Show #150: An Interview with Braves Great, Mark Wohlers

June 05, 2011

Show #150: An Interview with Braves Great, Mark Wohlers

Mark discusses the early 90′s, the World Series Championship, the Leyritz homerun and his loss of pitching control.

Show #150 - Mark Wohlers Interview Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Craig Kimbrel - clubhouse, 5/31/11 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Jordan Schafer - clubhouse, 5/31/11 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

156 Responses to “Show #150: An Interview with Braves Great, Mark Wohlers”

1
Steve Says:
June 6th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
The thing that surprised me most in the interview is that he’s not been a recluse these past 10 years. I was so convinced that was the dynamic at work.
2
Nate Says:
June 6th, 2011 at 12:31 pm
Solid, solid, solid on the interviews, especially the Wohlers interview. It was very cool to hear about his process through the whole thing, especially 95. It’s crazy to think about how long ago that was, and I do wish the Braves would do more with the 90s era and the players who played. Have some of those guys come back and throw out first pitches and meet the fans.

This week was more of the same. Struggling against rookies and guys who traditionally struggle at the Major League league. Hopefully they can get over this. Fortunately for us the 2 teams in front of us are going through similar issues. “Reeling Marlins”. Classic.

The Marlins series worries me because we never play well down there, and I feel like we never get to Nolasco and Volstad. Plus their bullpen is no longer a boon for opposing offenses. The Astros series worries me because they have a whole mess of players we tend to struggle against. Who knows, though? Maybe this is Uggla’s week. What’s the word on Heyward’s return? I’ve heard he isn’t even taking swings yet…

I will now wait for Hangover 2 to reach a non-10 dollar viewing form. Thanks, Curt. Does Ed Helms at least sing another song? “What do tigers dream of” can brighten up any day.
3
Curt Says:
June 6th, 2011 at 1:49 pm
He does sing, but it is so canned. It’s like they made the Hangover exactly the same, except less funny, and with more of the things I hated from the first movie (see crazy little Chinese dude and full frontal nudity).

I encourage everyone to read the review in the AJC. As spot on as any review in recent memory.

“It’s hard to imagine a more half-assed attempt at cashing in a second time than “The Hangover Part II.”

http://www.accessatlanta.com/atlanta-movies/review-the-hangover-part-957601.html
4
Eric Says:
June 6th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
Blog post on Joakim Soria, the Royals closer, who suddenly can’t get an out. Thought it seemed relevant since you just had Wohlers on. Great job with that interview.

http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/2011/05/trouble-with-soria.html
5
Lee Says:
June 6th, 2011 at 9:20 pm
What a fantastic interview with Mark Wohlers. Atlanta Baseball Talk does a great job once again. I always felt so bad for Wohlers because he was so dominant at times but is always remembered for the 1996 World Series collapse. Sad to hear that the Braves haven’t reached out more to him.
6
Steve Says:
June 6th, 2011 at 10:30 pm
Hi Lee. Thanks for the kind words, we appreciate it.

Yeah, the relationship with the Braves was really a strange one for me, too.
7
Leah Says:
June 6th, 2011 at 10:54 pm
Happy 150th episode! I think Dan Uggla bursts out in FL. Just a hunch.
8
Pure Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 1:50 am
Great interview with Wohlers. Leyritz homer. Ouch. Whenever I re-watch my video of the 96 WS, I have to fast forward that part. I agree with Leah — Uggs will bust out. All your predictions are way off base. The Braves will have a 6-1 week.
9
Leah Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 8:24 am
Yeah baby!!! 6-1 Wahoooooooooo!!!
10
Anonymous Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 8:55 am
Wow, wow, wow. I hope you guys are right about Uggla in FLA. It would be a great story and there would be some symmetry to it, but have you looked at his numbers?
11
Curt Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 9:32 am
If it takes the Braves playing their home games in Miami, whatever. This team is dying on a vine without him.
12
Curt Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 10:50 am
The ongoing question – are they better that what we have seen?

http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2011/06/06/are-the-braves-really-better-than-theyve-played-lets-hope/?cxntfid=blogs_mark_bradley_blog
13
Nate Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 11:36 am
It’s so weird that the ifs surround guys like Heyward and Uggla… If they turn it around the Braves will be very hard to beat. No one is tearing it up in MLB right now. Last year we kind of peaked early in the Summer, maybe this year it will happen later and carry into October. It’s a long season.
14
Steve Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
I was comment #10, for the record.

I clearly missed this on Sunday. Have you guys seen this? Bub’s head is going to explode. This is from Buster Olney: “There is a distinct feeling, in being around the Braves’ players, that they want Heyward to grind his way through his discomfort, to get back on the field and play, even if he’s not completely 100 percent healthy.” Yowza.
15
Steve Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
What a jackass. Wow. http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6634378
16
Danny Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 2:21 pm
That is incredible! Would he still be a Brave if he played in Rome when he did that?
17
Curt Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 2:33 pm
Yes, he would. Unfortunately, talent supercedes class in too many instances when it comes to athletes. What a world class jerk off. Too bad the next pitcher didn’t drill him.

Steve, to that end, wasn’t he terrible when he was grinding it out? Not that I disagree with their displeasure if they sense he should be out there, but he was so bad. Is he an upgrade if he is back in the lineup and batting .150?
18
Steve Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 2:44 pm
#17 – Exactly my thought. Heyward has been BAAAAAAAAD this year. Does the team really need bad Heyward back in RF? I smell a topic for this Sunday’s show …
19
Leah Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 5:08 pm
“A year ago, Uggla hit .308 with 19 homers, 56 RBIs and a .928 OPS in 81 road games, the majority of them in the same venues where he’s played road games this season.”

That makes me cry inside.
20
Bubdylan Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 6:53 pm
Steve, I saw that from Olney. I really, really hope Olney got that distinct feeling from his butt, which would match not a few of his former distinct feelings. I dunno how much you pay attention to Olney, but he gets it wrong a lot.

That said, I don’t really doubt that the team feels Heyward has swung back too far in the opposite direction of last year’s mistake in hiding injury. Maybe they feel that way and they’re correct. Or maybe they’re wrong. Or maybe they don’t feel that way at all. Too much unknown.

But I’ll say this: down-to-earth, team player types get the benefit of the doubt from their team mates. I highly doubt that, if Olney’s observation is true, it’s as much an indication of Jason’s current injury issue as it is a sign of his general reputation in the clubhouse. I doubt that Mr. That-Question-Is-Irrelevant does especially well amongst the fellas.

In every case, it would be good to see Jason err to the side of caution. If nothing else, contrasted with last year’s “Man Up” treatment of the thumb, it shows he’s not too stubborn to grow and adapt. He’s still really young.
21
Bubdylan Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 7:08 pm
My head WILL explode, though, trying to resist the puns with this pitcher we’re facing tonight.

“Shafer Breaks Another Hand with Lead Off Homer”

“Marlins Hand Braves Early Lead”

Not to mention … *suppressed laughter* … Hand on the mound! (sorry, ladies)
22
Bubdylan Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 7:44 pm
http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-braves-blog/2011/06/07/chipper-braves-need-heyward-back-on-field/

Olney was correct.

Chipper’s got a lot of freaking mouth. I’m not saying he’s all wrong here, but damn he’s got loose lips. Talk about potentially explosive.
23
Leah Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 9:21 pm
1) I miss Infante.
2) remember how sickly and skinny Hanson got last year? He looks down right pudgy compared to last year.
3) How much do the Marlins have to charge for those tickets in order to break even?
24
Adam Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Maybe the marlins will do a trade back
25
Leah Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
Nate, was it you that attended a Marlins game and hollered into the stadium so we could hear you? That was awesome.
26
Leah Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
We won and gained a game on the division rivals. Why does my baseball soul feel deflated?
27
ham Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Because we only had two hits and Prado almost got hurt. BUT . . . Hanson looked great and most of all, we won. We may just win ugly all year, but as long as we win . . .

Bryce Harper sounds like a real down to earth kind of guy.
28
Jo-Bu Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 10:20 pm
Hell, I’ve never heard Chipper call another teammate out like that before — not even Yunel (whom he defended until his last screw up when Troy Glaus could have nearly gotten his wrist broken on a lazy thow to first last year just befoe he was traded). Very interesting comments, especailly about what to do at the trade deadline.

I’m still thinking Heyward might be one of those players that could have been. Injuries this early and consistent in his career are not good over the long haul. But then there’s Chipper himself. Hope I’m very wrong on Jason — that’s an awful big bat to count on in the line up when he’s not in it.
29
Jo-Bu Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
I thought Tommy was better than he has been. But let’s be honest, the PU (plate ump) wasn’t calling hardly anything on the corners until the 9th inning tonight. Pretty tight all night long. Tommy is still a box of chocolates to me — he’s certainly more than good enough when he has it going. Just needs to learn to make quick those adjustments/tweaks during the game.
30
Walker Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 11:12 pm
@ Leah

Your soul is deflated because we still can’t hit.

What this Braves team and the Giants team last year shows that if you build a Major League Team with pitching , you can win without any offense.
31
Jo-Bu Says:
June 7th, 2011 at 11:14 pm
…’cept for those teams in the 90′s
32
Pure Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 3:15 am
Another one of those “a win’s a win” games. One thing I noted — the stadium was almost empty. Is it always like that in Florida? Btw, here’s a link to the video of the Harper kiss: http://www.natsinsider.com/2011/06/was-harper-kiss-big-deal.html
Let’s hope that he doesn’t grow up. It would be fun seeing him get plunked.
33
Nate Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 7:30 am
At this point Harper has a good shot at being plunked by many just out of principal. I didn’t know it was possible for a player to be more cocky than Bonds.
34
Bubdylan Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 3:05 pm
“I got nothing to say,” Jones said. “He made his point through the media. Now I’m going to make my point through the media. If he doesn’t want to do it man to man, then fine.”

That was Jones on Smoltz calling him out for not playing through injuries. Now Chipper’s big mouthed spill is the front page of ESPN’s baseball section. Thanks, jerk.
35
Curt Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
So I read that Bryce Harper grew up rooting for the Lakers, Cowboys and Yankees. What a frontrunning tool bag. I find that people who inherently root for the best teams in leagues have glaring insecurity issues. They can’t handle loss – not like all of us strong-willed Braves fans.

I hate him more by the second.
36
Jo-Bu-Shadow Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 3:44 pm
Hmmm. With Chpper calling out Heyward, I wonder if we are peering into a possible issue with the chemistry of this year’s team?
37
Bubdylan Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
Jo Bu, I think up to a certain point, and only up to that point, a little team friction can shake players out of a funk. I’m not happy it’s going on, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it gave them an edge and they ripped off a five game winning streak.

Very displeased with Chipper’s remarks, but I’m a little intrigued with what it might produce going forward.
38
john j Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 5:14 pm
There seems to be a little over reaction or over-sesitivity to Chipper’s remarks. He basicially said that Heyward might have mis-spoken when saying he wanted to be 100%. Heyward would probably agree that 80-90% or some percent would be fine if the pain was minimal. Too many bloggers like to make something out of very little. Chipper was reminding Heyward about how important he is to the team; very controversial. If Chipper liked to speak up negatively about teammates, there were many times/years that there was plenty to work with.
39
Bubdylan Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 5:38 pm
John j, there may be less to be hot about than bloggers (and I) suggest, but there is more than what you suggest. Chipper’s comments were more loaded than that, come on.
40
Walker Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 9:49 pm
I seriously hate Blown saves. These are games we should win.
41
Jo-Bu Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 9:51 pm
John J., you are certainly in the minority with that opinion. What Chipper said was an out-and-out call out to Heyward. MLB Network was all over it today and they said the same.
42
Jimbo! Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 10:27 pm
Kimbrel is an amazing pitcher who will be a great closer, but with the numbers Venters is putting up there is not reason he is not closing. All last year he was the projected closer for 2011 and he has done nothing to change that he is untouchable and should get a shot at it… and kimbrel still makes a sick set up man

I think Chipper didnt put down Heyward intentionally he just knows we need him right now and if it were Larry Jones hed rub some dirt on in and play

Braves Win! whew
43
Nate Says:
June 8th, 2011 at 11:05 pm
But Heyward sucks when he’s hurt. Many on this blog have commented about how annoying it is when a player plays through an injury and it hurts the team.
44
Nate Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 1:44 am
Chipper wants Heyward to step up and be the leader. From day 1 he has talked about grooming J-Hey for the 3 spot in the order, essentially replacing Chipper. Heyward is nowhere close. I think he’s trying to fire him up, and I hope it works.
45
Nate Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 1:45 am
I don’t think it’s the right thing to do for the team on the field, but I get it.
46
Bubdylan Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 2:53 am
I seriously doubt that Chipper is doing anything very deliberate whenever he makes controversial statements to the press. Think back to his retirement comments. Then his unretirement comments. This his kiss my ass comments. Heck, go all the way back to the player strike when he said the concession guys could go walk the picket lines, but the players shouldn’t have to.

Dude just talks. He’s not Curt Schilling or anything, but why anybody would spend much energy analyzing Chipper’s mouth-offs to the press expecting consistency or logic is beyond me. He doesn’t do it that often, and Bobby used to stay on him about doing it at all, but when he does do it, it’s generally irresponsible and just as likely to be way off as right on. (I will admit sometimes he is right on.)

This time, he is way off. Just like when he projects his “taking at bats off” onto every player he sees acting the way HE acts when he takes at bats off. Here, he hears Heyward’s complaints and just assumes, based on his own bumps and scrapes, that he’s got the down-low on Heyward’s shoulder inflammation. But he doesn’t. It’s an error of arrogance that we’ve all run into in life. You have this or that problem and someone says, “oh, yeah, I had that once. I’ll tell ya, whatcha have to do right there is blah blah blah.” People in general don’t consider other people’s experience as unique.

Heyward’s shoulder is not Chipper’s shoulder. Hoss should mind his own business. A 100% Heyward in the second half is what I want, and as long as the Braves are within striking distance, there’s no reason to compromise toward anything else.
47
Bubdylan Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 2:58 am
*disregard Chipper & the player’s strike comments. I had a synapse misfire. Two memories mixed. The radio was too loud. Something.

The rest stands.
48
Nate Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 9:43 am
I just don’t think Chipper Jones would say something like that to the press without a reason. I agree with the last paragraph of #46, though.
49
Curt Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 11:09 am
“To me that’s the difficult part,” Wren said. “Whether you’re in my position, a manager, a fan, a teammate, you’re not walking in that guy’s shoes. We have no doubt that Jason has discomfort in his shoulder, even though tests show there’s no structural damage. But there’s inflammation in there and it’s sore when he swings. Sure, we could’ve brought him back quicker. But we would be taking the chance that this could linger all year.”
50
Walker Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 1:50 pm
Heyward is 21 , not 37. How long does it take for a sore shoulder to heal?
51
Jo-Bu-Shadow Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 3:24 pm
I think Wren’s approach with Jason is the correct one regardless what a few guys in the clubhouse (according to Chipper) might think. The Braves are protecting an asset. Besides, we’ve already seen the results of the other side of this argument (to play him) last season.
52
Jo-Bu-Shadow Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
It don’t think this Jason thing would be an issue if Uggla were slugging it right now. Sure, there would be those that would say, gee, just think if we had Heyward hitting. But as constructed, the Braves are just depending on his bat alone.
53
Jo-Bu-Shadow Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 3:27 pm
Correction: As constructed, the Braves are NOT just depending on his (Heyward’s) bat alone.
54
Nate Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
Hope JJ’s got it going tonight. This lineup…
55
Steve Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 8:49 pm
#34 – Forgot about that. It does add another layer to this madness.

Do you think Parrish still has a job because the Braves are above .500 and in 2nd place? I know we’ve been down this road before and the batting instructor can’t hit for them, but seriously, what is there to recommend about Parrish this season? At all.
56
Steve Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 8:50 pm
To be fair (and to send a salvo at Curt), Brooks has been very serviceable at 2nd tonight and even has a hit.
57
Curt Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 9:07 pm
So Braves’ second basemen are now batting .192 for the season?
58
Walker Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Say what you want about the Braves but this starting pitching is freaking phenomenal. Wow.
( And as I type this Mike Stanton hits a homer)
59
Steve Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 9:25 pm
#58 – You are so right. It’s jarring when they give up more than 2 runs. That’s a great sign.
60
ham Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 9:45 pm
Are we actually going to get to see Venters in a save sitcheeation? I’m on board.
61
Nate Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Venters.
62
Nate Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
Now let’s go stomp the ‘stros.
63
ham Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 9:58 pm
Now I am definitely on board. Is this a sign of things to come? Was Fredi trying something new or was he just giving Kimbrel a break? I would feel more confident (not sure to what degree) if Venters was our closer. Since we aren’t ever going to score more than three runs a game, it would be nice to have a LOT of confidence in your 9th inning guy.
64
Adam Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 10:40 pm
A relaxed Kimbrel in the 8th and Venters in the 9th sounds almost unfair.
65
ham Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 10:44 pm
i will take unfair. Uggla and Conrad as a 2B platoon also seems unfair, but to the wrong team . . .
66
Curt Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 10:53 pm
Kimbrel threw a lot of pitches last night.

As the Marlins fade in our rearview mirror.
67
Steve Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
From DOB’s blog tonight:

Fredi G said after Kimbrel threw 28 pitches last night, manager and McDowell decided to go with Venters tonight.

He said it doesn’t signal anything more, but sounded like he’ll be more inclined to use something close to co-closers
68
Nate Says:
June 9th, 2011 at 11:51 pm
Venters is just so good. He looks like Wags did early last year. Maybe even better. He definitely has closer stuff. No reason to limit it to one guy in the 9th.
69
Jo-Bu Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 12:31 am
Cubbies beat the Philles in extra innings. Braves getting closer 2 GB from 1st.
70
Pure Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 1:44 am
And the Brewers lost, so we’re tied for 1st in the Wild Card.
71
Steve Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 9:01 am
The 790 the Zone guys this morning were saying that with the Joba TJ surgery news, the Lowe for Granderson is even more of a reality if the Braves want it.

My initial reaction is to do it. This one run victory in a low scoring game thing doesn’t feel sustainable. And, here’s Granderson’s salary info:

11:$8.25M, 12:$10M, 13:$13M club option ($2M buyout). Gives us additional money to play with.
72
Nate Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 10:07 am
I like Schafer, but Granderson would be an obvious upgrade in CF. The Dodgers would probably ask for WAY too much for Kemp, and he’s had some years in the past where he’s struggled a bit. He’s just crushing it right now, though, which means if he became a Brave he would go into a career-worst slump and we’d all hate the trade.
73
Nate Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 10:12 am
Schafer reminds me a lot of Cameron Maybin. Both guys had a tremendous amount of buzz around them when they came up, but neither has been able to put it all together at the dish.

On a side note, Teheran is just owning the International League.
74
Curt Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 10:27 am
It goes back to the question of the starting pitching though. Can the Braves afford to lose Lowe? Are we trading for a pitcher now too? I don’t think you can go into a series with Hudson, Hanson, JJ, Beachy, Minor, Teheran, whatever, and feel anywhere close to certainty that they can win 3 out of 5. They have all had moments where they were brilliant – JJ above all of them. But the others have all had huge stinkers and are apt to get shelled as much as they are to shut a team down. Lowe for Granderson might make you marginally better offensively, but it makes you dramatically worse off with your rotation. Are they holding out some hope that Medlen is coming back?
75
Nate Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 11:14 am
Not to mention the fact that Minor, Beachy, and Teheran are going to be pretty worn-out by September. I remember Minor saying he felt like he was out of gas when he got called up for his late season starts in 2010.

The only trade I would make would be for bench players and maybe another arm in the pen, unless you can get an absolute difference maker in the lineup.
76
ham Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 11:53 am
I think Granderson is a difference maker. Curtis (#74), you left Lowe off of that list of feast or famine kind of guys. I am with Stevie, we will not survive all of these 1 run games and playing 7 out of 15 extra inning games in a row type stuff. As constructed, we will battle for the WC all year and then not make it out of the first round in the post-season.

I would do Lowe for Granderson.
77
Curt Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 12:02 pm
Ham, I left him off under the auspices that he would be a Yankee at that time. Hudson has been pretty forgettable here recently. Hanson is shaky. I have faith in post-season Lowe to go out and throw a couple of gems like he did against the Giants. I don’t have that faith in many of these other guys.

Adding Granderson and losing Lowe does not clinch the NL East for you. It does not put you into the category of favorite. It’s a wash if nothing else. You won’t be in these low scoring games if you don’t have the pitching. I know this is getting to be a chicken and egg type of thing, but I wouldn’t be so quick to pull that trigger.
78
Nate Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 12:42 pm
I think they’re expecting Meds back at some point this season. I heard Sutton and Powell say it would take longer if he comes back as the starter just because he would have to build up more strength. The Braves were 13-1 in games he started last year. The question is does he make the Braves a better team as a starter or in middle relief? These are all highly debatable subject matters and are perhaps best suited for some talk show type format focusing on Braves’ baseball…
79
Leah Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
Can I just say there are a lot of hurt 3rd basemen around the league?
80
Anonymous Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Curt – I agree that a rebounding Hudson over the next few starts would make the Lowe deal much easier to make.
81
Steve Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Dammit! #80 was me.
82
Leah Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Trading a starting pitcher scares the you know what out of me.
83
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 3:56 pm
#74 Lowe has had ‘stinkers’ of his own. He has taken over for KK as the ‘no run support’ guy…
84
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
#75 Beachy, having been on the DL for al long as he has is a little like JJ last year – fresher later…
85
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:11 pm
#75 How much of a difference maker are we talking here?

GP AVG OBP SLG OPS R 2B 3B HR BB SO
Jordan Schafer 13 .196/.305/.255/.560 7 1 1 0 8 8 3/5 steals

Rajai Davis (Tor) 44 .259/.293/.374/.667 26 9 4 1 8 32 18/26 steals

JS -$400K
RD – $2.5M

Toronto has Corey Patterson in CF (L/R platoon?), might not take a lot to “pry” him away… For Nate straight up? Once he is of DL, they could go back to a platoon…
86
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:13 pm
I hate it when the interface shifts my post… Got to remember those leading spaces…
87
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:19 pm
______________GP_AVG_OBP_SLG_OPS_R_2B_3B_HR_BB_SO
Jordan Schafer__13 .196/.305/.255/.560__7_1__1___0__8__8____3/5 steals

Rajai Davis (Tor) 44 .259/.293/.374/.667_26_9__4___1___8_32__18/26 steals

(Little easier to read…?)

Worried a bit by the strikeouts, but he has had 4 mulit-hit games of his last 7, so he might be ‘heating up’…
88
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:29 pm
Do we go after Hunter Pence (add to us, keep him out of Philly)? We just happen to be stopping by…
89
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
#88 He won’t be cheap, but could be had for minor leaguers, I think… Houston NEEDS to rebuild…
90
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:30 pm
It is a shame that Span is ill… The Twins would probabaly be looking to shake some things up as well…
91
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:32 pm
How do you feel about Crisp now that Oakland has fired their manager?
92
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
89 Not cheap, but at least he wouldn’t be a rental… signed thru 2013…
93
Bubdylan Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
lol at tonight’s line up. Batters one and two hitting under the Mendoza. Well, here goes nothin’…
94
Bubdylan Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
1. Schafer CF, 2. Uggla 2B, 3. Jones 3B, 4. Freeman 1B, 5. Gonzalez SS, 6. Hinske LF, 7. Ross C, 8. Young RF, 9. Hudson P”
95
Bubdylan Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 5:15 pm
Ugh, Marteeen. Get well soon, buddy.
96
Leah Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 7:55 pm
#95. Here here…
97
Leah Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 9:08 pm
Huddy is not himself.
98
Nate Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
DVR’d the game. in the top of the 3rd, and holy boomstick Freddie. Go to type this and see Alex hit a no doubter. Who are these guys?
99
Nate Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 9:22 pm
The pitcher missed bad on Freddie’s.
100
Nate Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 9:24 pm
Turns out he missed bad on Alex’s, too.
101
Leah Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 9:40 pm
The Astros are not the best team in baseball.
102
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 10:34 pm
I don’t know… They look pretty good to me… as an opposing fan
103
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Can Uggla go with Chipper and his dad to the batting cages tomorrow?
104
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 10:36 pm
Please?
105
Leah Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 11:19 pm
How about that offense!
106
Bubdylan Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Wow. Go Braves!
107
Steve Says:
June 10th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
#103 – Love it. And seriously, he should.

I want NOTHING to do with Coco Crisp.

#101 – … but there not the worst team in baseball either. They’re only the second worst. So, that’s something.
108
Bubdylan Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 1:20 am
#101, the Astros are bad, but none of those pitchers’ ERA’s were 11.00

I’m just sayin’.
109
Curt Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 9:20 am
So I was out at a neighborhood bar last night and I swear I looked up and saw someone who looked like Dan Uggla on the base path at some point. Can someone confirm that for me? Otherwise, I was hallucinating.
110
Curt Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 9:22 am
2 l’s in hallucinating?
111
Leah Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 9:44 am
#108 AND…we scored 11 runs without Mac, J-Hey and Prado. Curt, if memory serves me correctly Uggla hit a 2 bagger.
112
Nate Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 9:58 am
Curt, he did, in between his 3 k’s.

Mark, I would do a trade in CF if it was for an upgrade over what we already have, which shouldn’t be too hard to find. I wouldn’t trade top tier pitching prospects- Teheran, Minor, Beachy, Delgado, Vizcaino- unless it was for a difference maker. I consider Kemp to be a difference maker. The more I think about Granderson I consider him a difference maker. The one concern I have with Granderson is that all of those homers are coming in Yankee stadium.

This team also needs another guy off the bench who can hit. I have no faith in Hicks, Hernandez, or Conrad. Our bench players see the field a lot, so it would be nice to have some more guys who can handle the bat.
113
Nate Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 10:14 am
Good sign of the week has to be Freeman. He is crushing it right now. You can tell his confidence is really high right now, too.
114
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 10:32 am
I do hope that ‘upper deck’ shot doesn’t hurt get into his head and mess up his mechanics. He looked a little like he was “yanking” those last two ABs…
115
Nate Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 11:53 am
For sure. The best part of his game, imo, is his ability to hit the ball the other way.Far too often you see young players swinging for the fences after they’ve hit a huge bomb. And that was most definitely a huge bomb. His potential is awesome.
116
Nate Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 11:54 am
Also, hopefully last night was a sign of things to come for Chipper from the left side.
117
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 12:06 pm
116 Daddy say so
118
Eric Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 1:03 pm
With Martin going on the DL, Uggla has to get it together.
119
Jo-Bu Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
I would say that Dan Uggla might have gotten of the schnide last night but we’ve been there a few times before (although he did strike out three other times). Let’s hope he’s on his way back in timing his swing.
120
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 2:55 pm
119 I don’t have a lot a confidence yet. His hit came on an inside pitch, like most of his hits have come. His strike outs were on outside pitches, like most of his hitting troubles have been so far…
121
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
120 As a matter of fact, I think all his home runs have been from mistakes on the inner half…
122
Anne Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Back from FL. Did I just see Uggs get a hit or is it a bout of sunstroke?
123
Anne Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 7:29 pm
Hinske strikes out, no doubt he’s winded from runnin’ ’round left.
124
Anne Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
Love the McCann/F Gonzalez Sports South commercial, “Take a seat.”
125
Anne Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
The Astros catcher has a crazy-wide stance, no?
126
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 9:59 pm
Power came back on just in time to see McCann come back into the dugout after his three-run HR in the 10th… Pretty kewl…
127
Leah Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 10:07 pm
I think there are more die hard fans in Houston than in Atlanta. Listen to ‘em…
128
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 10:43 pm
119 I have a little more confidence after tonight’s game. He hit an outside pitch to right field, an inside pitch to left and a patient walk in the 10th ahead of McCann.
129
Paul Says:
June 11th, 2011 at 10:59 pm
#125 – Yes.

Someone noted it earlier, but it bears repeating. 17 runs in two nights with no Prado, no Heyward, Mac in only one of the games.
130
Jo-Bu Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 12:35 am
128: I’m getting there. Let’s see how he does on the rest of the road trip. Right now, I’d say, “fair” if Danny walks and hits for average with a few doubles mixed in being in the two spot.
131
Jo-Bu Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 12:42 am
Gonna be interesting when Nate McLouth comes back. Jordan has more than earned back his leadoff spot. I don’t see how the Braves can take Jordy out of the line up. I think like this. McLouth won’t be back next year so this season, you play one of them (starting with Schafer) until they stop producing. Kinda like low minor league hockey goalie tandems. But if I had to choose, Schafer is in and McLouth is out. It’s as simple as Jordy has more tools than McLouth does. Schafer also seem to have more fire in his belly and being down in the minors the past two years has made him even more hungry to get back especially after Chipper’s frank conversation with him.
132
Jo-Bu Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 12:45 am
Afterall, this Jordan Schafer is the Jordan Schafer the Braves paid for and expected. He’s grown-up some too which helps a great deal. The Braves paid for a McLouth that just never really panned out the way they hoped.
133
Nate Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:19 am
Schafer’s game reminds me of Kenny Lofton. He’s got a long way to go before he’s putting up Lofton’s numbers, but there is definitely potential with Schafer. Give him the job so you can see what you got.
134
Adam Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 10:10 am
Didn’t everyone predict a 3-4 week? We’re one win away from going 6-0…

Also I’m a Schafer fan. I don’t know the Braves record with him in the starting line-up but it has to be good. And he’s stolen more bases in a week and a half then anyone else on this team has stolen the entire season. How do you justify benching him?
135
Pure Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 11:54 am
My prediction was 6-1. But I won’t complain if we go 7-0. I agree, keep Schafer in CF. Maybe we can put McLouth in LF. But I think we tried that experiment last year and it didn’t go too well?
136
Eric Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 12:51 pm
From Elias: The Braves’ 6-3 victory in Houston on Saturday night not only moved them nine games above .500 for the first time this season, but it lifted the franchise’s all-time record to 9982 wins and 9982 losses. The Braves franchise, of course, was a charter member of the National League in 1876, and the team went 19-19 in its first 38 games that year. Then on July 25, 1876, Boston defeated New York, 11-1, to go to 20-19 – and the team stayed above .500 (high point: 523 games above .500 in April 1903) until June 3, 1923, when the Braves lost to the Brooklyn Dodgers, 7-6, evening Boston’s record at 3084-3084. A 9-7 loss to the Phillies the next day dropped the Braves a game below .500 – and they had stayed below the .500 mark ever since – for over 88 years, until the win over the Astros on Saturday night! The low point came on April 20, 1991, when the Braves lost to the Reds, falling to 526 games below the break-even mark. But that same 1991 team started the big climb back to .500 by winning the National League championship that year; now, 20 years later, the team is back to the .500 mark for the first time since 1923!
137
Nate Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Schafer could swipe 40 if he plays all year.

Uggla, my gosh. Kepp it coming.
138
Jo-Bu Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:11 pm
Ok, I know I said I’d wait untl this road trip is over to declare Uggla back. With that homer, I think he’s back.
139
Leah Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Can’t stop watching Uggla’s homer. Just watching it over and over again. Love the Chipper love in the dugout too. Great, fantastic sight!
140
Nate Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:18 pm
*kepp = keep
141
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:22 pm
140 It was probably influenced by “U-gg-la”. I agree “Kepp it coming Uggla!”
142
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:47 pm
The answer to the trivia question is Willie Harris with 17 in 2007. Joe and Chip have no shot at getting this one…

The “folks in the truck are getting mean”…
143
Nate Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
Freddie needs to stop swinging for the fences
144
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:49 pm
Same year Frenchy led the team in hits and RBI
145
Nate Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
The more I watch Schafer the more I forget McLouth is a Brave.
146
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 2:52 pm
143 Chipper might need to go give the “Schafer” talk to Freddie, substituting “line drive up the middle” for “speed”…
147
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 3:42 pm
Does Martin Pipp get his “2-hole” back when he comes off the DL?
148
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 3:43 pm
88 I guess with his current difficulties, we can scratch Hunter off the list of “possible additions”…
149
Mark in Memphis Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 3:47 pm
We do need someone in left. Henske is starting to show the league his vulnerability to a good curve ball… not something we want them to know about our best pinch hitter
150
Jess Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 6:08 pm
How ridiculous is Venters by the way? Absolutely lights out. Good game today, great game from Tommy.
151
Leah Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 6:15 pm
Yes…fantastic game for Tommy. AND Uggla.
152
Leah Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
New show?
153
Steve Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 7:32 pm
Leah – I like that you ask and all, but of course new show. It’s Sunday.

Great, great win today. BTW, I like that everyone is declaring Uggla back after this weekend. He did go 1 – 5 with 3 SO on Friday night. I’m not dissing the Dan, I just think it may be a little early to declare slump over.
154
Leah Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Steve, of course it’s Sunday…I just like hearing that my commute will be packed with baseball frivolity tomorrow morning.
155
Steve Says:
June 12th, 2011 at 8:16 pm
Leah – we would not let you down.
156
JSH Says:
June 16th, 2011 at 6:49 pm
How bout we keep the kid talk down to a minimum. Thanks.

Show #150: An Interview with Braves Great, Mark Wohlers

156 Responses to “Show #150: An Interview with Braves Great, Mark Wohlers”

Leave a Reply

Recent Podcasts

Recent Blogs

Archives

Recent Tweets

Blog Directory

Social Media

Friends of the Show

Music of the Show

Feeds

Atlanta Braves News

Admin