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by Carolina Lady
He’s been with the Braves since 1977. Bob Dider signed him after he graduated from the University of New Orleans as a non-drafted free agent to fill out a spot on the Kingsport roster.
Fours years later, after he had wrested the last possible drop out of his playing career, then-farm director Hank Aaron made a job offer.
He told Baseball America –
“I played real hard to be mediocre and I was fortunate when Hank offered me the coaching job. I was single and living out of my car, so I gave it a try to see what happened.”
Brian Snitker
Brian Snitker. Born 1955 in Illinois. He didn’t have an easy time of it either. Never made it to the majors, but has made the best of his talents and abilities as player, roving instructor, coach and manager in the Braves system for more than 30 years.
He coached, taught and managed for 20+ seasons in the minors, leading clubs from the rookie leagues to AA in Anderson, Sumter, Durham, Macon, Danville, Myrtle Beach, Greenville, and Mississippi before he was named manager of the Richmond Braves in 2006.
Snitker once said, “The players are the one thing that keeps you coming back. And that’s because we have good players. The Braves always get guys who are good people with strong work ethics and great makeup. They have the intangibles that make them the best players they can be. And that’s what makes it fun to go to work everyday.”
He said he never really developed a “style” of managing because a minor league manager never gets to pick his team; he just works with what he has.
And he did pretty well at managing the rookies and kids: 1,140-1,145 (.499). Five of his clubs advanced into post-season play and he won 2 championships (back-to-back titles with Myrtle Beach in 1999 and 2000) and 3 Minor League Manager of the Year awards – 1997, 1999, 2000.
He was managing the Mississippi Braves in Pearl in ’05 (Francoeur, McCann, Boyer, McBride, Lerew, James, et al) when an unprecedented 11 “Baby Braves” were called up to Atlanta. Still, Snitker led Mississippi to a 64-68 record in its first year, quite an accomplishment considering that they had just moved to a new city, most of the team’s stars were promoted to fill needs in Atlanta, and the last 8 games of the season were canceled due to Hurricane Katrina.
Snitker said, “It’s my job to hold things together and keep the best possible team on the field every day.”
When Dayton Moore was Atlanta’s farm director, he said, “Snitker is the most highly respected manager we have in our system.”
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish |
| 1981 | Roving Instructor | |||
| 1982 | Anderson Braves | South Atlantic |
72-70 |
5 |
| 1983 | Durham Bulls | Carolina |
59-78 |
6 |
| 1984 | Durham Bulls | Carolina |
68-72 |
5 |
| 1985 | Atlanta Braves | (Bullpen coach) |
|
|
| 1986 | Sumter Braves | South Atlantic |
77-60 |
3 |
| 1987 | Durham Bulls | Carolina |
65-75 |
7 |
| 1988 | Atlanta Braves | (Bullpen coach) |
|
|
| 1989 | Atlanta Braves | (Bullpen coach) |
|
|
| 1990 | Atlanta Braves | (Bullpen coach) |
|
|
| 1991 | Minor League coach Macon |
|
|
|
| 1992 | Macon Braves | South Atlantic |
58-81 |
13 |
| 1993 | Minor League coach |
|
|
|
| 1994 | Minor League coach |
|
|
|
| 1995 | Minor League coach |
|
|
|
| 1996 | Danville Braves | Appalachian |
37-29 |
5 |
| 1997 | Macon Braves | South Atlantic |
80-60 |
1 |
| 1998 | Macon Braves | South Atlantic |
69-72 |
8 |
| 1999 | MB Pelicans | Carolina |
79-60 |
2 |
| 2000 | MB Pelicans | Carolina |
88-52 |
1 |
| 2001 | MB Pelicans | Carolina |
71-67 |
3 |
| 2002 | Greenville Braves | Southern |
65-59 |
7 |
| 2003 | Greenville Braves | Southern |
68-70 |
5 |
| 2004 | Greenville Braves | Southern |
63-76 |
9 |
| 2005 | MS Braves | Southern |
64-68 |
6 |
| 2006 | Richmond Braves | International |
57-86 |
14 |
| 2007 | Atlanta Braves | (3rd base coach) |
|
|
| 2008 | Atlanta Braves | (3rd base coach) |
|
|
Brian was quoted as saying –
“You should expect your team to win. Winning needs to be a priority at this level. Results need to be a priority. You’ve got to have results to show you can play in the big leagues. Pitchers need to win games, and hitters need to produce in key situations.”
Mel Roberts, once Brian’s hitting/first base coach who has known him since the ’80s, said Snitker’s main strength is his communication skills.
He doesn’t do anything that’s just, ‘That’s the way we do it,’ Whatever it takes to get it done, that’s the way he’s gonna do it. When you relate that to these players, they relax, and they’re able to be a little more susceptible to what you’re trying to get them to do.”
After serving as Atlanta’s bullpen coach for parts of 3 seasons, he returned to the Minors in 1991. He didn’t know if he’d ever make it back the the Majors despite having accumulated 1,140 managerial victories with 9 different teams from Rookie level through AAA.
Guy Curtwright wrote for MLB.com:
After what amounted to a 16-year baseball road trip through the Minors, the 31-year Braves lifer is a full-time resident of suburban Atlanta again and no longer a far-away father.
“It was tough. Real tough,” the 51-year-old Snitker said of the strain that being a vagabond Minor League manager puts on family life. “You want to be there, but you can’t. Talking on the phone isn’t the same.”
When Snitker told his wife Ronnie last fall that he’d be home (in Lilburn, GA) the next year, she said, “What?? Were you fired?
Nope, Fredi Gonzalez went to Florida and Brian Snitker was back in the Majors again as 3rd base coach for Atlanta.
“Snit was like a father figure for us in the Minors,” Francoeur said. “Now he gets to be a real dad for his own family.” (He has a son and a daughter.)
“He’s had to miss a lot and I know that was difficult for him,” Ronnie said. “It isn’t easy to balance baseball and family, especially in the Minors.
“But it’s all worked out. He was a baseball player when I married him. We knew what we were getting into.”
'Snit'
Snitker always seemed to have a great relationship with his players and he’s said to be a great communicator. He’s coached or managed all the young players now in Atlanta – and, from what I’ve read, it seems to be accepted that one day he will manage in the Major Leagues. Along with Terry Pendelton, Brian was considered by the Royals for their manager’s position. Bobby’s successor??
It’s just my opinion, but I wonder if he wouldn’t better serve the Braves, Bobby in particular, as bench coach instead of Chino. Chino has managed but his strengths seem to be more in coaching, while Brian is clearly the better manager. That’s just my take on it.
Brian Snitker. He’s been there, done that, and got all the T-shirts. Got to respect those long, long years in the Minors, his perserverance and just plain old doggedness, as well as doing a really good job. Respect for a good guy.
~CL~
Braves & Stuff 
Thanks, CL. Stellar as always…
I didn’t really know much of anything about “Snit.” It’s pretty cool to have a point of reference on all these guys now. Thanks again. 😀
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Thanks, Raisins! I appreciate it. I’ve enjoyed finding out about these guys during this series.
Notice: It’s about time to return to the rotation, so y’all start thinking about your leads! 😀 (Grinch, you’re up next!)
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Great post CL… Professional quality. And yes, Snit would be a better bench coach but I am not sure he has the Spanish skills necessary to communicate with half of the Braves on this team.
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Thanks, Gil! Well, he coached most of them in the Minors so I’d think he knows a little Spanish, at least. Dunno.
Wouldn’t it be interesting if every ethnic group that came to this country demanded that everything be conducted in their native languages so they wouldn’t have to be bothered with learning the language of the nation they choose to come to. Chinese, Italian, Greek, Danes, Germans, French, etc etc etc…. 😯
😆
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Very good indeed, CL! Wonder why a certain beat writer hasn’t thought to write about him??? I swear he(Along with Chino) are the most unknown coaches we have ever had….
And I like the idea of him being bench coach as well!
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Thanks, Berigan! We didn’t know who they were and nobody was writing about them – that’s one reason I had the idea to research them. Who are these guys??
Now I know a little something about them and who they are – and I like them. 🙂
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BTW, I decided not to do McDowell ’cause we all know about him as a player and he doesn’t really have a long enough track record as coach to write about, IMO.
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I especially liked this:
Snitker said, “It’s my job to hold things together and keep the best possible team on the field every day.”
I’d like to see what he could do with the Braves.
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CL, I would too! I just feel it’s about time for a new direction. Get the feeling Pendleton will get the first shot though….even though Snitker has had the harder road….
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I’m guessing FLB is not able to connect in the mountains this time…or perhaps couldn’t take that laptop???
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I get the feeling that TP feels the job has been ‘promised’ to him. And he isn’t manager material, I don’t think. Maybe he is, but I don’t see it.
Well, we know we have at least one more year of Bobby. He’s 67, that’ll make him 68 going on 69. Maybe he’ll retire then.
It rather surprised me that TP took himself out of the running for manager of the Royals. To stay as ineffective batting coach instead of managing a ML team? Just seems a bit odd to me.
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Yeah, I miss her when she’s out of touch.
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Isaac Hayes died.
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CL, I just heard that he died! Did you hear that Bernie Mac died yesterday????
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Did I just hear right??? Kotchman has been hit 3 times since becoming a brave??
John Kruk was hit just once in his ML career, somehow…his cat like reflexes saved him from being hit more often! 😆
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Gil, what’s the update on Jackie??
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JoAnn is waiting to hear from her daughter on how the decongestant is working. They mixed it in with her breathing treatments today. She was doing better today than yesterday, they are finally able to hear some breath sounds on the left side. Still waiting to determine the cause of the pneumonia to begin with. She is still a very sick little girl but prayers are being answered…
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Wonderful news, Gil! Please let us know as soon as you hear!
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Glad to hear it Gil.
Though I know none of you care; the Falcons looked an awful lot better yesterday than they were expected to. It’s finally going to be a franchise to be proud of.
And I have one question: Did I call it or what? After a week or so of bad play with Chipper out and Hampton and Francouer today notwithstanding, the Braves overall are playing at least as well or better without Tex than with him. I told you so, I told you so. Na-na! Now, if we could only convince the Dodgers to take Frenchy as well it would give them the weakest 7-8 holes in the majors and insure we never have to worry about them in the wild card again, Manny or no.
GREAT LEAD, CL! Snitker seemed like a cool guy in Spring Training; I think he’d make a fine manager. He was out there working hard with everyone and very nice to the fans.
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Thanks, Grinch! I’m glad to hear that about Snit. Reinforces my impression of him during my research! (You’re up next!)
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Yes, I heard you the first time. Must be a female thing. 🙂
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Didn’t hear an answer the first time. 😀 Must be a male thing. 😆
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Got an early appt in the morning. Calling it a night!
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It was a statement. Where in the commandments does it say “thou shalt answer those which aren’t questions.”
“I had ham and eggs for breakfast.” I expect your answer by 0600 hrs.
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😆 Hope you enjoyed them! 😆
It is usually courteous to acknowledge someone when you are addressed. Otherwise, how is one to know that the message was received???
Seems that I recall someone…….let me see, who was it??? Hmmmm. Yes, someone FORGOT that a lead was due. Who could that have been? Hmmm.
😆 😆 😆
‘Night, Grinch! 🙂
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I’m sorry, did you say something? 🙂
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Well, a 4-3 road trip is pretty good these days for the braves….especially since Kotchman hasn’t exactly torn it up since switching leagues….Frenchy hit into a bases loaded double play….he must have set some sort of record for that this year….guess we can’t send him back down again though, eh??? Might hurt his confidence, and he might not be able to continue to hit .226….
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Gil, hope your granddaughter is continuing to improve!
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Good morning, Josie has left to go to the hospital to sit with Jackie this morning. Jacquelin had another rough night of it I I think the doctors are going to put in a chest tube this morning. Thanks to all for your support.
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Still praying, Gil.
My work has taken a serious bite outta my blog time. 😐 I have jumped in here to say “Hey” and jump back out to hit the road for about 4 hours.
Later, taters…
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Be safe, Raisins!
Bidding war in the making?
Rangers to open vault for pitching
Posted: Monday August 11, 2008 06:11AM ET
We hear Rangers president Nolan Ryan will open up Tom Hicks’s pocketbook this offseason and make a big attempt to land major pitching help. CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets are likely targets (and Toronto’s A.J. Burnett could be had in a trade). Texas entered last night’s action with a league-worst 5.27 ERA, yet still had a 60-57 record and was in the wild-card hunt. It’s a shame the Rangers have given away Justin Duchscherer, Chris Young, Armando Galarraga, and John Danks in various trades or they’d have a pretty good staff.
Boston Globe
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Red Sox like Rangers catcher
Posted: Monday August 11, 2008 06:12AM ET
The Rangers might provide the Red Sox a chance to acquire a young catcher this offseason. The Sox really like Taylor Teagarden, a righthanded hitter, but the Rangers might hang on to him. That could allow the Rangers to deal Jarrod Saltalamacchia to the Sox. The Sox tried to acquire Saltalamacchia at last season’s trading deadline, but the big switch-hitting catcher went to Texas from Atlanta in the Mark Teixeira deal. The Sox might just have to give up a top pitching prospect to solidify their future catching depth.
Boston Globe
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😀
Astros aren’t interested in Bonds
Posted: Monday August 11, 2008 08:03AM ET
Astros general manager Ed Wade said Sunday the club isn’t interested in signing slugger Barry Bonds as a replacement for left fielder Carlos Lee, who is likely out for the season with a broken left little finger. “I don’t see us pursuing that,” Wade said Sunday. Lee will have surgery today to repair his broken finger, suffered when he was hit by a Bronson Arroyo pitch in the third inning of Saturday’s game against the Reds. Lee leads the National League with 100 RBIs. During a ceremony in San Francisco on Saturday, Bonds, 44, made it clear he wasn’t retired.
Houston Chronicle
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How long is too long to wait for a cancer operation?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080809.wtumour09/BNStory/National/home
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🙄
Barry Bonds: I’m not retired
Posted: Sunday August 10, 2008 08:47AM ET
When he took his final, begrudging bow as a Giant in September, Barry Bonds didn’t speak to his fans. He was too upset about receiving his walking papers after 15 years of record-setting performances and sold-out ballparks. So when he returned to China Basin and stepped to the microphone Saturday night, the sellout crowd at AT&T Park became as quiet as a monastery. No, Bonds did not use the occasion to announce his retirement. Quite the opposite. “It just feels odd to not be in uniform, and the Dodgers are right there,” said Bonds, pointing into the visiting dugout where the Giants’ blue-jacketed arch rivals lined the rail. Bonds peered over his outstretched arm like he was looking down the sights of a shotgun. “I’ve beat you before, I’ll beat you again,” Bonds said. “I’m not retired.” Bonds’ salvo brought down the house and might have inspired the Giants, who rallied to a 3-2 victory in the 10th inning after Jeff Kent’s solo home run put the Dodgers ahead. No major league clubs have offered Bonds a chance to play this season, even though agent Jeff Borris claims that he would play for the major league minimum salary and donate it to charity. Borris has charged the league with conspiring to blackball Bonds and made noise about filing a grievance through the players’ association. Bonds didn’t appear any more out of shape than last season, when he hit 28 home runs and broke Hank Aaron’s all-time record.
San Jose Mercury News
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Hey??? Where is everyone??? Everyone go back to school??? 😕
Adam Dunn has been traded to Arizona! Kinda strange deal, wouldn’t you think??? I guess they had to do something with the Dodgers doing so much better since the playing for a new contract Manny showed up….
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/08/dunn-traded-to.html
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So, who’s left on the Reds anyway?
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Taylor Teagarden? Boy, you’d better be a good hitter with a handle like that. And not a switch-hitter either. 🙂
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Well, too many people are AWOL! I know they are about – some even on the other side of the tracks!!! 😯 – I guess we’ve been deserted. 😦
My cable is off-and-on-again – so I may be missing from time to time, but it’s technical difficulties only!
Got a report, Gil?
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Did anyone hear the service for Skip this afternoon?? Hoped WGST or somebody would have a replay available but apparently not.
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I’m watching MNF; y’all know dat. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to hear the service.
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CL, no I didn’t hear it! 😦 I did record a bit of the local tv news talking about it….saw Leo Mazzone there, Skip’s college roommate…
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There’s only one Teagarden, Jack Teagarden! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tq8ZrLsd2DQ
Wonder if Taylor’s a relation??
Grinch, pay attention, he was all of 52 at the time….he liked to bend his elbow a bit! 😛 he looks more like 70!!!
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I sent WGST an email asking if they would make it available. Here’s hoping.
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Skip’s doctor: “He had to have a pacemaker. We got him better, he got worse. Skip’s wonderful, generous heart just gave out. In spite of his medical problems, the last two weeks were among the best in the last two years.”
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Got a note back from WGST – the Memorial service is up.
http://wgst.com/pages/skip_caray_tribute.html
Links on right side of page.
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Thanks for the link CL! I’ll check it out later….
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It’s now officially August 12.
Happy Birthday, Skip!
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You owe it to yourself to hear this WGST tribute. Terrific! You’ll lol!
http://wgst.com/cc-common/mediaplayer/player.html?redir=yes&mps=hd2.php&mid=http://a1135.g.akamai.net/f/1135/30257/1h/cchannel.download.akamai.com/30257/4189/richmedia/RememberingSkip_mix.mp3?CCOMRRMID=18051887&CPROG=RICHMEDIA&MARKET=ATLANTA-GA&NG_FORMAT=newstalk&NG_ID=wgst640am&OR_NEWSFORMAT=newstalk&OWNER=4189&SERVER_NAME=www.640wgst.com&SITE_ID=1153&STATION_ID=WGST-AM&TRACK=rememberSkip
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Good morning all, another beautiful day here. The humidity is low as well as the moderate temperatures remind us that fall in not all that far away… A far cry from the searing heat normally associated with August.
CL, thanks for the links to Skip’s service. Very moving for me…
As for Jackie, she is still running a fever at night and they are doing some weird things trying to get her de-congested. They are trying to avoid surgery if possible.
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Still praying, Gil.
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I just heard Leo Mazzone on local radio here. He had some great stories. 😀
I’m gonna share a few before I forget ’em.
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With regard to going to the mound to talk to pitchers, he said they were all different. With Glavine, you just go out and tell him what you have to say. With Smoltz, he was alot more emotional. You had to really watch how you told him what you had to say. With Maddux, you better have something of substance before you go out. And with Steve Avery, you better be ready to have him fire something back.
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Great Avery story:
They were in Colorado, and “Ave” had just drilled Gallaraga and Walker back to back. As Leo walked up to the mound, Ave asked him, “Why the @#$% are you here?” Leo responded, “To ask you what the @#$% you’re doing.” Lemke quickly turned and walked back to his position. Ave said, “You finished?” Leo said, “Yeah,” and walked back to the dugout. Bobby asked him, “Is Ave OK?” to which Leo responded, “Yeah, he’s fine.”
He said on the broadcast, Skip was commenting that they must be working up some strategy… 😆
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Smoltz story:
Smoltz was getting knocked around, and Leo went out. He told Smoltz, “You need to get your head out of your @$$.” Smoltz said, “My catcher just told me that.” Leo said, “Good!” and walked back to the dugout. 😀
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You’ll all find this one very interesting.
He was talking about Smoltz early in his career. You should all remember how Smoltz struggled early in his career, especially with the long ball. You probably also remember the sports psychologist, Dr. Jack Llewellyn, who was given alot of credit when Smoltz’s career really took off.
According to Leo, Dr. Llewellyn was given more credit than he deserved, and Bobby was given little to no credit, but was the one who deserved it. We’ve all hashed over how Bobby is sometimes too patient with players, but Leo maintains that the single biggest reason Smoltz was allowed to develop into a HOF pitcher is that Bobby recognized what was there, just below the surface, and refused to remove him from the rotation when most managers would have. Leo says Bobby’s patience is the single biggest reason for Smoltz’s career taking off.
Something to think about… 🙄
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OK… who’s brainstorm was this, and why hasn’t he/she been taken out back and flogged? 😳
http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/gwinnett/stories/2008/08/12/name_gwinnett_braves_mascot.html
Gil, we obviously are not worthy…
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Gotta work now…
Later!
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who’s brainstorm…
Um, I mean whose brainstorm… 😳
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The Braves’ top priority this offseason is pursuing a front-line starter. Possible candidates are C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Ryan Dempster, Derek Lowe, and Jon Garland. Seems a bit odd to consider the last three “front-line,” though Dempster has certainly been impressive this season.
– John Perrotto, Baseball Prospectus
Which would be better? One of Sabathia/Sheets or two of Dempster/Lowe/Garland? Just a thought… 😕
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Great stories, Raisins! Many thanks for sharing them!! 🙂
Still praying, Gil. Hang tough and keep your faith!
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Now I have to get to work… 😐
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Great stuff VOR!!!! 😀 I never would have guessed Avery was so intense!
As for the pitchers available. I don’ think we have any chance to sign CC. Sorry folks. We wouldn’t pay Tex 20 Mil. Well, guess what? CC will get what Johan Santana got. 6 years, 137 million. Why should he get less??? He is more a stud, at least from a finishing what he started standpoint. The Yankees, Rangers, Braves, Red Sox(Hey, Lester is their best pitcher, and if they don’t win this year, they will do something to improve themselves)
Dempster is 13-5 with a 2.92 ERA. Ben Sheets, 11-5, 2.95 ERA. This is by far Dempster’s best year, will he continue to be this good??? Sheets
Derek Lowe 4.11 ERA in a pitchers park. 9-10 record. Will be 36 next year, how much do you pay him??? When Sheets pitches 1 more inning, it will be the most innings he’s pitched since 2004. And if Milwaukee wins the wildcard, a lot more innings on that arm.
Joe Garland is 10-7 with a 4.28 ERA. He gets 12 Mil right now, so he will get a raise….and his career ERA is 4.40.
So, if we make the top offers on 2nd tier starters like Garland and Lowe, it still might cost the braves 28-30 Mil!!!!! 😯
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VOR, you don’t have to do nothin’ but breathe and have your heart beat, and those are involuntary actions, so you don’t have to do nothin’! you can tell your wife I said so! 😛
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They say you can stream the tribute at the stadium, but I am not seeing it right now!
http://wgst.com/pages/skip_caray_tribute.html
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For some reason, wouldn’t play on mozilla, but it is on IE
http://wgst.com/cc-common/mediaplayer/player.html?redir=yes&mps=brown.php&mid=http://mfile.akamai.com/34117/live/reflector:42773.asx?bkup=43395&CPROG=RICHMEDIA&MARKET=ATLANTA-GA&NG_FORMAT=newstalk&NG_ID=wgst640am&OR_NEWSFORMAT=newstalk&OWNER=&SERVER_NAME=www.640wgst.com&SITE_ID=1153&STATION_ID=WGST-AM&TRACK=
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Smoltz talking now about skip….Told a funny story how Smoltz did a broadcast in the dugout during the playoffs against the braves in Chicago…and how they pulled a joke on Glenn Diamond, pretending their were audio troubles. Skip asked Smoltz about the braves playoff chances…I can’t hear you Skip, I think you asked about the Ivy, it’s great. Then next question, sorry Skip, I think you asked about our playoff chances! 😆 Poor Glenn Diamond, hitting all sorts of buttons trying to get the audio!!! 😀
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As for the pitchers available. I don’ think we have any chance to sign CC. Sorry folks. We wouldn’t pay Tex 20 Mil.
Actually, Ber, the Braves wouldn’t pay $20M for Tex, and rightly so. He’s an incomplete ballplayer aided by the fact that it’s an off year for FA’s. If he put up numbers in April, May and June like he does in July, August and September, then he might be worth it. But he doesn’t, as we were reminded 5 times a night for the first half of the season. And October is still out, since he’s never had one. For my money, he’ll fold like a cheap tent like most compilers do in the playoffs. Harsh words for Tex? Maybe so, but tell me where I’m wrong…
Remember, he only drove in 16% of baserunners this season before the trade, as opposed to Kotch’s 18%. Tex had more total RBI because of more chances. And more HR’s? Yeah, but of the 20 he had before the trade, 13 were solo. Which one drove in a greater percentage of the available runners? That’d be the current Braves 1B. How about this, RBI with 2 out and RISP: Tex – 27, Kotch – 44. Dude, that ain’t even close. One more, RBI late and close: Tex – 18, Kotch – 22.
I hope Tex gets everything somebody’s willing to give him. I’m just glad it’s not the Braves…
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Dang… my numbers on Kotch were completely off… and I am and idiot. 😳 😳 😳
I still wouldn’t have given Tex the $$$.
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For the sake of accuracy:
RBI with 2 out and RISP: Tex – 27, Kotch – 19.
RBI late and close: Tex – 18, Kotch – 6.
Those would be 2008 numbers for each, not 2008 for one and career for the other… 😳
I’m going back to work now…
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VOR, I bet you are right about Tex in the playoffs….But….Tex hit .298 with runners on , Kotchman .269….we are still going to get fewer RBI’s from Kotchman. As bad as our relief can be, some of those useless RBI’s he tacked on might make the difference late in a game. His OBP is .71 points lower as well… fewer times for someone else to drive him in.
We should have gotten more for Tex,(Like one of their 6-7 outfielders) IMHO but it’s too late now.
All I know is we have less power now…I still think we may be a better team without Tex…but I may just want to believe that for no good reason.
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And I spend way too long digging up stats! 😳
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My Dad heard WGST will rebroadcast the Skip tribute at 5 pm!
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Harden vs. Morton tonight….good night to watch a movie!
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I will make one post every hour, and still dominate! 😕
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Howdy all, Josie is headed to the hospital as they are going to do surgery this afternoon. Will keep you informed as I get news.
A beautiful day here. Low humidity is so refreshing this time of year as it is usually sweltering. My brain is telling me to go cut down some of the dead trees but my body laughs at that notion every time I stand up.
On the new mascot for Gwinnett, I saw him at the opening game of the season here in Richmond but he was not identified… I wonder why not? 🙂 Anyway, I have several possible names for him but I doubt they will be acceptable to a family venue. Of course with the number of homers given up by the Richmond staff this year, a gopher might have been more appropriate.
Chattahoochee Chuck might be a winner though….
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Close, Gil…’Chop Chuck’! 😆
Oh, and thoughts and prayers for Jackie and family!
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How about “Stupid Looking Buck-toothed Rodent That Has Nothing To Do With Baseball”?
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Will keep the prayers coming Gil!
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All good choices for the new mascot. Wait…what was the name of the Olympic mascot in 1996??? Ahh….google. No not google, answer comes from google, Izzy! 😀
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What, Izzy?
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Izzy_(Mascot)
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Link caught in the anti link filter! 😕
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Any news, Gil?
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Hi all, was waiting for Jackie to ge out of recovery and back to the ICU… Over 2 hours in surgery today, They say they were able to remove some of the infection and now will see how she is doing in the morning. Poor thing was exhausted, hospitals are no longer any fun, no matter how much attention she gets… Will update further in the AM…
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Thanks, Gil. Will stay in prayer!
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Quick drive-by post as I actually get to bed before midnight for a change.
First and foremost, Gil, prayers for your granddaughter. Hard to watch a loved one go through something like that, especially when it’s a little one (believe me, I speak from experience in that matter). Hang in there.
The Skip service yesterday was beautiful. Listened to most of it on WGST. Go to the Web site if you didn’t get to hear it live. I watched the service at Turner Field this morning over the Web. Really wanted to go, but it’s super busy here with the job (my boss now on maternity leave), kids now in school, the Braves blog, the new Thrashers blog that I just got, the package of Georgia football stories I’m writing as a freelance project, getting ready for prep football coverage starting in two weeks, another freelance project that may develop and, oh yeah, sleeping.
Speaking of which … ZZZZZZZZZZZ. 🙂
Take care, good people. Not posting much, but I am reading.
The Scribe abides.
–30–
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Oh yeah, almost forgot … don’t know where the lineup card stands, but CL, if you need a lead at some point in time in the near future, shoot me an e-mail with a due date and I’ll knock something out for ya!
Did I mention I’m also playing softball this fall? First game last night; old man went 1-for-2, meaning my batting average is more than twice as high as Frenchy’s (rim shot).
Now I’m REALLY going to bed. Six hours of sleep? Ah, I’ll feel like I’ve been on vacation for a week when 5 a.m. rolls around.
Later guys and gals!
–30–
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Ailing Phillies righthander Tom Gordon was scheduled to visit California-based Dr. Lewis Yocum yesterday for a second opinion on his right elbow. An MRI exam late last week revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament, which is usually repaired by Tommy John surgery.
— Philadelphia Daily News
Is it just me, or do more elbows seem to be snapping in the post PED era?
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A little random Minor League info to start the day:
Josh Anderson, AAA, batting .313 with a .356 OBP. He also has 37 SB’s. Why isn’t he in Atlanta?
Jordan Schafer, AA, batting just .249 in 65 games due in large part to 73 K’s, but has a .360 OBP thanks to 40 BB’s. Should be looking for an apartment in Gwinnett County for 2009.
Kala Ka’aihue, AA, the forgotten Hawaiian 1B prospect is batting just .262 but has a .407 OBP. He leads the team with 13 HR’s but has struck out 105 times. No truth to the rumor that he has every one of Rob Deer’s baseball cards.
Todd Redmond, AA, is 10-5 with a 3.50 ERA in 23 starts. He has 112 K’s to 25 BB’s in 144 IP. Solid and consistent.
Tyler Flowers, high A, batting .294 with a .352 OBP, 15 HR’s and 76 RBI. He has been charged with 12 E’s behind the dish. With McCann and Sammons ahead in a catcher rich organization, he ought to buy a 1B mitt this offseason.
Gorkys Hernandez, high A, batting .279 with a .359 OBP. He has 18 SB’s. Keep on workin’, brother. Won’t be too long.
Duente Heath, high A, is 9-2 with a 3.11 ERA in 14 starts. He has 53 K’s to 41 BB’s in 84 IP. Only high A. A little better control and he’s on the way.
Jason Heyward, low A, batting .325 with a .390 OBP, 11 HR’s and 51 RBI. He has made 8 E’s in RF. He’s still growing, guys. That’s scary. He is the future.
Brett DeVall, GCL rookie, 3 starts, 9.2 IP, 0.93 ERA with 7 K’s and 2 BB’s. A token shot of this years #1. Nice start.
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VOR, good stuff. I think Duente Heath got bumped up to Mississippi last month, though.
With Freddie Freeman (1B) blazing at Rome and McCann dug in behind the plate for years to come, what do you think is the likelihood of Flowers becoming trade bait? I’d like to see him in Atlanta, but where on the field?
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uH… RIGHT FIELD???
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Correct you are HB. At AA, Heath is 3-4 with a 4.26 ERA in 9 starts. He has 38 K’s to 25 BB’s in 50.2 IP.
Also, I seem to have overlooked another fellow there in Pearl. Tommy Hanson is 7-3 with a 3.39 ERA in 15 starts. He has 93 K’s to 31 BB’s in 82.1 IP after the promotion from high A Myrtle Beach where he was 3-1 with a stellar 0.90 ERA in 7 starts that included 49 K’s to 11 BB’s in 40 IP. For the season, opposing batters are hitting just .182 against him. He, of course, threw the 14 K no-hitter on June 25. Since then, Hanson went 4-0 with a 1.52 ERA and 58 K’s in 41.1 IP in his next seven starts and was named Southern League Pitcher of the Week. How’d he respond? Last night, in 6 IP, he struck out 10, walked 1 and gave up 2 runs on just 4 hits. I think I like him… 😀
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Yikes! 😯
The Bravos are playing last night’s make-up game! They’re on Peachtree TV.
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Morton is struggling in the 2nd. He has given up 3 walks and 2 runs so far. There are 2 on and still nobody out. The bully is already up on a day that they play 2. Dang. 😡
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2 K’s in a row might salvage his start.
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Fukudome (can say that?) grounds out to keep it at 2-0 Scrubs.
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OK, I can’t keep up the play by play as I am actually trying to work. I’ll try to provide occassional highlites…
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Charlie’s gone in the 3rd after 70 pitches, 4 walks, 4 runs.
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If DeRosa had been stealing CF, he’d have been out. Unfortunately…
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Buddy stops the bleeding. What a valuable guy he has been, huh?
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Bases loaded for BMac with 2 out in the 3rd…
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The cow is choppin’… 😀
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😡
Popped up to short…
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Cubs have a 139+ run differential over their opponents, best in the Majors…..The Cubs right now are like a fantasy league team. They have crazy offense, a ton of arms that throw in the upper 90’s, 3 starters that would be #1 starters on most teams.
If we were talking about any other team than the Cubs, it would be easy to hate them. But, 100 years have past since they have won a WS, and so very often the most talented team doesn’t win it all….I will root for them this year, for their long suffering fans to finally know what it feels like to win it all….
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Voice of Raisins Says:
August 13, 2008 at 11:03 am
Josh Anderson, AAA, batting .313 with a .356 OBP. He also has 37 SB’s. Why isn’t he in Atlanta?
Good question VOR! In fact, I heard Lemke and Pete talking about it the other day….he was brought up since he had something like a 16 game hitting streak and was hitting .450+!!! I forget who said it first, but I think Lemke said they should bring him up and Pete said I agree…..
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Scribe, I wish my back was up to playing softball….enjoy it! 😀
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Hard to believe Giavonny Soto is a rookie….he just chewed out Marquis a bit, and Marquis took it….
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4-1 bad dudes after 4.
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Bobby just got tossed by the 3B ump for something…
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Joe West stopped the game in the bottom of the 4th because the lights had come on and the rules say they can’t come on in the middle of an inning. So he had them shut off. Then, to start the 5th, he stopped the action after the pitcher warmed up to have the lights turned on. Of course, it takes a short while for them to warm up. Bobby complained that he stopped the game to turn the lights back on after his pitcher warmed up and is making him stand around, so Joe tossed him. What an @$$.
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Yes, yes he is….
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Edmonds doubles, and all you hear is cheers….
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Jim Edmonds as a cub 14 HR’s 38 RBis(I guess 39 now) .273 + BA in 173 AB’s….not bad for a guy everyone thought was washed up….
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Wasn’t game one the only game you could use your tickets for from last night the 1 PM game??? Man, what a money making scheme! Get some fans to buy tickets for this game, collect the money from last night, and get money from the game tonight….
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For those not watching, and reading this later…looks like maybe 10K in the stands….
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Chip just said Josh Anderson’s hitting streak is now at 19 games at Richmond….
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You all know how I hate to criticize Bobby…. 😛 but perhaps he should have stuck with Buddy a bit longer than 1 2/3 innings after Morton only went 2 1/3 innings. I guess the thinking is he might need Buddy again in the 2nd game… But to use 2 pitchers in 4 innings….Oh well…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7jG91sPvf0
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Just think, the Cubs GAVE us Infante and Ohman(I a trade I hated at first, but have to admit I was way wrong about-Wren is a good GM, I think it’s safe to say) and are still this good. And they are good in spite of Pinella. Why the heck take Marquis out there?? Worried about 8-2 in the 6th???? 🙄
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Soriano just stood at the plate and admired very long single. 😀
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Soriano just stood at the plate and admired very long single.
He’s done that before in a 3 homer game vs. the Braves last year. It led to Hudson nailing him the next day, …which led to Lilly hitting Edgar Renteria in the chin with a pitch,…which led to Edgar planting an elbow in Fontenot’s jaw on a steal attempt,…Which led to Lilly throwing at McCann’s face earlier this year,… which led to Jeff Bennett breaking Soriano’s hand.
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I love long pointless games! 😕
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It’s come full circle again, hasn’t it Hill???
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Bobby Howry caught his spikes, fell, and threw a perfect strike! 😆
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How did this game become a Cubs home game? 😕
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10-2….loved the lets go cubbies cheers in the 9th. 🙄
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And now Bueno gets tossed for throwing at Soriano in his next at bat. I’m all for a retaliations but you’ve got to stay away from the head, Rookie.
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Well, there is but one bright spot following that pantload: At least there is one player on the roster who has the cahones to buzz the tower of an opposing batter. Soriano pulls his normal crap against Bueno, who is making his ML debut, and young Mr. Bueno sends a little message back. Bravo for Bueno, my new favorite young Brave. It’s about time somebody showed a pair.
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Uh, HB, maybe you should stay away from the head… I guess… but it was still refreshing to see. 😀
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Shifting gears on the fly, and changing channels just as rapidly, is it unpatriotic to root against Serena Williams in Olympic tennis?
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It would have almost been funny if the ball had hit him in the hands that were above his head at the time…..
Well, I should do work related stuff for awhile….or nap!
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No VOR, just racist! Like saying anything against Obama! 😛
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I am working! 😀
Obviously, I could press a little more diligently…
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As he swims into history, Phelps gets little attention in China
http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/08/13/sports/14phelps.php
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He has alot in common with human rights, air quality and population control! 😀
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VOR, yes I’m proud to see that Bueno didn’t roll over for Soriano. Glad the kid showed some guts. Just don’t kill the guy. I bashed Lilly for going for the head against Edgar last year and McCann this year, so I’ve got to stay consistent in my beliefs. Put it right below the armpit and make it hurt alot.
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Harden is 32-0 when he has a 4 run or more lead….gonna watch a movie….does that make me a bad fan???? 😕
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No Ber… It just makes you practical…
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News, Gil?
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Gonzo isn’t rocking! 😕
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I tell you what! This blog is happenin’ place to be, isn’t it??! 😆 😆
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This is interesting !!! See if your brain is as old as your body ~ or ~ (perish the thought) ~ OLDER !!
Instructions:
1. Touch ‘start’
2. Wait for 3, 2, 1 countdown.
3. Quickly memorize the numbers’ positions on the screen, then click the circle from the smallest number to the biggest number.
4. At the end of game, computer will tell you how old your brain is.
http://flashfabrica.com/f_learning/brain/brain.html
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testing … 1 2 3
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My Brain is 36…..what a coincidence, that’s my IQ number as well! 😉
I could do better, but I can’t seem to see all the numbers in time when there are 6+ on a page. Pretty cool
!
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No, no, 3, 2, 1! 😛
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I keep trying. Not sure if my posts are in the filter or what.
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They are here FLB! I will be vacating the computer in a sec though…..
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OK, maybe it’s working now.
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I posted the other night & nothing showed up, Ber. And the laptop is really not being cooperative. Y’all will be glad to know Mom is getting a new one.
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OK, quick update while I have a connection. Lots of work getting done here. The fruit salad wallpaper has been eradicated from my kitchen & all the cabinets primed. Need to shop for a new range. (I guess the purple Aga is out of the question- $4775 )
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Gil, sorry I haven’t been present but I’ve been thinking about you & Jackie. Hope to hear good news soon!
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Purple AGA, FBG?
For the rest of us, here is one:
http://www.homeportfolio.com/catalog/Product.jhtml?superCatId=2&catId=6&avId=10216&prodId=200667
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Purple??? This is how we do it in Woodstock! 😆
http://www.us-appliance.com/dcsranges.html
My wife’s a baking fool…and I can burn with the best of ’em. Can’t beat the tools o’ da trade! We indulged, yes, but we’ve gotten much enjoyment, too. Of course, I have to run more than ever to take in what the oven gives off, if you know what I mean!
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Filter bound…AGAIN! I love the company here, but the censor has to go!!! 👿
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Saltman, it sure happens to me most with links in a post…
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Outscored 18-2 in the double header….yikes!
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What makes the Cubs so much better than us??? Well…a few years ago, the Cubs signed Aramis Ramirez to a 5 year, 75 Million dollar contract when he could have left that offseason. Would we have signed him, or traded him away?? Derrek Lee signed a 5 year, 65 Million contract in 2006. Would we have signed him in early “06, or traded him away???? Mr Hotdog himself, Alfonso Soriano(Still on pace for 33 91 even though he will likely only play in 113 games) 8 years, 136 Mil would we…of course not…Carlos Zambrano 5 years, 91 Million in the 2007 offseason. We wouldn’t have signed him last offseason, would we???
Plus they have gotten lightning in a bottle with Edmonds,and the very high energy Reed Johnson both released….both doing a lot better than our right fielder….
but, being cheap for so many years is catching up with us….we can’t even begin to play with a team like the Cubs right now….
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Hi folks, Jackie is still in intensive care but doing a little better each day according to her doctors. They are predicting however, another 5 to 7 days in the ICU. Sigh…
Braves are officially in the tank now….
Scott Thorman hit a 3 run homer for the Canucks yesterday against the Chinese team. He was also twice hit by a pitch. Message?
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And contrary to reports… He is over age of 16….
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Still praying for Jackie, Gil…
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Completely random bit of news:
James Blake upsets Roger Federer in Olympic tennis today!!!
Wow!
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VOR, you must be tickled pink with both Williams sisters losing! 😛
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Gil, still praying for Jackie as well….and by the way, thats a very cool name! You never hear that name anymore, smart move for her parents!
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Speaking of cooking appliances, we aren’t quite so advanced here in Jefferson, but we get along OK… 😀
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😆 That’ll work, Raisins!
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something went over my head, cooking appliances???? Zoom….
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Carrol posted this on her new blog…
since the July 29 trade.
Tex: .340 in 13 games (17-for-50) for the Angels with two doubles, four homers and 13 RBIs.
Kotchman: .173 in 14 games (9-for-52) for the Braves with two doubles, one triple and 5 RBIs.
Think Kotchman is suffering the blues, after going from a playoff team, to a sub .500 team??? Trying too hard???
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Games on, in case y’all didn’t know! 😉
Boog and Joe were talking about Frenchy, and Joe said talking to scout’s that they think Frenchy is still very dangerous a hitter, and any day now, he will snap out of it…and that if the braves wanted to put him on the market, 29 teams would be interested…..I didn’t know they served hard liquor at the Ted! 😛
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Games on, you don’t have to watch though! 5-1 in the 3rd. On our way to being swept in the season series by the Cubs for the first time since….since, well since ever! Gonna watch a lot of movies this month I guess. 🙄
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Berigan show continues….I had given up on the game, showered, still had the game on in my room, saw Kotsay hit a homer, then Yunel score from first on a double, 7-4….hey, we ain’t givin’ up! A high pop-up that Kotsay completely missed, next thing you know, 9-4 inthe 5th….snakebit, is a good word to fit this team….at least it’s not a dull game! 🙂
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Hey, Mark Kotsay has just hit for the Cycle! I think they say only the second one in Atlanta Braves history! Can that be true???? Congrats Mark! 🙂 🙂 🙂 11-7 now!!!!!
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What is the scoop on Glav? Did he look hurt? Did he look rusty? Did he just plain suck? What was the deal?
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Dunno, Raisins; just got here myself. All I know is that he allowed 7 runs in 4 innings. 😦
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Did you see where F. Bueno was suspended for 3 games + a fine for ALLEGEDLY throwing at Soriano? Some of Soriano’s team mates need to have a talk with him.
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from Carroll Rogers: JF says “I just flat out stink”
“I’m not swinging at the slider away, and I’m laying off the high stuff,” Francoeur said. “I know the book on me is just beat him with some fastballs because I can’t get to them. I think a lot of it has to do with maybe I worked out too heavy in the offseason and got too thick [in the chest] and my swing got long. But I’ve got to adjust. I need to shorten up and get my foot down.”
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Half of the battle is knowing there is a battle. I’m still a believer that JF will become a very productive hitter. It’d be nice if it was sooner than later…
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Glavine wasn’t bad, it just harkened back to the days of the playoffs, where teams either refuse to swing at the outside pitch, or go with it. Ramirez’s home run was low and outside, just a good piece of hitting….
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Frenchy is a lot smarter than Andruw, but….It just worries me. I saw him just pop up a middle of the plate 93 MPH fastball yesterday. Should have creamed it. He doesn’t seem to be able to catch up with just a decent fastball. You get excited when he singles up the middle….I don’t think he is overly built….a lot of guys with much more muscle than him(A-Rod for example) don’t have the same problem….They showed him from the side camera angle on the single, and it just looks like a bad swing…hmmm, just now checked the box score, didn’t know he hit a homer! I guess I was cooking and missed that…I knew it was 11-7. Good for him! Biggest game in awhile, lets hope this is the start of something big!!!
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Good evening y’all. Congratulations to Kotsay on hitting for the cycle! I’m not ready to give up on Francoeur yet. At least he knows there’s a problem. Very disgusted with Bueno’s suspension. I don’t condone throwing at someone’s head but this isn’t the first time Soriano has pulled that stunt. Lou should have benched him.
The Aga (or Viking or any other really nice range) is just a dream. I’ll get the most economical smooth-top range I can find.
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Hey, only got a sec. Berigan, Francouer’s still listed on the Braves site as 6’4 220 which is what they drafted him at 5 years ago. He’s put on 15-20 pounds since then, and not fat. He’s 6’4 235-240, A-Rod’s 6’3 225. Rod’s not “much bigger and stronger.” If anything, A-Rod’s overstated a bit; Jeff was projected to be a safety at Clemson and had the frame to bulk up to TE in the NFL by most accounts; he’s had to work to keep himself slim for BB. I saw him in ST; he may be pathetic in how he’s swinging, but he’s a noticeably bigger and stronger man than A-Rod.
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When will these guys realize they need to add muscle to their legs and not their torso? The Frenchman did look better at the plate tonight however, a bit late for this season but maybe there is hope…
I have become a fan of Kotsay. He has convince me…
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Hmmm… a thought occured to me last night (an event that is indeed noteworthy) in that Kotsay has been a very steady, when healthy, veteran player this year. Given that Schafer, the heir apparent, has not progressed to the point of being ready to take over CF in ’09, and given that they stand to gain very little by letting Kot walk in FA, would they attempt to bring him back for another season? Or would they hand CF over to Blanco for ’09 and look for a bopper for LF? Or would they go with Anderson/Blanco in LF/CF for ’09? Many questions, and hopefully an effective prompt for discussion today… 😀
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A few observations and opines from the nosebleed section of Stuffville Stadium:
“I think a lot of it has to do with maybe I worked out too heavy in the offseason and got too thick [in the chest] and my swing got long. But I’ve got to adjust.”
Maybe French is on to something there. Too bad he, TP or someone else didn’t think of that in, say… June. Then again, his theory seems to fall apart since he hit for average in early season. I’m inclined to think chest thickness is not the problem. More likely it’s a brick problem. He’s thick as a brick.
Glavine’s return last night was ugly. Kinda sad really. As a sure first-round lock for HOF and with his Atlanta legacy tarnished but redeemable, he now has more to lose than gain by continuing to pitch. All things considered, it’s probably best to retire now. Either that, or take the rest of this year on the DL, throw on the side, get on a super duper strength/conditioning regimen (maybe with Mazzone?) and, IF deemed effective and healthy, come back next year for a final bow as a 5th starter or in the pen… with the lowest contract price possible packed full of performance/endurance incentives.
Ditto all of that for Smoltz, although his shoulder condition is probably beyond reasonable hope. He may not be a lock for HOF (he’s a sure lock in my book). Possibly after his first few rounds of eligibility he’ll get in. Hopefully. Also hope he stays with the club in some capacity.
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Same as I posted earlier this year, I support instant replay. During the regular season, just use it for home runs. In post season, use it for any controversial play. I’ll also support QuesTec.
The umpires have gotten out of hand and their Union is obviously not concerned with accountability or improvement. Sad but true, hard but fair. As a traditionalist, I’d rather not have replay or technical assistance on calls at the plate, but something has to give.
Also, Joe said something last night that I’ve been wanting for a while… send Houston Astros to the AL West. Then we’ll have balance, making all divisions equal with more sensible schedules for all. Further, drop at least some of the interleague games and spread the NL around more so that all NL teams face all NL teams the same number of times.
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SG: First, I like the Astros and would hate to see them demoted to the Junior Circuit. Second, could you imagine a DH in the Juice Box? He could hit 80 HR’s without Barryaide. Why not ship off Arizona and move Houston to the NL West?
All that said, you can’t really do any of that because you’d have an odd number of teams in each league, and either have one team off every night, or one team in interleague every night. One team in interleague isn’t practical, since its novelty is what makes it work. One team off won’t work because NO team is ever off on the prime attendance nights of Fri., Sat., Sun. not to mention Wed.
Eventually, they will probably further water down the league and add 2 teams to the AL. Gotta make that dough, right?
Last, given that the Wild Card is a league-wide competition, the unbalanced schedule is unequitable from a competition standpoint. Much like the interleague “natural rivalries” of Cubs/ChiSox and Cards/Royals are unequitable.
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Grinch, for the very first time, you and I are going to have to agree to disagree! 😉 Perhaps A-Rod just wears tighter uni’s….but doesn’t he look pretty big? http://bp2.blogger.com/_0rS-IKrMHEI/Rk-2al3Hv1I/AAAAAAAAADU/xZ9bU6EyFsQ/s400/A-Rod.jpg
Look at those legs! So strong, so… um…anyway…
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Help! trapped in the Salty filter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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And as much as we all dislike Barroid, his massive muscles sure didn’t hurt him….of course, every build is different, but Manny got in the BSOHL, didn’t hurt him either…..
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VOR, AZ wouldn’t be a bad idea either….Astros have won 8 straight, and 16 of 20….but they are in the wrong division right now……
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How about this…
Send the D’Backs to the AL West, shift the ‘stros to the NL West, and use interleague to fill in the cracks. Rather than have “interleague portions” of the schedule, use it to make the odd league numbers work. Therefore, watch out for a little mathematics here, you would play the AL as 1/15th of you schedule, or 10.8 games out of 162. Obviously you can’t play .8 games. So, since you’re messing with the current structure anyway, expand to 165 games, and play 11 with every other team in the NL and 11 interleague. They’ll never can the home/home “natural rival” games because they generate too much cash, so that gives you 6 with your “natural rival” with 5 remaining. You are perfectly balanced within your respective league, bringing competive balance to the Wild Card, you keep the interleague cash cow, and you add 3 revenue generating games to the schedule. The biggest downside is that baseball would have to play one interleague series at all times, including two teams’ season opener and two teams’ season closer.
Disclaimer: I do not advocate this, I’m just posting it because it was brought up, and I wasted way too much time working on the math…
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Upper body strength does not help a batter increase bat speed, which is what produces a home run swing. Lower body strength, as Gil so aptly pointed out, does help increase bat speed as the legs/hips start the whip motion that the bat finishes. Strong forearms aid in the process by allowing the hands to bring the bat through zone as the “lash” of the whip. As big as Barroid is, as big as MacGuire is/was, have you seen their legs? Look at Pujols’ legs. That’s where they were aided, not in the chest. Jeff needs to lean out and regain some of the flexibility that he may have lost. Also, the additional 15-20 pounds can’t be good for that perpetually balky ankle.
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Ted Lilly, for the 3rd outing vs. the Braves, dusts off another batter, and once again nothing is done about it. Add that to the fact that we’re 2-3 innings away from a season sweep, the Cubs are smoking the ball all over the park at will, and nobody will even so much as back them off the plate to keep them honest?,…much less put their foot down and retaliate for Lilly’s shenanigans? The only one out there with a brass set is a rookie in his major-league debut?
These pansies should be ashamed of themselves. If I was Escobar, I’d tell my translator to tell Blaine Boyer, Vladimir Nunez, and Will Ohman where they could shove it and how far. I’m not a head hunter, but I didn’t buy the MLB Extra Innings package to watch Ted Lilly pimp slap his 25 b*#@!&$ all over the field again without remorse. Plain and simple, the Braves let the Cubs punk them, and the city of Atlanta let the Cubs’ fans punk them, in their own house. I’m fed up with this organization and everything related to them. I am Randy Quaid in the Major League movies…a passionate fan who can stand the sight of his team anymore.
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Dear Frank Wren:
If the Braves organization is satisfied selling tickets to whomever, and not be terribly disturbed that Turner Field sounds more like Wrigley, or Busch, or Fenway, then I no longer want to be an Atlanta Braves fan. The past two days was utterly and completely disgusting. My saving grace is I wasn’t at the park, otherwise, I’d have been very ill.
I don’t ever want to hear the visiting fans make Turner Field their home game. What are you and Liberty Media going to do about it? Where’s the commitment to filling every seat in the ballpark? Need a tip: consult Arthur Blank!
It’s safe to say that John Smoltz, Tommy Glavine, and Bobby Cox have stuck around long enough to see the organization go full circle…it’s 1990 all over again. Your challenge: how does 2009 become 1991? Real fans want to know!
Mad Salt
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How to move a bull
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Raisins, good work on the NL/AL thing. I’m still sticking to my suggestion but you made very good points and I’ll just have to trust you on the math.
Calm down Salty… the world isn’t ending. We still have Liberty to buy us the talent, Bobby to manage the team and, hey, a chopping cow. How bad can it be?
The Braves Nation seems to be crumbling at the feet of all comers and we’ve apparently turned the Ted over to the Cubs and Mets, but oil prices seem to be temporarily on the decline. We’re in a recession, even though the Fed is not divulging real inflation numbers, bailing out the mortgage industry and propping up certain banks, which will fall like a house of cards very soon. China is still cheating in the Olympics, Russia is still the evil empire, North Korea is still run by a dangerous midget, Iran is planning to Nuke Israel and Islamic terrorists want to destroy us all…
Other than that, everything is just hunky dory. 😯
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SG: You forgot “Have a nice weekend.” 😀
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Or as Dan Rowan might’ve said, “may the bluebird of happiness not poop on your head”. 😆
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The past two days was,/i> 😯 was? I hate when I do that!
…and, hey, a chopping cow. How bad can it be? Silly me! You’re right, SG…how can I be so blind! 🙄
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Look at it this way: we’re not in last place. We’re owned by a patriotic company named Liberty. We have three HOF players, two that are previous Cy Young pitchers and a third baseman that’s, if not the best, one of the best in the game. We have a pitcher in Mike Hampton that lead the NL in wins in 1999. Did I forget our HOF manager? Slap my hand.
Not good enough? How about our disinterested, bottom-line oriented, short-term profits owner? Old and retiring players?
Hmmm… not pretty. Well alrighty then, try this:
We have a high school standout in right field who was featured in Delta commercials and made the cover of SI.
We have a second baseman in Kelly that is unsure and downright timid at times.
We have a shortstop that used to have spunk but now seems to just be cocky without backing it up with field work or hitting and seems depressed or distracted all the time.
We have Chipper. Not sure how many games next year, but we have him.
We have, uh, someone… a bunch in left field.
We have Kotsay in center. Not sure about his back or next year, but he’s out there now.
Uh… how am I doing? Feel better yet? No? Yikes.
OK, try this:
Our payroll goes way down after this year. Not necessarily good for the team, but good for Liberty. Uh, um… how about, we have HOF Cox again next year. Uh, nevermind.
There must be some good news and optimism for next year. I’ll try again:
We have Jair and Campillo, Carlyle, Moylan, Ohman, Soriano and Gonzo. 😀
We have McCann, Chipper, Infante. Grin:
We’ll have to sort out the rest, but we have some good kids.
All in all, lot’s of talent, but a good, solid .500 club. 🙄
Now I’m depressed. Maybe somebody has good news for next year?
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Yes, I have been watching the Braves decline for several years now. Smoke and mirrors and spirit gum not to mention duct tape has held together the Braves for several season. The house of cards has been exposed… I shall not forget Skip Caray’s words several season ago when he said enjoy the winning while you can because it is not going to last forever…
Yes, I felt the Cubs dissed us last night but then again, they are the Cubbies, no one really expects them to make it out of the play offs do they?
I will say one thing about Roger Clemens, no one ever hit a teammate of his without getting the proper payback.
And news on the Granddaughter… She is better today, finally… Thanks to many for your thoughts and prayers. The doctors are going to take the chest tubes out tomorrow and maybe let her go home Monday or Tuesday.
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Good news, Gil. Still praying…
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Ditto Raisins, Gil. We’ll hope for Monday.
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Wonderful news, Gil!! Thanks for the update!
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Glavine back on the DL. 😦
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Whattaya know! DOB got married! Reading about Glavine and saw this:
By David O’Brien
August 15, 2008 4:06 PM | Link to this
Wednesday night when setting my clock radio alarm, I hit the power button and the Braves/Cubs game was on. My wife commented that she didn’t realize that the baseball season was still going. Not a Cox Fan
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Gil…great news on Jackie. Despite SG’s very depressing recap 😛 , your news has made it a good day!
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CL, I believe that was a clipped-quote from another blogger. DOB was just referring to/responding to that. He’s still single I presume. Otherwise, he’s blogging while on honeymoon. Wouldn’t that be grounds for divorce?
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Then I mis-read it, SG. I rarely keep up with things over there. Thought that was awful quick! 😆
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I haven’t been keeping up over there much either CL… or anywhere else for that matter. Just strolled over there earlier and remembered it.
This week has been so busy that I had just enough time to read y’all’s posts and hit the pillow. No brain power to post. Had to listen to Mr. Fly snore every night in the hotel. Other than that he’s a pretty good traveling buddy. Cheap to feed too.
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I’ve read exactly two leads over there in several months, and commented on none. That would be amusing to see him get married; love to see the expression when the ol’ lady puts his motorcycle and all his obscure records up on ebay so he’ll pay more attention to her. Would someone remind me again why people get married? Willingly signing a contract designed by definition to compel you to be unhappy is perhaps the most fascinating of all human behaviors to me. BTW, the Raiders and Titans are playing on NBC.
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Grinch, words you must never, ever utter are: “Will you marry me?” NEVER!!! I don’t care how drunk you are! 😆 Don’t even go out on a date.
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CL, have no fear. I’ve been so drunk I woke up one morning on my couch and looked out the window to see my car parked perfectly in my driveway. I thanked my roommate for driving me home from the previous night’s party (which had been 30 miles away). He told me not only did I drive myself home, but also a half dozen other people covering about an additional 75 miles. I leaned forward and some lettuce fell out of my hair; I asked what that was all about and he said we all stopped at a Waffle House, I ordered a salad (which I had never done before or since at any restaurant) and then dumped it on my head when it arrived. I didn’t even remember driving TO the party.
But I’ve never been and never will be drunk enough to ask someone to marry me, you can bet your cute little cheeks on that one. 🙂
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I like my house too much, among other things.
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Gil, I am happy to hear that Jackie is doing better!
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Great news, Gil!!!
Is anyone else alarmed by Grinch’s story? Please, green one, don’t make a habit of driving in that condition. We’d like to keep you around.
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Gil, that’s great news!!!
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Yes FLB, but I get the feeling he won’t listen to us….
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Not at all; I agree with you both. Had I known I was doing it, I wouldn’t have done it. 🙂 That was a long time ago though; I don’t do that sort of thing anymore. Meaning I usually find a DD.
Glad to hear it, Gil.
I’m going to the game with my Dad tomorrow; maybe we can just enjoy the atmosphere if nothing else.
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Grinch, I can give you lots of reasons for marriage but when one thinks the only reason another person wishes to get married is to get their stuff, then that person is seeing the wrong type of people. My wife didn’t have to marry me to get my worldly possessions, I would have given them all to her anyway.
Now baseball…. Phew, that smell emanating from Turner Field might just be the team stinking up the place… JJ looked good tonight, however, the offense took the night off again. And wither Escobar???
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I can’t seem to sleep. Gil, you’re correct in that I’m seeing the wrong kind of people. But different types of wrong kinds are all there are to choose from, for the most part. I understand that there are some people such as yourself who have happy marriages, and the fact that the very slim but real possibility that it can happen makes the whole process that much more dangerous in that it gives at least one tiny, tiny part of the mind a touch of hope. However, I have observed many, many, many marriages in my time and I can think of exactly 6 couples I know that appear happily married at the moment, and four of them are from this blog.
And I don’t think women set out to take your stuff; I think they find someone who they consider to be interesting, independent, funny and challenging. Then they decide that save for a few little flaws, that person is perfect for them. So then they marry him, and proceed to try to fundamentally change him and eliminate those flaws. Since you can’t fundamentally change someone without a great deal of effort and tragic results, the emotional warfare begins which women are considerably better equipped for waging. Once our woman has beaten our man down to where he does, in fact, do exactly as she says and hops from task to task like Quasimito, she all of a sudden realizes that he’s no longer interesting, independent, funny and challenging. Which is his fault; he proved weak for eventually giving in to her shrieking demands.
THAT’S when she takes his stuff and starts over. 🙂
I know they’re not all like that, and almost none of them appear to be at first (if they did, nobody would ever get married). But being a bit of a poker player, I know that betting you’ll get one of the almighty few who aren’t by signing on the dotted line is like betting a 7-2 off suit; you CAN win but folding is the considerably wiser option.
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Escobar’s going through some emotional growing pains himself, IMO. He’s not being allowed to play Cuban style like he wants to, he’s got a nagging injury that’s keeping him from being as effective as he should be, and he’s pouting as a result of that combination.
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Grinch, my friend… tough, smart guys like you wind up falling the hardest. When the right lady (green, hairy and wears really big, yellow pumps) finds you it’ll be a nice, soft, interesting landing. Just remember, the right, smart gal may feel just as you do about the whole thing. Kissed a few frogs already and got nuthin’ but a strong dislike for hopping amphibians.
Now, baseball: It’s possible that Yunel isn’t injured or pouting… maybe he’s recently hooked up with one of the Grinch’s castoffs. For Green card? 😆
Now, hopping back to amphibians: Did anyone see Phelps’ win his 7th gold medal last night? Amazing. Right down to the wire stuff and he won by an outstretched finger’s length. He and Spitz were on a split screen interview afterwards… good stuff. Costas was a bit annoying as he can be, but it was pretty cool to see the two together on the historic occasion.
Phelps got phirst by a phinger. Phrikkin phantastic phinish!
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My wife didn’t have to marry me to get my worldly possessions, I would have given them all to her anyway. – Awesome Gil from Mechanicsville
Beautifully stated, Gil.
My green friend, may I just say that I went many years doubting that I would find anyone who would a.) put up with MY crap, b.) not have her own crap, and c.) well, I can’t think of “c”, but I’m sure there is one. My own place in life was pretty messed up and I couldn’t seem to put one foot in front of the other without creating another stressful scenario from under which I would have to dig. Whether it was job, band, money, girlfriend, girlfriend’s husband (those were bad, BAD times), you get the idea. Anyway, when Mrs. Raisins appeared on the scene, it was like finding the combination to the padlock on the door to sanity. All the tumblers fell right into place, the lock came open, the clouds parted, the sun came out, etc. My life literally changed at that point. And while I certainly can’t claim to be living a charmed life, I can claim to have a beautiful marriage that enables me to cope with my life, highs and lows. I WAY outkicked my coverage when it comes to Mrs. Raisins.
She’s out there for you, too, Greenie. Watch out when she shows up… 😀
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The Braves filled (Glavine’s) roster spot by purchasing the contract of right-hander Matt DeSalvo from Class AAA Richmond to provide depth for a fatigued bullpen. DeSalvo won’t start for Atlanta, Cox said. He was 2-11 with a 4.60 ERA in 32 games (seven starts) at Richmond. – ajc
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Gil, Raisins, SG – y’all are just terrific and I’m incredibly happy for all of you.
Now here’s one I never thought of before: Bi-national. What?? A line from a news article I was just reading about the US border fence:
“It’s crazy,” said Victor Clark Alfaro, director of the Binational Center for Human Rights in Tijuana. “I don’t see the justification to spend $60 million on an area that’s no longer an important crossing.”
(The US is only catching about 60 a day at this crossing so it is “unimportant”. 60 x 365 = 21,900 annually).
BINATIONAL??? Why do Mexicans feel they have the “right” to come into this country at will, anyhow?? They sure don’t extend that “right” to any other nationals to come into THEIR country. One-sided, as usual.
The real solution to the problem is to take away the jobs, free medical care, food stamps, and all the other freebies they get. Remove the incentive. In the states that have gotten serious about illegal immigration, the illegals are leaving. Problem solved. This year the guy running for governor who favors a tough stand on illegals is the one who gets my vote.
Getting off the soapbox right after this: news reports covered the high unemployment in the US recently. More and more American jobs are now held by illegals – so unemployment went up. What is the solution? I blame the business people who hire them at lower wages and pocket the difference. Greed. No jobs, no government hand-outs, no illegals.
Soapbox stowed.
For now….
😆
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CL, thanks for the compliment, but I can’t claim such a noble gesture as Gil. It would have been very easy for me to give my wife everything I owned when we met, had I actually owned anything of value. Well, she could’a had everything ‘cept my surfboard, flip-flops, tattered jeans and favorite hawaiian shirt.
Other than that, she wouldn’t have gotten much except debt from college loans and orange crate record shelves. Neither of us had much of anything except each other and a dream of ‘the good life’. Funny how that phrase ‘good life’ has changed meaning over the years.
Now, politics: Bi-National must mean, if you weren’t born here or come here legally, you have to ‘buy’ your way in… hence buy-national. Trouble is, the coyotes are the ones getting the money.
Once the border is protected, the cost to get in will go way down but the time to get in will go way up. First, learn english. Second, read the constitution, become familiar with the three branches of government and learn about the American way and American culture. Third, get a job and pay taxes. Fourth, don’t commit crime or your butt is out of here forever.
For a shortcut to citizenship, volunteer to be vetted and serve two years of military service with an honorable discharge at the end of your term.
Do all of that and I will fight for your right to be here and I’ll CONTINUE to treat you with respect, hire you, appreciate your heritage and culture…
and love your food.
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Now I’ll get off my orange crate. 😀
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Y’all might enjoy this from email:
As the bus stopped and it was her turn to get on, she became
aware that her skirt was too tight to allow her leg to
come up to the height of the first step of the bus.
Slightly embarrassed and with a quick smile to the bus driver, she reached behind her to unzip her skirt a little, thinking that this would give her enough slack to raise her leg
She tried to take the step, only to discover that she couldn’t.
So, a little more embarrassed, she once again reached
behind her to unzip her skirt a little more, and for the
second time attempted the step.
Once again, much to her chagrin, she could not raise her leg
With a little smile to the driver, she again reached behind
to unzip a little more and again was unable to take the step.
About this time, a large Texan who was standing
behind her picked her up easily by the waist
and placed her gently on the step of the bus.
She went ballistic and turned to the
would-be Samaritan
and yelled,
‘How dare you touch my body!
I don’t even know who you are!’
The Texan smiled and drawled,
‘Well, ma’am, normally I would agree with you,
but after you unzipped my fly three times,
I kinda figured we was friends.’
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CL, 😯
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Seriously, 😯 !
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😉
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CL.. 😆 😆 😆
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I blame the business people who hire them at lower wages and pocket the difference. Greed.
CL, I think you know how I feel about legal immigration and illegal immigration. Bear with me for a moment as I play devil’s advocate.
Many of the businesses that hire illegals do so out of necessity and not necessarily greed. In order to stay in business, they are forced to take shortcuts. I am in restaurants every day (and have been for many years now) and I can tell you that many of them simply wouldn’t exist without their owners cheating and hiring illegals. I’m sure the same can be said for landscapers, contractors, etc., etc. Oftentimes they are the only ones that will do certain jobs for minimum wage (or less) and quite frankly, their work ethic is waaaay stronger than that of the average American. It’s a shame unfortunately, but a reality. Imagine where our economy would be if we didn’t have that cheap labor.
On a side note, I think that welfare, food stamps, etc. actually pay better than minimum wage (for a whole lot less effort). If those programs were handled differently, people wouldn’t have such a great incentive NOT to work.
That being said, I am not supporting hiring illegals here. Just trying to show another view of the situation.
Bottom line: We have a big problem in this country. Who’s going to fix it?
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Chris, you are right….to a point at least….I do agree that illegals work harder than the slacker generation(s)
And I am sure more whites and blacks would work in landscaping, construction, IF there were jobs open to them….Who needs American workers when you can hire a guy off the street that if he gets hurt, well, you don’t have to worry about workers comp, or lawsuits…or providing him with health benefits, 401K, etc, etc…
Glen Beck was talking about some Mexican kid, a 15 year old working in a meat packing plant….how he got a serious cut on his arm, was bandaged up, and forced to go back to work, and his arm started to bleed again…tough luck, keep working!!!
as to your last question??? Good question??? I sure have no idea….
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Mat DeSalvo’s stats… not so encouraging… obviously they are taking the “warm body” approach.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Matt%20DeSalvo&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=451774
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Well… 90 K’s in 88 IP isn’t so bad. The 53 BB’s is, though.
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Yes, VOR and SG, I counted y’all among the six. 🙂
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BTW, VOR, you SURE Mrs. Raisins is the right one for me too? She must really be a special gal, and you an understanding guy. (Read your last sentence in relation to the one before it). 😛
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I joke, I joke. Anyone else gonna be at the game tonight? They can have a few brews with me and Grinch the Elder. He’s a hoot, I do assure you. Though he doesn’t like baseball (he’s just going to check out the ladies).
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VOR, Bobby loves walks, don’t ya know! 😀
Grinch, hope you see a win today. Giants suck too much to beat us 4 out of the last 5 games, right????
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Berigan, I would have said so at any point in the last 10-12 years or so up ’till recently, but they’ve got pretty good starting pitching. Which doesn’t mean they don’t still suck, but not as bad as we do.
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Grinch, a few folks at my office had good tix offered for the game last week but by the time I got out of my last meeting it was well after game time. That game wound up being rained out anyway, so nothing was lost except time I’ll never get back due to too much work.
Should be a nice day at the park today. Sounds like Pappa Grinch is going along to be your off-field spotter. 😀
Have a good’un.
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I think they are bringing up DeSalvo so Brian Boyer will look good by comparison, besides, no one will claim him off waivers when they send him back down….
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Man, missed almost all the game, seeing no comments, figured we were getting our butts kicked…nope, winning 11-3! Frenchy has 4 hits???? 😯 When was the last 4 hit game, April??? Last year??? Wow! Hampton pitched 6 innings, gave up 2 runs! Grinch will be excited no doubt!!!!
It rained buckets on the southside this evening, thought there wouldn’t be a game….
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Maybe Elder Grinch is good luck for the Braves.
VOR, “girlfriend’s husband”?!? 😯
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I can relate to Grinch’s viewpoint from the other side of the gender gap. At this point in my life all the nice guys are taken. All that’s left is the frogs SG mentioned & they’re only interested in looks & “availability”. I don’t really see matrimony in my future.
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I can relate to Grinch, and you, FLB….
Thats why I am ordering a Russian bride! 😀
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Good luck, Ber. At least she ought to look good.
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Hey, order you a Russian ice skater, those boys would love to train in the warm weather!
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No rink in Rabun County. Besides Russian men tend to be the Casanova type, seems to be a cultural thing.
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OK, time to pack up the laptop. We’re headed back to Florida in the morning (apparently just in time to prep for a hurricane ). See y’all tomorrow night.
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FLB, hopefully it will just be a big ol’ rainmaker!!!!
One of the 5 players the Braves traded for Tex, Matt Harrison, pitched 8 shutout innings against the Rays on his 23rd birthday, for a win. But hey, lefty starters are a dime a dozen, right? 😕
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Listened to Smoltz and Joe in the booth last night – Smoltz did a super job! Just as smooth as if he’d always been there. Good chemistry between the two. Very entertaining! Hope he’ll be there often!
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Trivia –
Aug. 20, 1933: National League home run leader Chuck Klein added to his total of 20 by belting three in one game against the Reds. Klein was still a good way behind the overall leaders – the Athletics’ Jimmy Foxx (36) and the Yankees’ Babe Ruth (28). At that point in the season, the American League had 477 homers compared with 350 for the NL.
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Cell Phone Information
Cell phone companies are charging $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411
Information calls. Since no one carries a telephone directory in
their vehicle, they get away with it.
When you need to use the 411 Information option, simply dial 1(800)
FREE 411, or 1 (800) 373-3411; you will incur no charge. This works
on your home telephone as well.
This is the kind of information people don’t mind receiving, so pass
it on to your family and friends. If you enter this number into your
cell phone you will always have a way to get a phone number if you
need one.
VERIFIED ON SNOPES:
http://www.snopes.com/inboxer/nothing/free411.asp
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CL and FLB….I haven’t forgotten about the Skip Carey stuff! I just need to get…organized….I didn’t need to record the game for FLB, but I needed to make a copy for CL and myself….and I smartly would record something off the DVR on disc, and write something like…Skip on the disc…CL’s disc??? My disc? FLB’s??? Good question! Plus, there are more than one disc for each party….recorded the rainout game that still had a hour long tribute to Skip. Now, before I delete it, have I recorded it 3 times????give me time….
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Yep. Most popular place on the web.
I think it’s days are numbered. 🙂
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Now CL, braves lost, and it’s the weekend….they’ll be back tomorrow!
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Where was everybody today?
Back home now. Every update seems to shift the projected path around so I may or may not be boarding up windows tomorrow.
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OK, one last thing before I go check the forecast…
Happy Birthday, Grinch!!!!
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Happy Birthday Green One….
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To the green-tinted one, HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY!!!
😀 😀 😀
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FBG: I wouldn’t be terribly worried about the incoming storm. I listened to a national meteorologist type dude this morning who stated that if it gains hurricane strength, it’ll be a Category 1 at max, which means Florida and Georgia will get alot of rain, which they need. There are alot of media outlets, including the ajc, referring to it as “Deadly Fay” or “monster storm” when in fact it really isn’t that monstrous or deadly. Of the 35 blamed deaths, 30 occured in Haiti when a bus tried to cross an already flooded pass and got swept away. I don’t blame those deaths on Fay as much as I do stupidity. If enough irresponsible media continue to “cry wolf” for the sake of sensationalism, folks will start being unprepared when the real deal approaches. As usual, though, agenda takes precedent over accuracy.
OK, I can climb down now…
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You are so right, Raisins. Gotta be excitement 24/7/365 so they can show off. There hasn’t been a REPORTER in many years. Preening drama queens aplenty! 🙂
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Well, the last direct hit we had was “only” a Tropical Storm (Gabrielle). And that caused plenty of damage as far as trees going down, power outages, etc. It was forecast to come ashore in the late afternoon. Trouble was, it sped up in the night & I woke up at 5 am thinking my bedroom window was about to blow in (we were going to board up first thing in the morning). A Cat. 1 is not something to dismiss if you happen to be where it makes landfall. At this time it looks as though it might go in to the south of us but that can change very quickly.
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It is hilarious (and cringe worthy) to watch these “weather reporters” get all giddy and foam at the mouth when a storm is coming. It’s the only time they ever get to act like a reporter or an expert, so they go completely over the top nutso. Their weatherman right of passage seems to be standing in hurricane force winds and driving rain while reporting. Idiots.
But enough about that.
Happy Birthday to The Grinch.
We’re glad you moved from Whoville to Stuffville. And no matter what they say or what the Who’s sing over there, you’re not a “mean one”, Mr. Grinch.
You are green, but you’re a good banana.
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And people here are pretty good about preparing. They remember the 4 hurricanes that tore through neighboring parts of Florida a few years back (they are still rebuilding). Prior to that a lot of people took it way too casually. If we were staying here, we’d get roll-down shutters installed.
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Happy Birthday Sir Grinch-A-Lot! 🙂 Hey, now report from the big game??? No report on the babes? 😕 What gives?
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Braves game at 4:35 on sports south. That’s a weird time!!! I got stupid for a sec and thought they were playing the Giants in San Fran! 😛
Barry Zito pitching, YES! Oh wait….he’s a leftie….lets hope we can overcome that fact!
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Barry Zito (6-15)
2008 salary: $14.5M in the 2nd year of a 7 yr./$126M deal.
vs.
Jorge Campillo (7-5)
2008 salary: ML minimum prorated from April 10 callup. Not arbitration eligible ’til 2011.
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
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I had some very strange dreams last night. The one I can mention here…..I dreamed Frenchy had been traded to the Royals! And when I woke up, I was so confused…I was really wondering if I had heard that before going to bed….
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FBG: Here’s a pretty cool map to track Fay a she approaches:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/news/weather/stormpulse.current.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
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V, I sure hope we get some of that rain!!! I’m going to be quite unhappy if everyone else gets 6-8 inches of rain to our east, and we get 1 inch…I have this crazy dream that someday I will be able to wash my car in my driveway again….
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Ber, I would just like for my lawn to look like a lawn again…
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Somewhat surprising new addition to our cleared waivers list – Braves center fielder Mark Kotsay. Apparently a number of teams are interested in the resurgent Kotsay, though not enough to take on his remaining salary. – Ken Rosenthal
Why is he so surprised? Hasn’t he been reading the B&S colossus? 😀
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The Braves nearly acquired Jason Bay in July, and will be in the market for a slugging outfielder this winter. They’ll also be looking for a quality starter, likely in the Ryan Dempster/A.J. Burnett/Jon Garland range. – more Ken Rosenthal
Apparently he has been reading the B&S colossus…
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More on Kotsay from Rosenthal:
Kotsay clearing is a bit of a surprise since the A’s are paying most of his salary. Kotsay can block trades to eight teams. The center fielder is having a nice comeback season with a .782 OPS in 324 plate appearances.
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Voice of Prognostication:
1.) Kotsay is traded to Tampa to replace Crawford. Deal isn’t done until the deadline as the Braves will look for the best deal. Anderson gets Sept. 1 callup and gets lion share of playing time. Schafer gets callup at Pearl’s season end and gets token playing time.
2.) Braves sign Ben Sheets as FA.
3.) Braves sign Juan Rivera as FA.
4.) Braves make a run at one of the aforementioned 2nd tier pitchers.
And… are you ready for this one?
5.) Kelly Johnson is NOT the Braves 2B in 2009, and neither is Prado.
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Bobby on Jo-Jo starting game 1 at Shea tomorrow night: “I like Jo-Jo, but there comes a time when you’ve got to be in charge on the mound.”
😀 That’s awesome…
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Excellent info, Raisins! Thank you!
FBG, I’ve learned that you never take any tropical storm for granted. The “lesser” ones are bad and it just gets worse from there. Saying a prayer for your safety and your property.
Happy birthday, Grinch!
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I know he doesn’t come here anymore, but it is also Jersey Gil’s birthday.
Happy birthday, JGil!
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“Apparently a number of teams are interested in the resurgent Kotsay, though not enough to take on his remaining salary.”
Man, teams are cheap! What are we talking about??? 1 1/2 million???
Honestly, I think the Rays don’t want to give up real prospects, and therefore we shouldn’t give him up, unless we would re-sign him over the winter. I don’t care if he only gets 400 AB’s he’s a good guy to have playing center, especially if HGH man isn’t the same player he was before using….Blanco is a gamer, but I wish he hit .280 with a high OBP……261 BS is just barely ok….
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“It’s the only time they ever get to act like a reporter or an expert…”
SG, the only correction I would make is that they ‘get to act like THEY THINK a reporter or expert…” Not being reporters, they only have a vague idea of what they are supposed to do. To the majority, it is simply ‘face time’ on TV. “Hi, Mom! Look at me!!”
And most of them look like bobblehead dolls. They all obviously took Head Jerking 101. Must have sore neck muscles those first few months.
I’ve never understood the point of standing out in 100+ mph winds and rain, screaming into a mic. It proves…..what….?
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It is also Miss Josie’s birthday today…
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Ber… The difference between 260 and 280 is about a hit a week. If he had one more hit and one less walk, he would bat 280 pretty easy. He is hobbled by a bone spur tright now and let’s not forget, he is still a rookie.
Anderson will be up in September, he has a 23 game hitting streak in Richmond going…
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Happy Birthday Josie!!!!
Gil, didn’t know about the bone spur…I like him a lot, don’t get me wrong….I just feel that we shouldn’t give away Kotsay, assuming that Blanco or Schafer will be swell in 2009….and I was really against Kotsay at first.
I just fear losing out on Burrell, or whomever would be on the list to trade for(Bay might get traded if the Sox sign Tex) and having Blanco/Anderson and Schafer filling 2/3rds of our outfield.
I saw a guy with a 3 letter name who used to post here, posting on the other blog saying we only need to worry about getting pitching. Well, Cleveland and Toronto didn’t do so well this year with great pitching…..
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS JOSIE!!!
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Well, Barry Zito is a total stud, and umm…..you know, a lefty…. 🙄
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Happy Birthday Josie! Same birthday as the green one… scary. 😀
Well, looks like I missed an exciting game today. The box score looked abysmal. Are the Braves going to just sleepwalk through the rest of this season? A Zito shutout? Too bad I had to work… could’a taken a good nap watching that slumber party.
Until a few years ago “the road to the World Series always went through Atlanta”. Now the road to recovery for slumping teams and struggling pitchers goes through Atlanta. It’s like the Ted has turned into a turnaround clinic for mediocre opposing teams.
No matter what ails, y’all c’mon ovah heah tah Atlayntah and we’ll jes fix ya right on up ahyat tha TED (The Easy Diamond).
🙄
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The new “Big Easy.” 😦
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Some interesting comments (excerpts) from Greg Doyel (CBS Sports):
“That’s why the Rays deserve Barry Bonds. They deserve him because they deserve something, anything, to give them an August and September boost. They deserve Barry Bonds because they are competing with the Red Sox and Yankees, two teams bloated on financial HGH, two monsters who treat baseball like a stupid seventh-grader treats a kindergarten playground — by twisting arms and bloodying noses and thinking he has done something special.
You haven’t done anything special, Red Sox and Yankees. You’ve spent your way to the top. You’re the Paris Hilton of baseball, successful because you’re rich, a winner only because there’s no plausible way for you to lose.”
WTG! 😆
http://www.sportsline.com/columns/story/10936560/rss
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Shilling says he is leaning heavily towards retiring.
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10937940
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“The major league leader in losses, Zito has won just 18 of 58 starts since signing a $126 million, seven-year contract with San Francisco before the 2007 season.” Ouch!
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/gamecenter/recap/MLB_20080818_SF@ATL/rss
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We still have a 12-game lead over Washington. 😀
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CL, who’s to say that Barry Bonds could even hit after such a long layoff, his post steroid/HGH physical deterioration and the sedentary lifestyle he’s led for so many months (not much cardio in court)… much less, start playing in late season and be expected to actually help a team like the Rays or anyone else?
I believe he would be the opposite of what the Rays or any team in the hunt would want infecting the clubhouse and stinking up the field.
As far as Schilling goes… he is right next to Smoltz in my book, in terms of being clutch, competitive warriors. Two of my all-time favorites right there.
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I agree, SG. The writer of the article seems to think Bonds would be right there. Bonds was quoted as saying he’d be ready to play in 24? hours, something like that?
He’s really humiliating himself by trying to con anyone into signing him. Mr Bigshot’s agent openly said he had offered Bonds at league minimum and there were no takers. Getting the picture, Baroid??
I truly and sincerely hope NO ONE signs the … the …. uh ….. well, just fill in the blank with your favorite expression! 😆
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CL, I’d fill in the Barroid blank but I’d probably get caught in the filter… then you’d blush sumpin’ fierce when you retrieved it. 😆
I’m gonna call it a night. Sleep well and sweet dreams.
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Sleep well, SG! Hope you have a restful night!
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MADDUX TO LA
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8464664/Report:-Maddux-off-to-L.A.-to-bolster-Dodger-staff?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49
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Dodgers reportedly will get Maddux in trade with Padres. If this is his last year, he should get a chance to go out a winner! Of course, he has pitched 19 more innings than anyone else on the Padres, and has a 3.99 ERA, so if he wants to, he should pitch next year!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3541723
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❗ I like ❗
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Steal my thunder why don’t ya, CL! 😡
See if I tell you the discs are in the mail for you and FLB!
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Drat! 😦
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Good for Maddux. The Padres sure weren’t giving him much support.
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I hope Miss Josie had a lovely birthday! (I have great faith in Gil in the “making-Josie-happy” department.)
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Looks like Fay is going in around Naples. I hope it’s not too bad.
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Happy Birthday Mrs. Josie!!!
(I hope I got this in before tomorrow!)
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AAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!
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Happy belated Birthday, Mrs. Josie. 🙄
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It still counts, VOR. How come you’re still up?
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Working late…
I’m trying to get stuff sent out (via email) to partners, clients, etc. Just wrapping up before catching a couple of hours sleep, then get up with the family to get everyone off to school. My son’s football practices put a dent in my schedule. Plus, now that Mrs. Raisins is teaching, there’s more domestic chores to be done. Hence, a little catch-up time at midnight.
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Beddy-bye time.
G’night FBG, throw out the anchor and batten the hatches.
G’night B&S…
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Make sure you get enough rest. The world won’t end because a little laundry got put off for a day.
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(How does one batten, anyway?)
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Me no do laundry. KP more like it.
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Good morning! Where is everybody? I’ve been here since 6:30!
With no major Florida hurricanes in the past two years, officials were worried complacency could cost lives as they repeatedly urged people across the state to take Fay seriously. But no storm-related deaths or injuries have been reported. – Associated Press
Is it just me, or does that carry a tone of disappointment?
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Bravos @ Schmets tonight. First pitch – 7:10pm from that dump known as Shea Stadium. Jo-Jo Reyes (3-9) vs. Oliver Perez (9-7). The game will be broadcast on Peachtree TV, so for those of you not in the local PTV area, you cannot get it. Lately, though, that may not be such a bad thing…
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“No team I’ve ever seen in baseball has been decimated like this. It would kill any team. Imagine the Red Sox without [Josh] Beckett and [Jon] Lester. Pitching is 70 percent of the game. Wang won 19 games two straight years. Chamberlain became the most dominating pitcher in baseball. You can’t lose two guys like that.”
— Yankees owner Hank Steinbrenner
What a whiney-butt. He doesn’t pay much attention to the NL, does he? I wish the Braves had lost only 2 pitchers…
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Work beckons…
Later! 😀
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Below is a column from the Birmingham News about Nick Saban written by Kevin Scarbinsky. How come no one writes about the Braves this way? Alabama has been a mess since the Bear died but at least the fans and media demand excellence.
Forbes gives Alabama football coach Nick Saban too much power. Nick Saban is the most powerful coach in sports … who’s lost four of his last five games. Saban is the most powerful coach in sports … who’s one game over .500 at his current job. Saban is the most powerful coach in sports … who hasn’t had a winning regular season in three years. That must be what Forbes magazine meant to say when it put Saban on the cover of its September issue and called him “sports’ most powerful coach.” Period. The more fitting headlines just wouldn’t fit.
Surely, Forbes didn’t mean to suggest that Saban is more powerful than Mike Krzyzewski. Coach K has won three national titles and didn’t have to share any of them with Pete Carroll. The Duke basketball coach is the absolute monarch of his program, but it’s a title he earned rather than having it bestowed upon him, and his pull goes beyond his state, his conference and even his country. USA basketball put him in charge of no less a task than restoring order to the universe by bringing back the gold medal with our Olympic team in Beijing. Krzyzewski’s so powerful, the NCAA has looked the other way at his national TV spots for the likes of American Express, which are nothing more than Duke recruiting commercials. They wouldn’t dare pass a Krzyzewski Rule. And few people outside the IRS know exactly how much money Krzyzewski pulls down each year because Duke, as a private school, doesn’t have to release his salary information.
But forget college sports. Saban may not even be the most powerful coach in his own coaching family. His mentor, Bill Belichick, while leading the New England Patriots to four Super Bowls and winning three of them, has been above the law in the law-and-order NFL. He’s thumbed his nose at the league’s dress code, with those threadbare, thrift-store hoodies, and at the anti-spying regulations. Roger Goodell did hit him with the largest fine of a coach in NFL history at $500,000, but the get-tough commish didn’t bench him for a single game. Even DJ Hall got suspended for a half. Belichick’s so big, literary heavyweight David Halberstam wrote his autobiography. Power is having your life story penned by an author who also profiled Robert Kennedy.
This is not to say that Saban isn’t powerful. Alabama did give him the keys to the kingdom, but Alabama is the British Empire of college football. It ain’t what it used to be. Territories it once ruled, like Auburn and Mississippi State, have declared their independence with a vengeance.
As much sway as Saban has over his school’s administrators, alums, boosters and fans, there’s one group among his constituents that has yet to completely bow at his feet and kiss his LSU-BCS ring. His players. If Saban truly were the most powerful coach in all of sports, would he have to hire the Pacific Institute to brainwash, I mean, mentally condition his players with daily affirmations like, “I am a bad man”? Wouldn’t it be cheaper to bus down and watch Auburn practice? You know, to fully grasp the concept by the face mask. That’s power where it counts. Right in the mouth.
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Greetings all, nothing like a losing season to cause interest to wane. One thing for sure, things always change… Sometimes we don’t know who the key is but when they leave, things change…. Can be your team, can be your job, can be your family but there is always someone who is the glue that makes the difference. Now if an organization is on the outs, change can be good and it may take a while to find the right folks but if your group is at the apex then change is usually a killer…. Just the way things are…. It’s hard to find that perfect chemistry. It’s even harder to keep it going…
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I never cared for Chemistry, personally. I had it 4th period, right after lunch. It was nearly impossible to stay awake. The instructor had a large squirt-bottle filled with water, that had Hydrochloric Acid in large, bold letters written on the side. If she caught you napping, she’d squirt you with it. Kind of a startling awakening. My best friend was my lab partner. As I recall, there were only two fires that were directly attributed to us. 😀
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Gasp!
From the Olympic front: Spain’s synchronized diving team has been banned from wearing flashing swim suits. No, not that kind of flashing… They have small battery powered lights in the suits. Could give new meaning to “swim shorts.”
My question is, where do they keep the batteries? 😯
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He may be a rookie, but Gregor Blanco has proved he’s got staying power. – Jenna Marina, ajc
Um, Miss Marina… How long has it been since your last grammar lesson?
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More from Miss Marina: And for Blanco, baseball is all about fun. With some encouragement from the Braves, he hopes to continue having some.
I hope he continues to “have some” too. 😀
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Once he gets on base, he really gets going. Heading into Monday’s game, Blanco led Atlanta in stolen bases with 11.
Yeah… he’s really going. Blazing… 🙄
Wonder what she’d think of Willie Taveras’ 58?
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Well… that was a nice little lunch respite. Back to the mill…
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Hey WW! Long time no see! Yeah, Bobby gets a free pass from the media in the ATL. I wouldn’t want it to be as bad as it is in NY when Jerry Manuel takes Santana out in the 7th, instead of having that 140 Mil pitch til his arm falls off during a game…but it would be nice to hear some criticism sometimes…I have cut down, since it isn’t like the early part of the season where they lost games that were well in hand….they are beaten up by powerhouse teams like the Giants, and are out of games in the 3rd…..
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A lot of money for a guy that hasn’t pitched 200 innings since 2004!!!
Astros Players Hope To Recruit Sheets
By Tim Dierkes [August 19 at 10:00am CST]
According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz, Astros pitcher Roy Oswalt plans to make a recruiting pitch to Ben Sheets. Sheets will be a free agent after the season. Lance Berkman would love to see Sheets sign with the Astros as well.
Pairing Sheets with Oswalt would certainly change the look of the Astros, who could slot Wandy Rodriguez at #3 or #4 and sign an additional free agent starter. As with most free agent signings, Sheets carries plenty of risk. He’s already thrown 162 innings this year, his best since ’04. Has he shaken off the injury bug?
Sheets should get at least three years, and four is feasible. $16-17MM per year sounds about right.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/
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Back to the mill??? Paper?? Puppy??? 😡
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Yeah, Berigan, any criticism of anyone related to the organization would be nice. But after three years of pathetic performance, the Braves owners and front office types are a bunch of untouchables. No one writes a bad word about Bobby, JS, Wren, McGuirk, Liberty Media. I’ll never understand the control the Braves exert over the AJC. Do they brainwash them in some dark room in the bowels of the Ted?
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WW, perhaps if Atlanta had several papers, and there was competition for stories, if other reporters were saying to the AJC writers that they were brown nosers… Perhaps Liberty and time/warner before them, give the writers lots of freebies…
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Hey, ww!
DOB has made it plain in the past that if he doesn’t talk nice, he doesn’t get ‘access’. No access, no news/blog, ratings, etc etc etc.
But I agree. HONEST reporting (oxymoron?) is needed.
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CL, I have to say, watching the post game interview with Bobby on Sportsouth, if the Braves have lost, he doesn’t really fulfill his obligation to the media, gives one word answers…unless someone points out something positive about the game…then he’ll talk.
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I see Jo-Jo is up to his old tricks… 3 walks in 1 2/3 innings. Down 2-0 already. 😐
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Jordan Schafer (ATL)
News: Schafer continues his strong second half as he went 3-for-5 with two home runs in Monday’s win for Double-A Mississippi. He’s hitting .328 with three home runs in August. (RotoWire – Tue. Aug 19, 2008 )
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Cody Johnson (ATL)
News: Johnson went 2-for-4 with a home run in Monday’s win for Low-A Rome. He now has a franchise-record 23 home runs and is hitting .253/.303/.477. (RotoWire – Tue. Aug 19, 2008 )
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Tommy Hanson (ATL)
News: Hanson threw six shutout innings on August 10th, fanning 10, then followed that up with 5.2 strong innings on August 16th, allowing one run on one hit. He now has a 3.27 ERA with a 99:35 K:BB ratio in 88 innings for Double-A Mississippi. (RotoWire – Tue. Aug 19, 2008 )
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A tale of two pitchers. After a shaky 1st and 2nd innings, Jo-Jo has settled down and is pitching a pretty nice game.
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Interesting comments on Francoeur from the Mets announcers –
Bobby Cox took JF aside and said “Let’s go watch some tapes” and pointed out some problem areas. That’s when Jeff started hitting recently.
Hmmm. Whither TP??
The announcers (I have no idea who they are) also said that young players aren’t spending enough time in the Minors to learn how to fail and recover. Interesting thought.
Also said that many young guys like Francoeur who were big stars in high school, college, etc. played once a week or a few times a week and simply had to learn how to play everyday. Probably true.
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Another 3 up, 3 down 6th. Jo-Jo is suddenly pitching a very Glavine-like game. Down and away, down and away, mixing speeds, fastball inside to keep ’em honest… It’s workin’. 🙂
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Good article by Mark Bowman if you haven’t already seen it:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080819&content_id=3333611&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
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These Braves, playing a playoff contending Mets team in NY, look nothing like the Braves that sucked at home against the Gi-nats. Good pitching, timely hitting… weird stuff. 😕
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I think maybe they try a little harder against NY. Maybe? 🙂
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Of course, they left two big potential insurance runs on base in the 7th. Let’s hope that doesn’t come back to haunt them…
Bennett’s in to pitch the 7th for Jo-Jo.
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CL: I know I do. 😀
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A very quick 3/3 inning for JB in the 7th.
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Mets walk Bennett??!! 😀
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More ruuners left on in the 8th… thin ice… 😡
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with the top of the Mets order coming up…..
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2 on, 1 out in the 8th for the Schmets… 🙄
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Now bases loaded, 1 out…
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Gotta go!!! 😯
Talk about timing…
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bases no longer loaded….. 😦
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…sigh….. g’night…..
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Picked a good game to go eat, then work out during, eh what????
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Ok, ready to talk…so, who’s here??? Grinch??? BAS??? FLB???? Chris???
Me, myself, and I????
Where has the Grinch man been of late??? Did he meet his true love at the game, and is on his honeymoon??? 😀
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Good evening y’all. My sister convinced me to watch some Olympics & tape the Braves. I take it that was a good choice?
Ber, Grinch just started up school again.
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Good story on Boyer, CL. I like the attitude he’s taking, seeing this year as a learning experience.
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About time you put in an appearance, WW. I swear I’m going to have to figure out how to make the smell of cookies waft through the blog to get you boys back in the fold here.
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Well, even though my exit was hasty and unexpected, it looks as though I left at just the right time…
“I just made a very below-average pitch to a very above-average hitter, and he made us pay for it.” – Will Ohman
I suppose you gotta appreciate his honesty, even if it is about his ineffectiveness.
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Damion Easley greeted reliever Julian Tavarez with a two-run single. – ajc
Big surprise there… 🙄
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Julián Tavárez’ number with the Braves:
In 16.0 innings pitched, he’s (0-1) giving up 5 runs (4 earned) on 15 hits, 1 HR, 6 BB’s, 13 K’s, 2.25 ERA, with opposing hitters batting .259 against him.
His numbers don’t seem as bad as I would have thought… 😕
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‘Morning, y’all!
You may already know about this but here is a virus alert:
New Spam: From CNN and MSNBC?
I have received several phone calls this week from readers saying they have been getting a ton of spam e-mail from CNN and MSNBC. The e-mails have headlines indicating they are breaking news alerts from either of the very popular news companies. Now, I’m sure all of you are smart enough to know that CNN and MSNBC would not actually send out spam, but where are the e-mails coming from?
Well, the e-mails are an attack from a botnet. Currently, several Web sites have been taken over by the worm and they are sending out millions of e-mails a day. While the e-mails look like they are from CNN and MSNBC, they’re not.
If you receive an e-mail from CNN or MSNBC, do not read it! You should immediately delete those messages and mark them as spam. Reading those e-mails and clicking on the links inside will put your computer at risk. You will be prompted to install a file that says it’s an update for the Flash player. That’s actually a virus. Installing that program will infect your system and turn your computer into a spam machine.
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I pity all of you PC users out there, having to worry about such things as viruses and worms. Mac swats them like gnats. 😛
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Thanks, CL. Funny thing is, I have no interest in anything CNN or MSNBC has to say, anyway. 😀
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Hi, SG.
If you’ll send me a new one, I’ll start using Mac. 😀
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Raisins, if I had two I would.
Just dropped in to see what condition your condition was in. Work is seriously cutting into my… well, you know.
You know your team is playing bad when they not only lose the games they probably should lose due to being overmatched, but they also lose the games they should win. Like last night… snatching defeat like that.
The only ‘clutch’ we seem to have is the clutch of kids on the team. Good eggs, but still baby Braves.
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Well, that’s all I got… gotta get on the treadmill, so to speak.
One tarnished old quarter right here, but it’s still good.
Y’all be good and have a good day.
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‘Morning, Raisins and SG!
I agree; the Communist News Network has nothing to say worth hearing or reading. And the other networks are just as bad. News? Propaganda mills is more like it. grrrrrrr 🙂
SG, a good AV and Firewall stops most anything. Love my PC! 😆
Gotta get to work myself. Catch you on the next coffee break! 😀
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If this link works, and doesn’t get eaten by the filter, you gotta check it out. It is one of the funniest things I have ever seen..
http://www.kilmer-family.com/videos/CapoeiraFighter.wmv
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Raisins,
awesome, sir.
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Raisins, that is so funny!! And haven’t we all seen that behavior (in one form or another)!!? Terrific!
Hey, BASteve!
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Raisins, I just noticed your new avatar! Absolutely hilarious!!!
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Good article about cuban baseball:
http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/07/cuban_baseball200807?printable=true¤tPage=all
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Hiya, CL.
Thanks for the link, Braveheart.
Long read, but well worth it.
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Pertinent numbers from the guy across the street:
In 20 games for the Braves, (Casey Kotchman’s) hit .157 (11-for-70) with three extra-base hits (no homers), five RBI, seven walks, 10 strikeouts, a .259 OBP and .214 slugging percentage. He has no extra-base hits in his past nine games, no RBI in his past 10.
This from a guy who, in his last 11 games for the Angels before he was traded, hit .319 (15-for-47) with three doubles, four homers, 10 RBIs, one walk, two strikeouts, a .333 OBP and a .638 slugging percentage.
Somebody should check the Turner Field home clubhouse for a fungus or something…
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It’s the stupid COW!
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What an article, ww! Thanks!
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My daughter LOVES the cow… She continually asks me when we can go back so she can see the cow. Marketing credit where credit is due…
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Great piece by Rick Reilly regarding the Beijing Olympics. Quite revealing…
http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3542649&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1
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Any chance SG is the author of that Cuba article.
There’s a subtle resemblance I can’t quite place.
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Finally something positive, well relatively positive anyway, from the Braves camp:
Tom Glavine got the news he was looking for Wednesday. He needs surgery to repair the torn flexor tendon in his elbow, but he does not need ligament transplant surgery.
That means with a four-to-five month rehabilitation, he’ll at least have a chance to return to pitch next season, if the Braves are open to the idea. – ajc
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BAS, WW on the same day??? Just stopping in to say hello….
Haven’t told the long sad story, but our buddy with ALS has been staying with us the last few weeks, and I set him up on ebay…he loves cars, so haven’t had much of a chance to post here! 🙂
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Raisins… That’s funny, I don’t care who you are… 🙂
Great article WW… Thanks
Fungus? Yep, that would do it… wood rot in the maple bats… I wonder if Lew doctored the trees prior to being shipped to Canada?
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COMPUTER VIRUS WARNING…
The newest virus circulating is the UPS Delivery Failure. You will receive an email from UPS Packet Service along with a packet number. NOTE: The word packet is mis-spelled on this line. It will say that they were un-able to deliver a package sent to you on such and such a date. It then asks you to print out the invoice copy attached. DONT TRY TO PRINT THIS. IT LAUNCHES THE VIRUS!
Pass this warning on to all your PC operators at work and home. This virus has caused millions of dollars in damage in the past few days.
True per _http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/ups.asp (http://www.snopes.com/computer/virus/ups.asp
CL: I checked Snopes and it is listed as real.
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Great Beijing article, Raisins. The truth be told! 🙂
(That avatar cracks me up!) 😆
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😆 😆 😆 VOR! That is great!
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Wow. That is some article, WW. Sounds to me like Dominguez is a good man trying to help people & he got screwed.
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Hey, FBG.
I am only passing through on my way to slumberland. Just wanted to say, “Hey.”
“Hey.”
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Night, VOR! (At least someone actually conversed with me. It gets lonely ’round here at night.)
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Still awake FLB???? I assume you guys didn’t get the rain central and northern Florida are getting????
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So FLB, are you still up??? 😛
I heard a little of the game on the radio….Pete mentioned that in the last 75 games, we are 28-47, 19 under .500!!!!! 😯 Now that’s bad!
Pete and Chip were about as close just badmouthing the team as I’ve heard. Pete said it’s more than just 1 or 2 holes that need filling, that we have hit only 8 homers in August(Did I hear that right?) that we didn’t have much speed.
Chip chimed in about the speed issue, how more teams these days do have speed, and that the “style” of the team (I read that as Philosophy) needed to change to match the times….
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I blame Scott Boras. He is the anti-Christ… 👿
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Ber, they have holes, but they also have talent. I HATE the “what if” game, but what if Diaz had not been hurt and performed anywhere close to 2007? What if Francoeur and KJ performed anywhere close to 2007? What if we hadn’t lost 3 starters and 1 crucial reliever to surgery? What if Soriano’s mysterious elbow wasn’t so mysterious? What if all that occured and we were buyers at the deadline, not sellers? What if we had a real batting coach so that our manager didn’t have to pull aside a struggling kid and say, “I’ve been looking at some tape, let’s go work on some things.”
Obviously every team has injuries and every team has somebody struggle, but I think I mentioned everybody but the batboy… Is he OK?
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A saberGeek’s take on the Braves:
http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2008/08/looking-ahead/
I don’t buy it, nor do agree with it, but there it is.
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The team that left spring training went on the DL. The Braves have largely been fielding a AA team. Their 4th place ranking shows that. At least we aren’t in the basement. (Yet?)
Bobby’s action with Francoeur says (to me) volumes about TP and Bobby’s confidence in him. Seems that Cox would have just told TP to go over some films with Jeff instead of doing it himself. Hmmm. The team certainly isn’t hitting, that’s for sure!
Will be very interested to see which coaches are brought back next year. Hubby for certain, Perez in the bullpen, McDowell, Snitker gets my vote as bench coach; Chino and TP should check the ‘want’ ads, IMO.
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Interesting read by Scott Miller:
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10939341/rss
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Do we sign Glavine for next year or not?
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VOR, I agree with much of what you said…if Frenchy or Diaz had had the season we expected, how much better would be??? But….Smoltz had a 2.57 ERA and he was only 3-2…and that was early when Frenchy was hitting a bit(Of course, Tex wasn’t-But Chipper sure was)
I know some teams catch lightning in a bottle, but how about the Mets, and the injuries they have had??? They are missing their starting left and right fielders(Bet Ryan Church will duck going into 2nd for the rest of his career) missing their 2nd baseman as well. They have a bullpen probably worse than ours(Well, at least ours was better than theirs up to a month or so ago) Their SS dogs it off and on all year….1st baseman was so bad early on, they nearly released him. Pedro has had a poor year…fired their manager
Yet, they are 13 games above .500, and we are 15 below….why exactly????
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V, I see what you mean with what that sabergeek said…
Yunel Escobar and Kelly Johnson are above-average hitters for middle-infielders. Escobar yes, Kelly Johnon above average??? Don’t think so. Average hitter at best, below average fielder. Who’d take him???
Casey Kotchman: There is nothing special about Kotchman. He’s pretty bland, but he’s the type of player that many teams need to fill a hole. He’s cheap like Kelly Johnson. The Braves don’t need him, so I say move him if you can.
Move him, we don’t need him??? Good grief. And he hit .296 in 2007 and was hitting .285 before the trade….
Should the Braves sign Mark Kotsay as a free agent? It depends on what he wants. There is nothing spectacular about the guy.
No, nothing spectacular about hitting . 290-.300 and playing great defense….so basically, trade everyone but McCann and Yunel seems to be his point….
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CL, I’d say sign him, and base his contract on innings pitched….I think he’d like to go out better than this….and you never can have enough starting. I think I had the silly notion we had more than enough starting pitching to start the year….
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Should the braves go after Adam Dunn??? His taking of pitches seems to be rubbing off on the D’Backs…
http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/123666
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Berigan, one should take into consideration that sabergeek is into fantasy baseball which has little collation into the real world. Someone speaking to hear himself talk is all….
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And what of the Braves??? I think the malaise has set in big time. They are just going through the motions trying not to get hurt… Not all but too many are playing out the string. You can see it in their glazed over eyes.
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Folks, I really liked TP as a player… but, somehow as a hitting coach, he is just not getting it done. Time for a change before they clean house completely. Then again, there is that too…..
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Gil, did you read somewhere (Perhaps AJC?) where TP was trying to mess with Kotchman’s swing a bit??? I mean I know he has been terrible, but don’t you think you should see a guy for more than 2 weeks before you start screwing around with his swing???
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Seems that most who come to the team with a good bat soon lose it. Or, like what I read from Tex, learn from Chipper. Tex is crediting Chipper big time! Maybe TP just can’t communicate with the players well enough. I still can’t get over Bobby taking JF aside to watch tapes and identify problems with him.
I think you’re right, Gil – most are just going through the motions.
Sign Glavine next year?
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from mlb.com:
When first baseman Casey Kotchman was placed on the bereavement list Wednesday, he became the 20th different player (27 total stints) to go on the disabled/bereavement list for the Braves this season, making the total number of games missed reach exactly 1,000. …
With Wednesday’s loss, the Braves fell to a season-high 15 games below .500.
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from ajc:
….former Brave pitcher Jorge Sosa, now in minors and obviously desperate to get back, was suspended today for 50 games. Performance enhancing drugs.
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Folks, sadly the Braves have become the Cubs. Maybe it began with Chip Caray retuning to Atlanta, maybe it was something else but it is evident they have receive the curse of the goat…. I pray it will not take Atlanta another 100 years to return to prominence but friends, I have to say things don’t look all that good for the Bravos….
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NY announcer:
“The Braves just aren’t executing. It’s like they’re just waiting to get beat.”
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It’s really sad, isn’t it, Gil? I still say it’s the blinkin’ cow!
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I would agree except they were pretty bad long before the cow made an appearance. And the TV guy has just confirmed what I have been saying for sometime now, they are waiting for something bad to happen to them, they don’t know how to win…
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And for something positive… Josie and I drove over to Oak Island today to try out a little Bar B Cue restaurant out daughter-in-law recommended. I have to give it high marks, Really good Carolina b b q… A little place called the Bar B Cue…. I bought extra to take home.. 🙂 Plus some really good sauce. I love to explore…
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In retrospect, I think this year’s addition of the Atlanta Braves would have had a hard time winning in the International League.
No disrespect but I think Kotchman took bereavement leave so he would not have to play with this bunch…. Sad….
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Evening y’all. I gather tonight’s game didn’t go well either? (I just got in.)
We didn’t get a drop from Fay, Ber. Completely skirted around us.
The DVDs arrived today! Thank you!!! 🙂
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While Braves veteran Tom Glavine was under anesthesia for elbow surgery Thursday, Dr. James Andrews also did a relatively minor shoulder surgery on his pitching arm.
That was the only surprising news out of Birmingham, where the 42-year-old left-hander went in for elbow surgery to repair a torn flexor tendon. Well, surprising for everyone except Glavine, Andrews and Braves officials.
Turns out, Glavine and the Braves knew before Thursday that he would also have the arthroscopic procedure to “clean up” the labrum in his shoulder, although neither he nor the team announced it until after the operations were completed. – ajc
Wha?!? 😯
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Well, maybe they thought it wasn’t worth getting people all worked up over if it was truly minor.
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27 straight 1-run losses on the road… 😥
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FLB, we haven’t gotten a drop either, after it looked to be a sure fire gully washer…but, seeing what’s happening in Orlando and Jacksonville, I am not too sorry…30 inches of rain in this part of Georgia would be disasterous!
Glad you got the discs! So you got them faster than CL then it appears!
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V, did you hear Pete last night??? Just sounded disgusted at the end of the broadcast…1-10 or 1-11 will do that….I have had my blood sugar running high of late, so have become a gym rat…at least for the last 4 days 🙄 so I keep missing games…..sure sounds like they expect to lose, but I was glad to see us get the lead against Pedro….but what’s up with Bobby?? Silly question, but I haven’t even huge errors in judgement like we saw earlier this year….but to keep running Ohman out there day after day, when he is finally showing wear and tear. I know Gonzo is supposed to be the closer, but man, Bobby has used Ohman 4 days in a row!!! Gonzo has pitched 3 times in the last 12 days….
Why carry 13 pitchers, and leave the bench short??? Norton couldn’t play last night, and Bobby didn’t put Blanco in left, left Infante out there for the 9th. We also brought up Brandon Jones 2 days ago, and he hasn’t even pinch hit….No sense getting any fresh blood in there I guess…I the cards have been hitting a lot of late, should really make for a fun series.
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Looks like we may not get a chance to see if Diaz is still an option in left this year….
No surgery, more rehab for Diaz
Matt Diaz will not require surgery for his reinjured right knee, but the outfielder will need to spend another four weeks rehabbing and strengthening the knee.
Diaz was examined by renowned orthopedist Richard Steadman in Vail, Colo. Steadman concurred with previous diagnoses by Braves team physicians and said surgery was not required.
Diaz has missed most of the season after partially tearing a knee ligament, then reinjuring the knee twice during minor-league rehab assignments.
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FBG and B-Worm,
We got about 7 inches of rain, Monday, that had nothing to do with Fay, and now I have a den full of wet carpet because of a foundation leak. I just bought the house 3 months ago and they conveniently failed to mention a leak, so I just called and thrashed the realtor trying to get an explanation and some satisfaction. Clearly a pre-existing condition that was hidden from me before the sale. I am one sure-enough Un-happy Hillbilly right now.
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Hillbilly, that really sucks! Sounds like you might have an issue with the home inspector as well….they must have some sort of guarantee, right???? Might threaten lawsuit….
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HBill, you get any home warranty at all? A 1-year is pretty common these days on a resale. And I’m with Glow-worm; you may have some remedy with your inspector.
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😦 That really stinks, Hillbilly. Sounds like someone owes you $$$ for repair work.
Our home inspector in GA went over the house with a fine-tooth comb it appeared but managed to miss termite damage around my bedroom window. Thankfully it was old damage & the house had been treated but they never repaired the casing.
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We might get rain from Fay today. She’s just sort of slowly wobbling around.
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FLB, that’s amazing you haven’t gotten rain from the storm! Looks like the whole state is getting it….I think I heard Cocoa beach has had 33 inches of rain!!!!
It’s very windy here in the ATL today…amazing what an effect a tropical storm can have several hundred miles away.
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We’re just about the only part of the state that escaped so far. I’d happily take a nice rain but the flooding has been really bad in some areas.
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Hey! There’s something falling from the sky… looks kinda wet. Strange, it seems oddly familiar somehow. 😯
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OK, now it’s raining. Pouring, in fact, with gusty winds.
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You too, VOR? Hope we get some precip in Rabun.
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VOR, yeah, I’ve got a home warranty, but it only covers mechanical issues…Air conditioning and heating units, stuff like that.
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V man, I’m jealous! 😡 Nary a drop here in Jonesboro! Sure is dark and windy like it would be before a storm….but as it’s been all day, no rain….
Hill,
is that warranty from the inspector??? Seems they must have to make some sort of guarantee. They charge 2 arms and a leg…
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Hillbilly, an attorney may be a big help in that situation. Pre-existing condition, full-disclosure, etc. That is really rotten!! I’ll hold him, you hit him!! 😡
This from Grinch. I’ll admit that I don’t really understand what Google has to do with wordpress, but here it is:
Hey. I tried getting onto a friend of mine’s blog, and it told me my Google account didn’t have a valid e-mail address (this one, which I’ve had since 1996). When I entered a different address and password, it asked if I wanted to change all the settings from my other sccount (which then listed the e-mail they just said didn’t exist). I said “ok,” because I was tired of having to reset the password every time I rebooted my computer anyway (which is what I’ve been having to do here) and then it did so, only it wouldn’t allow me to create my new account. I literally tried 20 times, just to be sure. Now the old one doesn’t work either.
I love you all, but I’m done with Google; I used to only be able to do it after jumping through hoops, now it doesn’t matter how many I jump through. IT WON’T LET ME BLOG. Anyhoo, print this if you wish, and I hope you all stay in touch via e-mail. I’ve got too much else to do to write a long letter to Google demanding to know why I can get through a metal detector with a 7″ knife at the Federal building in Atlanta (which I did accidentally the other day) but I can’t get past their security system to post on a ^%$#@$#% friend’s blog to let them know how much I enjoyed it. I’m done.
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This blog is beginning to resemble the team: too many on the DL, LOA or MIA! Grinch was supposed to have the next lead.
WilliamWallace, looks like you’re up next!
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Berigan, got the CDs!! MANY thanks!!!
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Between Willie Harris and Frenchy? Who would you guess has the higher batting average??? Who has more homers???? Who has more RBI’s????
first 2 out of 3 are in Willie’s favor!!!
Willie seems to be doing the exact oppisote of last year…hitting .156 at the end of May, now hitting .255 with 12 Homers and 38 RBIs…..who’d a thunk it????
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CL, I was just going to ask that question! Glad they arrived aok!!!
I have to say, every time I hear Skips excited voice with a big homer(you guys will see that David Justice home run a lot) or that catch by Otis Nixon(More I see of it, the more I think that is the best catch ever-at least during the TV era) it chokes me up…..hard to believe we will never hear a broadcast with him again….but as long as we have his voice, and memories of him, he will never truly be gone……
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Berigan, I watch a game now and just imagine what Skip would be saying. How I miss him!
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Good in depth reporting CL. As a guy who really loves minor league baseball, I appreciate the digging you did for this piece.
And one has to pull for a guy with a name like ‘Snitker’.
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CL, just got in from dinner, turned on the tube and saw the score… went to the Braves box score and then checked in here at Stuffville and saw your last comment, “just imagine what Skip would be saying”.
I imagine Skip would’ve let us know, as early as the second inning, that it was now safe to walk the dog. By the end of the 5th inning he’d be pouring himself a little toddy… and right about now he’d be going back and forth between how hapless the Braves look and commenting on what movies he’s seen lately.
I haven’t seen a bit of this game til now but this 15 to 1 is pitiful. Joe and Boog are talking about Braves uni’s. I’m not sure even Skip could make this game palatable or watchable. Yuck.
Other than that and the two day storm that just ended this afternoon with limbs and leaves all over the ground that I’ll have to clean up this weekend and way too much work lately and so on, it’s a great evening.
Google has something to do with blogs? How can new, inspected and approved homes flood? If Fay is wobbling she must’a gotten drunk with Mickey Mouse? So many questions.
At least the Braves won’t have another one run road loss tonight. They have obviously put it on auto pilot.
Hello 1980’s. 😯
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.I’m hoping that the Cards get 25 or thirty runs and the Braves get no more than one and that attendance drops off at the Ted so much that Liberty starts to feel the pinch. When the ‘wheels’ of franchise management doesn’t squeak, maybe a wheel falling off will get their attention.
Chick-Fil-A may even move their cow over to the Georgia Dome and put wings on it’s back. The Ted will then replace the cow with a pig… also with wings.
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Now Chipper is only 6 points ahead of Fat Albert in the batting race, and will likely lose that even! This year just flat out sucks!!!! 😦
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SG, yep…..they need to feel the pinch in teh ol’ pocketbook for things to really change….I see good sized crowds in Seattle though…some folks are just gluttons for punishment.
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See, I told you folks that Matt DeSalvo would make Blaine Boyer look good…
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Gil, don’t you ever get tired of being right??? 😛
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Watched “That’s Entertainment” last night…cuz I wanted to be entertained, not get mad….from reading what DOB said with his latest blog, some on the team are quitting, which it just amazing….and folks over there seem really upset by everything….strangely enough! 🙄
Well, this is one year I can’t wait for the season to end…..And hope Wren can manage some magic this off-season. He really did a good job last year….imagine how terrible this team would be without Jurrjens, Ohman and Infante????
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And Daggum it’s windy! 😯 Just non stop!!! CL, Gil, are you getting some of that wind too???
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And finally, I have to bring up Chris Resop, since I haven’t in at least a month! 🙄 V, still think we should have given him away to Japan??? His 98 MPH straight stuff can’t be any worse than most of the bullpen this year….and what happened to the tall guy??? I swear, can’t think of his name! Still injured??? Or did he commit the same Cardinal sin that Josh Anderson did?(Whatever that was) Phil Stockman! Thats the guy! Gil, is he hurt???
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Gil, how’s your Granddaughter doing???
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Nerd rap!!!
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Obama-Biden: Perfect. A dream ticket for Two paper shuffling, bloviating, egomaniac Senators on the same ticket.
We know that Biden can question, pontificate, preen, posture, bloviate and grill witnesses all day, but can he hold up now and answer questions for a change?
Now I suppose Obama and Biden, the not-so-Rev. Wright, Tony Rezco, William Ayers, George Soros, Robert Bork, Anita Hill, Clarence Thomas and a mysterious pubic hair on a Coke can are all somehow connected in history. Six degrees of separation just turned into the third degree.
It’s a match made in, uh… polling research. A far left radical socialist and a liberal, old guard Washington insider. They need each other like an electric lamp needs a wall plug.
People
<a href=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R-RBNxr73s&feature=related rel=”nofollow”Who need people
are the luckiest people in the world.
A change we can believe in. Yes we can.
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Blastit!!! left a pesky little > off and poof… gone.
Who need people
Maybe CL could fix?
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Obama-Biden.
Has a nice ring to it. Sounds like a solid, hyphenated Muslim name. On this monumentally glorious occasion, I’m inspired to write a little ditty. Should it be titled the socialist and the plagiarist? The communist and the egotist? The terrorists best friend and the conservative Supreme Court Justice’s worst antagonist? So many ‘ist’s’ to choose from. How’s this:
The ‘Ist Ticket (
The Dems ticket is set, it’s Obama-Biden
Bin Laden can come out of his cave now,
But your guns and wallets best be hidin’.
Barack it’s said can give such a glorious speech
On “change you can believe in” but he won’t divulge
that “white men on dollar bills” may soon be a reach.
Without a script, Barack’s tongue seems swollen
as he stumbles and stutters to rationalize his past
Maybe old Joe can help him with speeches he’s stolen.
Barack can end the war and punish those capitalist fools
Joe can visit wounded troops when PR cameras aren’t there
And together they can keep God out of our public schools.
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what is wordpress doing to me?
should be The ‘ist Ticket (should be lower case ‘i’). Also, no half paren out there dangling around… my bad. At least it wasn’t a participle.
Then, the last line bolded itself. Oh, well… more coffee.
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Bear, that was a pretty cool nerd clip. I’ve wondered many times what ever happened to the ‘super collider’ project during all the global warming/alt energy talk in the media.
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Yikes… so much depressing political talk on the blog today.
Note to self: a subject change. Must provide more uplifting and hopeful news.
How about baseball? Yeah, wellalrighty then.
Let’s talk Braves baseball! How ’bout that game last night. Um, maybe another subject change is in order.
Howzabout the National League pennant race! Uh… another subject change.
BBQ? Lawn work? Bird houses?
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Yes, lawn work. Much to do after the storms. A gazillion branches are in the yard. They were there last night when I went to bed and unfortunately they are still there. Was hoping the little lawn elves would’ve come last night. They didn’t show.
Oh well… lawnwork it is. Beats politics.
No matter how tempting it is to stump for a particular candidate or go out on a limb by publicly talking about corrupt politicians or bark about media bias or leaf through the political section of the papers to find common sense or criticize how each branch of government is being marginalized or root out the hypocrisy of a ‘people’s’ socialist agenda or pine for the good old days or needle the Dems or pollenate the blog with my own slant… I won’t go there and I won’t run a stupid tree analogy completely into the ground.
I’m leafing now.
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Been ‘yard working’ all morning. Where’s the aspirin??
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Berigan… Uh, what was the question? I got sidetracked reading SG’s rant… Oh yeah… The granddaughter is much better thank you, She came home Tuesday but has to return to the hospital Monday for some more test. They still don’t know what caused the pneumonia in the first place.
Jo and I have just returned home and it appears nary a drop has fallen since last week. I am going to mow the lawn this afternoon and add water to the pool.
Vacations are nice but there is no place like home….
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Gil, that’s great news!
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Claimed I had made that comment already, and had several !!! So, wordpress must want me to not get too excited in posts. 🙄
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Braves win, braves win!!!!!!!!!!
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Slow day. Here’s one for the ‘huh?’ file:
“But she said she couldn’t talk because she had company over, and she asked a reporter to call her later.”
Priceless.
You just couldn’t make this stuff up.
Not that anyone would want to.
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Oh. My. Word. This world is a scary place!
The Braves actually won a game??
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Ooookaay. When does she sleep? 🙄
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And the Braves win the game I don’t get to watch. Typical.
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OK y’all, I have to get away from the ‘puter & park myself under a ceiling fan. Something went kaputs in the A/C from a power surge this evening. Our A/C guy is coming out to fix it in the morning ( Sunday morning! A million thanks to him.) but tonight it’s pretty toasty.
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Rise and or shine B&S’ers!!!!
Did anyone see the play Albert Pujols made at first yesterday??? Kotsay was on second, Prado(I think) hit a hot shot to first, Pujols backhanded it, and did a 180 and threw a bullet to 3rd to just get Kotsay out….That was one of the best, smartest plays I have ever seen!
People keep saying Hanley Ramirez is the best player in the NL, but after seeing how impossible it is to get fat Albert out, seeing how very well he runs the bases, and how he plays defense, I don’t think it’s even close. It’s Pujols, IMHO….
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Oh. My. Word. This world is a scary place!
The Braves actually won a game??
CL, I thought you meant it was a scary place because we won!
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I have long thought Albert Pujols was/is one of the best all around players in baseball. Much better than guys making 3 time the money. He is a franchise player without a doubt.
I did not get to see yesterday’s game as I am out of market… I suspect I will be even more out of market next year as I don’t know that I will spring for the MLB package on DirecTV…
Wow, is it dry here…. Talking “crunchy grass” dry…
I have refrained from getting vocal on politics here on the B&S blog… However, YOU KNOW…. I am afraid all the fools will be on the same side…
My dad once told me that when it comes down to being on the side of the rich verses the poor, he said he has never known a poor man to give anyone a job….
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😆 No, Ber; the ‘living arrangements’ of those 3 in the ATL paper. 😯
Morals, anyone??
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‘Morning, Gil! Glad y’all had a safe trip back! Didn’t realize it was still so dry up there; my area has been getting good rain this year. At last. It’s been 3 years!
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Ken Rosenthal on AJ Burnett’s contract:
The Orioles and Nationals appeal to Burnett because he makes his home in Monkton, Md. — his wife, Karen, is a Maryland native. In fact, Burnett’s contract entitles her to eight round-trip limousine trips per season between Monkton and Toronto.
😯
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from mlb.com:
While providing some mechanical instruction, McDowell also is trying to get Morton, who has admitted self-confidence problems, to understand he has to start fighting to prove he belongs in the Majors.
“We don’t have a choice to sink or swim,” McDowell said. “We take the approach that we’ve got to swim. Failure isn’t a choice.”
“Failure isn’t a choice.” I like that.
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Well, getting up from long afternoon nap….guess we are lucky we got one win out of St. Louis. And I see fat Albert and Chipper, are tied at .359. 😦
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Hello…..hello….is there anybody out there?……
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Yes, but not for long….
I all honesty, I thought the Braves played a decent game today. Well, except for Jeff.. but not that awful… I foresee several changes necessary for next season if the Braves expect to be competitive, much less pennant winners. New 2nd baseman who can hit, outfielders who can also hit… Come to think of it, they are going to need somebody besides McCann and Chipper who can produce. Make that two or more as the third guy they had is now playing for L.A.
Funny how we have gotten suckered into the whole “but the Braves cannot afford him” way of thinking. I cannot forget what a friend once told me that a person will aspire to live in what ever house they think they should live in. Folks, if the Braves are satisfied with that double wide they are now living in, then by golly, they are going to be happy there…. Don’t expect them to move up to that mansion on the hill.
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Anybody else watch the Olympic Closing Ceremony? It was good but not anywhere near the spectacle that the Opening was. Very weird to see that Jimmy Page is an old white-haired guy now.
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Yes FBG… Josie said it lacked the “WOW” factor. I told her she had become jaded by all the Superbowl extravaganzas… 🙂
Yep, definitely lacked a “Janet Jackson” moment. 8)
Okay, mark another made for TV event off the calender, now we have to suffer through a week of the Democratic Convention. Sigh… As bad as the Braves are playing, at least there is some alternative viewing…
I keep hearing as to how the Presidential candidates are promising us “common folks” more and more. Gee, I’d settle for them just to take a little less…. I redistributed my wealth many years ago by having 7 kids to raise…
Now baseball…. Yikes!!!!!
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And hey… I’m a white haired old guy too… Or is that an old white guy with hair??? Sometimes I forget there is a difference…
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Maybe it was the seven kids and three jobs….
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Moving from one staged television event to another. Keep the pretty stuff on top, everything else hidden. 🙄
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Seven? Oh, my! Salute to you and Josie!
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This place has the best echo I’ve ever heard! 😆
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Wheres the V man???
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‘Morning, Ber! He must be getting the kids ready for school.
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Greetings CL!
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Time for a coffee break and catch up on the news and friends! 🙂
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I’m everyone will be tickled to here that in 23 games, Tex is hitting .386, with 7 homers, and 20 RBI’s…..
Which brings me to Gil’s point overnight….you are correct sir, we do need more than just one bat….It would be nice to see Kotchman get back to hitting around .300, and Frenchy go on a bit of a tear. Then we might think we just needed 2 outfielders….
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I’m everyone??? I’m every woman???(Chaka Khan???)
I’m sure everyone will be tickled, is what I meant to write….
Do you all think Martin Prado can be an everyday 2nd baseman??? I think it’s safe to say he’s better at fielding the position….he’s 24 still….I kind of get the feeling from what was written on the other blog, that folks still think of him as a backup….I think he should get the lion’s share of AB’s from here on out….I don’t know what’s wrong with Kelly Johnson, but he just doesn’t impress me in any way, shape or form these days.
I worry that the brass might want to make him our left fielder, thinking he will hit better not having to worry about defense….
But gee, think of the money that could be saved with a platoon of Diaz and Johnson! 🙄
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Hey, why not beat up on KJ some more??? At the end of May, he was hitting .300. Hit .250 for June, .224 for July, and .232 for August. 3 doubles are the ONLY extra base hits he has for the month of August. His slugging percentage is .275!!!!
Who could have a lower slugging % than that??? Oh yeah, Frenchy, .247 for August….
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STATE CAPITOL – Security at an anti-war rally outside the state Capitol this morning allegedly had to break up a confrontation between a Fox News reporter and Ward Churchill, a former University of Colorado professor who caused an uproar when he called victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks “little Eichmanns.”
Churchill, who was thrust into the national spotlight after writing a controversial essay in which he compared the victims of the 9/11 terror attacks to Nazi bureaucrat Adolf Eichmann, was hounded by the persistent reporter, who allegedly put his hands on Churchill, organizer Glenn Spagnuolo said.
The reporter, Griff Jenkins, could not be immediately reached for comment.
In video footage of the incident, demonstrators surrounded Jenkins after the alleged confrontation between the reporter and Churchill.
“We’re not going to stand for your lies,” a demonstrator yells.
Spagnuolo said the reporter put his hands on Churchill.
The reporter “decided he wanted to be part of the news instead of reporting the news and wanted to mix it up with Ward Churchill for some reason,” Spagnuolo said.
Spagnuolo said the reporter got out of hand.
“Our security pushed him away from (Churchill) because nobody touches Ward while he’s here,” Spagnuolo said. “As soon as he put his hands on him, security moved him away.”
http://news.yahoo.com/s/rockymountainnews/20080824/pl_rockymountainnews/securitybreaksconfrontationbetweenfoxnewsand_1223925360
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Not trying to stir stuff up, you can dislike fox all you want, but what can you say about people that would rather defend a Ward Churchill, a “man” who called those who died on 9-11, little Eichmanns, over a reporter’s right to question him??? Look up Churchill if you haven’t before….he lied about being part native American, which is one of the reasons he is no longer a current professor. And the reporter is a runt, Churchill is huge…..
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Wild-eyed fanatics out of touch with reality. With ‘professors’ like that, why do we wonder at what comes out of colleges and universities?? I had a history prof much like that; piece of work, he was.
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As for the team, I keep thinking about Snitker’s quote from above: “It’s my job to hold things together and keep the best possible team on the field every day.” Wish Bobby thought that way. Seems to me that many of those who SHOULD be playing are deliberately kept sitting. And vice versa! I just don’t understand that.
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Haven’t heard from WW. Paladin is on LOA. SCRIBE, do you have time to do a lead? (Talk about having a thin bench!)
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Well…you who’ve done a ‘rain dance’, here it comes! Too bad the Braves don’t play today, a rainout would be good. Then again, tomorrow doesn’t look promising either. Gil, I think the ‘crunch’ in your grass will be taking a hiatus very soon! Gurgle…gurgle…gurgle!
Oh, ‘Hi, Everyone!’!
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Hey, everybody (he said, barely peeking out from under a growing mound of paperwork and administrative muck) …
🙄
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The Brewers and Red Sox are both showing interest in Mark Kotsay. The Brewers would only pursue a trade if Ryan Braun’s ribcage injury worsens, and so far he looks more than fine. The Sox made a play for lefty-hitting Brian Giles before Giles vetoed the deal, so it makes sense that they’d exert similar effort toward Kotsay. Even more so now that J.D. Drew has a herniated disc. – Ken Rosenthal
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More Rosenthal – A delicate situation in Atlanta: Tom Glavine and John Smoltz both want to pitch next year, and Glavine only wants to pitch for the Braves. The Braves are faced with re-signing the inevitable Hall of Famers without being as reliant on their health as they were this year, or letting them go despite their long history with the team. Toss Mike Hampton’s arm into the mix as well.
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Yep, this is true….
http://www.sabernomics.com/sabernomics/index.php/2008/08/the-trade-and-sign-gambit-a-failing-strategy/
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Just got off the phone with my brother, we were trying to decide if we were going to the final Richmond Braves home game on September 1st… I may drive up to DC instead…
The one thing we agreed on was how the Braves have brainwashed their fans into accepting they premise that the Braves cannot afford top tier players… I have long held that this is not true, they can afford whatever they choose to afford. They have chosen not to..
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Francouer is on 680theFan for those in this area…
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Francoeur was refreshingly, well, frank, if you’ll pardon the very intentional pun. Highlites of the conversation:
– When asked directly about his struggles, he says he knows he has sucked this year and makes no excuses. His attitude is that this is going to be the worst year of his career, and he’s glad it’ll be out of the way early.
– When asked about the offseason strength training, he said he changed up this year for the first time, and it was a mistake.
– He whole-heartedly believes both Smoltz and Glavine will be back in ’09.
– He believes Wren is going to make a strong bid for 2 big-time starters.
– He predicts the Mets to win the division and league titles.
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Kotsay coming on in a few minutes…
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Raisins, thanks for the info!
And Kotsay said….?
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Kotsay said that he would like very much to return next year.
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Gil, teams like the Braves and Cards really get on my nerves with the small market talk and all that…..they are 2 teams that probably have the biggest expanse of fans of any teams in the majors, with the possible exception of the Red Sox….the teams must get a cut of the radio money, people wear Pujols and Francoeur shirts all over the US…get a cut of the massive tv deals, and they have strong fan support at the games(Card fans are more supportive, or richer!)
By rights, the Cards should be as bad as everyone thought in spring training, but they have the kind of dumb luck the braves used to have when they thought Brian Jordan or some released outfielder would be just fine on a championship team….
I think JS really did have his hands tied, and that has hurt us down the road, now that we are down the road….
And people have made the point on the AJC blog(and perhaps here, I forget) that it’s going to be hard to convince a Sabathia or Sheets to come here when they see how bad we are now, and that there is little to no offense. I mean, why sign here, when you can go to a team like the Yankees or Red Sox and be guaranteed offensive, and a much better chance to rake in wins, and go to the playoffs????
It’s a bit of a catch 22. Need offensive to get wins, need pitching to get wins. Can’t really show FA’s we have that, at least not now.
Braves need to sign free agents quickly, offensive guys first, to show the pitchers they won’t end up 12-12 with a 2.95 ERA here….and I just can’t see us outbidding the Yankees, or Red Sox. If Josh Beckett has serious elbow issues, give it up, we won’t win the CC/Sheets battles.
And we are not the only teams with money coming off the books this year, or wanting to improve themselves.
If we are willing to spend a lot, perhaps we can go after AJ Burnett, if he opts out….who should be the top guys we should go after????
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I dunno about signing Burnett, Ber. Those limo round-trips between Maryland and ATL for Mrs Burnett would be pretty expensive! 😆
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Thanks, Raisins. I like Kotsay; hope he’ll be re-signed.
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Do y’all hear that? There! Sounds familiar…….
Oh! Never mind! It’s a bowl of ice cream calling me! 😀
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CL, right you are about the limo rides! 😛
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big bowl of ice cream I take????
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Good thing that ice cream “calling” to CL didn’t come from Vermont, or she would’ve had to catch a very long, pricey limo trip to Ben & Jerry’s.
Now, we should get some clarification from the Lady from Carolina on this issue. Is she a Haagen Dazs gal, a Freshens gal, a Baskin Robbins Lady, a Breyers kind’a girl or a store brand ice cream aficionado? That, and what might be the preferred flavor and the usual toppings? Inquiring minds wanna know.
I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream.
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Wow, signs of life! I was getting concerned about some of y’all. I’m glad to see that Francoeur is honest with the fans, gives me a bit more respect for him.
CL, I know what you mean. Lately everywhere I turn there’s an ad for Publix’s Chocolate Trinity ice cream. It looks really really really good. And I’m on a diet… whimper. 😦
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Mmm, Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food. Great stuff.
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Been a long day in Scribeville:
Two stories for church web site. Done.
Braves.Today.Com blog for tomorrow. Done.
Thrashers.Today.Com blog for tonight. Done. Tomorrow’s blog? In progress.
Research for Friday night prep game I’m covering. In progress.
Dishes. Nearly done (seriously).
Laundry. Nearly done (seriously again!).
Ten hours of work for the regular job. Done.
CL, you’ll have you a lead sometime tomorrow afternoon, if that’s cool. Glad to do it … one more thing to take my mind off the phone call I got today, informing me that my dad has cancer.
Life is full of peaks and valleys; this we know. We also know God is in control; if He brings us to it, then He will bring us through it. It’s times like this when that rock-solid foundation provides us with the stabilizing force we need to conquer fear, uncertainty, and the sadness a son feels when thinking about what’s to come for his father. But the docs are optimistic, and I am, too.
Time to put on our boots and get to work, as dad would say. And time now for sleep … gotta think of a good lead for the next B&S.
Take care, good people. And even on this sad day, the Scribe abides.
–30–
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😯 😦 Scribe, I’m so sorry to hear that. Optimism from the docs is a very good thing though. My mom has worked in Oncology quite a bit & has seen amazing recoveries many times. (((hug)))
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Scribe, very sorry to hear about your Dad!!! FLB makes an excellent point though, and more people than ever survive Cancer these days!
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Thanks guys and gals, for the good thoughts. We’re gonna beat this thing.
CL, you have mail. Hope it works for ya.
Busy day, fish to fry (and where is JJS?). Gotta jet. Enjoy the day and stay dry; what’s left of Fay is dousing us as I speak.
The Scribe abides.
–30–
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Scribe, with so many jobs, are you by chance from the Bahamas? 😀
But seriously, you are a son any father would be proud to have. Your faith and healthy attitude during this challenge is inspirational and heart warming. Prayers will be forthcoming for your dad, for you and your family.
We don’t know God’s will but we do know His ability. Miracles happen every day.
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Scribe: My family’s thoughts and fervent prayers are with your dad, with you and with your family.
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We don’t know God’s will but we do know His ability.
Extrememly well said, my coastal friend!
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– J.D. Drew’s latest setback has Boston stepping up the search for outfield help, just in case Drew is going to be unavailable for a time.
According to multiple sources, the Red Sox have shown interest in Atlanta outfielder Mark Kotsay, but as of Monday morning nothing was imminent on that front. The Red Sox had previously inquired about Houston’s Darin Erstad but were rebuffed. Kotsay is certainly available, but with four hits in his last 25 at bats the interest may be waning.
– Look for the Braves to trade Kelly Johnson this winter as Martin Prado has impressed the coaching staff to the extent that the Braves may be ready to give Prado a chance to be the regular second baseman in 2009. Even if Prado isn’t the guy, expect Johnson to be gone. Offensively, he’s actually proven to be too selective and his power totals have been disappointing.
Jim Molony, MLBlogs network
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Ice cream: store brand: Harris Teeter ‘Southern Milk Chocolate’ – the only chocolate ice cream I’ve ever liked. Strawberry used to be my flavor of choice. 🙂
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Scribe, you aren’t alone. Lots of good people are standing with you and praying for you and your Dad.
Thanks for the lead! I know folks are getting tired of my stuff! 😆 And yours are always so good!
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Wonder what happened to Kelly Johnson??
I hope Kotsay stays. I just plain like him!
If we keep trading away all our good players, what will they be replaced with??? More kids from AA? More past-their-prime playing-on-their-reputation fill-ins? More part-time temporary rentals? I’ve seen enough of that these last three years. We’ve been the Wal*Mart of baseball long enough now!
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“Wonder what happened to Kelly Johnson??”
Nothing CL that a batting coach not named Terry Pendelton couldn’t cure….
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League Bans Child for Being ‘Too Good’
http://sports.aol.com/mlb/story/_a/bbdp/league-bans-child-for-being-too-good/147572?icid=100214839x1208253148x1200459557
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Amen, Gil!
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email from Scribe:
Thanks a bunch. I will keep you guys posted. He’s going for three separate scans during the next two weeks, to see if cancer is anywhere else other than the throat and lung. If there are no other signs of cancer, the docs are really, really optimistic they can knock this thing out with chemo/radiation, and dad can get on with his life.
As I told my wife last night, God is good, whether the sun is shining or the rain is falling down. It’s pouring outside this morning. My son and I got soaked at the bus stop this morning, but I had to smile. I took it as a sign that, even when the rains pour, God is indeed in control. Keep smiling, keep working, and things will take care of themselves.
The ironic thing is when we decided to move back to Atlanta from St. Simons two years ago, a big discussion point was we wanted to be close if/when our parents got sick. Of my wife’s parents and my parents, my dad is the youngest and the healthiest of the four, by a country mile. His good health and strength is one reason the docs are so encouraged and so optimistic we can win this battle. I know God’s will indeed will be done, and that gives me peace and strength.
Again, many thanks for the prayers. They are deeply appreciated. I’ll keep you guys posted.
Go Braves!
P.S.: I’m super busy today with work and probably won’t have time to stop by the blog, but if you wish, you may post my e-mail to the group as a comment. Thanks again!!
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I think we should officially launch the “Chris Chambliss for Batting Coach” campaign. There aren’t any other campaigns going on right now, are there? 😀
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Kelly Johnson looked so good last year too….the way he walked as a lead-off hitter, and hit with some power….now, doesn’t walk as much, no power, takes strike 3 a lot…
I think TP is probably going to be a better manager than a hitting coach….don’t ask me why, just a gut feeling. No way they fire him, right????
I do know that Frenchy has had TP and Bobby working with him awhile(I remember reading months ago about them both throwing BP to him-well before the story of Bobby seeing something on video tape) But no one seems to turn it around no matter who works with them….It’s like a disease braves players catch, and there is no cure, even going to drier clime like LA doesn’t help, so not in the T.B. family. 😕
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After returning from his 50-game suspension earlier this year, Schafer played with a chip on his shoulder and attempted to do too much to prove he was still the player that he was before being linked to HGH. But since spending a week with Minor League hitting instructor Leon Roberts, he’s regained his swing and his swagger. – Mark Bowman
Uh, anybody got Leon’s number?
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More Bowman:
I wouldn’t be surprised if there is at least one change to the coaching staff and I get a sense that the coaches share this belief. But I definitely would be shocked if pitching coach Roger McDowell doesn’t return. His tremendous work ethic has remained the same despite the fact that injuries have forced him to do his job in the face of constant adversity.
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Aw heck… just go to his article:
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080825&content_id=3365430&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
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I hope Chino is employed elsewhere next year! I’m a Snitker fan so I hope he becomes the new bench coach.
(‘Morning, Raisins!)
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9-year-old pitcher ousted for being too good
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,410162,00.html
The team, Will Power Fitness, has an 8-0 record thanks in large part to pitcher Jericho Scott, the New Haven Register reports. His pitching is so fast and accurate, the Liga Juvenil De Baseball De New Haven asked the team’s coach, Wilfred Vidro, to replace him so he wouldn’t frighten other players.
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In the early ’90s, I coached an 11-12 year old baseball team. In our association there was a kid who was freakishly muscular and strong for a 12yo. (He looked neanderthal, and had an attitude to match.) Anyway, he threw extremely hard, and wild. Early in the season, he hit a kid and broke his arm. After that, a whole bunch of mamas wouldn’t let their kids bat against him. They forced their coach to forfeit an out every time their kid came up in the lineup. It was bad…
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Braves center fielder Mark Kotsay could be the biggest name traded before Sunday, the deadline for setting postseason rosters. Kotsay, who has cleared waivers, is drawing trade interest from both the Red Sox and Phillies, according to major-league sources. Both teams are dealing with injuries to left-handed hitting outfielders, and both have been in contact with the Braves, sources say. – Ken Rosenthal
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NEW BLOG IS UP!
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