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Home > ajcsportstalk > Archives > 2008 > May
May 2008
Will Chipper receive All-Star start?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chipper Jones of the Braves is hitting .420 and leads NL All-Star voting at third base. Remarkably, he hasn’t made the All-Star team since 2001.
Jones told the AJC’s Carroll Rogers, “It’s kind of depressing to me because I’ve had — to me — what I think are some pretty good first halves, what I think is a pretty good career, and I haven’t made an All-Star team since ‘01. … But I’ll take it. Got to make a splash to get people’s attention? Got to make a splash.”
Chipper has been an All-Star five times. Should he have received more All-Star appearances? Will he get the starting nod this year or will the Mets’ David Wright overtake him?
Ho does Chipper rate among third baseman in the NL, and in the majors as a whole? Would you rather have him or Wright if you had a team?
Are you going to make an effort to cast your ballot for Chipper? Should Atlanta fans show their appreciation for his season and career by flooding major league baseball with votes for the third baseman?
Permalink | Comments (27) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves
Hawks hire Sund as GM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Hawks hired former Seattle Supersonics GM Rick Sund to replace outgoing Atlanta general manager Billy Knight. What do you think of this hire?
Permalink | Comments (86) | Post your comment | Categories: Hawks
Back to the road woes?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Was it just not the Braves’ night Tuesday?
Did the frosty Milwaukee air do Atlanta in?
Was Mark Kotsay’s bat that sorely missed?
Or did the Braves lose to the Brewers because they’re simply not a good road team this season?
Sound off here…
Permalink | Comments (26) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves
Glad Cox is staying?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Braves manager Bobby Cox has signed a one-year contract extension through next season.
Cox, who is in his 23rd season as the Braves manager, ranks fourth all-time in victories with 2,28. He also holds the all-time record for most ejections (137 as of May 24).
Are you glad to have the manager who has guided the Braves to 14 division titles, five National League pennants and one World Series championship, but failed to lead the team to the playoffs the last two seasons? Or is it time for the Braves move on?
Permalink | Comments (71) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves
Post-game forum: Sweet sweep?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Braves beat Johan Santana and the Mets 4-2 on Thursday night and swept the four-game series at Turner Field.
The Mets are staggering, with speculation continuing that manager Willie Randolph might lose his job soon. Meanwhile, the Braves are five games over .500 for the first time this season.
How sweet was the sweep? What was the key or keys?
Are the Braves shaping up nicely and how do you see the season playing out?
Permalink | Comments (48) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves
Feeling better about Braves’ pitching?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Do the performances turned in by Braves starters Glavine and Campillo Tuesday in the double-header sweep of the Mets have you feeling relieved about the Atlanta’s prospects for at least the near future?
Do they help you forget for a while about the Smoltz, Soriano and Chuck James sagas?
Has Campillo earned himself a spot in the rotation after his three-hit, six inning effort Tuesday?
Sound off here…
Permalink | Comments (21) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves
Relieved that Ryan’s signed?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons have reportedly signed their first-round draft pick, QB Matt Ryan, to a six-year contract worth approximately $48 million?
Does it bode well for the team that they were able to lock down their top pick in less than a month after drafting him? Are you surprised negotiations apparently went so smoothly?
What about the price Atlanta’s paying for Ryan? Is the team devoting too much of its salary cap space to one player when its ‘07 won loss record indicates so much need at so many positions?
Finally, does this give you confidence in how the new Falcons GM, Thomas Dimitroff, operates?
Sound off here…
Permalink | Comments (51) | Categories: Falcons
Chipper’s spectacular offensive run
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the words of Braves’ manager Bobby Cox, the offensive performance of veteran Chipper Jones this season has been “pretty spectacular”.
Braves beat writer David O’Brien detailed the impressive numbers Jones has compiled in a recent notebook item on the third baseman (see item here). Jones had a home run and double in Wednesday’s victory over the Phillies, raising his batting average to .418.
What do you think about Chipper’s hot start? Do you remember the veteran ever having a successful stretch like this, including during his NL MVP season of 1999?
Let us know what you think. Also, read Chop Chick to find out about Chipper’s involvement in an unusual charity effort and click here for complete Braves coverage.
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment |
Tex back in lineup
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
First baseman Mark Teixeira returned to the Braves’ lineup for Wednesday night’s game against the Phillies at Philadelphia, after missing two games because of back spasms.
He wasn’t in the original lineup posted Wednesday afternoon, but Teixeira was added after testing his back in hitting, fielding and running drills at Citizens Bank Park.
As he came off the field following batting practice, he gave manager Bobby Cox a thumbs-up sign and said he was ready.
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Andruw’s L.A. story by the numbers
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Andruw Jones’ short tenure with the Dodgers has been measured by numbers - $36.2, .170 and 240 chief among them.
Much was made after Jones, whom the Braves chose not to re-sign after last season, signed a two-year, $36.2 million deal with Los Angeles in the offseason. But the 10-time Gold Glover has struggled this season, batting .170 with one home run and 38 strikeouts thus far.
There have also been questions about his weight, which is listed at 240 pounds. Everything has apparently contributed to Jones feeling ‘upset’ and ‘embarrassed’.
“It’s eating me up inside,” Jones said in a recent Associated Press story.
Former manager Bobby Cox has come out in support of Jones and current manager Joe Torre, who managed the Yankees when the 19-year-old Jones had his ‘coming-out’ party during the 1996 World Series, has taken a more realistic approach to Jones’s struggles (read their comments here).
As a Braves fan, what is your opinion - if any - on Andruw’s struggles? Do you wish him well even though he’s no longer with the organization? Do you enjoy seeing him struggle for some reason since he’s no longer with the Braves?
Let us know what you think. Check out the latest on Andruw in the Los Angeles Times and see what Chop Chick has to say as she weighs in on Andruw.
Lastly, click here for complete Atlanta Braves coverage.
Permalink | Comments (48) | Post your comment |
Is Jo-Jo a ‘go go’?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
How are you feeling about the Braves’ prospect now that the Pirates series is over with and Atlanta’s moving on to take on the Phillies?
Do you think Jo-Jo Reyes can get it done on the mound in spite of the fact his last outing was cut short by a finger blister?
Will the series in Philly get the Braves back on track?
Sound off here…
Permalink | Comments (48) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves
Good news, bad news for Braves
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On the positive side, Atlanta finally found a way to beat an opponent this season in a one-run game.
The bad news, however, is that two more Braves pitchers suffered injuries against the Padres Thursday at the Ted.
Here’s more good and bad news - the Braves have a six-game winning streak and have the NL’s best record at home, but tonight they play the first of seven games on the road, where they have one of the league’s worst records.
So, what are your thoughts as the Braves begin their road swing against the Pirates? Will they be able to keep their home momentum going on the road?
To continue this conversation, please move over to the Chop Chick blog by “http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/bravesfans/entries/2008/05/09/whatsyourpred.html”>clicking here . Also, check out photos from the perfect homestand and complete Braves coverage.
Knight leaving Hawks’ organization
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hawks executive vice president and general manager Billy Knight has resigned and will leave the organization effective July 1 (see story).
Knight oversaw the reconstruction of the franchise and eventually put together a squad that advanced to the playoffs for the first time in nine seasons before being ousted by the Boston Celtics. But Knight might be remembered more for his questionable draft picks of Marvin Williams over Deron Williams and Chris Paul in 2005 and Shelden Williams over Brandon Roy in ‘06.
So, what are your thoughts on Knight’s resignation? Do you agree with his decision or do you think he should’ve stayed around to continue the rebuilding process?
Let us know what you think. For complete Hawks coverage, click here.
Permalink | Comments (179) | Post your comment |
Are the Braves’ ills cured?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
After suffering through a four-game losing streak, the Braves have responded by winning their last four games.
In spite of the injuries that have beset the team, they’re finding ways to win through pitching and hitting.
How long do you expect it to last?
Will Atlanta slump again if Chipper’s bat cools off? Can the winning continue with a rotation full of sore arms?
Sound off here…
Permalink | Comments (18) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves
Are Braves back on track?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jo-Jo Reyes allowed just one earned run in 5 1/3 innings and the Braves beat the Reds for the second night in a row Saturday.
The Braves scored nine runs and pounded out 15 hits.
Is the offense starting to come around?
What did you think of Reyes’ performance? Was it encouraging or just another example of his up-and-down performances?
Permalink | Comments (19) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves
Will Hawks score series upset?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The gutsy Atlanta Hawks downed the mighty Boston Celtics in Game 6 of their Eastern Conference playoff, forcing a Game 7 in Boston on Sunday with a come-from-behind 103-100 win Friday night at Philips Arena.
Has the momentum swayed to the young Hawks? Or will the C’s continue their domination at home?
Permalink | Comments (143) | Categories: Hawks
Can the Hawks win Game 6?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s the month of May and the city of Atlanta is abuzz over Hawks basketball - two things that haven’t gone hand and hand in this city in a long time.
Tonight, Philips Arena - also known as the Highlight Factory - will be packed again as the Hawks host the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of their NBA first-round playoff series. The game is a sellout, but if you still want to be a part of the atmosphere around Philips Arena, click here for tonight’s fans guide.
As for the game, there are many keys. How will the Hawks, including rookie Al Horford, respond after Wednesday’s big loss in Boston?
Are the Celtics, led by Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, ready to close the door on the series?
AJC columnists Jeff Schultz and Mark Bradley offer their opinions while Celtics fans chime in from Boston. Let us know what you think will happen in tonight’s game and why, and click here for complete Hawks coverage.
Permalink | Comments (72) | Categories: Hawks, NBA
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