February 17, 2013

Show #212: Our Interview with Braves Legend David Justice

David talks about the early ’90′s, the real story of his comments before Game 6 and being traded in 1997.  David also shares his experiences with Fox’s Spring Training for the Troops.

Show 212 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 

117 Responses to “Show #212: Our Interview with Braves Legend David Justice”

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All

  1. 1
    Walker Says:
    February 18th, 2013 at 8:49 am

    Great Interview and Thank GOD for that HR. At least we are NOT the Buffalo Bills. I might be mistaken but wasn’t the Justice trade for budget reasons? I guess the Braves knew Andruw was in the wings so they packaged their two highest paid outfielders for one year of Lofton to bridge the gap. They had no leverage to get more just like the Millwood trade. All the money was in the rotation that’s why we trade Dye and get back two cheap mediocre players in Tucker and Lockhart. All in on the rotation and be cheap at other positions was the strategy and it worked in the regular season at least

  2. 2
    Mike Says:
    February 18th, 2013 at 10:39 am

    Awesome interview, guys. That “Forget you” thought gives me a new perspective on that HR.

  3. 3
    Steve Says:
    February 18th, 2013 at 11:26 am

    @Mike – in what way did it change your perspective?

  4. 4
    Mike Says:
    February 18th, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    @3 – I guess at the time I just wasn’t caught up in the whole controversy between Justice and the fans (Probably because I was seven years old). I was behind him 100%, so I never thought of him as having to prove or redeem himself.

  5. 5
    George Says:
    February 18th, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    Everything David Justice said is Right On. I’ve been a Braves’s fan since ’75, and I must admit, I couldn’t or didn’t go to see the games that I’d like to. I lived in Augusta and watched on TV. David was one of my favorite players, more clutch than most I’ve seen. And, he WAS the face of the team. Just as it was awful to see him go, it’ll feel somewhat the same way when McCann leaves.

    What I’d like to know, and no one seems to really care, is how it was to play with Deon Sanders. One thing, I thought, even with his Prima Donna attitude, Deon helped to add to both the confidence and swagger. I don’t feel the “old school” baseball traditionalists would give Deon the credit for being as good a baseball player as he was…even with his grandiose and megalomanic type personality. I STILL have never seen anyone, other than maybe Ricky Henderson, ALWAYS take a triple on what usually was a double.

    Anyway, I always felt that the media drummed up something out of nothing. Fact is, what he said was true…just as what Evan Longoria said about Tampa fans was true, and I don’t think he should’ve been criticized for that.

    My Favorite Justice moment, and it seemed like it happened TWICE that same year, was the homerun he had against Cincinnati in the early 90s, after Atlanta had given up a seemingly insurmountable lead and the braves came back to beat ‘em. INCREDIBLE!!! He was the go to Guy back then, thankfully, he past the torch onto Chipper. Hopefully, some of our young core will be able to consistently hit like that, when the game’s on the line…other than McCann, since he will likely be heading out.

    I must admit, I’m still hyped to see Gattis. I’d like him to at least get an opportunity, if for no other reason than to showcase him to American League teams, so that Atlanta can get a good return on a prospect for him.

  6. 6
    Bubdylan Says:
    February 19th, 2013 at 7:13 am

    This is up there with the Javy interview. A really enjoyable listen. Congrats on the great get.

  7. 7
    Steve Says:
    February 19th, 2013 at 11:38 am

    Thanks, Bub.

  8. 8
    Leah Says:
    February 19th, 2013 at 6:13 pm

    Super cool!!

    And, my heart hurts every time I hear Prado’s name. Especially when he’s described as the best baseball player in the D-Backs lineup.

  9. 9
    Biff Pocaroba Says:
    February 19th, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    He’s still cocky as all get out. Seems like a good dude though.

  10. 10
    Shaun Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 10:45 am

    Great interview. In hindsight I think trading Justice was perhaps Schuerholz’s worst move.

    If judging hitters by things like on-base and slugging was more en vogue back then, perhaps the Braves would have hung on to him. They had a centerfielder coming up, in Andruw, so they didn’t actually need Lofton.

    I suspect the move was mostly about the Braves thinking they needed a prototypical leadoff hitter instead of just trying to put the best team on the field, and worrying about batting order later. The game was different back then and the knowledge that batting order isn’t all that important wasn’t readily available, even to front offices.

  11. 11
    Mark in Memphis Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 11:45 am

    The “Braves Kingdom” was build on Turner’s broadcasting company… OF COURSE the fans watch from home – that is the way they learned growing up… it is the only way they know. Going to the ballpark was a once-in-a-while treat, to see their favorite team play in person – not an every day occurrence.

    It is how they were taught…

  12. 12
    Mark in Memphis Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 12:02 pm

    A piece of “trivia” I picked up the other day:

    No team with 1,300 Ks (batting) has ever played in a World Series, much less won one.

    The Braves finished last year with 1,289 Ks.

    Anyone think that number will go down (adding the Uptons-J-121-BJ-169 & C.Johnson-132, sans Chipper-51 & Prado-69, of course to the positive dropping Bourn shed 155 Ks…)?

    This years Braves’ offense should really challenge the connection/balance between productivity and strikeouts…

  13. 13
    Bubdylan Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 1:16 pm

    @12, yes, well, no team ever lost a World Series while fielding two Upton Brothers and Jason Heyward. So something’s gotta give.

  14. 14
    Shaun Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    Mark @12, I’m sure there are teams from back when the game was much different that struck out a lot and still won.

    The last three seasons there have been over 7 strikeouts a game in the majors.

    Strikeouts have more or less been rising throughout the history of the game. So it’s best to see if a team with a high strikeout rate for its time has ever won the World Series. I don’t know the answer off hand, but I would guess there have been at least a few.

    The 1927 Yankees, perhaps the best team in history and one of the best offensive teams in history, if not the best, led their league in both strikeout total and strikeout rate. The struck out 610 times, which doesn’t seem like a lot. But only one other team struck out over 500 times, the Cardinals with 511.

  15. 15
    Bubdylan Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 1:30 pm

    I just like looking at this:

    Jason Heyward
    Justin Upton
    BJ Upton
    Brian McCann
    Freddie Freeman
    Dan Uggla

    We have six offensive studs on this ballclub (with all the caveats about Uggla and McCann, and about strike-outs). Still, that’s six batters that pitchers have to be thinking “great, now THIS guy is up…”

    It might not work out. There are legitimage concerns. But damn is it sexy, and potentially thrilling on a game-by-game basis. Throw in Kimbrel’s closes and Simmons’s web gems. Some players just make the game fun. I think we have a good number of those. I wish we had more starting pitchers that fit that bill (I still miss Javier Vazquez – that’s the most fun I’ve had watching a starter since Smoltz *spits*). But at least with Kimbrel, there’s a chance to see exciting pitching every day. And yikes, the offense. I’m officially pumped. (It won’t last. 8) )

  16. 16
    Bubdylan Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    lol, legitimage. Sounds like a bad name for a photo studio or printing service.

  17. 17
    Steve Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    M in M @11 – you sound put off by Justice’s comments. Were you? I know that some find Justice arrogant (he didn’t strike me that way, but I’ve certainly heard that sentiment).

    Shaun – love the 1927 Yankees stat. That makes me feel good.

  18. 18
    Bubdylan Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    I guess my hunch about Chipper’s return was bad. :(

  19. 19
    Bubdylan Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 1:42 pm

    I think what’s become crystal clear from Javy and Justice is that crowd enthusiasm is a big deal to the players, and affects their play.

    I dunno what to hope for in that department. A full and rowdy Turner Field seems out of reach.

  20. 20
    Jo Bu Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 3:53 pm

    Does anyone know if David Justice has ever fielded any questions on the subject of playing for his hometown team, the Reds? I can’t find anything out there on this.

  21. 21
    Steve Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 4:49 pm

    @18 – Bub, I’ve been fighting the urge to post quotes and such from Chipper on this topic. Thank you for taking the high road. : – )

  22. 22
    Bubdylan Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 7:46 pm

    @21, my career of Wrong Opinions of Chipper Jones might as well go down blazing. I swore he would drag out retirement and make a fool of himself. Then when he didn’t, I wanted him back. Such is life.

  23. 23
    Steve Says:
    February 20th, 2013 at 9:29 pm

    New blog up from Shaun. Good stuff about the strikeouts we’ve been discussing here.

  24. 24
    Curt Says:
    February 21st, 2013 at 3:55 pm

    http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/51388/the-mets-outfield-could-be-the-worst-unit-in-professional-sports-and-maybe-all-of-life

  25. 25
    Walker Says:
    February 21st, 2013 at 6:06 pm

    The Mets should be a powerhouse with their resources. What a horribly run franchise. My 12 year old nephew and his buddies could do a better a job.

Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 » Show All

Leave a Reply

←
→