March 01, 2011

Show #136: Braves Spring Training Storylines

Starting pitching.  The new team captain.  McLouth.  And Chipper.

Show #136 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 

116 Responses to “Show #136: Braves Spring Training Storylines”

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All

  1. 1
    Wiley Says:
    March 1st, 2011 at 11:46 pm

    Hey, I am one of those 2 fans and I am very disappointed!!!! But Actually . . .

    I was there friday and tonight. I am depressed. I deeply care about the thrashers.

    I am typing this while listening and the hawks are miserable.

  2. 2
    Runnin Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 2:46 am

    No, Bobby hanging around is smart. It’s simply organizational cohesion. Of course it depends on “how” he hangs around, but we all know BC won’t be sticking his nose in where it’s not needed or wanted. It’s another example of how the Braves do things the right way, but it also proof of what a great coach and asset BC always was to the team. It says a lot that he never wore out his welcome.

  3. 3
    Anne Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 8:42 am

    Absolutely nothing to do with this week’s show (she said, not having listened to the show yet). Poor Mark Wohlers! http://www.11alive.com/news/national/story.aspx?storyid=180278&catid=5

  4. 4
    Anne Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 8:43 am

    …addendum to #3 that I shouldn’t type, but will, anyway. After I told him about the fire, a guy at my office said that he heard Woh Daddy tried to put out the fire by tossing a bucket of water at it, but threw wide… :-(

  5. 5
    DAP Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 10:03 am

    Love the podcast guys, but sometimes y’all say some crazy stuff. You’ve got blinders on when it comes to McLouth. You say he was only an all star in 2008 because the Pirates HAD to have somebody there? Bull Crap! The first half in 2008, Mclouth had 19 homers and 33 doubles for a .899 OPS!!! Thats not just all star worthy, those are “on your way to an MVP” numbers!

    Obviously, his second half numbers were much lower, but to say he didn’t have all star numbers that year is ridiculous, revisionist history.

    Still love you though ;- )

  6. 6
    Curt Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 10:09 am

    DAP, thanks for the clarification. I gladly stand corrected. If we could get 10 homers and 20 doubles before the break from him, my head would explode.

    Weighing in on the Bobby Cox question, I wish he was a little less present. I want Fredi to control the team completely, and I feel that while I’m sure he and the players genuinely appreciate Bobby being around, it would be best for the transition if he was a little less visible.

  7. 7
    Curt Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 10:16 am

    Wiley, I hear you. I used to go to Flames games, and to lose another hockey team to some half-rate Canadian city would kill me. Remember we lost the Knights to Quebec too. Things look good on the potential new ownership front though, so maybe better things are on the horizon. The shoestring budget that the team is operating on right now certainly doesn’t help them. They need some depth.

  8. 8
    Nate Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 10:46 am

    New Show. Day Off. Nice Weather Outside. I think I’ll lay in the hammock and give it a listen. Thanks ABT!

  9. 9
    Nate Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 11:53 am

    Bobby being around doesn’t really bother me. One of the ESPN guys did a piece on the transition, and it is a really nice read. Essentially the article explains that Bobby only chimes in when asked, which Fredi hasn’t been shy about. I think it has to make things easier on Fredi when he has Bobby to consult. I don’t think it’s like Pat Riley with the Heat, where the old guy could come in and take over at any time if he feels the young guy isn’t going a good job. Therefore, creating a looming presence on the new guy as he tries to establish himself as the new coach. It’s all up to Fredi now. I think Bobby is there to offer an opinion when asked. Also, I bet Bobby will have more of role in player development throughout the ranks of the organization, which I find really exciting. In the end, Jayson Stark -the Espn guy- explains that it is a brilliant move by the organization to allow a smooth transition.

    On the rah-rah leader topic. What about Dan Uggla? He played that role on the Marlins’. He’s good at it, too. I think that’s part of what makes him a huge acquisition. It might take a little while because he’s new, but I think he can eventually find himself in that role.

    In case anyone missed it, our Braves are on ESPN at 1 pm EST tomorrow against the Tigers.

  10. 10
    Steve Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 12:20 pm

    Nate – I agree with you 100% on the Bobby thing (and was heartened by the Stark article as well last week). If Bobby knows nothing else, it is how to lead a team (a point that Hammy has made numerous times), how to be a leader. I think that he, more than many, knows where the line is and how not to cross it.

    Also, the day to day with the baseball team is not like a corporation. Players are creatures of habit, and weird and fragile and superstitious. If my head is not quite in it during my 9 – 5 IT job, I can still perform pretty well. With these guys, the mental aspect is so important, that having Bobby around can only help in the transition and make it less impactful – imho.

  11. 11
    Tim in Orlando Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 1:20 pm

    Sights from the first home spring training game. Monday, Feb 28th Braves Win! 13-3

    Great day at the ballpark, but hot! Predicted to reach 87 degrees in Orlando. But had a strong breeze from right to left that kept things relativity comfortable. It also factored into several plays during the game.

    Highlight of the game: Great day for Nate McLouth. After the miserable spring (then season) that Nate suffered though last year, it was great to see him get off to a hot start. He was 2 for 2 with a double, an RBI, and two walks. He also made a couple of nice catches in center field. His first at bat was a wind-aided popup single that dropped into left-center. Nice to see him get a break for a change. He worked the count well on his two walks and didn’t seem to be swinging at everything near the plate as he was last year. His double was a no-doubt about it shot to the left-center field wall.

    Other highlights: Chipper 1 for 2 with a sharp single to right, an RBI and a walk. Most encouraging after the walk, Brian McCann had a single down the left field line and Chipper ran from first to third with no indication of problems with the knee. Brian was 2 for 2 with hits to left and right-center. Eric Hinske had two solid doubles. Uggla just missed a home run down the left field line. In fact all the starters, except Jason Heyward, had at least one hit. The only regular missing from the starting lineup was Freddie Freeman (Hinkse played 1st). Brandon Hicks played 3rd and Chipper DH’d.

    On the pitching side, Derek Lowe looked good. Got into a bit of trouble by letting to first two hitters each get singles, but pitched out of it with a fly out to left and neat 4-6-3 double play. Sailed through the second inning 1-2-3. In all, threw 18 pitches in two innings: 17 strikes, 11 balls. Scott Linebrink followed and started out well – two outs on five pitches. But then ran into trouble. Hit a batter on the foot with a curve ball, followed by three singles for two runs. His teammates didn’t exactly help him out here. One single went sailing pass a leaping Dan Uggla that “might” have been caught. Brian failed to catch a tough popup over near the fence by the Astro’s dugout (had to dance around the guy in the on-desk circle – no contact but it didn’t help Brian.) Then had an infield popup drop in for a single when Hicks called everybody off but tripped going over the pitchers mound. Hinske could have easily caught it. Oh well. Next came a long sequence of one-inning pitchers mostly AAA and AA types that only gave up one run, but made my scorebook look like a horrible mess. Keeping a book at spring training is a real challenge with all the substitutions. Also, poor Brooks Conrad couldn’t come up with a ground ball at 2nd base late in the game. But it was a very tough chance, so we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt here. Pastornicky, subbing for Alex Gonzalez, started a great double play in the 9th by diving for a ground ball, touching 2nd base with his glove, then throwing to 1st.

    All-in all a good first win. Looking forward to Thursday’s game against the Tiggers! (Hey, we are at Disney here folks.)

    P.S. I’ve been around camp a couple of time and have yet to see Bobby in the flesh. So I don’t think he’s causing a problem. It’s been clear to me that Fredi’s in charge.

  12. 12
    Curt Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 2:42 pm

    Right on Tim. Great stuff. Keep those updates coming. I’m sitting at Mellow Mushroom in Buckhead watching Boone Logan mow down the Astros on ESPN. Who would have thought he would be the main LHRP for the Yanks.

  13. 13
    Danny Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    Glad to have Bobby sticking around. I think this let’s Bobby do what he does best, which is encourage and build confidence in players and coaches. Now he just doesn’t make horrible lineup decisions (see any Sunday roster). Bobby is a huge part of the Braves legacy. We are lucky. So is Freddie.

  14. 14
    Danny Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 7:36 pm

    Oh yeah, Chipper’s fragile body makes it impossible for me not to root for McOut redemption. We will likely need Nate and Jordan in the outfield for at least half of the year.

  15. 15
    Leah Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 9:00 pm

    T in O, keep the updates coming! Bobby rarely butts into his own business so I doubt he’ll put his nose in someone else’s.

    I totally agree with all the BMac is our leader talk. My favorite is when a guy hits a homer and everyone is congratulating him in the dugout Mac lifts his batting helmet off his head. Kinda like, “I’ll take that. You’ve done enough.” He can do that cause he was one of the first out of the dugout and has already hugged his neck, slapped his butt, high fived the heck out of him…you get the picture.

    I just don’t know about McLouth. Part of me feels like he can only go up which might relieve some pressure. Maybe…I don’t really like crow so I’m trying to find middle ground.

  16. 16
    Leah Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 9:01 pm

    Also, do you think some of Chipper’s struggles and even injuries have been partially due to trying to carry the team? Just a thought.

  17. 17
    Ham Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 9:55 pm

    I think Bobby knows better than to get in the way. I think it is nothing but good for Fredi, plus you gotta give Bobby a little leeway here. This is the first spring in 95 years where he hasn’t been managing a team.

    I am loving Fredi so far. Glad to see him make guys run, work on the fundamentals, etc. Always thought that was a weakness of Bobby’s and I always thought the team suffered for it.

  18. 18
    Curt Says:
    March 2nd, 2011 at 11:19 pm

    Leah, I think so much of it dates back to him playing left. I think it has forever screwed up his hamstrings, and as a result he has altered the way he plays. You compensate for something and hurt something else. Outside of the knee last year, most of his injuries were from swinging and running the bases. Just a thought.

  19. 19
    Walker Says:
    March 3rd, 2011 at 3:04 am

    Nobody has said this but I will. I feel like Bobby wasn’t ready to retire yet. I think Bobby is a very aware of his surroundings and felt like we all did these last couple years, that maybe 20 years is enough. He didn’t want to be put in a position where he was told to retire. Now if the braves went to the playoffs in 2009 Bobby Cox would still be managing the Braves right now. However after missing the playoffs in 4 consecutive years he decided to announce his retirement right before last season. Then BOOM!! we make the playoffs in 2010 and I’m telling you this old man still has the fire to manage. If the Rays had a managerial opening or if there was another major league team in the southeast he would still be managing now(He would never manage the Marlins). Just my take on it.

  20. 20
    Walker Says:
    March 3rd, 2011 at 3:10 am

    Also Bobby was the difference maker last year. How many other mangers put Jason Heyward in the 2 Hole in the middle of the season. If he doesn’t do that we don’t win the wild card by one game. One of the reasons he’s one of the greatest mangers ever.

    Side note: I hate Mark Buehrle.

  21. 21
    Danny Says:
    March 3rd, 2011 at 6:15 am

    Interesting Phillyfan article about the Braves intimidating defense. Ahh, feels good.
    http://www.thegoodphight.com/2011/2/11/1983089/projecting-the-2011-division-race-phillies-vs-braves-run-prevention

  22. 22
    Danny Says:
    March 3rd, 2011 at 6:16 am

    Should read intimidating OFFENSE. Sorry Brooks.

  23. 23
    Nate Says:
    March 3rd, 2011 at 8:40 am

    A lot of hype about our 3 young arms new to camp this year. Check out the ajc page. Exciting stuff. Eddie Perez pumped about it. Can’t wait to watch Delgado today on ESPN. I remember 2 years ago when I first got a glimpse of Tommy Hanson in a ST game on ESPN against the Astros. Big Red beamed Miguel Tejada in his first inning and has been one of my favorites ever since. Sweet memories.

  24. 24
    Leah Says:
    March 3rd, 2011 at 9:06 am

    #19 made me break out in a cold sweat. I don’t know if I agree. I think he’s tired and in a rut. The game is constantly changing and I don’t know that he had the energy to change with it. All that said, the man loves Braves baseball. I’m glad he’s around and hope he continues to hang around throughout the season. I think he can still be a source of motivation.

  25. 25
    Nate Says:
    March 3rd, 2011 at 11:18 am

    Just read the Prado article by Schultz. Wow. Just. Wow. Lock him up now, Frank.

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All

Leave a Reply

←
→