Comments and articles herein are the intellectual property and opinions of the writers and may not be copied without permission of the writers.
Stuffville, USA – Well, here we are. It’s December 5, 2008, exactly one year from the day a certain Lady of Carolina stepped up to the plate and said, “Hello, World!” And thus the Braves and Stuff colossus began weaving its way into the cyber-fiber of our consciousness. We come, we go, we read, we comment, we laugh, we fume, we agree, we disagree, but we come. We gather. We assemble here in our own city block where we all have our own unique stories to tell in our own unique ways.
Over the course of a year, we have seen Grinches, Hillbillies, Jackasses, Journalists, Scribes, Guys, Girls, and Ladies. We’ve seen artists, musicians, veterans, pastry chefs, students, retirees, professionals and everything else you can imagine. We’ve encountered seals, flies, and blue werms. We’ve experienced the birth of a new Braves fan. There was even a report of a kilt sighting. Oh, the humanity!
We have come together from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Maine, New Jersey, and California just to name a few. We have agreed, we have disagreed. We have come together to pray for one another in times of crisis and difficulty, and we have celebrated together in times of joy.
At times, we can be very insightful. At times, we can be and idiots. We can talk about all things Braves, and we can digress as well. We began in the middle of one Hot Stove Season, and are fully engaged in the middle of a second. In between, we have experienced the hope of Spring Training and the disappointment of a season to forget.
And then there’s the Stuff…
Stuff is never in short supply here. There’s political stuff, humorous stuff, spiritual stuff, cooking stuff, computer stuff, car stuff, travel stuff, music stuff, personal stuff and stuff in general. Yes, we are full of stuff. We are stuffed to the Gils, (both in Mechanicsville and Jersey). Where would Braves and Stuff be without Stuff?
Yes, one year ago today, Carolina Lady began with these words,
“Hello, everybody!! This is the place to talk Braves baseball and other topics, meet friends new and old, and just hang out and enjoy yourself!
The rules are simple: keep it clean and no attacks.
Play ball!!!”
And thus it began.
The birthday party is over at Klobber’s saloon. There is Diet Coke on tap, and I understand the birthday cake is a red velvet masterpiece. Watch out for the Lincoln in the parking lot and don’t trip over the chainsaws. Some Guy dropped them whilst juggling. We’ll have a Minor League report, although it may be the last one we get from personal observation. There will also be an impromptu seminar on “How To Avoid The Filter”, given by Salty… although I can’t imagine why. I might bring my gee-tar for a few tunes.
Heck, we’ll just have a good ol’ time. Kinda like we’ve done for a year now…
~Raisins~
Braves & Stuff 
Just terrific, Raisins! Perfect for our first birthday! THANK YOU!!!
LikeLike
Perfect, VOR!!! Happy (slightly early) Birthday, Braves & Stuff!!!!
LikeLike
Now, picking up from the last blog… I’m getting started, CL. Made fudge yesterday & the PB bonbons today. (and choc. chip cookies to take to Disney this weekend) I’ll make some cookies next week. Got some orders to bake, too, thank goodness.
LikeLike
Well done Raisins, a perfect recap of our first season…. Yes, we had a few rookie mistakes made but then after all, it’s a learning process.
Some have stayed, some have moved on and others drop by from time to time but many do peek in to see what’s new.
I taught for nearly thirty years and I realized I had made an impact when new folks would cite the “Gilism” I had espouse.
So it is here, although I must admit I am the plagiarizer in these parts. I guess it’s just some of the “isms” seen around here are too good to let go.
The same thing… but different…. 🙂
Funny how folks have come and gone but assuredly, they have not been forgotten.
So congratulations Carolina Lady on your colossus and thanks for giving us a place to hang out. 🙂
LikeLike
Bravo V! Very good, really good what with you being a newbie and all! 😛
Of course we were all newbies when this corner on wordpress was formed.
Names were familiar, but we didn’t really know much about each other.
It was pretty hard to have your own voice across the street. (No offense intended there, VOR!)
A lot of us just were there it seemed. Shoot, I had to holler there to CL(Like a little kid), when she thanked certain people by name there for their thoughts and prayers for Bob’s wife after the diagnosis, that I was one of those folks too!
Just buried there.
That place is New York at it’s worst, the B&S is like a small town at it’s best.
Like stuff mentioned in the anniversary blog above, We all know that CL is Diet coke junkie, who has cats, gardens, and has a sick Momma, who she does a splendid job of taking care of.
We know FLB loves to bake, makes a big deal of Christmas, lives with her Mom , Dad and Sis, and is moving to north Georgia.
Gil, after lifting literally 10’s of thousands of pounds of dead weight for decades, has a back as flexible as crystal. He loves and can fix old American Iron, and waking up really early in the A.M. ! 😕 Visits his Momma a fair bit, no matter how many times she beats him up. And like any red blooded American male, likes Sarah Palin!
BAS, we know is cheap, really cheap. Now he doesn’t have the internet any more, and no spends his time making mulch in the closet he rents in San Fran(he’s Cheap)
Hillbilly really likes to hunt, have children, and get flooded out at least a few times a year. Supposedly a big braves fan, but haven’t seen him much of late….
ChrisKlob might like the hard stuff, is a braves fan, is good at building up FLB’s confidence, and telling dopes like me to take their sleep apnea more seriously! Someone needs to tell that boy he doesn’t have to post every day, just say hey once a week would be fine!
Savannah Guy likes to forget Berigan in long funny posts, after SG praises everyone else in the blog in that long post. Berigan doesn’t have a long memory though, and will forget by 2025. 😉 Did I mention SG writes really long posts??? Wish I could write as easily, and as well as SG can. He goes to Atlanta a lot. He likes a lot of weird music, and putting said music up via youtube clips. At least his politics are right! 🙂
Voice of Raisins Is great with finding and swapping avatars, plays the guitar, has a band, works hard out of his home(when he can) has kids he picks up at school, and is always optimistic about the braves, even when some of us lose hope. He is the voice of reason.
Grinch is a teetotaler who doesn’t like the Falcons, and thinks global warming is a big joke. (Sometimes kicking a Grinch in the shins brings them out of hiding!)
Scribe lives up to his name, has a sick Papa we remember in our prayers, and has two budding braves fans…
WilliamWallace likes to write just about as much as SG does, likes the Irish, but seems to have forgotten us of late! 😦
So have the other folks who came and went, but are still missed….
And we all know Berigan so well, and we all know how very wonderful he is, there’s simply no need to rehash his greatness….
Would we know much, or any of the above without this great Blog CL started for us???? I doubt it, and that would be a crying shame! The other side of the tracks is the faceless one, you have to shout, or be crazy for anyone to take notice…. here, you can “see” the person behind the words. Thank goodness we do have this neck of the woods to chat 24/7.Thanks so much CL, and I hope the B&S will have many more anniversaries to come!!!!
LikeLike
Ha! knew I’d find some stupid remark! Did I really say BAS is in the closet in San Fran??? 😆
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
This one’s very funny…
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
😆
LikeLike
Good morning all, did you folks know that property values in Georgia and Florida are really depressed? Wow, there are some terrific buys available. The government is pushing this 4.5% mortgage thing and my have to bite. Love this place but it really is too much for me now.
Berigan, yes, crystal is a good description. Yesterday afternoon I was moving a fallen tree limb and felt my back slip. It was like a pair of lightning bolts running down my legs. Honest, thought I was going to pass out…. For sure I didn’t know if I was going to be able to walk back to the house. Sigh…
I think Braveheart has his own blog but I see him on DOB’s blog once in a while, I recognize a lot of the folks there but I seldom take the time to read it much and I have posted there only once or twice since September, usually to leave a smart a** remark. The same ones still know it all so I don’t bother….
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
… or else!
LikeLike
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!
OK… this one’s not really birthday related, but it is really funny. 😆
LikeLike
A source that had spoken with the Braves says they made Burnett a four-year, $60-million offer Thursday, with an easily vesting option. That fifth-year option appears to separate them from the rest of Burnett’s pack, for now. But it also won’t be quite enough to finish the A.J. auction.
It hasn’t been the Braves’ history to guarantee five years for any pitcher. But clubs in the Burnett sweepstakes say they’re hearing that Atlanta has told agent Darek Braunecker that if guaranteeing the fifth year will get this deal done, that’s doable.
That’s not a place that the Blue Jays, Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox or Phillies have indicated they’ re willing to go — not yet, at least. And if they were, it’s likely they’d put the same condition on their offer — they include the fifth year only if it gets the deal done.
But if the Braves have already made that clear and dangled that elusive fifth year, the question becomes, as one AL executive put it, “does Darek Braunecker dare to not jump on it?” –Jayson Stark
LikeLike
The Braves are ready to offer A.J. Burnett a five-year deal worth $75 million. The Braves started with a four-year, $60 million deal that included a vesting option for a fifth year but are willing to guarantee the fifth season. “He would have to take that because of the length,” an industry source with knowledge of the Braves’ plans said. “Even if somebody else gave him $18 million a year for four years that’s still less [$72 million].” Burnett has indicated he wants a no-trade clause. However, the Braves historically don’t do no-trades. “He shouldn’t worry about that because his contract is his no-trade; that’s a lot of money,” the source said. New York Post
Well, Frank said he was serious. I guess he is…
LikeLike
Nice article on JV:
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081204&content_id=3702886&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
LikeLike
Gil, sorry about that! The back may be like crystal, but surely not worth anything near crystal!
I know your back issues are more the bone than disc variety, but my Dad has a friend, your age Mid 70’s, ( Kidding! 😀 ) Anyway, the guy was having a lot of back pain, and there is some new fangled surgery that they do that is pretty expensive, and is only done in Orlando(I think) and out where he lives in the Phoenix area….anyway, he had it, and I think was out and about later that day! Whatever they did, he said to my Dad he’s pain free!!! 😯 Can you imagine that??? Man, I need to win the lottery…
LikeLike
Happy Birthday Stuffville!
Great lead Raisins… perfect! You captured the essence of the neighborhood and brought back many good memories of good denizens and good times and good stuff. A good way to kick off a good year two.
Now, for some housekeeping and setting some records straight:
He likes a lot of weird music, and putting said music up via youtube clips.
Now, now, Bear… my music clips are always, always, always good. You need to go back and watch every single one of them and then tell me which ones you think are weird. Then, you must write 100 times, “good stuff is not weird”.
I was at this weird concert…
Gotta go now, I’ve got deeds to do and promises to keep, but all is groovy.
LikeLike
V, some of those were pretty funny ! I thought you had spazzed out for a sec when I saw so many, thought they were all the same! 😉
Glad Wren is willing to offer 5 years…may bite us on the butt, but, you have to take some chances. Close to getting a #1 or #2 doesn’t count, got to get him!
LikeLike
Over the course of the year, we have seen blah blah blah… flies…
Flies? Flies around Stuffville? No “Mr.” designation? No “Sleuth Reporter” title? Not even a capital “F”, as in Fly? Just… flies? Denigrated to a Common Housefly? Raisins just casually dropped “flies” in there between seals and werms? No mention of Telepods and mutant intelligence? No mention of working so hard to break free of that Savannah translator and publisher? No mention of having my very own column? No mention of evolving and learning to type my own reports on my iPhone cause it’s easier than those big clumsy keyboards?
No mention of having never before access to events? No mention of interviews with stars, athletes, vampires on Grinch mountain and other scary things that required selfless bravery to report? No mention of big insights from, uh, small reporters while undercover and on walls in private jets, restaurants, political campaigns and Braves locker rooms, buffet tables, clubhouses, dugout and executive suites. No mention of sleuth reporting on Braves players, coaches, managers and GM’s? No mention at all?
Just… flies. Sigh. That really hurts. What if I said, “we’ve seen seals, wrinkled up old dried grapes, werms…”. Now, that would hurt, right? Now you know how it feels, mister.
Sheesh. I get no respect.
LikeLike
Looks like Mr. Fly got up on the wrong side of the, uh, wall today.
LikeLike
Was just yanki’n my pal Mr. Raisins chain, er, vine.
Happy Birthday Stuffville!
Now, back to my new undercover report. Working from a dangerous place for this story. Back later…
LikeLike
What’s the matter? Couldn’t anybody find any birthday songs?? 😆 Love’em, Raisins! 😀
One year and counting. Who woulda thunk it?! I’m probably the LEAST likely person on the planet who would ever put up a sports blog! Yet, here it is! And populated by the greatest folks on earth, in my opinion. We really are like a small town and that’s all good!
Got book work to do this morning, then get the tree up this afternoon. It is usually up Thanksgiving weekend, but that’s OK, we’ll get there…. 😀
The Burnett watch continues………
LikeLike
Before I get busy on this mess piled to my right 😦 , please take a minute and check out this VFW site. They are trying to collect “signatures” for cards they will give to wounded military people for Christmas. It’s just name and email. I’ve done it for several years and they’ve never violated their privacy policy of not giving out the info, so I feel confident about recommending it:
http://donate.vfw.org/site/MessageViewer?em_id=10281.1&dlv_id=10182
(The deadline is midnight tonight.)
LikeLike
then get the tree up this afternoon
Proof positive that you MUST read carefully… at first I read “then get up the tree this afternoon.”
😆
LikeLike
No, no, Raisins! My climbing has been sharply curtailed after I fell off the ladder while repairing a shingle a while back. You’ll most likely find me at ground level from now on! 😆
LikeLike
SG, that was a great song….for me to put on when I am having trouble sleeping! 😛
LikeLike
CL, signed it! Wish they had a place to put in a comment, but it probably has tons of signatures on it, and would make it too unwieldy…
and now for something a bit over my head…Tim Lincecum, motion capture star
http://news.cnet.com/8301-13772_3-10112472-52.html?tag=rtcol;newsNow
LikeLike
Hey, did anyone see baseball tonight…last night??? I have my DVR set to record any baseball tonight, since I missed them so often, so imagine my pleasant surprise to see baseball on my TV as I was going to bed???
They had Peter Gammons, Tim K, and Buster Olney on…I forget which one(they were only on via phone) said something to the effect that one reason the Padres talks with the braves ended was the Braves not willing Peavy to have a no trade clause, which he already has….can that really be??? It’s one thing to not want to give one to Burkett with a fresh contract, but if you trade for a guy who already has one, and isn’t asking for more moola, how can that even be a sticking point??? I’d rather think it as SD wanting more players, than this…
LikeLike
Via Mlb trade rumors…
Rumor machine Ken Rosenthal has a new column…
* Free agent starters C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett are in no hurry to sign. Makes sense; they’re obviously special compared to the other starters on the market.
* Nationals owner Ted Lerner “has spent extensive time” with Scott Boras, presumably in regard to Mark Teixeira.
* The Cubs want to acquire their left-handed hitting outfielder before worrying about Jake Peavy. Rosenthal says the trade market is bleak, suggesting free agents such as Raul Ibanez and Milton Bradley might make sense. As we’ve said, there is no perfect fit for the Cubs’ right field vacancy (unless Brian Giles will waive his no-trade clause).
* Paul Byrd is “virtually certain” to decline Boston’s offer of arbitration. He aims to pitch near his Atlanta home – the Braves, Marlins, or Rays could work for him.
Great, another long window for getting a pitcher??? Offer CC 30 mil a year, for 2 years, and see if he jumps! Grrr!!! 😡
LikeLike
3 hours of sleep catching up with me, later gators!!! (Not those gators!)
LikeLike
B, the NTC was not an issue. That is a fabrication by Towers to deflect the attention off of his ham-handed handling of the Peavy trade talks. And the really sad part is that the media buys it. I usually give these guys a little more credit than this, but they’ve fumbled this one. Anyway, I posted this yesterday, but it deserves to be re-posted. It clarifies the trade-gone-sour.
The Braves devoted six weeks and two days toward attempting to complete that trade and, in the final hours before pulling out of the talks, thought they were about to close the deal.
The Padres, though, continued to change the names they were requesting, according to sources. And just when San Diego was expected to request that the pitcher waive his no-trade clause in a deal that would have sent pitcher Charlie Morton, shortstop Yunel Escobar, reliever Blaine Boyer and minor-league outfielder Gorkys Hernandez to the Padres, the San Diego front-office shifted yet again.
Frustrated, the Braves finally pulled out of the talks and turned their attention elsewhere. –Scott Miller, CBSSportsLine.com
LikeLike
And don’t think the other GMs haven’t noticed! His business deals will come a little harder now, I would think.
LikeLike
And the really sad part is that the media buys it. I usually give these guys a little more credit than this, but they’ve fumbled this one.
The media buys baloney, fries it up and dishes it back out to the public in the form of a sammich? Say it ain’t so. 😯
Raisins, you best stop giving media credit where credit ain’t been earned for a long time and where credit ain’t due. Very little news is fit to print these days.
But I do like me a fried baloney sammich with mayo. 😀
LikeLike
SG, I was a bit broad in my statement. As a whole, I don’t give the media credit for anything. But Gammons, Tim K, and Olney are usually a little sharper than a crayon. Not htis time.
Now I’m hungry!!! 😀
LikeLike
Baloney sandwiches?? Where??? WHEN???
LikeLike
Get’cher Baloney sammiches here! Mmmm…
First, I’ll just perform a little chef-like radial keratotomy on the baloney so it won’t get all curly-warped-bubbly-wrinkled and all when fryin’… then I’ll slap’em in the skillet and fry some right up!
Mayo both sides so it slides down good… a Diet Coke for bellywash.
Yummy. Now, I have to go buy some baloney. 🙄 Wonder if they have that or if I’ll have to settle for that high-falootin’ bologna stuff.
LikeLike
Just how do you faloot anyway? And is there such a thing as low-falootin’ or even just average-elevation-falootin’? Does it always have to be high? 💡
LikeLike
Sea level-falootin’?
LikeLike
How high is ‘high’?
LikeLike
Good question, CL. It would probably be easier for Randy Johnson to faloot high than for Chuck James. He wouldn’t have to reach as far.
LikeLike
ham-handed handling
ham-handed handling
ham-handed handling
Try sayin’ it fast! 😆
<b?How high is ‘high’? It’s all relative!
Raisins…nice lead…good songs! I planned to do some of what you did, but as you laid out in your lead…they’d have just found the ‘Salty filter’! 🙄 Oh, the ignominy! 😦 Ignominy…a blog first?
LikeLike
I know I put the in there…I jes’ know it! Filtering takes all forms with me! 😡
LikeLike
“”
LikeLike
I give !
LikeLike
sigh…. The baloney is in the freezer. Frozen solid as a rock. Had to settle for this rewarmed piece of fried chicken. (Actually, it’s pretty good!) 😀
LikeLike
Not sure, but I think Falootin’ is always high. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be falootin’ at all. Let me break it down:
High-falootin’ would be Scott Boras.
Just plain ‘high’ would be, um, Daryl Strawberry.
Low would be ‘brow’, like Keith Olbermann.
Average-medium would be either ‘fair’ or ‘middlin’… is like, uh, Javier Vazquez.
“Mid-Elevation” would be French in Mississippi.
Do I have to ‘splain everything? Gee willikers.
LikeLike
Oh…
LikeLike
SG, your explanation is better than Google’s:
In his book, The Adventure of English, Melvyn Bragg records that in a nascent America, when the well-to-do travelled by steamboat, said passengers were referred to as highfalutin due to the high fluted funnels on the boats.
Adjective: highfalutin
Positive: highfalutin
Comparative: more highfalutin
Superlative: most highfalutin
(US, informal) Self-important, pompous; arrogant or egotistical; tending to show off or hold oneself in unduly high regard.
It’s only a matter of time before some highfalutin developer builds a huge hotel and ruins the scenery.
Translations (informal) self-important, pompous; arrogant or egotistical
LikeLike
OJ gets 16+ years with minimum 6 to serve.
Kill folks in Cali and walk. Steal memorabilia in Vegas and do time. 🙄
LikeLike
well, not instant Karma, but Karma nonetheless…..
LikeLike
T’was a trap for which he fell. Now, I really could care less about OJ. However, I have a real problem with someone being set up and then found guilty because of a past crime for which he was not convicted. I cannot help it if the DA from the first case was incompetent.
Have we not seen how the media decides who they think is guilty or innocent and then slant their coverage to fit their agenda?
And baseball… A lot of baloney being dished… Take all the conjecture (blog first 🙂 ) with a grain of salt
LikeLike
And baseball… A lot of baloney being dished… Take all the conjecture (blog first 🙂 ) with a grain of salt
If with a grain of Salt, it’ll wind up in the filter. 😀
LikeLike
One day God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the rascally behavior
that was going on. So he called one of His angels and sent the angel to
Earth for a time.
When he returned, he told God, ‘Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are
misbehaving and only 5% are not.
God thought for a moment and said, ‘Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion.’ So God called another angel and sent him to Earth for a time.
When the angel returned he went to God and said, ‘Yes, it’s true.The Earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving, but 5% are being good.’
God was not pleased. So He decided to e-mail the 5% that were good, because he wanted to encourage them, and give them a little something to help them keep going.
Do you know what the e-mail said?
CL, I know you did! 😆
^
^
^
^
^
Okay, I was just wondering, because I didn’t get one either.
LikeLike
Grain of Salt = filter! Sheesh!
LikeLike
Did Google misspell falootin’? 😆
Is Putin highfalutin?
Is he a Rooskie hog a’rootin’?
Is it civil and human rights he’s a’bootin’?
Is it hissown people he’s a’lootin’?
Is his neighbor Georgia hollerin’ and hootin’?
Is his stance with America always disputin’?
Does his facial expression look like somebody’s a’pootin’?
If you say yea to all, you’re darned tootin!
LikeLike
Salty, that 2:52 Are funny!
LikeLike
Salty, He didn’t just send me an email, He sent me a whole book! 😀
LikeLike
SG, yours as well!
Ok, I am offically confuzzled!!! Reading this, one would think we are NOT going to get A.J. Burnett…though it reminds me of the old Steven Wright joke, Everywhere is walking distance if you have the time….
A.J. Burnett Rumors: Friday
By Tim Dierkes [December 5 at 1:42pm CST]
Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the latest on A.J. Burnett. The Braves will hold off on other moves for starting pitching until they hear from A.J. Burnett’s agent Darek Braunecker about their offer (said to be five years, $75MM if the fifth-year option vests).
Braunecker says he has numerous offers, though Burnett’s next team will have to be within driving distance of his suburban Baltimore home. Jon Heyman says Burnett has multiple four-year offers and one five-year one. Braunecker says the Blue Jays aren’t out of it, despite J.P. Ricciardi’s comment, “It looks like we’re going to lose Burnett.”
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/aj-burnett-rumo.html
LikeLike
Salty, He didn’t just send me an email, He sent me a whole book!
Autographed…no doubt! 😆
LikeLike
Well, I can drive to Atlanta in one day.. Baltimore is not that far from me, they can stop by if they need to take a break. 🙂 But why drive, they have direct flights from Baltimore to Atlanta…
I think someone needs to let Burnett know that he can buy twice as much house in Atlanta as he can in Maryland for the same money…
Then again, the Nationals are within driving distance too…
LikeLike
Baltimore is within driving distance of Toronto?? Can’t be much difference to ATL, can it?
Remember that MRS Burnett only travels by car and his contracts call for a bunch of LIMO round-trips between Baltimore and wherever he is pitching. Aaaand I guess moving to ATL for 5 years is out of the question….
LikeLike
“confuzzled” Another blog first…. 🙂
LikeLike
Salty, it’s got His fingerprints all over it! 😀
LikeLike
Man, I’d have to take the train… Or buy him a motor home… Now, that would be the ticket…. Make it happen Frank…
LikeLike
Gil, I cannot tell a lie…well, I can…but, anyway, that is something I stole from FLB a few months back!!! Must be something the youngsters say…people still call young whipper-snappers, youngsters, don’t they???
LikeLike
Gil, looks like we had the same thoughts. 😆
LikeLike
Those things are cheap right now, Nascar has a bunch they are looking to get rid of… It’s the perfect storm…
LikeLike
Ok, gotta go do this ‘tree’ thing….. Haven’t even gotten to the bottom of the pile on the desk yet. Tomorrow is another day……
LikeLike
Question… Are they called that because they snap whippers? or do they whip snappers? I am confuzzled….
LikeLike
Whip snappers??? not on the B&S but the S&M forum! 😉
LikeLike
The best Whip Snapper was Newt.
LikeLike
Bear has his paw in the gutter.
LikeLike
CL, like Scarlett, tomorrow is another day. I also have papers still piled high, metaphorically speaking. Was busy all day and made a big dent but now it seems like nuttin’ much… hate it when that happens. Maybe an auto body shop would be better. At least progress is more apparent.
Also need to do the tree thing but not today. I’ll put that off a day so that I can do what I put off yesterday… which was stuff that needed doin’ the day before yesterday… and so on. Always sumpin’ new to put off.
Tomorrow I will stop procrastinating. 😀
LikeLike
Gil has a new hair dresser?
LikeLike
Two hours later……tree is up – as in its stand. The lights are made on it, so theoretically I don’t have to mess with them. Except that 2 strands are out and I can’t find the problem.
Put on shoes and jacket, venture out to find a strand of plain white mini-lights. Two stores later the prize was found. Back home, the phone rings, Mother’s Rx is ready for pickup. Put the shoes and jacket back on, off to the drug store – then back home.
By that time, they were hungry. So, stop and cook, etc.
But now I’m totally out of the notion of messing with the stupid tree. So there it sits. And here I sit. sigh….. 😐
LikeLike
SG, Pa cleaned the gutters, but that was a week ago…
LikeLike
blogdominationmadeeasywhilepostingweirdmusiclinks.com
LikeLike
He sure looks a lot younger, too, doesn’t he, SG? Prettier, somehow. 😆
LikeLike
CL sounds a little bah humbuggish.
I’ll go through that about 50 times between now and the big day.
LikeLike
Yes, Gil is quite attractive. The Mechanicsville Beehive.
LikeLike
Next, Gil will change his avatar back to his mug and people’ll think we are really strange for those comments.
Disclaimer: Gil looks just like Sarah Palin, but different.
LikeLike
I’m off for tacos… (turkey sammich antidote).
LikeLike
Evening all, just trying to get the jump on the 2012 elections… If the dems can push for Obama to somehow wrest control of the Presidency away from George Bush prior to Jan 20th, I can wish Obama’s first term away too.
I did some work around the place today. Used the tractor to dig up 3 and 1/2 stumps.. I’ll get the other half next week maybe. I still have about a half acre I need to finish clearing that is left over from when I first had my left knee operated on. Funny how three years can get past you so quickly.
My neighbor dropped by and he was amazed I could dig the stumps up just using the front end loader. I told him dynamite would work better but the folks around me are a little skittish and I’m sure the dogs wouldn’t like it much either.
So, CL.. I did get a couple of photos of the house but I need to get Josie to e-mail them to me.
LikeLike
Front end loader takes a little longer for stump removal on the front end, but on the back end it takes much more time collecting all the wood slivers and fatlighter shrapnel from a half mile radius. More fun to watch the dynamite but more work.
We used to have stump burning parties.
Drill some big, deep holes into the stump, pour gas into the holes and light. Days of entertainment for the family and friends. Setup the lawn chairs in a circle, roast hot dogs and marshmellows, drink beer, play some tunes and shoot the breeze while the stump burned away. Redneck weekend entertainment. 😀
LikeLike
Gil, with this economy and worldwide terrorism, if Obama isn’t already feeling like he’s got a tiger by the tail, he will as soon as the power buzz wears off.
After he gets all the briefings from Bush, Bernanke, Immigration and National Security advisors, he may invite Hillary and Monica Lewinsky to the Oval Office and call the media to cover the, uh, meeting just to get thrown out of office in the first week. The veep is just Biden his time in an undisclosed location ’til that happens. You heard it here first.
Whatever happened to George? Anybody seen him? Is he still President? Is he still telling Paulson to spend money like it’s going out of style?
LikeLike
justmoreblogdominationwithweirdmusicclipsandpoliticalrants.com
LikeLike
SG, stump burnin’ sounds like fun! I learned this summer that it is quite a bit of fun to set ant hills on fire! Carefully pour a lot of gas into some of the bigger hills(Really had a problem this year, even after using some ant killer that was supposed to be great) light a match, and get in touch with your inner pyromaniac! I found raking the hill while it was burning, would get a fire to burn quite intensely….of course, it killed a lot of grass as well, but it was late in the year….
LikeLike
Primus – The Devil Went Down To Georgia. Kinda weird, but great claymation…
LikeLike
Yee haw… break out the six pack and let’s go…. 🙂 See, it doesn’t take all that much to entertain us, we’re baseball fans….
Bowman has a nice piece on John Smoltz tonight over on the Atlanta Braves site. Too early to get real exited but at least the message is positive. Could be a good year yet…
Pick up splinters?? Naw, that’s what the box blade is for. 🙂
LikeLike
Really good news about Smoltz! I’d bet that Bobby has him penciled in already.
Maddux is retiring. Hall of Famer Joe Morgan once said: “Greg Maddux could put a baseball through a life saver if you asked him.” Probably the only time I’ve ever agreed with Joe Morgan.
LikeLike
Didn’t know that Bobby had his second double knee replacement surgery. That just sounds scary to me! I know a very elderly lady (late 80s) who had that done several years ago and she walks pretty well, but she says they just don’t “feel” like her knees. I can imagine!
LikeLike
I know y’all never heard of any of these composers, but here are some I like: (be nice!)
[audio src="http://www.hawksley.net/mp3/John%20Hawksley%20-%20Out%20of%20the%20Blue.mp3" /]
[audio src="http://www.hawksley.net/mp3/John%20Hawksley%20-%20Flying%20Home.mp3" /]
[audio src="http://www.hawksley.net/mp3/John%20Hawksley%20-%20Azure%20Blue.mp3" /]
LikeLike
[audio src="http://www.hawksley.net/mp3/John%20Hawksley%20-%20In%20Dreams.mp3" /]
[audio src="http://www.hawksley.net/mp3/John%20Hawksley%20-%20Absent%20Friends%20%28Lament%29.mp3" /]
[audio src="http://www.hawksley.net/mp3/John%20Hawksley%20-%20Lincolnshire%20Portrait.mp3" /]
LikeLike
Well, I’ll have to work on links to some of the others tomorrow – after I finish the tree. And clean out the washer drain line. And cook. And work on the genealogy project I’m trying to complete. And – whatever else comes up! 😆
LikeLike
Looks like we won’t have Jorge Julio to kick around anymore… Signed a contract with Milwaukee on Thursday. One less J.J. on the staff. How many “J”s come in a box of letters anyway?
LikeLike
Is that you Gil???? In the Avatar I mean….
LikeLike
Hey! Check it out!! Gil’s new photos! Even got a pic of one of his hummers!
LikeLike
HA! Just checked out the Hummer, I knew Gil was rich!!! 😆
LikeLike
and the house looks great Gil!!!!
LikeLike
Mr. Gil has so many cars and other cars and other cars and boats and front in loaders and riding lawn mowers and a pick’em up truck too. Many moving parts. Now we know why they call it Mechanicsville!
New picture… no beehive. Is Gil the MIB? The MIBWAWT? 😀
LikeLike
Ber, there has been a lot of income redistribution that has taken place since I retired… I am not quite sure where my 401K money went but a lot of it disappeared and I have not taken any dispersment from it other than $5000 when I was retired by the Evil Empire and they said “Oh we forgot to tell you, you won’t see any money for 3 months”…
Saving the rest for a rainy day…
LikeLike
“front in loader”?
Must be a new type loader… front ends sometimes go all the way “in” I s’pose.
LikeLike
It’s my Alfred Hitchcock pose SG…
As for the cars, well, somebody has to keep the economy going. But it does help to know which spot to hit with the hammer…
Decided against the big screen TV and bought new living room furniture instead. Buy American… Well, at least the furniture is made in the USA. Not sure American labor was used though….
SG… I like variety and cars cost me less in the long run than a mistress….
LikeLike
Oh my… avatar has gone away. I’m feeling pale… faint… must be a whiteout.
Is WordPress trying to tell me to change? A change I can believe in? Yikes.
LikeLike
Going to buy a Christmas tree now. Wish it would just snow.
southernboyslikeittosnowcausetheynevergottoplayenoughinitgrowingup.com
LikeLike
My picture is still up. Wonder what happened to Mr. Guy?
LikeLike
Hmmm… WordPress likes pictures of Mr. Fly but not Mr. Guy.
Feeling pale… faint. Must rest now…
LikeLike
Just tried to check my “Edit Profile” page to see what happened to my avatar and, low and behold, the whole page has changed. Now called “Gravatar”. Seems to malfunction when clicked.
Oh well, gotta run anyhoo.
LikeLike
from our buddy TnPaul over at DOB’s site:
By TennesseePaul
December 5, 2008 3:12 PM | Link to this
Just got off the phone with Towers. He’s not fretting over missing out on the Braves offer. He said Peavy could easily be dealt to the Pirates if they can pull in 7 other teams to get the parts they need. He said the Braves deal fell through because he wasn’t sure Peavy would be comfortable pitching in a red uniform on Sunday home games and Peavy could produce a bovineophobia complex. Also said the beer prices are bit too steep for Peavy’s liking and said Peavy thought the visiting GM’s box had uncomfortable seats.
😆 😆
LikeLike
CL, 😉
LikeLike
Gil, soon after my Mom died,we went from 3 cars to 6! We were looking mighty silly with cars going from the garage to the edge of the street! 🙂 But as I explained to my incredulous friend who has had only 3 cars at the age of 45, hey there are worse vices! And the total cost of all the cars was just a bit over 12K! Well, to buy them, not including repairing them…. 😳
Down to 3, and trying to sell the Yellow Lincoln so I can join the ranks of GM owners again…
LikeLike
I like variety and cars cost me less in the long run than a mistress….
Yes… plus a variety of mistresses will cost much more than cars. 😆
Those are all nice wheels ya got there.
Now, baseball: boy, I’m gonna miss Mad Dog, even tho he’s been gone from his Braves home for what seems like ten years. Salute to the HOF guy. Not many like him.
LikeLike
The Tide got rolled.
Tebow is a monster who carried his team on his back this entire year. Tonight was no different. He seems like a great kid too. Good game but Florida was missing one of it’s best players and still seized control of the game in the second half. Alabama never looked like their usual confident selves tonight and never found a groove. I was pulling for Bama but man, you gotta tip the cap.
Florida has earned the chance for the top spot.
LikeLike
SG… Makes Ole Miss’s upset of Florida even more incredible doesn’t it.
The Hokies took care of business against Boston College today so I expect a half empty Orange Bowl again this year. Let’s face it, bowl games are all about fans in the seats. I think it would serve everyone well to adopt the same type of playoff formula used in division 1-AA and division 3.
Ber, gas is finally coming down, you could actually afford to drive that beast. Still a classic for sure. And yes, when folks drop my place for the first time, a moment of panic washes over them as they think they may have been shanghaied to an Amway meeting… I have two more, a Cadillac Seville and a Ford Expedition that the wife drives. Plus I am storing my mom’s DeVille and my youngest son’s Chevy pick-up. Good thing I have a big place.
My youngest is coming home for Christmas and I plan to have his truck ready for him to drive back to Florida. It’s just what dads do….
LikeLike
SG.. You suddenly have a strong resemblance to Lew…
LikeLike
Some sad news for me today. A very old friend, Eddie Dunne, died this morning. He was mechanic and crew chief on a DC3 during WWII during the China-Burma-India campaign, “flying the hump.” He met his bride in a hangar in MA early in the war; she was a “Rosie the Riveter” and was working on a B17 when they met.
After the war, they married, had 7 kids and had a good and happy life together, until she developed Alzheimer’s. He took care of her at home as long as he could, then found an excellent facility a few blocks from their home in Waltham, MA. He went there EVERY morning to help her with breakfast, stayed with her through lunch, then walked back home for a short rest. Mid-afternoon he was back and stayed with her until after supper. Never missed one day.
Moira hadn’t spoken a word in more than a year when one day he wheeled her chair down to the salon off the lobby. Afterward, as he was wheeling her into the elevator to go back upstairs, he was talking to her, as he always did, and told her how pretty she looked. She turned, looked at him, and said, “Thank you.”
For that one moment she was able to understand and respond. They were the last words she ever spoke. She died several months later.
Late spring, Eddie was having some problems in his abdomen. Colon cancer. Surgery was performed but it had already spread to his liver. Chemo didn’t help much, but Eddie was able to continue living in his home of 60 years, independently for the most part, and had little pain.
His son said that even as late as Wednesday he was laughing, joking, enjoying himself, wearing a Piedmont Airlines tee-shirt I had sent him just before Thanksgiving. (The main pilot that he flew in CBI with was one of the first employees of Piedmont when it formed in 1947, so he always had an interest in it.)
Thursday evening he was hospitalized for dehydration, but his condition rapidly deteriorated until his very quiet passing this morning around 8:00. 88+ years on planet Earth.
I’ll sure miss him.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing his story with us this morning CL.
Today is Pearl Harbor Day.
A salute to our “Greatest Generation”…
LikeLike
CL, I also thank you for your story and condolences for your friend Eddie. It was indeed sad but very touching and inspirational. What an incredible American story of war and peace, heroism, patriotism, the values of a selfless generation and most of all, a story of love.
A swashbuckling DC3 Crew Chief, risking everything flying the “Hump” in WWII, meets and marries “Rosie the Riveter”, settles down, has 7 kids and they live a wonderful, long life. I hope someone writes that story and/or makes the movie. I’d love to read it and see it. We need more stories like that today.
You keep very good friends, my Lady. Maybe you should write it!
CL, I know you know, just remember… your friend Eddie got his ultimate “lift” over the rock pile. He’s made it over the big “hump” for the last time and is safely flying home to his bride.
LikeLike
A swashbuckling DC3 Crew Chief, risking everything flying the “Hump” in WWII, meets and marries “Rosie the Riveter”, settles down, has 7 kids and they live a wonderful, long life. I hope someone writes that story and/or makes the movie. I’d love to read it and see it. We need more stories like that today.
I’m seeing Jimmy Stewart and June Allison all over again! Or, perhaps Kate Hepburn! Thanks for the story, CL! 🙂
LikeLike
Gil, December 7th, “the day that will live in infamy” never escapes me. We have long since won that war, rebuilt Japan and much of Europe, fought at least three more wars since then (the number depends on how you define “war”), and we have forgiven those Japanese warriors that attacked our military troops, ships, harbor, hangers and airfields without warning and without a Declaration of War so long ago. We’ve forgiven but some of us will never, ever forget.
Some will never forget the national security and military readiness lessons learned on that day so long ago. Problem is, many… most in America, including the politicians, do seem to have forgotten the lessons of Pearl Harbor and the threat of Hitler’s “gathering storm”.
September 11, 2001 joins and overshadows December 11th as a day of infamy. Both attacks were horrid, but the fundamental difference is, Japan attacked our military while in uniform. The Japanese displayed their flag on ships and planes.
The Islamic terrorists posed as civilians and mercilessly attacked and mass-murdered our innocent civilian men, women and children. WWII, Korea and Viet Nam wars have ended. The war against terrorism began before September in 2001, yet it is 911 that we all point to as the day we were first attacked and the War on Terror began.
December 7th is the day of infamy. September 11th is the day of evil and terror. Let’s pray that we don’t get caught flat-footed and have another.
Let’s also hope that January 20 won’t be another day that will live in infamy.
LikeLike
Salty, Jimmy Stewart would be perfect for that role, as would June Allison. Don’t mak’em like that any more.
LikeLike
CL, now I’m hooked on the story of Eddie Dunne and his “Rosie”, Moira. Please let us know where we can learn more about these great people.
LikeLike
Still snowing hard in Savannah. Blizzard conditions. Can hardly see a thing.
Brrrr…
LikeLike
Thanks for the very kind words, my friends. Yes, I do have some VERY good friends!
Only have a few minutes, but I wanted to pass on an email from a Northwest Airlines Flight Attendant who was in Mumbai on the day of the attacks. Thought you would be interested in reading her perspective.
What a close call.
Dear Friends:
My apologies that this is the first response to all the emails I have received as of this writing. I spent the last 48 hours up at the farm with Keith after getting back to Milwaukee mid-day on Friday, and I spent only enough time at home to get out of my uniform and pack a small bag for my time up there.
This is going out to ALL the contacts in my on-line address book, so another apology to those who may already be aware of the situation.
For those of you who don’t know, I was on a layover at the Oberoi Trident hotel in Mumbai when the attacks occurred there last Wednesday night. Some of my memory of some of this is sketchy but here’s what I remember.
Had a great, uneventful layover…the usual, massage, lunch at Trishna etc. Napped from about six pm to 9 pm. I received my 9:50 pm wakeup call from reception, reminding me of my 10:50 pm pickup time. I left my room for the lobby about 10:35 and saw one of my flight attendants standing at the elevator bank. He said the elevators for some reason weren’t working and that his calls from the house phone adjacent to them was going unanswered. My initial reaction was Oh God, am I going to have to carry all my bags down stairs??? I was heading back to my room to try calling from my room’s phone when we heard a tremendous explosion that shook the building. We were on the 18th floor, and unaware of what was happening in the lobby and outside the hotel. I ran to my room and dialed reception, and again, no answer. I went back out into the hallway to see what we were going to decide to do when we heard another huge explosion followed by very loud screams. At first I thought that an elevator had fallen as the screams seemed to come from the elevator shafts.
Suddenly doors in the hallway were opening and heads were sticking out wondering what was going on. All of a sudden a young woman comes out and starts banging on other doors in the hallway screaming that the hotel was being attacked. Apparently she saw it on TV. My coworker and I ran into my room and turned on the television and on one of the local channels it was being reported that there were “firings” outside of some hotels. It was running across the bottom of the screen but the TV still had regular programming on. I wasn’t sure what they meant by firings, but I couldn’t help but wonder if that is what the explosions were.
Everyone was confused about what to do, but my coworker said he was going to go down the stairway adjacent to the elevators to see if it was safe to get out. H e was turned back by hotel staff several flights down. By this time I had that hall crowd of people in my room watching the news on TV that attacks were being carried out at several locations in the city. All of a sudden one of the women who was a Lufthansa flight attendant got a call on her PDA and screamed that the hotel was on fire and we had to get out. Although we didn’t know it at the time, it was actually the Taj Hotel on fire. But we decided to head down the stairs. Instinctively, I grabbed my passport, crew badge, wallet, and cash, and locked my luggage in my room. Some of the women were crying but it was orderly going down. Strangely nobody from above followed the 16 of us.
We made it to the pool level which is on the rooftop of the third floor, but the all the glass doors to the outside areas were locked. That floor also has banquet and meeting rooms and we found all the doors locked. Inside the ladies room the towels are cloth, so we grabbed a bunch of them and wet them in case we had to breathe through smoke. But we hadn’t smelled any if the hotel was indeed on fire. We were trying to figure out where to go at that point when we encountered a hotel security guard. He WHISPERED (which began to scare me even more) for us to stay there as there was an “incident” in the lobby.
We cut through a linen tied to the insides of large bronze handles of the doors to one of the banquet rooms. He told us to be very very quiet, and to stay there until someone came to get us. He also told us to stay on the floor. We were in that room for over an hour, and several of the Lufthansa crewmembers with us had PDA’s, and were getting information from outside sources, so we learned the situation was not good. Eventually hiding in the dark there, we barricaded the door with a large table and waited…..then we heard voices. My heart I swear st opped for a few seconds. We were all on the floor holding hands, praying, some were crying softly etc. … Turned out to be that same security man. He was like he was sent from heaven. He said there were men here to help us evacuate.
There were about a half dozen guys in camo with large automatic rifles. We were then led through a long set of offices, storage areas etc, until eventually we came out into a mezzanine level in the lobby through the hotel’s business center. There was a Van Cleef and Arpels store and a Brioni mens clothing store and all the windows were shattered, as were all the windows to the outside.
Apparently grenades had been thrown in some lobby areas. There was glass EVERYWHERE! They told us to stay closely together, and QUIETLY but quickly follow them. But every time we encountered a turn in the hallway, or an open area, they halted us and the military guys aimed their rifles in all directions.&nb sp; We had to descend a large staircase into the open main lobby of the hotel, and RUN past the front desk, the concierge, and out the main doors. There was not ONE window intact, there was blood everywhere, and the restaurant called Opium Den next to the elevators had at least a dozen bullet holes in the glass.
Apparently several people were killed there. Everywhere we stepped there was glass…..on the furniture, the carpeting, the marble floors…everywhere. There were also NO people….anywhere. The huge glass doors to the main entrance were reduced to about six inches deep of glass pieces similar to a windshield break. It wasn’t like sheet glass. It was weird.So we didn’t have to open any doors to get out.
We were halted in the entrance area and the rifle men repositioned. That was perhaps the most terrifying part. Not knowing where the bad guys with guns and grenades were, or if we were going to get shot from someplace or somebody that was hiding. We ran across the street and up about three blocks to a movie theater complex’s parking ramp where we were in the company of several hundred people….guests and hotel staff both. We got there at around 12:30-1:00 am.
We found our two first officers, and one of them had an international use cell phone that ended up being our lifeline. We were on the phone with the state department, headquarters in MSP, and several others so our exact location could be known and monitored. Since the whole area had been cordoned off, there was no traffic movement so we ended up there until dawn, when after a very confusing and chaotic shifting of groups, we finally got a private bus company to shuttle us from outside the locked-down area to a destination which changed three times enroute. It was to a hotel near the airport where we eventually met up with the crew that brought our outbound plane “in”.
It was pretty much carte blanche with meals, expenses, and phone calls to family, etc. Exhaustion was setting in, as were emotions, and I didn’t sleep that whole day but a shower made all the difference. EVERY sound outside my room sent the adrenaline pumping. At that point we were missing flight attendant Daryl Jones, and our captain, Tom Cook. The state dept. assured us they were in contact with them every half hour even though they were still trapped inside the Oberoi. About 5:30 pm, we got calls saying they were evacuating us out of India, and to be in the lobby at 6:05 pm. We finally took off without Tom and Daryl at 8 pm, and landed in Amsterdam at around 3:30 am.
It is about a nine hour flight, but I slept the whole way. We supposedly had 15 people in coach and only WE were seated in first class. Thank God those seats lie flat. We were met in Amsterdam by several KLM managers, grief counselors, and clergy of about six different faiths. That was good, as it turned out, one of our flight attendants was in the lobby when the shootings took place and saw several people killed. Another had actually called an elevator to her floor and found it empty, but with a pool of blood on the floor, so she ran back to her room.
We were all given emergency clothing kits of underwear, socks, and KLM sweatshirt and sweatpants, along with amenity kits of basic sundries, at least to get us home. Since we were given the option of staying in Amsterdam to rest, counsel, have clothing purchased for us, or whatever, and fly home the next day, or to continue on to our home cities. Out of the nine of MY crewmembers, and the 11 crewmembers who landed in Mumbai about the time this started, only two chose to stay. They also said a large group of reporters was waiting for us to exit, so we were sent off the property a different way, to a hotel nearby for a four hour layover until the first flight to Detroi t departed, thank God. I was OUT that entire flight as well. A glass of wine and a xanax works wonders!
We were then met in Detroit by several NWA senior management personnel and Employee Assistance Program psychologists. We were quickly and quietly expedited through customs and immigration and offered the chance to talk to anybody we wished, but my flight was leaving for Milwaukee in 40 minutes so I had to decline. Turns out that crew to Milwaukee had been told of my presence and they went out of their way to make me comfortable, as did the crews of every flight that got me home. As a matter of fact, I have never seen such kindness and compassion extended to us, like it was by everybody we encountered, from hotel staffs to Airport and airline personnel. It was truly extraordinary.
Some processed it differently, and at different times, but I finally broke when I learned that Daryl and Tom had finally been released unharmed and were preparing to board a Lufthansa flight to Frankfurt before catching the NWA flight to Detroit from there.
We left Mumbai with little more than the clothes on our backs, but Detroit inflight has been in touch, and they said they will replace EVERYTHING we lost, and at full monetary value, no questions asked, or receipts required. They have also dropped most of my December schedule with pay. I lost my TravelPro luggage, garment bag, laptop, cell phone, ipod, Nikon camera, skype phone. clothing, leather coat, uniform pieces etc, but I came out of there unharmed, and with my LIFE, which is what mattered most.
Since I sat in row 1 on my flight to Milwaukee, I was first off the plane. Jimean met me at the end of the jetway and burst into tears, which turned on the water for me too. Then the gate agent started in, and I think everybody in the gate area waiting to depart was wondering what the hell had just happened. lol It was only when Jimean offered up “let me help you with your bags” (I had ONE small plastic bag with a handle), did the laughter emerge through the tears.
Outside of security in Milwaukee we were met by Pamela and Larry, and Vicky and Bob. I wanted to get home and up to the farm to be with Keith, but I agreed, thankfully to stop over at Amelia’s by the airport for a bloody mary. MAN, that tasted good! Special thanks go out to you guys……that small gesture did NOT go unappreciated! So tonight I’m able to finally sit here at my desktop PC and finally get back to you. Thanks for understanding.
LikeLike
Eddie Dunne’s obituary:
Waltham – Mr. Edward R. Dunne, Jr., of Waltham, died Saturday, December 6, 2008 at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. He was 89.
Born in Newton, a son of the late Edward and Nellie (McCarthy) Dunne, he had lived in Waltham since 1948. Ed was a past president of the BASHA organization, a member of the China-Burma-India Association and the HUMP Pilot’s Association. In his spare time following retirement, Ed enjoyed traveling to various airports and loved antique cars. He was a veteran of the United States Army Air Corp during World War II.
Ed was the husband of the late Moira I.(Phelan) Dunne, and father of the late Clark Dunne.
He leaves his children, Ted Dunne of West Newton, Mary T. Hatch, of Wilmington, Naomi Bouche of Rutland, Dolly Palmieri of Paradise, California, Michael J. Dunne of Waltham, Juliana Matthews of Adams and Carolyn D. Kretz of Sterling; one sister, Helen MacDonald of San Ramon, California; his dear friend, Pat Westover of Waltham, and several grandchildren.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Wednesday at 9 a.m. from The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte.20), Waltham followed by a Funeral Mass in Saint Mary’s Church, 133 School Street, Waltham at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Newton Cemetery.
Visiting hours are Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m.
Memorial donations may be made to the Greater Boston Association for Retarded Citizens, 1249 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02221.
LikeLike
CL, very sorry about your friend, at least he is a peace, and has reunited with his wife.
LikeLike
And CL, that is one harrowing story that flight attendant told! It reminds us of what we will face again here on our land again…
Some will never forget the national security and military readiness lessons learned on that day so long ago. Problem is, many… most in America, including the politicians, do seem to have forgotten the lessons of Pearl Harbor and the threat of Hitler’s “gathering storm”.
SG, that is the truth! People like Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi were more concerned about us losing in Iraq, and emboldening our enemies, than seeing the US military win an unpopular war…remember what that traitor Harry Reid said back June 14th of 2007???
Top US congressional Democrats bluntly told President George W. Bush Wednesday that his Iraq troop “surge” policy was a failure.
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid and House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi challenged the president over Iraq by sending him a letter, ahead of a White House meeting later on Wednesday.
“As many had forseen, the escalation has failed to produce the intended results,” the two leaders wrote.
“The increase in US forces has had little impact in curbing the violence or fostering political reconciliation.
If a political hack had said something like that in 1943, he’d have been tried as a traitor!!! Not today, instead he’s still the leader of the senate.
The more I see of Obama, and his cabinet picks, I think he really is to the right of Pelosi and Reid…thank God!
LikeLike
And now, Video: Plaxico Burress On Gun Safety!!
(Please note some bad words are bleeped out, but you can tell exactly what’s been bleeped!!)
LikeLike
Berigan… Karl Marks is to the right of Pelosi and Reid… I will not be like the liberal crazies and condemn the man before he is even sworn in. I sincerely hope he is a magnificent president and he makes me want to work for his re-election in 2012… Not likely that will happen but I will at least give him the benefit of the doubt because we as a nation need for it to happen. I am not particularly fond of some of his appointments but just like the Braves, he didn’t call me to ask my advice.
That said, I still have to assume I will live to be 100 so I have to make plans for that eventuality. I shall not feel sorry for myself no matter what happens as it only causes people to avoid you like the plague….
I am still contemplating a vacation to a warmer climate. Sounds to me like Georgia may not be far enough south from the weather reports coming out of Savannah this morning.
I may just call AAA and tell them to pick something and let me know when to be there. Too many choices seems to freeze my thought processes.
Josie drove over to her oldest daughter’s place this morning so it’s just the cat and myself here today and the cat seems pretty indifferent so it might just be me. I would go up and visit my mom but the ABC store is closed today and I don’t know if I can take the abuse without some type of shield against her morose onslaught.
On the bright side, the sun is shining brightly today and as long as I stay indoors, I can imagine I am in the Caribbean without any sense of time or place.
Next week is the baseball meetings in Vegas and let’s hope Wren can snag a good offensive bat while there. Realistically though, I fear as soon as Terry Pendelton messes with said player’s swing, we might as well have kept Langerhans. At least he played decent defense.
A note on gun safety… Some folks should never be allowed to handle sharp objects or firearms. They just don’t have the aptitude for it. Remind me to tell you the story one day about the time a friend of mine was tossing firecrackers out the side window of the car and did not realize someone had rolled up the glass….. Let’s just say it was a good thing it was not a cherry bomb….
LikeLike
December 7 has another special meaning to the Raisins family – it is my oldest’s birthday. Today, I am the dad of a teenager. 😯
LikeLike
Whoa… a very old avatar! Spooky…
LikeLike
Er… excuse me. I should have said gravatar… 🙄
LikeLike
Today, I am the dad of a teenager..
Sympathy and prayers, Raisins! You WILL survive! 😀
LikeLike
However, I wouldn’t bet the house on it…. 🙂
LikeLike
A teenager?? Oh V!!! 😯
LikeLike
Evening, my dears! Promising news about Smoltzie. If anyone can come back from this, it’s him.
Did you finish the tree, CL?
Dad is ecstatic about his Gators, of course. We had to go back to the hotel so he could watch the game (we girls napped).
Another lovely weekend at Disney &, proving that you never know what or who you’ll see there, we were walking through the lobby of Boardwalk this morning headed for Epcot & Mom says “There’s David Cook”. We turn, thinking she means someone kinda looks like him. No, it’s him, waiting to get to the front desk like a regular person instead of having his “people” do it like you imagine the American Idol would. He graciously posed for a picture & was very friendly & humble. Nice to see he’s not spoiled by success.
LikeLike
Hey, FBG! Tree mission completed! And it’s very pretty!
Sounds like a great Disney trip! And glad to hear that about Cook. I never really ‘warmed up’ to him during the contest, but the other David was just too young to live through being an AI winner so I’m glad Cook won, just the same.
Finally got Mother’s checkbook caught up. Had an error that I just couldn’t find! HATE IT when I do that!
So, very late, I’m off to my snug little bed – that is, if Littlejohn will move over and share space with the human. It’s amazing how one 7-lb cat can take over an entire full-sized bed! And the covers.
See y’all tomorrow if the good Lord is willing!
LikeLike
“It’s amazing how one 7-lb cat can take over an entire full-sized bed!”
I don’t have to imagine it, I have one who does the same thing… Must be in their DNA.
LikeLike
“It’s amazing how one 7-lb cat can take over an entire full-sized bed!”
They do wonders with a king-size bed, too! How do all the covers wind up in the middle of the bed, with Bast (Egyptian for cat…how original!) curled up tight like a doughnut hole under the down comforter!?! Did you ever wonder if heaven is really coming back as a prized pet? 😕
Raisins…father of a teenager! 😯 You poor man! 😆 Things will change, though…just sayin’! 😛
LikeLike
“Guys that you’ve got good relationships with, usually there’s less cat-and-mouse games,” Towers said before leaving San Diego for baseball’s winter meetings. “Certain guys deal differently. Jim Hendry with the Cubs is very open, up-front, has a good feeling for value. Like with (Jake) Peavy, (Hendry’s) not going to embarrass you and say, well, ‘This guy’s not available, this guy’s not available, this guy’s not available.’ It’s more, ‘If I’m going to be in the running for Peavy, everybody’s available.’ ” –San Diego Union-Tribune
Kevin Towers is and idiot…
LikeLike
So, it all comes down to a personality conflict…. My dad always said,” buying is easy, it’s selling that’s hard…”
LikeLike
I found a house that I love…. Great price, great location, problem is, it’s still more than I can afford…
Maybe buying is easy, it’s affording that’s hard…
LikeLike
I think it’s pretty easy to look at all of Towers’ comments and conclude that he wanted Wren to let him have Hanson in a deal for Peavy, and that Wren simply wasn’t gonna do it. Towers got his panties in a wad because that was his big gambit and he thought Wren should have caved and let it happen. When it didn’t happen, Towers was left looking stupid, so he had to try to deflect all of the criticism onto Wren. Sad behavior for a supposedly respected executive…
LikeLike
So, what has happened with WordPress? They changed the interface for editing you profile, including the avater, er, gravatar, yet won’t implement any profile changes? Odd…
LikeLike
Back to Kevin Towers:
To use a baseball analogy, Towers tried to nibble the corners thinking he had Andruw Jones at the plate trying to hit a 5-run homer. Instead, he found Chipper working the count and taking the walk.
The only problem is, Chipper’s still on first and needs to score. Hopefully Wren won’t leave him stranded.
LikeLike
Good analogy… Funny when Towers makes his comment of Cubs vs ???.. Maybe he didn’t take into account the Cubbies didn’t have anyone they considered as untouchable because there was not anyone that was that good in their system.
I would bet the Braves only had one or two players they consider as not available but one just happened to be the one Towers thought he wanted. I don’t pretend to know what is going on inside Tower’s head but looking at his history, I would venture to say that his opinion of himself is much higher than everyone else’s.
LikeLike
Raisins, I think they’ll keep improving it until it’s useless. 😆
My setup is a little different, I think, so I don’t know how to advise you on correcting it. I still have my ‘personal’ avatar, but I also have a Gravatar which shows up as a ‘site identifying avatar’ on the address bar when a page is loaded. Supposedly. It shows on my screen, but I really have no idea what anybody else is seeing. (It’s just the ‘A’ in dark blue on a white background. Had to keep it as simple as possible.)
And, sometimes it takes WordPress a while before changes actually show up. I guess it depends on how busy the servers are.
Clear as mud?? 😆
LikeLike
“Instead, he found Chipper working the count and taking the walk.” Excellent!!!
I don’t think Towers is fooling anybody. What will he do if he is stuck with Peavy’s salary?? Apparently hasn’t thought of that.
Raisins and Gil, I think you are correct in your assessment of his desire for Hanson on his staff. Ain’t happening.
Will be interesting to see how this plays out! 😀
LikeLike
Tigers get C Gerald Laird from the Rangers for prospects. The meetings are underway…
LikeLike
Rangers making room for Salty… Tigers were in need of a backstop.
LikeLike
Well, it is reported that now the Cardinals are in the race for Burnett.
Burnett, a native of Arkansas, now lives in Monkton, Md. His preference is to play for a city that either borders on the Mississippi River or is east of it, and St. Louis would qualify. Something else that would work in the Cardinals’ favor: Burnett hit it off with manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan before signing with the Blue Jays in 2005.
Wherever Burnett goes, he isn’t likely to choose his next team at the winter meetings. He likely will wait on free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia, knowing that if the Yankees lose Sabathia, their urgency (desperation?) will only increase. Sabathia, too, is unlikely to make a decision at the meetings.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8911104/Sources:-Cardinals-serious-about-Burnett?CMP=OTC-K9B140813162&ATT=49
❓ How many miles is it from Baltimore to St Louis??? ❓
LikeLike
More than you would want to drive in a day….
LikeLike
10 different reports have 10 different perspectives.
Here is what I believe: Lotsa $$$ + 5th year guaranteed > Mississippi River, driving distance from Baltimore, La Russa, Dave Duncan, Vazquez, or anything else. Period.
LikeLike
Ever get the feeling it’s the Yankees and everyone else takes the left overs?
I don’t know why Sabathia is holding up this train? Is anyone really going to pay him more than $20 million a year?
Having lots of cash doesn’t guarantee you good results but it sure make living with bad choices a lot easier. When you cannot afford to make a mistake, you are a lot less aggressive.
That is where I think everyone else is relative to the Yankees and Red Sox.
LikeLike
And while Sabathia is noodling over his proposals, what happens if he tears a rotator cuff in a fall? Uh, the one on his throwing arm, that is!
LikeLike
Greetings everyone! I have nothing to say or add, but this time, unlike all the others, I won’t bloviate this time! 😀
LikeLike
Ok one thing…Gil, lowball them!!! Tell them about all the cheaper house offers you have put out that have been accepted at this time! Sort of a reverse free agent situation! 😉 Coming to Georgia??? 🙂
LikeLike
Sabathia is on an ego power trip.
Peavy doesn’t sound much better so far.
Towers is in the right place: California. Suits him perfectly: image is the only important thing – and he’s too dumb to realize that the rest of the world (well, most of it) isn’t looking through the same pair of distorted glasses that he is. Yep, and idiot through and through.
You can bet there are teams (Yankees??) laying back in the weeds waiting until Towers realizes he is in a serious jam and will step forward with a little-or-nothing offer for Peavy when he gets desperate enough.
LikeLike
Looking hard at a place near Plymouth NC.. On the Abermarle Sound. From the way I figure it, I am about $25,000 over my price range but the house is way under priced to begin with. I don’t know they will come down much more but I may try.
Everything I have looked at on the Chesapeake Bay is at pre melt down levels. I have been looking for about two years now.
LikeLike
I may make an offer, I’ll have to go look at the place in person first.
All they can say is no…
LikeLike
I am just tired of hauling my boat around. Sometimes it’s just too much trouble. By the time I get home, I am worn out but I know I have to clean the boat no matter if I want to or not if I expect it to run the next time out.
LikeLike
This kind of cracked me up about the Laird to the Tigers deal….
9:26pm: According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, “The Tigers and Texas Rangers have made significant progress toward a trade that would send catcher Gerald Laird to Detroit and pitching prospect Guillermo Moscoso to the Rangers.” It’s not known whether the Tigers would include anyone else.
Baseball America ranks Moscoso tenth among Tigers prospects, noting shoulder woes but suggesting a high ceiling. They say he could end up a #3 or #4 starter. He’s drawn some comparisons to Jair Jurrjens
Shoot, right now Jurrjens is a 2 or 3(our # 1 as of today) So, if the Rangers got another Jurrjens, that’s quite a steal for them!
And I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rangers traded Salty, granted he was hurt some at the end of the year, but they were playing Taylor Teagarden(.319 6 HR’s 17 RBI’s in 47 AB’s) and Max Ramirez hit .217 2 HR’s and 9 RBI’s in 46 AB’s. They are both 24, Salty is still only 23!
LikeLike
Gil, I bet you could get some “Lakefront” property on
LakePond Lanier, cheap!!! Someday, when the army corp of “engineers” has been overthrown, and millions of gallons of water are not wasted for a tiny grub worm, (or whatever it is) and to generate electricity for a tiny power plant(50,000 people ???) The lake will fill up, and you will have a dream house on the water! You can get the dream house part now! 😉LikeLike
Ber, I have looked (via the internet) at property in Georgia and you can get quite a bit of house for the money there. Some of it I could hardly believe.
There are two houses in my neighborhood, ah.. within a mile (big neighborhood) that are selling for $545,000 ans $475,000 and I think both are over priced by $200,000. Granted, they are nice houses but not that nice. I just think folks around here have lost their minds when it comes to buying houses….
LikeLike
I also looked at property on both sides of the Savannah river.
LikeLike
Sigh…. too much information for me to process….
LikeLike
Gil, it is so funny how some areas just think the mere fact there is a square of land that isn’t zoned commerical, it must be worth a fortune!
I truly have no idea how ANYONE can afford property in California, at least near the big cities…near being a 2 hour drive to work or less! 😉
I remember seeing some pretty cruddy little homes in the Mexican part of town as we driving thru there in LA last year, and asked my Uncle’s wife(who happens to be Mexican) what she thought those 1200 SQ looking homes would go for….oh, about a half million or so!!!! 😯
We had a very nice house in St. Louis…built in the late 20’s, for an architects own residence. Terraza floors, (Spelled Terraza correctly it appears from checking google, but wordpress begs to differ) a marble staircase(An admittedly lame looking one, but sure sounds impressive!) Leaded glass windows, even stained glass in the Sunroom! Sold it for $149,000 in 1983, came down 10K to sell it. Now it’s supposedly worth 500,000 + !!! 😥
Or…what a lame falling down house in east LA! Crazy!!!
The house we live in now was about 110,000 in 1993, and before the downturn was supposedly worth about 150,000. That seems more in line with what houses should cost…though it would be out of my price range.
How did homes that used to go for 70K 20-25 years ago, triple that???
LikeLike
Oh, something I was going to mention….if someone had an old car here in the ATL, they would think it’s worth 4K more than someone in Washington state would think, really weird! I see cars mentioned all the time on a lincoln and Buick board I frequent, and it they seem to be way underpriced, they are in the Northwest.
LikeLike
Ber, there is a reason companies move to the south…. cost of living is lower, so is the cost of dying come to think of it….
LikeLike
…so is the cost of dying come to think of it….
Gotta ask…is that an optimistic viewpoint…glass half full?
LikeLike
… not a bill I want to see come due. 😐
LikeLike
About 10 years ago, I used to regale fellow co-workers with the thought that every second that passes brings us one second closer to our death! They loved me at work! 😀
LikeLike
Just a pragmatic point of view…. 🙂
However, I shall refrain from such discussions in the future… 🙂
Now baseball… still meeting…
LikeLike
SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) — Tribune Co. said Monday it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection but its Chicago Cubs franchise, including Wrigley Field, is not included in the filing. “Efforts to monetize the Cubs and its related assets will continue,” the company said in a statement. Tribune will continue publishing its newspapers and operating its television stations and interactive properties without interruption during the restructuring process. –Wall Street Journal
But no problem, they can afford both Dempster and Peavy… 🙄
Towers was only getting about 1 1/2 hours of decent sleep a night before this development. Now he might as well just stay up… 😀
LikeLike
Smoltz likely to draw interest from several clubs
LikeLike
12:31 p.m. — Burnett shows interest in Yanks
A.J. Burnett seems more interested in pitching in New York than CC Sabathia, the Yankees’ other top free-agent target. While Sabathia sits on the Yankees’ offer of the richest-ever pitching contract and reportedly met with GM Brian Cashman, Burnett has reached out to former Yankee Carl Pavano, who did not steer him away from the Yankees. Pavano, who did not enjoy his New York experience, told Burnett “he has the stuff to pitch there,” according to a major-league source. –Ed Price, FOX Sports, real-time updates from the winter meetings
LikeLike
Of course other teams will be interested in Smoltz…. I think if he can pitch, the Braves will not low-ball him. However, nothing is guaranteed.
I think there is a lot of smoke being blown in Las Vegas…
I think Towers is all about trying to save face right now… Had his feelings hurt by the Braves when called out.
LikeLike
3:23 p.m. — Pads, Cubs talking Peavy
San Diego general manager Kevin Towers acknowledged this morning that he is talking to only one team about ace righthander Jake Peavy: the Chicago Cubs.
“We should have a pretty good idea of where we are by Thursday,” Towers said. “We should know if we could move on or drop it.”
Towers added that he approached Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti about a Peavy deal, but that did not gain traction because of the asking price of young talent.
With FOX Sports offering real-time updates, I may not get any work done this week… 😦
LikeLike
Raisins, I would not fret too much over Pavey one way or the other. If the Braves get him, fine… If they don’t, well, that’s fine too…
I learned long ago not to worry about the one that got away, it will only ruin your dinner. Worry about keeping the ones you have.
Always remember, consistent adequacy often out performs occasional excellence.
LikeLike
Gil, just saw that you are considering property near the coast in NC – be aware that home owner’s insurance here is astronomical even it you aren’t on the water. AND the insurance companies have just asked the state Ins Commissioner for a 72% increase in rates. They won’t get what they’re asking for but it will probably get at least 25-30% – as they have the last few times they’ve asked. And they ask every couple of years, storms or not.
LikeLike
Duly noted CL… Always good to be aware of such things, makes a difference.
DOB and Mark Bowman both did nice pieces on Gregg Maddux. I would concur, he is likely the best pitcher I ever saw. Koufax was close…
LikeLike
Peter Gammons and Steve Phillips both post that talks with Burnett are progressing in a positive direction. Phillips says they are “moving closer to a deal”.
LikeLike
A deal with whom???
LikeLike
Another nice Maddux article: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081206&content_id=3705113&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
Yankees going “full throttle” after Burnett:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081208&content_id=3706865&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
LikeLike
First we lose Peavy, then Burnett??? CC I tells ya!
And we better not lose Smoltz over cheapness! 😡
LikeLike
You cannot lose something you did not have to begin with… Smoltz is a different story..
LikeLike
However, I think Kevin Towers runs his mouth too much. He’s the kind of guy who will spill the beans on every trade long before it should be made public. I expect a short career for him as a GM….
LikeLike
Awesome quote from Bobby about Yunel:
“I think he’s a special talent, and I certainly want him on our team,” Bobby Cox said. “He’s as good a shortstop as we’ve ever had here. He can do so much. He’s going to hit right at .300, I think, ever year. He’s got the type of mechanics that allows me to say that. He stays inside the ball so well, and he’s an extremely gifted shortstop. A pair of the best hands you’d ever see, and he’s got a great arm. And he’s strong. If he wants to, he could hit in the 20s [home runs].”
LikeLike
1:56 a.m. — Braves, Cardinals in talks
The Braves indeed talked to the Cardinals about outfielder Rick Ankiel, but the conversations stalled when the Cardinals asked for left-handed reliever Mike Gonzalez. Both Ankiel and Gonzalez are eligible for free agency after next season, but the Braves are reluctant to touch the back end of their bullpen, which they view as a potential strength.
The teams also discussed a lesser deal involving a possible exchange of Braves reliever Blaine Boyer and Cardinals outfielder Joe Mather, but those talks also failed to progress. –FOX Sports/b>
LikeLike
So Chicago appears willing to talk about Mark Derosa now. Isn’t he a right handed hitting versatile OF that is capable of 20+ HR’s as well as backing up 3B in the event of an injury there?
LikeLike
3:03 a.m. — Cards searching for bullpen help
St. Louis is trying to turn its abundance of outfielders into bullpen help.
In addition to talking to Atlanta about outfielder Rick Ankiel, the Cardinals have talked to Philadelphia. The Phillies, who are unlikely to bring back Pat Burrell, would prefer a right-handed bat. The Cardinals’ left-handed hitting outfielders, Ankiel and Skip Schumaker, are popular with other clubs.
Ryan Ludwick would be the best fit for the Phillies, but the Phils might not want to break up their bullpen and the Cardinals would want a top-flight reliever in return.
LikeLike
Soriano…or Boyer…or both. I simply don’t care.
LikeLike
… for Ludwick. Not for Ankiel or Schumaker…
LikeLike
Atlanta has interest in a couple of Pirates starting pitchers, left-hander Paul Maholm and right-hander Ian Snell, but won’t give up top pitching prospect Tommy Hanson in a trade. Washington also has interest in Snell. — Beaver County Times
I really couldn’t care less about the report, I just wanted to post the newspaper name. 😀
LikeLike
V, I hope you aren’t driving up to Duluth(GA for those outside the state) and see the exit for Beaver Ruin, as I’d imagine you’d crash from laughing so hard! 😉
LikeLike
According to one National League executive, the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves have had serious discussions about a trade that would send outfielder Jeff Francouer to the Royals for pitcher Zack Greinke. The same source said he believed the teams were close to executing the deal, but that Atlanta was holding up any and all trade discussions until the Braves had a resolution of their pujrsuit of right-hander A.J. Burnett. Current Royals GM Dayton Moore (who interviewed for the Red Sox’ job during Theo Epstein’s walkabout in 2005-06) is a former member of the Braves organization who is eager to bring Francouer to Kansas City. Boston Globe
Uh, sure. That’ll happen…
LikeLike
Royals, Braves Talk Francoeur-Greinke Swap?
By Tim Dierkes [December 9 at 9:01am CST]
From: Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe:
According to one National League executive, the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves have had serious discussions about a trade that would send outfielder Jeff Francouer to the Royals for pitcher Zack Greinke. The same source said he believed the teams were close to executing the deal, but that Atlanta was holding up any and all trade discussions until the Braves had a resolution of their pursuit of right-hander A.J. Burnett.
I’d be surprised to see this happen without the Braves adding significant pitching to their offer for Greinke. But in general I am skeptical that anything like this is close, even given the Burnett contingency. We probably would’ve heard some rumbling from Dave O’Brien, Mark Bowman, Bob Dutton, or Dick Kaegel.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/royals-braves-t.html
LikeLike
Oooohhh… spooky….
LikeLike
You ripped me off! 😡
😀
LikeLike
B, you’ll never believe this, but I actually know the “origin” of the Beaver Ruin name in Gwinnett County. This is according to a Georgia historian, Ken Krakow.
The road is named for nearby Beaver Ruin Creek. The namesake was a Cherokee Indian who lived in the area whose name was “Beaver Toter”. No kidding. He operated a ferry over the creek. Anyway, his home and ferry were washed away by the creek during a flash flood, and the creek later came to bear his name.
There is also a Beaver Ruin Creek in the Athens area. That one was named after, you guessed it, beavers building dams and causing damaging floods.
I am full of it, aren’t I? Obscure facts, I mean… 😀
LikeLike
Be wary of Illinois based politicians:
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/National/Blagojevich_Corruption_Probe.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
LikeLike
According to a host of sources, the Braves are basically talking about alot, but delaying doing anything else until they hear from A.J. I think that is a tactical mistake unless they truly expect to hear something soon.
LikeLike
Cubs say they’re not close on Peavy deal
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8917320/Cubs-say-they're-not-close-on-Peavy-deal
It’s pretty laughable, really, the way Towers has mucked this thing up…
LikeLike
Right you are V, don’t wait!!! He likes the eastern corridor….lose out on him in 2, 3 weeks(I know Gil, hard to lose something you don’t have 😉 ) and we could lose out on another prime pitcher, hitter that will go somewhere else….
Anyone see baseball tonight last night???(Think they will be on at 5 pm today-just checked, ESPN 2) Tim K says he’s been to 28 of these, and the economy has really effected things…and he expects teams to go very slowly this off season…crud….
LikeLike
2:56 p.m. — Burnett’s agents, Braves to meet
The agents for free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett will meet again with the Braves on Tuesday.
Maybe they can get it done and move on…
LikeLike
And now we hear the Red Sox are in on him, perhaps their main interest??? If that’s true…forget about it…
LikeLike
Don’t believe everything you read, B. Alot is made from people skimming headlines; the headlines are mucho deceiving. The Sox only have interest as a back up to their main interest of Tex. If that falls away, they MAY look into AJ.
LikeLike
Before you all panic over the Mets’ signing of K-Rod, don’t. They are no stronger than they were with Wagner. In fact, K-Rod’s lost a bit on his fastball.
LikeLike
Late Monday night, there was some talk that the Padres might be nearing a trade that would satisfy Jake Peavy’s wish to pitch for the Cubs. Wren once again indicated on Monday night that he hasn’t had any discussions about Peavy since ending active negotiations with the Padres on Nov. 13.
Interesting.
( http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081208&content_id=3707259&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl )
LikeLike
Best advice I ever got was from a golfing buddy of mine, you golfers out there will know what I mean when I say this. Always keep your nose in your own bag….
Goes for duffers and baseball teams too… Worry less about what other teams do and worry more about what your team does. Sometimes the best trades are those that don’t happen….
I have a good feeling about the Braves pitching staff next year. As ill at ease as I felt about them last season, I feel positive about 2009. It’s not just having a number one guy but also not wearing out your bullpen before August.
Braves need two players… Just two…. A front end pitcher and a bat… that’s it. Other teams should be so lucky… I think it gets done by next April.
LikeLike
V, I guess what worries me about the Sox, is they are quiet about stuff…and, teams know they are winners, with crazy fans into each pitch…and money to burn.
LikeLike
And someone mentioned a few weeks back how we should be talking with the Twins and their young pitching. Yunel is cheap, which they love, and well, who doesn’t love young pitching, save Jim Leyland????
LikeLike
Red Sox, Yankees…does it really matter which team outbids us??? 😡
A.J. Burnett Rumors: Tuesday
By Tim Dierkes [December 9 at 5:18pm CST]
5:18pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Yankees are considering making a five-year offer to Burnett. Dan Graziano believes Burnett has the personality to thrive in New York.
3:21pm: Ken Rosenthal says it’s not out of the question that Burnett’s price could rise to five years, $100MM if the Yanks miss out on Sabathia.
LikeLike
7:06 p.m. — Smoltz’s agents in action
Free-agent right-hander John Smoltz’s agents are circulating recent video of the pitcher as well as his medical reports to clubs at the winter meetings.
One general manager says he believes that Smoltz for the first time might be willing to leave the Braves, for whom he has pitched since 1988.
😯
It’s the end of the world as we know it…
LikeLike
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Pedro Martinez likely won’t decide whether to pitch for the Dominican Republic in next year’s World Classic until he reaches a contract agreement with a Major League Baseball team.
The 37-year-old free agent wasn’t ready to start thinking about where he wants to play next season.
“I’ve said it previously and I have said to my agents that they do not speak to me of contracts until January,” the three-time Cy Young Award winner said.
Martinez was 5-6 with a 5.50 ERA last season. He missed the first WBC in 2006 because of an injury.”
http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/11161956/rss
LikeLike
😯 Kiss causes deafness 😯
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7772902.stm
wow.
LikeLike
Franklin Raines denies any blame
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7773798.stm
LikeLike
From a guy across the street:
CNN is reporting that Towers will trade Peavy to Chicago in exchange for Obama’s vacated Senate seat.
That is sooooooo funny 😆
LikeLike
Raisins, 😆 😆 😆
LikeLike
Nice unison at 10:39 am, VOR & Ber.
Wonderful to read all the tributes to Maddux. I’m going to miss him. Hope he’s serious about coaching in a year or 2. Baseball needs him.
Not so wonderful to read those little rumblings about Smoltz. IMO, unless he or Chipper wanted something totally unreasonable, they should both be Braves until they decide it’s time to ride into the sunset ( & towards a date with Cooperstown).
LikeLike
I think the only way Smoltz isn’t in a Braves uni next year is if Wrenn doesn’t offer him a contract. Cox seemed confident that he would be in the rotation.
LikeLike
Aside from the fact he’s been loyal to the Braves all these years, I don’t think he’d want to be away from his kids.
LikeLike
I agree.
LikeLike
All indications are that his agents are simply doing what agents do, and that it’s pretty benign. No harm, no foul.
LikeLike
If anyone’s interested, I watched the (recorded) premiere of TNT’s new series “Leverage”. Excellent. Sort of a modern-day Robin Hood & his merry men. I loved Timothy Hutton in “Nero Wolfe” so it’s not a surprise I like him here too even though it’s a very different character.
LikeLike
I know, VOR. But the mere suggestion of Smoltzie in another uni makes me cringe.
LikeLike
True. I really don’t see it happening, though…
LikeLike
Let’s see… I made Frosted Nuts today. Pecans & almonds with a cinnamon-sugar glaze. I think Dad’s eaten about half of ’em already.
LikeLike
hope you are right V!
F, that show looked interesting from previews during plyoffs….
LikeLike
That’s what piqued my interest, Ber. I don’t normally watch that channel so I wouldn’t have heard of it otherwise. Of course, since I liked it it’ll probably get canceled soon. I’m usually the kiss of death for any show I watch from the beginning of the series. Can’t believe “Pushing Daisies” is making it.
LikeLike
Now this is neat! Ever wanted to ride in the cockpit of a Boeing 747-400 for landing?? Watch – turn volume up –
http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=231_1228655665
LikeLike
A boxing fan: http://www.chilloutzone.de/files/08120902.html
Ninja: http://www.chilloutzone.de/files/08091502.html
You won’t believe it!: http://www.chilloutzone.de/files/08120801.html
LikeLike
My eyelids are heavier than Oprah. G’night…
LikeLike
Frosted Nuts… also known as Pralines. Love ’em…
Woke up with a head ache (or maybe the head ache woke me up) this morning. Too much of a good time last night possibly. Jo and I took three of our four daughters out for dinner last night. Great to get together and laugh about our various misadventures in the past year. I am really proud of all of them. Ah… what a varied lot they turned out to be.
Baseball trades, many still waiting for the first domino to fall.
It won’t be long now though, at least with the WBC being played this year, we won’t be stuck watching basketball in February..,
LikeLike
Sorry about the headache, Gil, but the dinner sounds like a good time. I treasure the time I have with my kids now. I cannot even imagine them being old enough to leave the nest…
LikeLike
Well… how will we start this day?
It seems there are unsubstantiated rumors (the kind I can’t stand) that CC has agreed to terms with NYY, according to the NY Post and repeated by ESPN. No one has confirmed it, though. It may or may not aid in the Braves pursuit of AJB. Could NYY now ramp up their efforts with the CC matter out of the way? Or could they cool somewhat having already acquired the top FA?
Still alot of ??? and very little else… the beat goes on.
LikeLike
Report by Fox it’s a 6 year deal worth $140 million… What recession????
LikeLike
One must wonder how deep a pocket could really be?
If true, the price for Burnett just went up…
LikeLike
Once C.C. signs a contract, the log jam will break loose.
I still like Gregg Maddux’s attitude when asked if he felt shortchanged when he signed for $8 million when so many others were signing for big bucks. His reply was “poor me, I guess I will have to get a second job”… He went on to say he had enough money to live on, he was not worried….
LikeLike
Sabathia/NYY article posted an hour ago:
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081210&content_id=3710546&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
LikeLike
LAS VEGAS – The deal is done, and it’s a whopper.
Free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia has reached agreement with the Yankees on a seven-year contract worth approximately $160 million, according to a major-league source. –Ken Rosenthal
The Yankees’ new rotation is starting to take shape as they are also in serious negotiations with free-agent Derek Lowe. An agreement with Lowe appears likely to be finalized in coming days, as well. The sides were discussing a contract for four years and about $66 million late Tuesday. Jon Heyman
Frank needs to act now while the Yanks are busy… 😀
LikeLike
Good morning all! Weird to sleep all night long, wake up at 9:45 AM and it still looks like 7 AM! A good old fashioned gully washer. Satellite is down…Got a crick in the old neck that I get 2-3 times a year. Do something stupid whilst sleeping…meh…who needs to turn their head to the right anyway??? 😛
LikeLike
A couple posts cracked me up in their order…CL, did you do this on purpose???
# Carolina Lady Says:
😯 Kiss causes deafness 😯
# Carolina Lady Says:
December 9, 2008 at 10:09 pm
Franklin Raines denies any blame
😆
And my blurry eyes and mind had a good laugh over these lines from Gil last night….
Great to get together and laugh about our various misadventures in the past year. I am really proud of all of them.
Proud of all of their various misadventures???? 😉
LikeLike
Apparently since they’re in Vegas, Cashman is trying to draw to a full house. Hopefully, he’ll have to play just a pair of aces. Unfortunately, though, he has raised the ante. Why is it that it seems the Yanks are always playing with house money?
If Frank can score an ace of his own, and still draw a face for his outfield, he can at least play his hand and not have to fold.
The wild card, of course, is Kevin Towers, who is the real Joker of the game. If NYY plays a three-of-a-kind, and takes the Braves high-card, Frank may have no choice but to see if Towers is still at the table. (cringe) Towers doesn’t have a very good poker face, though, and Frank seems to recognize his “tells”.
At least Frank’s at the big money table with a few chips to play. I just hope he hasn’t gone all in with AJ only to find that Cashman’s not bluffing about taking the whole pot.
LikeLike
😆 No, Ber, that was unintentional and I never noticed until you pointed it out. It IS funny, isn’t it? 😆
LikeLike
I have to say, I am a bit disappointed in CC, especially when I heard the Giants were players… I mean, when you are talking about 110 Mil, vs 140, who cares??? Well, I know their union does but still…of course I read somewhere where the Giants wouldn’t go 6 years, and the Yankees offered 7 5, vs 7 years…smart move guys. Give a super soft tossing Barry Zito 7 years, but only 5 to a real horse????
But, after reading this from CL’s link, I can understand it more…Reggie is a very charming guy….
Cashman, manager Joe Girardi and special advisor Reggie Jackson met with Sabathia and agent Greg Genske for approximately two hours at the Wynn hotel on Sunday. Jackson took the lead in those discussions, representing a Bay Area product who went on to stardom in New York and looks back upon his Yankees time fondest.
LikeLike
guess everyone’s outside enjoying the weather!
Someone, anyone…please make sense of this, this….stuff….I sure can’t! Twins?? Phillies???
Jake Peavy Rumors: Wednesday
By Tim Dierkes [December 10 at 9:45am CST]
9:45am: LEN3 says the Twins discussed DeRosa with the Cubs yesterday. The Cubs will present the Twins with a list of pitchers they like, which will be influenced by the Padres’ preferences.
9:31am: There’s word from Jim Salisbury that pitcher Kyle Kendrick could be included in this three-team trade.
1:19am: If you dare to sort through yesterday’s Jake Peavy rumors, click here. Today, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times maintains that the biggest obstacle is the Cubs moving part of Jason Marquis’ contract. Another factor – the Padres will need to free up several spots on the 40-man roster. The Cubs’ sale will not be an issue.
Wittenmyer adds that a Phillies official didn’t expect to get Mark DeRosa from the Cubs but rather other players. Also, Cubs officials shot down the John Perrotto rumor that the Cubs might shop Carlos Zambrano after acquiring Peavy.
Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune also weighs in. He says the Padres have discussed Phils catching prospect Jason Jaramillo.
LikeLike
Ah…buried in one of links, after talking about Charlie Manuel getting an extension…
“There are some deals that if a club would say yes, we’d get something done,” Amaro said. “If one or two teams agree on something, we’ll move on it.”
Amaro was likely referring to the multi-team deal involving the Cubs, the San Diego Padres, and possibly the Baltimore Orioles. Padres pitcher Jake Peavy is the centerpiece of the deal. He would end up with the Cubs. The Phillies would help fuel the deal by sending a prospect or two to the Cubs. The Cubs would then send those players to San Diego for Peavy.
Late last night, the fate of the deal was in the Cubs’ hands. The Cubs are for sale, so there were questions about whether they could take on the $63 million that Peavy is guaranteed in the next four seasons.
Who might the Phils give up if the deal goes through? Rumblings have included lefty J.A. Happ in the deal, but some insiders have disputed that name, saying Kyle Kendrick could be included. The Phils also could include a catcher, possibly Jason Jaramillo.
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20081210_Phils__Manuel_gets_extension__DeRosa_deal_still_alive.html
LikeLike
B, I’ll believe the Cubs can pull that deal out of their @$$ when I see it. It just simply isn’t gonna happen. Too many moving pieces, you know what I mean? And why would any NL team help the Cubs get stronger? I just can see it happening. It’s all alot of fodder for the writers to generate buzz.
LikeLike
Um… I just can‘t see it happening… 😳
LikeLike
V, it does seem strange, doesn’t it??? Has there ever been a 4 or 5 team trade???
LikeLike
Want to see a picture of a fat middle aged hippy, looking at a Christmas tree???
Yep, it’s me. 😳
I got to talking to a very nice, very intelligent lady(Don’t come across many of them where I live) who was volunteering as a bell ringer in front of big lots last night. After we talked for an hour or so, she said she needed a picture for the Griffin paper she works for of someone standing in front of The Salvation Army Angel Tree…. so I was pressed into action. Man, the camera adds more than 10 pounds, when you are my size! 😛 And it had been windy, blowing my hair all around, and the flash makes you more pale, and umm…..it was dark outside, and her camera must be crappy….yeah….that’s the problem.
LikeLike
V, it’s funny, I was going to mock you a bit, saying, wait, you can see it happening??? but then I decided you were saying, Yeah, I can see it happening and just forgot the Yeah…
LikeLike
From Gammons blog….http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3759756&type=blogEntry
John Smoltz wants to come back for another season. He is throwing and thinks he will be ready early next season. The Red Sox have been given his medicals and videos. The feeling is that Boston might be a good fit.
I would personally pound any braves exec who would have anything to do with Smoltz leaving! IF he leaves, the only semi legit argument would be he’d like to have a chance to go out with a good chance to get into another WS.
Of course, the Braves might have a good chance if we can get AJ and a real power threat in left…if instead we sign Paul Byrd and Juan Riviera, would you blame him for wanting to leave???
LikeLike
So, did you get her digits? 😀
LikeLike
All the Smoltz talk is just good headlines. It gets your attention, doesn’t it? There’s nothing to it…
LikeLike
Afternoon all.. Yes Ber, proud of that too, we all survived our various tribulations and are stronger for it… 🙂
Just put new tires on the SeVille. I hated having to shell out for new boots for the Caddi but I hate a car that doesn’t drive right worse.
We had a bit of excitement around here while I was gone, the Sheriff deputies knocked on the door to let the wife know they were looking for two fugitives who had stolen a car and abandon it on the next street over. They had caught one of the three originally involved. Somebody is really going to have a down day.
I had a car stolen once, the thing stalled out at a stop light on them and when a police officer stopped to help them, they bolted… It was then the police officer became suspicious and discovered the car was stolen… That car was a real looker but had issues… 🙂
Now baseball, somehow I think baseball will manage to survive in spite of the Yankees… 7 years for 160 million and a torn rotator cuff away from financial ruin. I still think baseball should adopt a salary cap like every other sport. Anybody can be a genius when they have an open checkbook. Takes real talent plus luck to win when all things are equal. Now I will root for the Tampa Bay Rays even harder….
LikeLike
V, funny you should ask! We are talking, she is trying to remember when something happened…she mentions one daughter being 14 now, then thinking, wait, she was pregnant with the one who is about 16…ok…cool, she has a few kids, but they are older, see no ring…. then, when she mentions her 22 year old, I say, what… were you 12 when you had her?? That got me a hug! 😛
Turns out shes only one year younger than me…then I find out she has 5 kids!!! 😯 Holy Toledo, she sure didn’t look like she had had 5 !!! Then she said something about not judging folks by their appearances,( I was asking about the kind of people that gave-folks that looked like they needed Salvation Army assistance were most likely to give) since hiding under her long sleeve shirt she has lots of tattoos ( double 😯 ) She rides a motorcycle as well….so many things that I wouldn’t be crazy about…but you know what???A smart, funny interesting gal will make me overlook a lot of things…but, long story short, no…no number…as we walked to our cars, she said she was driving her Boyfriend’s mother’s car since they said it was supposed to rain….usually a gal breaks my heart sooner talking about the boyfriend than this…but she’s still a very cool woman, and I may take her up on a offer to have a cup of joe down the line….she may know a cool woman that isn’t married, going steady, and bathes frequently!
LikeLike
Gil, was that your fine 50’s Ford by any chance????
LikeLike
I think Smoltz would sign elsewhere over Bobby’s dead body. 😀
Lookin’ good there, Ber!
Gil, did you remember to check the age of the ‘new’ tires??
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=4826897
LikeLike
she may know a cool woman that isn’t married, going steady, and bathes frequently!
… all important qualities.
LikeLike
The old cup of coffee line…. means they are interested…. Just as long as the boy friend doesn’t tag along….
Yes CL… manufactured in May of this year.
Yes Ber… It was Hunkajunk…
LikeLike
Rosenthal is reporting the Braves have offered 5yrs/$80M to AJB. Looks like Frank is serious about getting this thing done…
LikeLike
Talk about timing… I logged into the Javy Vazquez chat in time for him to say Thanks for the chat and hope to see you at the stadium in 2009. 😐
LikeLike
We know the Yankees can out bid the Braves but at least Wren is going to make the Yankees pay more than they want to. Maybe the Braves sign Petite on the back end when the Yanks run out of money… well… run low on money…
LikeLike
Don’t feel too badly VOR.. It would not even let me log in….
LikeLike
I wouldn’t cry over Pettite… for one year anyway… as a last resort anyway… you get the idea…
LikeLike
DOB of the AJC:
I’m pretty sure that fifth year has been guaranteed, or it’s been made clear to Burnett’s agent, at least, that it will be guaranteed if that’ll get a deal done.
LikeLike
A hillbilly has been sighted!!!
LikeLike
Where??
LikeLike
Yeah, where????
LikeLike
4:04pm: Rosenthal says “the Braves are prepared to lose Smoltz if another team offers him a significant guarantee on a one-year deal.”
Are they prepared to lose tons of fans by losing an icon and not signing any decent free agent pitchers? Now I see the Tigers are likely to get Edwin Jackson from the Rays for outfielder Matt Joyce. I guess both teams want ML ready folks, but he would probably be a #3 or #2 in the NL…
LikeLike
Source: Yanks offer Burnett guaranteed 5-year deal
By Jerry Crasnick
Updated: December 10, 2008, 8:37 PM ET
The New York Yankees, making a hard late charge to beat out the Atlanta Braves for A.J. Burnett, offered the free-agent right-hander a guaranteed five-year contract Wednesday, a baseball source told ESPN.com.
Although the total dollar figure isn’t known, Burnett’s agent, Darek Braunecker, is believed to be seeking a deal approaching Carlos Zambrano’s five-year, $91.5 million contract with the Chicago Cubs.
Burnett is moving closer to making a decision on his next destination, the source said, and a deal could be in place as soon as Thursday.
The Braves, who had offered a four-year deal with a fifth-year option worth a guaranteed $60-65 million before the meetings, have also expressed a willingness to go to five years on Burnett if necessary.
The Yankees, intent on upgrading their rotation before the winter meetings, agreed in principal to a seven-year, $161 million contract with CC Sabathia early Wednesday.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3761008
LikeLike
Slow night here; all kinds of chaos in Vegas. New headlines every 3 minutes. Much speculation. Probably not a whole lotta truth, but a whole lotta speculation.
G’night…
LikeLike
Good grief, the mets just flat out stole the Mariners closer!!! 😡
Mets Acquire Putz In Three-Team Deal
By Tim Dierkes [December 10 at 10:17pm CST]
10:17pm: MLB.com’s Jim Street confirmed the deal. The Mariners give up Putz, Green, and Reed and get Heilman, Chavez, Carp, and Gutierrez. The Indians give up Gutierrez and get Valbuena and Smith. The Mets give up Heilman, Chavez, Carp, and Smith to get Putz, Green, and Reed.
The Mets succeeded in overhauling their bullpen without giving up premium pieces. Assuming Putz and K-Rod are healthy, they’ll be playing seven-inning games.
The Mariners can try Heilman the rotation, and add good outfield depth. I’m kind of lukewarm on the Indians’ benefit.
10:02pm: Geoff Baker says a previous incarnation with the Rays instead of the Mets fell apart. In that deal, the Tigers would’ve included Jeff Larish.
9:27pm: Rosenthal has an update:
Under terms of the deal, the Mets would get Putz, outfielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green. The Mariners would receive reliever Aaron Heilman, outfielder Endy Chavez and first baseman Mike Carp from the Mets. They’d also get Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians and minor leaguers. The Indians would get reliever Joe Smith from the Mets and infielder Luis Valbuena from Seattle.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/mets-close-to-a.html
LikeLike
Posted by Jerry Crasnick
If the Yankees are successful in landing A.J. Burnett in the next day or two, he’ll join CC Sabathia in the New York rotation at a total cost of nearly $250 million.
New York still would be interested in adding a third starter through free agency, but indications are it will be a short-term option — most likely Ben Sheets — rather than Derek Lowe. Sheets started for the National League in the All-Star Game this past season but probably will have to settle for a two-year deal because of late-season elbow concerns.
If Sheets joins Burnett and Sabathia in the Bronx, Lowe will be looking at Boston, Philadelphia, the Mets and Atlanta as his most likely destinations. The Red Sox and Phillies don’t seem interested in going beyond three years for a free-agent starter, however.
Could be Mets vs. Braves for Lowe?
LikeLike
If not him(lowe) we best try to find a young starter from the Twins….say, didn’t you say G’night? 😕
LikeLike
there were a few more minor leaguers the Mutts tossed in for the Putz….
11:02pm: Geoff Baker says the Mariners got three additional minor leaguers from the Mets: pitcher Maikel Cleto, outfielder Ezequiel Carrera, and pitcher Jason Vargas.
LikeLike
Well… the Mets certainly improved their bullpen over the last 24 hours, but they didn’t do much for the clubhouse. Putz is not a happy guy. From Rosenthal:
J.J. Putz does not want to be a setup man, according to his agent, Craig Landis, but his change in roles could lead to him becoming a free agent one year earlier.
Putz is signed for $5.5 million next season. The Mets will assume his $9.1 million club option for 2010, and that option could increase to a maximum of $9.6 million if Putz meets all of his appearance-based incentives.
Even a high-revenue club such as the Mets would balk at paying a setup man more than $9 million, so the team easily could decline his option. Signing Putz long-term would be unlikely; he probably would not to remain a setup man, and Francisco Rodriguez is set for the next three seasons at closer.
So it seems that once again, a hefty price was paid for a one year rental. But for the ’09 season, they have dramatically improved their bullpen, the area that cost then several games last season. The road certainly isn’t any easier for Frank…
LikeLike
More Rosenthal, posted at 3:38am:
LAS VEGAS – Talks between the Braves and free-agent right-hander A.J. Burnett “progressed through the night,” but the Yankees remain a factor in the Burnett discussions, major-league sources say.
The Braves, according to two sources, have not offered Burnett five guaranteed years, contrary to what FOXSports.com reported Wednesday, citing a different source.
The team’s offer is for four years with an easily attainable vesting option for a fifth year, the sources said. The total value, if the option were vested, would be approximately $80 million over five years.
For a brief time on Wednesday, FOXSports.com also reported that the Yankees had improved their Burnett offer to five years, $91 million, citing rival executives.
A source with knowledge of the negotiations, however, immediately responded that the amount was inaccurate; the Yankees’ offer is believed to be between $80 million and $85 million.
Would the Braves guarantee the fifth year to secure Burnett? Probably. Would the Yankees raise their offer to $91 million to approximate Carlos Zambrano’s deal with the Cubs? Perhaps.
But neither has occurred yet.
As much as I want Frank to get our ace, I wouldn’t go higher than 5/$80M. To me, that’s the max AJB is worth. If that doesn’t get it done, and the stars and planets don’t align just right for Chicago to snag Peavy, I’d hope Wren/Towers might rekindle their talks. I think they need each other if they both leave these meetings without reaching their goals. Honestly, Peavy is the better pitcher of the two, and better long-term for the Braves. Both carry a certain amount of risk, but the risk seems lesser with Peavy.
LikeLike
After a while you begin to see a pattern develop in regards to alleged offers and amounts tendered. I am inclined to believe it is underlings acting as plants to cause some to falsely believe they need to raise the ante. Sometimes I think the rumors are driven by reporters who otherwise have little to write about.
I must agree the Braves need to be much more careful when it comes to committing to long term dollars for one player. How much whining did we hear the past three years about Mike Hampton’s supposed drag on the Brave budget?
The observation by one pundit on whether or not the Yankees could or would afford a big contract to Burnett in addition to C.C.’s was right on when he said “the Yankees can do anything they want to”…
We baseball fans need to be careful not to get too caught up in the hype of how critical bringing in one player can be to the team. Yes, it’s great to have a staff full of aces but how did that work out for us last year?
Look at how hamstrung the Giants are with Barry Zito’s big contract. It doesn’t have to be a pitcher either. The Rangers and A-Rod, The Red’s and Junior. Nope, better to lose out to a deep pocket than to end up with buyer’s regret.
LikeLike
I was just reading in the AJC about the depressed housing market in northern Georgia. Even more reason for the Braves to be careful with their dollars. Unless they are a big bank, (or have an in with one.. see Citi..) they could end up being set back for years. hey, I still remember when the Braves drew crowds that rivaled the current Marlin’s gate.
LikeLike
Yes, Gil, in NY and Boston, playing the media is just as important as playing the game. They employ full time staff whose sole responsibility is to keep the team names in the public eye. I was watching SportsCenter just a while ago. On the crawl, the items under the heading “MLB” were: #1, Yankees signing of Sabathia; #2, Yankees offer to Burnett; #3, Mets trade for Putz; #4, Nats offer to Tex, Boston negotiates through the night; then on to the NBA…
Don’t believe half of what you hear or read, and take the other half with a grain of salt…
LikeLike
It’ll be interesting to see what effect the economy has on the overall attendance numbers. The Braves season ticket base is largely corporate, so they may be slightly better off than some, but not immune by any stretch. The fact that MLB’s salary structure continues to escalate in a down economy only proves the MLBPA’s continued claims that MLB has been making money hand over fist.
LikeLike
Nothing wrong with making money… But I think a lot of corporations are going to come under closer scrutiny now that the government has such a big hand in it all.
Look at NASCAR and how the down economy is having an effect.
I remember when big tobacco was a major force here in the Richmond area not so long ago. When Brown & Williamson relocated to Georgia from Petersburg, that town nearly went belly up. Truth be told, 30 years later they still have not recovered.
Phillip Morris is still a major employer but nothing like its heyday.
The good news is gas is becoming cheaper so folks can afford to drive to the games again, the bad news is, they no longer have a job so they still cannot afford to drive to the games.
LikeLike
Voice of Raisins Says:
December 10, 2008 at 3:15 pm
A hillbilly has been sighted!!!
“I ain’t dead yet, you Bushwhacker!”
LikeLike
Hey Hillbilly, long time, no see…. Hope you and yours are well and ready for Santa…
LikeLike
Hey, Hillbilly!!! It’s so good to ‘see’ you again!
How’s your family?
LikeLike
Gil,
Santa Claus is going to town…..
LikeLike
…on my checkbook…
LikeLike
..but, I guess that’s his job.
LikeLike
Howdy, my Arkansas friend! Merry Christmas! 😀
LikeLike
Gil, I heard earlier this week that OPEC is meeting next week in expectation of cutting production. Oil prices have dipped to around $40 a barrel and they have their turbans in a twist. Expect gas prices to go back up as a result. 😐
Good thing Santa uses alternative fuels! 😀
LikeLike
I worry less about that den of thieves, AKA OPEC, than I worry about the liberals in congress driving their own misguided agenda and slapping a tax on gasoline to keep the price high and using the revenue to support their pet projects (their personal wealth)…
Anyone really think the governor of Illinois is a unique case?
There is more pork coming out of these bailouts in D.C. than a Smithfield stockyard…
I will be happy to switch to an alternative fuel just as soon as they come up with a reliable delivery system. Pardon me for being cynical but I’ve seen this song and dance before.
Hillbilly, enjoy the Santa thing as long as you can, before you know it, your kids will be teenagers and your hair will turn gray prematurely at best or fall out at the worst…
LikeLike
Oil prices have dipped to around $40 a barrel and they have their turbans in a twist.
And that’s a good thing….keeps the turbans on their heads! 😆
LikeLike
And when we speak of twists, does anyone else think of Felix Pie? 😀
LikeLike
Oh, the humanity! 😆
LikeLike
Rant time!!!! 😡
Does anyone get annoyed when politicians refer to ‘ordinary Americans’? It twists (verb of the day!) my undies. Fact is, ordinary Americans do extraordinary things. For the most part, un-ordinary Americans are in Congress! We elected them…it’s the least extra-ordinary thing we do! It’s time to step up our performance.
This political rant is concluded…your regularly scheduled programming resumes. Raisins, the floor is yours, Sir! 😆
LikeLike
Amen Salty….
Or as His Highness, Harry Reid, refers to us, the smelly tourist….
I guess he is like a lot of them and thinks his **** don’t stink….
LikeLike
Okay folks, time for me to take my beating…. I am going up to visit my mom for a while. I get depressed just thinking about it….
Oh well, need to think positive thoughts….
I will not be attacked by flying monkeys
I will not be attacked by flying monkeys
I will not be attacked by flying monkeys…..
Okay, I am ready now.
LikeLike
Gil, not trying to preach here or anything, but treasure it. I lost my mom almost 5 years ago. I remember very grudgingly going to the Assisted Living apartment she lived in. It was out of duty more than choice. I’d give almost anything to have that choice again.
Not criticizing, just sayin’…
LikeLike
Raisins…Gil…as you both know, it’s a ‘Catch 22’. You know you’re doing the right thing…and you know as well their time is not endless. Lastly, you know you’re not with the person of your memories and growth, rather, a shell of that person that grows more hollow by the day. It’s your time of unconditional love…and it’s hard to deal with on too many fronts! It sucks, frankly!
LikeLike
11:51 a.m. — Cameron trade hits snag
The Mike Cameron trade is not done and may not get done.
The Yankees will need to have a change of heart for it to happen, one source familiar with the discussion said.
The Brewers are asking for a second player in addition to Melky Cabrera. The Yankees want the Brewers to pay a portion of Cameron’s $10 million salary.
Milwaukee is not inclined to fulfill that request at a time when the Yankees are on the verge of paying over $200 million for pitchers CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett.
That is almost comical. Can you imagine the look on Doug Melvin’s face when Cashman asked him to pay a portion of Cameron’s salary? That must have been priceless.
LikeLike
Raisins, it’s almost like private industry coming to Congress in their private jets begging for tax payer’s money.
LikeLike
Can you imagine the look on Doug Melvin’s face when Cashman asked him to pay a portion of Cameron’s salary? That must have been priceless.
Further…can you imagine Cashman’s reasons for that is so it frees $$ for a Sheets’ bid! ‘Come on, Doug….show me some love!’ 😆
LikeLike
So the Cubs deal has died for Towers. Hendry says SD is looking for a “Herschel Walker type deal”. But then, we knew that, didn’t we…
LikeLike
The major- and minor-league drafts lack suspense but they do offer a peek into the talent levels of organizations, or if organizations know whom to protect.
The New York Yankees lost six players in today’s drafts, most of any organization. The Los Angeles Angels earned special mention for losing three players in the major-league portion of the draft.
Five organizations did not lose a player: Arizona, Boston, Oakland, Texas and the New York Mets. Those clubs are either low on minor-league talent or did a great job of protecting what they have. –Gerry Fraley
Thank you Captain Obvious… 🙄
LikeLike
Greetings one and all! And Hillbilly! 😉 See you next year! 😛
LikeLike
I was very blessed with my Mom, that’s why I miss her so much….but, I sure have come across some Moms that truly make me scratch my head. My Dad’s Mom was just a flat out bitter woman. Forever put my Dad down, if he did 6 things for her on a list, instead of saying thanks, she’d point out the one thing he didn’t do! 🙄
One day when I was 1 1/2 years old, my parents found a series of bruises up and down my back. The old lady babysitter didn’t know where I got them from…so, needless to say after firing her, they were VERY careful who watched over me. One or two very close friends…occasionally. Usually, the only night they were guaranteed a night out without me was their anniversary. So, was Grandma just tickled pink to watch over her one and only grandchild??? Sure! Just give her some money to do it! 😯 I know I wasn’t that bad! 😛 Oh the tales I could tell about her..anyway, she wasn’t completely evil, she had lived in the same apartment complex as Rogers Hornsby and other members of the Gas house gang….
Our friend Dale that’s been living with us off and on for, what, almost 4 months??? Reason is his Mom won’t let him live under HIS roof! (He and his brother each own half the house) Had his mail stopped, tells folks he’s a drug dealer, first kicked him out of the house(and he’s 41 mind you) earlier this year because he tripped on the rug and fell and broke her precious dining room table! Why’d he trip??? Oh, just because he has ALS and is losing muscle strength by the day. Fat lot she cares. She thinks he will long outlast her (shes 84) Some of it’s senility, but not all of it. What’s scary is I’ve met her a few times and she seems like a nice old lady.
She’s having lots of health issues after being healthy as a horse, and here’s Dale, dying of a disease, and he’d LOVE to take care of her, the best he can, but nope…she’d be ok for a few days, glad to have him chauffeur her around to hair appointments, grocery store, etc, then she has to lay into him for some crap, act like he’s disrupting her life.
Here he is with a death sentence, one the worse there is, but….he keeps optimistic, doesn’t say why me…, the only time I have seen him emotional was when he called me to say he was coming back our way after being at home for a few days after her last hospital visit…and he was saying, she hates me so much!! 😦 How horrible is that??? I tell him it’s her mind going, that it’s not really her, but that really is just a part of it.
Meanwhile, he’s down in Augusta right now, staying with his brother, who with his wife is trying to watch over their Mom. Dale is taking Mom to various heart doctors, shopping, down that way while they are at work. I am sure he will be back in a few days after she piles on more guilt, and hatred on her son, who is only trying to help her in her remaining days…
Some people have great sons and daughters, just weren’t meant to be great parents….
LikeLike
Away from the S, back to the B….hey guys and gals, ready for some more Peavy talk??? No??? Too bad! 😛
This is like the Friday the 13th series of films, it just never, ever ends! Final chapter, my Arse!!!
Jake Peavy Rumors: Thursday
By Tim Dierkes [December 11 at 2:56pm CST]
2:56pm: Tim Brown and Gordon Edes say the Cubs “remain optimistic that they can acquire Peavy, all but ignored Towers’ self-imposed deadline.” Meanwhile, Gerry Fraley says the Angels have already put together a package for the Padres to consider.
LikeLike
More….
Jake Peavy Rumors: Thursday
By Tim Dierkes [December 11 at 3:27pm CST]
3:27pm: MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says the Braves “won’t even think about renewing their pursuit of Peavy unless the talks are initiated by the Padres, who will no longer find a compensation package that includes Yunel Escobar.” Escobar is apparently off the table because the Braves no longer have Brent Lillibridge.
LikeLike
Okay guys, duly chastised…. And I did not get attacked by a flying monkey today…. Sigh, yes, I know, I should be a bit nicer about it all, however, nothing has changed since my earliest childhood memories. Accent always on the negative, I guess I inherited that. I felt completely opposite about my dad so it wasn’t all bad….
But, I play the role of the good son knowing that it could have been worse….
And baseball, Yankees still have lots of money to burn. Josie agrees with me there should be a salary cap for each club. Makes it much more interesting that way. Again, I don’t begrudge anyone making 20 million a year, if a team wants to put all their eggs in basket, so be it.
I just don’t want to hear of how bad things are when folks can still throw money away seemingly with impunity.
LikeLike
After all, what if the fantasy leagues played by the same rules as MLB. A couple of guys were able to be the Yankees and Red Sox and then there was everybody else.
Josie and I talked about the Braves and their need for pitching and how it would be foolish to trade away your infield for pitching help. Must have balance… Bite the bullet and build for 2010 if that is what they need to do.
LikeLike
Good news is that Yunel is going nowhere. I look for Frank to surprise us all with something from seemingly nowhere…
LikeLike
Yes, I am a “glass-half-full” kinda guy… 😀
LikeLike
Gil, my Dad was much closer to his Dad than Mom….His Dad died in 1943(Heart attack too old for WW2, but wanted to join up) his Mom in 1979
LikeLike
I don’t know what to think about anything right now…so many folks were saying we needed to get 2 of Lowe, Peavy and Burnett…now may get none of them. We got a #4 from the ChiSox. Whoopee! 😕 It’s like thinking you have a chance to go on a date with Jessica Alba, then you find out, no, it’s going to be Rosie O’Donnell…hey, still a woman…I think…
Honestly, our strength right now is middle infielders. If I was in charge, I’d trade KJ to the Cards and Yunel to the Twins(though didn’t they just re-sign their SS or 2nd baseman today?) for pitching. I think Infante and Prado would do just fine full time. besides, didn’t we just finish in 4th place with them up the middle???
LikeLike
Should be an interesting year this year, between the Phils and Mutts!!! 😀
Hamels: Mets have been ‘choke artists’
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3763415
LikeLike
Chipper on Burnett:
““I talked to him about 10 days ago,” Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said of a recruiting call to the right-hander, “and he was … very positive about the organization and the possibility about coming here.”
Jones added, “He did say if he plays in the National League, it’ll only be with us. But he said he enjoys pitching in the American League because he doesn’t have to hit and doesn’t have to run the bases, and he can concentrate on pitching.”
He’ll go to the Yanks.
LikeLike
CL, bet you are right. My God but there are some pampered, lazy players!
LikeLike
Here’s a little chip-sized piece of meaningless kindling… in the grand scheme of things.
LikeLike
The comcast Ken Rosenthal article link didn’t work.
Just as well. Tex, Peavy, Cubs, Angels… yada yada yada.
LikeLike
I’m getting like you SG. Watching everyone else make deals, signing free agents…well, like you said, yada yada yada.
LikeLike
Well, they will still have to play the games next year. I am reminded that most of the folks who followed baseball had already engraved the trophy with the Detroit Tiger’s name on it following last years winter meetings.
I look for the Giants to be a factor in the 2009 season, especially if Zito can come back…
LikeLike
Gil, I was sure the Tigers were going to at least battle the Red Sox last year…I was wrong…It happens, once or twice a decade! 😛 I just feel like the Mets are improving, and we have added one mediocre starter. Wren isn’t done yet…
LikeLike
Hi y’all. Just popping in for a sec. Got a houseful of sick people here keeping me busy. Thought I was finally over that lingering cough but it feels tonight as if I’m relapsing. 😡
Anyway, I didn’t want y’all to think I’d flown the coop. ‘Night.
LikeLike
DOB at AJC:
Just before Wren was to speak to Atlanta reporters Thursday, as the Rule 5 draft was ending, Wren got a call on his cell phone and excused himself. He did not return for about 30 minutes, and when he did he wouldn’t say if the phone call had been about a possible trade or free-agent negotiation.
Coincidental or not, it was at about the same time that word circulated about the Cubs pulling out of the Peavy negotiations.
There’s a little fuel for the fire…
LikeLike
(For a second, I thought the Grinch had moved to Canada….) 😆
A Canadian man, apparently unable to find the perfect woman, has done the next best thing — he’s built himself one.
Le Trung, a 33-year-old software engineer who lives with his parents in Brampton, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto, says he’s spent about $20,000 so far on Aiko, a 5-foot-tall female android with clear skin, a slim if shapely figure and a wonderful disposition.
LikeLike
Towers is a total idiot – beyond just ‘and idiot.’ Read the article carefully and he comes across as one with a room temperature IQ.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/baseball/mlb/12/11/peavy.padres.ap/index.html?eref=si_mlb
LikeLike
Dec. 11, 2008
CBSSports.com wire reports
CHICAGO — Infielder Wilson Betemit and the Chicago White Sox agreed Thursday to a one-year, $1.3 million contract.
Betemit was acquired from New York last month in the trade that sent Nick Swisher to the Yankees.
Betemit was a utility player with the Yankees last season, batting .265 with six homers and 25 RBI in 87 games. He would see playing time at third base for the White Sox, who have not re-signed free agent Joe Crede.
Betemit, a switch-hitter, also played for the Braves and Dodgers. In 496 games over six seasons, he has batted .260 with 42 homers.
LikeLike
Well, one less outfield choice…guy is older, but plays with some fire…
Phillies Sign Ibanez
By Cork Gaines [December 12 at 7:56am CST]
Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Phillies have signed Raul Ibanez to a three-year deal. Rosenthal says the contract is worth $30MM. The deal is pending a physical.
As a type A free agent, the Mariners will receive the Phillies’ first round pick next year (#28) and a supplemental pick between the first and second round. With Ibanez now the everyday left fielder, Jayson Stark says the Phillies will cut ties with Pat Burrell.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
LikeLike
Good morning all, much politics on the the TV this morning…
I won’t go there, not when much more important things like pro sports are on the table.
Folks, if this life raft we are on sinks, we are all going to drown….
We it comes to the federal government, I think they are all a bunch of “and idiots”…
So many choices, so little time….
And “Rhoda”… Anybody else remember that show starring Julie Newmar?
I guess the next thing you know, he will want to marry the android… Would expect the government to provide free maintenance and allow him to claim “her” as a dependent…
Oh the humanity.. can the “Terminator” be far behind? Of course the possibilities are endless, can they teach her to pick fruit and build houses? Could totally destroy the reasoning for allowing millions of illegal aliens to come into our country…
LikeLike
Better yet, can they teach her to hit a curve ball or throw a 96mph fastball? Would work for 3 in One oil……
LikeLike
Phillies help their club quite a bit… Mark another potential off the Braves’ list.
LikeLike
Seems like all of the Braves’ targets are scattering like a covey of quail. I’m beginning to have trouble stirring up much enthusiasm for a great 2009 season. Third place. Maybe.
LikeLike
So many directions I could go with the whole “android girlfriend” thing, the vast majority of which would surely result in a permanent residence in the doghouse. I’ll just leave it very much alone… 😕
I was not so much on the Ibanez thing myself. I mean he’s OK, but nothing too spectacular.
This will certainly meet with some disagreement here, but I believe we’ll see the return of the productive FrenchBreadPizza in RF next year. I honestly believe we stand a better chance of getting the 20+ HR’s and 90+ RBI out of the right-handed FrenchBraid than from some journeyman LF. (Of course, that depends on FrenchToast not being included in a certain denied trade with KC… )
LikeLike
I agree Raisins on your assessment of The Frenchman’s potential to have a breakout season next year. He had so many folks telling him what he should or shouldn’t do last year he suffered from sensory overload. Sometimes you have to take the thinking out of it and learn to react.
Like a defensive lineman is taught.. go thru your opponent, not around him because that is what he wants you to do…
That is what made Gregg Maddux so successful against many hitters, he would out think them, keeping them off balance. The guys he had trouble against were the “see the pitch, hit the pitch” players.
What was one of the famous Yogisms? If you are thinking too much you are hurting the team.
I think that is what happened to Lillibridge last year. He went from a guy who reacted to a pitch to a guy who was looking for a pitch. We saw how well that worked out for him didn’t we?
LikeLike
Yes, Gil… TP’s whole hitting philosophy revolves around waiting for certain pitches. He has certainly had an adverse effect on more than one Brave (past and present) who has listened to him. Does Andruw Jones ring a bell? The Braves’ most successful hitters (CJ and BM) have their own “personal hitting coaches”, being their dads, who know when to get out of the way and let the guys just hit.
LikeLike
Posted by Jayson Stark
What’s the next big date on the baseball calendar? That would be Friday, which is Tender Day. By midnight, teams have to tender contracts to all their arbitration-eligible players, or those players become free agents.
I spent the week surveying a number of teams and agents on which players could become non-tender free agents. It wouldn’t be a shock if we wound up with a dozen or more. Here’s an educated, totally unscientific guess. Money-back guarantee not included if I’m wrong.
PITCHERS
Daniel Cabrera
Chad Gaudin
Jimmy Gobble
Brandon Backe
Takashi Saito
Tyler Yates
Wil Ledezma
HITTERS
Marcus Thames
Gabe Gross
John Buck
Jose Bautista
Chris Burke
Willy Taveras
Jonny Gomes
LikeLike
Hitting, like many other skills requires good hand-eye coordination as well as balance. The word balance being the key…. So many times I see guys who try to imitate other hitters and look foolish as they hack away… How many times did we see Andruw try to screw himself into the ground or nearly fall down after swing at a pitch?
Some people are naturals, others are not. The key is figuring out what works for them and what doesn’t. Body type, body size, arm length, vision, wrist strength, center of gravity all play a role and all are unique to each individual. Other than a few basic tenets, people need to find what works for them, not what works for everyone else. Now, players with similar characteristics can often imitate each other and be successful but still each person has a few traits which require they fine tune their styles to be successful.
I think we would all be happy if Jeff would go back to his happy go lucky free swinging self and stopped worrying about what folks say about him not taking walks. Yes, make pitchers throw him strikes but he doesn’t need to over analyze things to be successful. Just like Kelly Johnson becoming a better hitter when he stopped looking for the perfect pitch and went to the plate looking for a pitch that was good enough.
Strike zones are guidelines and some umps have about as much idea of the strike zone as Stevie Wonder. Some pitchers just are not hittable but most are….
LikeLike
Very true, Gil. A hitter doesn’t need the perfect pitch, just a hitter’s pitch. KJ’s struggles were exactly as you stated.
LikeLike
Marcus Thames, Daniel Cabrera, Chad Gaudin…maybe Brandon Backe and Chris Burke.
Cabrera’s a head case with talent. Then again, Leo couldn’t crack him either! 😯
Thames has good power in a part-time role…the #’s project nicely over the course of a season…20+ HR’s…and he’s an OF.
LikeLike
I case ya’ll missed it… Burnett to sign with the Yankees… What a surprize.. NOT..
LikeLike
For some reason, not signing Burnett does not bother me all that much. Like I said, keep making the Yankees spend all their money, eventually the well will run dry.
Chuck James non-tendered today.. I did not realize he had shoulder surgery last September. That explains a lot….
LikeLike
Perhaps Detroit would be willing to give up one of their young arms for cash… I think MoTown is going to need it….
LikeLike
Been out all day….just got back in to see the good news…. good grief! Did he really “just” sign for 5 years, 82 Mil??? Isn’t that what we were offering??? I guess he just wanted to stay and around in that area.
Something is just….weird…. are some players hearing whispers about Bobby not being as sharp as he used to be??? Why’d Peavy seem more excited about Chicago than here??? Why isn’t Braves money any good???
What’s plan B??? Is there a plan B??? Lowe??? Boras is going to want 4 years. That’s a lot for an “old” guy. He clearly wants back in the AL East too. We seem to be every players 3rd or 4th choice. Seems like the braves are being used to drive up other teams bids. 😡
LikeLike
V, the reason I was for Ibanez(And I have to say, playing in Seattle made him an under the radar guy for me most of his career)is he played with a bit of passion when we played them last year, and the one or two times I saw him play on espn or WGN. He hit 23 Hr’s and drove in 110 RBI’s on a team that lost 101 games last year. Drove in 100 or more RBI’s for 3 straight years. Seemed like the perfect guy to have behind Chipper. Played in every game last year as well.
Braves seem to have zero interest in Dunn. Pat the Bat is very streaky, but bats right handed at least.
Like CL said, looks like a 3rd place team. Shoot, if Mr. All about the money signs with the Nationals, no doubt about it, they will be more competitive.
LikeLike
Man, busy night here in stuffville! 😛 FLB has an excuse, being sick….
Thought I would read what DOB had to say about the signing of Beckett by the Yanks…saw it had crashed…but, have no fear, Google Cache link is here…if anyone wants to read it…have only read his lead, but it sounds like he knew the deal at 11:30 AM.
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:LbtIZ3S0Ks0J:www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2008/12/11/this_isnt_what.html+http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/braves/entries/2008/12/11/this_isnt_what.html&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
LikeLike
Man, am I stupid. Don’t agree with me! 😡 I hadn’t checked out the AJC page in awhile…that was started on the 11th, still…seemed like he knew the braves weren’t going to get him….
LikeLike
Hey, Ber. I think (hope!) I’m recovering, lil’ sis is all better, Mom is much better than she’s been all week but my poor dad… 😦 He’s been in bed for 2 days running a fever off & on.
LikeLike
Hey Ber, the crazies were all over the board in their frustrations/elation (take your pick) on the AJC blog before it crashed. I think someone else made up Burnett’s mind for him. (see wife)…
I’ll not worry about it until the last two weeks of spring training when we will get a realistic idea of the Braves’ offense. Who knows, the Braves might catch lightning in a bottle once again.
If Smoltz can come back, the Braves may pull this thing off yet. I think the real key however is going to be Frency. Brave did a good job of getting guys on base last year, just not so hot getting them in.
There is still a lot of time to make deals and I honestly believe the Braves will make some deals.
LikeLike
FLB, that’s not fun at all. Is it still cool down that way???
LikeLike
Turned cool again today. Couple of days ago it was so sticky we had to turn the AC on. Now we might need a little heat. Cool & dry is better for baking though. I made frosted cut-out sugar cookies & M&M cookies.
LikeLike
I’m with Gil. It’s not like our entire current team stinks, we just need more consistency (well, really Jeff was consistently bad last year, poor kid).
LikeLike
Well, glad you guys are optimistic….I just don’t see much hope, on the offensive line….Funny, Andruw Jones was such a special talent, bringing him up at 19 wasn’t an issue, but with Justin Heyward, no way…Gil, do you think he will get an Spring training invite???
What worries me most about Frenchy, is just like with Andruw, “they” know his weakness, low outside, so he will see it all the time til he lays off of it. If he swings hard in case he hits it, well, then that’s that….
LikeLike
I think we have to be optimistic, Ber. I don’t want to be like the people across the street who act like the world will come to an end if we don’t get every available elite pitcher out there. What did they want Wren to do, hold a gun on CC, Burnett, etc. ’til they signed or Towers ’til he gave us Peavy?
LikeLike
Well, that would be a start! 😛
If it had been my moola, I would have signed CC for what the Yankees offered. Even though he’s so big, he doesn’t have the arm issues Burnett has had…of course, his elbow could blow out in the first spring training game. Could…Vasquez’ arm could as well. Having him as a #1, giving the bullpen some rest, and then having Hanson, JJ, and Vasquez, that would be pretty strong.
Now, if we can get some nice young stud ALA Jurrjens, I am all for that. The Twins sure gave up on Matt Garza very quickly. I just don’t know if we can catch lightning in a bottle again.
LikeLike
If Wren learned anything from JS then he’ll pull something out of thin air when we’re least expecting it.
Sorry but I think I’ll retire a little earlier than usual. Seem to be running out of steam here.
LikeLike
Okay… Wake up people….
LikeLike
I’m awake, I’m awake!!! 😯
LikeLike
Too easy Ber… You’re always awake 🙂
Just not much happening on the baseball front, the Angles matched Washington’s offer of an eight year, $160 million contract for Texieria. Wow, you would think he was a lobbyist with all that money being tendered…
I still think the Yankees will call on him next. The Yanks are using the Peter Angelos’ model to build their team. We all know how well that worked out for Baltimore don’t we. 🙂
LikeLike
Burnett had told friends he was more comfortable being a #2 pitcher to CC than being the #1 guy in Atlanta. That tells me he doesn’t have the guts to be a team ace. Fine. I’d rather have a pitcher with heart than a “million dollar arm-10 cent head” guy anyway.
There is still quite a bit of time before the team moves north to the Ted, and I’ll hold judgment until the team is set. Wren has hinted that there may be some things in play, and that he was waiting for the AJB thing to resolve, and for some things to resolve with another team before pursuing them further. We’ll see. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him talk more with KC…
As for me and my house, we are not broken up over AJB’s decision.
LikeLike
Gil, it just seems that way! 😉 Actually, slept pretty well for the 2nd night in a row !8O
V, I read DOB say something about Peavy that was a dig about not really wanting to put the braves on his shoulders and all that. He’d be what, a 2 or 3 in Chicago??? Stuffwise, perhaps a 4 behind Harden???
No Smoltzs’ out there in other words. Who knows….we may be surprised by what Smoltz and Glavine are capable at this point. But, gotta get a real left fielder. How about Carlos Lee??? I heard talk on baseball tonight that he might be available. If they traded Tejada , they’d need a cheap SS.
LikeLike
Once clubs assess where their finances are relative to the economy, they may take ’09 off, somewhat. If they analyze their realistic prospects, slashing some payroll while maintaining similar performance (e.g., by going younger) they will look to move some players. Honestly, some teams may be looking at 5K fewer seats filled/game this season. Conservatively, that’s probably $10MM in revenue. Why let that flow as red ink? By February, if not sooner, expect to see some clubs initiate trade discussions…and here’s betting the supply outstrips demand. Wren/Braves waiting may pay significant dividends. Meanwhile, that same analysis by the Yankees and Mets may have them wondering about their FA moves and new stadium operations. Question: when a club files bankruptcy, those contracts disappear, right?
Pro sports can feign they’re immune to reality…the real truth is about to be exposed to them. $80MM is a lot of $$, until you can’t collect…then $40MM might have looked real good. We shall see.
LikeLike
“Teixeira is seeking a 10-year contract for at least $20 million per season.”
Jiminy!
I’m with y’all on Peavy and Burnett and agree on the ‘gut check’. I’ll watching both of them to see how they “flourish” next year. Big contracts, spotlight, pressure. 🙂
LikeLike
Salty, that’s a good point…I don’t know much about liberty’s business, but if it’s more recession resistant than others, we may be in luck. I think the Yankees have some Billion dollar contract for TV alone, and you know their fans have to be psyched right now..and with so many millions of people living there, there will always be fans to fill the seats. Same with Boston.
But, teams like the Nationals, Phils…they may suffer more than we might…But, a lot of businesses have closed, or are closing in and Around Atlanta, so it’s likely there will be less fannies in the seats here.
LikeLike
And getting back to Carlos Lee, clearly we’d have to give more than just Yunel, but perhaps Yunel and Gorkys???
LikeLike
from mlb.com on D Lowe:
“One place Lowe will not wind up is Atlanta, even though the Braves struck out on wooing Burnett. Braves GM Frank Wren has made it known that he will not pursue Lowe, even at the possibility that the division rival Phillies are now Lowe’s most motivated suitor.
Last week, Lowe spoke about the opportunity to add to his list of postseason experiences as a major factor in deciding on a destination. Surely, the Yankees’ dreams for ’09 lead to October, and no one has forgotten that the scent of champagne is stained into the carpet of the home clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park.
“With me, it’s all about winning,” Lowe said. “The team with the best chance of winning, year in and year out, is where I want to go. Scott understands that. I’ve already had clubs contact us that are interested, but they’re not ready to win.
“Scott knows that’s my No. 1 priority, and he’s looking out for my best interest. He’s done exactly what I’ve been talking about.”
LikeLike
The Yanks have to collect that television $$…and that $$ comes from advertisers, who are slashing their budgets. Thus the payor may not be capable of addressing said payees expectations. Expect a revision to the contract.
Economics trickles down, and sewage rises like the tide when the drain clogs! NY and Boston are not immune…a bird in hand is worth more than the two you wanted!
LikeLike
Like I have said before, I would rather have a guy who wants to go to a club to make it a winner than a guy who want to go to a winner….
You are right about being in a depressed market. And if the big thee go under, they will be lucky to field a semi pro team in Detroit and Pontiac. I would not be surprised to hear MLB talk about contraction again.
I truly doubt the Marlins are going to be able to survive this recession. I suspect there is going to be some back peddling going on as far as building a stadium for them.
Putting money into infrastructure like roads and sewers is one thing, levying more tax burden on folks for the privilege of watching someone else make money is something else. Besides, Gwinnett needs some AAA teams a little closer and Jacksonville and Miami would fit just fine.
LikeLike
Realign baseball and put Tampa and the Braves in the same division. Does it really make any difference anymore if there are two leagues?
LikeLike
Detroit is going to become the new Pittsburgh. No different than when the steel mills all went away.
Only green jobs are going to mowing lawns and raking leaves….
LikeLike
In the mean time, I am shopping for bargains …. Definitely a buyer’s market right now.
LikeLike
Gil, right you are about bargains! I wish I was more flush(A bit more flush than my usual flat broke right now) the FYE music chain, about the only chain left in malls seems to be going out of business. 25% off clearance event, everything must go!! I think that’s why they still have stuff in their stores, folks don’t get they are going out of business.
Whereas Circuit City have only 1/10th of their cd inventory left at 50% off, and just a little more of their DVD stock left, and it’s only 40% off! The prices of the DVDs are still not as good as I could get from Amazon or
http://www.deepdiscount.com. A really good sale might have kept them in business, who knows??? They are closing all stores in the ATL in 9 days. FYE has more good stuff I can resell when the prices drop some more,(Got my Dad a Artie Shaw 10 cd set(Trim case) for….$6.00!!!! 😯 ) and I found out their store at Perimeter mall has closed up already. So, it’s going to be good shopping for me for a few weeks, then there won’t be a place to buy a cd in town, short of Wal mart, Barnes and Noble and Best buy. What a strange new world…
LikeLike
I guess I should have been clearer about. Salty, right you are about less ad dollars out there, I just think teams like the Yankees and Red Sox have such a cushion, that even with “cuts” in these areas…well, beer companies will still do fine, and even if the Yankees have to slash those seats behind the dugouts from $2500 to $1500 a game, they will still be filthy, stinkin’ rich…
I don’t want the Rays in our division Gil! Too good! 😉
LikeLike
I will not complain about the chilly temps here. Today’s high in Anchorage is 14. 😯
LikeLike
I know you all could go to MLB trade rumors, but in case you don’t….Good news and bad news mixed in there….funny, DOB made it sound like there was no way Smoltz would leave the ATL what with his 4 kids here and all…
Braves Interested In Kawakami
By Alex Walsh [December 13 at 2:58pm CST]
Having lost out on A.J. Burnett, the Atlanta Braves are shifting their attention to a different candidate to fill out their starting rotation–33-year old Japanese veteran Kenshin Kawakami.
Dave O’Brien at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Braves are serious contenders for Kawakami’s services. While teams like the Red Sox, Dodgers, Angels and Orioles are also in on Kawakami, “the Braves are particularly motivated to improve their rotation,” O’Brien says.
Failing to sign Burnett is certainly one motivating factor, but O’Brien also mentions the increasing chance that John Smoltz does not return to the Braves in 2009.
LikeLike
Well, the way I see it, we now have an additional $16M/yr to spend.
I am an optimist, ain’t I? 😀
LikeLike
16 mil more??? What, has Chipper demanded a trade? 😛
LikeLike
Wouldn’t it be delightful for the Braves to whip the NYYs in the WS next year?
😆
LikeLike
Yep! Right after beating the Mutts for the Pennant! :)(We’d be the wildcard team)
LikeLike
I like the sound of that scenario but not as much as the Braves winning it all & both NY teams not even getting a sniff of the postseason. (Why, yes I do find New Yorkers annoying. Why do you ask?)
LikeLike
Think I’ll post lyrics like the guy across the street:
Blow, blow, blow my nose
Why can’t I stop the stream
Blowing and blowing and blowing and blowing
To breathe would be a dream
(Hey, if I have to be sick at least I can derive a little goofy entertainment from it.)
LikeLike
What are you on, anyway??? 😛
LikeLike
Augmentin, Delsym cough syrup, chlortrimeton… At least mine is “only” a cold. Mom’s went from a cold to bronchitis to picking up some weird flu that wasn’t covered in this year’s shot & giving it to Dad.
LikeLike
kept typing “clod”… sigh
LikeLike
I think I’m done for the night. Turn out the lights & lock the door for the night, Ber.
LikeLike
Hello and goodnight.
LikeLike
Sorry, forgot the code for the alarm, so didn’t set it! 😳
FLB, I sure can relate to the pain in the butt colds, the Flu and what they can turn into can be! Must be a royal pain with everyone sick, and a rare strain of the flu to boot!
I get PO’ed when I see scientists working hard on cloning sheep, or making robotic women, instead of something useful, you know, like a cure for the common cold…
LikeLike
Man, no post on the mlbtraderumors site since about 3:30 PM central time, so you know the baseball talk is slowing down.
See the photo of Burnett on the AJC page??? You can tell by his grip he gives away his pitches….good thing we didn’t get him! 😛
LikeLike
Everyone’s at church, or sleeping in, eh???
A few days old, but if you are starved for some baseball news, and a bit of Boras bashing, Starks from the 11th…
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/hotstove08/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3763494
LikeLike
Ber, they have a cure for the common cold, unfortunately, it also kills the patient…
LikeLike
Gil, 😆
LikeLike
Yankees are really saving money, don’t ya know! 😯
He has more Tex stuff after this if you vlick on link(and can stomach it)
Yanks shedding salaries to go after more players
by Ken Rosenthal
Ken Rosenthal has been the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com since Aug. 2005. He appears weekly on the FSN Baseball Report and MLB on FOX.
Updated: December 14, 2008, 10:48 AM EST 15 comments
add this RSS blog email Print
Scream all you want about the Yankees’ spending. Club officials continue to say that the team’s projected payroll will be lower than it was last season.
Consider the list of players coming off the Yankees’ 2008 roster — and the players who could or will take their approximate salary slots in 2009. See table:
The Yankees also are shedding Carl Pavano’s $11 million salary and trying to re-sign Andy Pettitte or add another pitcher for less than the $16 million that Pettitte earned in ’08.
So, general manager Brian Cashman could have one big move left even if he added a Cameron — and even after re-signing lefty reliever Damaso Marte for $12 million over three years and accounting for salary increases to other players.
That move might not be for Mark Teixeira, though the Yankees probably could fit him into their 2009 payroll if they structured his contract creatively. More likely, they will go for a lesser bat, maybe even Abreu at a discounted rate.
The Yankees were criticized a year ago for failing to obtain left-hander Johan Santana, but in hindsight their plan makes sense.
Rather than trade young assets such as Phil Hughes for Santana, they simply waited for Sabathia — who beat Santana for the 2007 American League Cy Young Award and outpitched him in the NL last season.
Long-term contracts for pitchers are always risks, and both Sabathia and Burnett are coming off heavy workloads in ’08. But Burnett, who turns 32 on Jan. 3, will be the oldest of the Yankees’ top four starters.
Meanwhile, the Yankees still have Hughes, who eventually could figure into their rotation. They used Jeff Marquez, another pitcher in the Santana discussions, to help land Swisher. And Cabrera, who also would have gone to the Twins for Santana, ultimately could bring them Cameron.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8938060/Yanks-shedding-salaries-to-go-after-more-players
LikeLike
vlick on the link, ya!
LikeLike
Good evening all, pretty quiet day on the old BS blog…. Just as well, I cannot speak Japanese, well, that’s not completely true, I know Sony, Toshiba, Honda, Toyota… and a few lesser words like Yamaha and of course banzai… I guess my vocabulary is pretty limited when it comes to the land of the rising sun. Oh well, who knew Frank Wren might have a Yen for a Japanese pitcher?
Did the Christmas social thingee this weekend. Visited with some old friends and attended a church social with them last night. Today visited with mom and then attended a holiday open house of one of our neighbors. I think Josie was glad to get me away from the computer for a while as I have been looking a real estate pretty diligently.
I figure if the Braves can relocate an entire franchise after 42 years in one spot then so can I.
LikeLike
Gil, whatever you do, don’t hold back! Buy way too much house, and I am sure that in 6 months or so, the Gov will have your back! 😛
LikeLike
We need not worry about our pitching, Bill James predicts Jorge Campillo will have a 3. 86 ERA! 🙂
http://www.rotoauthority.com/2008/12/bill-james—st.html
LikeLike
Want a positive story??? Not much of a football fan, and what I had seen of Pete Carroll of UCLA made me think he was an arrogant guy….but, looks can be deceiving! Probably a liberal in the best possible sense of the word. Watch the video, or read the text to the right of it…
http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4667942n
LikeLike
Ber, scientists could probably cure the common cold (& a lot of other ailments) but the drug companies don’t want them to. A lot of promising research has been pushed aside because the drug companies wouldn’t make “enough” money off of the resulting medicine.
LikeLike
Good morning Stuffians…
Yesterday was the annual Christmas wing-ding where my siblings and their families gather at my house to celebrate Christmas. It is the one time of the year where we all get together, and sometimes the only time of the year we even see each other.
The early part of the day was spent hastily getting last minute details taken care of, including 3 trips to the store in a span of 30 minutes. 😐
Then, there was a last minute, unexpected phone call of “Something came up, and we can’t come.” I know it was genuine, but disappointing nonetheless. For the first time in memory, there were some no-shows… kinda sad really. This year it was a real effort to settle on a date for the party. Everyone is so busy in their own worlds that it has gotten increasingly more difficult to get everyone together.
In the end, it was a great time with family. I always wonder why we don’t get together more than once a year. Nobody is more than an hour-and-a half away. And all but me live with in a half-hour of each other. That’s siblings, nephews, nieces… everybody. And I miss the no-shows. But after all of the hugs, handshakes and we gotta get togethers, we all slip back into our insulated worlds. It’s nuts…
Oh, well. I’ve already started planning for next year… 😀
LikeLike
That sounds great, Raisins. It’s a real shame that we let “stuff” interfere with our families, but we do. I think all of us need to simplify and rearrange our list of priorities. In the end, our families and our friends are all that matter.
LikeLike
Sounds like great fun Raisins, yes, it does seem it is nearly impossible to have a mutually agreeable date for everyone. This is especially true as those with children see those kids get older. School functions, church, or just plain old raging hormones… 🙂
This morning on Fox they are reporting a study out of Princeton that sugar is as additive as heroine. And my thoughts are… so??? Ah.. anyone want to buy a HoHo?? 8)
LikeLike
No HoHo for me, that’d be unhealthy. But I do need to go have breakfast. Hmmm… let’s see… Frosted Flakes? Fruit Loops? Lucky Charms? Honey Smacks? Cocoa Puffs?
😀
LikeLike
Have you noticed how virtually every team is backing away from Derek Lowe? I believe it’s due more to Scott Bora$$ than Lowe himself. It’s a shame Bora$$ is making the unreasonable demands he is making. Lowe will probably end up signing late with less choice than he would have had if teams had felt the market was “open” to bid. I wouldn’t mind seeing him in a Braves uni, but not locked up for 5 years.
LikeLike
V, at least you are making the effort! Glad you and your fam had a great time! 🙂
Except for my Pa, I have no relations closer than….hmmm, I have a cousin in San Antonio.(Nice lady I met for the first time about 5 years ago-need to call her) 2 in Las Vegas. A cousin in Sacramento(He has 3 children, one probably just about college age-never met any of his chillin)
Who do I hear from the most??? My 85 year old Uncle in LA, and he was married to my late aunt, he’s not even blood kin!
Of course, the way some folks get along with their families, it’s not always a bad thing to see relatives once in a blue moon! 🙂
LikeLike
Hope some folks checked out that Pete Carroll link I posted above…it will put a smile on your face.
V, except for the right fielder for the Red SOx(So help me I can’t think of that dullard’s name, ain’t gonna waste time looking it up-JD Drew, thanks brain-too late, not going to delete what I wrote, just make me look crazy-crazier) How many Borass agents have won a ring???
Braves should make a very big, 2 year deal with option on 3rd year if he pitches X number of innings in 2010. Most money with shortest contract. It would give Borass indigestion thinking of what to do.
LikeLike
I can hardly believe it! This is a piece of REAL legislation in the House of Representatives. Somebody needs to adjust his tinfoil hat.
‘To establish a Department of Peace and Nonviolence. ‘
Bill # H.R.808
Original Sponsor:
Dennis Kucinich (D-OH 10th)
Cosponsor Total: 68
(last sponsor added 07/09/2008)
67 Democrats
1 Republicans
“About This Legislation:
2/5/2007–Introduced. Department of Peace and Nonviolence Act – Establishes a Department of Peace and Nonviolence, which shall be headed by a Secretary of Peace and Nonviolence appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Sets forth the mission of the Department, including to: (1) hold peace as an organizing principle; (2) endeavor to promote justice and democratic principles to expand human rights; and (3) develop policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful resolution of conflict, and structured mediation of conflict. Establishes in the Department the Intergovernmental Advisory Council on Peace and Nonviolence, which shall provide assistance and make recommendations to the Secretary and the President concerning intergovernmental policies relating to peace and nonviolent conflict resolution. Transfers to the Department the functions, assets, and personnel of various federal agencies. Establishes a Federal Interagency Committee on Peace and Nonviolence. Establishes Peace Day. Urges all citizens to observe and celebrate the blessings of peace and endeavor to create peace on such day.”
WHAT??? 😯
LikeLike
Kucinich is and idiot…
LikeLike
This link shows you the 68 people who have joined in on that idiocy as co-sponsors. Two are from GA.
http://gopusa.www.capwiz.com/gopusa/issues/bills/?bill=12136476&cs_party=all&cs_status=C&cs_state=ALL
LikeLike
Harrumph.. I think I shall throw my shoes at them…. 🙂
LikeLike
I’m an old Hippy, and I don’t know what to do… Hang on to the old, grab hold of the new….
How let us all hold hands and sing Kumbaya…
Actually, if they would just promote Christianity, they wouldn’t feel the need to promote yet another government program…
LikeLike
First act of the DPNV would be to declare Republicans illegal as promoters of war and aggression…
Would adopt the Peace symbol as their official seal…
Would adopt the slogan …”A chicken in every pot and pot for every chick” as their official motto…
Would hire Lew as their public information officer and official spokesperson…
Would establish San Francisco California as the official “Center of the Universe”
Would establish the 8 hour work week so as to leave time for the pursuit of happiness and being stoned the rest of the time….
LikeLike
Two are from GA
Yeah… John Lewis and Hank Johnson.
They do not represent me, thank God.
LikeLike
John Lewis has made an entire career out of walking on the same asphalt as MLK.
LikeLike
But, you are ok with the 12:33 PM post? 😉
Sometimes the truth makes us a bit uneasy….I guess cuz we know we are not racists, but racists would agree with what we have said…
LikeLike
December 15th and I just killed a mosquito in here. NOT COMPLAININ’, mind you! 😆
LikeLike
CL, was pleasantly surprised to see it’s in the mid 60s here, which a day or so ago was NOT in the forcast…now, if we can just get the sun back…
LikeLike
there are some funny one liners in this email! 😆
Fw: GREAT ONE LINERS
Sometimes, when I look at my children, I say to myself, ‘Lillian, you should have remained a virgin.’
– Lillian Carter (mother of Jimmy Carter)
I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalog: – ‘No good in a bed, but fine against a wall.’
– Eleanor Roosevelt
;
Last week, I stated this woman was the ugliest woman I had ever seen. I have since been visited by her sister, and now wish to withdraw that statement.
– Mark Twain
The secret of a good sermon is to have a good beginning and a good ending; and to have the two as close together as possible.
– George Burns
Santa Claus has the right idea. Visit people only once a year.
– Victor Borge
Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint.
– Mark Twain
By all means, marry. If you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.
– Socrates
I was married by a judge. I should have asked for a jury.
– Groucho Marx
My wife has a slight impediment in her speech. Every now and then she stops to breathe.
– Jimmy Durante
I have never hated a man enough to give his diamonds back.
– Zsa Zsa Gabor
Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar and fat.
– Alex Levine
My luck is so bad that if I bought a cemetery, people would stop dying.
– Rodney Dangerfield
Money can’t buy you happiness .. But it does bring you a more pleasant form of misery.
– Spike Milligan
Until I was thirteen, I thought my name was SHUT UP .
– Joe Namath
I don’t feel old. I don’t feel anything untilnoon . Then it’s time for my nap.
– Bob Hope
I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it.
– W. C. Fields
We could certainly slow the ageing process down if it had to work its way through Congress.
– Will Rogers
Don’t worry about avoiding temptation. As you grow older, it will avoid you.
– Winston Churchill
Maybe it’s true that life begins at fifty .. But everything else starts to wear out, fall out, or spread out.
– Phyllis Diller
By the time a man is wise enough to watch his step, he’s too old to go anywhere.
– Billy Crystal
And the cardiologist’s diet: – If it tastes good, spit it out.
LikeLike
I am so optimistic that Frank is gonna net us a pitcher sometime soon, that I’m wearing my trusty A cap. It’s comin’, I tell ya. Gonna be a trade. I feel it… 😎
LikeLike
It’s been a mystery to many why veteran left-hander Andy Pettitte hasn’t taken the Yankees’ $10-million offer. But here could be a clue as to why he hasn’t: Pettitte’s people apparently are telling folks he has a $36-million, three-year offer from another, unnamed team. –Jon Heyman, SI
Could it..? Nah…
LikeLike
I really wouldn’t mind him V, he still was throwing pretty hard last year…of course, he dropped off a bit at the end of the year, didn’t he??? sigh….
LikeLike
Yep, I’d take him…. Warts and all…..
LikeLike
Who’s going with me to Mekong????
Spider as big as a plate among scores of new species found in Greater Mekong
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/3761269/Spider-as-big-as-a-plate-among-scores-of-new-species-found-in-Greater-Mekong.html
LikeLike
No thanks Ber… I may be rethinking Florida after thinking about all the creatures that might be lurking in the canals… and mosquitoes.. I don’t do mosquitoes….
LikeLike
Well, it’s my oldest daughter’s birthday today… 38 today… oh my… Still my favorite 🙂
LikeLike
Oh my Gil! How is that possible??? You are so young! 😉
LikeLike
Who is your Role Model?
1) Pick your Favorite number between 1- 9
2) Multiply by 3 then
3) Add 3, then again multiply by 3 (I’ll wait while you get the
calculator….)
4) You’ll get a 2 or 3 digit number….
5) Add the digits together
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. Now scroll down……………………..
Now with that number see who your ROLE MODEL is from the list below :
1. Einstein
2. Nelson Mandela
3. Jacob Zuma
4. Tom Cruise
5. Bill Gates
6. Gandhi
7. Brad Pitt
8. Hitler
9. Carolina Lady
10. Barack Obama
I know…. I just have that effect on people….
One day you too can be like me……….Believe it!
Stop picking different numbers. This is your destiny, just deal with it!!!!
Insert your name in #9 and send it on! 😆 😆 😆
LikeLike
Here is a link to some video of Kenshin Kawakami … Reminds me a bit of Greg Maddux.
LikeLike
CL, that’s pretty good! 🙂
LikeLike
VOR: Nice post. Enjoyed the read.
I too am eager to see what Wren has cooked up. Rumor was he made head-way on potential deals at the Winter Meetings. But so far, whatever happened in Vegas is staying in Vegas.
I hope the Braves aren’t offering Pettitte a three year deal. Seems like an old guy to go after. He is a lefty, which would help the team. But there is something about him… I just think he needs to stay a Yankee. It never seemed right when he was an Astro. But… perhaps they are the three year team.
LikeLike
Gil, did he remind you of Greg Maddux because of all those outside the strike zone calls??? 😆
He’s bigger than most Japanese pitchers, it seems to me, and throws pretty hard as well, sign him!
LikeLike
Gil: I have a feeling the Braves will miss out on Kawakami Kenshin. The Red Sox appear to be cornering the Japanese pitching market. But something about Kawakami makes me wonder. He has some solid reports from various places, but he has a career 1.15 WHIP and about a 1 HR9 rate. I’d imagine he’d struggle in the big leagues.
LikeLike
DOB said this…. Right now I’d make it 1. Phillies, 2. Mets, 3. (tie) Braves/Marlins, 5. Nationals.
If Braves get another good pitcher and a bat, I’d put them ahead of Marlins, but not ahead of the other two.
It makes me mad, but it rings true…well, if we got another(Good) pitcher and bat I’d think we’d be able to surprise some folks…if it’s Randy Wolf and Juan Riviera, I’ll root for the Rays over the Phillies in the WS 😕
LikeLike
The wonderful thing about baseball is each season the standings are reset.
Of course a lot of teams have an advantage in marquee name players because of their deep pockets but still, the opportunity is there for the taking.
it’s too early to be playing the pick em game as far as the standings. Too many wacky things can happen between now and April.
Yes Ber… a very wide strike zone and some very hittable pitches.
I didn’t say he reminded me of a young Maddux….. 🙂
LikeLike
Popping in for a sec around bouts of trying not to hack up a lung. 🙄
Plate-sized spiders sound like my uncle’s worst nightmare (he’s terrified of ’em). Yes, Gil, we are plentiful in bugs & reptiles down here.
LikeLike
10Paul: Good to see you here!
As I said yesterday, I feel like something is about to pop. I have been wearing my Braves cap both days, and just have a gut feeling.
Now news of Furcal. Surprise! The Braves are the mystery 4th team, and it appears as though Frank is deep in negotiations. Furcal’s agent said he’d choose today, so today could bear alot of news. If Furcal is signed, you better bet that Yunel is going somewhere – look at KC for Greinke. Maybe Pittsburgh on a package for Maholm and McLouth. Maybe a 3 teamer that sends Wilson to LA in the deal. Frank is trying to shake things up.
LikeLike
Fookie’s coming home:
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081216&content_id=3718632&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp
LikeLike
So who’s traded? Yunel? KJ? It’ll be one of them, and it’ll probably be announced very soon. Frank said it last week that he had “framework” in place, but that another move had to be made first. Prophetic indeed…
LikeLike
And the news has caused a crash across the street…
LikeLike
That’s sure an interesting move!!!
And hows about that fancy software the AJC has…the free board the jazzboard I frequent uses has I think 2 million total posts in 5 + years….wonder how much the AJC pays for thiers???
LikeLike
I love it. Great move if it’s followed by a trade for top pitching.
LikeLike
I love it. Great move if it’s followed by a trade for top pitching.
http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/8947764/Braves-seeking-to-bring-Furcal-back-to-Atlanta
LikeLike
In hindsight, and taking into consideration the shots we’ve taken regarding Peavy not being so, uh… sharp, would you still do a deal for him with Yunel, Hernandez, Morton & Boyer?
OK… discuss…
😀
LikeLike
Would a rotation of Peavy, JJJ, JV, Smoltz, JoJo/Glavine sound good to you?
How about Greinke, JJ, JV, Smoltz, JoJo/Glavine?
Lineup of Furcal, KJ, Chipper, ???, Mac, Kotchman, Frenchbread, Schafer?
Gotta address the ??? before assessing…
LikeLike
I would love Maholm and McLouth and almost don’t care what it takes to get them, short of Hanson. Besides, whomever the Pirates get, will be trade bait before arbitration! The beauty of teams like that, is you can trade your farm, let them get experience elsewhere, than reel the good ones back in once they’ve proven themselves.
LikeLike
Hey, Salty.
How about a rotation of
Maholm, JJJ, JV, Smoltz, Morton/JoJo/Glavine
and a lineup of
Furcal, KJ, McLouth, Chipper, Mac, Kotchman, Frenchbread, Schafer/Blanco/Anderson?
Would Chipper bat 4th? Where would you bat McLouth?
LikeLike
Looks like someone backed into the hot stove….
Still way early for to much conjecture. Furcal would take care of the lead off spot, to be honest, until Frency proves he can hit for a higher average, it makes little difference who is signed to bat.
Great news for Red Sox fans if Tex signs with them. Baltimore looks to bring up the rear again…
LikeLike
Where to bat McLouth? That’s tough. I’m almost of the opinion you bat him lead-off, and Furcal 8th. Then again…I just don’t know…but it would be a pleasant problem to have!
On the starting front, whomever it the #1 is there to ‘take one for the team’. Thereafter, I think the Braves are loaded with #’s, with 1 and 2 experience, excepting the 5 slot. If we can steal 1/3 of the #1 starts, we’re deep through the balance of the rotation…or at least several steps beyond chopped liver! 😆
LikeLike
Gil, I believe the Furcal thing will be a done deal today. It is only pending a physical, which is being done this morning. I also, do not believe Wren wouldn’t do this signing if he didn’t have the pitching deal ready to go. Whether it’s KJ or Yunel, the other shoe will drop.
Plus… it’s alot more fun to speculate about than Randy Wolf or Oliver Perez. 😀
LikeLike
And, yes… there is definitely a blister on my keester. 😯
LikeLike
If FranchBraid could get it together this season, it’d make the lineup a little easier to set up. He would be the ideal right handed bat to go between Chipper and Mac. However, he ain’t back yet. So, you either gotta find one, or drop Chipper to 4. Furcal, McLouth, KJ, Chipper, Mac, Kotchman, Frenchbread, Schafer/Blanco/Anderson would actually be kinda fun to watch.
LikeLike
I have to be honest, I like Oliver Perez…always have. Frankly, he’s better on the Braves than beating the Braves regularly…like a drum! However, don’t really need him if Smoltz can return and Maholm comes aboard.
We still won’t have a #1, in the strictest sense, but…you never know!
Watch that keester blister…can get nasty! 🙂
LikeLike
Since we’re still speculating, wouldn’t the speed of Furcal, McLouth and Schafer/Anderson/Blanco be fun to watch?
LikeLike
Last year the Braves were pretty good at getting on base, just could not get them home. Always seemed like Francouer was at bat in big situation. The year before it was Andruw. Towards the end of the season, it appeared as if Prado was becoming a clutch guy and Kotchmen was finding his sea legs too. Speed is always an asset but you need to hit that three run homer once in a while too.
Moving Kelly to left field would take care of that hole in the line up but I still think the key will be Francouer. Or whom ever they have playing right field because there is still a chance Frenchy gets traded.
LikeLike
Guys, its fun to daydream…as you know from my posts…but Nate McLouth? Come on! They gave away 2/3rds of their outfield last year, why would they give up a cheap guy who finally had a good year???
And I thought I read the other day that Maholm was untoucable….of course, I can’t find that but did find this from a few weeks back….
Ryan Doumit, Nate McLouth, Paul Maholm, Matt Capps: These four are described as “as close to untouchable as it gets” for the Pirates.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/11/pirates-rumors.html
of course they said close to untouchable….
LikeLike
One question we should all be asking, who has gotten the better of the Braves in a trade with them in recent history? Even all the talent traded away for Tex, are any of those guys ready for the Big Leagues? I think other teams are afraid to deal with the Braves….
LikeLike
Salty, agreed about Oliver Perez….I seem to recall he was pretty good in the playoffs in what, 2006?…too bad his agent is borass….
LikeLike
I believe Wren is closing on on a deal with KC. They need a SS, we got extra. They need salary relief, we have some $$$. The Braves could plug Greinke into the rotation, and Guillen into LF/RF and solve a couple of problems. I think it’d take Yunel and FrenchManicure plus Morton/JoJo and a decent prospect to get it done. But it is certainly possible. That would still leave an outfield spot open, unless you want Diaz to take back over in LF. But if you acquire Guillen, you have your right handed power bat. The focus would broaden in a search for LF.
LikeLike
Hmmm…dealing with KC…hmmm. Gotta say, enticing, but…I’m not there, yet. Reading between the lines, look at economics…better yet, decisions per economics. Toronto pulled off Furcal due to the economy…suggests to me (neophyte that I am) they’re looking at relief. Why not visit Escobar & Co. for Halliday? Make them say “Absolutely not…now way, not ever!’ I think they’ll at least blink.
After Toronto, move on the Giants…Escobar for Matt Cain.
I still like working on the Pirates…and economics will continue to weigh on them. If they want to discuss McLouth/Maholm for a package, you have to go with it. Escobar, Schafer, and a few others (Prado and minor leaguers?)…or even Frenchie, if it gets them to the table. Be aggressive and see where it leads. Include some $$ if need be. Atlanta not need to simply spend on players, do they?
LikeLike
now way? Glad you all know blog-speak! 😆
LikeLike
One thing is for sure… another deal is forthcoming. It’s probably already in place. I am proudly wearing my A cap.
LikeLike
One other possibility…follow the ‘bouncin’ Manny ball’! Los Angels have expressed interest…frees up an OF out that way. Just sayin’!
LikeLike
From ‘The Other Side’…a blogger’s post:
<i“I just heard on ESPN Radio that the subsequent move by the Braves following the Furcal signing may involve a trade with Toronto. The rumored players in the trade may be Yunel, Charlie Morton, Gorkys Hernandez, Brandon Jones and an additional minor league pitcher for Roy Halliday and Alex Rios”
😯 I feel smart…if it has legs…and I hope it do! Seems light, though; however, the Loonie is dropping like a rock…water’s down Halliday’s and Rios’ contracts…I guess. They are paid in local currency? 😕
LikeLike
I did to the italics thingie…honest injun!
LikeLike
I did do the italics thingie…honest injun!
LikeLike
At least you weren’t filtered!!! 😀
LikeLike
It’d take a king’s ransom to acquire Halliday/Rios. More than for Maholm/McLouth. I still think KC makes more sense. Actually, SD makes the most sense, but I really don’t wanna go down that blog path. 🙄
LikeLike
What it tells me is Wren has multiple lines in the water. A lot of the same players are being used as trade bait. Chumming?
LikeLike
How would Atlanta receive Peavy should that trade revive and happen? Would it be chilly? I kinda think he’s a doof, but my opinion would change very quickly with a complete game shutout in season’s game 1. 😆
LikeLike
All I need to do is post some tunes, and the filter will trigger! 🙄
Toronto is a hurting franchise…very hurting. Their owner died within the past week or so, they’ve lost key sponsorship, and the Canadian currency is on the ropes. Now…every other franchise will see what the Braves see; however, good prospects and $$ can go a long way. Go to the table and hear what they say…or if they laugh you out of the room! And Pittsburgh…I hold to Maholm/McLouth…that’s a solid pair for growth.
LikeLike
Peavy needs a PR make-over to win Atlanta fans over. Then again, your scenario would help tremendously, too, Raisins! 😆
LikeLike
The problem with Pittsburgh is their ownership group. They are as dysfunctional as the Tampa franchise was. So many low first round picks, so little to show for it….
As for Toronto, well, we have seen what happens to a franchise when the primary owner dies. Kansas City anyone?
LikeLike
Curiouser and curiouser! 😀
LikeLike
Hey, I’d still take Peavy, he can deny everything as it’s all hearsay anyhow… After all, who are Atlanta fans really going to believe, their possible number one starter or his agent or the GM who does not appear to be a straight shooter?
LikeLike
And how long before Detroit has a fire sale?
LikeLike
Gil, I’ll take (D) all the above?, for $200.
LikeLike
Some great young arms in that mix….
LikeLike
I think it’s cool that there has been more posts here today than in a week… 😀
LikeLike
And how long before Detroit has a fire sale?
Actually…how long before Detroit is on fire, period?
LikeLike
Alot of teams could look to shed an expensive (or potentially expensive) pitcher. KC, Pittsburgh, SD, Houston, Toronto… kinda like a buzzard waiting to feed from the carcass.
LikeLike
Good conversation here!
BTW, anybody got a few comments you’d like to put together for a new lead?? We’re bogging down a bit here.
LikeLike
Well, it’s not from lack of trying Raisins… So much competition for everyone’s attention this time of year. So useless to opine about possible line ups when you know things are going to change. Furcal’s signing just raises more questions, does not really settle anything.
LikeLike
Well, I take that back, it does settle the lead-off spot in the order.
LikeLike
Who shows up in shape, who regressed, so many questions? And we have what, 2 months before teams report?
Braves are definitely buyers this year. It’s just the sellers want premium… Not a bad thing mind you, but wanting and getting are two different things.
LikeLike
And you all will notice how we politely ignored CL when she passed the hat… 🙂
LikeLike
CL…I’m politely ruminating over a lead. Of course, that’s the equivalent of what Gil just said, until I step to the plate! 😆
LikeLike
Bowman is reporting that Braves brass intends to keep Yunel and KJ and play KJ in LF. I don’t buy it. If you could still acquire a top pitcher, I wouldn’t be against it. But one of Yunel /KJ has to be used as a trading chip. I still believe a deal is already in the works.
Hello… Kevin? You there? Ready to get this thing done?
😀
LikeLike
sigh…..
😀
LikeLike
sigh…..
😀
LikeLike
The burden of leadership, eh CL?? 8)
LikeLike
Well, I have narrowed my choices for a new domicile. Now, I will take the time to actually go look at the place before tending an offer…
Question CL… does one become a Tar Heel by simply migrating to North Carolina or does one have to earn citizenship? Too many Yankees here in Mechanicsville to suit me… 🙂
LikeLike
Gil, the stellar status of Tar Heel belongs only to the native born. However, there is a provision for honorary status to be bestowed on those few who are found worthy. I’ll be glad to be your sponsor!
Got any particular area in mind? (Bear in mind that Yankees have invaded by the millions and are turning most of the state into exactly what they left. This second invasion is worst than the first. At least after the first, they left after they destroyed everything. This time, they’re staying!)
LikeLike
I tell ya… you think the activity level has picked up over here? Across the street, it has brought out every stunod (B&S first?) with a computer. Some hilarious rants over there. Many therapy candidates…
Gil… no love for Lake Lanier, er… Puddle Lanier? The NE Georgia mountains have some beautiful lakes. Hiawasee is gorgeous. Lake Burton near FBG’s new place is nice too.
LikeLike
I am looking at a place in Bertie County on the Albermarle Sound. Actually, just barely the Sound, I will find out if it is still salt water or if it is brackish. I think this will link to the information. Nothing is set in stone as of yet, a lot of loose ends to tie up first. If the Lord wants me to do it, he will ease the path, if not, I will know that too.
http://www.realtor.com/realestate/windsor-nc-27983-1097482347/
LikeLike
Folks, it’s not like I have to move…. Just trying to see if the moon and the stars and the sun will all align in perfect harmony… Kind of like the Braves’ hope will happen with their pitching staff..
LikeLike
I’m liking the potential make-up of the Braves line-up….and the threat of some speed on the bases might create enough distraction that translates into more power. Mistake pitches, ya know?
LikeLike
Furcal’s agent says he hasn’t decided yet… Posturing to quarantee the 4th year?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2008/12/agent-disputes.html
LikeLike
Don’t worry, Raisins…he’s three hours behind reality!
LikeLike
I can’t add to this.
http://www.youtube.com/swf/l.swf?swf=http%3A//s.ytimg.com/yt/swf/cps-vfl68942.swf&video_id=ervaMPt4Ha0&rel=1&showsearch=1&eurl=http%3A//mailcenter.comcast.net/wmc/v/wm/4948084D0000E82400000B6422069984999D0A9B040E9CD202080106%3Fcmd%3DNext%26no%3D452%26sid%25&iurl=http%3A//i2.ytimg.com/vi/ervaMPt4Ha0/hqdefault.jpg&sk=q9yIhIfXKhHHSjdFXKdTq3MbLsSm897fC&use_get_video_info=1&load_modules=1&autoplay=1
LikeLike
Sure, sure the one day in a week I wake too early and get a cat nap in, youze guys go post crazy! 😛 Things sure are strange! Furcal, who has a better arm than even Yunel, at 2nd??? I’m sure the a vet like him would love that! Keeping everyone??? Is Bowman putting on a poker face as well???
Not going to get any pitching that way, and we already had (IMHO) guys who could play SS and 2nd if we had to trade both middle infielder starters from last year anyway.
LikeLike
Salty, very long link and it didn’t get filtered! Very moving clip….
LikeLike
Not filtered was stunning! 😯 If I knew how to do the fancy title thing, I’d do so, but my guess is I’d crash the blog!
LikeLike
Salty, that was beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes. Thank you!
LikeLike
Wow… A 3.6 quake in Charleston today…
http://www.ajc.com/news/content/shared-gen/ap/National/SC_Earthquake.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Klobber? Wassup in C-town?
LikeLike
3.6 = ain’t no big thang 😉
LikeLike
What’s a little shaky ground?
LikeLike
I still think this signing will happen, but that doesn’t erase all of my fears. I could just as easily see this thing melt down and Furcal going back to the Dodgers for a guaranteed third year. That’d officially make the Braves the whipping boy of contract negotiations.
I’m not sure the move makes much sense if KJ is the left fielder. Some other move must be made after this.
LikeLike
Coletti has pretty much stated he isn’t going 3 on the deal.
LikeLike
I think he’ll stand by it, but… we’ll see. Furcal left for a shorter deal than the Braves offered because the deal guaranteed more money. Coletti could screw us again.
That guy… thinks he’s a genious for not committing long term to a player, but doesn’t realize when he offers a player 25 million to sit on the bench, every other player immediately increases their demands. I think he’s trying to hard to distance himself from Sabean, the mastermind of aging rosters.
LikeLike
Well, I will rest easier when the ink is applied, but I’m pretty confident it’ll get done. A Dominican media outlet reported today (sorry, can’t find it now) that Furcal is flying to ATL tomorrow to take his physical. And I still don’t believe the smokescreen that KJ will be in LF. Either KJ or Yunel will be used to bring back a pitcher. Bet on it…
LikeLike
Well, you can’t keep them all and nobody likes riding the bench… I just think the Kelly Johnson in left field is plan D. Just in case they don’t make a deal. So much time before the season starts.
Yunel does not play a strong second base. He is too aware of footsteps…. People don’t give second sackers enough credit, yo have to have nerves of steel to make the pivot and not throw the ball away when you know some 220 pound guy is bearing down on you.
I have tried to find out about some of the Braves playing in the winter leagues but no luck with O’Brien or Bowman so far. They have much better access than we do but if they are not names Hanson or Flowers it’s like they don’t exist.
LikeLike
And if Furcal and Yuni team up for the Braves in the middle infield then Kotchman better use a catcher’s mitt at first base….
LikeLike
Speaking of catchers mitt’s… maybe the Braves have in mind a position change for Furcal… to power house pitcher and head of the rotation. 🙂
LikeLike
TnPaul, happy to see you!
This Furcal deal certainly makes for some interesting speculation, doesn’t it? Hmmmm.
LikeLike
SOMEBODY needs to write a lead! Somebody?? I know one of y’all have some Furcal-Escobar-Johnson-whoever thoughts you can jot down! 😆
LikeLike
Bowman: “Another thing to consider is the potentially negative reaction the temperamental Escobar could create if he’s asked to vacate shortstop and move to second base.”
Bobby doesn’t tolerate prima donnas well, I gather. Makes me wonder.
LikeLike
Mention writing a lead and suddenly there are tumbleweeds blowing through empty streets.
😆
LikeLike
Whooosh……
LikeLike
The die was cast with Lillibridge this fall when the Braves asked him to play winter ball and he declined. You are right CL… Cox and company don’t play it out in the papers but they sure do know how to send a message.
I like Yunel, but… He has done a few things to make Bobby give pause. Kind of like Prado a couple of years ago when he let a ball get past him and Bobby didn’t play him for weeks because he felt Prado should have stepped in front of it. …
Bobby C. may not be the greatest tactician to ever grace the sidelines but he does appreciate hard work and extra effort. That’s why he didn’t give up on Kelly Johnson. I think it’s also why he hasn’t given up on Francouer. Players you will never see in an Braves uniform as long as Bobby Cox is around are guys like Manny who think they are bigger than the team. Cox, rightly or wrongly does not care as much about talent as he does about heart.
It’s why some guys love playing for him and some don’t. They know it is going to take 100% of whatever they have to offer. If they are playing hurt, he appreciates it. If they are dogging it, he will exile them away for the rest of the team.
He knows some guys have less talent than others but you will never read about it nor will his players ever here anything but praise as long as they are giving it their all. Let him catch you loafing though and look out….
LikeLike
CL, I’m sorry, but I am firing blanks right now, can’t think of a thing to write about! 😦
How about a best 2, 3 leads of the year??? Could always dig up that chestnut I wrote about Ted Simmons! 😆
LikeLike
According to Jon Heyman from SI, and contrary to other published reports:
Other teams on [Derek] Lowe’s radar appear to include the Braves, Red Sox, Mets, Phillies, Dodgers and Angels
LikeLike
Family says doctors misdiagnosed Rocco Baldelli’s condition
http://www.abc6.com/sports/36277274.html
That could be an interesting twist, there’s that word again, to the off-season. If he could play every day, he would be a very desirable FA.
LikeLike
There is a rule, isn’t there? When discussing Hot Stove FA’s, Rocco Baldelli must be considered! 😆 It’s a blogdom ordinance! Don’t forget Crawford and Figgins!
LikeLike
CL…I’m trying to squeeze out a lead, while juggling other duties!
LikeLike
Salty, you’re my man! 😀
LikeLike
I’m trying to squeeze out a lead
There are so many directions I could go with that statement… 😆
LikeLike
Raisins, behave yourself! 😆
LikeLike
O Holy Night… you have to listen to this until the very end…
http://www.burnsidewriterscollective.com/general/2008/12/the_abominable_o_holy_night_re_1.php
LikeLike
OK… I’m gonna vent.
The longer this Furcal thing drags on, the more pi$$ed I get. As I understand it, the Braves and Furcal’s people had a “gentleman’s agreement”, whatever that is, on a 3 year deal. Furcal was ready to agree, but his agent told him to “sleep on it”. That would be his East Coast agent, Paul Kinzer. His West Coast agent, Arn Tellem, continued to negotiate with LA. LA didn’t think they could match Oakland’s 4 year offer, but jumped back in when they realized Furcal was about to sign with ATL for only a 3 year deal. Suddenly, the “gentleman’s agreement” was out the window.
This has become yet another off-season fiasco. Do I blame Wren? Not at all. Do I blame LA? No. They are trying to retain their guy. Do I blame Furcal? Partially. His agents do, after all, work for him. Who bears the responsibility? Obviously the agents, Kinzer and Tellem. Bora$$ is notorious for trying to squeeze the last dime from an organization, but I do not recall him backing out of any agreements, gentlemanly or other. I guess the real rub here is exactly what is a “gentleman’s agreement”? The Braves felt it was, as it implies, an agreement between gentlemen. The agents obviously felt it was nothing.
Should the signing actually happen now, which I am doubting more and more the longer it drags on, Furcal may have some damage control to do amongst the fan base. We are tired of being dragged around and screwed over by GM’s and agents.
I feel for Wren. He has worked more angles than Lindsay Lohan in a backseat to come up with some very creative ways to fill the Braves most serious needs. He is not to blame for Kevin Towers’ lack of character. He is not to blame for AJ Burnett’s lack of heart. He is not to blame for Kinzer and Tellem’s lack of integrity. But he catches the heat from an impatient fan base.
I’m pi$$ed. Not at Wren. At greed. It reduces “gentlemen” to nothing.
LikeLike
Whoa, check this out….something about Chinese hackers getting into your computer via internet explorer….
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081216/ap_on_hi_te/tec_internet_explorer_security
LikeLike
Ooops! Too much italics!!! 😳 Can it be fixed?
Done, Raisins! CL
LikeLike
B, I stopped using IE in favor of Google Chrome. It uses a fraction of your computer’s resources, therefore it loads everything much faster.
LikeLike
B, I stopped using IE in favor of Google Chrome. It uses a fraction of your computer’s resources, as compared to IE, therefore it loads everything much faster.
This is what I meant to say…
LikeLike
V, agreed about the Furcal thing….
LikeLike
I’m just fed up with the sheer greed. Do any of them have any values besides dollar signs? It must be an empty existence they lead.
LikeLike
Thanks, CL… 🙂
LikeLike
You’re welcome! 😀
Glad you recommended Google’s Chrome; I just downloaded it and it IS fast! I think I’m going to like it!
LikeLike
CL, that version of O’ Holy Night…why was it recorded again??? to prove there is evil in this world??? 😛
LikeLike
CL, it is amazing that just about every player is this greedy, isn’t it??? I mean, I guess you could say they really wanted to play in one city all along, and it’s just part of the process, but why us every time??? I’d be so tickled with what this suckers make in one week, and to see such greed, sad…..
LikeLike
Sigh…. Another day…. I think it was Winston Churchill who said, “To have a gentleman’s agreement, one must first assume we are all gentlemen”.
There is no honor among thieves, or sports agents… Same thing, only different…
Yet another example of counting chickens who lay eggs, or something like that… 🙂
LikeLike
Well VOR, looks like my fears were correct. And Atlanta has officially become the bargaining chip of major league free agents
LikeLike
Did he sign with LA???
LikeLike
Bowman at 5:46, 12/17:
The Braves thought they had received a verbal agreement on Tuesday after extending Furcal a three-year contract with a vesting option for the 2012 season. In fact, at Kinzer’s request, the team had sent him a term sheet, which one Major League general manager said is only utilized after a verbal agreement has been reached.
But by late Tuesday afternoon, while the Braves were planning for Furcal to undergo a physical in Atlanta on Wednesday, Kinzer announced that there hadn’t been an agreement and that he and his partner, Arn Tellem, were going to give the Dodgers a chance to make a counter offer.
Late reports from FOXSports.com on Wednesday said that Furcal wasn’t going to accept the proposed deal from the Braves.
If the Dodgers have indeed provided a player option for the 2012 season, they’ve essentially provided a guaranteed four-year contract. The vesting option provided by the Braves would have required Furcal to perform at a certain level to guarantee that the contract would be extended for a fourth season.
One American League scout, who has been close to the Furcal family for nearly 15 years, saw Furcal in the Dominican Republic late Tuesday night and was convinced that the 31-year-old shortstop was headed to Atlanta for a physical on Wednesday.
LikeLike
Frank Wren came on the air, said he is very upset. In the interview he was asked about his relationship with Kinzer… “I know you don’t want to burn any bridges but…” to which Wren responded “What bridge?”.
The only way Furcal comes to Atlanta now is if he publicly fires his agents and signs a deal without them.
That’s every single free agent Wren has gone after that has turned him away.
LikeLike
You know, sometimes you just have to realize it was a snake when you picked it up… A good lesson for all to know not to say a word until the deal is really done.
Time for the Braves to go back to the old Braves methodology of not telling anyone anything.
On another note… Think the Braves fans in Atlanta will give Fookie a warm welcome when the Dodgers come to town? 🙂
LikeLike
That’s absolutely rotten. The ‘Boras Effect’ spreads.
LikeLike
You’re right, Gil. Use John’s total silence about terms from now to evermore. Hope Wrenn learned that lesson once and for all.
LikeLike
Well, I was out til about a half hour….forgot all about Furcal, was hoping I’d see we got him….damn, just…damn. Sorriness is a plague right now in our favorite spot….
LikeLike
wooooooow.
12/17/08 9:25 PM EST
Braves feel misled in Furcal dealings
Atlanta thought it had an agreement to bring shortstop back
By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
ATLANTA — Once again, the Braves are forced to feel like they’ve been left at the altar. But the frustration that surrounded their unsuccessful attempts to land Jake Peavy and A.J. Burnett pales in comparison to the anger created after they felt they’d reached an agreement with Rafael Furcal.
“Those two cases [of Peavy and Burnett] were very understandable,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “This one was not.”
With Peavy, the Braves found a Padres organization that seemed indecisive and reluctant in its attempts to trade the ace. With Burnett, they faced the reality that New York was much closer than Atlanta to the coveted pitcher’s Baltimore-area home.
With Furcal, Wren found an agent who seemingly didn’t believe in the binding element of a verbal agreement.
Early Wednesday evening, a baseball official told MLB.com that Furcal had reached agreement with the Dodgers on a three-year contract that includes a vesting option for the 2012 season.
In other words, the Dodgers essentially find themselves exactly where the Braves were on Tuesday morning, when Atlanta felt Furcal’s agent, Paul Kinzer, had verbally agreed to accept Wren’s offer, which also included three guaranteed years and a vesting option for 2012.
At Kinzer’s request, Wren faxed a signed term sheet that outlined the offer. This was the action that gave the Braves every reason to believe a verbal agreement was, indeed, in place.
A Major League general manager who wasn’t involved in these negotiations confirmed on Tuesday that term sheets aren’t sent to the agent until a verbal agreement has been made.
But once the Braves sent this signed term sheet, Kinzer began altering his stance. It’s believed that he began feeling some heat from his partner, Arn Tellem, who was upset that the Dodgers hadn’t been given the opportunity to counter the Braves’ offer.
“In this business, you have to have confidence in the people you’re dealing with,” Wren said. “The worst thing that can happen to you is to lose the confidence of the people that you have to deal with.”
Wren’s words primarily were directed toward Kinzer, who drew the ire of the Braves in December 2005, when he didn’t provide them the chance to counter the three-year, $39 million offer that Furcal ultimately accepted from the Dodgers.
This time around, in a strange turn of events, Kinzer and Tellem allowed the Dodgers the opportunity to counter the offer the Braves felt already had been agreed upon.
After attending a news conference that officially introduced Francisco Rodriguez as a Mets player on Wednesday morning, Kinzer spoke to reporters about how things had changed so dramatically over the course of the previous 24 hours.
Wren read those comments with great interest and was incensed when he came across Kinzer saying, “I’m embarrassed and I’m sure Frank is embarrassed.”
“We’re not embarrassed,” Wren said. “We’re mad a deal wasn’t honored. I can understand why he’s embarrassed.”
Wren’s take was that you can only feel embarrassed if you do something wrong. From his perspective, he felt he handled everything professionally from the time he and Kinzer began attempting to hammer out a deal on Monday night.
Between 8 p.m.-10 p.m. ET on Monday, Wren and Kinzer had numerous phone conversations that centered on the terms of the deal. Around 9:30 p.m., Kinzer was pleased enough to call the A’s to tell them they were out of the picture.
Kinzer and Wren spoke once more around midnight, with the agent indicating that he still hadn’t had the chance to speak with Furcal. But at the same time, he said, “Everything looked good.”
“I went to bed feeling we were in good shape,” said Wren, who awoke on Tuesday morning to find a voice-mail message from Kinzer, who had since talked to Furcal.
Within this message, Wren remembers Kinzer saying, “I talked to Raffy. We’re good with everything. Go ahead and send over a term sheet.”
With that, Wren felt the negotiations were complete and began planning for Furcal to undergo a physical in Atlanta on Wednesday. As for Braves fans, they began anticipating the return of the exciting shortstop who spent his first six Major League seasons (2000-05) with Atlanta.
But early Tuesday afternoon, Kinzer once again started to answer his phone to tell reporters that nothing had been signed or agreed upon. His message came at least three hours after various media outlets had reported an agreement was in place.
Kinzer didn’t return multiple calls placed by MLB.com on Wednesday. He did talk to Wren during the afternoon hours, and instead of negotiating, he found himself attempting to explain what happened.
There’s a chance Furcal chose to stick with the Dodgers because he’s enjoyed his time in Los Angeles and wanted to play for manager Joe Torre again. There’s also a chance he wasn’t thrilled with the possibility of having to move to second base if he signed with the Braves.
But for now, the Braves really don’t know why the tide shifted so dramatically after it appeared they’d acquired one of the game’s top leadoff hitters. Nor can they really do anything about it.
“There’s no recourse,” Wren said. “You learn who you can do business with and who you can’t.”
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. MLB.com reporter T.R. Sullivan contributed to this report. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081217&content_id=3720143&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
LikeLike
Yep, another agent off the Atlanta Braves’ Christmas card list…
LikeLike
Off the Christmas card list and onto another one…..
LikeLike
I’ve been gone all evening, only to return to find the news.
I must admit, I am angry. It’s really sad that with everything that goes on in my daily life, that something like this can make me mad. But the Braves are MY team. I take it personally. I am angry not only at Kinzer and Tellem, but Furcal as well. They all are equally responsible for what is plainly an unprofessional and dirty deal.
One word: karma. It’ll come back. Furcal has an injury history… It’ll come back. Mama always said, “God don’t like ugly.” This was ugly…
LikeLike
Sorriness is a plague right now in our favorite Sport is what I meant to say….
LikeLike
The Braves offered 3 years, $30m, plus incentives/option for 4th year.
The Dodgers offered 3 years, $33m flat from what I can determine.
When you already have $39m+, and you’re gonna get another $30m, (that’s $69m), just how important is that other $3m?? Evidently it is worth losing your integrity, morals and respect. Apparently, there is no figure that is ‘enough.’
Unless Furcal is a total idiot being led around by the nose by his agents, he shares equally in this. HE has to make the final decision.
Respect for John Smoltz climbs higher every day for his decisions over the years to take less to stay with the Braves.
LikeLike
I’m just plain disgusted with the whole bunch.
Going to bed.
😡
LikeLike
Just read DOB’s comments, and a few others…this whole thing is just sad.
Having Skip die, Pete retire, hopes for a competitive 2008 dashed fairly early on…the thought of no more Smoltz, or Glavine…even smaller moves like losing Hampton, never mind done deals like Peavy, Burnett, and now Furcal.
We need some positive braves news, STAT!!!
LikeLike
Positive Braves news… Well, Cooper Tire is closing its Georgia plant… Nope.. that’s not it. My bad….
LikeLike
Well, one door closes and another one opens, wait until ya’ll get to see this kid Doiry Hernandez play. May be better than Escobar… Very slick fielder, clutch bat…
How is that for some positive spin??? 🙂
LikeLike
From high atop… uh, somewhere not home:
Furcal is still a little jumping bean.
Towers, Kinzer and Tellem are little weasels.
Wren is learning hard GM lessons and getting a very public education.
Braves Nation is wincing.
All in all and in the grand scheme of things… not a problem.
Let the beans and varmits stew in their own pot. Not a good stew.
Welcome to hot stove 2008-09.
It is what it is. That’s all.
LikeLike
Good evening from Cookie Central. The good news is I have a number of orders. The bad news is that people waited around to order & then everybody wants it all at the same time. 😯
That whole Furcal thing is just garbage. Agents aren’t gentlemen, they’re scam artists.
LikeLike
Yes FBG, sports agents are much like snake oil salesmen, same but different, with apologies to the snake oil salesmen…
I have heard that some moonlight as shills for the traveling sideshows, then again, some are the sideshows….
LikeLike
You know, there are alot of crazy folks across the street. Maybe I shouldn’t have posted the email address over there of the Wasserman Media Group of which Paul Kinzer and Arn Tellem are a part of. That may not have been a very good idea…
😈
LikeLike
V, Heh! Santa will understand! 😆
Gil, apologies to snake oil salesmen indeed!
LikeLike
Raisins! Did you really??? I think that’s a wonderful idea!!
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
Apologies to the ladies, but to summarize this offseason, we’ve been Peav-ed, Burn-ed, and now Furc-ed from the East coast all the way to the West coast.
Reckon the current roster can drink $40 million worth of beer this summer? I’d hate to see all that extra cash go to waste.
LikeLike
Rosenthal:
The Braves were actively trying to trade second baseman Kelly Johnson for an outfielder even before they closed in on Furcal. Earlier this offseason, they discussed sending Johnson to the Cardinals for outfielder Ryan Ludwick. More recently, they dangled Johnson for Corey Hart, but the Brewers had no interest …
LikeLike
MLB.com:
On the open market, Joe Nelson is attracting plenty of attention.
Non-tendered by the Marlins last Friday, Nelson’s agent, Doug Schaer, has fielded inquiries from 19 teams.
The 34-year-old reliever has not ruled out returning to Florida.
“We have yet to solicit any offers,” Schaer said. “Still, we’ve been receiving offers.”
Without giving specifics, Schaer said a few teams have presented seven-figure deals.
In the mix are the Royals, Cardinals, Red Sox, Braves, Rays and Mets.
Schaer is hopeful Nelson will sign before Christmas.
“We’re on a five-to-seven-day path,” Schaer said.
Nelson enjoyed a strong 2008 with Florida. In a setup role, the right-hander was 3-1 with a 2.00 ERA in 59 games. He also collected one save.
LikeLike
HB, how’s about a discount in ticket prices??? Better yet, use the 40 mil to buy time on tbs nationwide for braves games? I have the feeling watching braves games is going to be like it was in the 80’s anyway, so why not televise 150 games? 😕
LikeLike
You’ve got the $$$, and Derek Lowe would make a huge impact on this team. But can you afford to be outbid again? Bora$$ is just wating for the dust to clear and for the pitching supply to narrow before peddling Lowe to the remaining teams. He’s gonna get some major coinage…
LikeLike
Nah, we want to see him sign with the mutts, as a final blow, right???? 😡
LikeLike
just keep Oliver Perez from re-signing with them…if Borass wasn’t his agent, I’d love to sign him….only 26
LikeLike
sigh….well, I didn’t like Randy Wolf anyway!
Braves Won’t Be Dealing With Kinzer, Tellem
By Tim Dierkes [December 18 at 9:27am CST]
Based on Frank Wren’s comments, the Braves won’t be dealing with agents Paul Kinzer and Arn Tellem anytime soon due to the recent Rafael Furcal drama. Dylan Hernandez transcribes:
When WIFN talk show host Bill Shanks prefaced a question by saying that he knew Wren couldn’t burn bridges with Kinzer and Tellem, Wren interjected, “That bridge is gone. I don’t have to worry about burning it. The bridge is gone.”
Most remaining clients represented by these agents don’t fit for the Braves this offseason anyway. But Tellem does represent Randy Wolf, so you have to wonder if he’s still an option for Atlanta.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2008/12/braves-wont-be.html
LikeLike
Hey, Hillbilly! How’s that boy?
I think we all need to do some extra praying for Smoltz to return in great form. #1 slot?? sigh….
I pity the next agent who double-crosses Frank Wren! Temporary insanity would be a perfectly legitimate plea at this point!
LikeLike
Randy Wolf, like his representation, stinks.
I pity the next agent who double-crosses Frank Wren! Temporary insanity would be a perfectly legitimate plea at this point! 😆 Wren on a rampage…
After calming down from the personal screwing over I feel from Furcal, I have come to realize that I really wasn’t that excited about his return, per se. I saw it more as a facilitator for moves that were truly necessary, such as a trade for Greinke, etc. Truth be told, I had secretly hoped that the deal or Peavy might actually be in the works again, with the need for a SS replacement was being addressed to gain Peavy’s approval. I know… far fetched. But I am a man of hope.
As a man of hope, I still believe there is alot of time between now and mid-Feb. when Camp Roger, er… the early throwing program begins. I really believe there is ample time. Now, ample options? Those appear to be ticking away more quickly than the days…
Here’s a poor working man’s observation. Braves have $$$, and prefer to keep their prospects. So… go get a FA. There are not any good FA pitchers coming up for 2010, so go ahead and make a pickup now. Honestly, a bridge type pitcher, to glue the rotation until JJJ matures and Hanson emerges, should be looked upon. Maybe Randy Johnson on a 1-year deal. That’s all he wants anyway. Look, we missed out on both Maddux’s and Glavine’s 300th wins, why not jump on the J-train for a year and let him win his 300th bearing the tomahawk? Why not? It’d help attendance, it’d help merchandising. It’d help Wren’s PR. It wouldn’t cost anything in terms of prospects.
LikeLike
Price of gas jumped up here yesterday by 9 cents a gallon even though price of oil went down… Go figure…
I think the baseball owners might be in their best position vs the players’ union right now with all the anti union sentiment prevailing in the country. Not to mention the number of jobs being lost and it’s going to be a long one folks.
LikeLike
If we were ever in serious need of a good Grinch commentary, now is the time. I’d love to hear his take on the matter.
LikeLike
HB…Maybe you can coax him out of his self imposed exile…
LikeLike
Gil,
I just sent him an e-mail.
CL, He just turned 7 months old and he’s a beast. Not crawling yet, but he’s sitting up and he’s into everything withing reach. He talks all of the time, even though he’s not saying real words. Quite possibly the happiest baby I’ve ever seen.
LikeLike
He talks all of the time, even though he’s not saying real words.
They’re real to him…and make perfect sense! 😆 Get with the program, Dad!
LikeLike
Hillbilly, that is absolutely terrific!!! I’m really happy for y’all!
LikeLike
Great to hear from you HillBill!!! Glad the young’un is strong and healthy!
LikeLike
It’s funny. I looked back a the pictures of him that are posted on here and now he looks nothing like that.
LikeLike
More pics required, HB! 😀
LikeLike
So… would it be irresponsible to post Rafael Furcal’s Gwinnett County address across the street?
LikeLike
Not at all! Go for it, Raisins!!
Hey, the Capital is on fire!!! News is just breaking, don’t know anything more right now.
LikeLike
Correction: now they say a big steam pipe broke and the steam is what people thought was smoke.
phew!
LikeLike
Hmmm… just which metaphor would be most appropriate? 😀
LikeLike
Anything about ‘hot air’ would be appropriate! 😆
LikeLike
Kennedy? Pelosi? Reed? So many choices.. 😆
LikeLike
Maybe it’s not everyone else. Maybe it’s us. Maybe we had so much arrogance for so long. Maybe we were seen as bullies. Now that we’re not strong enough to bully anyone, we’re getting the snot knocked out of us. Unfortunately, like so many bullies, we’re crying about getting our asses kicked.
Maybe we need to man up as an organization. Maybe we need to realize that the aura of Bobby Cox was garbage. Maybe we need to realize that the Code of Cox was garbage. This guy, that guy not being a Bobby Cox kind of guy was garbage. Maybe we need to realize “The Braves Way” was a bunch of garbage. We just had the most talent. Unfortunately, we were snobs who deluded ourselves into believing it was about something more than talent.
The Braves were ruthless in the way they treated folks. They nudged Dale out the door. They traded Marquis and Justice. They didn’t give Glavine his money in 2002 and trashed him on the way out the door. Schuerholz trashed Andruw’s agent on the way out the door. They told us how great Leo was for years. NOW? All they do is trash the man like he sucked. The Braves convinced so many gullible fans to foolishly be angry that Greg Maddux, the greatest starter of all time, had the gall to stick around for another year by going to arbitration. They traded for Tex and then traded Tex a year later without making a legit effort to sign him …. but before they traded him, they made sure that the media slammed him as a guy who isn’t clutch and who isn’t an impact player.
I really think the Braves got really arrogant and way, way, way too self-righteous. I think it may have rubbed alot of folks the wrong way. There may be some degree of resentment being shown now about the way they treated folks for those 17 years just because they could. They’re now getting what they for too long gave.
I mean, if you so badly want to sign Rafael Furcal, maybe, just maybe, as an organization, you shouldn’t be whispering bad things to the media about Yunel Escobar so that you can justify trading Escobar to the fans. Maybe that doesn’t sit well with folks. Maybe, just maybe, that doesn’t really sit well with Furcal’s agent, who also is the same agent for Yunel Escobar. Maybe that agent would rather direct his guys somewhere his boys aren’t getting backstabbed or traded or not signed because they don’t fit into some bogus Code of Cox.
I think the Braves may need to look in the mirror and realize that maybe, just maybe they’re now getting treated the way they treated everyone else for two decades.
And maybe Cox needs to ask himself why has he so selfishly become a liability? It’s bad enough that he isn’t any good anymore, these one year contracts are showing a lack of organizational commitment to becoming the best for the long term. Why would someone sign a long term contract with a team if they don’t know what the long term organizational vision is?
LikeLike
Yep…We have met the enemy and it is us…. Good to see you back Braveheart…
LikeLike
So tell me William…How do you really feel???? 🙂
LikeLike
WW, greetings, and well…a lot to chew on there. Can’t say I agree with all of it, as I look back, I have less anger with the homeboy upstairs…he was he face so to speak of management. He had to sound like he was all for cutting costs, playing cheap, digging thru the scrapheap, after he had had the 2nd or 3rd highest budget for years. He made some excellent moves as well.
I really hated losing Millwood more than any other trade, since we had to trade him for financial reasons. We were damn lucky to get a minor league catcher that was able to hit, but can you imagine a 27 year old starter, fresh off an 18 8 3.24 ERA year, being hard to trade this off season???
Anyway everyone knows how I feel about Bobby these days, but I still think if we had gotten Peavy and Burnett(2 chicken bleeps that feared being a number one here it seemed) and a power hitting left fielder, Cox would seem a lot smarter.
Yeah, it was pretty sorry to make Maddux the bad guy for accepting arbitration….
I still can’t bring myself to blame Wren for all this. Yeah, he got outbid, but usually after making the highest bid first.
Don’t forget, the Red Sox have bashed most everyone they have let go in the past….the Yankees have dumped guys as well, and said stuff behind (or in front) of them. Winfield as Mr. May???
It would be nice to see one free agent this winter take a bit less to play for his hometown team, or just say, I don’t want to be the best team money can buy, but a real well put together team….
I’d also like to flap my arms real fast and start flying, but that ain’t gonna happen either! 😕
LikeLike
Oh, and I didn’t know the same agent represented Yunel as well! 😯 trade him to the twins, ASAP. Get Boof Bonser back for him. Not really very good(Has a good curveball) but, I love that name. I’d really like to hear Bobby say go get ’em Boofy! 😀
LikeLike
Berigan.. I can see the headlines now…Braves’ Boof Bonser backs up bravado by bunting in Blanco for the winning run in the bottom of the ninth…
LikeLike
Or Boof goofs by beaning Bonds in Old Timer’s game in Boston….
LikeLike
Boof bombs in barn burner with Buccos….
LikeLike
Bobby blames Bonsor for boogers… Well, maybe not that one…
LikeLike
http://www.fannation.com/si_blogs/hot_stove/posts/33741-braves-gm-we-wont-deal-with-furcals-people-again
Braves general manager Frank Wren said today the Braves have notified the baseball agency that represents Rafael Furcal that they intend never to do business with them again.
The Braves thought they had a deal earlier this week to bring the star shortstop back to Atlanta, where he began his career, before Furcal decided to stay with the Dodgers for virtually the same terms. Wren said that Braves president John Schuerholz called Arn Tellem, who heads the baseball division of the Wasserman Media Group, to inform Tellem that the Braves will no longer enter into negotiations with them regarding baseball clients.
“We don’t have any intention of doing business with them, and they’ve been notified of that,” Wren told SI.com this afternoon.
Reminded that Tellem’s group of agents — which includes well-established veterans such as Tom Reich, Adam Katz and Paul Kinzer — is one of the biggest in baseball and represents many star players (including Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Nomar Garciaparra, Jason Giambi and many more players), Wren responded, “When you can’t trust who you’re doing business with, you can’t do business with them. It’s plain and simple.’
LikeLike
I agree with Wren. They were deceitful and double-crossed him knowingly and willfully. Sometimes things that are LEGAL are still just plain wrong. And this was one of them, IMO.
I find it interesting that Schuerholz is the one who called them.
LikeLike
Actually having JS make the call is a good PR move. It shows that Wren has the support of the organization and is not just acting alone.
LikeLike
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/12/18/atlanta_braves_john_schuerholz.html
Livid Schuerholz: Furcal dealings ‘despicable’
Braves’ president says team will never do business with player agency again
By JEFF SCHULTZ
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Thursday, December 18, 2008
If Rafael Furcal’s decision to renege on a verbal agreement with the Braves was the biggest jolt of the team’s dreadful winter, this must be the aftershock.
John Schuerholz, the Braves’ president and long-time former general manager, Thursday called the dealings of Furcal’s agents “despicable” and “disgusting” and said the franchise would no longer entertain signing players represented by them, ever.
“Having been in this business for 40-some years, I’ve never seen anybody treated like that,” Schuerholz said. “The Atlanta Braves will no longer do business with that company — ever. I told [agent] Arn Tellem that we can’t trust them to be honest and forthright. I told him that in all my years, I’ve never seen any [agency] act in such a despicable manner.
“It was disgusting and unprofessional. We’re a proud organization and we won’t allow ourselves to be treated that way. I advised Arn Tellem that whatever players he represents, just scratch us off the list. Take the name of the Atlanta Braves off their speed dial. They can deal with the other 29 clubs and we’ll deal with the other hundred agents.”
Tellem, the lead agent in the Wasserman Media Group, did not return messages Thursday. Paul Kinzer, who works for Tellem and handled negotiations with Braves general manager Frank Wren, has not returned several messages left by the Journal-Constitution in recent days. The Wasserman agency lists more than 60 baseball clients on its website, including several stars.
The Braves believed they had reached an agreement with Furcal on a three-year, $30 million contract with a fourth year vesting option. At Kinzer’s request, they faxed the agent a term sheet Tuesday morning for Furcal’s signature. A term sheet is considered the final step of negotiations. But Kinzer took the offer back to Los Angeles and used it as leverage.
Schuerholz said he phoned Tellem Wednesday night.
“I expressed my great disappointment to him,” he said. “I watched as Frank shared with me the circumstances of his negotiations with Furcal — negotiations to the point where we increased our offer and he [Kinzer] then asked for a signed term sheet to be sent over. We never got that signed term sheet faxed back to us and we later found out why — because they took that offer and shopped it.”
When asked about Tellem’s reaction, Schuerholz said: “He was surprised. He tried to explain himself. He said he had nothing to do with it — it was the work of Paul Kinzer. I reminded him that [Kinzer] works for him and he has to stand behind the people who work for him. I told him I was making this official, and I was going to make it public.”
LikeLike
When I shopped for cars, I would always tell dealers to give me their best deal, I never went for that “we’ll beat any deal crap” That’s easy to let the other guy do all the work, if they wanted to deal with me, they needed to get off their duff and do a little work.
I don’t blame the Braves because they had a verbal agreement, trying to explain it away as “well, there was nothing signed so it’s not binding” is a cop out. I made lots of deals in my life with folks with just a handshake. Those who reneged got the same treatment JS and company now extend to Tellem. Once you get the reputation of being a shyster it’s hard to shake the onus.
LikeLike
BillyWallace: Maybe we had so much arrogance for so long. Maybe we were seen as bullies
Then again, maybe not. I’ve followed the Braves for quite some time. I’ve never heard of them being meantioned as bullying or unfair. I’ve read of many players saying they came to Atlanta to play for Cox.
This team is in tough times due to three straight years of no post season and the looming retirement of Bobby Cox. But the biggest change I’ve noticed is in the players in baseball.
Back when the team was on a role they had players that looked forward to being the man teammates turned to. They had players that wanted to be leaders. Peavy doesn’t appear to be this man. AJ Burnett doesn’t appear to be this man. Furcal the same thing. It’s sad when there are no players out there that can look at a team with top young talent, Yunel Escobar, Brian McCann, Kelly Johnson, Jair Jurrjens, Peter Moylan, and so on, and think, “I want to lead those guys to the play offs.” Instead it appears the players are saying: “I’d rather be a suplemental part on a presently strong team.” These guys have all been followers. Short-sited money grabbers.
I’d rather have the winners. The best revenge is living well. I don’t think this team will contend in 2009, but I sure would love to see it happen.
LikeLike
10Paul, it would be mighty sweet to pull an upset next season! Get some young pitcher, somewhere, and I wouldn’t feel bad out our pitching at all….Jair just may have to be the #1. I think he’s already proven he can pitch at this level, thru injuries, etc….
LikeLike
From everything that I’ve ever read, the Braves have always been regarded as a First Class operation, one that does things right, one that other players always admired and envied a bit. How many times have we read one of them say, “I always wanted to play for Bobby Cox.”
Last year was, I think, an aberration in that almost the entire starting rotation went down to injuries. We had a AA team on the field most of the time. The Braves closed ST with a pretty good team, but that roster changed quickly.
Frank ‘has blood in his eye’ now, so it will be interesting, for sure!
WW, glad to see you!
LikeLike
Y’all think Bobby will return for ’10?
LikeLike
If this doesn’t bring Grinch out of retirement, nothing will! 😛
CNN Meteorologist: Manmade Global Warming Theory ‘Arrogant’ (2nd one in a year)
http://businessandmedia.org/articles/2008/20081218205953.aspx
LikeLike
We’re over 600 posts now so I’ve put up a ‘filler’ lead to carry us over until Salty (or somebody) writes us a ‘real’ lead! 😆
NEW BLOG IS UP!!
LikeLike
Hey, CL! Nice “A”.
Wait, that came out wrong… 😳
LikeLike
Raisins, 😆 😆
Actually, it doesn’t look nearly as good as it did in PaintShopPro!
But, thank you!
The LETTER, that is!! 😆
LikeLike