By Gil in Mechanicsville
MECHANICSVILLE, VA – So, here we sit with about six weeks to go in a season that has seen the good, the bad and the ugly from the Atlanta Braves. Early season doldrums returned immediately following the All-star break and as of the this writing we have watched as the once comfortable cushion of 6 games in front of our closest pursuers shrink to two as the Philadelphia Phillies have put on an incredible run of thirteen wins in fifteen games. The scariest part may be they have done it without their best players on the field and a bullpen that rivals some of the worse Atlanta has ever assembled.
And here we thought our old nemesis, the New York Mets, would be our biggest problem. Well, I guess our good friend John Smoltz tagged it right when he dubbed the NL East as the shoots-and-ladders division. Shame on us for thinking that maybe the Braves would run away with this thing. After all, don’t we still need that “Big Bat” in the middle of the order?
The loss of Marteen Prado has been muted somewhat by the outstanding play of Omar Infante’ in his place. One wonders how the Braves would fare without Marteen’s prolific bat missing from the
line-up but Omar has hardly missed a beat. Dare we guess how the Braves might perform with both Infante and Prado in the lineup together on a regular basis? While Marteeen appears to have cooled somewhat since the beginning of the final series with the Mets prior to the All-star break, it was not due to a lack of contact but more as a results of the law of averages catching up to him as those line drives he was stroking began to be hit directly at people.
On the up side, maybe Jason Heyward is finally understanding that while hitting the ball the other way is a good skill to have, always hitting to the off field can make you pretty predictable too and cause you to be an easy out in the line up. It is good to see the Braves Rookie of the Year candidate start to hit the ball with authority to right field again. Sometimes you need to be in scoring position while standing at home plate. That’s not to say we want to see J-Hey swinging for the fences every at bat but he needs to remind opposing pitchers of what he is capable of occasionally to keep them honest.
Chipper Jones may have found his lost stroke again too. After watching him struggle for the first eight weeks of the season, I think we were all wondering if Larry had indeed reached the end of the line. Right now, the Braves truly need for him to step up. Chipper is capable of carrying this team for extended periods and now would be the perfect time for him to do it.
It’s my opinion that Troy Glaus is the biggest question mark. His work around the first base bag has been stellar at times and he sure has made some pretty outstanding plays snagging errant throws from the infielders. Of course, we all know that Troy was not acquired for his
potential defensive prowess at first but to add some right handed pop in the middle of the line-up. We all thought Frank Wren might have made the steal of the century in signing Glaus to a low cost, low risk contract when he lit up the scoreboard in late May and July. Sadly, as his knees began to show their age and his bat did the same. The Braves woeful record of failing to hit with men in scoring position can be directly attributed to Glaus’ lack of production. Since the departure of Texieria , the Braves assembly of hitters has not exactly struck fear into the hearts of opposing pitchers. There are so many glaring holes in the lineup that pitchers feel no need to pitch to Chipper Jones or Brian McCann when they know there was an declining Troy Glaus or an out of sync Nate McLouth in the on deck circle.
Still, that brings me back to the Braves most pressing need, that one big bat in the middle of the order that forces opposing teams to throw to Jones and McCann. Without a guy who can consistently put a three run homer on you if you walk guys like Brian and Chipper, opposing teams will continue to load the bases with apparent impunity. Protection can pay big dividends, just ask the guys who hit ahead of Fielder and Howard.
So, the question remains, will the Braves pull the trigger and make the trade for that final piece, will they call up Freddie Freeman or will they simply stand pat? We are not privy to how much money the Braves have to work with nor do we know if the Braves front office is content to make it to the playoffs or seriously wants to vie for a World Series title in Bobby’s final year. That said, without that final piece to the matrix, the Braves may yet find themselves on the outside looking in come October because only four teams from each division are going to the big dance and there are at least eight teams in the running for a date.
Great pitching can carry you a long way but you still need to help them out by scoring more runs than the opposition. Unlike soccer, baseball games do not finish in O-O ties.
~Gil~
Excellent, Gil! MANY thanks from all of us!
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Good job, Gil. I also think they need that big bat, I’m just not sure there’s one out there available.
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Great reporting Gil! I can’t wait to see how this all unfolds. The complexities of baseball are truly amazing. Which ever path the Braves choose I know the Braves and Stuff faithful will be on top of things.
Great job by the Braves B-Team today!
GO BRAVES!!!
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After a nice rest, I truly wish Glaus could spend a few days (or more) with L. W. Jones, Sr.
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Yup. You hit it on the head.
The pitching may well get us to the dance, but the lack of power in the middle will keep us off the floor.
There is another dimension to the equation… who is available to acquire? And at what price?
I think they’d pull the trigger on any deal that is reasonable in return, but for whom? Honestly, I don’t see any real tangible big bats available other than Adam LaRoche.
Who else am I missing?
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Very good lead Gil! Fish or Cut Bait really says it all, doesn’t it???
We just don’t know how tied Wren’s hands have been. I don’t think teams really want you to know(at least some of them) that they don’t have much wiggle room financially…””they” said they could add money, but, we don’t know!
Part of me things the chance to get a big bat really did pass on the 31st.
The timing of injuries to Corey Hart and David DeJesus just before the trade deadline sure sucked, didn’t it???
V, like you said, who is really out there???
Just read this article on Jose Guillen that just puts the final nail in the coffin of getting him(I think it was already in there, but it wasn’t hammered in all the way yet)
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/431070-whats-next-for-jose-guillen
I can imagine if Glaus doesn’t start hitting more in the next 2 weeks, we may see Freeman before September…
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Yep, Ber… can’t see Guillen here. We just traded away one very talented headcase. Can’t see picking another one up.
I also think hoping for help from within is like trying to draw for an inside straight. It can happen, but the chances aren’t very good.
Nope. Choices are extremely limited. But I’ll say this: I think this year of all years trades can get done in August. Too many teams will have to pass on players with even moderate salaries, not willing to take any chances on getting stuck with the additional payroll. That’s why I truly think a guy like LaRoche would slip to the Braves in the pecking order.
Let’s think about it a minute, though, as to how much late deals can cost when salary is involved from both a plus and minus standpoint. When the Braves decided that they better get something in return for Teixeira, the Angels were able to snatch him up for only middle of the road Casey Kotchman and decent but not top shelf prospect pitching Stephen Marek. Should Adam LaRoche cost the Braves any more? I don’t think so. But I would certainly trade the aforementioned Marek and Troy Glaus. Why would the Snakes want Glaus, you ask? Well, he’s owed alot less than Adam for the rest of 2010, and there is no attachment to him for 2011. The Braves should insist on that to open the roster spot and help offset the new salary. The Snakes would net a young reliever who is close to major league ready, which is more valuable than the pick they might get if all of the planets align just right for them to receive compensation for losing Adam via FA.
So I do think it’s doable. It’s also very, very quiet in the Braves’ front office these days.
I s’pose well see, huh?
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Tim Dierkes (MLBTR) makes a very good point regarding Billy Wagner and his resolve to retire at season’s end.
He points out that Wags’ $6.5MM option for 2011 vests with 50 games finished. Wagner has finished 46 so far. Barring some unforeseen injury, he’ll get there. Now we know Wags has repeatedly said the $$$ doesn’t matter, but what if he finishes the season just shy of John Franco’s 424 saves, 4th all-time and #1 among southpaws? Wags is still 12 away with 412 and has let anybody and everybody know he wants to take that top lefty spot for himself. But what if he’s still 1 or 2 shy at season’s end? Would he come back?
Interesting…
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Happy Birthday HeyHey!!!!!!!!
Woo-hoo!!!!!!
😀 😀 😀
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V, interesting thought on LaRoche…I wonder at what point he might get a bit miffed at the braves??? Don’t seem to want him during the first half, just interested later….sort of like a girlfriend that would take you back when the rent was due, or a car needed work.
Of course, he’s paid a lot of money(not by baseball standards, but in the real world) and he likes Atlanta.
I just don’t know that we’d be offering them enough to trade him. With Adam having his best overall year, they may still want to have him next year….getting an older guy who seems washed up, and a minor league reliever for a guy on pace for 108 RBI’s…just don’t know…
The Tex trade was so weird. Nats got a top catching prospect for Matt Capps, a guy the Pirates just flat out released.
Seattle got Justin Smoak(Sp?)a guy that’s thought to be a future all star 1st baseman, for a little more than 2 months of Cliff Lee. But, Lee is more of a difference maker than Tex is…still, Braves didn’t exactly get the equivalent of 2 1st round picks for Tex, did they???
Amazing the farm is as deep as it is with giving Tex away, then Soriano….
How about Kimbriel and Marek for Andy??? Too much in Bobby’s last season????
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Thanks guys, some of it was out of desperation because it was taking so long to load comments. Anyhoo…
The Braves needing a big bat is a little like me wanting a new car. What I can afford is not what I want nor what I need. What I have will do but it’s becoming more of a lawn ornament everyday because it causes my right foot to go numb when ever I drive it. A lot like Glause if you get my drift.
Anybody hear on how Med’s exam went today?
By the way, everyday I think Freeman is getting closer to being the bat the Braves are looking for….
Isn’t it funny how Ankiel can go 0-4 and you still feel like he was productive?
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As for Wags, it would seem to me to be a win/win for him to come back next year. 6.5 mill is a bargain these days for a front line closer.
I don’t think there is any doubt that Adam LaRoache would be a perfect fit for the Braves but Adam Dunn would be even better. Everybody wants to be the winner in these late year swaps so who knows how it will work out?
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Reds picked up Jim Edmonds. Meh. I’d just as soon have Rick Ankiel.
Oh, wait… we do have Rick Ankiel.
😀
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Braves demoted Cody Johnson to single-A Myrtle Beach today. Yikes…
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Wait a minute, where was Edmonds playing, the Brewers?
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Whew, waxed two cars today…. I was thinking about a new(er) one but just don’t feel like making a car payment anymore. That is especially true since I figured the cost. I could do it but then I would have to stay home all the time… Curses, must be Bush’s fault…. (sorry, couldn’t help with a little mocking there)
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The kid pitched a great game. 2 bloops, a kicked ball in right field and an error, and the kid leaves tied 4-4. What a shame. He gave up only 1 walk, and it came home to haunt him with the tying run. But what a fantastic game. Good stuff, good command, good composure. The kid is a keeper.
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Flippin’ Kyle Farnsworth… 😡
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Uhhhhhhhhhhhhgly!
Farnsworth sucks, and Petey has forgotten how to get anybody out.
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Gil, don’t blame you for not wanting to make a house payment on a car….
Now for the game, Minor has a straight fastball at times, but seemed to really be composed! Look forward to future starts….
But the defense….good grief! Gonzo made a costly error to let the game get tied up. Glaus doesn’t know how to play first it appears…and Kyle can’t throw to 1st…and shouldn’t ever pitch in Houston…and McCann can’t block pitches…and…what can you say about that play that just happened??? How many errors???
Well, 9-4, I shall now watch a movie with Pa….
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The Bad News Braves …. How else could one possibly explain that debacle. Minor should get a new name tag for the back of his jersey that says “Not Kawakami”… I thought the new kid pitched great, but wow, did the Braves forget how to play fundamental baseball all at once? Got to stop smoking the old peyote on the bus when driving over from the hotel…
Braves also need to leave Farnsworth in Atlanta whenever they plan to play in Huston. Just brutal… I did something I rarely do after watching the team melt down in the 7th was that I turned off the game and went to bed.
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Minor was great. Farnsworth was awful. Farnsworth needs to be put on irrevocable waivers as soon as EOF is ready to come off the DL. I never thought we’d trot a guy out there that’d make me miss Jesse Chavez.
It’s real shame. Minor deserved to win that game. He’s got a quality about him, an intangible, that is going to separate him from the pack. He’s gonna be special. Medlen has the same quality.
Man, do the Braves have their pitching lined up for years or what?
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I watched Farnsworth pitch in a game for the Royals shortly before the trade to the Braves was made and I thought maybe it was an aberration. Well, I think my first impression was an accurate one.
That said, I never saw so many bloops fall in like they did for the Stros last night. Just dinked the Braves to death. Of course they could catch the ones hit at them either so it might be a moot point.
Still, the rest of the team let Minor down last night. Maybe having a lefty on the mound in front of them caused them to get confused.
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Maybe having a lefty on the mound in front of them caused them to get confused.
😆
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OK, WordPress question:
Am I the only one that now has a WordPress toolbar at the top of my page? It just appeared yesterday and I can’t find a way to do away with it. It annoys the snot out of me… 😐
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V, I have it too…..
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Make that three….
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˙˙˙ʇɥƃıɹ ǝʇınb ʇ,usı ƃuıɥʇǝɯos ʇnq ‘ʇı uo ɹǝƃuıɟ ʎɯ ʇnd ǝʇınb ʇ,uɐɔ ı ˙ʎɐpoʇ ǝƃuɐɹʇs ƃuıןǝǝɟ ʎןןɐǝɹ ɯ,ı
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Well, at least the raisin isn’t topsy turvy
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From DOB, the last brave lefty starter to win a game??? Mike Hampton in 2008!!!
Watching several baseball tonights while riding my stationary bike(Dopes didn’t even mention it was Mike Minor’s first start!I know consider Karl Ravack’s(sp)group the B team) I saw the number of errors a few teams like the Reds have made (44) vs. the Cards, (72)….how many have the Braves made??? 84, 4th most in baseball. Ugh…only the Marlins, Cubs and Nats have made more.
You will notice that most of the teams with the fewest errors are in the playoff hunt.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/team/_/stat/fielding/year/2010/seasontype/2
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I meant to type I now consider Karl Ravech’s group the b team of baseball tonight. I sure wish some stoopid team would give Bobby Valentine a managerial job.
Didn’t like Steve Berthiaume at first, probably because he is such a red sox fan, and doesn’t hide it…now I think his shows are the best….more humor, looser, and well, you have to grudgingly respect a broadcast guy that wears the love of his team on his sleeve, when everyone else hides it…
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Sigh, my bet is the MRI will reveal a torn medial collateral ligament tear on Chipper’s left knee…
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Gil, I was driving home when I heard about the injury…and he was finally starting to hit! Yesterday, he hit more balls hard than he had in more than a year…I think I saw that he had hit .300 for the last month….Sigh indeed.
And the braves can’t muster more than a run???
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Brooks Conrad for Governor!!!!!!
I love Conrad, as you can imagine! 😛
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Wow… just wow… I would not have given a nickle for the chances the Braves had to come back in that game. Brooksie indeed…
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An ugly win is still a win. I’ll take it.
My fear is that the cost of that win could be substantial. That knee injury did NOT look good. Although none of the camera angles caught it in full view, the best angle appeared to show it buckle slightly to the outside, suggesting a severe injury indeed.
For all of the wailing and gnashing of teeth regarding Chipper, found mostly across the street, the fact is that he is the driving force on this team. He is the rudder that keeps this team moving in its forward direction.
His late burst of offensive production has been nothing short of vintage Chipper. Much needed vintage Chipper. If we lose him for the rest of the season, it’ll be devastating. I really don’t want to think about it.
The fact is, he’ll for sure be out at the very least a couple of weeks MINIMUM. Most likely longer even if it isn’t a ligament tear. Folks, I’ve dealt with knee injuries. I still do. They don’t ever really go away. I think I’ll just be happy if he can get back in time for any post-season that might be played. And that path just got alot thornier.
You know, when 1B was/is a problem, we have been able to compensate with a patchwork of Hinske, Diaz, Prado, etc. But 3B is not quite the same. And as much as I love Brooksie this year, there is a reason he is a bench player. Yes, Omar is having a career year. He’s kinda tied up right now at 2B. We really do not need to rush Martin back; that just complicates his own rehab. And it totally blows any thoughts of playing Martin at 1B to fill that offensive void.
Now we are left to hope that Troy can run on fumes for a couple more months, and that Omar can keep up his super-sub abilities on a daily basis.
And the bench that has been a strength for us most of the season just got thinner. Again.
I don’t like it. Not a bit.
This is not good, folks. I have a really bad feeling in the aftermath. And I’m supposed to be the optimist!
😐
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Wow. This is Chipper on what happened:
On the play, I planted, and when I jumped it popped. It wasn’t when I landed, it was when I jumped. It’s a different feeling than the first time when I blew my ACL.
That is at least a small amount of reason for optimism… maybe…
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There are some things that I used to appreciate, even enjoy, that I have grown to despise.
Walmart. I used to love the prices, the convenience, the fact that I could find almost anything I needed under one roof. I now despise the juggernaut that has trampled all of the “mom and pop” businesses in its wake on its way to destroying small communities all over America. I get nauseated even watching their commercials.
My latest is ESPN. I use to really enjoy it. There was a time that I set whole schedules based on what ESPN had going on. SportsCenter was a staple in my home.
I now despise the beast that is ESPN. It has evolved into something that no longer covers the sports arena, it molds and shapes what is being presented. It manipulates the sports landscape into a media market driven commodity for the sole purpose of viewership and profit margin. It no longer presents the sports world to us; the sports world now bows to ESPN.
And there is zero mention of Chipper’s knee injury this morning. 😡
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Don’t forget, Ber… 2:05p start today.
2day’s lineup vs. lefty Wandy Rodriguez:
1. Omar, 2B
2. MelkDud, RF
3. Gonzo, SS
4. MattyD, LF
5. Glaus-asaurus, 1B
6. DRoss, C
7. Brooksie, 3B
8. Ankle, CF
9. Big Red, P
Not exactly the Big Red Machine here… 😐
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Don’t know exactly why but Gonzo in the 3 hole is not at all intimidating.
Last night I said Medial collateral ligament, upon further review and based on Chipper’s comments I wish to revise my diagnosis to the lateral collateral ligament… Same, but different…
Yes Raisins, I have felt the same about ESPN since they chose to discontinue coverage of Australian rules football. They are more shills than sportscasters.
PT Barnum said it best when he espoused “there is a sucker born every minute”. Actually, I would opine that Mr. Barnum grossly underestimated the numbers…
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Scanning that line up, I would say it looks more like a line up befitting the National’s triple A club than the Braves B team.
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NEWS from Houston:
Chipper’s knee is stiff and sore, but no significant swelling! He is up and able to walk, albeit with some discomfort.
The prevailing thought now is that he might not even be DL’d! (Prayer works, folks!)
That is tremendous news!!!!!! 😀
Also, EOF begins a rehab assignment on Friday in his return from mono. He has regained 15 lbs. of the weight that he lost and is ready to get going.
And the best news of all: My a/c is fixed and I am no longer sweating buckets!
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Here is a rundown of Mr. O’B’s Twitter tweets:
Prado took BP – felt good. May need 1 or 2 rehab games.
EOF pitched BP – felt good. Should start rehab soon. (Friday)
Heywards knee a little sore – it was Cox’s call to sit him today.
No swelling in Chipper’s knee – cautious optimism in Braves clubhouse.
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I’m going to be mr. positive and say Chipper isn’t hurt that badly….he will miss 8 games, book it! 😉
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Want to hear something really sad? My knees make popping noises when all I do is stand up… I just thankful I can still stand…. I think.
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Gil, is there a pool nearby at a gym you can move around in??? Or do you have a pool???
Now, about the game….clearly, V’s message didn’t get deep into the memory part of my….whatyacallit…anyway, was running errands and heard they were up 2-1, then before you could blink, Wags had let the game get tied up(at least he usually keeps it at a tie when he blows a save) then I heard the braves score 6 unanswered runs in the 10th, wow!
Now, if we can just get some good news on Chipper….by the by, wasn’t that about the best play you have ever seen Chipper make??? and it was only 5 on the top web gems last night! :X Have I mentioned lately how much I dislike the triumvirate (Blog first?) of Karl Raveck, John Kruk, and Bobby Valentine???
Right there with you on sportscenter V!
I just don’t watch it unless sporting events run so late that baseball tonight wasn’t on, so I just fast forward thru the junk(DVR’s are your friend, if you don’t have one with DISH) and watch baseball highlights….
I couldn’t care one bit about X Games…all it is, is made up sports to sell skateboards,bikes, and wheelchairs…
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Raisins… Walmart and ESPN equal the same thing, big business on steroids. Yuk! Like you I try and avoid both as much as possible. Have you tried to listen to the Mike and Mike show in the morning? Oh my, they’re awful! Fortunately they don’t know much about baseball so they tend to focus on the NFL and NBA. Arguments over who is the better QB P.Manning or T.Brady? Who is more valuable Kobe or LeBron? Double Yuk!! Their supposed experts on baseball Buster Olney and Tim Kirkijan seldom have informative or insightful information. Like you I miss Australian rules football!
GO BRAVES!!!
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Gil, you know you’ve had a bit too much birthday cake (your own) when your body makes more noise in the morning than your coffee machine does! 🙂
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Tomorrow is Aug 12. Skip’s birthday. You sure are missed!
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Ber, I do have a pool and that is a great suggestion, the water tends to deaden the noise I make when I move around in it…. 🙂
Speaking of birthdays, I have a grandson and a granddaughter who are both celebrating birthdays. No, I don’t know how old they are but I do remember their names… Well, most of the time I do. Hey, when you are overwhelmed by the little darlings you have a tendency to be thankful for the solitude of the country. Okay, quasi country. Country to the grand kids anyway.
One thing for sure, there is never a shortage of “crisis” to contend with.
Cl, I fought the war on obesity and put up a good fight but all those fat cells just finally wore me down. I now live with an uneasy truce with myself. At least there is much less fretting and fussing going on.
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Mets are now safely mired in fourth place in the division. Unfortunately the Nationals have as much trouble with the Fish as we do. The Dodgers let us down against Oswalt but I have faith they will crush Joe Blanton to take the series fron the Phils later on today.
Does anyone else find it strange that Jeff Francouer refers to himself as we? As in “we want to play everyday and if not we want to be traded”. Has New York driven him to the loony bin?
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Gil, I saw that story on the AJC, apparently, it’s his agent saying we this and we that….
I still like him….but I wonder if he will ever straight it out….He should go to the minors for half a season , play some winter ball perhaps…and be under strict orders to NEVER swing at a ball when he had 2 strikes on him. But, I bet that won’t happen.
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Francoeur has enough ego for two… that’s his main problem.
I think the guy could still be a decent major-leaguer if he’d ever get over himself and just play a little ball. Then again, he never bothered with the fundamentals, relying on his abundant athleticism. It has caught up with him with a vengeance. He is destined to be a Royal…
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Have you noticed that Troy is starting to hit singles again? Remember when we were wondering if he would hit at all, and he started hitting singles? Then we all complained that he was a singles hitter in a power position, then he exploded.
He’s hitting singles again.
Just sayin’…
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Good point V! Heck, even if he only hit singles, there are so often runners in scoring position when he’s up, he’d still be helping the club…
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He also still leads the team in RBI with 65…
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Chipper’s MRI was to have taken place at 8:30am this morning. I wonder how quickly they will be examined..?
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Some of these “updated” logos are just flat out funny. I think my favorite is the D’backs logo. Astros one is good also. Too funny…
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=snibbe/100811_national_league_logos
😆
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Mets current headlines:
Mets Closer To Be Arraigned In Assault
Attorney: Woman Who Claims Mets’ Santana Raped Her Files Lawsuit
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/08/attorney-woman-who-claims-mets-santana-raped-her-files-lawsuit/1
Francoeur: Play Me Or Trade Me
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/francoeur-play-me-or-589747.html
They are amazin’, aren’t they? 😀
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23 years ago today, the Braves traded Doyle Alexander to Detroit for John Smoltz.
Happy Birthday, Skip!
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MLBTR is keeping a running list of players who have cleared waivers (according to published reports). It can be found here:
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/07/players-who-cleared-waivers.html
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Initial reports say torn ACL… I’ll have to confirm it before I believe it…
😐
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OK… this is agonizing! I can’t find any real confirmation, but apparently it’s blowing up all over twitter after a crappy radio station in ATL reported it.
I have alot of mixed emotions, but the not knowing is killing me! 😡
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Bowman:
Chipper Jones has informed some close friends that he will likely miss the remainder of this season with a left knee injury.
After undergoing an MRI exam in Atlanta this morning, Jones told a friend that he “tore” a ligament in his left knee. When asked if it was a complete tear, the Braves third baseman revealed that it was “stretched” and that he would likely need surgery.
Jones injured his knee while completing an acrobatic throw across the diamond during Tuesday night’s win in Houston. After landing with all of his weight on his left leg, he remained on the ground before painfully limping toward the clubhouse.
http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/08/jones_says_that_he_has_a_torn.html
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I’m ill…
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Yes Raisins, I’m with you on that one… Was a heck of a play though.
Maybe they can just stitch it back together through his pant leg so he can pinch hit…. 🙂
I know, no time for humor….
Well, this adversity might pull the team together. They still have a pretty good staff and if they can get a little bit better defense with fewer errors they might still pull this thing out…
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Still, if it’s not completely torn, it might heal up enough for him to come back in late September. Not like he is going to tear it up any worse. Sid Bream did pretty good with those braces on his wobbly knees. Sounds like a good place to use HGH and steroids….
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This is tough. Just tough. I can see how the Braves can compensate for almost any position on the field… except 3B.
And it’s not just what he contributes offensively. It’s his leadership, on and off the field.
And it also has to play in the minds of his teammates if he’s done for good. The rehab for the knee has got to be at least a year for a 38 year old guy.
As I sit here at 12:05pm, before really having a chance to fully digest the implications, this appears to be a crushing blow.
That’s not only alot of offense to replace, it’s his presence in the lineup. It will certainly affect the pitches that Mac and HeyHey see. No doubt.
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Yep, now need two bats…. Better get out the check book.
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I am very glad there is no game today, it gives the team a chance to get the horrible prognosis about Chipper out of the way. Yes, Raisins, I feel pretty ill too right now but baseball is life. Things can change in a heartbeat.
I am hoping this team will actually play more focused now. Fewer errors because they cannot afford to play sloppy. We will see.
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Man, not the news I was hoping for when I woke up! 😦
I just thought since he hurt it going up, it not looking that bad when he came down(If you saw replays of his injury, verses Prado’s, Prado’s looked like the season ender) that at worst he was going to on the DL for a few weeks….can you believe this is the first time this year he’s gone on the DL???
And we would have had this conversation at the end of the year IF he retired, and lets face it, he wasn’t likely to retire if he kept hitting….but, who will play 3rd this year and more importantly, next year???
Really hard to think of any answer, isn’t it??? Prado could, Infante could then play 2nd next year(Hey, if he hits .270 or better, that would be great) but thats a lot less pop in a lineup without much to begin with….really too soon to be talking about this right now.
And of course this has to leave a terrible taste in Chipper’s mouth. Last year with Bobby….Chipper hitting like Chipper in .2008…wanting to leave on his terms, not with an injury like this…
Players come back from this injury sooner and sooner…but can he at his age??? If he was ready to play say in June/July of next year, do you leave it open for him???
Can’t really compare Elbows to Knees, but Wagner was back pitching at 37, in what, 10 months after Tommy John???
I mean, if Scott Rolen was out there this winter….but, I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head, can you all??? Aramis Ramirez is hitting .228, and misses more games than Chipper. Oh yeah, and he’s making over 16 Mil this year…
Sigh…I say it’s too soon to talk about replacements, and then I talk about replacements….
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Chipper is the last of THE Braves. Wonder who will step up to the leadership role? Bobby has to be pretty sad about this, too. Who’s on third?
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CL, I would venture to say that Chipper is the son Bobby wishes he had if his son played baseball….
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I’m like everyone here in that I’m terribly disappointed. Chipper is an icon for the Braves, even more so than Glavine, Smoltz, or Maddox. He is Dale Murphy for this generation of Braves fans. I’m very sad for him because he was really starting to look like the Chipper we all enjoyed for so many years. I would love to see him come back and pinch hit in the playoffs and have one of those “I can’t believe what I just saw!!!” moments. Well… with all the crazy things this team has done this year ya never know.
GO BRAVES!!! (Praying for you Chipper!)
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Still stewing over this. I am a bit surprised at myself that I feel this way – that I personally have taken Chipper’s injury so hard. I’m just a fan. I love the Braves team, not the individuals. So why am I so bummed over one player’s injury?
Well, CL hit the nail on the head. “Chipper is the last of THE Braves” she said. Yup. That’s it. He personifies The Run. And in some way, to me, he is a part of an ever dwindling pool of players who still play the game with respect. He is not, nor never shall he be one of the ME generation. He is the anti-Hanley Ramirez. And as he goes down, so goes another from a dying breed. In a time when the highlites and endorsements are littered with the Mannys of this game, I hold out hope that the Chippers of the game will still be there to keep the game respectable… to teach the youngsters how the game should be played.
Chipper doesn’t grandstand. He doesn’t flip his bat or tap his chest or point to the sky. He doesn’t do things that draw attention to himself. He just plays the game. He doesn’t cake pine tar on his helmet, or have a special handshake for each teammate, or wear 3 carat diamonds in each ear. He just plays the game. He doesn’t wear neon shoes, or frost his tips, or tweet every time the wind blows. He just plays the game. Or… he did.
He is one of the greats and a true Atlanta Braves icon. He is a HOF’er in waiting. I just hope that the 5 year clock didn’t start ticking on Tuesday night…
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Amen, Raisins. That was a post that Skip would have been extremely appreciative of and would have greatly enjoyed reading. On the air.
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Raisins, you expressed my sentiments perfectly. I feel exactly the same way. I keep hoping that maybe Chipper will delay surgery until after the season. Just load up on the cortisone and tape and brace that bad boy well enough so he can at least pinch hit. Sigh….
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V, very well put!
I have a hard time letting go of players, I want them to prove critics wrong. I want my favorites to be Jamie Moyer like..I even secretly wanted to see Smoltz join the braves the last few months this year out of the Bullpen.
Everyone’s career has to end of course…..but it’s hard to say when a career should end, if a guy isn’t hitting .200 or has a 6.00 ERA.
Hank Aaron hit .301 at the age of 39, 40 Homers, 96 RBIs(In just 120 games, how could not have him pinch hit in 20-30 games? Or was he on the disabled list?)
Willie Mays, who stuck around too long(was 42 in 1973, and have read he was terrible in center during the W.S.) was still a productive hitter at 39…
28 HR 83 RBI , .291 BA
I have pointed out before how good Ted Williams was at the end of his career.
at 39, 26 hr, 85 Rbi’s .328 BA. Of course he was…Ted Williams.
Still, if Chipper WANTS to make a comeback, I think he should be given the opportunity. It’s not like we have a Chipper Jones Jr. waiting in the wings….
I heard on baseball tonight a 6 month recovery, is that right??? Sure sounds like a short time, at least for a serious knee injury.
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And CL, what were you doing up at 3 am??? Your shoulder bothering you??? 😦
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This morning, Frank Wren, Bobby Cox and other FOT’s (Front Office Types) are meeting to discuss their options regarding replacing Chipper in the everyday lineup. (Editor’s note: they will only be able to replace his bat and glove, not his leadership and other intangibles that will be sorely missed.) So what will they decide?
Uh, I don’t know. Do I look like Kreskin to you?
But I’ll tell you what I think they’ll decide. They won’t go outside the organization for any significant addition. For whom? Nobody that will really help would ever make it through waivers. Not unless they come with an onerous salary drag. That ain’t happ’nin’, nor should it.
No, the answer it pretty obvious that Martin and Omar will both be in the lineup. And why not? They’re both All-Stars, and deservingly so. It will weaken our bench somewhat, but I suppose that’s why you have a bench, right?
Neither will provide the power that a 3B is supposed to generate, but to be honest, Chipper wasn’t really giving us prototypical 3B power either. And having a pair of .300 hitters at the top of the lineup with HeyHey and Mac behind them is not a bad thing.
Yep, on day 1 of the post-Chipper portion of the season, I am not quite as pessimistic as I was yesterday with regard to the team’s post-season chances. I still think this is a team of destiny (as opposed to a team of density, which I think the Mets are) that grinds out wins when they aren’t supposed to. How many times has Bobby put the “B-team” out on the field only to pull out an unexplainable win? This is a winning team… a winning 25-man-roster team.
Tell me this still isn’t a very good lineup:
1. Omar, 2B (R) .330 AVG, .360 OBP
2. HeyHey, RF (L) .377 OBP, 57 RBI
3. Marteeen, 3B (R) .315 AVG, .357 OBP, 43 RBI (while batting primarily leadoff)
4. Mac, C (L) 17 HR, 19 2B, 62 RBI
5. Glaus, 1B (R) .348 OBP, 15 HR, 65 RBI (leads the team in RBI)
6. Diaz/Hinske, LF (P) 14 HR, 62 RBI
7. Gonzo, SS (R) 2010 NL sample size too small
8. Ankle, CF (L) 2010 NL sample size too small
Are we lacking power? Well, yeah. But we were already lacking power. We are a team that gets on base at a high rate. When we are winning, it’s because we are driving those guys home. And that’s the key. That’s what we have to do. It doesn’t take adding anyone from the outside to accomplish that task. It takes getting the job done with who’s here.
So there ya go. There’s my amateur analysis of the state of things today.
I say we can win with the horses that brung us, even if the lead horse threw a shoe.
Now, go get ’em boys. You now have another reason to steel your resolve and get this thing done for Bobby… and Chipper.
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V, sounds good to me! We do lose power, but if there are guys forever clogging the bases in front of JHey(He is going to bat 3rd now all the time, right???) Glaus, and Mac, we should be ok….I saw on baseball tonight the braves players who have played 3rd. Glaus of course has the most games there. I forget that…any chance they move him there??? is there any reason to do that???
And the MLBTR site keeps trying to foist Chone Figgins on us…no thanks… he’s got speed, but anyone can hit .258 thats already here….
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/08/chone-figgins-kenshin-kawakami.html
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You know, Ber, I think you could pretty much interchange HeyHey and Prado at 2 & 3. I have HeyHey staying at 2 just to keep the whole R, L, R thing going. It causes matchup problems for relievers late in games.
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My gut, though, truly has it go Omar, Martin, Hey.
Hey would have to be a little more aggressive in the 3 hole, though. That’s a RBI spot, not a OBP spot. Man, could he drive in a buttload of runs with O & M in front of him…
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The reason Marteen has been so good in the one hole is because of his discipline and patience. Takes lots of pitches, seldom strikes out, a good contact hitter. The only thing he lacks is true speed. Well, a lot of speedsters have discovered you can’t steal first.
Jason in the 3 hole is a tremendous responsibility. I a not sure he is ready for it yet but then, do the Braves have a choice.
Now centerfield. Anyone think that Ankiel is the answer? I wish he would shorten his swing. Hold his bat a little lower. he has power but he is a real strike out machine. So, that said, any word on Nate?
Braves have a really good pitching staff but I have an eerie feeling that the position players are all held together with superglue. A real Studebaker (Edsel for you younger guys) kind of line up. I don’t think it is the kind of order that will strike fear in the heart of an opposing pitcher but it will be one that will sneak up and bite a lot of folks in the butt.
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According to ajc’s Mark Bradley, Chipper’s surgery is scheduled for tomorrow morning, and Chipper says “he’s going to go thru rehab as if he’s getting ready for spring training.”
I don’t doubt that for a minute.
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I say we can win with the horses that brung us, even if the lead horse threw a shoe. Terrific line! 🙂
Up at 3 a.m. – No, Ber. Still not used to not being “on duty” around the clock and up with Mother. Sleep patterns – well, I don’t seem to have ‘patterns’ anymore. Don’t know if I’ll ever get back to a “regular” routine. Mostly I watch the animals out the back glass doors, but sometimes I log in to catch up and see what’s going on.
Chipper says “he’s going to go thru rehab as if he’s getting ready for spring training.” I agree wholeheartedly, Gil. He wants to go out on HIS terms and I’d really be surprised if he isn’t Present & Accounted For in Florida next February. Especially if Freddy is wearing #6.
Did y’all see where our esteemed (or not) President is hosting a special Muslim dinner at the White House tonight to celebrate Ramadan? Wouldn’t have an observance at the White House for National Day of Prayer but he will hold an official observance of a Muslim event. Getting harder and harder to hide those spots. Been to church once since taking office. And that was simply a photo-op. Yep.
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CL, when you least expect it, you will start sleeping “normally”! So, don’t expect it! 😉
Gee, is our dear leader going to take some time off from vacationing to have a Muslim dinner? Good for him! 🙄
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Man, Tim’s coming out after 8 innings and only 91 pitches. Is it not possible to have a guy finish what he started???
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Whew! 😯 I’ll let Bobby stay on as manager for another day! 😛
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A rainy night in Georgia for sure. Nice one Huddy! Could we have another Cy Young winner with a tomahawk across his chest? I’d like to think so.
GO BRAVES!!!
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That, my friends, is my favorite kind of baseball game.
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from Fox Sports at Chipper’s news conference:
” Wren said he will confer with scouts and consider a trade to bolster the team’s bench.
”We will look at players who have come through the waiver wire and players who might be available and see if they’re difference makers for us,” Wren said.”
Interesting.
from Chipper:
” ”When I was growing up I wanted to be mentioned with two people, Mickey Mantle and Eddie Murray,” he said. ”I think it’s safe to say I have achieved that. There’s really nothing else I can do individually that I haven’t already done. The one thing I can do in my career is punctuate it with another championship. That’s what drives me.”
Jones said his biggest regret is that he won’t be on the field as the first-place Braves try to hold off the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East.
”This team is in first place and we’ve got a chance to do something really special and I feel deep down in my heart we’re going to do it, and the fact that I’m not going to be a part of it is what really hurts,” he said.”
You know the anguish he feels inside to not be a part of this, especially in light of it being Bobby’s last year.
At least the surgery is being done arthroscopically which is sure better than it used to be. I sure feel for him.
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from FoxSports South:
“With Jones’ disappointing numbers in 2009, critics and even some fans had questioned whether or not the aging All-Star should hang up his cleats. And then, just as it seemed he may be thinking the same thing this season, Jones’ bat caught on fire, posting a .400 average so far in August. And now with the prospect of his career coming to a sudden halt, many fans have changed their tune, realizing that the end of an era could be near.
“It makes me feel really good that the fans out there don’t want to see the end of my career happen this way. I’m gonna try like heck to make it not end this way. I’d love to go out on my own terms. To all the fans out there I want to thank you for all the things you’ve said over the last couple of days and I’ll try to make it back for you if I can.”
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Here’s a link to a one-on-one interview with Chip that is great:
http://www.foxsportssouth.com/pages/video/?PID=YGM4FQDf03BMC_rB2e5ozSLLhpOzAe_A
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”We will look at players who have come through the waiver wire and players who might be available and see if they’re difference makers for us,” Wren said.”
Edwin Encarnacion has made it through waivers.
He’s the Blue Jays 3B. He has another year of arb left and is owed about $1.3MM for the rest of this season.
He’s 27, bats righty, and his slash line is .243/.307/.457 with 12 HR, 34 RBI, 16 2B. He has been primarily a 6 or lower hitter with the Jays this season, although he has hit in every spot in the order during his 6 year major league career with Cincy and Toronto. He has made 11 errors this year starting every game at 3B for Toronto.
He’d certainly be familiar with the Braves SS, huh?
He’s not a “WOW” kinda guy, but you won’t find one of those in August, and one certainly won’t slip past Philly to us now. He might be as close as we come to a “replacement” that slips through waivers.
The big question I would have is, is the lineup any better with him in it than with both Martin and Omar? I’m not so sure. This may sound crazy, but I am still concerned with CF. I’d rather find better production from a CF and leave M & O in my infield. Although Ankiel’s defense is certainly better than that of McLouth, his bat isn’t that much different.
Still, he’d be a steady replacement at 3B, and probably wouldn’t cost much more than a marginal prospect.
Maybe O should start shagging more flys… 😀
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bleh…
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Looks like it was a good thing we had company over and didn’t see any of the game! Good grief, IIRC, that’s two games in a row that the braves are O for with runners in scoring position??? Thats no good, in case ya didn’t know that….
V, I just don’t know about Edwin Encarnacion….I couldn’t figure out why the Reds gave up on him(Ok, see he was hitting .209 when they dropped him) and I know the Jays sent him down for a bit this year…He’s sorta like Frenchy. Had 2 good years then downhill from there. Doesn’t walk. Only thing is he seems to have more power.
Saw some mention of Brandon Inge on MLBTR a few minutes ago. I like the way he plays, but I see he has only 7 HR’s and 43 RBI’s and is hitting .256…he plays great defense, but you know what??? Brooks Conrad seems to be very good there, doesn’t he??? He just doesn’t seem to be able to hit right handed….
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Ber, Brooksie isn’t the only Brave that isn’t hitting right handed. Forget hitting with men in scoring position, they only have one hit with someone on base.
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Hmmm… Braves are getting a couple of hits today, huh?
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Yep, sure are! 13 runs without JHey, Chipper, BMac, or Prado….
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The Braves won’t be able to buy a run tomorrow… That said, I’ll take a laughfer every once in a while. Derek is now in the Kawakami zone. Facing the other team’s number one and not getting any help. JJ has moved into Derek’s old spot.
It was nice to see the Braves hit though.
Now, it’s up to the Mets to do their part tonight.
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Mets suck…
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The year of the bad umpire continues and it has branched out to the world of professional golf. Yep… the letter of the law was broken but as for the spirit of law, to heck with that. What a shame the rules official accompanying the final group didn’t say, “Hey Justin… you’re ball is in the hazard.” There were also numerous marshalls trying to control the thousands of people that were sitting and standing in and around the so-called bunker. One of those marshalls could have also provided Justin with a heads-up. Oh well, the rules of golf stand firm.
The Braves scored a weeks worth of runs yesterday. We’ll see if we’ve got any left. Don’t think we can count on the Mets for they do indeed… suck!
GO BRAVES!!!
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On the Mets… I thought Frenchy had come through last night with that long fly to deep left center. Carlos Beltran needs to move to left. A shell of his former self…
On golf, I thought the same. Looking at the replay you could see it was once a bunker but one would wonder if they would have made the same call if it had been Tiger? I thought Johnson handled it with class. Still, it was a chicken s*** call. (By the way, it is up to the player to ask for a ruling, not up to the official to give a heads up) Only person who could have said anything was his caddy. Another rule of golf…
I think it would be a good move to put Ankiel in the two hole and move Jason down to the 5th or 6th spot in the line up. I think it would help both batters. Henski is much better off the bench than he is batting everyday.
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The wife suggested that someone open a Virginia ham shop next door to the proposed mosque at ground zero in New York. Could sell all things pork. Would symbolize free speech and tolerance in America, right?
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Mr. O’B opened up a can of worms over there this morning by calling out the negative posters for what they are. It’s kinda funny seeing the back and forth. Funny in a pathetic sort of way. To see those “fans” complain yesterday because Troy hit a HR – “Great, now Bobby will keep him in the lineup” – was the epitome of ignorance. Mr. O’B called it for what it was, though, much to his credit.
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Gil, your wife is one smart woman! 🙂
One of my favorite people in the whole world is Greg Gutfeld who hosts Red Eye at 3 am on fox news.
He has a similar idea to promote tolerance.
http://www.newsoxy.com/entertainment/ground-zero-gay-bar-greg-gutfeld-14233.html
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So Rosenthal mentions that the Braves are kicking the tires on Clint Barmes, and the ajc blog goes nuts. “He’s not anywhere as good as Infante!” “He’s no better than Brooksie!” etc., etc.
That’s all true, but he’s a heckuva lot better than Brandon Hicks. And with Infante starting everyday, would you rather have Barmes on your bench, or Brandon Hicks?
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How about Diory Hernandez?
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Jon Heyman of SI.com via Twitter:
Not only did Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez face trouble with the law last week, he tore a ligament in his thumb and will likely require season-ending surgery. The Mets are now looking into voiding K-Rod’s contract.
😆
Have you ever seen such a collection of foul-ups? CitiField should henceforth be christened The Island of Misfit Toys.
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Gil… advising a player of certain info is not considered advice.
Such as… information on the rules, distance or matters of public information, such as the position of hazards, yardage markers, or the location of the flagstick on the putting green.
I stole that line from the USGA website but if I was to ask how hard to play a shot, which line I should take, which club, or how to play a shot, that is definitely advice.
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Duly noted and cataloged EP..
Now baseball… Wow, I this some team or what? Really picked up old Brooksie and de-horned the goat…
Amazing comeback from what could have been a tide turner. Now the Phillies are forced to play against another team with a lot to lose.
Braves play those pesky Gnats but hey, they are on the schedule and the Braves are at home.
Yep, I suspect Omar might well be on his way out of New York too. I don’t know how much patience the Wilpons have.
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Gil… always nice to end a day with a comeback bottom of the ninth victory. This team is pretty amazing and the pitching is simply fantastic. Gotta give the Melk-man some credit. Big play on defense and a gutsy at bat to win it. Good stuff!
GO BRAVES!!!
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I read where Bryce Harper (AKA Chipper Jones clone) signed at the last minute with the Nationals. It has taken some time for that franchise to rebuild after being gutter but MLB and the previous owners. The Nats are assembling some very nice talent. Figures with all the ex Braves front office types. Lookk for them to move up the food chain.
Yeah, the comeback last night was pretty special. I was physically ill after Brooksie made that throw into right field in the eight. I think the wet grass may have played a big part in that but to his credit Conrad made no excuses.
We need for San Francisco to bring their A game against the Phillies. They don’t have to sweep, just 2 of 3 will be fine.
It seems a lot of folks are making a big deal out of the fact the Braves starters are getting a lot of no decisions of late after pitching well. I’m sure Kershin would not have minded a few more no decisions in place of some of those losses he recorded.
Sigh… only 44 more games to go, soon end of an era. 😦
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I got home to see it was tied up 1-1, then the Brooks made a couple of errors(Gil, good point on the ball being wet, I don’t even recall him making an error before yesterday) and it was 3-1 Dodgers. Figured it was all over. But, decided I might as well keep watching, glad I did! 🙂
One thing in the Melk-man’s favor. He has played and delivered under a lot more pressure playing in NYC than he will ever feel here…well, except he delivered late more often then. But, he’s clearly a winning player. I saw him talking to Ross even, before his A.B. Made that great throw to home to keep it 3-1.
And getting this big hit will make him feel more comfortable at the plate I bet….Just an excellent win overall….
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Ber, that is one reason I bristle at the constant regurgitation of numbers and boutique stats that are tossed around across the street. There are too many things that can’t be measured on a piece of paper, and one of those is whether or not a player is a “winner”.
Yes, Melky can absolutely drive me crazy a times, but the guy is a winner. He’s played for winners; he’s contributed on winners; he’s a winner.
Same goes for Eric Hinske although he seems to get alot more respect than Melky.
Do I want to pin all of my hopes on Melky Cabrera to win the Braves a pennant and beyond this season? Of course not. But he is an integral part of a total team effort that is slaying alot of surprised dragons in the NL.
I continue to marvel at the resolve this team shows. They have guts. They have grit. They have a toughness that a playoff team must have to take a tight series.
Dang they are just fun to watch!
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The ’91 team did not have a lot of “Star Power” either. Hey, a light hitting catcher by the name of Gregg Olson was the Braves representative to the All Star game that year because the Braves had to have at least one player represented. That team had heart too. Lots of two out magic and great pitching.
On paper a lot of teams look stronger than the Braves. Heck, the Dodgers look a lot stronger but the Braves have their age old weapon of choice… ARMS… lots of them too. And a few stashed away just in case.
Sure, it would be great if the Braves had a Ryan Zimmermann or David Wright but the last time I looked, the teams those two guys played for were still mired below .500.
Yes, it’s painful to watch Troy Glaus sometimes but he sure has played a good first base and he did after all carry this team for about a month and a half. Bobby will keep him in the line up until he come up lame and they have to shoot him to put him out of his misery.
So, the crafty young lefty is going for the Braves tonight against a reborn Greg Olsen for DC. Have you guys ever noticed that no one ever refers to a right handed pitcher as crafty? Why is that? Are right handlers dumb or something?
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2night’s lineup vs. lefty Scott Olsen:
1. Omar, 2B
2. HeyHey, RF
3. Marteeen, 3B
4. MattyD, LF
5. Glaus-asaurus, 1B
6. Gonzo, SS
7. MelkMan, CF
8. DRoss, C
9. Minor, P
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Sigh… I will be stuck listening to the Washington broadcasters the next three days. Rob Dibble can be the most annoying guy but to be fair, he will give props to players on opposing teams when they deserve it.
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Martin’s back! Yay!!!
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Howdy, FBG!
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Are right handlers dumb or something?
Well, yes! 😛
How come Brian is out, or is that because we played a game last night??? Wasn’t he off one other game this weekend?
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What an amazing team this is, for 5 innings Scott Olsen looks like Cy Young, sixth inning he pitches like Andrew Young…. Add on Braves, Add on
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Braves bullpen is just stellar
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Gil… I may not be crafty but I ain’t dumb! But there has to be a crafty right hander somewhere.
Pile it on Braves! Love that Marteeen is 3 for 5 with 3 runs scored and a couple of RBI’s. I like this kid Minor as well. I knew the Giants wouldn’t help us out. Oh well… not a bad night!
GO BRAVES!!!
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I like Minor too, Wildcat. He seems as if he really has an idea about what he’s doing out there, rather than just heaving it as hard as he can like most kids would do. Glad he got his first win with all those family & friends in attendance.
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Minor is a pitcher, and a pretty good one. It’s nice when you lose an arrow, and just reach back into your quiver and retrieve another one, huh?
Braves sure have it going on. I have to stand up for Bobby here. He catches so much grief for every little detail, but who gives him credit when an unorthodox lineup pans out? It’s not the first time this year he’s made us scratch our heads only to have it click and function.
This may be the best managing job of his long HOF career. Of course it doesn’t hurt that every player on the roster would run through a brick wall for him…
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Happy Birthday, Mrs. Josie!!!
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Happy Birthday, Grinch!!!
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Derrek Lee to ATL? Sure looks like this one is more than pure rumor. Hmmm… I would have to guess that this would be for a PTBNL since Chicago simply wants to get rid of his contract. Then what? Keep Glaus on the bench as a RHPH?
I assume this is one way to try to interject more consistent power into the lineup, but hasn’t Lee himself been hurt? Bad back, isn’t it?
Interesting. I suppose we’ll see if this one gets done, but I think it might be at least a slight upgrade from Glaus at 1B. It also is telling that they are exploring anything at 1B. They obviously know something we don’t. We all assume it’s bad knees, a bad streak, he’ll break out soon, etc. This tells me it’s not that simple…
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Would like to see this lineup:
1. Omar
2. Prado
3. Mac
4. Lee
5. Heyward
6. Hinske/Diaz
7. Gonzo
8. Ankiel
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Rosenthal’s twitter:
Source on DLee to #Braves. “Has legs.” Names not agreed upon. Lee still must waive no-trade rights. #Cubs #Angels #MLB
This from ESPNChicago:
The Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves are working on a deal to send first baseman Derrek Lee to Atlanta for prospects, according to a league source.
Lee, who is presently dealing with a bulging disc on his lower left side, received an epidural on Monday to relieve the pain and will not be ready to play again until Thursday.
According to a Cubs official, Lee refused to speak to the media before Wednesday’s afternoon game against the Padres.
Braves top scout Jim Fregosi watched Lee hit four home runs during a series in St. Louis over the weekend. Fregosi reported back to general manager Frank Wren that Lee was swinging the bat as well as he has all season, according to a source.
I think this gets done.
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Would like to revise my lineup. The other one did not split up the righty/lefty thing too well. Also, Melky has played himself back into the lineup:
1. Omar, 2B (R)
2. Heyward, RF (L)
3. Prado, 3B(R)
4. Lee, 1B (L)
5. Mac, C (L)
6. Gonzo, SS (R)
7. Melky, LF (S)
8. Ankiel, CF (L)
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Jerry Crasnick:
The Braves and Cubs are “way along in the process,” of working out a deal. Lee appears willing to accept the deal, but the clubs haven’t determined which players would go to Chicago. Not surprisingly, the Cubs don’t seem likely to get big-time prospects in the potential deal.
One must assume that Lee has already cleared waivers?
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David Kaplan, csnChicago.com:
The Cubs are close to trading first baseman Derrek Lee to the Atlanta Braves, I have learned exclusively per my earlier post on ChicagoNow.com. The trade was first discussed on Sunday evening when the Braves called Cubs GM Jim Hendry and expressed interest after learning that one of their best offensive players, Chipper Jones was lost for the season with a knee injury.
As a 10-5 man (10 years in the major leagues and the last five with the same team) Lee has the right to reject a trade as he did when the Los Angeles Angeles of Anaheim tried to acquire him in late July. However, sources close to Lee tell us that he will approve a deal to Atlanta because the Braves are leading their division thus giving him a shot at winning another World Series ring. Lee was a member of the 2003 World Champion Florida Marlins who beat the New York Yankees in the Fall Classic.
The deal that would send Lee to the Braves has not yet been finalized but MLB sources characterize the trade as nearly done. One holdup has been Lee’s balky back which has kept him sidelined the past couple of days. The trade is not expected to land the Cubs much in the way of talent because of Lee’s subpar 2010 season but it will provide some salary relief as Lee makes 13 million dollars and the Braves are expected to assume most if not all of his remaining money.
Lee is owed about $3MM for the remainder of the season.
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Bowman:
The Braves are aggressively attempting to acquire Cubs veteran first baseman Derrek Lee.
According to a source familiar with the situation, the Braves are currently evaluating Lee’s health. The 34-year-old first baseman has recently been bothered by lower back discomfort.
Lee has a full no-trade clause that he exercised last month when the Cubs attempted to trade him to the Angels. It is still unknown whether he has said he would accept a trade to the Braves.
Reached by MLB.com, Lee had no comment.
With Troy Glaus struggling at the plate and experiencing more leg discomfort recently, the Braves have been looking for a veteran first baseman who can hit in the middle of their lineup.
Lee has hit .251 with 16 homers and a .751 OPS this year. The two-time All-Star is in the final year of his contract. He is still owed a little more than $3 million for the remainder of this season.
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ummm, errr…bulging disc in back, playing with little interest….did I mention a bulging disc he just got an epidural for??? 😯
Unless Glaus is headed for the DL(or 3rd) I don’t get it….
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Oh, and also, ALBTR:
Lee “projects” to be a Type-B free agent at the end of the year, meaning if the Braves acquire him and offer him arbitration and he were to sign with another team, we would get a first round supplemental pick.
They also report that the actual salary assumption for the Braves would be $3.4MM. The Cubs simply want salary relief. This could get done for the ever popular PTBNL, or a marginal prospect. And I am not even talking Brandon Beachy type prospect. More along the lines of… well, a name I don’t readily know. Sums it up perfectly, I think.
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Uh, MLBTR…
The hazards of trying to type quickly and keep up with the sudden flurry of updates…
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One more revision. I am not taking Mac out of cleanup:
1. Omar, 2B (R)
2. Heyward, RF (L)
3. Prado, 3B(R)
4. Mac, C (L)
5. Lee, 1B (L)
6. Gonzo, SS (R)
7. Melky, LF (S)
8. Ankiel, CF (L)
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Lots of upside to this deal. D.Lee playing for B.Cox on a team that is in a pennant race will really motivate a great player who is stuck on a lousy team. Placing T.Glaus on the DL makes sense and we might benifit by having him come back healthy and trying hard to prove himself. I don’t see any down side to this deal. Let’s get’er dun!!!
GO BRAVES!!!
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Seems like Glaus has been hitting better of late, but I guess it’s still a mirage…from the AJC
Lee has hit .283 with nine home runs 30 RBIs and .492 slugging percentage in 47 games since June 16. He went 5-for-11 with four home runs in a three game series at St. Louis that ended Sunday. Braves top scout Jim Fregosi was reportedly at that series in St. Louis and watched Lee hit the four home runs.
Lee hit twice as many homers (four) last weekend in St. Louis as Braves first baseman Troy Glaus has hit in his past 46 games. The struggling Glaus has hit .174 with only two home runs and 15 RBIs in his past 46 games.
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Oh, this is nothing but positive for the Braves. It improves them both offensively and defensively, and essentially replaces Chipper’s offense and presence in the lineup. At the same time, it keeps both Omar and Prado in the lineup. I will argue that they may – note I said may – be a better lineup with Lee, Prado and Omar than with Glaus, Prado and Chipper.
With Melky hitting above .300 since the ASB, it also allows you to suffer with Ankiel’s lack of O as a tradeoff for his D.
Yep, it’s a darn good lineup that now commands respect from opposing pitchers.. 1-5 as good as anyone in the league.
I am excited. 😀
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As long as his back holds up, I think this is a good deal. Sounds like the Cubs don’t expect much in return. I’d be a lot less happy with this if D.Lee had a multi-year deal & they wanted Freddie ( who I’ve already taken a liking to) but a little late-season rental could be just what we need.
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Happy Birthday, Miss Josie! I’m sure Gil is taking good care of making your day special.
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And as if I just woke up, DLee is a righty, not a lefty. Where is my head?
He is a much needed righty! It just keeps getting better!
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USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, via twitter:
Braves will finalize deal for Cubs 1B Derrek Lee this afternoon. Glaus moves to bench.
More than likely, Diory will go down. (Did y’all know he was even on the roster?)
Strengthens the everyday lineup, gives Troy a chance to rest his weary legs, adds legitimate pop to the bench…
Troy’s presence off the bench will be especially important in October, and he would make the ideal DH in a, ahem, Word Series.
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So the question arises: how did DLee get through waivers given that the other teams were very open in their desire to block a deal to the Braves?
Well, my response is this: who would have seen this coming? I mean, we sit and dissect this team from stem to stern every single day, and we didn’t see it coming.
Think about this… Perhaps the Aramis Ramirez/Clint Barmes/Craig Counsell rumors originated from a Braves source as a smokescreen for the DLee deal. I could see it. Those rumors started about 3 days ago – about the time Chicago would have started the waiver process with DLee.
We’ll probably never know the answer to that, but if it is true, it is a brilliant tactic from Frank.
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(Did y’all know he was even on the roster?)
Well, I did when I saw he hit a homer yesterday! 😉
seriously, I didn’t before that though…
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V, I bet the almost 4 Mil he is owed played a part in it. Phils could block the trade, but then they would have to take on his contract and have him just be a pinch hitter.
Oh, I forgot, happy birthday wishes to Josie and Grinch! 🙂
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2night’s lineup:
1. Omar, 2B
2. HeyHey, RF
3. Marteeen, 3B
4. Mac, C
5. Hinske, 1B not Glaus
6. MelkMan, LF
7. Gonzo, SS
8. Ankle, CF
9. Huddy, P
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10:1 that Troy goes on the DL to make room for DLee. His knees looked worse last night than they have all year. He knows it, Bobby knows it, Frank knows it.
15 days on the DL to rest ’em up a little, then late inning pinch hitting the rest of the way out. That’s the best prescription for Troy at this point.
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Stopped by across the street looking for info & was reminded why I never go there anymore. Don’t Phils’ fans have their own blogs? Yeesh. DOB & Carroll need moderators or something.
VOR, I don’t think anyone saw this coming. Frank has become very sneaky since last year.
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BTW:
Jon Heyman of SI confirms that DLee has in fact cleared waivers. Of course, it wasn’t a stretch to make that assumption based simply on the flurry of activity between the Braves and Cubs…
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Oh, and a crappy little local sports radio station (a crappy one, no doubt, but the one that had the 1st report of Chipper’s ACL diagnosis) has reported that DLee has approved the deal, and that the holdup is just the haggling over prospects to be sent in return.
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And none of this matters anymore… just found out that my 31 year old nephew has cancer…
I hate forced perspective. 😐
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Greetings all, Miss Josie says thank you for the well wishes. I have spent the day squiring her around and treating her like the diva she is…. 🙂
She has gone to the southside to have dinner with her daughters tonight. Whew, thought I was going to have to miss the game tonight… 🙂
Derek Lee eh? Between Lee and Glaus there just might be enough spare parts to make a pretty good first baseman/clean-up hitter. I don’t know if ya’ll saw it last night when Glaus made it to third after his single but he was bent over in obvious pain. Even Dibble noticed it.
For sure it allows for Troy to get some treatment for his knees and the timing might just be perfect. Expanded roster in September will allow for Troy to come back and prove he can still hit like he did in June. Also would allow for Derek not to have to play everyday. Backs can be tricky.
Soooo, who is in the Atlanta system that the Cubs would want and the Braves don’t mind parting with? Does it matter as long as it isn’t Freeman?
And speaking of first basemen, looks like Freedie might not get that September call up if Lee is aquired. He should not fret though, He’ll be in Atlanta starting in 2011…
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Raisins, I really hate to hear that, hope they found it early…
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Braves sent right-handed pitchers Robinson Lopez and Tyrelle Harris and left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Lorick to Chicago. Uh.. who are they exactly?
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(hug) VOR
Make sure he considers every treatment option. Most of my mom’s nursing career has been in oncology & she would tell him to research which clinics specialize in what he has & get in touch with them.
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What a bizarre day Friday will be for D.Lee. He gets up and has breakfast and heads out the door only to go to the visitors locker room. So, can he still park in the players parking lot? Does he have to stop by tomorrow and clear out all his things and say his good-byes? Don’t ya know the Cubs would have preferred to ship Zambrano’s tail out of Chicago. Friday’s game should be a real hoot to listen to on WGN. Pat Hughes and Ron Santo lamenting the departure of a real class guy like D.Lee. Class is something sorely lacking with the Cubbies. Nice move Mr. Wren!
GO BRAVES!!!
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MISS JOSIE!!! MAY THERE BE MANY, MANY MORE!!!
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Raisins, I am so terribly sorry to hear that news. My heart goes out to you and your family and all of you will most definitely be in my prayers! We KNOW the power it yields!
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V, very sorry about your nephew, will say a prayer for him.
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Raisins… your nephew is in my prayers! As you know the medical field is getting very good at treating cancer these days. But we also know God is always in control so we can find comfort in that fact.
GO BRAVES!!!
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Last night’s game had a strange feel to it. Huddy did not seem all that sharp but the defense behind him held the line. The offense was just good enough and J-Hey came through with the big hit in the ninth.
I thought it very odd that the home plate umpire threw out Ryan Zimmerman last night after he was struck out by Venters. I think the two rookie umpires have been pretty bush league during this series.
Early game today. Will have to record it I think as I have some business to attend to in Petersburg this afternoon.
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Thanks to all of you. I was pretty dang bummed yesterday after getting the news. I still feel a bit off, but I know that Jehovah Rapha is the God that Heals. I also know that He is always in control. I have spent considerable time in prayer and have given it all to Him, so I will not fret over it any more.
I do so appreciate my friends here!
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Y’all do remember another famous Atlanta Brave late season acquisition who wore #27, don’t you? 😀
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Good for you Raisins, know that it is He that will always bear all of our burdens if we only let Him.
Yep, I see the correlations between Lee and McGriff too.
Pretty spiffy infield the Gwinnett team will be sporting in the next couple of weeks. At least Troy will be able to tell if his knees will hold up under him after some rest.
Of course, the entire Braves infield will be held together with super glue and duct tape for the rest of the season I fear.
While some fret that the Phillies keep winning, do those same folks not think the Phillies have to be just a little frustrated by the fact the Braves continue to win also?
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MLB Network aired the interview of Lee and his perspective of the trade to Atlanta. He said Bobby Cox’s reputation as a great manager to play for was a big factor in his decision to accept the trade. Too bad he a Chipper won’t get to play together, would have been something.
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And just one more… Prado has come back like a man on a mission. Plays a pretty good third base too.
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I lied… I remembered something else to comment on.
I can’t think of a better player to have come in and play as a teammate for young Jason Heyward. I know we are all supposed to be beyond the black/white thing but it is what it is.
That said, Lee can be a very positive influence if Jason wants to see how to handle himself as a player and as a man.
Looks as if the inner city population of Atlanta might just have one more reason to cheer and support the Braves.
Should make Hank Arron happy too….
Okay, now I’m done….
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Whew… six in a row… Domination!!!!! 🙂
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Terrific observation regarding the Lee/Heyward aspect. Yes, we are all supposed to bury our heads in the politically correct sand and pretend that black/white/Hispanic doesn’t matter. The truth is that it does. I agree with you 100% that DLee will be a perfect fit as mentor to young Mr. Heyward.
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Day game!!
Ber, you hear that?
2day’s lineup vs. lefty John Lannan:
1. Omar, 2B
2. HeyHey, RF
3. Marteeen, 3B
4. MattyD, LF
5. Mac, C
6. Gonzo, SS
7. MelkMan, CF
8. Hinske, 1B again not Glaus
9. DLowe, P
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Glaus is on the DL Raisins, so it will be (not Glaus for the rest of the season most likely.
It will be interesting to see how Troy’s “legs” respond to a couple of weeks off. Will tell everyone a lot if he is able to bounce back.
All and all, he has played a pretty decent first base for the Braves this season.
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I know it is not a line up that puts a scare into a lot of teams but the Braves field a bunch of guys who can beat you every night.
Phillies have put on a pretty good run since the All-star break but they are still 2 1/2 behind the Braves. I guess the talking heads will be in denial all the way to the World Series.
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Yeah… I missed that when I fell out of the loop yesterday. I expected it, but I was more expecting it on Friday when DLee was added to the roster.
So my question is, how did they send Brandon Hicks down on Tuesday to make room for Marteeen, and recall him yesterday with the disabling of Troy? I thought a guy had to remain a minimum of 10 days after being sent down…
What’s I miss there?
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V, I was wondering the same thing when I heard he was coming back…less than 24 hour rule??? Is Diory still with the club??? Should be after hitting a homer…
I forgot to say, yet another great game with patient A.B’s in the 9th.
Oh, you guys might find this interesting, after resting, Glaus will play 3rd at Gwinett! So, he can spell DLee, play 3rd perhaps a game or two and pinch hit…not bad at all…and showing he can still play 3rd will help him find a job next year…
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Josh Willingham having season ending surgery on his knee….
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5476612
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and looks like we gave up at least one pretty good arm to get DLee, good thing we have so many arms right now~!
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/cubs-bring-back-pitching-for-lee/
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and Kyle Farnsworth is…is….what he is.
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MLB allows for return of a player sent down prior to the 10 day minimum if another injury occurs.
If it was simply because of a trade, then Hicks would have been stuck. Of course, it was all on paper as Hicks never left the dugout I don’t think.
Derek didn’t fool anyone today did he? Mac almost tied it up in the eight but Morse snag that sizzler that found his glove.
Anyone else glad the Braves didn’t listen to me and sign Adam Dunn?
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Picked a good game to miss, looked like most of Atlanta miss the game today, did they see this coming?
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They must have collective ESPN huh…
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San Fran taking it to the Philthies tonight. That will help! Of course in that cracker jack stadium the Giants 5 run lead may not be enough. Sanchez has a 1 hitter going. Wow!
Not much wow with the Bravos today. D.Lowe didn’t pitch badly but the offense taking 6 innings to get going is getting old real quick! Hope we’re fired up for our series against the hapless Cubbies. Nice that we’ll be picking up our new acquisition upon arrival. Let’s hope he really dazzles us!
GO BRAVES!!!
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Well, since Frank hooked another (ex)Marlin, it may be time for me to work on a new lead.
I still think those folks read our blog…..
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2:20 start today…
EOF is back, Dunn is down, Hicks is down, Lee is in.
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2day’s lineup:
1. Omar, 2B
2. HeyHey, RF
3. Marteeen, 3B
4. DLee, 1B hooray! 😀
5. Mac, C
6. Gonzo, SS
7. MelkMan, LF
8. Ankle, CF
9. JJ, P
Me likey!
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Say hey J-Hey… great catch
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That could have been ugly… uh, uglier that it was.. Got to give ground Gonzo
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Oh, yeah… 😀
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Who would have thunk it????
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Now, time for the Gnats to bite the Phillies in the butt…. They owe us one don’t you think?
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Had to keep up with the game using Gamecast on the computer at work. Thought we were cruising for a loss and when it showed a ball in play/hit and then it updated showing a triple… WOOHOOOOO!!! Bases clearing triple. WOOHOOOOO!!! Forgot to set the DVR so I’m glad they’re repeating the game tonight.
GO BRAVES!!!
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Dadgum… Gnats almost pull one off for us last night. 1-0.. Rats, c’om guys, You can do it….
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Strasburg left the game in the 5th inning with an apparent arm injury. Oye! Still the Gnats have a 5-1 lead bottom of the 6th. Wish him well! Wish the bullpen well!!!
GO BRAVES!!!
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Greetings all from the beach… GO GNATS….
I watched the Braves/Cubs game yesterday on Fox. Old Brooksie comes through again but Melky has turned into a strike-out machine. Go figure.
So, Philly cannot make up ground on the Braves but can only hold serve. I like it. I am going to try to find today’s game somewhere.
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Man, I sure hope Strasburg won’t need T.J. surgery…whatever they did 50-60 years ago to strengthen arms, they need to go back to it…though I wonder about all the pitches of today, splits, cutters, etc are leading to this epidemic.
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And if folks didn’t know, this is sweet Lou’s last game as manager for the Cubs…Gil, did you find the game??? WGN don’t forget…terrible broadcast team, IMO….
Infante has 2 homers today, Minor has 10 strikeouts..wait, nope, 11 now in the 5th!!
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Blowout at Wrigley! The Braves are using the big tomahawk on the hapless Cubbies. This Cubs team should be wearing the yellow and white uniforms of the Bad News Bears. I can picture Sweet Lou as Walter Mathau (Coach Buttermaker) leaning on a cooler of Schlitz watching the Bears make error after error.
Coach Buttermaker: Hey, can’t you hold off of that until after practice?
Engelberg: There’s energy in chocolate. I need energy.
Engelberg: You’re not supposed to have open liquor in the dugout. It’s against the law.
Coach Buttermaker: So is murder, Engleberg. Now put that back before you get me in real trouble.
MVP today? Minor, Infante, or J-Hey? OK… a three way tie!
GO BRAVES!!!
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Wildcat, 😆
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Weird…the Giants got Cody Ross, according to MLBTR. check out how many outfielders they have!
, 3:13pm: Ross was awarded to the Giants, according to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. Ross will join recently-acquired outfielders Pat Burrell and Jose Guillen in what’s become a very crowded outfield scenario in San Francisco. In addition to that trio, the Giants also have Aaron Rowand, Andres Torres, and Nate Schierholtz.
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The Giants simply tried to block San Diego from getting Ross, and got stuck with him. Oh, well. Let them try to figure it all out. I like what the Braves have going on right now. Seriously.
I believe that the Braves now have a club put together that can win not only the division, but can take it all. I really believe it.
Think about it: balanced lineup, good leadoff hitting, good run producers, good fielding, great bench, great pitching, great relief pitching…
They have the ingredients, and they have the HOF chef to mix it all together. It’s an exciting time to be a Braves fan! 😀
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Yep, saw the game… Minor is a major upgrade over Kershin.
Prado is still a little shaky.
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Nice story on JHey that was posted on a Jazz forum I frequent, believe it or not…..
http://www.guideposts.org/inspirational-stories/inspiring-story-jason-heyward-wears-number-22-honor-best-friend
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Speaking of Heyward, I found something very interesting yesterday.
Jason’s swing isn’t the classic power hitter’s swing. He swings level and simply barrels the ball. When he does hit homers, they are screaming line drives that he just nails.
Except yesterday.
Y’all notice that both of his homers were towering majestic shots – classic Wrigley Field homers? They were things of beauty, but not your typical JHey shots.
Interesting, huh?
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Yep, I saw a little Derrek Lee in those swings… Actually, a lot of Derrek Lee in those swings.
And J-Hey has not really been swinging level but striking down on the ball a lot. Every swing has a time and a place depending on the opposing pitcher, the situation and the size of the ballpark.
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So, back to speculation central:
Johnny Damon was placed on waivers Thursday by Detroit. He would have cleared today, except that Rosenthal tweets this afternoon that he was claimed by an unknown team.
Kinda late in the process… maybe hints that it was a NL team. You don’t think..?
Nah.
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Which brings me to my next topic: 2011.
Now, I know we are in the middle of a tight pennant race here in 2010 with exciting players and a retiring HOF manager. I get that. But why not take a few minutes and look ahead to next year. We’re young and talented, right? 2011 ought to be better than 2010, right?
Hmmm. Upon closer inspection, 2011 is actually a big ol’ question mark. Let’s look:
These positions are certain. (Not pitchers… positions.)
RF, Heyward
2B, Prado
C, McCann
Seriously, that’s it.
SS? You can make a case for Gonzo, but is it certain? I don’t think so. The Braves hold the option for next season at $2.5M. Is he worth it? Uh, I can’t give a definitive answer for that. Infante could land the everyday job there since he seems to have proven that he is a valuable everyday player and Prado is likely to be back at 2B. Uncertain.
1B? Most likely Freddie Freeman gets his shot. But that’s really all it is – a shot. What if he stinks in Spring Training? It could happen. Hopeful, but uncertain.
3B? Well, you can’t go out in the offseason and land a big time 3B via FA or trade because Chipper has gone public with his intent to be back. Think Frank wants another PR disaster of Smoltzian proportion? Uh, no. Chipper’s ACL injury not only mucked up this year’s playoff race, but really fouled the water for 2011. Uncomfortably uncertain.
LF? Heck, we really don’t know who’ll be there next week, much less next year. Diaz is a prime non-tender candidate being in his last year of arb. Melky is also a non-tender candidate, although he might be back as a 4th OF. He’s actually pretty valuable in that role, but not as a starter. Uncertain since 1992.
CF? It won’t be Nate. He may never wear Atlanta across his chest again. Ankiel holds a $6M mutual option with a $500K buyout. I see the buyout in his future. Don’t even mention the S-word. Maddeningly uncertain.
So as much promise as the Braves seem to have with such a talented young core, there is an equally uncertain void around that core. The only certainty is that this will be a very interesting and important offseason for Frank.
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Damon claimed by Red Sox, might not want to go….
V, you make good points…a very uncertain offseason.
What’s so funny, what if DLee tore the cover off the ball, helped us win the W.S??? Gee, thats’ nice and all, good luck with another team….I’m NOT saying we should re-sign(or would it just be sign?) him…it’s just weird when a player reaches a certain age….
I think we should re-sign(sign?) Gonzo, but as I say that…Infante’s OBP must be a lot higher…lets see… .381 for Omar, .339 for Gonzo…
Lets see, for the career….
Gonzo OBP. .295, Omar .319….funny, thought there would be more of a difference there.
Did ya know Omar hit 16 Homers at the age of 22? he must have decided to give up some power, for a higher Batting average… he’s hit .293 or higher each year with the Braves. .349 in 333 AB’s is really astounding for him this year!
We may have to trade some of our excess of pitching(I know, you can’t really have an excess now, can you?) to some team that has too many young left fielders….don’t think you can really go into next year with question marks in left and center…I think Ankiel is a bit too fragile…well, not so much fragile as too gung ho out there and leads to many of his injuries….heard during the game yesterday that Bobby said he has the best outfield arm he has seen in 50 years of baseball!!!
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Yep… great arm, very good defense, mediocre bat. Definitely NOT worth $6M.
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In the famous words of Scarlett O’Hara, “Fiddleeedee I’ll worry about it tomorrow”…
Let me enjoy the rest of this season before I am beset with all the questions that await 2011.
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Did ya know Omar hit 16 Homers at the age of 22? he must have decided to give up some power, for a higher Batting average…
More likely he went from the band box stadiums of the American league to the more pitcher friendly National league parks. Or maybe just fewer “supplements”…
I don’t see why some folks are so surprized at Omar’s contributions to this club. Remember how the Braves went into the tank after Omar was hurt a couple of years ago?
I recorded last night’s game on the DVR so I could catch up when I got home next week. I want to see the controversial call at second folks are alluding to.
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Gil, Not to give anything away, but I can see where the ump missed it. He looked out “live” but slow mo, I think the ump(as Joe alluded to) was out of position, in front of 2nd, and Gonzo(I think?) tagged the runner on his body, and to the ump, it looked like the runner got his hand in before the tag, which wasn’t the case…
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Hi!
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Hey, Salty! Glad to hear from you, my friend! Hope you’re well. How’s our young soldier?
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Hey Saltman! Long time no see!
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Thank you ‘Stros!!!
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V, for sure!!!
Man, what a game that was! Tell you what though, they have had umps decide the game two nights straight, which really shouldn’t happen.
I wonder if Bobby has had trouble with this crew before. A few Phillie fans on a jazz forum I’m on(not like the punks on the AJC, one guy was saying all along JHey would be ROY)
Day before an opposing player was called safe even after running outside the line at first…but get this, the very same ump had called a Phillie runner out on the exact same play, earlier in the year!!!
Then last night, some guy up a few weeks called Ryan out on a check swing in the 14th, that got him ejected for only the 2nd time in his career. Same ump tossed Ryan Zimmerman for the first time in his career a few days ago…
But, this all meant Roy Oswalt had to play left field, and made for some very interesting play….check out the video clip on this page!
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100825&content_id=13893100&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
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I saw the play in which Zimmerman got tossed. It was bizarre, I had never seen a guy get throw out for tossing his bat after striking out swinging. Zim was mad at himself, not the ump. Of course after he got tossed, I’m sure he was upset with the ump too.
Maybe the guy has money on the games, happens, right?
I watched last night’s game until Saito gave up 2 in the eight… Thanks Strohs for keeping it interesting.
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3:10p start…
2day’s lineup:
1. Omar, 2B
2. HeyHey, RF
3. Martini, 3B
4. Mac, C
5. DLee, 1B
6. MalkMan, LF
7. Gonzo, SS
8. AnkleBone, CF
9. JJ, P
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I think we may have settled into a semi-regular lineup. (I gotta say, though, I think I’d swap Melky & Gonzo…)
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Nice start to this one, huh?
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Gonna take some intestinal fortitude to come back from today’s disaster. I’ve got the game on DVR but can’t make myself watch the collapse. I knew there were going to be some valleys along the way so this is not unexpected. Blowing a 9 run lead… hard to digest.
GO BRAVES!!!
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man, what a game to sleep through, eh????
saw that the braves gave up a 9 run lead, and Farnsworth was in there, thought for sure he would be part of the problem….Didn’t we beat up on the Rockies last time we played them????
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Can’t even bring myself to comment on yesterday’s debacle. I am supposed to be “Mr. Positive” and can’t think of a single positive thing to say. Mama always said, “If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all.”
I’ll just be quiet now…
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Here’s something I am positive about….Jonny Venters is going to be of no use to the Braves if they get in the playoffs, if Bobby doesn’t start using his head a little.
Did ya know Venters pitches in 15 games both in June and July?
And as of August 25th, he has already been in 15 games!And pitched 1 2/3rds yesterday….If some rookie manager was abusing a guy like that, everyone would be talking about how desperate he was, and how you need to pace a bullpen….
Jonny should fake an injury to get some rest, or he will be worthless like 2 other lefties that used to play here Mike Gonzalez and Will Ohman.
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Oh my, what a horrible thing it was to watch that melt down yesterday. While Farnsworth was a part of it, JJ looked very ordinary yesterday. Looked like he had an “I don’t give a s*** attitude. The Peter Moylan looked bad. Ugh….
Bright spot, Philles can’t seem to make up any ground.
Oh well, will soon be back to the friendly confines of the Ted. Kind of glad for the day off today. The Braves need to reset…
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Jonny was fine the 7th inning. It was the start of the second inning that was his undoing.
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I love the ‘Stros.
Wandy Rodriguez has a no-no through 6.
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And as soon as I post that, Jason Werth gets a hit. 😳
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And the Bravos gain a half game.
Weird…
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So, what’s worse than getting swept in 3 games on the road to the Rockies?
How about getting swept in 4 at home by the Lastros?
OK, both clubs have gotten that out of their respective systems. Time to get back on track.
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The Phils have learned what the Braves have known about the Astros for a long time. The Astros can be a royal pain in the behind. Like you said VOR… time to get down to some real baseball. Now we’ve got the talent laden Marlins to worry about and the Phils have the surprise Padres to deal with. Like T.O .used to say… “Get your popcorn ready!”
GO BRAVES!!!
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V, Wildcat, yep…very lucky the Phils ran into a hot team…we could have been out of 1st otherwise….
Now, in case use guys missed it, a nice article on Freddie Freeman….I sure hope “we” won’t regret giving him the shot at first…he was 4-4 last night as well….
http://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-braves/likely-call-up-nears-600536.html
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Everybody seem to be ready for Freddi but the Braves brass… I don’t get it but then, who am I but just another dumb blogger, not a really smart guy like the Marlins’ GM who did not want to trade Cody Ross to the Braves for prospect but let him got to the Giants for nothing.
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Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo announced this morning that pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg will probably require “Tommy John” elbow ligament replacement surgery.
Strasburg left his last start on Saturday with what was was initially diagnosed as a strained tendon in his forearm. But on Thursday he had a second MRI exam that showed a “significant tear of his ulnar collateral ligament,” according to Rizzo.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/08/stephen-strasburg-likely-to-have-tommy-john-surgery-miss-2011-season/1
Wow… just wow…
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Hey, maybe he and Kris Medlen can come back the same night. The wounded warriors tour.
Of course, that is why you don’t like to rush young pitchers and you hate to sign them to big bonuses.
By the way, anyone else tired of hearing folks in New Orleans whine about Katrina? Get over it folks, everyone else has….
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Kris has a new blog chronicling his TJ recovery.
http://krismedlen.blogspot.com/2010/08/week-1-entry-1.html#comments
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Mike Minor was sent down to Gwinnett to make room for another reliever, Kimbrell, since his next start was being skipped. He’ll be back on September 1.
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v, that worries me a bit, can he be on the playoff roster then????
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Gil, thanks for the link to that blog!
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Yes he can, if he’s needed. But as a starter, that is highly unlikely. The team will only really use 3 starters, maybe 4, but certainly not a 5th. But if a pitcher gets hurt, he can be replaced by anyone on the 40-man roster as of August 31.
So the short answer to your question is: yes. It’s purely a procedural move.
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So… anyone else think that maybe Tommy Hanson has a case of “tired arm”? Pitches are flat and over the plate… not going to help your ERA much if he pitches up in the zone.
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Whew, it’s been a crazy week. I had baking orders every day, we had family down from GA & …drum roll… Dad has been going absolutely crazy because our alma mater Manatee High played the #2 team in the country on ESPN tonight. We spotted him on TV. I’m sure he will still be bouncing off the walls as soon as he gets home ’cause Manatee whomped Plant pretty good.
I have to say that I feel very sorry for the Nats. They must be devastated.
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FBG, glad business is booming, and your Pa is happy!
Gil, perhaps we should have skipped his start, and had Minor pitch…I wonder if Bobby would ever have a guy skip a start, or if he thinks everyone is like Glavine and Smoltz and don’t ever need a break…
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Well, Lidge tried to help us last night, but the Phils still won….
As much as I want to hate LaRussa, I have found I have to begrudging admit he’s smart…he’s proved it again to me with this….A bit surprised but happy to find out Phat Albert is not a mindless player as well…
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/08/albert-pujols-tony-la-russa-to-attend-glenn-beck-rally/1
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Huddy and the Braves are rocking and the Fish are floundering… ’bout time…
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Braves Win! Braves Win!
Well… so did the Phils. Thought the Padres just might help us out but you can never count on those sissy west coast teams. What we need is a little streak of about 7 or 8 games and let the Phils flounder a bit. D.Lowe needs a victory in the worst way. Hoping his sinker is sinking sharply tomorrow.
GO BRAVES!!!
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Glad Huddy ditched the beard. I had a full beard once, those things can be a distraction. You get to thinking about them itching and you forget how to “pitch from behind your eyeballs”… Hey, maybe we need to chip in ans send Hanson a garter belt….?
Looking forward to the call ups too.
Coors Field apparently had no affect on Farnsworth. His fastballs are every bit as flat at Turner Field as they were in Colorado…
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I was just wondering why I have very little confidence whenever I see the name “Derek Lowe” in the starting lineup. Then, I saw the first four batters of today’s game and remembered why. Nice start D Lowe…………..
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Chris! You remembered us! 😛
Now you have to come back every day if the braves are going to come back!!!!
I flipped by just in time to see that the Umps called McCanns ball a homer! Man, what a 9th! Wish I had seen more of it! 😕
Great win though, amazin’!
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Cristhian Martinez is needing some love…I thought he was a waste of a position, well, last 7 games, only one run allowed. We clearly don’t win without him….
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I dozed off and missed the last inning or so of the game. Boy, was I shocked to see the Braves pulled this one out in spite of D Low’s efforts. Now, if we can just get the Padres to do us a favor!
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Busy day at church so I had to DVR the game. WOW!!! Of course it took a great deal of help from the fish but we got the big hits by Diaz and McCann. This team is a lot of fun so lets hope the Padres can pull off a come behind win. They’re going to need it. Phillies up 4-0 in the 8th.
GO BRAVES!!! (Come on Padres!)
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Padres prove it’s up to the Braves to help themselves. Great finish by the way.
Sadly, Lowe looked no worse that Tommy or JJ did their last couple of games. I think it’s fatigue. Time to give each of them a night off and let them rest up a bit for the end of the season.
Chris, it’s always good when you stop by. You need to make it gooder more often….
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Gil, I’d love to make it more gooder more often. Sadly, time does not usually allow. It is always good to stop in and see what’s going on here. I have followed the team from a distance this year and it makes me sad. But, it is what it is. You gotta do what you gotta do!
Gil, while I always value your opinion and perspective I must make one observation. Tommy and JJ are young guys. Fatigue should be expected at this stage of the season with them both. Not so much with Lowe. He’s a veteran. It’s time he started earning his check for a change.
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Yes Chris, working can get in the way of having fun…
Lowe is showing his age. All those innings are catching up with him. A lot of folks whine about how much the Braves are paying him but if they weren’t, I doubt they would be spending it on someone else.
My observation is Lowe has become predictable. Much like Farnsworth and his table flat fastball. Hudson rarely throws over 92 mph but a lot of guys swing and miss because they are always swinging where the ball ain’t.
So, the Phillies are swept at home by the Lastros and then return the favor by dusting the Padres. Go figure. Now, it’s time for the Dodges to act like serious contenders and beat Rollins and company for us.
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Teams interested in Troy? Really? Interesting…
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/08/multiple-teams-interested-in-troy-glaus.html
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Hey, Glaus for Crawford… Brave will even throw in Lowe… Do-able? No, I guess not.
As fragile as Derrik Lee is, maybe the Braves should just hang onto Troy. He is a pretty good hitter when the knee isn’t bothering him.
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I honestly don’t see them trading Troy unless a real prospect were to be involved, and I can’t imagine that happening. As you say, Gil, he is a backup plan to DLee, whom we all knew going in was a little iffy at times with the back.
Not to mention, he’d be a great DH in the WS… in the WS… right? 😀
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Hey, this Braves team is not going to fold. May not win it all but they are going to be their to the end. Just about getting to the point where you can win by willing it to be so.
You can’t play with emotion for the entire 162 game schedule but you sure can turn it up a notch for the last month. The final kick so to speak to make it up “Heartbreak Hill” .
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Every time I check out the braves page, I see Troy Glaus is the top RBI guy, with 70 RBI’s McCann is at 69, and will soon be top guy, but for a guy who hasn’t played here in a few weeks….you can imagine seeing a guy with 70 RBI’s looking appealing. Especially one who can play 3rd. Did you all read the AJC story on him saying how playing 3rd was much easier on him??? Guess Chipper was right about that as well…
What I can’t figure out is why he was only off for 5 days….
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Here’s an amazing stat…
Troy’s RBI by month:
April 9
May 28
June 19
July 5
August 9
July was brutal. It says a whole lot about the Braves team as a whole that they lost their team leader to season ending injury, and their RBI leader to… well, to just sucking in July, yet they still lead the NL’s toughest division.
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What I can’t figure out is why he was only off for 5 days…
Well, I can attest to at least this much – when your knees are shot, a couple of days off might help you get out of bed a little easier, but it won’t really help once you’re on the field putting them through the stresses that just simply are a part of it.
And I think Troy had alot of say in it as well. He knows that a little time off might help Troy Glaus in 2010, but putting in the work to re-acclimate himself to 3B will most certainly help Troy Glaus in 2011 and beyond.
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2night’s lineup:
1. Omar, 2B
2. HeyHey, RF
3. Martini, 3B
4. DLee, 1B
5. Mac, C
6. MattyD, LF
7. Gonzo, SS
8. MelkMan, CF
9. JJ, P
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Braves are really using the whole system right now…
Since Martinez went 4 innings yesterday, (4 really good innings, by the way), he’s on the shelf for at least 3-4 days, so the Braves optioned him to Gwinnett and recalled KK for long relief. Boy, I hope JJ, Tommy and Huddy can go into at least the 6th or 7th.
Also, MR. O’B reports that DLowe had an ice pack on his elbow in the clubhouse, but he won’t talk about it until after his bullpen session tomorrow.
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I once got a steroid shot in my left knee that really did the trick. If the doc gets it right, it helps pretty quick. mine helped in just two days and I can tell you I was hardly able to walk prior to the shot, so yeah, I can see how it helped in only five days.
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JJ does not look sharp tonight.
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Well, until the third anyway. Must have got mad…
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Thank you Dodgers…
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Some some of the game during trivia night at wings and things…Heyward in one way reminds me of Melky. They get their averages up to a respectable number, mid .270s, then are back in the .250s. But JHey is only 20, so it makes some sense. If he got hot like he did earlier in the year, man, that would make for a pretty potent offense!
V, I heard somewhere(postgame Sunday?) that they saw him flexing his hand a lot early in the game. He claimed he was just having trouble getting a good grip on the ball…when it’s August??? That’s not good. I was hoping for KK’s career he would be traded, but we may really need him…wait, there’s Minor, isn’t there??? No, he replaced Medlin…I would rather have Minor going against some teams in the playoffs than DLowe, basically a slower throwing Hudson.
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Nice little hissy fit by this minor league manager. Especially nice touch at the end.
He’s no rival to Phil Wellman, though… but then, who is?
http://www.firstrow.net/match-highlights/mlb/f808ad64-2ac4-46e7-86d7-f656ab32bdcf/Minor-league-meltdown.html
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Woke up at 4:30 AM and never could get back to sleep. That’s what happens when the put caffeine in your pain medicine. A cruel twist of fate if you ask me. Anyway, rather than waste a cool morning, I washed one of the cars.
Cool weather is on the way…
Back to three game lead, let’s hope the Bravos can keep the pressure on and the Dodgers smell a wild card berth. A four game lead after tonight is a possibility. Braves need to keep the pressure on the Fillies by putting the Mets out of their misery.
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Raisins, nice find!
Gil, I can’t wait for cooler weather but I am afraid of the tropical weather that may be occurring before then.
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Chris, I think Earl will give ya’ll a pass, not so sure about the other two behind it though.
Let’s see, State Fair is coming, yep, right on cue…
I was thinking, 30 days might just be all the White Sox need or can stand of Manny… He sure has a way of wearing out his welcome quick doesn’t he?
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I just got back from the grocery store and I could not help but notice my hedges needed trimming… Sigh… tomorrow.. maybe,
That’s the trouble with this place, you are never done. Always something that needs attention.
My son-in-law was saying he wanted to take two weeks at the beach next year instead of our usual one. personally, if I am going to be gone that long I would rather it be on a cruise ship.
Maybe next year I will just send the wife and I will stay home and feed the cat(s)… and dogs and every other critter the wife adopts. I’m sure glad she doesn’t like snakes.
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2night’s lineup:
1. Omar, 2B
2. HeyHey, RF
3. Martini, 3B
4. DLee, 1B
5. MattyD, LF
6. Gonzo, SS
7. MelkMan, CF
8. Ross-ey, C
9. Minor, P
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This just on 680theFan.
Glaus is activated and will be in uni on Thursday; Nate will be in uni tonight.
KK, Mike Dunn, JC Boscan, Scott Proctor, Freddie Freeman will all join the team tomorrow when rosters expand.
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Nice factoid:
David Wright is 3 for 43 against Braves pitchers… that’s .070 for those keeping count. 😆
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uh… anybody keeping count? 😐
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I am now~!
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I guess if he won’t skip a start, no one will…..
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5516920
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Mr. O’B:
Sounds to me like the Braves are listening seriously to trade offers for Troy Glaus. Not sure if anything will happen before Wed. (Sept. 1), the deadline for a team that wants to get him in so he’d be eligible for the postseason roster. If not, a team could trade for him later just to help in September.
That’s a little surprising, I suppose, but it gives a good indication of how highly they are thinking of Freddie right now.
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Looks like Jeffy is taking his act to Texas. He’ll have way more baserunners to strand there… 😀
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Mets, just what the doctor ordered! 🙂
V, I really wouldn’t be half surprised to see him somehow come out of it there…you just put on a Rangers uni, and you can hit…and if he doesn’t…he’s going to spend some time in the minors next year….
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Maybe Frenchy is better suited to the AL. If nothing else, he can get some tips from Vlad Guerrero.
Glad to see that Freeman is going to get called up. He and JHey are tight as ticks and from what I hear are roommates in the ATL. Two years ago I heard someone refer to them as “Salt and Pepper” — not in a bad way of course.
Interesting to hear that JC Boscan is FINALLY getting a shot at the bigs. I sat next to his girlfriend and Matt Belisle’s mother at the South Atlantic League All Star game in Charleston in 2000. Just took a look at Boscan’s stats and he’s been toiling away in the minors for years without a call up. His work history looks like a Greyhound bus schedule. Check it out here: http://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=boscan001jea
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Braves again had their hitting shoes on last night, uh, all except Nate… Still looks like the same old Nate. Long upper cut swing.. sigh…
I saw where a lot of folks were pining for a few more folks to be called up from AAA but they still have some more games to be played. I expect a few more arms to show.
Good for JC, always a light hitting guy but decent defensive catcher.
Salt and Pepper Like Peas and Carrots, but different…
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Never heard of him before, but hey, congrats to JC Boscan!!!! It truly is an unbelievable list of towns he’s been to. If I was him, I’d cry like a baby when I got the news, then cry walking into a MLB park as a Major leaguer.
Corky Miller has a .188 lifetime BA, and still gets work in the big leagues(Gee, the Reds sent him down in July, and he was actually hitting .246!)
Hopefully, JC can use the money to put a payment down on a house, or a car at least….
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This is a nice little reward to a guy who has toiled in the minors a long, long time.
Yep, JC Boscan… future system manager.
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Folks, did ya see Aroldis Chapman’s Red’s debut on baseball tonight, or Sportscenter???
He is the real deal….I would even go so far to say that right now, he’s the best Left handed pitcher in the game(hyperbole is kind of fun, when you get right down to it!)he hit 105 in the minors a week or so ago.
Here is a clip of his debut(Sure to be deleted soon) Check out how excited the fans are in Cincinnati! It’s like it was here for the JHey Kid.
He only hit 103 during the game yesterday. What’s so amazing to me is he doesn’t look like he is stressing his body at all throwing this hard. Wish we were going to face the Reds again, I’d love to see Heyward face him…next year I guess…or the playoffs…hmmm, lets wait til next year! 😉
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I think it’s great for baseball to have guys like Chapman come along. I still contend however that guys who actually have to learn how to pitch will have greater durability.
On a related note, Moylan looked like his old self last night. Great movement instead of a flat fastball. That cortisone shot to the shoulder did the trick.
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B, nice vid grab there. You’re right, it probably won’t be there long.
Yep, Chapmania is here.
The kid will be in their rotation next year, a rotation that is not too shabby this year. Bodes well for the Reds, I’d say.
When you can toss 100+ and follow it with a knee buckling slider at 88, you got something. He could be for real, but I’ll wait until he faces a few more major league batters – and a few that don’t have “Brewers” across their chest – before I really judge him. But he certainly looks like the real deal so far.
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By the way…
The guy in the vid I covet for the Braves?
Not Chapman, but Scott Rolen. Can you imagine this team with Rolen prowling 3B and batting behind Mac?
Omar, LF
HeyHey, LF
Prado, 2B
Mac, C
Rolen, 3B
DLee, 1B
Gonzo, SS
Ankiel, CF
Crikey what a nice lineup that’d be, even with nothing but defense from the 8 hole.
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So… what are the chances that Bobby gives a start to Freddie tonight against the righty Pelfrey and the floundering Mets? I think it is at least conceivable that he could do it. Why not? It’s a very winnable game, seeing as how it’s the Mets and all…
And the discussion I have heard is that Bobby/Frank plan to carry Freddie on the playoff roster as well (in Chipper’s roster spot) if he performs well in September. That means he has to get a few chances to perform, right? I think it is at least conceivable that he could split time with DLee in a semi-platoon situation. I really don’t think they’d call him up to just sit, do you?
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The Mets boarding the team bus to Turner Field:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=342544945856322429&hl=en#
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The Mets tell Frenchy goodbye:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=342544945856322429#docid=6090369165130448073
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I don’t know Raisins, that big dude looks a lot like Troy Glaus…. 🙂
Well, here we are, September already. Wow, time sure flies when you are in first place, not having to wait until next year (or next decade if you root for the Pirates or Nationals).
Does not seem all that long ago that Josie and I were basking in the Florida sun, assessing this years crop of players.
While we are all anxiously awaiting Freddie’s debut, the more likely scenario will be for him to enter the games late after Derrik Lee has three at bats or slips a disk, whichever comes first.
And will we see Troy Glaus play third? Give Prado a breather? Infante to the outfield? Nate to the outhouse? But I digress…
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Josie and I were taking about fun vacations we have had together over the years and I think we both agree attending spring training this year ranked right up there with the best we have had. I think this coming year, we might go a little bit later than the first week in March. Going to take in some of the games away from Disney too. Pretty pricey place that…
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And will we see Troy Glaus play third? No. Unless it’s a blowout game, or we have locked up the division, Troy needs to count the sunflower seed shells on the dugout floor.
Give Prado a breather? No. Would you take the spark plugs out of your car and expect it to still run? See above…
Infante to the outfield? Now? No. I would not change a thing right now. Next year? Yes. (Everyday in LF, I hope.)
Nate to the outhouse? Nate who? You know, if the Rangers will give a live body for Francoeur, there’s hope that we can move Nate. The single biggest need, IMO, going into 2011 is CF. Braves need to make a move for big-timer out there this offseason.
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Gotta share this link provided by Mr. O’B across the street. Very funny prank pulled on KJ by Rochey.
http://deadspin.com/5627396/at+bat-music-is-ripe-for-a-prank
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2night’s lineup:
1. Omar, SS Well, OK then…
2. HeyHey, RF
3. Martini, 3B
4. Mac, C
5. Hinske, LF
6. Freddie Freeman, 1B Very cool!!!
7. Brooksie, 2B … interesting…
8. Ankle, CF
9. Big Red, P
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V, very cool indeed! Freddie wasn’t called up til today though, right? Again with the confusion, unless someone is DL’ed, he can’t be on the playoff roster, right???
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Chipper and Medlen are on the DL, lets see how he does for the last month first.
It’s reported that Lowe got a cortisone shot in his right elbow today. Good stuff cortisone when used properly. Looks like it really has done the trick for Moylan and possibly Glaus.
So, the Freddie Freeman era begins tonight. Strive for 5 boys… 🙂
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Still don’t get the after Sept 1 call up thingy…doesn’t someone have to get injured after Sept 1???
Anyway, very glad to see unlike last few years, several guys are getting called up…some guys really need a break.
Looks like Lowe will miss his first start ever!
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2010/09/01/elbow-will-force-lowe-to-miss-his-next-start-friday-in-florida/?cxntfid=blogs_atlanta_braves_blog
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This news ought to put a smile on the face of Gil!
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=5521129
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Shasam Ber
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I don’t know why Gil might not like Dibs as I just haven’t been around as much as I’d like but when he was on Dan Patrick’s radio show on ESPN radio a few years ago I liked him very much. As a non-professional media type I liked that he spoke what was on his mind. Kind of like John Kruk but more extreme.
Nice to see Tommy have a bounce back night. I was thinking today that perhaps he is just tired. Recall JJ getting DL’d last year when things got tough and when he came back he was better than ever. Hopefully Tommy won’t require a break.
Ber, as I recall, the rule is that to qualify for post season play a player must by on the roster by Sept. 1, not before so Freeman could be eligible for the playoffs. Gotta say though, that seems like putting the cart before the horse. There have been a LOT of guys, even guys that got a lot more pub than FF, that have bombed out of the bigs.
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The rule seems a bit more complicated than it really is. I am going to take a stab at explaining it the best I can:
First, a player must be a member of the organization on August 31 to be eligible for the playoff roster. Said player doesn’t even have to be on the 40-man roster, just in the organization.
Second, your playoff “roster” is set at midnight on August 31, but any player in the organization can replace an injured player on the roster. In this case, the Braves have 2 injured players – Chipper and Meds. So, they essentially have 2 open spots that they fill with players not on the 25 man, but in the organization prior to midnight August 31. Oh, and said player doesn’t have to match by position.
So hypothetically speaking, if the Braves wanted Freddie on the post season roster, he could simply take Chipper’s spot.
Clear as mud?
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Ber, I apologize for trying to misinform you!
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Holy Cow! Did y’all see the dustup in the Nats/Marlins game tonight? Gonna try to find some video……..
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Here’s the link on mlb.com. what the video doesn’t show is that morgan took out the marlins catcher, brett hayes, last night with a high shot at the plate. the blow separated hayes shoulder and effectively ended his season. tonight volstad hit him in the rear and morgan proceeded to steal two bases (in a blow out game). the video shows his next at bat.
too bad Dibble wasn’t around to call it! 😉
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Very good game for Tommy tonight. Of course I’m happy to see Freddie make his debut but just as happy for Boscan. I hope Bobby gets him in a game soon. It’s impossible not to root for a guy like that.
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red velvet CAKE!
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Chris, it is such a wonderful pleasure to see you here! Good baseball stuff, huh? (You make it feel complete again!)
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Hey! Check out this Lou Brock ad I found on a beta tape from 1980! Seeing Keith Hernandez at the plate(the Cardinal guy) doesn’t his swing , and Ike Davis’ swing look similar??? Ike has much more power.
Who else can you recognize???
I didn’t mention the Cardinals or baseball for this clip, since I had a clip taken down months ago that was 60 seconds of baseball highlights from 1989! MLB is no fun!
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That was some melee Chris, it’s a shame that Morgan is such a putz… The Nationals are much better with him in the line up than without. His problem is he goes out of his way to make trouble.
So, will anyone be left on their rosters to play the Phills.
Hard to explain about Dibble Chris, I guess it’s his abrasive attitude I find irritating. Coupled with Bob Carpenter it is just more than one fan should have to endure.
Great game by Tommy by the way. He looked a little shaky in the first inning but by the second he appeared to get it under control and was dealing. So many moving parts, not to mention a hard head.
So… what is going on with the Padres? Nine game losing streaks are ugly no matter but this is a bad time for one. Not as many days left to cover it up.
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Thanks V, it was the in the organization part that I was missing. Heard how the Yanks traded for Sparky Lyle in Sept, but couldn’t use him during the playoffs…Remember how big K-Rod was for the Angels in 2002, and how some folks didn’t think it was fair….weird…
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So, DLowe is going to miss a scheduled start for the first time in his 14 year career tomorrow night. That’s pretty dang impressive. I know we all complain about him in light of the huge contract he signed, but the truth is, he hasn’t been that bad. Could he have pitched better? Absolutely. But the guy’s a pro’s pro. I think he has been a very valuable veteran on a very young pitching staff. For those kids – JJ, Big Red, Minor – being able to see a guy who goes to the post whenever called on, who is often the first to the park, who works tirelessly on his conditioning, is a priceless commodity.
Now… KK gets the start. I have a weird feeling that he is going to toss his best game of the season, even if it’s only for 6 innings.
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Well, my last intended post got kinda long — well, really long.
So, CL… you have mail.
😀
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Sometimes retreat is the better part of valor. Pitching/playing with nagging injuries is part of the game but when doing so hurts your team, it is time to allow for the injury to heal. I guess some players are afraid of being Wally Piped.
Now, that said, some players at 50% are better than others at 100% but not usually. In this day and age of advanced scouting and TV coverage, it is really hard to hide a flaw. Heck, I’m no expert but even I can tell when something is wrong and about 75% of the time I know what it is causing the problem. Doesn’t always mean I know how to fix it but I sure could exploit it.
Like a boxer who has poor peripheral vision in his right eye, think I would not be unloading the right hooks?
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Colin Cowherd, an ESPNradio guy that I don’t particularly care for, is completely on the Braves bandwagon. He says they have the perfect mix of young talent and veteran presence, to go along with Bobby in his final season. I agree 100%. He just told a guy that the Braves would mow through the Phillies like they were a “candy bar laying out in the sun”. 😆
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Hey CL, batten down the hatches gal because I think you are in for a bit of a blow. I’d sure make sure all the lawn furniture was stowed….
Candy bar in the sun eh? I am hoping the Phillies have to go 13 inning tonight against the Rocks and then lose…
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Hi CL! Hope all is well in your world. Looking at the radar it looks like it might be raining up your way.
Raisins, I would rather listen to Marilyn Manson than Colon CowTurd. Quit listening to him two years or so ago. Just couldn’t stand to listen to his nonsense any more. That being said, I do hope he’s right about the Bravos! 🙂
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Yeah, Klobber, I am not a fan, but it’s kind of a deal where I listen by default.
I am a HUGE Rick & Bubba fan, and listen to them from the time I sit down at my desk – usually about 7:45a – until they go off at 11:00a. Then, I have a couple of choices for the next hour. Listen to music, (which I sometimes do,) listen to Neal Boortz, (which I occasionally do,) or listen to 1 hour of Cowherd before the local show signs on at noon. Since I listen to the local sports from noon ’til I get up from my desk around 5-ish, I usually just go ahead and turn on the sports station and deal with it for an hour. Certainly not my favorite, though. He loves himself much more than most love him.
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Raisins, do you have Jim Rome where you live? I “discovered” him one day when I just couldn’t bear listening to that knucklehead Cowherd any more. I literally just started mashing buttons on the radio and he came up. He loves himself too but not nearly as much. He also talks about baseball sometimes too which CC rarely did. In fact, I think Huddy is on today’s show. All CC wants to talk about is football ALL YEAR LONG.
My biggest gripe with CC is that he seems to take a contrarian position, often just for the sake of it. His arguments are often ridiculous in those cases. Some of the stuff that he would say is completely ridiculous.
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Nice article about FreFre post-debut:
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2010/09/01/freddie-freemans-first-fling-as-a-brave-no-hits-in-a-nice-debut/
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2night’s lineup:
1. Omar, 2B
2. HeyHey, RF
3. Martini, 3B
4. DLee, 1B
5. Mac, C
6. MattyD, LF (who has insane numbers against Santana)
7. Gonzo, SS
8. MelkMan, CF
9. Huddy, P
I like this lineup. It’s about the best one they can trot out. Melky and Ankiel are about a wash in the 8 hole. Melky is the better “O” guy, Ankiel is the better “D” guy. But it’s too close to nitpick, I think. And with Huddy pitching, I’m not quite as worried about OF defense.
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With Huddy, you have a greater need for the “hands squad” than the “return men” if ya’ll know what I mean. Hopefully the Braves can avoid running themselves out of scoring opportunities as they have want to do of late.
Yep, I thought Freddie had a pretty good night too. Hit a couple of at’em balls. Something we have yet to see Nate do. But I digr.. oh, you know…
Feel sorry for the folks having to leave the beaches early, it’ll be beautiful there tomorrow.
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Hi, guys! Earl seems to be giving us the cold shoulder – and that doesn’t hurt my feelings at all! Cloudy, gusts to 33 and, from what the radar shows me, dry air is being ingested into it which will weaken it and eventually break it up if it lasts long enough. Blessings all!
Another blessing is the new lead Raisins sent this morning! Had many chores to tend to until after supper when I was free to do battle with the wordpress editing program – or, at least that’s what THEY call it. I call it other things.
Raisins, my sincerest thanks, friend! Hope the finished product is satisfactory. It’s the best that blasted – uh, the editor – would allow. 😦 *oneofthesedaysI’mgonna…* muttermuttermutter
Anyhow – NEW BLOG IS UP
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