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by Chrisklob
CHARLESTON, SC – I’ve been a baseball fan since I was a kid and a Braves fan since the mid-80’s. I probably would have been a Braves fan sooner but my parents would never buy cable so I never got to see them play, at least with any regularity, until I was in college and bought cable on my own. Man, I miss Skip and Pete and TBS!
That being said, I did not become a fan of minor league baseball until 2000. Josh Hamilton, who was heralded as “The Next Big Thing”, was assigned to the Charleston RiverDogs and the local media was in full lather as they covered him. I decided to attend a few games and I became hooked. I don’t know exactly when I decided to collect autographs, but once I did, I couldn’t be kept away from the ballpark when the home town team is playing. I even started traveling to cities such as Columbia, Greenville, Myrtle Beach, Charlotte, Zebulon and Jacksonville to see certain teams and players on their stage.
Don’t be mistaken. I’m not one of those sick autograph chasers that stalk players at their hotel or, even worse, at their homes. Ball players are people too, and I am very careful to not impede upon anyone’s personal time. Also, in the nine seasons that I have been collecting, I have never bought or sold an uncertified autograph. I don’t believe in it. At the minor league level, players work hard for little pay. To sell one of their autographs might literally take money out of someone’s pocket. I take this very seriously.
What attracted me to collecting minor league autographs is the fact that it’s fairly easy (as I am inherently lazy) plus the fact that at the same time you get to see tomorrow’s superstars. I have had the opportunity to see some of today’s biggest stars play while they were still “kids”. It’s a real thrill too look at the “crawl” on the bottom of the ESPN screen and see the name of a kid you knew just a couple of years ago.
As a Braves fan, I have had the opportunity to see their minor league teams through four levels of play: Low A, High A, AA, and AAA. I’ve also gotten a lot of their autographs, many of which currently occupy prominent places in my study and in my son’s bedroom.
Last weekend was a particularly fun one for me. On Saturday I had the chance to see the Rome Braves in Charleston and then on Sunday I traveled to Myrtle Beach to see the Pelicans. Along the way I saw some of our future and got a bunch of pictures (for future autographs) and got a bunch of good stuff signed.
I won’t lie to you. I don’t consider myself to be an expert talent evaluator. At the levels that I see, the top prospects are generally so far and away superior to the others it’s kind of funny to watch the other players try to keep up. I’ll leave the real talent evaluation to Gil. He gets to see many of the Braves top prospects play amongst the crème de la crème and against former major leaguers. Because of that simple fact, and the fact that he’s been watching prospects longer than I have I will defer to him in this regard.
What I can offer though is a basic evaluation of a player’s personality. One benefit to seeing young players is that many of them still enjoy signing autographs and talking with the fans. Over the weekend of April 11-13 I had the opportunity to see both the Rome Braves and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans. Those teams are the Braves Low A and High A affiliates, respectively.
Rome’s roster has a ton of up and coming prospects. Jason Heyward is the most talked about, but Cody Johnson and Jeff Locke are both on that team and are currently listed in Baseball America’s Braves Top 10 Prospects List.
I had a chance to chat with Jason Heyward for a few minutes.
He is listed at 6′4″ and 220 lbs. I don’t believe he actually weighs that much but let me tell you, while he’s not exactly skinny, this kid has a frame that was meant for hanging meat on! He’s still quite young and when he fills out, he’s going to be a monster! Kind of reminds me of a young Derrick Lee. He’s playing in the outfield now but frankly, I suspect the move to first base will come sooner, rather than later. Oh, he’s got a laser beam for an arm too! Through the first 22 games of this young season, he’s got a .310 BA, .358 OBP, .405 SLG, and .763 OPS. Only one home run so far, but the power numbers don’t generally develop until they are a little older.
I didn’t get the chance to speak with Jeff Locke, but I did chat with Cody Johnson very briefly, he was “okay” to talk with. He struck me as one of those
kids that has been told how great he was ever since he started playing t-ball. I won’t hold that attitude against him until I see him a few more times though. Gotta give the kid the benefit of the doubt! He was also very impressive in the outfield. Strong armed, like Heyward, and pretty fast. So far his numbers look like this: .259 BA, .330 OBP, .506 SLG, and .836 OPS. One thing that concerns me is the fact that he has 34 K’s (against only 9BB) in 85 AB’s. However, one thing I’ve learned watching baseball at this level is that these numbers are seldom indicative of what a player will do in the higher minor leagues or the majors. There is plenty of time to make the necessary adjustments.
On Sunday, a couple of friends and I drove up to Myrtle Beach. The Pelicans were hosting the Frederick Keys, Baltimore’s High A affiliate. Now THAT team is loaded with prospects. Six of Baseball America’s Baltimore Top Prospect top 10 were there, including Matt Weiters. Weiters went to Georgia Tech, but grew up in the Charleston area. He was picked 6th overall by the Orioles last June and it is safe to say that he’s on the fast track to the bigs. Anyway, aside from Weiters, we wanted to see Gorkys Hernandez and Tyler Flowers. Those guys got so much press during the spring that we wanted to see if the were the real
deal. Flowers is another monster of a man. At 6′4″ and 245 lbs., he seems awfully big to be a catcher but he did a good job behind the plate.
Gorkys Hernandez was very impressive in the field. He got very good jumps on just about every ball hit his way (and Frederick hit the Pelicans hard that day). What really impressed me is his speed and the fluid nature of his motion as it seems effortless. He is putting up some rather impressive numbers so far: .309 BA, .378 OBP, .568 SLG, and .946 OPS. Even more impressive are the FIVE triples he has in only 81 AB’s! Hey, I told you the kid has good wheels. Between Schaffer’s “issue” and Hernandez’s performance, it might create some real issues for Homeboy Upstairs. Some tough decisions will have to be made. Seems to be a good problem to have though, don’t you think?
I’ve asked our blog hostess to post a few of the photos that I took that day so you can get a look at the boys in action. Hope you enjoy the seeing the future of the franchise!
~Chris~
Great lead, Chris! Informative and entertaining! Terrific photos. Many thanks!!!
Grinch and BobJ are up next!
Really, really good lead Chris…. We have missed you around these parts. It appears your new job is cutting into your blog time…
Now baseball…. Wow, now this is what the Braves Nation has been looking forward to since the beginning of spring training. One mistake pitch thrown all night and McCann crushes it.
Huddy looked about as good as I have seen him in a Braves uni…
Now if Jo Jo can continue along the lines of success he has had at Richmond this year, Atlanta has a chance to turn this thing around.
And yes, it was good to hear Skip’s voice again. One forgets how good he really is. Great evening all around.
And my homeboy, Denny Hamlin won tonight at his hometown track in the Nationwide race. Woo hoo… baby sitting with mom won’t be too bad tomorrow.
Okay folks, I have to try and turn in early (for me) tonight. If my knee awakens me, I’ll drop by for a bit later. Night all….
Good evening y’all. Great work, Chris! It’s fun to “get to know” the kids when they’re still on the way up. Makes them more than another name on the minor league roster.
Can we please have this Hudson all year? Wow. The only bad thing about that game is getting stuck with the Reds feed.
I wanna hear Skip!
I see that y’all’s Hawks won again. Congrats. I’m sure Scribe enjoyed the game.
hello???
CL, Gil, FBG, thanks for the kind words. It really is fun to meet these kids. By the time they get to the majors, you’ve “known” them for years!
I didn’t get to see much of tonight’s game but I read where Huddy went the distance for the win. We got home after 8. Matt and I watched a couple of innings and then I fell asleep. It surely was nice to hear Skip’s voice again. I know he does radio for home games. Unfortunately, Braves radio gets pre-empted pretty regularly here by local college/pro events. Really makes me angry. Nobody, and I mean nobody, does it like Skip does. Does anyone know if he ever received his Wurlitzer?
Gil, my job IS cutting into my daytime blogging for sure. Our evenings are so full with our kids’ schedules. By the time I get home I am worn out and I’ve run out of words.
I wanted to respond to a post from Salty from earlier this evening on the previous blog:
I don’t think it’s conditioning. It is alarming the rate at which pitchers are going down, all over baseball…and they’re not even racking up near the innings that were standard in our youth (or younger days!). That doesn’t make sense…contradicts all the medical/fitness advancements. The only difference I see, as has been mentioned, is the lower mound. That really changes the physics of pitching, and relocates the stress points. Also, whether it was here, or across the street, there was mention made of less emphasis on throwing with the ‘drive of the legs’. That definitely is a contributor. Nolan Ryan, Tom Seaver, Ron Guidry, Bob Gibson, Drysdale…on and on…they had drive. Ryan protected his legs religiously…he knew where the power came from…leg drive and a strong lower back. Even Smoltzie knows it…as it’s the only reason (in my most humble opinion) he’s been able to overcome the surgeries. Enough pontificating.
I agree that the height of the mound changes the dynamics of the game. Here’s another aspect to consider. In my area, kids can start playing t-ball at age 4. Kid-Pitch starts at age 8. For many of the kids, they play several seasons per year. I have a friend whose son is playing/has played on three different teams THIS SPRING (high school/AAU/Little League) alone! He’ll play on two teams all summer too. Combine that with the fact that far too many amateur coaches do not have the understanding or ability to teach proper mechanics at a young age and you have a recipe for serious mechanical breakdown somewhere down the line. All those practices and games plus improper technique is wearing these kids out.
At one of Matt’s games earlier this year, I was standing near his coach when I heard him exclaim, “Holy crap! That kid is trying to throw a curve ball”! (My son plays in a 9-10 yr. old league!) That is far, far too young for a kid to be throwing breaking balls! He’ll be a Tommy John surgery candidate by the time he’s in high school.
Every mechanical device has a finite lifespan. With proper care, that lifespan can be extended but with poor care, it can also be shortened. If you think of the human body as a series of mechanical devices (ligaments, tendons, joints, etc.) we are prematurely aging our kids, especially the pitchers, by allowing them to play too much of the same sport and play it incorrectly. When you think about it, really it’s not surprising that so many youngsters are blowing out elbows and shoulders. They’re just worn out!
Not that I’m bragging (but I am) but Matt turned an unassisted double play tonight and damn near had a triple play. It was great heads-up baseball on his part and it totally broke the spirit of the team they were playing! That’s my boy!
Didn’t want to say nice lead, til you know…I read the sucker!
Chris, very nice lead!!! It’s great you get the chance to see so many of the up and comers. Don’t undersell your scouting abilities, either!
Jason Heyward sounds like a good one! But, if we could get Joe Blanton for him, we ought to do it. We seem to be set in center and right for a long time, anyways….
Chris, good point about what happens to the youngsters today. Heck, I even heard Smoltz on the radio last year say something about all the curves he thru as a kid, and how that may be a reason for 4 elbow operations.
I get mad every time I see highlights of the little league world series and I see curve after curve…
I heard kids will actually damage the big bone if young enough tossing curves…bones are softer I think….
Wither FLB????
Yes, and whither FBG? This is her time for blog domination!
Thanks Berigan! It really is fun to see the kids advance. I follow it regularly. It’s not infrequent to see a kid in Low A ball and then see him on SportsCenter the next season! In fact, Pittsburgh has a kid named Matt Capps. Several years ago, he was playing for Hickory (in our league) and made it all the way to the bigs that year. I saw him in a game or on SportsCenter and had to go pull the cards that he’d signed for me just a couple of months before since I thought I was losing my mind.
By the way, the rule of thumb for pitchers is that they shouldn’t throw any breaking balls until they need to shave. Even then, they probably shouldn’t throw too many. If you’ve got a good one, use it as your “out” pitch, but only if you’ve got a good catcher!
Sounds like a good rule of thumb Chris! I had a good curve….throw it for a strike any time I wanted…it was the fastball that I had no control of…..still think I could stink it up and play somewhere with my junk!
Go to bed Chris…oh wait, it’s friday, guess you can hang with us a little while longer!
Chris, I think I mentioned this before, when I moved from St. Louis to Jacksonville, I felt having only a AA team in town made me feel like I was demoted, somehow. Plus, baseball fans in Jacksonville were as rare as Hen’s teeth. Never went to a minor league game….missed a LOT of great expo players come thru town. Now that I am older, I would have much more interest in seeing some of the kids come to town. Guess I will have a chance once the AAA team comes to Gwinnett.
Berigan, I actually pulled a Berigan tonight. Fell asleep in my chair. Woke up at 10.30. Got my son off the couch and we both went to bed. Wife got home at 11.15 and woke me up. Fell back asleep. My daughter, who is out of town, called at 11.45 to say goodnight and woke me up again. I’ve been up ever since.
I need my beauty sleep.
A lot of it!
and on that note….need to go to sleep, or at least try to….fairly big once a year car show (BOP and C) at the Marriott tomorrow, off Windy Hill road….now, if only the rain will stay away!!!!
Later, tater gators!
Chris, sorry about that! Well, no need to stay up later if with someone of my intellect is calling it a night!
Berigan, Jacksonville has a new facility that is absolutely gorgeous. That old park was a dump but this new place is really cool.
I think you said before that you were in JAX in the mid to late 90’s. If that’s the case, you could have seen ARod, Ron Villone, Derek Lowe, Phil Nevin, Brian Moehler, Juan Encarnacion, Dave Roberts, Jeff Weaver plus a ton of other guys that had big league success.
What? WHAT?
HOOOOOOODY_HOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
What?
I can’t HEAR Y’all……
Good morning Green One…. The earth must be spinning backwards eh?
We all know it isn’t easy being green… Now we find it’s not cheap either.
This from todays Times Dispatch….
“The kicker: A pair of clown shoes can cost between $300 and $500.
Shoes come in a rainbow of standard clown colors: red, blue, black, white, yellow and green. The style names are shorty, canoe, lollipop and tramp and the tips, or toe edge, can be straight, scallop, wingtip, double wingtip and reverse wingtip.
One pair can take 20-30 hours to make, said John Spear, owner and founder of Spear’s Specialty Shoe Co., in Springfield, Mass. Spear said he started making clown shoes in 1983 after his son graduated from clown college and reminded his father that the industry needed solid, comfortable shoes that didn’t take forever to make.
He makes between 300 and 500 pairs of shoes a year.
Winstead made him promise never to create an identical pair.
“My clowns keep the world happy and I keep the clowns happy,” Spears said. “
If you have to throw a curveball before the age of 18, you have no business being on the mound. Your fastball by itself should be dominant enough at a young age that there is no need for anything else. The time wasted throwing curveballs would be better spent hitting the books because that child has no future in baseball
Only a self absorbed soul would presume people aren’t reading just because no one responds to what they say ….. or that if the reader is in fact not reading that it is a poor reflection of the reader ……. and not the writer.
Klobber…nice lead. How did Wieters look? I saw plenty of him versus my Tigers; went to HS with his dad, who was a good player himself…played QB and pitched at The Citadel, and later was in the White Sox organization.
You may, or not, remember Charleston was a Pirates affiliate in the 70’s…John Candelaria, Willie Randolph, Miguel Dilone…and so forth. Pretty good club…played at the old park on Rutledge…not exactly the nicest part of town, even back then!
I believe in the knuckle-ball, myself. No stress on the arm whatsoever…the hitter can’t be mad if you plunk, since he knows you had no clue where it was going, and it wasn’t fast enough to hurt, regardless. I was tossing knucklers with a friend one day…a change-up knuckler, apparently. He moved the glove to see why the ball hadn’t shown up yet…it did…right on his nose! I held off laughing until I was sure he still had all his teeth and no broken bones…then rolled!
It’s a nasty pitch!
Great lead, Klobber.
Klobber, excellent lead and player report. Nice pics too. Between the minor league parks around you, your son’s games and Braves TV, you’ve got baseball covered.
As you know, we have the Sally League Sand Gnats in Savannah. They’re part of the Mets franchise for the last few years. Before that it was a Nationals affiliate and before that a Cardinals club. It would be great to have a Braves affiliate here, being Georgia and all, but at every level below the majors it’s really jus about the kids and the game. It’s just apolitical, pure, unadulterated baseball. No Mutts, just good stuff… the basics.
You’ve inspired me to get off my lazy buttocks and go to a game soon.
HAWKS WON… going to game 7!!!!
That’s basketball, right?
Salty, with a knuckle ball that moves like that, the Braves might want you. Plus, Bobby won’t have a hard time coming up with your nickname.
Good lead, Klobber. Enjoyed it.
SG…that was then…not now!
Back in the days of Star Wars…the original trilogy! Heck, Niekro was still young then…relatively speaking!
Salty, just checkin’. A good knuckler is worth their weight in gold. But the hide does sometimes go with the hair.
A bit of this and that from here and there, looks like Edgar Renteria is having a very good year. He’s batting .301 (.324 in last 10 games). Detroit got crushed last night but the sleeping giant has heated up. What a team.
“Colorado Rockies star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki tore a tendon in his left quadriceps and could be out until the All-Star break, if not longer.” I can’t help but wonder if that cold weather in our series with the Rockies that affected Chipper and a few of our guys also started the tear in Troy’s quad. He was a one-man Braves wrecking crew in those games. Matt Holiday is having another great year. Mr. Clutch has a .292 BA, 16 RBI, 4 HR and he hasn’t even heated up. Lookout for another batting champ contender.
Could that cold Braves-Rockies series have contributed to or begin the shoulder and elbow problems with some of our pitchers? Cold weather ain’t at all good on athletes, especially baseball players. Just wondering aloud.
Furcal is red hot, Andruw is not. Poor Andruw. LaRoche is ice cold (.167 BA). Betemit is cold off NYY the bench, with just 2 for 13 in the hit department. Mad Dog and Millwood are cruisin’ along.
A nice, not so old song. Sexy, ‘lingering’ voice.
It’s Mrs. Guy’s birthday today. The Lady shall have a happy one. It’s a beautiful day, the sun is shining, the breeze is cool and she wants me to surprise her with a little outing, so, I just decided… we’re going to the beach. Sand, waves and corn dogs, in that order.
Shine on Braves and Stuff.
Hope you don’t get any waves or sand in your corndogs.
Happy Birthday to Mrs. Guy and y’all enjoy!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MRS SG!!
Watched a wonderful and moving ceremony this morning. The US Navy has commissioned its newest Virginia-class submarine: hull #777 is now officially the USS North Carolina, the 4th of that name. The ceremony took place almost in the shadow of the mighty battleship USS North Carolina, the most decorated battleship in WW2, which belongs to the people of NC and is moored in the Cape Fear River. A small square of the battleship’s teak deck is installed in the flooring of the nation’s newest submarine.
The ceremony was most impressive and heartfelt. Godspeed, North Carolina!
You listen to what you and Lady Leslie want to. I’ll listen to what I want to.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BlLUMwo_VVU – 95k
Anchors away, USS North Carolina. Put your trust in God, but keep your powder dry.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) – The Army Corps of Engineers can be held liable for flood damage caused by a “hurricane highway,” a navigation channel that is believed to have funneled Hurricane Katrina’s storm surge into the city, a federal judge ruled Friday.
The Corps of Engineers had argued that it was immune from liability because the channel is part of New Orleans’ flood control system. The law says the federal government cannot be sued if something goes wrong with a flood control project such as a levee, reservoir or dam.
Judge Stanwood Duval dismissed that argument, saying the Mississippi River-Gulf Outlet, or MRGO, was clearly a ship channel and not a flood control project.
Plaintiffs’ lawyers said Duval’s decision is a victory for homeowners, who have suffered setbacks in their efforts to hold the government legally responsible for storm damage. They also said it clears the way for a Sept. 8 trial.
This opens the floodgates, pun intended, to all sorts of suits against government agencies. It that seems just, where do you think the money to pay the judgements is coming from? And in NO, so many lived in shacks and condemned buildings and are suing for 3 bedroom bungalows. I hope for all our sakes that the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, if necessary, will save us from financial disaster.
“If that seems just…”
It doesn’t…it’s absolutely pure BS (not Braves Stuff!).
That was a decades old disaster waiting to happen…millions sent to Louisiana’s corrupt government never used for the intended purpose…to avoid the Katrina scenario.
What judge would know a ship channel from a ‘cavity search’? Pathetic!
What judge would know a ship channel from a ‘cavity search’?
Good line.
Oh, my head…
I’ll type ’softly’, Grinch…ok? Too much revelry last night? Did you help send the Celtics back to Beantown? You need some ‘hair o’ the dog that bit ya?’
When Grinch has a headache, it comes to a point.
Bookie; What’s the over-and-under on Jo Jo tonight?
Drive by blog:
My oldest little Raisin, J-man, wanted to say “hello”.
“Hello!”, he said.
We’re about to head out, but as we go -
Happy birthday to Mrs. SG.
Great lead, klobber. I fully intend to go to several AAA games in Gwinnett. It’ll only be about 20 minutes from home.
Later, taters!
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/05/03/bc.bbo.francoretires.ap/index.html
Howdy!
Jo-Jo looks pretty good so far. 6 up, 6 down.
Skip and Joe are doing the game on Peachtree TV. They have a fantastic chemistry.
Jo-Jo gave up a hit in the 3rd, but it amounted to nothing. He looks pretty sharp.
Raisins, I’m watching the game too. Makes me realize how much I miss hearing Skip regularly. Boog and Joe do a good job, but they aren’t SKip!
Keep it up you guys. I’m not getting it.
Sorry Palahawk. Not trying to rub it in your face.
I’m serious! Give me some mini-play-by-play.
OK, I can take a joke.
Jo-Jo works out of some mild trouble in the 5th. Still lookin’ good.
2-0 good guys middle 5
Correction!
1-0 Braves
Thank you, Raisins.
I just logged in, Skyhawk. 1 – 0 Braves in the 5th – hang on -
Reyes strikes out
KJ double
Kelly Johnson up
off the wall
standing double
Single Chipper, KJ safe at home
Escobar hits double
Johnson scores
2 – 0, 1 out
Correction! Yunel singled in KJ.
I’m actually busy doing something else and not paying 100% attention to the game…
“Massachusetts lawmaker claims colleague threatened her”
It was Ted Kennedy. He threatened to sit on her.
Chipper up (current ave .419)
2 balls, 2 strikes
fly to rt field,
runner still at 2nd
2 out
Tex up
Sorry. Didn’t mean to interrupt.
Thanks CL! I was trying to help out Skyladin, but I’m helping Mrs. Raisins out with some school work…
Multi-tasking and the details are suffering!
Tex hits to 2nd, thrown out at 1st
Hey, Raisins! No problem!! Maybe between the 2 of us, we can get it right!
Reyes – 3-2 to Freel – base hit into rt field, Freel at 1st
Bennett and Ohman up in the ‘pen
You missed your calling, CL.
Freel steals 2nd, Griffey strikes out – lost something there.
Oh, Lord – Freel steals 3rd.
Brandon PHillips hits to center, Freel scores, 2-1 Braves
We need to hire a lawyer. This guy Freel is a habitual thief.
Votto up, Phillips steals 2nd, throw late
Another stolen base… Mac must be having issues with his car. Joe’s blaming the bad throws on his mechanic!
Votto walks, Cox on the way to the mound (2nd visit)
Jo-Jo begins to unravel. Bobby’s waddling out. Bye-bye Jo-Jo…
Raisins, you got it for a few minutes. Some Southern Milk Chocolate ice cream is calling me!
Another 5 inning performance for a starter. That one’s really on McCann, though; the three stolen bases on three bad throws rattled JoJo. I think he would’ve got out of it otherwise.
1st and 2nd, 1 out. Encarnacion at bat.
Raisins, you got it for a few minutes. A refill of my chianti glass is calling me .
Head feelin’ better, Grinch?
Tapper to Chipper. Only play’s to 1B.
2nd and 3rd, 2 out. Pitching change in progress…
It’s not your Chianti, Palahawk…it’s your pillow!
2nd and 3rd, 2 out.
Ohman on to pitch.
Dunn batting…
K
I’m totally hammered and I have no defense. I poured it. I drank it. Now, how many touchdowns are we down?
2-1 Braves middle 6
middle of 6, Ohman pitching, still 2-1 Braves.
whew!
Mac rips one to left, caught for out 1
The heck with Joe and Boog. I got Raisins and CL.
McCann
Frandoeur
Kotsay
McCann flies out to Griffey
Frenchy – hustle double to left
Francoeur hits to left, gets double
Dusty Baker – the extrememly overrated manager – makes a pitching change.
Don’t type so fast, Raisins. Damn!
Head’s better, Salty…now I got the munchies though
Dusty Baker wearing sweat bands……. (?)
Love comparing our comments, Raisins! (You’re much better!)
LRP Bray on to pitch
Bill Bray pitching era 0.00
I ask this in all sincerity. If Dusty Baker was white, do you think he would still be managing?
Kotsay apparently didn’t like the 2nd strike call…
I didn’t care much for his swinging strike 3…
Kotsay strikes out
Diaz up
Terrence Moore didn;t care for the last comment.
CL, Raisins…you two are like an echo!
Munchies, huh…so…does that explain the headache?
Never mind…TMI!
Baker making double switch of some sort –
Raisins??
Adam Dunne leaving, Cory Patterson heading for outfield – I think….
Lincoln on to pitch. That ought to bring Berigan out…
It ain’t easy switching between 2 screens, making quick observations, listening to Skip and Joe, then writing it quickly – and eating ice cream…..
Personally, I think Dusty’s a pretty good manager. I guarantee he’s better than what the Mets have, thank goodness!
I didn’t ask Terence Moore. I asked sincerity.
Diaz WEAKLY taps to the mound…
Rats. Diaz hits right back to the mound. End of 6, 2-1
CL: No drips on the keyboard!
If I were GM I’d take Randolph, but that’s me.
Campillo toes the rubber.
… and comes on to pitch, too.
OK, that didn’t come out right…
Keppinger flies out to LF
Campillo pitching, era 0.72
(Sad news: Julio announced his retirement today, age 49)
Somebody (Red) flied out to Diaz. 1 out
Campillo toes the rubber.
I won’t touch that line, particularly with CL on the scene.
Ross flies out to LF
Julio needs to be in the Braves system…he has a lot to offer these kids coming up. A good man!
Two somebodies in fact, CL!
Ross flies out to left, 2 down
Cory Patterson up
Patterson grounds to Tex
2-1 Bravos middle 7
Julio needs to be the Braves bench coach. No stutter. Just fact!
Who ate my ice cream?????
Campillo 3 up 3 down.
If y’all have a Harris Teeter nearby, check out their house brand of Southern Milk Chocolate ice cream! I have never liked choc. ice cream, but I LOVE this stuff!!!!
Game still on?
Brayan Pena PHing
I agree! If the Braves were smart they’d hire him in an instant!!
I’m going to bed. I just can’t believe that our “bats” continue to be so pathetic!
Pena – sharp single off Keppinger’s glove
Pena up – good hit to left
A non-pathetic single at that!
KJ sac’s Pena to 2B
Brayan Pena PHing
Chinese…or Vietnamese?
Johnson up, bunts, moves Pena over
Yunel walks… 2 on , 1 out…
Baker strolls to the mound
Escobar up
walks
Chipper up
2 on, 1 out
Raisins, we must be really bad if our audience walks out on us!
Jeremy Affeldt on to pitch
2 on, 1 out, Chipper up
Your audience is still here…PalaHawk left!
Think of him as ‘George Bush’ in a Doonesbury cartoon strip: you think you hear something, but…? 
Chipper drills one to center. Bases loaded, 1 out, Tex up
’scuse me… gotta run for a second…
CL; We don’t slay the messenger. Just the “batters”. When?
OK, I’m back
Ball 4… a run comes in
3-1 Bravos
PalaHawk left…or maybe not. Do I hear something? Who’s there…anyone…anyone! Probably just bats in the belfry!
Wow. 3-2, bases loaded.
Salty; You are like a little bug. I would squash you; but why?
Bases still loaded, Mac up
Walked Tex, run scores, 3-1 Braves.
Reds’ pitching coach comes out and says, “Dude, you suck.”
Careful, PalaHawk…I’ll sic my gas pump on ya!
2 run double to left! Freel lays out, has it in the glove, but can’t hold on!
2-run double McCann – 5 – 1 ATL
Salty; “Dude, you suck.”
Baker out again. Ed Mangan is worried about the turf between the Reds’ dugout and the mound…
Freel misses it again on the replay!
Jared Burton on for Cincy…
OK, now I CAN go to bed. If they blow a 5 – 1 lead, I don’t want to be here to see it. G’night.
Man, Dusty may be the only manager I’ve ever seen worse than Bobby managing a ‘pen. It’s one out in the 7th, and the only guy left after this one is the closer. Can you imagine Dusty and Bobby in the all-star game? They’d have to stop it before the 9th.
Frenchy single to right, run scores.
6-1 Bravos
Kotsay rips a double to right. Another run in.
7-1 Bravos
2nd and 3rd, 1 out, Diaz up
It is SO good to hear excitement in Skip’s voice. He sounds better than he did last night.
full count
sac fly right
8-1 Bravos
Pena up again. Pretty cool to get 2 PH appearances in the same game.
Grinch, you do know you’re up next for a lead, don’t you??
BP grounds out to 2B
8-1 Bravos end of whatever inning this was
Blaine Boyer on to pitch the 8th
Freel grounds out to Tex. 1 out.
Yes, Ma’am. Finals over Tuesday; hope this one can make it ’till then. If not, I can still do it; just may be shorter.
What’d i tell you; Cordero warming up in their pen.
Griffey strikes out swinging, and strike 3 looked pathetic
Phillips hits one a mile high that falls neatly into Francoeur’s glove.
And Cordero does indeed come on to pitch the Braves’ half of the 8th.
KJ doubles
to right
Bobby says, “Come on, Esco!”
“Come on, Kid!”
“Come on, Escy!”
Yunel lines out to center.
KJ moves over to 3B
ball gets away from Ross… KJ comes in
9-1 Braves
Chipper got on when I wasn’t paying attention.
Tex singles to right.
1st and 2nd, 1 out, Mac up.
Ball 4, bases loaded
Skip says, “And the bases are loaded. Dusty probably wishes he were.”
Frenchy pops to short.
Before I edited it, it read Frenchy poops to short.
I’m watching on MLB which runs a minute or so behind the TV broadcast. Weird.
Kotsay somehow made an out when I was typing…
On to the 9th.
Raisins, that sounds like a “classic” SKip Caray line.
Resop on to pitch the 9th.
Prado, who apparently came on to PR for Chipper when I wasn’t paying attention, stays in at 3B.
Skip and Joe have an awesome chemistry in the booth. Almost as good as CL and myself.
My heart just stopped.
I thought I heard Skip say “Chris Reitsma on to pitch…”
RESOP. RESOP!! whew
Grounder to SS, 1 out.
They can only wish, huh, Raisins??
(Love listening to Skip and Joe!)
Edwin Encarnacion grounds out to Prado. 2 down.
Javier Valentin grounds to Tex.
Braves win.
Raisins must now exit the scene.
Later, taters!
9 – 1!!! alllll riiiiiight!!!
Wait… Did I just go third person?
That was totally an accident.
I shall now bid you all adieu!
Good work Raisins!
Good evening y’all. That was fun!
Hey, FBG! Good game for the Braves. Hope this will recharge their batteries!
Your cousin progressing?
Just got Chris’ post out of the ding-blasted filter:
chrisklob Says:
May 3, 2008 at 6:45 pm edit
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/05/03/bc.bbo.francoretires.ap/index.html
frenchy pooped in his shorts????
not really here….
Braves need to find Julio a coaching position in the organization pronto.
I guess about the same, CL. We haven’t heard differently lately. Communication pretty much goes through her mother, my dad’s half-sister, who I’m sorry to say is a rather difficult person to deal with.
Sorry to hear that, FBG.
And if the Braves don’t hire Julio as “whatever title” coach, they’re missing a great opportunity!!
Good article here about Chipper by Tom Stinson:
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/05/03/chipper_0504.html
Excellent piece on Chipper. Thanks, CL!
Wish I got to hear Skip. They stuck us with the Reds’ feed again.
Gil,
a shame, sir.
Don’t know that I’ve ever seen a guy dominate a race, or a weekend, more than Hamlin, and not win the Cup race.
Hey, Steve!
Only race I saw today was the Derby.
Neat article:
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://i.a.cnn.net/si/2007/writers/aditi_kinkhabwala/07/20/fletcher.agent/t1_smoltz_fletcher.jpg&imgrefurl=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/aditi_kinkhabwala/07/20/fletcher.agent/index.html&h=348&w=300&sz=22&hl=en&start=1&sig2=AVxGKkl-UOpc1US1vO4tPQ&tbnid=TdlyXwKxq3iXTM:&tbnh=120&tbnw=103&ei=9ykdSI6wGp-OefPinN0L&prev=/images%3Fq%3D%2522John%2BSmoltz%2522%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN
The only race I saw today was me trying to get Mother to the bathroom in time…..
CL, I would have laughed at your last post, but I know it wasn’t funny.
Nice find on the Chipper article! At the rate he’s going he may well win the batting title. Just another feather in his cap and in his HOF resume!
FBG, this is for you:
That’s a cool article, CL. I would want her to represent me. I believe Frenchy went to that agency earlier this year too.
Chris, there are times you have to laugh. We made it. That time.
Me too, Miss Velvet. Doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to when Extra Innings has the home or away feed. I’ve really been hoping to hear Skip; love the line…Dusty wishing he was loaded.
Is that why he wears wristbands? Post drunken wipe-off? Grinch, thoughts?
CL, did you cut and paste the link in your 11:21?
If so, I think that’s cheating…
CL, that’s yet another great find. Honestly, I have never heard of her but isn’t that the way it should be? Agents should be seen and not heard (but not because sometimes they are females)! There are too many and idiot agents like Scott Boras who think it’s all about them. I really like this lady’s perspective.
Helluva Derby, FBG.
Did you see the only GIRL finishing second?
But then having to be euthanized?
Perhaps one of you more edumacated folks would explain why a horse’s broken bones are more difficult to repair than my own.
Chris, I remember that one.
Really looking forward to hearing Skip & Pete on radio while I’m in Rabun.
CL, been there, done that. My grandmother lived with us for almost a year after her stroke & I pretty much was the day-shift CNA with Mom & Dad working full-time & Sis still in school.
No, Steve; it was more of a Copy & Paste.
Greetings BAS. WHiskey? I hear you’re going cheap(er)!
I suspect that the reason that horses are frequently euthanized when they break a bone is because of their weight and the fact that they don’t really lie down. When a human breaks a leg bone or ankle, they are told to lie down and keep it elevated. Can’t really do that with a horse so they put it down so they don’t suffer.
Yes, Steve. She ran a great race. I think they said she had compound fractures in both front ankles. If they were shattered, it was probably not possible to repair them. A simple fracture probably could have been repaired & she could have retired to breeding. I have a hard time with that aspect of racing. If it were me, I’d take every measure, however extraordinary, to ensure my horse survived & healed. I couldn’t treat them like an investment.
By the way, BAS, I like the kaleidoscope-looking avatar.
Braveheart, I think (the post was by Willy Wally), posted a great link over at the AJC site.
It has to do with McCann’s framing ability.
I think that this aspect of catching is not given enough value by many casual fans. And it is McCann’s greatest defensive ability (although I can’t truly judge his game-calling).
Throwing out base-runners is a true skill. But in the game today, a skill of lesser value. Not to mention, McCann is at two seconds (MLB average) to second.
I’ll take a catcher any day, who can provide my pitcher with a few extra strikes per game.
FBG, just wanted to give you a little taste of Skip’s commentary. It really is good to hear his voice. I just love his style! Our local Braves broadcast is frequently pre-empted for local college, hockey and other nonsense ( I think I said this earlier). Anyway, I saw him briefly at the beginning of the broadcast and I have to say that he didn’t look good. He was slumped down in his chair with his head forward looking towards the desk. He really looked old. We all read about his health issues a while back. I just hope he’s okay.
FBG, Mother’s first (major) stroke was 17 Nov 1999. There have been 4 more since then, plus a fall in which she hit her head and has a blood clot on her brain. + being almost 84 years old. etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. Diabetic. Arthritis. Advanced osteoporosis. Impaired hearing. Impaired comprehension, speech difficulties, beginning dementia – confusion, memory lapses, difficulty with word retrieval.
She can sometimes give the impression of perfect rationality, then start telling you about the bugs that bit her and laid eggs in her head. Verbal comprehension is steadily deteriorating; we have to speak loudly, slowly, in as few syllables as possible. She has to be reminded to to chew her food, to drink her beverage. But she still has a sense of humor on good days.
You learn a lot about yourself, I’ll tell you that! And you learn to be extraordinarily thankful!
Bedtime. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
BAS, I read that article too and found it interesting. Of course, if you saw tonight’s game, you would know that the Reds really challenged Mac this evening. He didn’t do a particularly good job unfortunately.
I’ve heard the arguments relative to killing disabled horses.
(To be honest, I’ve never read truly detailed information)
I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that it’s NOT POSSIBLE.
My mind always devolves to thinking…oh, it would be a pain in the ass, and the wallet, to rehabilitate said horse.
I saw, Klobber, and it was bad.
Although, I think the throw with Chipper covering was adequate.
But, as far as the outcome of the game….
such things are just so hard to quantify.
Thanks, Chris! I miss him a lot. He & Joe are particularly entertaining together. We forget how old he is now (plus that there was all that hard living early on).
BAS, the pitchers all seem to love how Mac sets up & calls the game. I defer to their judgement. If they’re comfortable with him it stands to reason that it helps them pitch better.
Miss Velvet, I’m not terribly bright.
Would you please clarify your 11:47?
If it was mocking my non-avatar, I thought I made it perfectly clear that I was lazy….and cheap….don’t forget cheap.
CL, all I can say is “GOD BLESS YOU”!
Good point FLB….if hall-of-fame pitchers say he’s a great catcher…maybe he’s a great catcher.
Where did it go? There was a blue & white sort of pinwheel design in your little box.
I feel guilty.
The biggest responsibility in my life is feeding my fish.
And I forget, regularly.
From earlier reports, Skip has severe liver problems, kidney problems, and is in congestive heart failure. He’s most fortunate to be alive. But he sounded the best tonight that I’ve heard this year. I think he’s trying to continue doing what he loves best as absolutely long as possible. Without the Braves and broadcasting, he wouldn’t last long, IMO.
Someone asked recently if he had received his Wurlitzer from Lew. Yes, he did – with all of our notes. It wasn’t a personal presentation but was forwarded to him by someone but I can’t recall who right now.
Midnight. Back to the pumpkin patch. Good night, y’all!
BAS, I know nothing about the economics of raising race horses and the insurance polices that cover them. However, I can only imagine that IF there was a way to rehabilitate a prize race horse rather than euthanize it, I think they would want to do it. Not necessarily to try to race it again, but a horse with a good pedigree could be sent out to stud (or whatever they call it when it’s a female). There’s got to be a lot of money in that.
It wasn’t long ago that Barbaro captured the attention of the world. He broke something and they tried to save it. As I’m sure you recall, months later they had to euthanize the poor beast.
I would never mock you. Not that kind of girl. Besides I didn’t have an avatar ’til Chris found the cake pic for me & CL walked me through installing it ( I’m technology-challenged).
FBG is seeing things….somebody slipped some of Lew’s green in her pastry.
Speaking of Lew….get the —- back here.
Barbaro’s owners did go to extraordinary measures to try to save him. Unfortunately keeping the weight off of his injured foot led to other problems, which is why it’s tricky rehabbing horses. I think if they could have gotten him back to good health his owners would have retired him more or less as a “pet”. He would never have regained enough strength in his leg to stand at stud but I think they genuinely cared about him enough that it didn’t matter that they wouldn’t make the millions in stud fees.
Good night, CL.
FLB, your 12:04 requires me to reiterate that nearly all of my posts (and thoughts for that matter) are made in jest, or with my tongue fully in-cheek, or made to instigate some sort of reaction from the jet-flyers of this world.
No mocking ever considered, Ma’am.
I found one last link I’d like to post; has nothing to do with baseball but was a tremendously moving event here today: the new fast-attack submarine USS North Carolina was formally commissioned here today. I had never seen such a ceremony until this. So here’s a local link, if anyone is interested, and it has a link to a video. Now, I’m REALLY going to bed! zzzzzzzzzzzzzz
http://www.wect.com/Global/story.asp?S=8266368&nav=2gQc
I guess my limited mind just can’t follow that a horse’s broken leg rehab is unlike that of mine. I’ve read that at least a dozen times, and still don’t want to believe it.
But, man, roll an ankle and die…..tough racket.
Better tell LeBron to stay on his feet.
It comes to mind that Chipper and Hampton would’ve been shot two years ago.
G’night folks. Wish me luck on finding a wife.
Huh? What, are you visiting the matchmaker tomorrow?
I know this won’t get answered ’til morning but has anybody heard from Hillbilly? Were the tornadoes near his area?
OK, time to tuck in the computer. Good night y’all.
BAS, gonna get one of them swell Russian mail order jobs???
FLB, you need to stop tucking in your computer, it will never learn to do it for itself if you keep spoiling it!
Well, I keep missing the games, and we keep winning! My Dad’s friend was staying in town til the big cars shows today. Well, shows were not so big cuz of the rain. And just once a year shows!
People tend to worry about having beautifully restored cars out in rain…I don’t get that exactly. They have them looking and driving as good if not better than new! Perhaps I am too harsh, and it’s more the fear of being on the highway when it’s raining, and surrounded my thousands of idiots who don’t slow down for any reason!
Hey, we missed another Salty’s birthday! Saltalamacchia turned 23 on the 2nd! Is he washed up??? That’s gettin’ up there. Back with the Rangers again….
Before I knew Skip was suffering so many health problems, I heard him one day, and though, my God, he’s drunk on the air!!!!
Clearly not. Most likely when he sounds different, it’s just the medication he’s one…
I sure hoped he would live as long as his Pa did. Harry sure overdid it for a long time….
I should clarify my last post, I still hope he will live as long as his Father did!
Good morning all…. Sorry I missed the party last night. Just so much going on at one time that I didn’t have room for one more thing to juggle last night.
Yeah Steve, bummer for Denny but that’s racing.
It was really sad about Eight Belles… Some injuries are no recoverable in certain species. Nature of the game for race horses. Clydesdales on the other hand seldom suffer from leg injuries but they don’t run very fast…..
CL…. When did you kidnap my mom????
Later folks, another busy day ahead…
I want to thank CL and Raisins for providing play-by-play last night to those of us in the sticks. And it was very unselfish of CL to be Raisin’s straight “man”. But to Raisins: I knew/know Skip Carey, and you sir, are no Skip Carey.
Hey Gil; Clydesdales are slower but they haul the beer. If they ran fast it would be all foam.
I sent an email to Hillbilly this morning inquiring about their well-being. Will advise when I hear.
Legitimate email virus warning
http://www.snopes.com:80/computer/virus/postcard.asp
I received one of those in my mail this morning CL… I deleted it without opening it.
In human surgery, the stability of the repaired fracture can be helped by keeping the patient confined to a bed and non-weight bearing during the 12-16 weeks’ healing period.
This is vital as uncontrolled weight bearing and movement to a fracture, before it has healed, can delay recovery and prevent a bone from healing.
This is one area where equine surgery is unique. Horses are big animals that do not tolerate long anaesthetic periods. They have an absolute requirement to be able to stand on all four legs.
This means, in practical terms, the surgery or operating time should not exceed three to four hours and that immediately after surgery, the horse must wake up from the anaesthetic and be able to use the repaired broken leg to stand and walk.
This requirement puts extraordinary demands on the repair and the implants and all equine surgeons have experienced the frustration and disappointment when, after hours of intricate surgery, the horse smashes its broken leg again and bends the metal implants when struggling to stand after the anaesthetic.
To try to prevent this, strong fibreglass casts are often used to help horses waking up from an anaesthetic. Nonetheless, everyone breathes a sigh of relief when it stands, as one hurdle has been passed.
A good blood supply to the broken bones is as important as stability and controlling infection in healing a broken leg. This blood supply comes from the actual feeder to the broken bone and is supplemented by the supply to surrounding tissues, such as skin and muscle.
This is another area where the horse is unique. Below the knee or hock, the leg is composed of bone, ligament and skin. Thus the blood supply to this area is already marginal as there are no muscles and therefore no associated supply.
This lack of an adequate blood supply is important as in some severe broken legs that occur during a gallop, that supply is also damaged beyond repair, which means even with metal implants and surgical repairs to the bone, it will still not heal.
That is why some high-speed catastrophic fractures in a galloping horse still cannot be repaired.
The above is, of course, a “quote”. I am a “Vet”, but not a veterinarian.
I was going to say 008… That was a pretty impressive synopsis of the problem and why they put horses down. I sometimes think it might have been a good solution for me rather than screw up my knees so I have to walk like an old man…..
Gil; As an old man who is still walking, it beats the alternatives.
Gil; As an old man who is still walking, it beats the alternatives.
Blame wordpress for the double-dribble. Moma taught me if they don’t answer after one ring it is because they don’t want to be bothered. On second thought, maybe it was the postman.
FOOD!!!
Hard of hearing too…
Someone throw Ginch a bone. Second thought, disregard that.
Ginch? rrrrrrrrrr take one.
The braves were winning 1-0, nature called me, (TMI???
) I then see we are up 7-0!!!!! Wow!!! 
And where is Joe Simpson????
Skip gave him appendicitis last night. To paraphrase Skip, “It takes a veteran broadcaster to hospitalize your partner.”
I’m guessing Joe gets the 15 day DL.
Thanks for the 411 Salty! After I asked that question, I was thinking perhaps he and Chip were doing a national game on TBS, but it’s Sunday, ESPN day.
Uh-oh!!!
Tommy, you want a win, your first win, don’t ya????
Nope…he doesn’t.
Never say Atlanta fans aren’t polite. Tommy actually got a round of applause on the way to the dugout that I don’t think was derisive.
Does anyone think Ryan Freel is the poster child for how not to play the outfield? He’s had a disastrous weekend…and you know it hurt like heck on the ball he lost early in this game. At least he didn’t wind up with ‘ball all over his face’…coulda been ugly.
As Vince Lombardi might/did say, “What the hell is going on out there?!”
This pitching staff reminds me of the widow who used the insurance money to get a boob job and salsa lessons.
What’s her name?
(Actually not a fan of sillycones)
Fortunately the Reds are in bad shape right now. There are few teams that look like last place teams that we have played. DC got healthy against us(They are 8-2 in their last 10!)
Don’t know what’s up with Glavine. He looks great against some hitters, but it you just take against him, it’s always 2-2, 3-2 counts….
I love days like this…sad thing for the Reds is we should be leading by at least 4 or 5 more.
Too bad we can’t play them another day or 2!
Charlie Leibrant incarnated
At least we did not lose any ground today.
Is Glavin really any better than Chuck James right now???
I hope Atlanta is enjoying the off days this week. They are going to wish they had more by August…
Moylan is gone for the year… Look for Hampton after the all-star break.. maybe.. I hope..
Charlie Morton should be ready by then too… He is finally getting it.
The Richmond Braves beat the Louisville Bats 5-4 in 11 innings Sunday at The Diamond. Josh Anderson’s infield single in the 11th brought Diory Hernandez home to give the Braves their third straight win.
The Bats snapped a scoreless tie in the fourth on an RBI single by Drew Anderson. The Braves tied the game in the fifth when a single by Wes Timmons cashed in a lead-off double by Hernandez. The Bats took a 4-1 lead in the sixth. Adam Rosales smacked a home run and Alvin Colina doubled two in. Richmond again tied the game with three runs in the home half. Brent Lillibridge doubled Anderson home and Scott Thorman followed with a home run. Anderson’s RBI single in the 11th gave the Braves their second straight walk-off win.
Zach Schreiber picked up the win. Todd Coffey took the loss. The Braves bullpen worked 5.1 innings of scoreless relief. Hernandez had three hits for Richmond. Rosales, Drew Anderson, and Andy Phillips had two hits each for the Bats.
Louisville is the AAA farm club for the St Louis Cardinals.
We swept the Cinn. Rididculous Reds, “managed” by Rusty Baker. So? Hasn’t everyone? If we WIN the series in San Diego, call me.
Now, Skyladin…don’t be a fair weather fan. Here’s the REAL bad news:
Falcon’s linebacker Michael Boley (perhaps the best defensive player we have…which is to say best player period) arrested for battery in Gwinett County today. Why, WHY do our thugs have to be our best players? We’ll never get rid of all of them, and if we do we won’t be able to field enough players for a 7 on 7 scrimmage. Dammit!
Don’t get me wrong; I’ve got nothing against battery. Committed it several times myself. But then I’m not getting paid outrageous amounts of money by Arthur Blank to stay as a non-thug building block of a new regime. For that kind of scratch, can’t you hang out with people you can get along with? Even for just a few years? >:-0
Oops, it’s 9:00. You probably went to bed after your last post.
I gotta go get a bunch done too…won’t be around much ’till Tuesday night. Then I’ll be a happy Grinch.
Hey, Grinch! Good luck with the finals!
I’m still up, just waiting for one of you nite howls to take a shot at me. Don’t call me a fairweather fan just because I’m not excited over a sweep of the Reds. I’ll be here, regardless. As for Boley: The Falcons have dumped on me for so many years that I don’t even smell it anymore. And a battery here, a lightbulb there. Who knows?
And I’m still up because I’m working on a legal brief. Still.
But, I’m signing off now. Nite.
Thanks, CL!
P, I would hope your briefs were legal. I’m a boxer man, myself.
Good evening y’all. Good job by the boys pounding the Reds into submission since Glavine couldn’t stand prosperity.
What a weekend. Caulk, patch, paint. My shoulder sympathizes with Smoltz. And in a week I’ll be in Rabun to paint & work up there for 3 weeks. Anybody want to come help?
I’ll take that as a no. Not even for cake? I don’t have a completely equipped pastry kitchen there yet but I can make simple stuff.
FBG, I find it ironic that Glavine, who has gotten very little run support this season, got plenty today, yet still couldn’t last long enough to get the W!
FBG, did I ever tell you that our wedding cake was Red Velvet? It was delicious!
What I would expect from a nice Southern boy, Chris! I would pick something chocolate myself (not that marriage is anywhere on my horizon). I am an unabashed chocoholic.
I know Bobby hated to go get him but what’re you gonna do? Let him blow it?
Truth be told, my wife chose it and she is NOT a Southerner. She’s lived in the South since she was about 16 but identifies herself as a Californian. Thankfully though she is not one of those crazy Cali chicks.
I didn’t see the game today as Matt had practice from 1 to almost 4:30! Some of the dads get involved too. I am going to be a very sore boy tomorrow!
Poor baby. Break out the ibuprofen.
You mean, break out the bourbon, right?
Well, if that’s what works for you… I don’t drink so I’ll stick with advil.
Sorry, forgot to say that I had to go pick up my daughter from school. THey just got back from their Orlando trip.
I have a feeling that between Grinch and I, we’ll be able to drink “your share”!
Hope she had fun.
I think Grinch could do that on his own.
She’s exhausted but she had a great time. They did well in their competition too. That makes it even more rewarding, for her and us.
Good for them. That’s great that they get travel for competition too. And everyone is exhausted after Orlando ( and that’s not even doing Disney!).
Orlando does have a way of wearing people out. Traffic is horrible and frankly, it may be the hottest/most humid place on our planet. I could never live there.
It’s pretty much the same here. Smaller, of course, but the traffic still sucks & we run 1 or 2 degrees hotter. I can’t wait to leave.
I’ll bet. Don’t get me wrong. Charleston is awful from mid-June to mid-September. 90%+ humidity is not uncommon. Makes things very uncomfortable.
Good night FBG!
Good night, Chris.
008… A “W” counts no matter who it is against. Let us not forget that it was the woeful Reds that swept Atlanta last year during their stay in the big “A”…
Chris, good to hear of your daughter’s excellent adventure. I agree on your assessment of Orlando. The humidity is the reason that Arizona has become a favorite destination for the new “Snow Birds”.
FBG…. I am reminded of my need to get to work here at home too. Unfortunately, I am still not getting it done. Maybe next week… or not…
Grinch, good luck on your short term memory retention…
Gil; You and Grinch insist on taking what I said about not being excited about the sweep in the way that y’all want to hear it. Try this instead. Did I say that I was not “happy” we won? No. Did I say that winning is not better than losing? No. All I am trying to say is that last weekends series does not necessarily say that the Braves have turned any corner nor have they (necessarily) become the replacement for sliced bread. To my knowledge the Mets are the only upper-echelon team that the Braves have won a series from. San Diego would be the second. Then, I’ll start to believe that they are coming around.
Good day all!
It’s a beautiful day here in the J. All is well. I am very tired from an extremely busy weekend. I got to play a concert here locally, something that I only get to do about once a year. It was alot of fun. I, however, am whipped today. I need roadies!!! Unfortunately, as the saying goes, there is no rest for the weary. Work beckons…
Now, Braves. Skyladin: Don’t count the Pads as any measuring stick; they have lost 14 of their last 18. This would be a awful time for them to get well. I won’t really start thinking about the Braves in terms of their place in the division until Memorial Day.
Gotta vamoose! (SP?) Back in a few!
Sorry, Raisins…I’m all out of vamoose. I do have a spare tire iron…good for pounding sense into ‘and idiots’!
I stand corrected by Raisins. Shows how much I keep up with the rest of the league.
BUT, two series in a row off of ANYBODY would be an improvement. Right?
Salty can spare the tire iron since his car is up on blocks. It does make a good chicken house, though.
Paladin… better to stand “corrected” by Raisins than sit corrected by prunes.
Paladin… better to stand “corrected” by Raisins than sit corrected by prunes.
Clemens apologizes for ‘mistakes’
Posted: Monday May 05, 2008 05:37AM ET
On the eighth day, Roger Clemens apologized. Following a week in which the Daily News reported his affairs with several women, Clemens released a statement Sunday night apologizing for “mistakes in his personal life,” while again denying he ever used performance-enhancing drugs. “I have apologized to my family and apologize to my fans,” Clemens said. “Like everyone, I have flaws. I have sometimes made choices which have not been right.” Clemens made it clear he is not admitting to using performance-enhancing drugs.
New York Daily News
SG’s been saving that one up for about a month. Note Skyhawk’s been gone for the half hour since the comment was made; he’s so old the word “prunes” probably triggered an accident.
VOR, I don’t think roadie’s are the problem. Cut down on the “Groupies” and you won’t be so tired. I went to church in Jonesboro before; I know what’s up.
Today is going to be a LOOOOOOOOONG day.
CL, isn’t that sad? The only thing he gives a crap about is whether he gets in the Hall of Fame. I had absolutely no idea that guy was such a scumbag.
Thanks for your concern, ladies. I’m still alive. Central Arkansas took another thrashing, though. Seems like we’ve been a Natural Disaster Haven for the past few months. Karma’s punishment for Petrino?
GREAT to hear from you, Hillbilly!!! Was ready to round up a posse and come alookin’ fer ya! How do you spell relief??
Really glad you and your family are safe!
Karma’s punishment for Petrino?
Karma’s punishment for the Clintons…
Hey, Grinch! Yes, it is. I think many people have had their eyes opened about that guy. I hope like everything that he’ll NOT be voted in. I sorta doubt he will be. If Dale Murphy wasn’t “good” enough to get in, this guy is certainly “bad” enough to not get in.
Good luck today!!
Raisins,
If that’s the case, they’d better evacuate the state!
I was just reading about the cyclone in Myanmar with an estimated 10,000 dead. Beyond comprehension.
How do you spell relief? P-r-u-n-e-s. Sorry CL, couldn’t resist it.
CL: We here in Georgia better duck and cover, too. We have our own state embarrasment!
‘Hawk, you bad!!
That’s a thought, too, Raisins!
I was just doing a quick mental rundown of possible NC sins – Sam Rayburn? Jesse Helms? Elizabeth Dole? Nah, we’re good.
I worked into the wee-wee hours on a legal brief for Grinch. Want to hear it? GUILTY AS CHARGED!
Got to go do some work. C y’all later.
I wonder if Jimmy Carter has ancestors from Myanmar (f/k/a Burma)?
Catch y’all at the next coffee break!
I don’t need no doctor
to tell me what is wrong.
I can fill my own prescriptions,
and it lasts me all night long.
It’s the perfect medication
for an ailment such as mine.
I forget about the tears I’ve cried
When the Whiskey hits my mind.
HOW DO YOU SPELL RELIEF?
I get D-R-U-N-K.
Lately since my baby left
I do it almost every day.
It’s the only thing that I’ve found
That’ll take the pain away.
How do you spell relief?
I just get D-R-U-N-K.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMuTxs4rLQM
Dang! I’m outta coffee!!!
How was that allowed to happen?
Good morning fellow BSers…. Just dropped by to say good morning.
Hillbilly, good to hear of your wellbeing.
008… It’s all good…
Raisins… Pretty soon you will get like the rest of us and find out you have to “go to work” to rest up….
CL… I would say something but I would get banned
Now, off to work on my to do list… The hardest part is finding the beginning of the “Yellow Brick Road”. Catch up with you folks latter…
And where in the world is Bob???
Here’s Bob.
Good morning y’all. Glad to see Hillbilly is safe & sound!
Gil, Bob is mysterious. He’s like the wise man of the mountain. One never knows when he will appear.
If that’s the case, they’d better evacuate the state!
Much talk of prunes on the blog today.
Weird Al Zimmerman
And we still get a bazillion or so snowbirds here. Try getting into a restaurant in mid-February.
Why the heck is Clemens’ wife sticking with him? He already threw her under the bus during the hearing, saying it was her HGH. Now all these affairs? If ever there was a situation that called for a nasty divorce I’d say this is it.
Hi, SG! I always seem to miss when you’re on lately.
Thought for Today: “Have no fear of perfection – you’ll never reach it.” – Salvador Dali, Spanish artist (1904-1989).
Roger obviously knows Kobe Bryant’s jeweler.
That wouldn’t work on me, VOR. If it works on her then they deserve each other.
Dali was a very weird dude. His paintings look like the product of someone who was on major psychadelic drugs to me.
Hi FBG… two ships in the night stuff. Like now, I have to ship out for a while. Work is definitely cutting into my play time.
Clemens seems to be getting it from all sides. Then again, that seems to be the source of his current problems… getting it from all sides. There’s a Jerry Lee Lewis country song there somewhere: “I had a wife and a lass and a needle in my… Coke can.”
There’s always a wrinkle in a story.
FBG; Consider the thought, not the messenger.
Relief may be in sight for your sno-bird problem. I have heard several experts say recently that Fla has become too “Oh God, not there!” for retirees and vacationers, who are going elsewhere. Good luck on your taxes when those bonds for ” improvements” come due.
Debbie Clemens is ridin’ the gravy train. Most of these bimbos know that their hubby’s are working on more than their ERA on the road. They also know, however, that the mall opens at 10:00am and that as long as they play the game, and keep their yapper shut, the well never runs dry. I don’t fell sorry for any of them. Look at Kobe’s wife… She sat next to him at the infamous press conference, showing her undying “support” for her cheating selfish prima-donna husband, and showing off that huge new rock. They’re paid help just like the maid, only they do more than laundry.
There’s always a wrinkle in a story.
I’ve often wondered what SG looked like and did in his spare time. Now I know.
fell sorry?
Uh, you know what I mean…
Remember, great-uncle, I’m becoming a Georgia resident soon. We’re planning on moving the first of the year.
Oh… and when Roger, Kobe, et al say they’re <sorry, they’re only sorry they got caught.
Raisins; Are you saying that player’s wives are just another household applicance? Instalation insructions: Screw on the bed and it does cooking and laundry.
Wow… the italics thingie went haywire on that last one.
appliance.
I doubt they cook or do laundry. Might mess up their manicure.
installation. Off to spelling class.
Skyladin: Not all of them. And if I painted with too broad a brush, that was not my intent. But wives like Debbie Clemens, who was aware of the “relationship” Roger had with Mindy McCreedy, know the score. But where else are they gonna get a better paying job?
Who’s to know whether or not some of these sports wives are sitting at home mopping and dusting during road trips, either. Women cheat, too. Just keep that direct deposit flowing Roger. $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Nice point, Hillbilly. You know, Debbie was shootin’ up to maintain that bod for somebody… Roger? Maybe, maybe not…
Bleh. This is a depressing subject. Anybody got anything happier to discuss?
Per FBG:
Roger and Goldbrickin’ Floozies subject transition song.
Like a setting sun….
Sorry FBG…
Hey, how ’bout… oh, I don’t know… some Braves talk?
Prado could be out a while. Infante’s still a few weeks away. Lilly the Kid could be back soon. I’ve had personal experience with a torn thumb ligament. Left one too. Can’t catch that way. Nasty business.
Happy musical transition for FBG
Caution: this clip is not intended for the Grinch, as it may cause him to experience nausea, irregular heartbeat and an overwhelming urge to break things and spend his next 24 hours listening to Megadeath or Ozzie Osborne.
Now, Must away…I…am…really…leaving.
By the way, I didn’t tear the thimb ligament sliding into 1B. THAT was stupid. Nothing good comes of sliding into 1B.
Nice, SG. Hit us with that and skulk away. I feel nausea creeping in…
Like that wouldn’t give me nausea? Eww.
It’s allright now. Balance has been restored.
Raisins; That thimb must have really hurt you. Did you have to put a boonade on it?
By the way, I didn’t tear the thimb ligament sliding into 1B. THAT was stupid. Nothing good comes of sliding into 1B.
VOR, I damaged a ligament in my left thumb last November taking off a pair of socks. What’s up with that? Now I’ve been forced to bat left-handed in church-league softball, which has actually done wonders for my batting average (if there is such a thing in church league softball.)
That’s a very Hamptonesque injury, Hillbilly.
Tes, Dkyladib… As tou can see, it dtill hampers my ketboarding avility…
My thumb injury occured on a softball field 20+ years ago, and it still isn’t right. I, of course, did not have the resources of a professional sports team to see to my care. Mine was placed in a cast for 8 weeks, with the hope that it might – yes, might – heal. It did not. (Maybe I shouldn’t have waited 6 weeks for the season to end… ) Anyway, it doesn’t still hurt or anything, but if I attempt to lift or hold anything relatively heavy between my left thumb and fingers, like moving a large rock or holding a large jar, my thumb pops out of joint and the object succumbs to gravity. It is kinda fun to see the look on somebody’s face when I pull my thumb out of joint, though…
OLPE, Germany (AP) – A 44-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of killing her own babies after her grown children found the bodies of three infants stashed in the family’s freezer while looking for a frozen pizza, police said Monday.
I just checked my microwave. It doesn’t have a thaw schedule for infants.
Raisins; You don’t do that old “Pull my thumb” thing, do you?
Only got a sec…
SG, that may be the single worst song of the 1980’s, which is saying a lot. I got into an argument on the other blog with DOB about whether or not REM sucked and even though he got so mad defending them I actually thought he was gonna try and drive to my house and punch me out, and even HE admitted that song sucked. You might as well have played Was Not Was or Buster Poindexter.
VOR, I hope you can use that thumb for balance at least, or else your guitar playing must suffer. Speaking of which, I’ve seen Slash live a bunch but that’s the first time I’ve ever seen him too messed up to play a solo. The camera kept trying to focus on him and Brian May had to keep improvising…May’s quite the professional.
And yes, the wives of pro athletes (especially baseball) are selected because of their ability to smile and make everything look ok to the public while doing charity work, kicking out beautiful kids and staying fit. They have the same job as the First Lady (on a smaller scale), in other words, though I expect most of them do a better job than Laura (except Debbie Clemmens). And yes, I went there; I find it more than a little amazing and annoying that in light of the greatest catastrophe and embarrassment the Presidential office has ever seen is still going on and all you guys can talk about is how awful Carter and Clinton were. Yes, they were awful, but that’s like passengers in lifeboats pointing out how bad the breakfast was on the Titanic that morning.
Skylab, e-mail me; I have a whole recipe book for infants.
Grinch: The thumb injury actually forced me to use proper hand positioning on the neck. Prior to the injury, and for a little while after, I played with my thumb “riding” on the top of the neck. After the injury, my thumb would fatigue and begin to hurt when I played that way. I had to retrain myself to play with my thumb on the back of the neck, the proper way, to reduce the stress on it. The byproduct was better hand position, better reach, increased accuracy. Who woulda thunk it?
I’m glad Mac & Frenchy had enough sense to stick with their high school sweeties. Much better chance of them being normal women instead of Stepford wives.
Great-uncle & Green One, I love you two but y’all are a couple of sick puppies.
Funny how that works; no doubt. I did the same thing when I taught myself how to play, then when I went to get some “advanced” lessons I practically got beat within an inch of my life until I went to the “proper” way (and also had to start using my pinkie). I still wouldn’t slide into first though.
Later, all.
Love you too, Velvet.
Awww.
I’m glad Mac & Frenchy had enough sense to stick with their high school sweeties. Much better chance of them being normal women instead of Stepford wives.
True dat…
Now, Hawks. This according to Joe Johnson, a player whom I respect immensely, about Head Coach Mike Woodson, whom I respect none:
“He’s done a great job this season,” Johnson said. “I’d love for him and the coaching staff to come back. Hopefully we can really, really make that happen.”
Johnson attributes the Hawks playoff season and success against the Celtics to Woodson and his staff.
“They have done so many good things for us this season,” Johnson said. “I’ve learned so much from him and he’s the main reason that attracted me to come here. Hopefully, we’ll keep him and all of the other guys around.”
Ok, got a minute. Lunch was, uh… food.
To those unfortunate souls that got “Shiny Happied” with that last clip and especially to those that now can’t get the tune out of their heads, my sincere apologies. Hey, I like REM, but that particular song was almost as bad as the whatsizname freckle faced kid with the deep voice stealth-clip thingy. Maybe worse. Nah… close, but not rising to that level of nausea.
Now, with so much talk of the Prado slide and resulting thumb ligament sprain, leading to guitar technique improvement talk, I’ll try to kill two birds with one stone and stay on blog topic (blopic?) while attempting to redeem my musical self.
Shiny Happy Antidote.
Yes, SG, consider yourself redeemed… and then some. I enjoyed that so much, I’ve already sent the link to some friends.
By the way, if anyone cares, the guitar he’s playing is a National Tri-cone Resonator. I have a 1931 square neck version of that same guitar that I am restoring. It is gonna be SWEET when I’m done…
Time to go pick up the littlest raisin. Back in a bit…
SG: This one’s on me…
Oh, and while I’m thinking about it SG, Derek Trucks’ electric guitar of choice is the Gibson SG. Waddaya know..?
I now have to rethink my opinion of Woodson, though.…or, of Johnson!
whatsizname freckle faced kid with the deep voice…you mean this guy?
http://www.last.fm/music/Rick+Astley/+videos/+1-pfRfPon9vmU
Grinch…as much as I’d like to torment you, even I can’t put ‘Was not Was’ up!
Oh, and you are a tad opinionated, aren’t you? 
Must be nice to post links and not have them go in the cyber-toilet!
There you go Salty….
Taking a bit of a break before going back outside. It got warm here pretty quick. The last third of my lawn still needs mowing but the oak tree pollen is so bad right now that I am having to just let the grass grow…
I wonder if Prado will become another believer in not making head first slides?
Thorman finally hit his first homerun of the season the other night.
Don’t take it personally, Salty. After all, it was Rick Astley…
I’m glad at least Grinch, could see the irony(not humor)of my post. I guess if I had put “My God, what next” it might have gotten across to more of you.
Wow… I went looking for just the right Was (Not Was) vid to post here, and I couldn’t bring myself to do it…
How ’bout Art of Noise?
Hey, Salty… We’re on to something here. I posted a link to Art of Noise, and it went straight to the cyber-dumper. Perhaps WordPress has a built-in critic.
Raisins…with some of our selections, I really can’t argue with the ‘auto-dump’ feature, but then our posts get lost in translation…as if that’s something new!
BTW…thanks, Gil!
Oh, the Braves signed Greg Norton, recently of Seattle. He’s corner infielder/OF…pop off the bench.
I love that cyber-dumper critic. Also, only Salty, Raisins and SG get their stuff dumped. Wonder why?
Grinch; The Boley “battery” sounds, at most, like a AAA. Instead of a beeyatch slap, it was a beeaytch push.
So, does anyone know if Greg Norton is going to be on the big club, or go to AAA??? Why’d we sign him again??? Tex doesn’t take days off, and neither does Frenchy….We really need 3 guys who can play left??? If the weak hitting Mariners didn’t want him….
Well, they got Norton for the ever popular “player to be named later.” Maybe it’s the same one they received for Ryan Langerhans. You know, the Irish guy, Bag O’Balls…
Prado’s injury is a Grade 1-2 sprain; he’ll be out 6-8 weeks. Coulda been worse…
Footnote: Grade 1 sprain: Slight stretching and some damage to the fibers (fibrils) of the ligament. Grade 2 sprain: Partial tearing of the ligament. If the joint is examined and moved in certain ways, abnormal looseness (laxity) of the joint occurs. Grade 3 sprain: Complete tear of the ligament. If the examiner pulls or pushes on the joint in certain movements, gross instability occurs.
According to David No-taste-in-music of the A-Jay-see, Norton went 7-16 in six games for the Mariners before being designated for assignment. Those figures would have made him Braves player-of-the-month.
Well, I posted before looking him up…only hit .243 last year, but was hitting .436 in 16 AB’s before being let go this year…that’s a bit weird!
Are we going to use Gotay at 3rd or SS in a pinch now????
What’s up with Infante, is he playing in the minors yet???
Brogan: Norton has a little bit of home run power. Nobody else on the bench does. Gregor Blanco? Brayan Pena? Ruben Gotay? Bueller? Bueller? It’s that simple, really. He’s not Luis Gonzalez or anything, but he’s not Corky Miller, either.
Sybil, right you are, he would have been in the running!
Yeah, Gotay might actually have to play in the field. Infante hasn’t started a rehab assignment yet. Or, if Gotay’s fielding is a perceived liability, we may still see Lilly the Kid, and Ruben might be movin’. Is there an issue with Gotay’s defense?
Who’s Bueller??? Ferris still around??? Is he someone we called up to replace Prado??? I am out of the loop the last few days, sorry!
Still, 4 homers in 200 + ab’s last year…I could do that! They might be the only hits I’d get in 200 AB’s but I’d get 4 big flies just like Andruw will….eventually!
Grinch
I know you like your history…so, when you get a chance, read ALL 10 parts to find out why Carter IS the worst president in history, and how he helped Radical Islam become what it is today….
http://www.ibdeditorials.com/Special3.aspx
Yeah, I went there, too!
Grade 1 sprain – Doctor says, “Does this hurt?” Answer: “A little”.
Grade 2 sprain – ” ” ” ” ” ” ” Yes”
Grade 3 sprain – ” ” ” ” ” ” “Aeeeeeyie”
008,
VOR, I don’t know, I thought Gotay was at least average in the field…the one and only time he was in the field(At least up to a day or so ago) I heard Pete say he made a great play….considering he had been in no games all April, I find that amazing he could make a great play….
WordPress is worse than word perfect in rearranging your carefully laid out formatting.
Sybil, huh? I’m just glad you are getting well. I was afraid you were going to start printing out your prescriptions and telling us how many BMs you had.
I dunno either. I honestly cannot recall one time I’ve seen him play defense.
According to Mark Bowman: Norton, who has batted .253 over his 12-season career, will be able to play the outfield and both corner infield positions for the Braves. With his versatility and potential power off the bench, the 35-year-old switch-hitter has the ability to help the Braves in the same manner it was hoping Scott Spiezio would.
In other words, he’s expected to bring the beer to the clubhouse!
Certainly he can catch fly balls better than Touchie-feelie of the Reds! Don’t you think?
I picked this up off of a Phillie site:
And finally, the Mariners designated outfielder Brad Wilkerson for assignment on Wednesday, so he offered his Seattle rental house to teammate Greg Norton, who hadn’t secured a place to live for the season. A few hours later, Norton was designated for assignment as Mariners management tried to shake things up.
That’s funny, I don’t care who you are…
VOR, I was wrong(It happens, last time was 1992 ) Gotay played his one and only game of the field, April 30th…that’s it. I guess he’ll get another chance when Kelly needs a day off in 2 weeks.
Honestly, we should trade him if we aren’t going to play him. If Bobby would rather Yunel come in on a day he was too sick to start, then just call up some scrub from AAA to be the emergency 2nd/3rd baseman.
Gotay is only 25, and deserves some chance to play somewheres.
Actually, Wilkerson was the one that I thought Los Bravos might have some interest in for the same reasons that they acquired Norton, except that Norton does backup 3B as well.
With a freezer full of…nah, I won’t go there.
Well fellers(Bob, et al) I need to get a goin’ Going to waste precious fossil fuel to go to Summit racing’s first car show of the year….No car shows for 6 months, then 2 in 3 days!
Gotay is only 25, and deserves some chance to play somewheres.
Either that or he sucks…
( I’m not sayin’, I’m just sayin’… )
Bearman; I hope you are not still contagious. At one of those car shows you could kill off half the silly old farts on the eastern seaboard.
You guys get off of Gotay’s donkey. He has been good “bench”. He fields, he gets on base, and the latinos need him for their domino game.
You know, a couple of days ago, Moylan was throwing from flat ground, first from 90′ then 125′. He said he was feeling alot better, and was scheduled to throw from a mound this week. Suddenly, he’s been moved to the 60-day DL. And, no news anywhere. Wha’ ?
Oh, and he runs too. Unfortunately we can’t have him pinch-run for Mac…to first base.
VOR…Moylan’s bullpen session lasted seven pitches, and the pain returned. He’s done…stick a fork in his season.
You have been out-of-the-loop, Raisins. Moylan experienced extreme pain during his last throwing session.
Oh my God, I’m in sync with Salty. Forgive me Father, for I knew not what I did!
Raisins, I read yesterday that Moylan was scheduled to throw 15 pitches off the mound but had to stop after 7 because of the pain. Cox said that he might have the surgery as soon as this week.
It didn’t make sense to me that they should wait. Apparently a bone spur grew through the ligament, which compromised it. Bone spurs don’t go away overnight. Neither do perforated ligaments. They should have cut him as soon as the diagnosis was made so he can get back a little sooner next year.
Infante starts his rehab tonight in Richmond (Gil). He should be ready in about a week. I would bet it’s Gotay’s gig until then, then adios muchacho.
I know what you are saying, Klobber, but a couple of weeks is not going to make that much difference on that type of surgery. We will be waiting for him next year like we are on Gonzo this year. Hoping he’ll be right by the time the fireworks and Stars and Stripes Forever comes around.
I’ve got to run some errands. See you ‘tators and ‘mators later.
I like the bench alot better with Infante and Norton. First question, who exits the 40 man roster to make room for Norton. Does placing Moylan on the 60 day DL effectively do that? Second question, who leaves the 25 man roster when Infante’s ready? Is that the end for Gotay? OK, that was kinda like question 2b. Question three: What to do about Brayan Pena? Still languishing on the bench… He’s an assett that needs to be traded to fill a need.
I missed my chance. Adios mustaches.
Yeah… I know. Assett, asset… whatever…
I gotta go, too. The grill is callin’.
Later,
tatersI mean, y’all.Berigan, I’ve got two more finals in the morning so I’m not gonna get into it other than to say: WRONG AGAIN. I’m not defending Carter; his Presidency was an abomination. I’m just saying it wasn’t as bad as this one. There are stats to prove it in a dozen ways (not that mere stats should be necessary) that can be Googled now and it’s not even over yet; the 30-year verdict like you posted on Carter…I can’t even begin to imagine it. However, this should be confided to e-mail if it goes any further. This shouldn’t be a political blog, and I wouldn’t bring any of this junk up if 5 or 6 of you didn’t constantly do Sean Hannity’s job for him here. The denial just gets so thick it reminds me of my last relationship.
Figure it’ll be a slow night, so here’s the doin’s at my kids’ high school today.
http://projects.accessatlanta.com/gallery/view/music/pickler0505/
http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/idol/entries/2008/05/05/55_kellie_pickl.html
Study hard, Grinch!
Now this is serious discourse….
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/24468147/
I am not going to get into the who is/was the best president debate other than to say our best Presidents seem to be those who were elected by a thin plurality (Lincoln) or took over by default… Ford, Truman…
The real issue is how much latitude they give their minions. Often times the Chief of Staff thinks he is the President and makes a lot of decisions that later embarrass a President. It is still up to the President to assure himself that the people he is surrounded by are competent but there are lots of reasons people go from being a Campaign chairman to a high level White House job not the least being a power trip….
I have no doubt that our country could get straightened out in about 6 months if we didn’t have so many megalomaniacs trying to make sure they screw the opposition rather than just working together.
BeRiGaN .. Seattle is going young… They just didn’t have room for him and they couldn’t send him to the minors again I don’t think. I think Norton is a good asset. Power off the bench and a back up for the corner positions. Plus… He is very well priced.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – Police say they have discovered 300 dead cats stuffed into freezers at a man’s Sacramento home.
No comment.
2nd Thought for Today: “People love to talk but hate to listen.” – Alice Duer Miller, American author (1874-1942).
I know you can’t judge some players merely by their numbers….but, last year Gotay hit .295 in 190 AB’s 4 homers, 24 RBI’s
Infante Hit .271 in 161 AB’s 2 homers, and 17 RBI’s
Norton Hit .243 in 202 AB’s, 4 Homers(Same as Gotay) and 23 RBI’s
Granted, he did hit 17 homers in 2006, but I also seem to recall Craig Wilson had a good track record before he signed with the braves as well.
Norton Played 18 games at 3rd base in 2004, and hasn’t played a game there since.(He turns 36 in July)
Hey, it’s not the end of the world, could turn out to be a decent move….I just don’t get how the youngest guy doesn’t get a real chance to be the backup, that all….
G’night.
Good evening y’all. What is it with Uncle Paladin & freezers? Should we be alarmed?
BeRiGaN…. At least it will not cost 2 million like it did for Wilson if it does not work out..
PHI 11-17-2
ARZ 4-11-2
NYM 1-5-1
LAD 5-7-0
CL, watcha doin’ up???
CL, watcha doin’ up???
The Richmond Braves beat the Indianapolis Indians 3-2 Monday at The Diamond. The Braves rallied from an early deficit for the fourth straight game to push their winning streak to four. The Indians are the AAA farm club for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when a throwing error on a double steal allowed Kevin Thompson to score. The Braves grabbed the lead in the third on an RBI double by Brandon Jones and a run producing single by Scott Thorman. The Indians tied the game in the sixth on an RBI single by Michel Hernandez. The Braves scored the winning run in the seventh. Josh Anderson’s two-out single cashed in a leadoff double by Clint Sammons.
Chuck James allowed one earned run in seven innings to collect the win. Andrew Shibilo notched a save. Sammons and Omar Infante had two hits each for the Braves.
Gil,
Thats good news, Chucky going 7 innings!!!
Left-hander Chuck James allowed two runs — one earned — in seven innings. He yielded six hits, walked two and struck out five.
James had nine flyball outs.
“Chuck was outstanding,” Brundage said. “He’s a flyball pitcher. This is a good yard for him to pitch in.”
Omar Infante, playing his first game on a rehabilitation assignment from Atlanta, singled in his first two at-bats and finished 2 for 4.
Infante hasn’t played since breaking his left hand in winter ball. “It’s a little tight, but it feels good,” he said. He played the middle-infield positions in extended spring training but did not play in the outfield before joining Richmond. Atlanta farm director Kurt Kemp said the Braves want Infante to get a few games at each position before joining Atlanta.
According to my count, that should put Infante in Atlanta by the weekend…
And still more….. A nice little opinion piece by Bob Lipper of the Times Dispatch on being forearmed….
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/opinion/columnists.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-05-06-0112.html
Comments of the overnights: FBG still seems to want to slay the messenger and ignore the message. I don’t make these up. I just post them. And, from here on out, without comment. You can draw your own conclusions…hopefully.
Where did I put my coffee?!?
Gil; That Lipper piece was a good read. Thanks.
Voice of Raisins Says:
May 5, 2008 at 5:39 pm
I gotta go, too. The grill is callin’.
Word to the wise. Make sure you study up on your outdoor appliance signals. What I thought was my grill calling, was actually my lawn mower.
Hey Raisins, I’ll bet you still can’t find your keys and haven’t written the checks yet either….
Okay, I am off to see the wizard… Ya’ll have a good morning…
Checks?
My coffee has disappeared… I still can’t find it. Then again, I haven’t lifted my carcass from my desk to look for it outside of my current range of vision, either. Maybe I should try that…
Whew… found it…
Good morning y’all.
Settle down, uncle. That was intended in a joking manner.
I’m settled niece. Now bring me my cake and milk.
What, no discussion this morning? OK, I’ll start with a few opinions.
1) I like the Norton trade. I think he has a decent bat and the pop we’ve been lacking off the bench. No, he isn’t Sweeney, but he’s alot better than Corky Miller. You can point to his dropoff in 2007, but he basically spent the season recovering from a knee injury. His 2006 numbers probably are a better indicator. He actually was off to a decent start this year before the Seattle youth movement began.
2) Omar will be here by the weekend, so does that spell the end for Ruben? Well, Omar is the superior utility infielder, and will no doubt strengthen the bench. Ruben has some value, so I doubt he’ll simply be cut. I don’t know about minor league options on him… I wouldn’t be surprised to see another trade in the works. See below:
3) Follow me on this one, even if it is a bit of a stretch. Once Omar’s in the house, you have a surplus of infielders at the Major League level. You’re already well stocked with infield depth in the minors, so it is a position of strength. Also, Clint Sammons appears to be having a breakout season at Gil-town. The Bravos are holding both BPena and Corky (bleh) in Atlanta to caddy for Mac. We all know that Mac’s going nowhere, so what of Sammons? His future as a starter is obviously not in ATL. Trade him now. Catcher is a position of need for many, many teams. Remember that Sal Fasano is also on the AAA team. Take Sammons, package him with an infielder, and go get a starting pitcher. It is doable…
OK, discuss among yourselves…
I have way too much work to do to be feeling so lazy today.
Makes good sense to me, VOR. Anybody have a potentially available pitcher in mind?
How ’bout some nice soup for lunch, uncle? I’m in the midst of making Italian Vegetable Soup.
I’m putting my bid on and waiting spoon in hand. S-L-U-R-P!
Some good points, Raisins. I just don’t have the time to take it on now. However, I wanted you to know that you were not being ignored…by me anyway.
Bid? Bib, maybe? I hope your table manners are better than that. You can’t show up in court with lunch on your shirt.
Raisins… I agree 100% but the problem I see with the scenario is finding someone who has a surplus of pitchers. Is there such a thing? Usually, the best you can hope for is a young gun still in minor league ball or a guy with a short contract and a big price tag.
With Smoltz at the end of his career and Tom Glavin running on fumes not to mention Hampton.. I think the Braves are praying that Chuck James can get it turned around and Jo Jo is mentally ready for the bigs now. That leaves Morton as the next big thing for Bravos….
I will bet the Braves will comb the free agent market this fall… It’s not going to be cheap.
Reading is just that, reading. Not commenting is just that as well, it’s not ‘ignoring’. When someone has nothing to say, so be it.
Raisins…agree with your synopsis…a trade is in the wind.
FBG…I’ll ‘bid a bib on e-Bay’ for 008!
Since May 18 of last year, the ??? are just three games over .500. Now…who could that be?
Agreed, Gil, that they’ll be hot and heavy for a FA pitcher this winter. They’ll likely have money to spend with Tex’s contract gone, Hampton’s contract gone and possibly (I don’t know if I can bring myself to say it) Smoltz’ contract
gone… I couldn’t say it…Let’s see who should be available… Derek Lowe and Brad Penny come to mind. Who else… Ben Sheets, if he’s not re-signed before then; Did CC get his contract done in Cleveland? How about Jon Garland?
Here’s also a few random possibilities: 1) Kevin Millwood. Yeah, I know that’s old news, but it remains a possibility. Although, they already have a catcher (obviously) but might simply be looking for prospects. Millwood can’t seem to win on the road for them. It could be the old “new environment” thing. 2) Jon Lieber. The Cubs don’t need a catcher, either, which blows major holes in my theory, but they do have a relative surplus of starters. What they need is defense since no Cubs seem to be able to catch the ball. But right now, Lieber is in their bullpen.. so… who knows. Maybe you take Marquis back, since he and Lew don’t exactly see eye to eye. Also, Scott Eyre is due to return from the DL very soon, so they need to open a spot. 3) The A’s would deal Joe Blanton, but they’d want a ton in return. And 4) Here’s my sleeper. The Red Sox’ Julio Lugo has been absolutely awful in the field. They are expected to start Bartolo Colon on a rehab assignment soon, and Schilling could be on his way back, as well. They also have no need for a catcher, but really need a SS who can catch a ball, and have a pretty decent starting 5 without Schilling or Colon. Maybe a package with Lillibridge (who’s blocked in ATL) or Diory Hernandez + prospect could land a pitcher. Again, who knows?
All random thoughts and open to being completely blown out of the water by people with more common sense and knowledge…
Like nobody else on here ever had a typo. Jeez
I’m amazed. My local paper, which usually ignores the Braves existence even though there are a lot of Braves fans here, had a nice feature article on Chipper.
OK…the answer: the Mets…just three over .500.
Typos are over-rated…as long as the message is understood, you’ve communicated.
Heading out for a while. Gotta busy afternoon/evening ahead. I hope to check back in later on…
Later, taters.
I don’t think their fans know that, Salty. They’re still deluding themselves.
Neat Blog Chris, as always!
Bowman reports “Looking to provide a veteran to his bench, Braves general manager Frank Wren acquired infielder Greg Norton from the Mariners for a player to be named later” … what happens when Omar returns? … we all know Greg can pitch but he’s not scheduled to so do in this series.
Oops, different Greg.
A career .253 hitter, the 35 year old switch hitting Norton plays 1st, 3rd, and the outfield positions … and is expected to improve the bench offensively … having hit .235 with 10 homers in 289 career pinch-hit at-bats.
Interestingly, both Norton and Infante are career .253 hitters.
This is stuff … for those who might have an interest in the tragedy that occurred during the Derby.
“Dear Bob ,
I thought you might want to read NTRA President and CEO Alex Waldrop’s initial take on the tragic accident that occurred following last Saturday’s Kentucky Derby … http://www.ntra.com/blog.aspx?blogid=15&year=2008&month=5&day=5
Regards,
Keith Chamblin
from email – something to think about – like think it’ll ever happen?? (right!):
“Like a lot of folks in this state, I have a job. I work, they pay me.
I pay my taxes and the government distributes my taxes as it sees fit.
In order to get that paycheck, I am required to pass a random urine test with which I have no problem.
What I do have a problem with is the distribution of my taxes to people who don’t have to pass a urine test.
Shouldn’t one have to pass a urine test to get a welfare check because I have to pass one to earn it for them? Please understand, I have no problem with helping people get back on their feet. I do, on the other hand, have a problem with helping someone sitting on their —, doing drugs, while I work. . .
Can you imagine how much money the state would save if people had to pass a urine test to get a public assistance check?”
hmmmmm…….
I’m in favor of that policy, CL. Along with birth-control implants for those on welfare.
From frozen infants to urine tests. The B & S blog covers Dixie like the Dew.
FBG; I’m afraid that a lot of the people on welfare have been “implanted” too often as it is.
Back to my yardwork, or possibly the emergency room. Later…I hope.
“My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world.
I hope you’ll join with me as we try to change it.” — Barack Obama
Good afternoon ladies and germs!
Catching up from overnight….lots of trade talk here, good! One thing I haven’ theard talk of anywheres, is how much moola we may or may not have to play with. Would we take on the contract of someone like Millwood??? Actually, I just read that I think he is paid 10+ million next year, and with certain inning requirements met then, he gets a 2011 contract with the team!
Seems not too likely then.
Don’t forget Glavine’s contract would be off the book as well, unless he turns it around….Funny thing is, he could pitch til forever like Jamie Moyer, since he doesn’t snap his arm like a buggy whip…
Bob,
Also, the article you posted mentioned Norton playing 3rd as well, but he hasn’t done it since 2004. Gotay has played there more recently, and I don’t see Bobby putting him over there…..
BeRiGaN … That is the problem I see with Tom Glavin, no snap at all…. When your fast ball tops out at 80MPH you better have a whole bag of tricks to keep hitters off balance or you are going to be pitching batting practice for the other team.
I still say Roy Oswalt would be a deal maker if the Braves could figure some way to pry him away from the Astros. The price would be high I’m sure.
Tampa has some good young arms in AAA but I think the Braves are looking for an established top of the order pitcher with Smoltz likely done.