Comments and articles herein are the intellectual property and opinions of the writers and may not be copied without permission of the writers.
by Berigan
Well, that is a strong sounding title for a new lead, blog, whathaveyou, isn’t it???
Yet, I do think anyone who reads here would defend TP both as a former player and as a man. He was a great player, the kind of player we need today – and I bet he will someday make a fine manager.
But, as a hitting coach??? Not so much.
He became the hitting coach in November of 2001. Next year, Javy Lopez hit .233, the lowest BA of his Braves career.
In 2001, team B.A. was .260.
In 2002, the team B.A shot all the way up to…. .260.
In 2003, the team average did improve to .284.Marcus Giles, Chipper, Andruw and Garry Sheffield all hit above .300.
Credit to TP, God given skill, or a little help from steroids???
As I mentioned before, can anyone remember a hitter saying Terry really helped them??? Or even complimenting him in general??? Someone that wasn’t Bobby Cox??? It must have happened somewhere, but I sure don’t remember it….
Sports south ran that “David Justice in his own words” a few weeks ago…I guess I always caught the last part, but watched it from the beginning. It was interesting on several levels. One, to see Justice realize he made some mistakes, how he would do things differently now…wishes he knew then what he knows now…Also how hitting coach Clarence Jones told him basically that he could continue to hit 20 homers a year, or start hitting the ball the other way, and how he could hit 40 in a year, which he did in 1993.
Again, the sort of thing I don’t hear mentioned with TP. Does he try to get Frenchy to not only hit the ball the other way, but with power??? Does he or the Batting practice guy throw him dozens of pitches outside to show him if it ain’t a strike, you CANNOT hit it??? He may…I don’t know.
How often do you see him interviewed??? I may have missed it, but you would think a few times a year he would talk about his hitting philosophy, what he always wants guys to remember. In fact, I rarely see any coach ever interviewed! I saw McDowell the other day and it made me think how DOB had even said how he wasn’t a good interview, and after being such a character as a player, how disappointed he was in McDowell the serious coach of few words.
Anyway, back to T.P. A recent article relayed the point of how hurt T.P. was with Frenchy seeking outside help with his hitting. Doesn’t that speak volumes???? Wouldn’t you think the greatest desire of a hitting coach would have, is to see a player be successful??? Especially one you had worked with all year and had no success with??? You can’t get inside someone else’s head, but I would wish the best to a player that I clearly hadn’t been able to help, and if another teacher came along(And TP has to know Rudy Jaramillo is considered the best hitting coach around) and helped him, I’d do my level best to find out what were the keys to the success, and help him stick with that plan.
The Frenchy we saw in Spring training and the first week or so of the season, looked like a new man, a man with a plan..a man with a smooth swing. Now look at him. He has a strange, powerless swing. Stance is more closed up. Even the home run hit the other day looked like total luck, not a good swing at all. Friday night he worked the count full and couldn’t hit a 93 MPH pitch right down the middle. If he was 35, they would say his bat had slowed down.
Does TP ever talk to him about percentages??? Me, I am just a nobody…a just a longtime fan of the game. But it’s plain as nose on your face that when a hitter has a weakness, word gets out, pitchers exploit those weaknesses. It’s not enough to say, don’t swing at balls out of the strike zone. Back that up with some stats. I bet TP could in 5 minutes find out how many pitches were strikes that Jeff gets with 2 strikes. As with Andruw the last few years, wouldn’t you think 80% of 2 strike pitches were outside??? Ok, one in 5 times you will look silly with the bat resting on your shoulder for strike 3, but the other 4 times, you will make the pitchers work. You might get a walk, or a pitch down the middle if the count goes from 1-2 to 3-2.
Hasn’t TP ever watched a Yankees-Red Sox game??? Every time I see them play each other, or other teams in the league, you see guys down 0-2, or 1-2 end up getting walked. Then the next guy works a 3-2 count, and the pitcher, not wanting to walk back to back hitters, will grove a pitch that is a double or a homer. Even a dope like me can recognize patterns in the way the game is played today. What works best today.
TP was a great player, a team leader. An agressive hitter that rarely walked. Probably not the best guy in the world to be a hitting coach. Like any hitter, he must have figured out some things he can pass on to hitters, but it sure doesn’t seem like enough to help those who can’t hit balls low and outside for a double….
After all this pounding on Terry Pendleton, hitting coach, I could still see him making a fine manager. His weaknesses as a hitting coach would be strengths with this team. It needs to be more aggressive on the base paths, to have more guys play with a chip on their shoulders….I think Terry wouldn’t coddle guys that were hitting .200, he’d bench them….
Meanwhile, Bobby is likely to manage the team for at least the next year or two, so I guess we will have Terry to kick around for awhile yet.
~Ber~
Excellent, Ber! MANY THANKS!
:holsters 6-shooter:
😆
LikeLike
Great lead Ber… Think maybe you could mail this one to Frank Wren? Like I opined earlier, sometimes if you are always working, you don’t have a clue.
LikeLike
Looked like Escobar got punked by Monroe tonight on a ball hit up the middle. Craige Monroe scored from second when Yuni apparently fell asleep at second base while holding the ball. Heads up play by the Pirates. I think if Bobby felt he had an alternative to go to, he would have pulled him out of the game.
LikeLike
Good stuff, Ber. I agree completely.
Just finished watching the game on DVR. We went to the beach this evening. Boys & girls, it is HOT here.
LikeLike
Thanks for the kind words! I sure see some things I should have written better. Oh well…
Gil, somehow I imagine after Smoltz left, his email is very private! 😉
FBG, not exactly having to wear jackets here! 😉
LikeLike
Don’t forget.. Today is a day game, perfect thing to do is watch baseball with the A/C from home. Like having your own sky box…
LikeLike
….with a private restroom!
LikeLike
Barbaro Canizares is playing 1B today and batting cleanup!!!!!!!! 😯
(Norton DL’d… how convenient.)
LikeLike
A prize to the one who can give the correct answer:
❓ Q: Where does a king keep his armies? ❓
LikeLike
In his sleevies?
LikeLike
😆
LikeLike
A cold Diet Coke to Raisins!!!
😆
LikeLike
I was right??? I was just being a smart-aleck!!! 😯
LikeLike
Hilarious quote from DO’B:
One player said this was what he was told about Canizares: “I hear he can’t run, can’t throw and can’t field, but the sumbitch can hit.”
LikeLike
OK – let’s try another one:
❓ If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do astronauts get? ❓
LikeLike
Today’s lineup:
1. Nate (needs a good nickname…)
2. Yunel
3. Chipper
4. Barbaro Canizares, 1B
5. Diaz, LF
6. Benchy
7. Ross
8. KJ
9. Vazquez
6 righties in today’s lineup against southpaw Maholm.
One potential problem… Canizares was reportedly contacted at 10:30ish, but has not yet arrived at Turner Field.
LikeLike
Likely he thought he was having a dream and went back to sleep… Or can’t find Turner field…
LikeLike
Raisins.. from my observations and assessments of Barbaro over the past couple of years in the minors, I’d have to say that assessment of his skills is spot on…
LikeLike
Could play left field and not notice any drop off in defense from Garrett
LikeLike
Braves and Cox to be featured on TWIB on Saturday, 3:30 –
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090611&content_id=5266366&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
LikeLike
I am guessing that Barbaro made it to the Ted since I can see him on the field on TV…
LikeLike
Gee, last time I checked, no one was around. Lots of news, eh???
Either Norton got “old” in the last 6 months, or another guy who doesn’t want to ever DL. After last night, I was thinking he got old…
Seeing Barbaro at first with sunglasses, looks a bit like Andruw.
LikeLike
that strike 3 to Barbaro, Joe sure didn’t think that curve was a strike.
Braves seem to be swinging hard in case they hit it. 🙄
LikeLike
The called strike 3 to Barbaro was NOT a strike. Not even close…
JV is dealin’…
LikeLike
Matt Diaz steals 2nd, and Frenchy hits a hard liner into Right…who are these guys??? 😛 Now Frenchy steals 2nd!!!
V, I was thinking about this, lets see how Javy pitches the 5th and 6th. Absolutely on fire now, but haven’t we seen this before??? Lights out, then a trouble inning. Lets hope he avoids that inning today.
LikeLike
Francouer – 2 hits, 1 RBI, 1 walk thus far…
Weirdness abounds in day games…
LikeLike
… and I forgot to mention the Stolen Base!!!
LikeLike
Nice defensive play by Barbaro, and hosed by the ump… 😡
LikeLike
V, that was a good play by him, wasn’t it??? Shoot, as good as he has hit in the minors, he deserves a chance to show what he can do here.
And Javy, one bad pitch, other than that, great day. Should be in line for a win. Come on guys, score a run or 3!
LikeLike
A Brave got a BUNT down???
LikeLike
CL, they say Javy has 9 sacrifice bunts, Lowe is 2nd with 4. you might notice neither started in the Braves org.
How can it be 96 and cloudy???
LikeLike
CL, can you change a word in the lead???
Yet, I don’t think anyone that reads here would defend T.P.
As a former player, or as a man???
Can you change the would, to wouldn’t??? thanks!
LikeLike
and maybe take out the ??? Man, I suck! 😛
LikeLike
@#($%^&*) 😡
LikeLike
Done, Ber.
KJ was safe!
LikeLike
Thanks CL! Still reads poorly.
And he sure was safe! 😡 how much moola does the first base ump make on a pirates win???
Still, there needs to be more offense. I think Nate is a fine leadoff hitter, but we need him down further in the order driving in runs.
Should be interesting seeing the braves with a DH. Might even be able to score more than a run in a game. 😕
LikeLike
Still reads poorly…not unlike that line! 😉
Hey, what did ya pay for my lead???
LikeLike
Chastity Bono — Becoming a Man
http://www.tmz.com/2009/06/11/chastity-bono-becoming-a-man-2/?icid=main|netscape|dl3|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tmz.com%2F2009%2F06%2F11%2Fchastity-bono-becoming-a-man-2%2F
When we were both about 5 years old…I had such a crush on her….sigh….
LikeLike
Hey, what did ya pay for my lead???
Pay?
:adjusts belt holstering 6-shooter:
Pay? I thought you did it out of the goodness of your heart, Ber!
LikeLike
Check the re-editing and see if that smoothed it out for you, Ber.
LikeLike
Good to be home sweet home. Almost fell asleep while driving back listening to that slow, sleepy, uninspired game. Got home just in time to see Soriano cough up two runs. The ump at first needs to be fined, suspended, beaten, something.
Too bad, Vasquez pitched like an ace. Hard to get wins without getting runs. Hard to get runs without getting hits. Hard toget hits without, uh, enough good hitters. Splitting a series with the Pirates is pretty sad. If I didn’t love baseball I wouldn’t like it.
Had to get a new computer in Atlanta and lost many settings. Now I can’t see to type once again. Now I have to remember how I enlarged the font size the last time. WordPress is not organized to be user friendly… not for techno-challenged anyway.
LikeLike
Thanks CL! You should go out to LA to become a script doctor! 😀
LikeLike
SG, the Pirates are 28-32 , 5.5 out in the central.
The Braves are 29-30, 6 out(Pending the outcome of the Phils-Mutts game) Are the Pirates that good, or are we that bad?? I think Boog mentioned how close the offensive numbers were between the Braves and Pirates.
But, the Braves have a 96 Million budget, the Pirates have a 48 Mil budget.
LikeLike
You be welcome, Ber! 😀
Hey, SG! New ‘puter? A real one this time?
LikeLike
But, the Braves have a 96 Million budget, the Pirates have a 48 Mil budget.
Money well spent, huh? 🙄
LikeLike
Real? REAL? Hey, is there another computer other than a superior Mac? I would ask all you PC users about all those viruses but I won’t. Wouldn’t be prudent. Especially since CL has those siz shooters strapped on. 😆
LikeLike
siz shooters? I’m blaming that on this 4 point font size.
And my eyes ain’t gettin’ any better the older I get.
LikeLike
Salty, the Braves sounded (on the radio) then looked (last two innings on tv), like they had somewhere else to be today. No drive no passion. No patience at the plate. Really ticks me off.
The person I look to when almost the entire team is in a slump is not the batting coach, it’s the manager. Bobby is still up to business as usual and we’ve seen that does does not work without 3 HOF aces.
LikeLike
Hey, has anybody seen the Scribe? Seems his last update on his blog was mid-April. He ok?
LikeLike
Made it back just in time to have a nice convo with me own self. 🙄
LikeLike
Not speaking with yourself, SG…just really good acoustics! 😛
LikeLike
Anybody in here?
Oh, Hellooooooooooo?
Oh, Helloooooo…
Oh, Hellooo…
Oh, Hello…
Oh, Hell…
Guess you’re right Salty. Acoustics. 😆
LikeLike
Bear, nice lead. You are very diplomatic.
Terry is doing what all the coaches do around this manager… don’t rock the boat. Don’t make waves. It’s a country club. Go along, get along and maybe there’s a promotion in the future.
I’ve recently heard Chipper and before that, other great hitters like Tony Gwynn, Ted Williams and others say over and over in interviews that they anticipated what the pitcher would throw. They would get into his head, know his habits and history, know the count and the game situation and be prepared to “sit on” a particular pitch. They made an educated guess about what was coming. Part psychology, part memory, part intelligence, part ability to adjust. Mental. That’s hitting.
Not many hitters master that strategic thinking, mind reading, mind games, process of deduction and common baseball sense… obviously. On the other hand, some hitters (swingers) don’t have a clue about what to expect from any given pitcher on any given count or situation. They got through the minors on sheer passion and athleticism.
I’m afraid Id have to put our boy Francoeur up as a prime example of a batter at the bottom of the latter category.
Pendleton can’t help with that. I’m not sure Terry could even ‘coach up’ someone with those abilities, but he has to be like fire on gas with French. Sometimes I think Terry is just going through the motions and when he tries in earnest to coach, he winds up just confusing our kids.
None of us know what goes on behind the scenes (except Mr. Fly of course), but we do have a pretty large sample size and we do have players pre, during and post TP stats. Maybe someone has done the research and posted them somewhere? That research and compilation of comparative statistics is not something I would or could do (can hardly spell it), but just watching the games and remembering players before they were in Atlanta, while they were here and after they left, I’ll bet money that TP has a pretty low batting average as a hitting coach.
As has been said, it’s not how hard one works, it’s the results they achieve.
LikeLike
Is there an echo in here?
LikeLike
Hey, is there another computer other than a superior Mac?
Um, any of them?
😆
Especially since CL has those siX shooters strapped on
You have to remember the title of Ber’s very first lead: “Carolina Lady made me do this”. It sometimes takes a little persuasion…. 😆
LikeLike
Hey, Salty!
LikeLike
SG, I haven’t heard from scribe in a very long time. Can’t seem to make contact with him. I’ve been concerned.
I did hear from Chris briefly last week, though, so I’m relieved about that.
It’s worrisome when friends disappear into cyberspace!
LikeLike
What a waste of a great pitching performance by Javy… Rafael was not bad, LaRoach hit a pitcher’s pitch.
And this umpiring crew sucked. I use to say the biggest differences between the minors and the major leagues were the pitchers and the umpires… Well, it is down to he pitchers because these guys were just awful.
Of course hey were fair about it, they blew calls for both sides.
Biggest difference in teams today and those of 5 years ago is the ban on amphetamines.
And yes, the Pirates are not really all that different from the Braves. Braves a bit older but the Bucs have some pretty decent pitching.
LikeLike
And the t keeps sticking on my keyboard… drops out every so often. must be from the coke I spilled on it the other night…
LikeLike
Give it a good washing, Gil! Be sure to rinse well. Soap makes a mess on keyboards. 😆
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Glad to hear that Chris is OK. Scribe’s site looks as though it was abandoned in mid-April. Hope he’s and his family are ok.
Maybe he’s world traveling, covering soccer?
LikeLike
Dunno, SG, but I am concerned.
So ya got another …. one of those things, huh? Thought you wanted a computer!
LikeLike
The new guy got Andruw’s #25?? Huh!
The little I read pretty much confirms that the guy hits. That’s all. Just hits.
***************************************************************
Memo to pitchers: Do NOT throw to first! Ever!
Memo to 2nd basemen: Cover 1st as often as possible when not absolutely required at your own position.
Memo to catchers: just stick it in your pocket. Doesn’t matter how accurate your throw is, just stick it in your pocket unless the runner attempts to go to 2nd. Throw to 2nd, if the 2nd baseman has returned from backing up 1st, or if the SS is covering for his frequent absences.
LikeLike
CL is on a tear. Memo pitchers… 😆
Too bad she has to be limited with that PC. Never know when a bug, a worm or a virus crawls in there and starts chewing. Could be a PCandemic.
Ironic, with the same number 25 on their Braves jersey, Barbaro can do what Andruw couldn’t… hit. And Andruw could do what Bararo evidently can’t… field.
LikeLike
CL, honestly he didn’t look terrible today…not at all…Perhaps he has improved??? Remember how bad Matt Diaz was his first year here??? People thought he was terrible even after he improved…
LikeLike
At least mine IS a computer! 👿
LikeLike
Ber, I only got to see a little of the game – the 7th, a minute of the 8th, and the last strikeout of the 9th, so I can’t really say.
When stomachs start to growl around here, I have to drop whatever I’m doing and start preparing/cooking food – which can be anywhere from 3:00 to 6:00.
LikeLike
I’m hungry. Tummy growling. Need popcorn…
LikeLike
Check the kitchen! I’m off duty now! 😆
LikeLike
Vazquez deserved a better fate. He pitched great. And Barbaro looked fine at first. Better than the guy pretending to be a ML umpire.
LikeLike
And Barbaro looked fine at first. Better than the guy pretending to be a ML umpire.
Amen to that!!!
Barbaro should be the DH through the AL park tour. It will be his showcase…
LikeLike
Good morning Stuffville… I had considered driving up to Baltimore to watch the Braves take on the Orioles but it would mean driving near DC… Not a pretty thought.
LikeLike
Barbaro will not err on every play, his fielding skills are comparable to Scott Thorman’s.. As long as people are aware of that, they won’t be surprised when he muffs a couple of ground balls.
By the way, he was a catcher for the Cuban teams he played for, then he got big…
LikeLike
OK, since the second riddle has been studiously ignored –
Q: If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do astronauts get?
A: Missletoe
LikeLike
The heat index has reached 97. I think I’ll be staying right where I am!
LikeLike
The heat index has reached 97. I think I’ll be staying right where I am!
Work is slow, so I decided to mow the lawn early in an effort to beat the heat. (I still use a push mower on the bermuda portion of my lot.) I mowed, trimmed and edged… got done about 12:30p. I thought by doing it early, I might beat the heat. I shoulda started at 6:30a… 🙄
LikeLike
My best friend Brian(BFF!!!) in Pembroke(near Savannah) makes a living doing lawn care…he’s in his mid 40’s and HATES the heat. He has his AC set at about 62 year round….naturally he wonders why he’s in the field he’s in….but it was a business opportunity he couldn’t turn down.
somehow I don’t think he will stay in there more than another year or so.
LikeLike
Heat index: 99
Nope, nothing outside requires my presence or attention!
LikeLike
El Duque signs minor league deal with Rangers:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/baseball/mlb/06/11/rangers.hernandez.ap/index.html?eref=si_mlb
LikeLike
BAL: 25 – 35 – .417
ATL: 29 – 30 – .468
Interesting.
Hanson (0-0) vs Berken (1-2)
LikeLike
Berken: b. 11/27/83 Green Bay, WI
R/R Ht: 6′ Wt: 175
Debut: 5/26/09
College: Clemson
Hanson: b. 8/2/86 Tulsa, OK
R/R Ht 6’6″ Wt: 220
Debut: 6/7/09
College: Riverside CC, CA
Yep, interesting! 🙂
LikeLike
Some good comparison stats:
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2009_06_12_atlmlb_balmlb_1&mode=preview
LikeLike
First time this year: 100 degrees 😦
LikeLike
Actually, the temperatures were pretty moderate here today. I think there is a cold front pushing down from the north. Highs in the low 80s today. Still was warm enough to go swimming however.
CL.. I think the Braves record is 29-30…
Still, they are 6.5 games out. They need to get things turned around if they are going to have a shot. Even without good pitching, the Phillies don’t appear to be losing any ground.
LikeLike
Thanks, Gil. I copied bad info.
Mark Bradley has an excellent blog on Frenchy.
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2009/06/12/all-trade-friday-should-the-braves-deal-jeff-francoeur/
LikeLike
Or maybe I copied info badly. 😀
LikeLike
I’m hungry again. Tummy growling.
LikeLike
Q: If athletes get athlete’s foot, what do astronauts get? A: Missletoe
Or GAstronomic discomfort due to hunger.
Can happen during a computer PandemiC.
😆
LikeLike
SG, there is an enormous cauldron of home-made vegetable beef soup in the kitchen. DELICIOUS, if I do say so myself! Ritz crackers, bologna sandwich to dunk in it? Doesn’t get any better!! Help thyself! 😀
“Can happen during a computer PandemiC”
:grumbles: Ok, give me time…..I’m working on a comeback…..
uh ….. um ….. I’ll get back to you on that~ 😆
LikeLike
Looks like French is getting lots of ink these days, from all sides. This will surely test his character. Hope he does (and says) the right things now that the microscopes are all on him.
His would make an interesting sports psychology case story. We just don’t know the results yet. Hopefully it’s a happy ending, but he will need to do everything he can to do the right thing. He’s already been blessed, yet we never know the trials that await us.
We’re usually our own worst enemy when we forget that.
LikeLike
Hommade veggie-beef soup and baloney sammiches, mmm… I’ll be right over. Can you give that, uh, bologna a few turns in the fryin’ pan and slather both sides of that bread with mayo?
There I go bein’ a choosy beggar. 😳
LikeLike
Done, SG! Come on in!
LikeLike
OK, the gloves are off.
Caution PC users. Enter at your own risk of humiliation. This is undeniable proof that Mac is the superior computer.
Uh, can I still have soup and sammich?
LikeLike
Sigh…sad to see Mac cultists in action, ain’t it??? :p
So far no mention of the old chestnut, it just works. 😀
Perhaps there is something in the water down in Savannah, as my aforementioned friend Brian loves them as well…
Here’s a fun site. If you hit refresh, the blurb changes each time!
http://www.mac-sucks.com/
LikeLike
Ber, it’s a psychological thing. Some people just can’t manage a REAL computer, so they get that “Mac” thing that sorta acts almost like a computer – and they pretend that the wannabe is superior, etc. We REAL computer people have to have patience with them. They are doing the best they can.
LikeLike
sigh. Ok, this stinks. I’m in the ‘blackout’ zone. 😡
LikeLike
CL is all riled up. 😆
Yes, it’s all psychological with mac users. They think Bill Gates is psycho and Steve Jobs is logical.
But I have to hand it to PC users, They do possess a great power of rationalization. It’s a necessity.
I’d better hush my mouth lest I be disinvited for soup and sammiches and sent directly to the dog house.
LikeLike
What soup?? Sandwiches???
Anybody know where the key is?
😆
LikeLike
CL, sorry you can’t get the game! You and the other folks that are blacked out need to complain. You are far too far away to go to a game.
Not missing much, to tell the truth. Hanson didn’t look very good, more a gutting it out game. But, in line for a win. Looks like a couple of .500 teams playing so-so.
And I really enjoy interleague play. Much better than having to watch the Nats or Mutts a dozen or so more games….
LikeLike
BMac must like Camden Yards, Barbaro went 2-5 and hit the ball hard all night. Still won’t be confused with an gold glover but he didn’t embarrass himself.
Good game though. Tommy Hanson did not look sharp at all but gutted one out.
LikeLike
Good learning experience for Hanson IMO. Bobby left him in there to work through some hairy spots & he got through it.
Y’all get stuck with the O’s broadcast? Thorne does alright but Palmer is rather full of himself. 🙄
LikeLike
Actually FBG, I thought the Orioles’ broadcast was pretty good. Very fair and knowledgeable about the teams. As for Jim Palmer… Well, he is what he is… 🙂
I caught the end of the Mets vs Yankees game and also the Red Sox and the Phillies tilt. A good night for Braves fans. Luis Castillo has a Kelly Johnson moment and dropped an A-Rod pop up in the bottom of the ninth with two outs allowing two runs to score and snatching defeat from the jaws of victory…
I expect he will really hear it from Mets’ fans for a while…
LikeLike
FBG is right, last night was a good learning experience for Hanson. He didn’t have the stuff he had in the first 3 innings of his first start and had trouble with command the entire outing, but I’d take this one over his first game any day and no doubt he would too. Toughing it out will toughen him up. A hard fought win. The first of many… as long as he doesn’t break his neck with that head jerking delivery.
After watching a few innings I began to wonder if McCann was suited to catch Hanson. Seems the pitch calls were a bit off. Something wasn’t clicking there. Probably was just unfamiliarity, since this was the first time Mac has caught him. Still, David Ross seemed more in synch. Could Ross be the catcher to Hanson like Charlie O’Brien to Mad Dog? Gives Mac a break every week might not be a bad thing, although I hate to lose his bat in the lineup.
Heard somewhere, I think Joe or Boog, that McCann speaks highly of and credits Ross for improving his own game. Mac’s defensive game has improved quite a bit… he’s gunning out base stealers and he’s smothering balls in the dirt much better than even a month ago, so Ross must be helping. That was nice to hear. Mac is a good guy for giving props to his backup. Ross seems to be a good guy too. Like a Greg Olson with a bit more muscle and pop.
Man, that Olson was fearless while blocking the plate. I was at the game so long ago when he got run over and up-ended so violently that you could hear it like a big hit in football. Broke his ankle. Can’t remember the team, the runner or much else about that game or what year it was except we lost the game, we lost Olson and that he was never the same catcher after that. I liked him a lot. Wonder where he is and what he’s up to?
LikeLike
I’m glad CL could find that key last night. That was close. Uh, hold on…
…
Sorry for the interruption in my post. My Mac just brought me a cup of coffee and the paper. Just one of the many things I’ve come to expect from this superior technology.
😀
LikeLike
SG… Did it come equipped with a shovel and a pair of rubber boots to handle the BS you are dishing out? 🙂
LikeLike
Gettin’ deep, is it? 😆
LikeLike
SG… Did it come equipped with a shovel and a pair of rubber boots to handle the BS you are dishing out? 🙂
😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
Thanks for a genuine laugh right out loud, Gil!!!
It will take a while for this smile to fade!
LikeLike
funny line from Mark Bowman’s blog:
“….. I’m sticking with Cox and holding the belief that Mike Hampton likely would have already damaged his wrist if he had to tip his hat as frequently as the Braves hitters have this year.”
LikeLike
another from Bowman:
“Anderson is who he’s always been minus the power that he displayed during the early years of this decade. When they signed him, the Braves knew about the fact that he’s a far from vibrant personality. But it’s safe to say that they envisioned him hitting better than .254 with a .373 slugging percentage through his first 40 games.”
Good one!
LikeLike
SG, isn’t it amazing the Reds just flat out released David Ross last year????
McCann has always had a weird way of blocking balls to his right. I believe Olay is the word in Spanish. Funny how a catcher from another organization has helped improve his skills. Wasn’t Chino Cadahia a catcher at one time??? Hmmm…
LikeLike
A nice story on a 5 foot 6 reliever for the Reds.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=kurkjian_tim&id=4251819
LikeLike
MLBTR:
Shelley Duncan: .310-.379-.670 in 227 PA, leading the International League in homers and RBI, and not by a small margin either. He’s played the corner outfield spots and first base for the AAA Scranton Yankees. Duncan has had a tremendous offensive season, but swings from the right side, so he’s not an ideal pinch hitter for an NL club.
Maybe not, but he could be the ideal RF for a team with a black hole in RF.
LikeLike
Terrific article on Herrera, Ber! Glad you posted it!
Good point, Raisins! I really think Jeff’s time in ATL is limited. I hate that it didn’t turn out like everyone wanted and expected it. Now watch him go turn into some kind of super-star on somebody else’s team! :growl:
LikeLike
Short people got, nobody… 🙂
LikeLike
Watching the Mutts and the Stankies… Gee, how do you root for both teams to lose at the same time?
Manny Acta finally go the axe today. Really unfair but I saw it coming at the beginning of the season…
LikeLike
V, I saw that same story. Interesting, ain’t it??? How about Manny Acosta to the Yankees for him??? They really need arms in the bullpen, and Bobby doesn’t seem to bring him in except for mop up work, it seems.
LikeLike
CL, glad you liked the story! 🙂 I sure did as well. I love underdog stories. I also liked Underdog as well! 🙂
Gil, ESPN and MLB.com are taking the day off on the Acta story, for some reason…had to google his name and click on the news tab to find it…
LikeLike
Shelley Duncan is a bit like Nick Swisher, a live wire in other words…would the Braves want a character in the dugout???
Here are his stats…he’s 29 now.
http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/D/Shelley-Duncan.shtml
LikeLike
Ber, it does not take affect for a couple of more days… Now that is just weird…
I guess DC ran out of guys to blame, they have already let the original staff go. The real culprit was Major League Baseball while the owned the franchise, they gutted the Nat’s minor league system to save money. It will take years to rebuild it.
LikeLike
And a live wire may be exactly what this club needs…
LikeLike
Gil, it may be what this club needs, but “they” might not like one….
Gee, such a shame I only got to hear most of this game. 😕
A few questions. I saw Kris Medlen warming up. Why didn’t he come in??? Why did Bennett only pitch the 6th??? Did he come up to bat in the 7th? 😛
LikeLike
Brian McCann spotlight premiere on sports south right now.
LikeLike
Oh sure, rub it in, Ber. 😦 Wish I could watch it.
LikeLike
SG, I think it was Caminiti who bowled Olson over. I know Olson ran his independent team for a while (Ligtenberg for bats & balls) & it seems that I read he had gone into real estate.
LikeLike
Didn’t Olsen design some catcher’s gear also. Seems that I remember Skip talking about it one time.
‘Night, y’all!
LikeLike
One last thing: a might touchy, aren’t they??
Umpire Ejects Entire Crowd of Unruly Baseball Fans
Saturday, June 13, 2009
WEST BURLINGTON, Iowa — An umpire has emptied the stands at a high school baseball game, ejecting the entire crowd of more than 100 fans for being unruly.
Umpire Don Briggs said he had no problem with any of the student athletes during Thursday’s game between Winfield-Mount Union and West Burlington.
He said he had to take action because fans were being unruly, yelling and arguing.
However, West Burlington Superintendent James Sleister said he didn’t see any unusual behavior and said he thought the umpire overreacted.
The game resumed after a 40-minute delay. West Burlington won 12-11.
The umpire called police as a precaution. West Burlington police did not immediately respond Saturday to a call seeking comment
LikeLike
I just read that, CL. Crazy, huh?
LikeLike
I guess DC ran out of guys to blame, they have already let the original staff go. The real culprit was Major League Baseball while the owned the franchise, they gutted the Nat’s minor league system to save money. It will take years to rebuild it.
Thought you were going all political on us for a second there, Gil. Like past Nat’s administrations, Bush will be blamed for everything that happens for the next 20 years. DC, just due to its location I suppose, seems to screw everything up. Nat’s baseball imitates politics. Politics imitates Wall Street. Wall Street imitates Las Vegas…
With politicians unfortunately, what happens in DC doesn’t stay in DC.
LikeLike
FBG, I think you’re right about Caminiti. Big bruiser. Of course we all know now what made him an even bigger, more aggressive bruiser. God rest his soul.
Olson in real estate, eh? Guess he went from guarding home to selling home.
LikeLike
CL, not sure about Olson designing catcher’s gear. I know that Charlie O’Brien designed and marketed the hockey-style catchers mask. Not a big market but some guys still use them, although I couldn’t say who. Seems I recall that McCann tried one but it didn’t work for him for some reason. Those are hinged in the middle and wrap all the way around with the back-of-head protector plate. Maybe it was uncomfortable or too hot and steamed his glasses or something.
O’Brien was a very good catcher. Now I wonder what he’s up to these days. Mad Dod loved him behind the plate when he pitched. Maybe Charlie’s a coach?
LikeLike
Mad Dod? Meant Mad Dog of course. Was I thinking Dodd? As in, Maureen? She’s mad. And bitter. And nasty. Charlie would need full head protection if he were taking her ‘hard stuff’.
See how I have to dance around misspelled words? It ain’t right. This small, 4-point font is driving me nuts. Hate to admit, but I can’t remember where I went and how I adjusted it last time. Hate doing that stuff. Maybe WordPress is biased towards PC’s.
Then again, I suppose I’ll have the perfect excuse for future misspellings and such. Blame it on the font size. Much like we do for the dog or cat of the house for, uh, certain things. 😆
LikeLike
Do-mi-nate, Do-mi-nate… dance to the muuuusic…
LikeLike
Watching the talking heads opine on everything from Iran to nationalize health care this morning. Funny, people are surprized that a despot would steal an election?
Now baseball… Baltimore has the making of a good baseball team. They are still a bit on the young side but with some decent pitching and a bit of clutch hitting they could be a real force in the AL East. A lot like the Braves.. but different.
LikeLike
Gil, gotta say…I feel sorry for a team like Baltimore having to compete with the Sox, Yanks, Rays and even the Blue Jays. They are supposed to have a ton of (Starting)pitching talent in the minors.
LikeLike
FBG, sports south not on your system???
LikeLike
Bush will be blamed for everything that happens
Yes! I’m absolutely certain that he or some of his minions were directly responsible for the hard drive failure I recently experienced. No other explanation!
O’Brien. Now that you mentioned his name, I think you’re right, SG. I got confuzzled. 😀
Somebody Google Olsen and see what he’s up to!
Do-mi-nate, Do-mi-nate… dance to the muuuusic… 😆 😆
LikeLike
So, I took a nap, got up, and saw 7-0 Baltimore, with Lowe pitching??????????
LikeLike
Make that 8-0 in the 4th. Can’t wait to see what the Red Sox can do to us…. Sigh…
LikeLike
I’m sorry, 10-0 in the 4th. Mets are losing 13-0 to the Yankees, Phils losing to the Red Sox…perhaps the NL east is AAAA…. double 😡
LikeLike
So, was Yunel really taken out for throwing home(late) in a rundown??? Would Bobby really be that petty??? I saw KJ drop an easy dp ball, why not take him out??? Oh right, no one else to put in there since we have to carry 7 relievers…
LikeLike
Just when I think I am too negative, I read the comments on the ajc!!! 😛
I didn’t realize that there were 2 hours, which I didn’t know before…I swear Boog and Joe didn’t say that when I saw the replay(I missed the live shot) so I understand now why Bobby did that…
Hello 4th place, the Marlins swept the Jays and are ahead of us by half a game….
LikeLike
Out of it by the third inning, there’s gonna be some well exercised dogs out there in Braves Nation.
These games and this season is not a surprise. Even with good SP’s and spotty pen, with our weak offense it was just a matter of time before we went through an inevitable slump throughout the rotation like this. When that happens, it will be ugly.
This ain’t a comeback offense. Good thing we have excellent in-game strategy. 🙄
LikeLike
I didn’t realize there were 2 OUTS 😳
David Ross now has 5 homers. More than Frenchy, Kotchman, or sleepy in left. Wish someone could be an emergency catcher and he could play in left….
LikeLike
I didn’t realize there were 2 OUTS
Yea, but that out was two hours ago. 😆
LikeLike
True dat! 😛
LikeLike
Boy, Bobby is not happy with Yunel…has talked to him several times since he’s been here… in first he said the double play should have been turned, had to be turned…anyone see that??? I almost wonder if there is any chance we’d trade him….could just be frustration on Bobby’s part…
LikeLike
Hey everyone, check out this lady who has put 540,000 miles on her 1964 Mercury! She is a kick and a half! 😀
http://growingbolder.com/media/technology/vehicles/romancing-the-road-259598.html
LikeLike
Chariot and Rachael. Great story. Both have quite a few miles on them but still running on all cylinders.
Another helpful tip: get products with lifetime warranties when you are young.
LikeLike
Well… that was ugly. Like I said, that Baltimore club is a virtual powerhouse… 🙂 Yep, nothing like playing the Braves to get your club turned around. Almost like the cream puffs that IA schools would schedule at the beginning of each season so the team could gain confidence before playing the in-conference games.
And Denny finishes 3rd at Michigan. Not a complete wipeout for me today.
Went for a swim as the dogs are pretty free to walk themselves in the backyard.
LikeLike
Lifetime warranties… I always asked, “who’s lifetime”?
LikeLike
My jury is sequestered and still in debate over Yunel, but I don’t like what I see with his attitude… and of course when the jury comes in they still have to report to me, their judge. Hey, it’s my jury. I’m a fair judge. 😀
That said, trading Yunel right now wouldn’t upset me in the least. Blonde tips, mental lapses, bat flipping, non-conversant in the clubhouse (hearsay) and all add up to trouble.
On top of that, he’ll be too heavy and slow to play shortstop in a few years. Mark my words. Crystal ball stuff there.
LikeLike
I doubt he will be traded anytime soon, just a case of
1. Put player’s butt on the bench, eventually the message reaches the brain that the need to get their head in the game. Hey, it’s not like I didn’t warn you folks…
2. You cannot let a player, no matter how good he may seem, to dictate the rules of engagement. All you anti-union type should recognize immediately the sense of entitlement some folks have. I like Escobar but he is still pretty young, someone has to be his boss. Work for Andruw for about 8 years after Bobby called him out.
3. You can’t fire the whole team but you can make an example out of one. Again, management has to be in control whether it is popular or not, otherwise the inmates will take over the asylum.
4. Fat and slow??? Sounds like a third baseman…. 🙂
LikeLike
On the other hand, if Yunel is just a spirited kid, reserved and shy about his inability to adapt quickly into our culture and language, then my jury will cut him some slack. Blonde tips can be one of those silly youngster style things. Check. Mental lapses… a rookie thing. Bat-flipping, a cocky display or just an annoying habit that can be broken with maturity. Non-conversant in clubhouse… see rationale number one at the top. Youth is wasted on the young, but we can’t hold that against them, now can we? No, I think not.
So, as judge, I’ll keep my jury out a bit longer.
In the meantime, all of this may be rendered moot by Bobby’s actions today. He and Yunel may never forgive each other for Cox calling him out and dissing him so publicly as he did and for Yunel making a rookie mistake (that’s not the reason). Cox is not a very good or fair judge but he does hold a grudge.
If BC were consistent and coherent, French would have been benched, sent to the minors or traded a long time ago. Cox plays favorites as anyone that watches the Braves over the years knows. Too bad. Wonder how many rookie’s spirits he’s broken? A shame.
I’d love to see Cox called out for his many “lapses” but that will never happen. My jury is not even debating him any longer. I’m just waiting for the sentence to be handed out. In the meantime, if Yunel wants to play on this man’s club he’d best not rock the boat, suck up and learn to play golf.
They came back with a guilty charge long ago
LikeLike
how in the world did my last line above, “they came back…”, get moved from the third sentence in the last para where I typed it? That is very strange. WP hates Macs. Jealous.
LikeLike
WordPress is accustomed to working with COMPUTERS, not those “other” things….
LikeLike
from Pete Kerzel –
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090614&content_id=5323020&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
I thought this was interesting:
“Between now and the opening of a three-game series in Cincinnati, Escobar will ponder his transgressions, while Cox isn’t sure another talking-to will do much good with the mercurial infielder.
“I’ve talked to him an awful lot since he’s been here,” the manager said.”
The ever-patient Cox out of patience?
LikeLike
I know the chickens haven’t even roosted yet, but I’m tired. Think I’ll turn in early – hopefully get some good sleep. See ya tomorrow, if the Good Lord is willing!
LikeLike
“Other things”? 😯
Is CL sleeping in the chicken coop? 😛
LikeLike
Uuuuggllyyyy.
LikeLike
Not sure what to think about Yunel. I like him & think he has potential to be an even better player but he seems to have a lot of these lapses. Very frustrating.
LikeLike
Ber, no, I don’t get SportSouth or any other Braves coverage here. Only way I see the games is on ExtraInnings & you get the game only. No pre- or post-game coverage & no other stuff like Spotlight.
LikeLike
….Altanta offered Jeff Francoeur straight up for Cody Ross last week, but the Marlins quickly declined. For reference, Francoeur, 25, is batting .250/.282/.345 this season with four home runs and 29 RBI. Ross, 28, is batting .270/.320/.482 with 10 home runs and 39 RBI.
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/06/marlins-rumors-hermida-francoeur-ross.html#comments
LikeLike
Francoeur may wind up being traded for bats. His is a pathetic drama playing out every game on the field. Maybe Texas has a place for him alongside Andruw. They seem to have sipped from the wrong ladle at some point in Atlanta. It took Texas to provide the antidote. Maybe a cactus derivative?
Every day it’s getting harder to care whether he stays or goes. With our management and ownership, does it really matter this season?
acrushingdefeatandamediocreteamisnottheendoftheworld.com
LikeLike
Because I am very tired and the words just don’t seen to be in abundance this morning, I’m going with a simple overview. I’ll just keep things very brief…
Opinion inventory:
Although many think Bobby Cox is an oaf, I do not. I still believe he is an effective top shelf manager. I believe the team he currently manages is flawed and the criticism he receives is exaggerated. I agree that he makes tactical errors, but they all do. And these errors are SO easy to break down on hindsight. I think his easy-going “Aw shucks” persona makes him an easy target, but I also believe that is somewhat by design. Helps to deflect criticism from his players, doesn’t it? I believe in the old adage that every manager receives too little credit for wins and too much blame for losses. I also subscribe to the theory that the manager cannot control individual player performance, or lack thereof.
I believe this 2009 Braves team has potential, but is greatly flawed in that there is no true power threat aside from Chipper and Mac. I believe the #7-9 spots in the lineup are currently an offensive black hole, and consequently 1/3 of the lineup is a break for the opponent.
I believe that Jeff Francoeur can still be a productive major-leaguer, but not in Atlanta. I believe that he is in desperate need of the mythical fresh start. I do not believe that he peaked as a rookie, and will never realize his potential. But it ain’t hap’nin’ here…
I believe that KJ should be traded NOW before his value erodes to Francoeurian proportions. I would rather see Diory Hernandez there now, and believe 2B is Diory’s real future position anyway.
I believe that Frank Wren is doing a decent job considering the fact he is hamstrung by Liberty Media. I believe he is the consummate professional and will take every media bullet for ownership, who remains behind the curtain but pulls more levers and pushes more buttons than most realize.
I believe most of the bloggers left across the street are and idiots. I will occasionally read over there if I believe the beat writer may have an inside track on some info, or if I want a good chuckle at what passes for discussion and discourse.
I believe the Smoltz and Glavine events were harsh but necessary. I believe, though the 2 separate events are very different and that attempts by one of the two parties to lump them both together and grind an axe against management is wrong. I believe he needs to shut his pie-hole and pray that none of the 5 staples currently holding his shoulder in place lets go. I believe that one more staple might have been beneficial if placed across the lips.
I believe that the Garret Anderson signing was a bad one. Period. But I believe that analyzing moves in hindsight that could/should have been made instead is wrong. I could be the greatest GM ever if I had a crystal ball.
I believe that dental pain is underestimated. (I realize that has nothing to do with the Braves, but my toothache issues are consuming me…)
I believe that the decision to remove the Braves from the national media presence was flat out stupid. While I think Ted Turner is a political whacko, he was a business genius and visionary. He found a way to make a mid-market team a large-market team and make a ton of coin in the process. Time-Warner, and now Liberty Media, has found a way to operate the “way back machine” and revert the team back to mid-market status… and relative obscurity in both the public eye as well as the collective eye of Free Agent players. I hate corporate ownership.
I believe the future wave of Braves – including JHey, Freddie Freeman, Cody Johnson and even Jordan Schafer – will make for an exciting and competitive team. I believe the Braves short-sightedness regarding the future of 3B will be their flaw, though.
I believe that it is a good thing I don’t have an abundance of words this morning, or we could be here all day. I believe I need to look up the definition of “brief”. 😀
LikeLike
Brief? 😯
I believe… that Raisins sincerely believes 100% of his beliefs and I believe that roughly 75% of his opinions I share on the Braves.
😀
LikeLike
Even so, that was a really good (and kind) post there Raisins. Without the toothache, it may have been even, uh, longer.
LikeLike
The Chicago Cubs fired hitting coach Gerald Perry after 2-1/2 seasons on Sunday in an attempt to spark a sputtering offense that ranks among the National League’s worst.
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/14/cubs_fire_perry.html
Really? Teams do that?
LikeLike
I believe that Raisins needs a good dose of white lightning applied directly to the offending tooth and then let it trickle down his throat.
Yes, the Braves are probably the worst .500 team in the majors right now.
Quick, someone tell Terry there is an opening with the White Sox…
LikeLike
… and the Cubs, too…
😀
LikeLike
Chicago, Chicago..my kind of town… 🙂
LikeLike
Sorry about the tooth issues, VOR. ((hug)) I’d offer a cookie but chewing might hurt. How ’bout some banana pudding?
LikeLike
I agree with darn near everything you wrote too. This has me at odds with Dad a little since he wants to tar & feather Wren & I want 2 future HOF pitchers to quit whining. They have lowered themselves greatly in my estimation.
I’m still holding onto a few shreds of hope that Frenchy can get it going. I like him too much to just give up on him. Guess I can be too loyal like Bobby.
LikeLike
Nanner puddin’?
FBG, listen to your dad.
The two HOF pitchers are not “whining”, they are merely voicing their opinions on the situation. They are allowed freedom of speech and they, like most public personalities, have microphones and cameras in their faces at all times.
Sometimes they are characterized as whining by disgruntled fans simply because they don’t tow the company line, go along and get along. At the end of the day, they are correct, they are incorrect, Wren is correct or incorrect, there is a combination or any number of possibilities. But whining? No, I think not.
Grown men, HOF pitchers don’t whine. There’s no whining or crying in baseball.
Tar and feathers may be a bit extreme though. I was thinking waterboarding might be more appriopriate, given that the Braves are currently under water and such.
LikeLike
FBG:
I am a little more in Glavine’s corner in that the circumstances and timing were a bit dubious. Yet, I understand the business aspect. In the other case, it was nothing more than HIM making a choice. Period. He may not have liked this alternative as compared to that one, but it was still HIS decision to make nonetheless. It always flares me up when somebody says, “They owe me.” Heck, they paid him… and handsomely, too. They treated him much differently than most for his entire HOF career under the tomahawk. He was Atlanta royalty. For him to go off and pretend to have been disrespected chaps my aspirin. And his continued grumbling… let’s just say that I am amazed at his lack of maturity and lack of ability to move on. He has a tremendous amount of goodwill stored, but is writing “checks” at an Obamian rate. He needs to shut up and pitch… or at least try to pitch. That remains to be seen…
LikeLike
Let me be clear. I wanted them both to be able to retire as Braves. I was not happy with how either situation was handled by the front office. But I do think that Smoltz in particular has done a lot of whining, snarking and generally sounding like a spoiled brat. And this hurts me because he was always one of my favorites. I thought better of him than that.
LikeLike
I think, FBG, that you and I are exactly on the same page there…
LikeLike
Tom Glavine looks as though he’ll be slipping into retirement, spending time with the kids and settling into family life. Glavine is about to receive the first of six deferred annual payments of $2.5 million from his Mets contract. He’s also shying away from a grievance against the Braves. — Boston Globe
LikeLike
Some absolutely terrific posts here today! Good reading!
LikeLike
FBG, just remember… Father Knows Best. 😀
He was Atlanta royalty. For him to go off and pretend to have been disrespected chaps my aspirin.
Raisins, I’m not sure what one has to do with the other. So, if your logic follows, since Glavine was paid well and treated like royalty for so many years, he should not utter a word about being dissed at the end? He was either treated wrong or he wasn’t. Not sure if we fans felt he was or was not able to pitch has any bearing on the reality of the deal that soured. Turns out he may have helped with the few million we were going to pay for his services.
Does it come down to supporting the billionaires or millionaires? If so, I’ll have to side with the millionaire talent on the field most of the time. What happens to the billionaires is one of those caveat emptor thingy poos.
So… if I’m Wren and you are Glavine, let’s make a promise to each other, shake hands and sign a contract, then I’m going to break it after you’ve lived up to your end of the bargain (because I can) when I think Hanson and Medlin are coming up to save the team and help us ride to glory. I know, I know… we all told you we were so happy to have you back and yes, you did abide by the spirit of our agreement and you worked your butt off through rehab and even pitched well in AAA. But that was then and this is now. Now we have two new aces.
Now, Tommy boy, you’re chopped liver. Now, you are yesterday’s news. Now, we don’t need you. Now, you can just mosy on down the road and keep your trap shut because some fans already think you are washed up and a has been and a union organizer and a traitor and we have no use for you. We have the high ground in this PR thing, buddy. You earned enough in your career, so the fans won’t be on your side anyway.
That’s right Tommy, you just skeedaddle now… and don’t speak your mind, be a good boy and don’t say anything to the press. Besides, we knew you were dedicated to the Braves because you said so before the season. We had you handcuffed at that point. We like having that kind of edge, when we know a player is committed to playing in Atlanta or retiring. Yes, we like that dedication to the team. Makes our job easier to, uh, pretty much screw you. So put a sock in it. You’re rich, you’ll be seen as a whiner.
If the press calls you, tell them that you were just happy to have had the chance to rejoin the team you helped to build… yesterday. That’s right… YESTERDAY! The past is for chumps. What have you done for us lately? Fans throw your kind out after you’ve peaked so don’t go looking for sympathy.
I think their conversation went something like that. 😆
LikeLike
…not talkin’ about Glavine, so I didn’t make it past the second sentence…
Should I go back?
LikeLike
Marie Antoinette was treated like royalty for years. She was rich beyond all imagination. She wasn’t the pretty girl she once was, which delighted the masses. She had no call to run off at the mouth about cake. Then, because she’d outlived her usefulness a few riff-raff went and, uh, beheaded her.
Then again, if she hadn’t lost her head, she’d probably just whine about being chopped from the roster, uh, lower body. Ungracious trollop. She should have just picked her head up and marched right off of that guillotine and told the press that she was just happy to have been a royal. The nerve of those royals, talking about desserts in public. Sheesh.
LikeLike
Didn’t think I’d be interested at all, but we went with a friend and it was great.
The new Star Trek movie. Yep, very good.
LikeLike
Perhaps I should make myself more clear. The Smoltz and Glavine situations are eclusive and separate, even though JOHN SMOLTZ doesn’t seem to think so. I do think the Glavine release was poorly timed and handled awkwardly, but I understand the decision to do it.
As for JOHN SMOLTZ, he needs to shut up and pitch. Thus far, he has not proven the ability to do either.
LikeLike
… and exclusive, too!
LikeLike
Besides living in America, John earned the right to say anything, any time he wants about the team. He is no longer bound by the Liberty talking points or Braves country club. He earned it by talking with his arm on the mound for many years.
The only folks that don’t like what he says are the Braves organization’s executives, the fans that loved him and are confusing team loyalty with rationality and those that think when a player leaves they should just shut up and not speak their mind (or the truth) about their beloved team.
Whether he comes back and is an effective pitcher or not has nothing to do with his right and ability to speak the truth from his point of view.
Me, I may be in the minority, but I believe Smoltz over Wren and company. He earned my trust as a player, as a truth-teller and as a man. Wren has not.
LikeLike
Like Smoltzie, Mr. Raisins has also, over time, earned my trust and respect too.
Even though he does need the occasional paradigm shift and horizon broadening assistance and nudge from time to time. He is not locked into one unmovable, unrelenting point of view. Which is why he will read my post and, after careful consideration of the logic and reason, always agree with my every word. 😀
LikeLike
Beats me how two guys can argue the same point and not see they agree… Much like my union days…but different… 🙂
Still…what CL said… And FBG too…
For many years I argued against the philosophy of just because we can, we will.. You will never see that more prevalent than in Government but it seeps into society in other places too.
I was always one who believed just because you had the right, didn’t keep it from being wrong. Continue to exercise those “rights” and pretty soon someone will put a stop to them.
Yep, even though I would have liked to have seen Smoltz end his career as a Brave, the club seemed to be up against a hard ceiling. Wishing don’t always make it so. Simply put, the Red Sox had enough money to take a flyer on a guy who may or may not be able to help them.
Glavin was treated shabbily, plain and simple. Nobody likes being jerked around. Folks, that’s exactly what the Braves did with Tom. Now, if the Braves didn’t have to pay him an additional million dollars to pitch for them, there is no doubt in my mind he wold have been on the mound for at least one more game.
No game tonight so Josie get to watch her favorite shows in Hi Def. For me, there is TiVo… 🙂 hey, gives me something to watch at 4 AM.
LikeLike
Hum. need to go back and edit that one a bit… :-*
LikeLike
Smoltz most certainly has the right to say anything he wants.
Somewhere, my point got lost in the Constitutional reprimand…
My bad. You win.
LikeLike
Mush like my union days
There you go again… talking about your old glory days of dog sled racing.
Gil, with all due respect, this ain’t two union guys arguing the same point. I’d say it’s a bit more nuanced than that. Maybe it’s just the way you started out, “Beats me how…”.
Anyway, yes, I think I know pretty much where everyone in Stuffville stands on most fundamental, important issues and I would say that we all agree on those. Yet, when having a discussion (not argument), it’s the nuance and perspective, ends and means that happen to fascinate me. With baseball and life, it’s not always batting average or home runs, OBP and such, but the way the game is played, the inate ability in clutch situations or winning against all odds due to physical limitations or the competition. Those off the sheet, out of the contract philosophies and character issues and such.
Anyway, that interest allows me to enjoy much more than the game on paper or enjoy a season even if we don’t win. It’s every pitch, every at bat, every manager’s in-game move. Uh, well, maybe not that last one.
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
Hmmm… the separation of one post from the other kinda alters the contextual meaning of each. There’s a metaphor there somewhere…
LikeLike
Oh, goodie!!! I’ve worn down and beaten Raisins into submission. He lay bloodied and beaten. I win, I win!!!
No, wait… he is being serious and I was being respectful. Not a reprimand. I wasn’t trying to win. Oh, well, the old “Constitutional reprimand” card was thrown on the table. That’s too easy but nevertheless fair in baseball. I’ve been known to exaggerate a bit to make a point but the Constitutional aspect of free speech was beside the point but was not the point.
No point of view was changed, no ground was ceded, no inspiration or revelation occurred or relationship improved… therefore, I have changed nothing, won nothing and accomplished nothing.
But I have tried to make an ethical, philosophical point and have failed, which I suppose is better than not trying or caring enough to make a point in the first place.
LikeLike
Now, I’ll have to take my points and move along. Much to do. Thank you for putting up with my rambling. Spare time is rare these days.
LikeLike
Yes, union days were much like driving a dog sled, I can remember many times folks saying “it would be a cold day in h**l before they would agree to a demand”
Of course h**l froze over a few times while I was there too, rough on the plumbing to say the least… 🙂
LikeLike
He lay bloodied and beaten.
That’s just my tooth…
LikeLike
And where be Berigan? Taking the day off?
LikeLike
Raisins, in the absence of moomshine, if you place an aspirin on the affected tooth and bite down, you will gain much temporary relief.
LikeLike
No point of view was changed, no ground was ceded, no inspiration or revelation occurred or relationship improved… therefore, I have changed nothing, won nothing and accomplished nothing.
Now, SG… You and I both know that neither of us is going to change our well entrenched opinions on these matters. The point was not for one of us to beat the other into submission, but rather to beat everyone else senseless. 😀
Plus, I just like to hear myself talk… or type.. whatever. You know what I mean…
LikeLike
Berigan? He’s busy filling my email box. 😆
LikeLike
Raisins, in the absence of moomshine, if you place an aspirin on the affected tooth and bite down, you will gain much temporary relief.
Biting anything is a bit uncomfortable right now. I had 2 fillings replaced 2 weeks ago, and one tooth had a hairline crack and a slight hint of the root exposed. It is basically a borderline root canal situation. My dentist felt it was possible that the exposed area was small enough that with the new filling, it would heal without needing to do the root canal. One week in, I was in alot of pain and back in the chair feeling that the root canal was inevitable. Much to my surprise, and my dentist’s as well, the symptoms didn’t all add up that way. Bottom line: I am in a waiting and hopefully healing period during which my tooth is very sensitive and aches often. In the next week or so, I’ll know whether it is improving, or dying. Either way, it is not comfortable in the interim.
Kinda like waiting for the trade deadline… ‘cept different.
LikeLike
Raisins, you have my deepest and most heartfelt (toothfelt?) sympathies!!! Lordy mercy, do I ever understand what you’re talking about!
LikeLike
My dentist felt it was possible that the exposed area was small enough that with the new filling, it would heal without needing to do the root canal Hmmm…
He must have decided to forgo the leather package on the new Mercedes…
LikeLike
tap, tap, taptaptaptap, tap, tap… click, click, tap…
Just listening to myself type.
I’ll bet some of you remember the old, “kachung, clack zzzzzzz, click” at the end of each sentences back in the day.
Conference calls that are an hour late. Hate those. Whatever happened to punctuality? Seller = punctual, buyer = late. That’s business in 2009.
LikeLike
Seller = punctual, buyer = late.
Buyer = rude, disrespectful!
LikeLike
CL=correct.
Actually, methinks they are just disorganized as all getout. Can say on blog?
LikeLike
This has nothing to do anything we’ve discussed here – but it has a powerful message that I wanted to share with you:
*Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
*Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
*Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep
the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
*Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny
grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one if he comes by.
*Just for this afternoon, I won’t worry about what you are going
to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
*Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies,
and I won’t stand over you trying to fix them.
*Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald’s and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.
*Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
*Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not
get angry at the mess.
*Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit
on the porch and count all the stars.
*Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and
miss my favorite TV shows.
*Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as
you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the
greatest gift ever given.
*I will think about the mothers And fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their childrens’ graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can’t handle it anymore.
*And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day……………
LikeLike
Wow, CL that’s beautiful.
LikeLike
Soup and sandwich,
soup and sandwich,
go together like a…
For the life of me I can’t remember how that ad jingle ends.
LikeLike
Thanks, SG! A cousin out in New Mexico sent it to me – and I thought it was truly worthy to be shared.
For the life of me I can’t remember how that ad jingle ends Did it have anything to do with doghouse keys? 😆
(Anybody know where those keys are??)
LikeLike
Doghouse keys? Was it me? Is it I?
I found the answer! Soup and sandwich…
LikeLike
Forbidden on this server? WP is the evil empire. Well, the evil constable.
LikeLike
Maybe this’ll work:
Soup and sandwich… rel=”nofollow”>Soup and sandwich…
LikeLike
I give up. too tired. I solved it. Now I can rest.
LikeLike
No, you didn’t SG!!! 😛
LikeLike
So, let me get this straight….The one day I don’t get on the computer til 9 PM, everyone and their brother posts, and on a day the braves have off??? 😯 No Berigan really brings the comments out of people. 😥
CL, my secret shame…berigan Sr. now emails everyone in the address book, including my friends-Berigan Sr…”Do you think your friend “CL”* would like this story on cats??? How about this story on Obama, how about…”
“Oh Pa, just send whatever you want, she has a delete button! ” 😉
So, long story short, my Dad has a cold and has Bogarted the ‘puter all day. FBG would not understand, but it can happen!
LikeLike
Missed a big ol fight on Smoltz too! 😡 Can I stir up the dying embers of this kerfuffle??? No??? Everything has been resolved??? Drat. 😦
LikeLike
Seperate email accounts, Ber!
LikeLike
FBG, everyone says that…but this is via desktop email, not say going to hotmail or something…we would need two different email icons…my Pa is 77, I can only teach him so many new things, old dog and all that! 😉
LikeLike
And why would I not understand your dad hogging the ‘puter? Mine does that everyday. 🙄
LikeLike
I see. Ours is set up differently, you click “mail” & enter a username & password.
LikeLike
“That’s a joke… I say, that’s a joke,
sondaughter.”LikeLike
Carroll has a very good Q & A with Schafer up on ajc. Sounds like he has a great attitude & a very mature outlook.
LikeLike
Hmmm, I wonder if there is a way to do that now…sound like a lot of trouble. 😕
LikeLike
http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2009/06/15/braves_jordan_schafer.html
LikeLike
It worked! Yay!
LikeLike
Nice story on Schafer FBG. Sure hope he can work it all out.
LikeLike
Good morning fellow Stuffians… Wow, I can’t believe I actually slept the entire night. Well, not that I didn’t wake up 4 or 5 times, just refused to get up…
Yes Ber, quite the discourse yesterday. And Schafer… still a ways away but folks always want to believe the hype coming out of the front office. Didn’t folks clamor for Frenchy to hurry up and get to the big leagues, now they can’t wait to run him out of town…
And poor Moylan is being raked by the morons across the street. Give me a break, the guy is only one year removed from TJ surgery. It is why I don’t expect anything out of Tim Hudson until 2010. It’s not that they can’t pitch, it that that they can’t pitch effectively for about 2 years following the operation.
For that matter, some never completely mend. Or at least never come all the way back.
Now.. time to do my crosswords…
LikeLike
Didn’t folks clamor for Frenchy to hurry up and get to the big leagues, now they can’t wait to run him out of town…
Exactamondo.
Dittos on Moylan too. Wish Bobby realized, before he drags him out of the pen so often his arm falls off.
LikeLike
Didn’t work again? Glad I didn’t know that last night… would have stayed up all night. The video link won’t work on WP, maybe the website will. The ad is on page 3, top right corner. Here goes, last try:
Soup and sandwich…
LikeLike
😀
LikeLike
Mm-mm good…
Mm-mm good
That’s what Campbell’s soups are
Mmm-mm good!
If it says Libby’s, Libby’s, Libby’s
On the label, label, label
You will love it, love it, love it
On your table, table, table…
N…E…S…T…L…E…S…
Nestle’s makes the very best…chocolate.
My baloney has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R.
My baloney has a second name, it’s M-A-Y-E-R.
I love to eat it every day and if you ask me why, I’ll saaaaay….
Oscar Mayer has a way with B-O-L-O-G-N-A!
Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco Treat
Rice-A-Roni, the flavor can’t be beat
One pan, no boiling, cooking ease
A flavor that is sure to please
Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat!
LikeLike
Sitting here wasting time with these silly jingles when I should be doing something productive… trying to figure our who we can put in right field. And left field. And second base. 😆
No, wait… must get back to work.
LikeLike
Before I go, do we need to put out an APB on Scribe and Klobber?
LikeLike
Okay, my good deed is done for the day.. Waxed Josie’s car for her this morning and detailed the inside. Also mowed the side yard. CL might be right, time to invest in critters to take care of it for me. If gas keeps going up, I may follow the Commonwealth’s lead and just sow wild flowers and stop mowing altogether.
SG, remind me some day to site all the Hinny Wine commercials from the 70’s.. You know, the wine with the pop top can… The winery was owned by Thor, Big Red and Ophelia Hinny… 🙂
LikeLike
Wow… Bowman gives Yunel, Benchy and KJ a thorough boot to the glutes…
http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2009/06/mental_blunders_tarnishing_esc.html
LikeLike
Kotch is supposed to be back from the DL today… wonder who goes down to make room? I hope it isn’t Barbaro. I like his bat on the bench – especially going into 2 more AL parks where he can DH.
LikeLike
After Boston and AL games with DH, we can put Kotch on the bench and start Barbaro at first. Until he stinks it up over there anyway. He may surprise everyone and play adequate D. We could sure use the lumber and he looks like he knows how to handle the 2×4’s pretty well.
Can Kotchman play second?
LikeLike
An observation on Escobar… I think Bobby tends to have higher expectations of players who have unique skill sets. Don’t think Bobby didn’t wince when he had a chance to look at the video of Escobar’s academy award performance when he acted as if a pitch had hit him in the head rather than hit his bat. Don’t think he will ever get the benefit of that call again unless he can show blood because umpire keep a book too.
Of all things, Bobby Cox respects the game. Just like when Robert Fick tried to to use a forearm shiv on a first baseman. Stunts don’t sit well with BC. it’s stuff like that that will get you gone from a Cox coached team.
As for Kelly Johnson getting a pass, well, Kelly is not as gifted as either Frency or Yunel but Bobby appreciates hard work and effort. KJ has never exhibited the same type of attitude. Therefore, Bobby will go with him until there is a viable replacement available. That may not be until next season. There is no one in the pipeline as far as I can tell. One thing about Kelly… he has courage, he will play anywhere the coach wants him to. Diaz is the same type of player. He may not be blessed with a wealth of natural talent but he is a gamer and he is going to give you 100% of what he has got every game. Isn’t that all we can ask of a team?
LikeLike
Barbaro is a hitter, plain and simple. I know, you folks have a pretty small sample size to assess his ability. Trust me, he is not “Big Cat” around the bag. Hit.. Heck yeah.. run, not so much.. field. Well.. don’t expect the term gold glover to be mentioned in the sentence as Barbaro Canizares…
LikeLike
Still, I too would like to see him stay on the roster for a while longer. I think he is a more viable back up for firstbase than Martin Prado right now, at least until his groin pull heals up.
LikeLike
Okay folks, I promised I would take Josie to the horse races today. I hope the Braves can start out on the right foot against the Reds tonight.
Catch up with ya’ll later.
LikeLike
Dang… Barbaro sent back…
LikeLike
Barbaro sent back? That’s right, we have plenty of hot sluggers on the team already… don’t need him. 😯
Seems BC the skipper doesn’t want anyone sharing his monogrammed towels.
LikeLike
SG, funny you should post that cool commerical site…I was just reminding a friend about the Libby’s Libby’s Libbys ad a week or so ago. Just like Rice-a-Roni(Had a girl at Borders with the first name of Roni!) they just decided one day there was no reason to advertise. Weird, eh what???
LikeLike
and about Peter Moylan, on pace for 86 games!!! Has anyone ever been back sooner from Tommy John surgery??? I mean, he had the surgery may of 2008, and was pitching this spring. I know relievers are supposed to come back sooner, but good grief. And I don’t see how Tim Hudson can come back this year either.
LikeLike
And V, when you were mentioning that Kotchman was coming back, I just knew Barbaro was the one to get sent down.
Besides, Diory Hernandez is a total stud at the plate, we HAD to keep him up here! :Roll: Well, I guess we do if Bobby wants to sit Yunel for a day or two(Just guessing-imagine he will be in the starting lineup)
I wonder if we could get Ruben Gotay back from the pirates, his .235 BA doesn’t look so bad know, does it??? 😛
LikeLike
Since I am posting in the middle of the day, and the braves are playing tonight, the next comment will come in around 11 pm From FBG! 😡
LikeLike
Hey, Ber! Dad’s been busy today, huh? 😆
It is SO easy to set up his own email account right in the same email program you’re using now. Click to switch back and forth between the two.
Speaking of email, sent one to the scribe this afternoon. Will advise.
Must take myself to the kitchen….. again …..
Mustn’t dis the mana! At least, we’re blessed with food to be prepared!! (Quit grumbling, CL! Git crackin’!)
LikeLike
One small note from the local news that is close to my heart –
On the link’s page, down a little, is a flash video. Click on it and see some people close to me. (I couldn’t be there this year.)
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20090616/ARTICLES/906169979/1177?Title=N-C-Indian-Youth-conference-fuses-fun-education-and-culture
LikeLike
Cl, Trying to make a liar out of me??? 😉
LikeLike
Ohioans ticketed for parking in own driveways
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090616/ap_on_re_us/us_odd_ohio_driveway_tickets
LikeLike
Ber 6:30 – huh??
LikeLike
CL, nice NC powwow article.
Looking at the weather map and the system heading your way, the rain dance part must’a worked.
LikeLike
CL, I was sayin’ no one was going to show up til FBG at 11 pm, and you made a liar out of me! 😛
Rain delay…just as well, need to go out anyway…I love late games! 🙂
LikeLike
Oops! Sorry, Ber!
Thanks, SG! It is such a neat event! Some really neat people!
LikeLike
Sorry, Ber, I’m late. Combo of rain delay & ongoing phone/text conversation.
LikeLike
For some reason the ExtraInnings channel the Braves were on wouldn’t come in on the living room TV so we were watching on the master bedroom TV ’til Mom was ready for bed. She, of course, has to work in the morning. So I’m recording the remainder.
LikeLike
FBG, spoiler alert, do not read til you have watched the game!!!
Sure hope everyone stayed up for this classic!
Hard to get 12 hits, yet only score 2 runs, but if any team can do it, it’s the braves! 😛
Truth be told, with the rain delay and all, I just checked online while Pa and I rewatched some old Sledge Hammer shows. Made the right decision.
LikeLike
Ach.. What a debacle that game was… Someone please get Frenchy a pair of glasses…
Certainly not all his fault however, but this team does have the feel of a team playing out a string, sadly, we have not yet reached the All-Star break.
Plain and simple, the Braves could not take advantage of the Reds\’ mistakes and the Reds could not help but take advantage of every mistake made by the Braves. The proof is in the pudding… And the final score…
LikeLike
NEW BLOG IS UP!!
Thanks, SG! 😆
LikeLike