudson but we all thought that honky could still pitch. Somebody really, ahem, snowed us there.

By MBATL

August 6, 2006 12:08 AM | Link to this

Charles Thomas is out of the major leagues… and I think out of the minor leagues too. He hit about .109 in his one season after we traded him. But I guess we should’ve kept him because of his skin color.

Betemit (latin) was traded for Aybar (latin), and Baez (latin, but pretty light-skinned, so maybe JS was up to something there).

Dye, an African American, was traded along with Jamie Walker, a European American, for Keith Lockhart, a European American, and Michael Tucker, an African American. (I’m trying to be politically correct, as you can appreciate.)

You’re full of sh#t, in my humble opinion.

By Jay

August 6, 2006 12:18 AM | Link to this

The Mark that made the first post is a moron. This has nothing to do with race, yet this idiot tries to make it an issue. Pathetic.

By Mark

August 6, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this

Jay, I don’t think that you are moron. Respect a person’s opinion without name calling ok. MBATL I don’t think that you are full of s..t and to say that really isn’t that humble. I used those examples because you said that players of colors are the highest paid. Betemit may have been traded for two players of colors, but that really made no sense. Ayubar isn’t as good as Betemit and Baez won’t be back next year. I know you’re going to say that they got Baez for a run a the wildcard. If JS whom you love so much, thinks they have a shot may be you should direct that comment at him? Huh? When a GM makes moves like that he must think that they have a shot at the WS title? WOW, there is another reason for you to direct that comment at him.

By burt

August 6, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this

andrew is right. he has earned the right and respect to know what is going on. i remember another a brave DALE MUPPHY who was told in houston he had been traded to the phillies. as far as the color of their skin, if you have a problem with a player being black or white then find another sport to watch, like krokay.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 6, 2006 12:38 AM | Link to this

MBATL, don’t even waste your time arguing with Mark. His ignorance is too much to absorb at one time. His assertions that the Braves are racist is inane. I would argue that 4 of the most popular Atlanta Braves of all time are players of color. In no particular order: Smoltz, Andruw, Henry Aaron, Chipper, Justice, and Gant. So, for this moron to argue that the Braves are racist is just stupid. I’m a black man who is never afraid to call out racism when I see it. This situation with Andruw has nothing to do with racism. Its about money. If Chipper wasn’t 10/5, the same conversations would take place about him. If Smoltz didn’t have a 3 mil reduction in salary next year due to the option on the contract I would guarantee that his days as a Brave would be numbered. Mark, how do you explain the fact the Giles will probably be traded in the offseason. Is there a grittier harder working player on this team than Giles? Have you ever seen Giles or Frenchy or McCann for that matter dog it on a ground ball like we see Andruw AND Chipper do all the time.

The race card is old, so put it away.

By Another Matt

August 6, 2006 12:44 AM | Link to this

Murphy, people like you are the reason racism is never going to die. You said it all with this phrase: We will never get rid of our Jim Crow mentality. THAT, my friend, is why racism still exists. Because people like you don’t want to let it go. You are determined to find racism in every single thing in the world. And while you’re at it, you might take a look at some of your fellows and observe the racism in THEM. People like you call people like me cracker, The Man, etc. As much as your kind deny it, that is also racism. I find it sad that we can’t coexist peacefully like the great Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed. So stop being so hypocritical, and just give up racism and your “Jim Crow mentality.” Mark, this is directed to you, too.

Now, back to baseball. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if Andruw Jones is traded, the Braves will not make it back to the top for years. Andruw is the heart and soul of this team’s offense AND defense. He is a player who is definitely going to hit 500+ homers and knock in at least 1800 runs. He has a good shot at 2500+ hits, as well as numerous MVP awards and Silver Sluggers. He is en route to his 9th consecutive Gold Glove, and I think he will win at least 15 in his career. He is definitely going to be a Hall of Famer, and should be kept. John Schuerholz has completely lost his mind, and I have lost all respect for him. I know Andruw is off the block now, but I’m afraid that even if we have him next year, he won’t be around for the 2008 season. He will probably end up with the Yankees or Mets, which would not only be a shame, but be completely despicable. In my opinion, here is what the Braves should do:

1) KEEP ANDRUW JONES AT ALL COSTS!!!!!!!

2) Find some new ownership who is willing to fork out the money.

3) Dump John Schuerholz. His time is over.

4) Find a new manager who is a little smarter and a little tougher on his players.

5) Dump McDowell, he sucks.

6) Dump Terry Pendleton. He was a great player, but he is a lousy batting coach. Find a new coach who can teach discipline.

7) Trade for another big bat. Names such as Pujols, Guerrero, and Ortiz are out of reach, but names such as Manny Ramirez, Jim Edmonds, or Nomar might be in reach. Manny would also solve the left field problem.

8) Dump all over-aged, over-rated players such as Jordan and Pratt. They are unnecessary burdens to the team, and are completely useless.

9) Give Frency some time in the minors so he can learn plate discipline. It seems like every time he bats, he swings at the first and second pitches and either pops up or grounds out. In the few times he shows discipline, he is a tremendous success. But he still has a lot to learn when it comes to discipline.

And finally, people, GO TO THE BALLGAMES!!! With a little more fan support, the Braves might be a little more successful. Back in the 90’s, old Fulton County Stadium was jam-packed almost every single night, especially in 1992. The team needs fan support, as it can boost the players’ morale.

O.K. I’m done here for now. GO BRAVES!

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 6, 2006 12:48 AM | Link to this

Why does race always have to be brought up on these blogs? I am a black guy whose favorite player is Chipper Jones. The same hunting and fishing good ‘ol boy, Chipper Jones. Race has nothing to do with it. To the people of color who keep bringing it up when it simply shouldn’t be, shame on you. To the whites who keep making ignorant comments like “jigaboo central”, you should be ashamed of yourselves as well. Quit slamming Terrance Moore because he has an opinion. You have your opinion, he has his, and I have mine. That is what makes America great! You know the guys on that team don’t see color. Why should we. They all go out on the field and play hard not only for themselves but for each other. And the reason you don’t see many blacks on the team is because you don’t see many blacks on any team. Blacks don’t play baseball as much as football and basketball. Joe Morgan has initiated a program to get more blacks involved with baseball. I’m proud to say I have two very talented sons who are very interested in baseball.

Mark if you are so hot and bothered to find a team that is racist, turn your attention to the Houston Astros. Now, there is a team that you won’t see many blacks.

By Mark

August 6, 2006 01:02 AM | Link to this

I never said that the Braves are racist. You all assumed I was saying that. Robert(Justice is the Best) I agree with you, people shouldn’t slam Terrence Moore because he has an opinion. I am just wondering why are you doing the same things to me. You called me moron and ignorant. Do you teach your sons to call people those names when they disagree with someone else’s opinion. I hope not. Please, practice what you preach. Maybe you should read what I posted earlier and see that I never accused the Braves of being racist, I was just pointing out how over years their team has gotten progressively whiter. So Robert(Justice is the Best) respect my opinion. Thanks Buddy!

By Another Matt

August 6, 2006 01:05 AM | Link to this

Oh and I forgot to mention the bullpen. Dump them ALL! Keep Wickman and Baez, but dump the rest, because they suck. The only starters who should be kept are Smoltz and Hampton. Hudson has been a huge disappointment, and Jason Sheill just sucks. James needs some more time in the minors. We should trade for a big starter, maybe Roy Halladay or someone of that caliber.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 6, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this

Another Matt, I agree with you for the most part. (About the racism totally) We need a left fielder but one who can leadoff. I would love to have Manny in Atlanta but that is unrealistic. Manny makes way too much money for this team to handle. I agree about Pendleton, but I often wonder if he isn’t handcuffed by Cox. As for Francoeur, its too late to send him back to the minors. That would destroy his confidence. I do however have to wonder if winter ball wouldn’t be an option for him.

I actually had a possible trade proposal that I would make if I were GM that would address the problems with this team and allow us to sign Andruw without sacrificing the future of the team.

The proposal goes as follows:

We give the Angels a call and offer Giles, LaRoche, Langerhans, and Horacio for Chone Figgins, Howie Kendrick, and Erwin Santana. In Figgins we get a LF that would solve our leadoff problems. The guy has 40SB already. Kendrick is a terrific young player that can play any position in the infield and could platoon with Prado at 2B. Santana is an excellent young starter (only 23) who has playoff experience and some nasty stuff. He could anchor this rotation for a very long time. The deal is good for the Angels because LaRoche gives them the power hitting 1B they have been looking for. Giles is a cheaper and better option at 2B than keeping Adam Kennedy. Horacio is obvioulsy a good pitcher who could flourish under Bud Black’s tutiledge. And Langerhans gives them a solid 4th outfielder.

I figured up that the Braves will basically have around 12 extra million to spend. Once you take away the salaries of Giles and LaRoche, figure in Smoltz’s option which takes his salary from 11 mil to 8 mil, Hudson’s option which takes his pay from 6.5 mil to 6 mil, and the deadwood salaries that will be cut away by ridding the roster of Jordan, Pratt, and Reitsma. We could take 6 to 7 mil of that 12 and put it toward a closer. Hopefully Baez or Wickman. We can take 4 or so mil and put it toward Andruw and offer him a deal of 5-7 years at 17.5 mil a year. If Andruw is serious about being a Brave for life he will take the deal in a heartbeat. JS could go out and find another outfielder in free agency to replace Langerhans. Thorman and Jurries can handle 1B. Pena can be McCann’s backup. (Like he should be now)

The payroll would get some relief soon into Andruw’s new contract because Chipper and Hudson’s contracts are up after 2009 and Hampton’s the next year after. Frenchy, McCann, Davies, and James will be up for arbitration and that freed money can go toward them and stll some will be left over.

By Another Matt

August 6, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this

Mark, you still introduced race into a blog that is supposed to be about baseball! Can you just drop the damn race issue? Can EVERYONE drop the damn race issue? Please?

By Another Matt

August 6, 2006 01:13 AM | Link to this

Robert(Justice Is The Best), that is a very good and realistic idea you have there. I know I was a little unrealistic with the Manny suggestion, but he’s a more affordable big bat than A-Rod or someone like that. But, once again, that is a good trade proposal there.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 6, 2006 01:35 AM | Link to this

Mark, when you say the Braves are getting whiter and whiter you are implying racism. Don’t insult my intelligence, man. I mean how can you even imply this team is racist when they allowd Brian Jordan on the field. No team in their right mind would have had Jordan playing as much as he did before he got hurt. Lets be honest LaRoche (who is white) much more deserved to play. The asinine platoon with Jordan probably will cost LaRoche a 100 RBI season. So, don’t even go there.

I don’t teach my sons to call people names but what I do teach them is to be proud of their heritage and to not use their race as an excuse for failure or to falsely accuse people of racism or prejudice when there is none there.

The Braves discussing trading Andurw has nothing to do with his race whatsoever. It is utterly moronic to think so. Yes, I said moronic. This has to do with one color and that color is green. If Andruw said right now that he would sign an extension for the same money he is getting paid now the whole damn issue would be dead. I mean for the love all that is right how can you dare say the Braves are getting whiter when Jorge Sosa was allowed to be here as long as he was. I am a black man, who if I was in charge of this team, would have never allowed Brian Jordan to pick up a bat and Jorge Sosa would have been gone a month ago. And lets not forget that the most recent players of color on this team left for more money. In some cases (Furcal) more than they are worth.

Let me guess the Mets are successful because they have a ton of players of color, right? Wrong. They are havning a good season because they went and bought all the best players. The Devil Rays are loaded with players of color. What’s their reason for being so pathetic?

By Dustin

August 6, 2006 01:36 AM | Link to this

Of course, when things don’t go your way, play the “race” card…that’s probably the only card you have and you cannot make a fair assessment on the team because you hold that card. What a shame. I don’t care if the whole team is white, black, yellow or purple; I want a championship!

I hate to say it, but Andruw’s days as a Brave are numbered…I really wish he could stay a Brave his entire career. Too bad we can’t get rid of Chipper instead and keep Andruw. The Braves are stuck with Chipper, but not with Andruw.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 6, 2006 01:42 AM | Link to this

Another trade I thought of would be to the Yankees. This would all hinge on whether or not Sheffield’s option was picked up. If not, I think I have a deal the Yanks would certainly give some thought. We could offer LaRoche and Horacio for Melkey Cabrerra and Robinson Cano. Cano is a bit wishful thinking but the Yanks may consider it because Horacio would give them a solid starter and better than most of what they have there right now. LaRoche would give them a 1B and keep Giambi in the DH role and not in the field where he is always an adventure. LaRoche would be an easy 35HR 110+ RBI guy with that short porch in right field. He would have a heyday there. Cabrerra would give us a good LF who can leadoff and Cano is good 2B. We could then flip Giles for some pitching or if Giles didn’t garner a lot of interest (which I think he would) we could flip Cano (who would definitely garner interest) for some relief help.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 6, 2006 01:52 AM | Link to this

I couldn’t agree more, Dustin. I don’t care what color the players are as long as they win.

The fact is I see players of all colors on this team doing the same crap of swinging at the 1st pitch in run scoring situations and not playing smart baseball. Andruw, Renteria, Frenchy, LaRoche (until lately), Langerhans, and Giles. That is white and black sucking all the same. The race card should be used when race is an issue. It is not an issue here. I mean for the love of God Chipper (white) is much more hated here than Andruw (black). I think the criticism of Chipper is unfair. This team would not be close to having 14 straight titles if not for Chipper. But, nonetheless the Chipper bashing is non-stop. I am on here all the time and I can honestly say that despite all of Andruw’s wild swings and swinging at the 1st pitch in important counts that criticism of him is light at best. Frenchy is crucified on here for his hacking. What about Andruw today in the 9th. We needed baserunners and he is swinging at the first pitch. Don’t give me that crap about he is a power hitter. We were down two runs. We needed baseruners. Was anything said? Nope. Frenchy did the same thing and people are clamoring for him to be sent to A ball for God’s sake. Mark, how do you explain that.

One more thing, pal. If Cox and the Braves were trying to get whiter then why did they stick with Andruw as long as they did. I can remember many a time between 1997-2003 (before he really began to breakout) when Andruw dogged ground balls, continously swung at bad pitches (that sounds like someone else, but I……I just can’t think of who that is) and struck out a lot more than he ever got hits. (That also sounds familiar. Just can’t…..Ummmm……who does that…..oh yeah, Francoeur. The guy a lot of white people on here want sent to the minors.)

By Reality

August 6, 2006 01:59 AM | Link to this

Maybe Andrew’s next profession is down there on North Avenue with all of those dumbass Tech graduates slinging hotdogs at the Varsity. He would have to learn what an FO is. Oh wait, he has to go to Tech for that …. Oh Well. Maybe it is the garbage truck for poor Andrew. Good Ridence LOSERS.

By The Truth

August 6, 2006 02:28 AM | Link to this

Andrew should fit in with all of thoise dumb MFs down there on the flats. Maybe Chipper can work the parking lot while Smoltz works the fry cooker. That is all they are capable these days. Maybe Bobby can come by and powder your asses since that is what he has been doing for years. Get on a Grayhound and just leave town, PLEASE.

By Anti-Homer

August 6, 2006 02:46 AM | Link to this

Maybe you could have those guys on 680 crawl out of the Braves’ asses long enough to admit that the Braves just SUCK and will for a long time to come. I am not sure if John has a clue when it comes to sports and Buck don’t know crap about baseball. They need to just stick to what they know …. MASTERBATING.

By Steve

August 6, 2006 03:50 AM | Link to this

Come on folks. Racism? Please. There is real racism going on in the world and calling something like this racism is a slap in the face to all of those who suffer from it.

Let’s look at this for what it was .. a common baseball practice!!

Andruw has probably been put on waivers on numerous seasons. It’s very common for many teams to put EVERYONE on their roster on waivers, then pull them back if they are claimed. Then they know if they want to make a deal, which players can be dealt.

1) It doesn’t mean any player that clear it automatically going to be dealt, but it does give the team room to mauever if something really good comes along.

2) It’s a SMART thing to do.

3) No one pays ANY attention to it normally except when some IDIOT media personality gets ahold of the otherwise trivial information and then tries to sale papers by stirring up a controversy.

Only the ignorant really fall for this type of media crap, especially the race card idiocy.

Let’s face it, Andruw willbe gone after next year. If you are mad at the Braves now for trying to do something positive for the team, then you better call Andruw for what he is when he skips town after next year .. greedy. All those who want to bash Chipper have to remember he probably could have made more money to go elsewhere (especially the Mets who wanted him off the Braves). Chipper took less money to STAY here, yet the fans treat him like crap. Andruw will likely do what most players do and bolt town for more money .. so remember that next year we when either trade him for much less or lose him to free agency.

Oh, and by the way, the year the Braves WON the World Series they had a starting lineup of Lopez, McGriff, Lemke, Blauser, Chipper, Klesko, Justice, and Grissom. That’s 4 white guys out of 8, so it proves that race does not matter, so stop bringing it up. Leave that to the politicians and the papers who just want to make money and become famous at the expense of others.

By Steve

August 6, 2006 04:11 AM | Link to this

To Kneejerk,

You cannot be serious about the Lester being a proven pticher crap. If that were true, then we would never have gotten Smoltz for instance.

Yes, the majority of young pitchers don’t pan out, but a guy who has already been dominant for 3 months in the majors certainly shows more promise than other youngsters. Maybe if he was black it wouldn’t be an issue in the ATL.

To Mark Yes, we have lost alot of Black players over the years, but why don’t you list out the WHITE ones. Klesko, Blauser, Avery, Mercker, Kevin Millwood, Jason Marquis, Jason Schmidt, Denny Neagle, and Jaret Wright just to name a few. We ran Bret Boone and BJ Surhoff out of here after one bad season each while we keep Brian Jordan around for year after year of total ineptness.

It is just funny to me how some people can only get caught up in one side of an argument and ignore everything else to make a point.

As for others complaining about us not trying to trade Chipper you apparently are not to into baseball. If you read many of the blogs from media sources, when Chipper got hot his name started circulating, but the Braves were obviously making a run so nothing happened. Next thing you know he got hurt and now no one would even want him, so you didn’t hear any more rumors. Wake up folks. It seems to me that people crying racism on this are possibly racist themselves. It’s business. It sucks, but remember, the players and owners caused this by all the big salaries and silly clauses.

Oh, and don’t blame the Major League office for spillign the beans on the waiver list. I would bet it was someone within the organization wanting to make a little money. It’s not like the press doesn’t pay for information to get a scoop. Some little copy boy probably made $20 off of grabbing the names out of the trash.

By truth speaker

August 6, 2006 04:24 AM | Link to this

Exit Atlanta Braves - Enter Atlanta Crackers. JS has been reduced to being AOL/TW’s pawn to decrease the Brave’s networth to facilitate a sale to another corporation. Too bad Mr. Blank couldn’t buy the team - we need a front office over overhaul. Back to futility we go.

By KneeJerk

August 6, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this

Steve, yes that was sarcasm about Lester. Smoltz is the exception rather than the rule. There are a lot more Tony Saunders around than John Smoltz’s. We bilked the Padres into Donnie Elliot in the McGriff trade. There are several other examples I could use. If we trade a HOF centerfielder who is at the top of his profession in defense and run production, we’d better get a better centerpiece than a 3 month wonder.

By Darren

August 6, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this

This is an example of the media making a story out of nothing, and by doing so, has angered the fans, hurt Andruw Jones, and seriously disrupted team chemistry.

Can anybody tell me who the winners in the story were?

Nobody but the AJC, since they were able to gin up some cheap controversy to try and attract readers.

One of the “tenents” of journalism is to “minimize harm.” Clearly, this was not done so in this case.

It’s an absolute shame, because the Braves used to get pretty decent and comprehensive coverage. I can remember reading I.J. Rosenberg’s reports back in the day, which I thought were pretty good.

Dave O’Brien is outstanding, and goes far out of his way to have an actual rapport with his readers and provide an incredible amount of extra content with his very lengthy blogs.

Sekou Smith is also an excellent writer, and I think John Manasso is very good, but neither get hardly any space in the paper.

What the AJC really needs is some kind of competition. Here in Nashville, the City Paper at least keeps the Tennessean honest with their work.

Perhaps then, they won’t get away with causing trouble and being the only ones to reap the reward.

By BravesFaninRockies

August 6, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

Robert,

Thanks for increasing the average IQ of the blog by several dozen points.

Hate to say it, but LaRoche may be the once and future cleanup hitter if Andruw goes. I don’t see how the Braves can afford to give him up or any more big bats if Chipper’s going to be hurt 1/3 of the time.

I would try to deal Andruw to the Angels in the off-season for Santana and Figgins (or Rivera or Morales). Then you’d have to move Thorman up in the order, cross your fingers and hope he could play left every day. Figgy would give you a great leadoff hitter who gets on base, steals, scores.

As has been said before, this team’s problem is too many strikeouts and quick at bats. Pitching is too lousy for guys to swing at anything between the on-deck circles. TP seemed to make a breakthrough with Furcal and Andruw a couple of the other guys about midway through last season, but no one’s listening any more. You can let Frenchy be Frenchy, but if Thorman isn’t commanded to start taking a few pitches, he could be ruined as a ML hitter by the end of this year.

TP has to go. And for those of you who would see this as further justification of the racist conspiracy, I have a successor in mind: Don Baylor. He’s apparently cancer-free, wants to get back in baseball, and of course has ties to the Braves from the glory days. (You could also consider him the manager in waiting.) Great hitting coach. Good guy. Hire him.

By Danny

August 6, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this

Who leaked the waiver wire to the press? Big players are thrown ut there all of the time. No one hears about it, but AJC reports that Andrew in on the block and everyone is offended. This whole year is nothing but a sad reminder of how bad the Braves use to be and how fast they can land in the losersville bracket again. Companies do do buy teams for a tax write off and the team succeeds. That’s OK, college football is just around the corner and baseball will go away, just like in the 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.

By KneeJerk

August 6, 2006 09:23 AM | Link to this

College football won’t be so fun for the red a nd black this year. QB controversy, player suspensions (again). College football won’t be much better than baseball season.

By Jazzy

August 6, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

I am happy Andruw didn’t get traded; however, I think the Braves did him wrong. I do not believe Chipper nor my beloved Smoltz would have been treated this way. I am hurt and disappointed, and I could see it in Andruw’s face as well. He had faith in Bobby and believed him; however, Bobby lied to him. I know it is “business”, but the quotes from Chipper were not very encouraging. I have been a Braves fan since they moved to Atlanta, and it breaks my heart to say this, but I think Andruw should leave this town. You can tell he loves the Braves, but the Braves are a “business”, which means we can’t afford to love you back. Sure, he wont be hurting for cash, but he’s hurting now from the sting of reality. When Andruw leaves this team, he will become the baseball player he was meant to be. He came here when the Braves ousted their only World Series Winner, David Justice, and he will leave the same way. As Justice once stated, “if they traded Dale Murphy, I know they will trade me”. I personally think Andruw is much more valuable to the team than Chipper, but I guess Chipper is safe. AFTER his less than supportive comments about Andruw, I could care less about Chipper!

By McDonoughDawg

August 6, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this

The first post in this thread is the MOST moronic thing I have ever read regarding the Braves…

Why would Terrance Moore post on this blog?

By Nelson

August 6, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

C’mom Mark is not about race, it is about pitching, pitching is 75% of the game or more. Remember behind all of your “colored” players there were a really good pitching staff, and that includes starters and bull-pen, remember we won our only World Series in a 1-0 ball game, run provided by your colored David Justice (also my favorite Brave), but who was pitching? white boy Tommy, so we are tied 50-50. But if you want to point to race I have my point too: “My cuban players are the best of the world” (all colors, from white to dark blue-black mandingos), remember they almost won the basebball classic with unknown players, and before Castro they were the majority of latin players in the majors and they will be again when Cuba change to democracy, so you better tell JS to start thinking about that if he really wants this team to rock in the future. Actually he did, we have now Danny Baez and Brayan Peña did a good job too.

By journalist PENN

August 6, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

For God’s sake, is it possible to have a blog without racism?

What any team needs to win are 25 players who can pitch, catch, hit, throw and run. And their color doesn’t make a damn. According to the racist poster above the Braves should have kept Sosa because he was black.

Will ya knock it off already and talk baseball?

Andruw Jones may well be the best fielding CF any of us will see in our life times but he is far from being the best hitter. I can name two or three dozen better all round hitters, starting with that white boy Brian McCann. McCann knows how to hit. He is truly a professional hitter like Andruw is a professional fielder.

Andruw’s arm no longer frightens anyone (unlike Francoeur) and his running scares no one. (when was his late stolen base?) And he is one of the easiest Braves to pitch to. All you need do is throw him low and outside. He will either miss it with a feeble swing trying to pull it or he will dribble a weak grounder or he will pop up. He hits his home runs when a pitcher screws up and throws him a fast ball down the middle. Along with his 40 HR and 120 RBI’s I want to see some singles and doubles when the bases are loaded, not a strike out. He gets very few WINNING HITS. I want a player who hits more than .265.

So get off the racism crap and judge players for their skills. We will love Aybar if he can play third and HIT. If he can’t he should be dumped, black or white.

Everybody loves Renteria because he makes us forget Furcal, not because he is black or purple or yellow or brown. Edgar is a PROFESSIONAL baseball player.

By Jazzy

August 6, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this

Would someone please tell me why the highest paid baseball player on the ATL Braves team is an aging, hurt, has been pitcher by the name of Mike Hampton? Mike Hampton is paid more money than the heart of the team, John Smoltz. There is something terribly wrong with the Braves. How can they pay this sorry man? He’s injuried now, but before that he was a disaster in Colorado, NY, and ATL! He’s being paid money that should go to Andruw, and some of these hard working young guys. Chipper, the next highest paid is horrible. He had been relatively good this year when he’s healthy, but that has not been often. The only “Jones Boy” the Braves have been able to count on has been Andruw. Chipper has been hurt and when he hasn’t been hurt, he seems disinterested in the game. He doesn’t look like he wants to be out there most of time.

ABOUT THE RACE CARD! There is “NO RACE CARD” being used when actual racism exists. It’s about money, but race always plays apart of it. Look at the way we get to hear or see our Braves. We have to listen to the most racist and conservative radio station in the state. We are bombarded with promos from the most hateful and mean radio personalities in America: Limbaugh, Hannity, and the absolute devil himself, Neal Bortz. Then we get to watch the team on FOX! Fox screams racism. So, there should be a boycott to have more options to even see the game. Then you go to the game and have to put up with “Sweet Home Alabama”, what is that? It is RACISM sports fans. You know it, I know it!

By Frank

August 6, 2006 09:47 AM | Link to this

Mark

By Alex

August 6, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this

Unfortunately, when Andrew leaves this town…he will not be any different than he is right about now.

A gold glove center fielder, who hits about .260 and hits for power, also one who strikes out quite a bit.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks…I’m sure people have tried to teach Andrew how to be a .300 hitter or better, I’m sure he knows…he just won’t do it! The allure of the HR’s changed that in the ’90s when he first came up and it was a long one or a K.

AJ heart should be in it all the way right now! He is being paid 13 mil. right now! Last time I checked, you could feed and support your family off that kind of salary! The Braves are the boss of Andrew Jones…not the other way around. He’s lucky that he’s not fishing for a living back home on the island!

All of this talk “Oh, they would never do that to Chipper and Smoltzie…”…blah, blah, blah…how about you get a key hit in this so important series with the Reds Andrew? How about you focus on what your job is actually supposed to be…which is helping this team in a WC chase…not running your mouth to the media about how “you are feeling hurt”.

Let him walk for all I care…nobody on this team is irreplaceable and beyond reproach. Look at the Marlins…young players who want to be there! Case closed!

By Fansince66

August 6, 2006 09:48 AM | Link to this

I was one of the 5000 fans back in the good ole days, so you johnny-come-lately fans listen up. Andruw Jones is lazy. He dogged two plays yesterday. He stopped on the Jr ball that he could have gotten to, and didn’t run out the ground ball in the 9th. He has lost a step and most of his arm. Chipper is showing his age and abuse at third. Cox is a good strategist, but no motivator. At least Dale Murphy ran out all of the ground balls in a season that was over in June. We wouldn’t want to see a movie where an actor only knew half of his lines. Also, now a days if you want to sit by real knowledgable fans at Turner Field, you have to sit beside the Red Sox or Cardinal faithful. Most of the Braves fans couldn’t care less about the team. Some times it was more enjoyable to watch the loser Braves, because at least I knew I was at a baseball game. Want to see a real baseball game. Go to Rome. Want to see everything else. Go to TF. Young ball players can’t win. Tell that to the 1991 club.

By Nelson

August 6, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Thanks PENN your Post is even better than mine, and more I’m 100% with you about Andrew careless hitting improvement I also want Don Baylor back! as a hitting coach, if he can’t fix Andrew’s problem nobody else will do it (remember he made Chipper hit many HR batting right hander).

By dubya

August 6, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this

I guess I just don’t see the logic. You have two straight games with the wildcard leading Reds, you enter the bottom of the eighth inning with a tie. You have Wickman in the wings. **Why don’t you throw Baez in the 8th??” Please explain.

By viktor

August 6, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

Missed opportunity to deal him for at least three good players, including a starting pitcher. We’ll never get this much for him again.

By Sara

August 6, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this

You people are stupid! Andruw Jones is the best player the Braves have ever had, and the best centerfielder the game has ever seen! He has to stay in Atlanta if the Braves want to continue to win, but to do that they must get the starting pitching they need! And if John Shurholz is so anxious to trade someone why doesn’t he trade his underachieving son from the minor leagues? But I guess we all know that won’t happen! KEEP ANDRUW!

By 3X

August 6, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

To Nathan

Of all of those white players you listed maybe millwood is the only one POSSIBLY worth keeping by the braves. Boone did not hit anything when he was in Atlanta. It wasn’t until he got to seattle all JUICED up did he start to hit long balls. J.D. Drew sucks. Maddux and Glavine were on the decline. And Ryan Klesko was an average 1st baseman. Dye, Sheffield, Furcal, Justice, Betemit and Jones are better players.

By clay

August 6, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

Andruw is more or less the main reason atl has any sort of fan base…u trade him and see how much money that front office loses as well as the city. thanks

By nathan

August 6, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this

alex

well said!

By nathan

August 6, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

3X

I was just making a point that we have allowed “white” players to leave before.

I thought baseball was all about color, not actually the talent! LOL

I’m aware that they were overhyped or on the decline. But other people don’t seem to get that.

By Greg

August 6, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

To 3X:

Maddux and Glavine were on the decline. True. But who would you have rather seen toeing the rubber in Cincinatti yesterday. Maddux, Glavine, or that batting practice pitcher that coughed up a three-run lead in the first inning?

I don’t believe the Braves owners are racist. They’re just cheap.

Which means we can’t sign Andruw. So if we can get good, I mean good, young pitchers for him, it’s time to move him. Bats are a dime a dozen. Arms are where it’s at. Our team scored six runs yesterday and got killed by its starting pitching.

By nathan

August 6, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

3X

What about Jason Schmidt? Or doesn’t he count because he was traded for another whithe guy? (Denny Neagle)

Klesko btw was not all that worthless when we traded him. We wanted more team speed, which is what we acquired in Sanders and Veras (and a white guy name Joyner), but if I recall Klesko had a pretty good couple of years for the padres - including hitting well against lefties, which Cox never game him a legitimate chance to do. Not to forget that Sanders was pretty much worthless and Veras was off the team after a season and a half (to make room for ….GASP…..Marcus Giles - A WHITE GUY!)

So “juice or no juice”, that trade is a classic trade of giving up two “white guys” who had some pretty good years left, for to “not white guys” that did absolutely nothing for us while they were here!

I don’t get the logic? I thought the Braves motto was to keep ALL white guys at ALL COST!

:) have a nice day! :)

By Bill

August 6, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

I am very pleased Andruw was recalled . I am very sorry that he wasn’t shown more respect and not embarrased with this indignity. I feel this will definately affect other team members as well. Andruw is the best and that is what i want for the braves .Thank You ,Bill

By johnmrog

August 6, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

Too bad he wasn’t traded. If any of you Andruw-homers actually think that he will show ANY loyalty to the Braves after his contract is up next year (whether or not he had been “insulted” by being placed on waivers or not), then you’re a bunch of idiots.

After next year, Andruw will be taking his services somewhere else for upwards of $20 million a year and he won’t think twice about leaving. And all the Braves will have to show for it is a compensatory draft pick at the end of the 1st round.

Wow… it’s almost as if John Schuerholz is taking lessons from Billy Knight.

By KneeJerk

August 6, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

Please stop using the Marlins as an example of what we should do. Sure their payroll is miniscule, but they have almost the same record as we do. If you have a losing team, but they’re cheap, you STILL have a losing team. I don’t care what our payroll is. I just want a winner. If you look at the Marlins farm system, they have no future stars in the field. You’re seeing their prospects now. It’s all pitching and a good infield. The outfielders may not start for any other team. I’ll take the Braves over the Marlins 8 days a week.

By Beachcomber

August 6, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

All these comments are interesting. Sports Weekly had an interesting sidebar this week on the Braves “all time” team in terms of years at position during the 15-year run - a pretty good balance of color as it were. The team - 1b - McGriff; 2b - Lemke; ss - Furcal; 3b - C. Jones lf - Klesko cf - A. Jones; rf - Justice; c - Lopez; the five starters - Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux, Avery and Millwood; the closer spot was a 3-way tie of Rocker, Wohlers and Smoltz (3 years each). I can pretty much guess which one of those three you’d want closing games. And I think I’d take my chances with the four starters still in MLB despite some age.

By KneeJerk

August 6, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

johnmrog, You seem to forget (or maybe didn’t know) how Andruw negotiated his last contract. What he did was a rarity. Research it. If Andruw wants to stay, he’ll remember that Scott Boras works for HIM, not the other way around.

By Joe Collins

August 6, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this

After reading Marks post about the braves today I have come to the conclusion that he is a racist. Why does the Atlanta Braves need more people of color? Race should have nothing to do with it. These kinds of sterotypes about one race being any better at any sport than the other need to stop. Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream that ALL People should be equal. It seems your dream is to have a all black atlanta team. I will be glad for the day when people are truly judged not by there color but by there actions and character J. Collins

By Justin

August 6, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this

I have believed for years that the Braves are a racist organization. They have traded away every power hitter of color since the early 90’s. I’m not suprised at all that the organization would put Andruw on the trading block, and I’m sure he’s not either. There is a history of racisim within the organization. I’ve never been a fan of the Braves. I’m glad to see them where they are at this time; struggling to make it to a wildcard spot. CONGRATULATIONS BRAVES, YOU ARE PLAYING BEAUTIFUL

By Metropolitan Man

August 6, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

Just to shed a little light on the situation, at the begining of the METS season all fans were calling for Minaya’s head because fans were saying he stockpiled the team with Latins. Every NY paper and sports show was all over this and it started a lot of racist talk. However winning stops all crazy talk. If the braves were winning all of this would be a non issue. You all know I dislike the braves as a franchise because I am a METS fan by law and birth, but I have never thought the braves to be a racist organization, especially after they got rid of Rocker so quickly. So what everybody really is ticked off about is the losing, sure the players contributed to it, but so did the lack of bullpen makeup at the begining of the season which was your true downfall, not race. So stop bickering on the race thing becasue METS fans havent heard a peep out of the peanut gallery who tried to divide us on the race issue. Just support you team win or lose. Until they blantantly show racist views, just chill out and let your opinion be just that….an opinion?!

By Jack

August 6, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

Next year, Andruw should ask to be traded. The once ‘classy’ team now is being run like a one night stand carnival, and is being managed that way. What a big disappointment! Bet this will also be Cox’s last year — and do not blame him!

By hop

August 6, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

this hate the same old braves with the corporate owners continuing to cut cost, and treat players with little regard.

no, it is not race issue ,but a side that is not good for braves plaeyrs especially , when andrew agreed to a smaller salary in his last contract talks.

the class of this organization is dropping and prime players are watching ,especially when the best centerfielder since willie mays is treated this way.

jones will be sorely missed with his defensive abilites, who else can make the plays that he does on a regular basis.

the simple answer is NO ONE.

ole well, get use to it braves fans, the braves will be a very average for the forseeable future!

By MBATL

August 6, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

Good comments, Metropolitan Man.

It being Sunday, let me start by repenting: Mark, though I completely disagree with your posts, sorry for the “obscene” gesture last night; I don’t like reading that kind of thing, so shouldn’t post it. Just got mad.

Now, with a clear conscience:

Assuming the Braves do want to re-sign AJ, the only “home team discount” we might need is a modest number in ‘08.

The payroll for ‘07 is virtually set except for a couple of relievers, and it would seem we could sign Baez or Wickman using the Sosa/Thomson money. (I don’t think we re-sign both of them; and we’ve got to have some help from Devine and Boyer).

After 2008 Chipper and Hampton come off the books unless we exercise team options. So, payroll drops dramatically in ‘09. We can afford a big number for AJ then, but may need him to work with us on ‘08. If he indeed wants to be a Brave, the two sides should be able to make that work.

The problem with all this is that it leaves us very little flexibility; for the most part, the team you see now will be the team you see in ‘07 and ‘08. Hopefully the kids will develop and that will work.

Of course trading Giles or Hudson would add a little flexibility too.

The other option of course is to either trade AJ with his approval, or to simply let his contract expire, which would hurt but would give us salary flexibility.

Nathan is right: IF the Braves don’t foresee resigning AJ, they should’ve traded him before the deadline. So I assume that the plan is to re-sign him.

By sam

August 6, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

As I understand the issues, If Andruw wants to stay, we can’t afford him, assuming he won’t offer a reduced salary schedule. If he wants to leave and we don’t make a trade before the end of next year, we lose him without any meaningful compensation. My questions are what is the debate about and what does racce have to do with it?

By Lonny Minter

August 6, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this

F12k tHAT

By robin

August 6, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

Would the people who operate this blog PLEASE immediately remove all the race baiting comments as soon as they are posted, and make it clear that it will no longer be tolerated, and that such comments will be immediately removed in the future.

The number of black MLB players is way down—about 10% I believe. Let this blog be a good faith discussion of baseball!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Mills

August 6, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

Thank you John Schuerholz for not trading Andruw. I am relieved. You’ve addressed the bullpen, now lets address the leadoff spot. Willie (turtle) Aybar is not the answer as a leadoff hitter. We may have to wait until the offseason to address this problem. But’s let’s go after Corey Patterson and put him in left field and as the leadoff hitter. He is from Atlanta and would be a great addition. Re sign Wickman and Baez to short term deals, they have looked great so far with the Braves. DO NOT TRADE ANDRUW OR GILLY. Sign Maddux and Glavine, Let John Thompson and Reitsma walk. Trade Horacio Ramirez to his hometown Dodgers. That would leave a rotation of 1.Smoltz 2. Glavine 3. Hudson 4. Maddux and 5. Hampton. Keep Davies and James in case of injuries, start them in the pen. Then we will look good for next year.

By Jesse Jackson

August 6, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

If the braves were a racial orginization, then Brian Jordan’s old a$$ would’ve been gone along time ago. Not to mention Terry Pendleton, who needs to teach some of those white boys how to hit. There are many Hispanics of color, which makes me feel good about the braves. Now, if you want me to organize a boycott, then send me 10% of Chipper’s salary and i’ll take back what I said.

By Anthony

August 6, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

My Reaction?

I work for Delta Air Lines … I’ve taken a 19% salary cut in the last year and a half. God only knows how much the company has sliced into my benefits with major increased medical costs. My pension is already frozen, and what’s left is going to be shot, no matter what your read in the papers …

I have zero pity for these millionaires who are grossly over compensated for playing a childs game . . .

By Jason C

August 6, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

I really wanted Roy Oswalt and prospects for Andruw. Oswalt would give us the big time starter to build around for the future. It is time to re-tool NOW with pitching. We could have also got Fernando Neive or Hunter Pence or maybe even Troy Patton for Andruw and built this franchise on pitching while saving 13 million by doing it. Andruw is good, but WILL NOT win us a championship by earning 20 million a year. We HAVE TO HAVE pitching!

By Jason C

August 6, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

Also, the Jones for Crisp, Lester, and Hansen would have been amazing. Not only due we get 2 prime pitching prospects and a useable center fielder, but we save almost 10 fricking million next year to spend on our power bat. I would rather have carlos lee next year in terms of production than AJ especially with crisp in center, and Lester in the rotation.

By Jason C

August 6, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this

Also, Hudson needs to go. If he cant pitch better than he’s pitching, i would have traded him to a contender that could afford his salary for a prospect or two. I was always found of him to LAD for Jonathan Broxton or to TB for maybe Elijah Dukes. Im pretty sure pitching impoverished Tampa Bay would have done it if we added a little cash or a prospect.

By Michelle

August 6, 2006 06:10 PM | Link to this

SHAMEFUL !!

I hope he leaves when his contract expires. He does not deserve to be trated in such a way. Would somehting like this have happen to Chipper Jones……..HELL NO !!

It’s about respect….I’ve been following the Braves for as long as I can remember…

The can forget about me as a fan…just more racist BS from the front office…!!

I throught with the BRAVES FOR GOOD !!!

michelle washigton, dc

By KB

August 6, 2006 06:27 PM | Link to this

No way should they ever trade Andruw Jones! Who is going to replace him? He is by far the best center fielder in baseball. What other CF hits fifty homeruns and play the kind of Defense he plays? His replacement would just make the Braves be an average team.

By DollarDawg

August 6, 2006 07:07 PM | Link to this

So freakin’ what? It is football season now.

By Daniel

August 6, 2006 07:17 PM | Link to this

Wow, Is Mark a racist?

By Greg

August 6, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

It was good that Andruw Jones didn’t get traded. The Braves have an outside shot of making it to the playoffs. He probably will sign with another team at the end of the season. He will go to a team that will offer him a lot of cash, so his loyalty to the Braves organization will change. Race shouldn’t be a factor that needs to be brought up. I think the Braves don’t have many black players in their farm systems. The only ones I know that came up and played with the Braves are Justice, Gant, Andruw, Betemit (hispanic black) Dye (they should have never gotten rid of him). I will have to admit that from 1991-1996, the Braves were funner to watch it just so happens that they had more minority players especially black players: Pendleton (my favorite), Nixon, Justice, McGriff, Deon Sanders, Lonnie Smith, Dye, and Grissom! But it was fun to watch white players: Glavine, Smoltz, Klesko, Lopez, Maddux, Wohlers, even racists John Rocker!!

By RealityCheck

August 6, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

Andruw Jones and most of the people on this blog need to get in touch with the real world. Business is business. Rude? Talk to the all the 20 year employees at the GM Doraville plant about rude. I don’t think the GM board of directors contacted any of them before they decided to END their jobs. AJ could be traded to another team that will keep paying him $13M to play ball? And his feelings are hurt? This is the silliest non-issue I’ve read. This guy needs to live in the real world with the rest of us.

By judge4u2

August 6, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

I have been watching the Braves for 3 reasons, Andruw, Brian and Jeff. Now, how valuable is my ticket!!!!?

By Samuel Gore

August 6, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this

All this time I thought that all the braves needed were some good healthy players, but now I see the light. An all black team is the only way the Braves will ever become the world champs again.

We could get Jessie Jackson to manage and Mr. Sharpton to handle the pitching staff. Maybe any number of the civil rights agitators in the Atlanta area would be willing to handle the lesser coaching duties at third and first base.

Mark, you sound black. If you are then I’m sure you could fit in somewhere on the team. You could handle race relations. Just remember that the first and foremost requirement to be a racist is to be white.

By KneeJerk

August 6, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this

Elijah Dukes is a headcase who is unsure if he wants to continue in baseball. I’ll take Matt Kemp over him.

By Confused Braves fan

August 6, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this

I’m glad Andruw didn’t get traded. He’s the closest person the Atlanta Braves have for an African American player. And they tried to trade him, while keeping old and broken Cipper Jones. Makes sense huh. Go figure!!!!!!

By Confused Braves fan

August 6, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

I’m sure glad they didn’t trade Andruw. He’s the closest person the black communtiy has to cheer for on the Braves team. Try trading Chipper Jones, a player that can’t even play a whole year. What a waste of money!!!!!

By Don Corleone

August 6, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this

How dare the Braves “PIMP” Andrew like this as loyal as he has been! They would have never done this to Smoltz or Chipper “GOLDEN BOY” Jones! Shurholtz has bleached this team down which I why they have not been back to the world series! You have to have African-Americans and Hispanics to win the World Series!

By Ron

August 7, 2006 12:09 AM | Link to this

You don’t “have to have African-Americans and Hispanics to win the World Series”. The Braves have had both at different times in the last 15 years and they have only one it once. Race is not a criteria to a successful winning team. Teamwork, defense, hitting, pitching, and run-producing is what wins games/divisions/world series.

No one knows if any other “big name” player had been put on waivers before, it has been confidential. I wouldn’t want the Braves to get rid of Andruw, but if they do, he can deal with it, just as any other player has.

I have yet to see any player that is worth the large dollars that owners pay them. We’er talking about being paid to play a game! And I never agreed to Chipper being worth $15 mil per. And what brainless idiot agreed to pay A-rod $25 mil per. Steinbrenner has done absolutely nothing but harm to the game of baseball with his open wallet and contempt for financial constraints.

For you people to come here and bang the racist drum is totally ignorant. Colors don’t play the game, talent does. And these youger players in the farm system, with talent, can come here and play the game for a lot less money. And yes, some of these talents in the farm system are of color. When they come up, what kind of excuse will you come up with then??

By Matt

August 7, 2006 01:27 AM | Link to this

Does anyone realize that Andruw Jones would not consider himself African American because he’s NOT FROM AFRICA?!?! HE’S FROM THE CARRIBEAN! If anything, he’s probably identify himself with the Dutch (which he did in the World Baseball “Classic”). Secondly, who cares about race? Most African-Americans these days are into faster sports, such as basketball and (even though there is a lot of discussion to the exact extent this next sport is faster than baseball), Football! How many whites are in basketball? Better yet, how many good, non-European whites are there in basketball? Also, what about in the minor leauges where the Braves are stocked with Latino and Black players? Why is it that whenever anyone in the South does anything that might be misconstrued as racist does everyone pounce on it like the KKK’s coming back and all those “good ole days aren’t forgotten”? GET OVER IT! There’s more racism up North anymore than in the South because it’s been forced down our throats for decades now that we should treat people the same as others. In any case, why does it matter that whiney-baby overpaid atheletes are black or white or purple or whatever? Why do we pay attention to some of the least-educated people in the country?

By Jeff

August 7, 2006 05:55 AM | Link to this

I wish we had been able to trade Andrew. He has become so lazy running the bases and playing in the field that some new blood might go along way in helping the team start to win again. Now would be the time to trade any player who is just hanging on until retirement.

By student

August 7, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

Sigh, Andruw is as much “from” Africa as any African American. Curacoa is a former slave colony. Most of Andruw’s ancestors like most of the ancestors of African Americans were brought over from Africa. The term usually used is Afro-Carribean.