Show #92: We Sit Down with Braves Great, Javy Lopez
Javy Lopez discusses a wide range of topics including the ’95 Series, the ’96 Series, his relationship with Maddux, and much, much more.
-
Recent Podcasts
-
Recent Blogs
-
Archives
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
- July 2012
- June 2012
- May 2012
- April 2012
- March 2012
- February 2012
- January 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
- October 2010
- September 2010
- August 2010
- July 2010
- June 2010
- May 2010
- April 2010
- March 2010
- February 2010
- January 2010
- December 2009
- November 2009
- October 2009
- September 2009
- August 2009
- July 2009
- June 2009
- May 2009
- April 2009
- March 2009
- February 2009
- January 2009
- December 2008
- October 2008
- September 2008
- August 2008
- July 2008
- June 2008
- May 2008
- April 2008
- March 2008
- February 2008
- December 2007
- October 2007
- September 2007
- August 2007
-
Recent Tweets
- Just saw the Orioles sent JJ down to AAA. Bums me out. I hope he can turn it around. May 21, 2013 11:15 pm
- New blog. @PayneBall writes why the EOF injury should not hurt the Braves' chances (too much) this year. http://t.co/PgyYSAq9bi #Braves May 21, 2013 4:34 pm
- ICYMI: New podcast. The EOF injury. Mac & Heyward return. Medlen's start. Gattis' HR. Better off w/out BJ & Uggla? http://t.co/F6ynm0kDzy May 21, 2013 12:35 am
- ICYMI: New podcast. The EOF injury. Mac & Heyward return. Medlen's start. Better off w/out BJ & Uggla? http://t.co/F6ynm0kDzy #Braves May 20, 2013 4:08 pm
- New podcast. The EOF injury. Mac & Heyward return. Medlen's start. BJ & Uggla benched. http://t.co/F6ynm0kDzy #Braves May 20, 2013 3:45 am
-
Blog Directory
-
Social Media
-
Friends of the Show
-
Music of the Show
-
Feeds
-
Atlanta Braves News
- Maholm tries to keep win streak alive vs. Twins Wednesday, 22 May 2013, 5:42 am
- Freeman's 10th-inning hit wins Braves fifth straight Wednesday, 22 May 2013, 5:42 am
- Walden plays long toss, expects to return next week Tuesday, 21 May 2013, 10:29 pm
- Uggla downplays heavier bat, expecting big series Tuesday, 21 May 2013, 10:28 pm
- Garr, Snyder to represent Braves at Draft Tuesday, 21 May 2013, 10:13 pm
- Shortstop trio putting Curacao on the map Tuesday, 21 May 2013, 2:00 pm
-
Admin
February 1st, 2010 at 12:47 am
I loved the description of Mercker’s demeanor in his no-no.
A very colorful and rare interview with a guy willing to be very real. I thought I was gonna get a tension headache during the steroid part. Enough suspense to do a Hitchcock film.
I’ll probably listen to the whole thing again. A super interview.
Corky Miller???? And not even a starter over Sammons????
So many things to respond to, but I’d better go to bed.
Javy, if you peek at the comments here, thanks for your time.
February 1st, 2010 at 12:48 am
Also, I thought it was cool that you guys let him collect his thoughts during long silences. That’s a track I wish more interviewers would take.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:24 am
OMG! Such a great interview. You two sound like a couple of kids afterwards and with good reason. Yeah, I’m with Bub (surprise) about the steroid part. You can tell he has to try and pick his words carefully. Sad reality for all the greats from that era. I liked hearing about the importance of team chemistry and the difference it makes to have butts in the seats. Get Javy’s butt back in the dugout and problem solved. Such a great interview! I’m going to tweet about it right now! Thanks guys!
February 1st, 2010 at 1:29 am
GREAT job guys! Very intriguing stuff, thanks!!
February 1st, 2010 at 11:19 am
“… and you know what? BOOM!”
I love latino peeps.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:08 pm
I’m sure you’ve all seen this DOB tweet but I would hate for anyone to miss it since it’s stinking hilarious.
Braves CF Jordan Schafer said he told strapping 245-pound RF prospect Jason Heyward: “Dude, make sure you call for the ball really loud.”
February 1st, 2010 at 1:21 pm
You missed half the quote. Try and keep up. 8)
“Dude, make sure you call for the ball really loud…. I don’t want nothing to do with running into him. He’s huge.”
February 1st, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Um…that’s all DOB gave me…in twitterverse. I’m am a bit slow although I was smart enough to figure out the rest of the quote was implied. It must be a women’s intuition thing.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:25 pm
I’m am…haha. that’s classic see, cause I was talking about being slow? Get it?
February 1st, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Oh, I absolutely love the story of seeing the shadow of the catcher move and tip off the outside pitch for the homer. That’s freaking legendary.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:31 pm
That’s is okay, Leah. I’m knew what you meant.
February 1st, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Thanks for the great interview guys!Javy seemed really upbeat and confident.Toward the end of the conversation about the steriods i would have liked to ask him.Do you think that steriods had any outcome on the 96 series and 97 NLCS i know Eric Gregg was calling strikes 2′ outside the zone but why didnt MLB step in during the series and have a meeting of the minds with the UMPS.More than anything a player does on the field the guys calling the outs and interference calls or not! determines the winner or momentum of the series.O Well just a little vent maybe instant replay will get the rest of the calls right MLB says they get 95% of the calls right I just dont see it though!
February 1st, 2010 at 1:40 pm
So does Javy’s view on steroids change any minds re: HOF ers? It seems Mr. Lopez feels the player still has to have a high level of talent and that the roids could harm the players ability as well as help it. Just curious.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Leah, it made me feel just a twinge of an impulse of leaning that way.
But not really. Those it hurt got hurt by cheating. Those it helped got helped by cheating. I hope the voters keep the cheaters out inasmuch as they can. Yes, even if that way approach will allow some to slip through and won’t be a very even kind of justice.
What Javy’s candid and appreciated story did, though, was make me feel less judgmental towards players who gave in to that pressure. And it also added to my growing conviction that, maybe, in the final analysis, the game wasn’t stretched as far out of proportion by the steroid era as I’ve sometimes thought.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:36 pm
Maybe its just me but i feel like through out the nineties that no brave used steriods it was tremendous team work and chemistry (ala javy) I just have a real strong feeling bout that besides look at the teams the braves faced you can make a case for steriod users and all of a sudden the players they bring in (punching judy’s) are power hitters.Paul Oneil,Scott Brosios,Daryl Strawberry(among other things)Charlie Hayes,Jim Lerywitz(sorry),Jason Giambi,A-rod,Andy P.,Those are just the most obvious ones to me,you can look up there stats most of them never had a great season then POOF homeruns skyrocketed batting average goes up 20 to 30% its unreal.Maybe i’m wrong do any of you suspect steriod use by the braves in the 90′s?
February 1st, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Matt, I think it’s virtually certain some 90′s Braves used steroids. If all I had to go on was Javy’s interview, I think we could gather that much.
February 1st, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Hudson on being motivated: “My goal, any time after I’ve signed a contract, is to out-perform the contract. The last thing anybody wants to do is sign a contract and then feel like they’ve let the team or the organization down.
“At the end of the day, when this contract is up, I hope everybody looks back on it as a bargain for the organization. That’s my goal.”
-DOB
Love it.
February 1st, 2010 at 3:05 pm
Last comment, for now, on Javy’s interview:
I have long thought that chemistry and momentum are undervalued. I know people give it some lip service, but I think most people still believe that quality players doing each individual task at the highest level is the key to winning. I know you need both, but I think it’s very possible to over or under perform according to the team’s mood. And crowd noise is huge to that.
So, it was nice to hear that confirmed by Javy. I think players become bigger than themselves when the home crowd is supportive, and smaller than themselves when the reverse is true; especially in the playoffs when even the best players are nervous and susceptible to confidence issues.
And I won’t hassle you, Curt, for pulling out the old “maybe we’d have showed up if you hadn’t started tanking the playoffs,” but only cuz you told two funny jokes at the end of the last comment section.
February 1st, 2010 at 3:23 pm
I totally thought about that conversation during the interview. I could almost hear Curt biting his tongue. I think Javy’s care in choosing his words proves he knows players and even played with players who used. Not that he used cause that body is all natural.
So, how do we fix the whole “lack of butts” problem? All I gots to say is June 1st or 2nd there will be a group of fans making some serious noise.
February 1st, 2010 at 5:58 pm
“People ask me what I do in the winter when there’s no baseball….I stare out the window and wait for spring.” – Rogers Hornsby
Smart fella.
February 1st, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Steve? Curt? Ham? No comments from you fellas on the day after?
February 1st, 2010 at 9:34 pm
I was still excited about it all. It was a neat experience to get to spend the time with Javy last night. He was a real gentleman. I was telling people today even if I knew they had no idea who he was, just so I could explain it to them.
On to the other issue. Someone will need to tell me why my defense of the fan is so reprehensible. I totally agreed with Javy that it stunk when there were empty seats during the playoffs. There is, nor shall there ever be, an excuse for that. I was embarrassed. But attendance during the regular season and attendance during the post season are two completely different issues. If your team is lucky enough to make the playoffs, you should come out in full support to see them. I can’t help but believe that all the first round exits at the beginning of this decade were due to bad crowds. We had homefield in so many of those series only to see the Braves lose the opener in front of a flat crowd. Deplorable.
Sell out crowds during the season are just not going to happen that often anymore. And it isn’t just in Atlanta. It’s league wide. So for the Braves organization to hold up raising their payroll because of some arbitrary attendance figure is beyond offensive to me. You’re scapegoating the fan base for something for which they shouldn’t be held responsible. And I think it is nothing more than that, a scapegoating tactic so they can justify cutting payroll as opposed to just coming out and saying they are cutting payroll. I’m tired of it.
The regular season you have to give them a reason to show up. The post season, you’ve given it to them. Bad attendance during the regular season = your fault. Bad attendance during the post season = our fault.
February 1st, 2010 at 9:54 pm
“Bad attendance during the regular season = your fault. Bad attendance during the post season = our fault.”
That’s not a bad argument. I’m still not sore at the front office for holding steady on the payroll, if that’s what it really is, but I’m starting to doubt they’re even being honest about that.
Frank has now shown himself more than willing to fudge the truth and spin some BS, and like I said before, my opinion of him has tumbled from about a 95% to a 70% in a short time, like a dam that finally broke… err, at least cracked.
But I still like him as a strategist. Maybe he’ll be around for the next owners…
February 1st, 2010 at 10:01 pm
I agree Curt. I just remember you and Bub going back and forth with the chicken and the egg thing and thought maybe it came to mind while talking to Javy. Honestly I couldn’t really remember which of you sided with which opinion. How do the other Atlantan teams fare when it comes to fan attendance? I was watching a Canes/Thrashers game and seemed to be quite a few empty seats.
I bet you guys have been thinking about talking to him all day. I’ve been thinking about it and all I did was listen to him. What a great guy.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:29 pm
You couldn’t remember which side we were on? And now you’re just all agreeing with Curt willy nilly?
You know… I’m just not sure you are who I thought you were.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Hey, it’s me…the Princess. I’m doing good to keep up with half of what you guys discuss much less who said what. And yeah funny guy, I side with Curt. That guy knows everything.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Leah, to answer your question, other than University of Georgia football, attendance is pretty sporadic. Band wagon hopping is an essential part of the Atlanta sports fabric. If your team is good, the fans will come. Other than that, it’s when the big visiting teams are in town. You want to see Hawks/Grizz on a Tuesday night? No sweat. Try seeing them play the Lakers on a Saturday. Same goes with all of them and both major Tech men’s teams. Now there might be a million legitimate reasons for the fan malaise, but overall Atlanta is not a great sports town. Toughest ticket in Atlanta right now? No clue. Hawks are really good but plenty of seats are available. Thrashers are pretty average and their attendance is awful. Falcons ‘sold out’ all their games, but I’ll bet there were 10-12k empty seats per game. Tech basketball is drawing pretty well, but they are top-25 and their attendance has been awful the last few years while they were struggling.
But I don’t see that Atlanta is that much different than any other city. It just catches more heat.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:54 pm
Been very excited about the interview all day. Still can’t quite believe how thoughtful and deliberate he was. It was the first of the athlete interviews where it just felt like a regular guy, speaking from his gut. Not to disparage Glavine or Murph in anyway. It’s just that, in comparison, Javy felt much more open and unguarded than they did. That said, I was also kind of chicken-sh*t with Glavine and Murph compared to Javy in terms of the questions I posed. I just felt permission to ask him more of the real fan stuff I wanted to hear about.
In parallel, I’m kind of frustrated in terms of getting the word out. We’ve got this interview I’m really proud of and think that Braves fans would love and I feel sort of stuck about pushing it out to more people. I’ve spent the night posting on every Braves-related Facebook page, but it doesn’t seem like enough. Marketing, marketing, marketing. It’s an elusive aspect of all this …
I agree that non-sell outs in the post season are absolutely inexcusable. It’s on the people of Atlanta, plain and simple. But it doesn’t seem so far fetched to tie payroll to regular season attendance. I grant you, Curt, the correlation between attendance and payroll may be some arbitrary figure not based in reality. But somewhere there’s a math problem where the connection between attendance and payroll exists and is valid. I just don’t know if the team is truly living according to that connection.
February 1st, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Steve, I thought about plugging it over at the MLB.com message board, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted those loonies over here or not.
Did you try DOB?
February 1st, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Also, have you thought about featuring the interviews (Javy, Glav, Murph, and say, your favorite handful of guests) more prominently on the front page somehow?
I actually like that it’s classy and subdued, but just thought I’d mention it…
February 1st, 2010 at 11:12 pm
Hey Bub – I did post about it on DOB’s blog last night. That was my first move. Feel free to post about it wherever you want. Seriously, if you’re up for it, do it.
We’ve got the Murph interview highlighted at the top. The Glavine one feels a little old at this point. Once Show #93 goes up, we’ll be sure to add Javy up there with Murph. It’s a great point. Thanks.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:16 pm
Yeah, I cannot even read some of the message boards out there. I honestly think t-shirts are the way to go (not sure if I’ve mentioned that). I sent a tweet to a freelance writer (@heelsonthefield, Bub she’s cute and she loves baseball, but I think she’s a Phillies fan) hoping she would spread the word and got nothing. Other than putting in the church bulletin on Sunday I’m no help to you. That is frustrating because it is a killer interview.
“But I don’t see that Atlanta is that much different than any other city. It just catches more heat.” Really. I’m not being sarcastic I just didn’t realize that. I guess different cities will have their particular sport. Like the Penguins in Pitt will always be sold out. Wonder if there will be people on the field at PNC park this year much less in the seats. Same with college sports, grab a Duke football ticket almost anytime but try finding a ticket to any basketball game. Any thoughts on why Atl. catches more heat? I have to say in November I flew through Atl airport and did not see 1 braves logo of any kind. Not one. I was shocked. I know it’s the offseason but really? Come on! Maybe I was in the non Atlanta Braves terminal.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:18 pm
I’ve never posted on DOB but maybe if we ALL flood the message board those boneheads will sense a theme and take a listen. Uh oh…maybe then they will read the message board. Just kidding guys, didn’t mean to call you boneheads. Most of you are brilliant. But not you, yes you, you ARE a bonehead.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Alright, I hit the one at MLB.com. A thread I titled “Candid, Groovy New Javy Lopez Interview.”
Katie bar the door.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:32 pm
“Katie bar the door.” I love that phrase! My grandfather used to say it all the time. Sure you’re not a geezer Bub? I went to DOB’s blog and choked, got too nervous. I can’t keep up with their commentary. I work better on a much smaller scale. Sorry I let you down Steve. I promise to tell my Twitter followers and Fb friends.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:36 pm
Any ideas that anyone has, or anyone you guys can reach out to. We’ve used all the contemporary ways we can think of to get the word out.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Like Peter Bailey says of George, I was born older.
Actually, I was just born square. Older movies, older music, and older people have been my choice since I was less than ten years old. It’s hard to catch up. I just now got to the 80′s. Huey Lewis is gonna be big.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:55 pm
Night, folks.
February 1st, 2010 at 11:58 pm
Oh, and Steve, it’s been so long since I accessed ABT from the very front page that I forgot you do have a great big banner front and center of the Murphy interview.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:01 am
Leah, there was a chance a few years ago that the Penguins were leaving Pittsburgh due to attendance and revenue problems. Luckily that did not happen for the greater world of sports, but few teams are recession proof. I think the NFL of all the leagues, generally holds up better, just because of how huge the NFL is right now, but even it is not without its problematic franchises. Don’t surprised if the Bills move to Toronto in the next few years and possibly the Chargers will move to LA. Even the Saints would probably be playing in San Antonio right now if not for the NFL investing $100 mill in the Super Dome.
The only team in MLB with an unrelenting fanbase is the Cards. Citi Field had plenty of empty seats this season. The D Backs didn’t sell out their last playoff games. No one went to the Yankee and Cub games in the 80s. The national media decided that because the Braves were not selling out playoff games a decade after their first go at it that we were the worst and most disinterested fans out there. The same guys who killed the Braves for this gave a complete pass to the D Back fans – see Msrs. Wilbon and Kornheiser. There are no bullet proof fans. If Duke basketball went in the tank for a decade at some point their fans would quit on them too.
I dont think Atlanta fans are great by any stretch of the imagination, but I pin a lot of hope and faith on Braves fans coming back when the team makes the playoffs again. I have been to recent playoff games for the Falcons and Hawks and those crowds were loud and into it. I can only believe that this layoff will reenergize Braves fans and get them back to the park when we get back into the post season.
February 2nd, 2010 at 12:10 am
I read an article recently that talked about the need to renovate the blocks around Turner Field. Take some of the old rundown neighborhoods and turn them into eateries etc. Seems costly and complicated and will never happen but may have some merit. We love going to Durham Bulls games but partly for the pre-game pizza at Mellow Mushroom or the post game coffee right outside the stadium. Then there’s the whole “I don’t so much fear for my life” feeling driving from the stadium.
February 2nd, 2010 at 2:37 am
anyone notice that Hammy dissapears everytime there is a big interview..
just sayin.
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:47 am
My god. HE IS SPIDERMAN!
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:23 am
Curt, that was flipping brilliant.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:12 am
and Bub, keep your eye on that Michael J. Fox kid.
And thanks to everyone for spreading the word last night. And, at the risk of sounding pushy, please feel free to keep on it. If you post at any other fan sites, FB sites, etc. it would be great if you posted about it there too.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:22 am
12 hours after I posted the Javy thread at the MLB.scuz, there is one response; a guy telling me that “One Day at a Time” sucks. (I use Schneider for my avatar. Yeah, an avatar.)
What a retarded culture.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:35 am
Bub, I think I’m the retard. I can’t find your thread. What am I missing? Forgive the stay at home mom her ignorance.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:14 am
http://www.forums.mlb.com/n/pfx/forum.aspx?tsn=1&nav=messages&webtag=ml-braves&tid=133611
I think that’ll take you straight there. Unless it’s a bit over my linkage postage knowledge.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:21 am
By the way, Leah, it would be a serious waste of time, in my opinion, to sign up in order to post there. I’ve never found a single piece of information or enlightenment there that wasn’t better presented at ABT, DOB, Choptalk, or even MLBTR, and in those places you don’t have to wade through thirty paragraphs of “oh yeah you live with your mom” “nuh-uh you do” “heh, you just admitted I live with your mom” “shut up, poop-face”
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:25 am
Bub – I LOVED One Day at a Time. Absolutely loved it. I was a huge TV ho as a kid and that was high on my list.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:31 am
I loved it, too. Although, I’ve always wondered, what in hell does “so wop on the beat” mean?
I loved the theme song so much that when I tried to play it on the Waffle House juke box and it turned out to be Christy Lane’s “One Day at a Time, Sweet Jesus” I demanded my quarter back.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:33 am
(To put the above story in perspective, I was about 9 years old)
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:35 am
Okay, off to the races. (One stinking hour to finish this play or I lose points. This website is eating my life.)
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:00 pm
I know some of you disagree but I want Johnny Damon’s “knuckles dragging” Turner Field. FW isn’t going to go after something better so I’d rather take what we can get to deepen the outfield. He’s probably going to the Tigers and I will be sad.
February 2nd, 2010 at 3:41 pm
Being Johnny Damon is so simple, even a caveman could do it. Pfft.
Matthew Edward Diaz, picture of hustle and humility, should not sit down one single at-bat for that self-promoting, silly-hearted Baseball Barbie doll.
And if Detroit tossed away Granderson to turn around and sign Noodles the Mercenary Hippie for anything near his delusional demands, they are nuttified.
No to Damon. If I send you more Javy pics will you calm that noise??
February 2nd, 2010 at 4:37 pm
Really enjoyed listening to Curt and Steve’s chat with Javy. Took a minute to get used to the audio+accent, but you could tell that he was comfortable reminiscing and being open about the good (and bad) days. These little snapshots into the clubhouse and on-field dynamics of arguably the best team for such a long run are just great . . . Who’s next???
February 2nd, 2010 at 5:24 pm
Bub, I do love how much of your heart you put into baseball…I really do. Now hear me out. IF the Tigers don’t go for Damon, which they probably will, we could get him really cheap (I sound like I know what I’m talking about so I’ll continue). I love Matty D. as much as the next guy, not as much as Ann but as much as most, and am certain if we were in the same room I would remind him about how some chick yelled “I love you Matt” from LF stands and he would say, “oh, that was you?” And I would say, “why yes, it was.” However, Damon has the “X” factor that would help get butts in the stands. I hope you all know my butt will want to be in the stands for every game even if the team is filled with Jorge “Can’t bare the sight of u” type players. We all know Bobby’s tendency to trot players out there we would rather be on the bench but if he doesn’t screw it up with Damon he’ll find someone else. At least this way we know what to expect.
February 2nd, 2010 at 6:23 pm
It has taken me a few days to get to the podcast…and just finished reading the comments, so hopefully I won’t beat any dead horses. Thoughts:
+ Really nice interview, fellas. Yes, he was talky, but you guys let him talk…which sometimes is half the battle.
+ A horse that deserves to be beaten further: CORKY???? Yeah, that made me super sad.
+ Is it the personality of a catcher to be that kind of chatty, straight-shooting, happy-go-lucky guy? Every time I hear McCann interviewed or quoted on paper, I think that. Yogi Berra, for that matter. I think they have so much studying to do, learning about the other teams, then recalling that information quickly during a game that they are able to process more quickly and just say it like it is.
+ Thanks, Bub & Leah, for mentioning Matt D…twice. Just when I get my longing at bay… Go Braves!!
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:13 pm
You know what just made me ? Thinking of Frank Wren and Kevin Towers in the Peavy negotiations, now that I suspect Wren is just as graceful as Towers.
Sigh, Princess, as Curt would say, the “W” factor will put more butts in the stands than any “X” factor.
And I don’t think anybody on the team currently would eat up Dia*’s playing time like Johnny D. Between Melky and Matty, I can see D*az getting a fair shake.
This much I’ll give you; a Johnny D, Prado, Chipper, Glaus, McCann, McLouth, Escobar top seven would be kind of sexy, with Super-Heyward as the caboose. But I think that’s because the Damon mystique buzzes my head like it does anyone’s. I think Di*z is a better piece in reality. And the team chemistry will be better. Chipper + Johnny Damon? Boy, there’s some conversation with crickets chirping.
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:13 pm
*You know what just made me chuckle?
February 2nd, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Awesome, Bub. It’s like not being able to type “God” for religious reasons.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Anne, so sorry I forgot you were “with an E”.
Tim Hudson put it better than I’ve ever heard it when he said “I think players become bigger than themselves when the home crowd is supportive, and smaller than themselves when the reverse is true; especially in the playoffs when even the best players are nervous and susceptible to confidence issues.” Wait, that wasn’t Timmy…silly me. Who was that WHO was it…I’m drawing a blank. What if the “x” factor brings more butts which provides this “energy” which in turn brings the oh so desired “w”?
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Let’s just pump crowd noise through the speakers and let Lou Diamond Phillips throw rainbow lollipops to the cut-off man on some other team.
“Fielder’s gonna go for second… the throw from Damon … and heeeeeeeeeeeeee’s….. safe … at third.”
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Fielder? Come on. Anyway…you said it my friend not me.
February 2nd, 2010 at 8:27 pm
(But I will admit you have a point on the ol’ X = noise = W)
But, please, can we just… not hire that guy? You do realize that a Matt D_az trade would not be an unnatural outcome of that signing?
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:03 pm
Finally had time to listen to the new show/interview, and then read all the posts…whew!! What a great interview with Lopez and the posts since reflect many of my own thoughts. At the end of the interview Javy was asked about Bobby’s successor and mentioned the usual names but said that Pendleton probably wouldn’t want the job, right? And that Eddie Perez was mentioned by BC?
EP has worked and lobbied hard for the opportunity to be the Braves next manager. With no major league exp. in that capacity I could see him being passed over, but I absolutely hope he gets the job!
Great job ABT.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:10 pm
No, I don’t get that. Enlighten the simple house wife please.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:53 pm
Dammit, Leah, just nod your head. I made it up. If you start calling my bluffs I’ll turn to cryptic humor bits and berate you for not getting them. Don’t underestimate the dark side.
Tcc, I really like the idea of Eddie Perez at the helm. And I’m glad you mentioned Javy laughing off Pendleton as not wanting it. Almost the happiest moment of the interview until I realized that probably means he’ll stay at his current post.
February 2nd, 2010 at 9:55 pm
Thanks for the kind words, everyone. I’m really glad y’all are enjoying the Javy interview. And please, if you’re up for it, post about it at other sites. It really, really helps. BUB – there have been 45 visits to the site from your post at the mlb forums site in the past 20 hours. Thanks a million for that.
The point about D-az being traded as a result of a Damon signing is a valid one. Although I think the team would be much more motivated to move Melky than Matty-D. But, we saw how Plan A vs. Plan B went with trying to move a pitcher this off-season. Anyway … all that said, I still want Damon. I think the team, with him at the top of the order, and Nate and Yunel down at 6 and 7 is a substantial upgrade. And then Melky/D-az and Heyward battle it out for right field and the 8 spot. Pretty dynamic line-up there. Adding Damon to the mix is not perfect, but I think our team is better with him. But, it’s a bunch of wasted breath because I don’t think it’s happening.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Nanny nanny boo boo! Steve, you are now officially my favorite host ever and I will NEVER say different! Kudos to Timmy…I mean Bub for the post.
Patrick, is that where you came from?
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:06 pm
Oh. They came here? And I insulted them in the comments section. Didn’t think that one through.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:06 pm
By the way, I’ll now officially stop pressuring you guys to post about us elsewhere. I don’t want you, the hard core posting brethren, to feel unappreciated. You guys are terrific and have added a whole new level of energy and excitement for the three of us with all your activity here. So thank you.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Princess – you are wise, fair, and a fine judge of character (and hostyness).
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:12 pm
I never thought of your lobbying in that way at all, Steve, but thanks for saying that. It’s a snug group, and that’s nice, but ABT is deserving of more ears.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:27 pm
“Princess – you are wise, fair, and a fine judge of character (and hostyness).”
and for the record…I make a mean pot of chicken and dumplins and have sexy legs. Just thought you should know.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Steve, thanks again for a great ABT show. Javy Lopez was the last guy I expected to be the mystery guest. He was a great Brave and obviously a fan favorite. You only had to go to a game or even tune it in on TV to hear all the teeny girls squeal out “Jaaavvvvvy” when he came up to bat. Sheer fan fun. The best part of baseball is actually being at the park and feeling the excitement of the young’uns.
I disagree with Damon. Diaz has earned the spot while JD seems more of a defensive liability. I don’t think Damon will be a big attraction as noted above in a non avid sports town like ATL and will not fill that many more seats. Adding JD means more competition for Jason Heyward and likely that he will spend more time at Gwinnett.
I’d like to see the Braves build with young talent than to continue to bring in “aging has beens” like Damon, Anderson.
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:33 pm
I don’t do dumplings, but ya’ll come over for some fine Shrimp and Grits or Hoppin’ John, any time!
Go Braves…17 Days!
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Leah, no worries on the silent “e.” Damon would grow his hair long again here…and who wants that??? That’d be like DLowe back in his heyday. Go Braves!!
February 2nd, 2010 at 10:52 pm
But Cledus…Damon…and butts in the seats…Steve said…*frustrated sigh*. I like dumplins damm*t!
February 3rd, 2010 at 12:07 am
So do you guys think Sayid is now Jacob or what? Go Braves!
February 3rd, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Leah – Aside from sports, I watch very little TV. (Modern Family, and some Office and 30 Rock). Hammy is your man on Lost. He’s buried at work this week but will surface at some point.
February 3rd, 2010 at 7:15 pm
That’s ok Steve. Bears, beets, battlestar galactica.
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:29 pm
HAPPY WEDNESDAY ABT, GO BRAVES!!!!
February 3rd, 2010 at 8:59 pm
Leah, Patrick’s a friend of mine. His daughter and my youngest son spend their days together in daycare.
And thank goodness someone clarified that Sayid/Jacob business. I had no idea what that meant.
Huge shout out from DOB on his blog about our Javy interview. If anyone is interested, go to page 27 of his comments section. Half way down he gives us some serious love.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:16 pm
I can’t believe you guys don’t watch Lost. Who are you people? Congrats on the DOB love. That’s unbelievable! I DID send him a tweet reminding him to share about the interview. We’re kind of close.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:17 pm
I would bet I am the only hockey fan on this site. But man I am I depressed about the thrashers. All the more reason to look forward to the Braves season though! Go BRAVES!!!
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:21 pm
Wiley, I’m there with you. I used to go to Flames games. Steve and I took a break from celebrating the DOB shout to lament the news that Kovalchuk is out the door. Amazing to think that they had Heatley and Kovy and garnered nothing from that duo. And now their best player is getting dumped. Hello Winnipeg. Last game I went to they lost 8-1 to the Caps. Fire Don Waddell.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Hey, that’s some generous ink from DOB. Congrats. Great week for the podcast.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Free information: no matter how careful you are, three is the most beer bottles that will stack going straight up.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Last on the hockey:
this is how the worst GM in Atlanta operates:
But as of early Wednesday evening, a trade had not yet been worked out and there has been a feeling around the league that Waddell has overplayed his hand in trade talks and has been asking for more compensation than teams are willing to part with.
February 3rd, 2010 at 9:45 pm
The trick Bub is to use gum this stabilizes it and you are able to stack 6 high(thats my record) good luck
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Leah – Lost is awesome. Last night was AWESOME. I am completely sucked back in. Much like watching The Wire (which might even be better) I am already missing Lost and it is not gone yet. Pathetic but true.
Sorry to clog up ABT talk with ABC talk, but I just had to say. I’ll go geek out on the other message boards from now on.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:21 pm
Yo, my friends americans! Talking hokey we are final! I am 3 or 2 idea about that sure. So much.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Thanks, MattChu. Six?? Even with gum, that’s some mad skilz.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Hammy! Geek out anytime or maybe I’ll catch you on the other message boards. I just have to say how ironic that “good doer” Locke is now the man in black while “murders for a living” Sayid (I believe) is now housing Jacob.
Bub, stop drinking beer unless you’re having a party and in that case you chew the gum.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:31 pm
Oh, Let’s Go Canes (when I have time, it’s on my TV and I’m bored). Let’s go Braves 24/7 all year round!
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:43 pm
I stopped mama. I ran out.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Alright, I listened again. Truly awesome.
Top 10 Moments for me:
10. Hearing the scoop on the last spring training.
9. The short bar story from after the championship.
8. “Why is this happening … I just … why?” when losing all those playoffs. Sad, but very poignant. And the candid reaction to the low crowd.
7. Curt’s loud-arse laughter. Twice.
6. Javy’s childlike excitement at Eddie possibly managing. “I need a job!”
5. “I’m pretty sure Kent Merker would trade numbers with Maddux” *loud laughter*
4. Javy’s humble approach to Wren’s moving on from the 90′s, considering that it hurt him personally.
3. “You know what? Boom!”
2. The Mercker no-hitter story.
1. Spotting Pena’s moving shadow to yank the outside pitch.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Bub – I really dug the bar story after the ’95 clincher as well. Although,I have to admit, the moment after I asked him where in Buckhead he went I got nervous that he’d gone to the Goldclub and he wouldn’t know how (or wouldn’t want to) answer.
February 3rd, 2010 at 11:46 pm
He was not at the Lodge because that is where I was. Come to think about it, he might have been at my table. I wouldn’t have known. I remember randomly running into my cousins there and at some point them asking me to stop hugging them.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Maybe hammy wears Spiderman underoos, I certainly still do.
I gotta download Lost on iTunes… forgot it was back.
Lukas was NOT me…althought you all may think it was..
There are a few other hockey fans on this board. I bet I am the only one to play hockey at the Omni, in between periods at Flames games. Twice.. and I used to have a stick that Guy Lafleur gave me… and I played in Nagano with a Russian who won 2 gold medals… Yuri Lyapkin. I still have a puck signed by Jaromir Jagr.
It is pathetic but I have only ever been to one Thrashers game. I watched some games this winter on tv and Kovalchuk is a beast for a fairly small guy. Hes got at least 6 more years….hope he finds a good place.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:27 am
Ok…seriously. I need baseball. *bangs head against wall repeatedly while children watch in wonder*
Bub, I’ve seriously found your soulmate. You have to follow @heelsonthefield. She loves baseball and old music. She’s a Yankees fan and blonde but you snag her and we can brain wash her and dye her hair. She’ll never know what hit her.
February 4th, 2010 at 9:58 am
Last time I brainwashed a soulmate, she snapped out of it in the middle of the night and jumped out the window.
Thanks for lookin’ out for me, though.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:47 am
^ Err, that sounds creepier than anything I meant.
February 4th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
Not letting it go…
http://bit.ly/9ykgRs
February 4th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
No to Damon.
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_joI3gyA9y6k/SJb2sq8iIuI/AAAAAAAAArM/_ToQuu-8FIw/s400/Matt+Diaz+and+babies.JPG
February 4th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
That picture is dirty pool, Bub. And seriously, are you that convinced it would be Diaz traded? I would argue that Melky is more the known commodity and would be more sought after than Diaz.
February 4th, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Ha ha, wasn’t it, though?? No, I would hope it would be Melky and not Matty. I just don’t want Damon. Remember when I did want Uggla and couldn’t let it go and didn’t know why? See, it’ll eventually pass. Mostly I’m just being goofy.
February 4th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
Bubblegum and babies should never be allowed in heated baseball discussions. For real…why would we want anything to do with 24 home runs. Pshh…who needs ‘em right. http://www.turbophoto.com/Free-Stock-Images/Images/Baseball%20Stadium%20Crowd.jpg
February 4th, 2010 at 2:37 pm
Damon isn’t hitting any 24 homers at the Ted. Here’s what a NY homer looks like in a regular stadium.
http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2008/0514/fantasy_i_guillen_200.jpg
February 4th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
According to this guy, http://riveraveblues.com/2010/01/how-many-homers-would-johnny-damon-hit-in-other-ballparks-21994/, 7 of Damon’s homers would have stayed in the park at Turner field. So take 7 away. I’m no mathematician but using my calculator that would leave Damon with 17 homers overall. Which, again math is not my thing, means he still had more than any Braves player save B. Mac.
February 4th, 2010 at 5:29 pm
Diaz hit 13 homers in 371 at bats. Damon got his 24 (17 at the Ted) in 550 at bats. Even if you count all Damons homers, Diaz out-OPS’d him .878 to .854. And that’s just comparing Johnny’s numbers to one Brave; namely, the one he would replace in the line-up.
But 17 homers is a nice number from a reliable lead-off man. Look, I woundn’t just hate it if we got Johnny Damon. It just doesn’t excite me much.
February 4th, 2010 at 5:34 pm
Also, Chipper and McLouth topped 17 homers, yo. La Roche, too, though I understand not counting him.
February 4th, 2010 at 5:40 pm
Oh, one more thing. In NY, it isn’t just the short porch. There’s a wind tunnel.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4080195
I dunno if that guy’s configururation (shout out to Midnight Run) looks at that; don’t see how it would. And I don’t know how the wind tunnel plays with J.D.’s particular tendencies, so it might be nothing. But I would bet on it being something.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:44 pm
I’m not pinning for Damon and I wouldn’t want to trade him for Diaz. I DO think he would be, for the right price, a worthy addition. Whew, I’m exhausted.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:48 pm
Laydeez and Gents: tomorrow I will be having lunch at the SunTrust Club @ Turner Field. I have no idea what Braves players will be there (no teasers, I actually don’t know), but being at The Ted when it’s not a game is kind of great. I will provide full details tomorrow evening…wait, I have a date. Some time over the weekend. That’s right. I have a date. Bite me, world.
February 4th, 2010 at 6:54 pm
AAHHH wish me luck just found out have an interview with post office the 10th.Been waiting on this job to open up for 2yrs!Good luck on your date Anne,O better hope your date does’nt bite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 4th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
110 cracking me up…thx bub
February 4th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Hey Steve and Curt, thanks again for the Javy interview! I listened to it right when I saw your blog post on DOB’s blog that night. Javy is a class-act and one of my all-time favorites so it was really cool to hear him open up across the board. One thing I was waiting for the whole time was a question about Eric Gregg and the infamous strike zone in the ’97 NLCS. Maybe next time? That’s a shame that that WS berth was stolen from ATL that year!! I personally think that ’97 team was the best of all the 90′s teams due to that they were coming off back-to-back WS appearances. Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz were in their strong primes. Chipper, Javy, Klesko, McGriff, Tucker, Lofton, Blauser… That whole team seemed to just click but Gregg stole the opportunity from them! What a shame…
Anyway, just wanted to say thanks again. And just to let you know you guys gained a fan in me. Again, great job and I look forward to more stuff and talking baseball with all of you this season! I’ll spread the word on DOB’s blog, he’s been putting you guys out there, today he did… I don’t see how any real fan wouldn’t really want to hear stuff like this!
February 4th, 2010 at 7:49 pm
Steve’s right! You guys are getting crazy love from DOB and his readers. Just don’t forget the little people. You know, the fans from the early days that Curt didn’t personally harangue. Don’t let all the smarties who find their way over make fun of stupid chick questions either. Promise?
Will…whose side are you on anyway?
February 4th, 2010 at 8:25 pm
classic show and classic comments section…this one goes in the records.
was also impressed by how Javy opened up…credit to the interviewers as well, that can swing the whole tone…and Curt you are usually such a…well…ya know
my memory is fading, but I recall it was the same with the Glavine interview.
keep em coming!
Spring is almost here!!!
February 4th, 2010 at 8:26 pm
Thanks Steve, and welcome. We won’t have the likes of Javy Lopez on every week, but we hope to put a show out that is a little different and a little deeper than some of the other stuff out there. We take this very seriously while having fun with it too. It’s been a great experience.
Leah, all of our fans are our favorite fans.
Good luck to AnnE and to Matt.
February 4th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
and can I just add that it might help to have a Steve 1 and a Steve 2 if the new Steve is here for the long haul….please stay, Steve 2! my creative powers are not as developed as others here…so maybe other suggestions are in order…as to the naming of the Steves.
February 4th, 2010 at 10:27 pm
Leah…missed that… sorry but with regards to what side, as in for or against stupid chick questions?
In my younger days, I always did better with stupid chicks..so I am biased towards letting them hang around.
And as I can be a fairly stupid guy, Id like to think I’m still welcome. I have absolutely no long term memory for baseball stats and such things. So I am amazed half the time at what Curt/Steve/Hammy/Bub etc come up with…
February 4th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Will, I also appreciate the depth of knowledge presented here by the hosts and many of the posters here. My favorite “factoid” is that Jason Heyward is regarded by many to be the No. 1 prospect in the Minor Leagues, and that he will play in the “bigs” this year for “Your Atlanta Braves”! Sweet!
February 4th, 2010 at 10:50 pm
“what Curt/Steve/Hammy/Bub etc come up with”
THIS… IS THE BEST DAY… OF MY LIFE.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:06 pm
Sorry for the confusion Will. Just trying to give you a hard time about complimenting one of Bub’s comments from our friendly debate.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
G’night, Princess. You know that, all arguments aside, I would personally sign five Johnny Damons to please your Highness.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
MattChu – good luck on that interview! What city, if I may ask?
Anne – I cannot wait to hear about the lunch. And, seriously, if there’s players or FO types around and you get to talking to any of them, ask if they’d like to be on the show and try to get a cell # or an email address. AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, very exciting about the date. Where do you kids go on dates, these days? Movie? Coffee? Dinner?
Steve2 – thanks for the kinds words. And you’re right, the Eric Gregg question would have been a damn good one. I’ll keep that in my back pocket for the next guy we get who played then.
Leah – I loved Damon’s home run numbers in different parks link. Very, very nice stuff.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Yeah… I know Bubdylan. Unfortunately for you I will never let you forget it. And, for the record, Steve and I are right (dude is never wrong).
February 4th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
Thanks Steve and I’m with Will cause sometimes it seems like you’re talking to yourself.
February 4th, 2010 at 11:41 pm
Tcc – you still need to deliver a bunch of details about warming up Steve Martin in the green room of the Atlanta comedy club.
February 5th, 2010 at 12:50 am
Steve, our host, should go by “Captain Steve.”
February 5th, 2010 at 7:26 am
Capt. Steve! I love it!
February 5th, 2010 at 7:37 am
Fereaking OUT! Followed the link to DOB’s blog re: a Javy Lopez interview. You guys got a huge shout out from the man! Hunker down ABT…it’s about to get busy.
February 5th, 2010 at 7:57 am
Hello big time- mebbee our fave ESPN! Too bad Curt has a face made for radio!
February 5th, 2010 at 8:34 am
DOB in regards to Damon…just in case Bub missed it: “And if he helps a team reach the playoffs, will anyone be surprised?”
February 5th, 2010 at 9:09 am
I miss Lukas, I really do.
February 5th, 2010 at 9:31 am
It’s true there has been no shortage of Damon-ink by DOB. I would only add “And if he doesn’t help a team reach the playoffs, will anyone be surprised?”
February 5th, 2010 at 9:33 am
*Not that I don’t yield to DOB’s baseball savvy in general.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:17 am
The craziness continues. Go check out DOB’s new blog (not the comments section, but the blog itself) that he posted at 2am this morning about Heyward. And scroll about halfway down. Wow.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:50 am
The picture of ole Javy alone is worth a look. Sigh.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:50 am
DOB! What a pimp. Love it love it love it.
February 5th, 2010 at 11:58 am
(This is Steve 2)
I will use my DOB blog monicker to avoid any confusion with “Captain Steve” haha. Curt, yeh I completely know that you guys won’t have the like of Javy on here consistently. That’s what makes it fun though, you don’t know who’s going to pop up and when! In regards to the Eric Gregg question, that’d be great if you could get it out to the next guy from that era because I really can’t recall hearing any ballplayer opening up about that disgrace of an umpire…
Also, Curt & Steve, I know you guys take what you do very seriously that’s why I loved the interviews. I’m up in Jersey so it’s cool to actually hear a few people talk with the same enthusiasm I do when discussing the Braves. I heard your O’Brien interview from last September and I thought your confidence meters were hesterical. Shamefully they went 1-6 as opposed to 6-1 or 7-0. That was pathetic but I kind of felt that they were out of gas going into the Nationals series….
Anyway, I particularly like what you guys are doing because I used to do the same thing when I was like 14 or 15. A buddy and I used to go on the website http://www.SwitchBoard.com and you can look up peoples phone numbers. Well we used to find addresses of ball players and then go to the directory assistance page and type in the ball players name and city. We’d then call retired guys and ask them questions about their playing and coaching days and then order pictures from the HOF (They do beautiful B&W photos from any former player, they have several to choose from depending on their popularity..) and then send the photos to the players after we talked with them to have them signed. Pretty cool stuff!
My personal favorite one was when we called Johnny Sain around 1999. His wife answered and he just seemed to be hanging out around the house and we told her we were just two kids who were big baseball fans. Well Johnny got right on the phone and was talking it up and was extremely friendly. He talked about being a pitching coach for the Braves, he talked about Leo Mazzone, he talked about Bobby and the current team. It seems he played close attention to what they were doing. When I sent him the HOF he sent it back personalized along with about 10 other signed things that he sent from his personal stuff he had! What a great guy…
February 5th, 2010 at 12:40 pm
Another DOB blog defector, here. Great interview. Looks like y’all have a good thing going here. (I wondered where ol’ Bubdylan has been hiding.) I’ll add this place to my “daily list of Braves websites that are eventually going to get me fired. “
February 5th, 2010 at 1:58 pm
#140. Damn straight!
February 5th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Steve – “kids today” apparently go to dinner and a movie, because that’s what WE kids are doing (Italian, then Avatar in 3-D).
Re-cap from lunch at the SunTrust Club @ Turner Field, Friday 2/5/2010: Lunch was buffet sandwich-style stuff…nothing to write home about, but hey, it ws free. Don Sutton hosted, and on the dais were: Zane Smith, John Schuerholz, Roger McDowell, Chipper Jones, Tommy Hanson, James Parr and Lee Hyde. (Pitcher-heavy, obviously.) Don interviewed everyone, then Q&A time.
Highlights:
+ Wren wasn’t supposed to be in the room – he had sneaked downstairs to nab food. A fan in the middle of his question to Schuerholz spied him on the steps and called him out. Schuerholz said, “Heeeeeerrrreee’s Frank!” and made him come over to take the question. Nice.
+ I’ve only been in Atlanta since 1994, so I had to rely on the friend I took with me to tell me who Zane Smith was. My bad. I suppose when you’re a Braves pitcher, then along come Smoltz/Maddux/Glavine…you’re bound to be a little forgotten.
+ I think this is more of a reflection on me than on him, but I can’t remember a single thing McDowell said.
+ James Parr was apparently quite the hitter in minor leagues – something about winning a Home Run Derby?? (Maybe HE can be our DH!)
+ Schuerholz and Wren pretty much said that Right Field is Heyward’s to lose, and if he brings it in spring training, the job is his. If they feel he isn’t ready, they won’t bring him up. Simple as that.
+ Someone asked about “the big bat” talk and Damon rumors. Before Schuerholz had time to answer, Sutton pipes up: “In my opinion, Damon’s NOT a big bat.” (hilarious!!)
+ Hilarious comment aside, Sutton likes the sound of his own voice. A lot. He needed to shut up more.
+ Lee Hyde is ADORABLE*. I knew nothing about him, but he spoke fondly of his time at Tech and his life-long love of the Braves and is obviously jazzed to be part of the organization. (*Diaz, don’t fret, you aren’t being replaced, I’m just sayin’.)
+ Chipper talked up (at the request of a fan) his “Buck Commander” web site. I believe my Chipper opinion has been expressed enough over my time here for you all to know that I won’t help him out by putting the link here. You’ll have to make the effort yourself. ‘neck…
+ Chipper was asked
+ Hanson was sweet and refused to admit that McCann is a slob and that no one wants to room with him on the road.
Yes, I talked up ABT to the people around my table – I got no chance to get anywhere near the Fellas, and I had to get back to this thing I like to call work. (channelling Leah: maybe if I had an ABT t-shirt to wear to stuff like this, I’d market you guys better)
There was a raffle – I won nothing – though if I HAD won the Omar Infante autographed ball, Leah, I’d have mailed it to you. We all got a swag bag – a Publix Braves recyclable grocery bag, with a big ol’ book o’ coupons to use throughout the season. Here endeth my re-cap.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
It’s getting surreal, folks: http://bases.nbcsports.com/2010/02/javy-lopez-on-steroids-i.html.php
Anne – awesome write up! Thanks for the details. Sounds pretty great. have you not seen Avatar yet? It’s pretty great.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
I am not very baseball savvy so can’t talk stats and trades and ERAs and all that (though I can appreciate a good looking player) but I have to send a shout-out to my dear friend Steve and tell him how proud I am of him and the other guys associated with ABT. The hard work and tenacity has really paid off. I love seeing how much attention the Javy interview has garnered and look forward to see where it all goes from here.
February 5th, 2010 at 2:42 pm
Quick Stevie! New show while you’re on the upswing. I’m tempted to start my own podcast…”all things ABT!”. Will you be my first interview? “How DID it feel to be mentioned on two major blogs in one week? Do you think Hammy really IS Spiderman? How is the recent extra press going to affect your CoCaptain Curt (get it?) and his glass a tee tiny bit of liquid perspective on baseball and well, life?”
February 5th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
Anne, I was busy being “clever” and missed your re-cap. I hope your friend knows how fortunate she/he is. T-shirt indeed and have a BLAST tonight! Direct message me details k?
.
February 5th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
“Damn straight!” -DOB
There goes the neighborhood. 8)
Wow, guys. I figured the nitro quote would hit a headline somewhere, I really did. I was actually surprised it wasn’t the very next day.
I’m glad it wasn’t by somebody with a completely obnoxious take on it.
February 5th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Hey guys!
Long time no post eh?
First of all I cant believe the the interview got on nbc sports or whatever that link was. Anyway I have been reading the comments but just havent had much to say. You guys don’t leave many things go unnoticed.
Just drifted over to read McCann’s interview SECOND best braves website, http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100205&content_id=8026556&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl .
If he doesnt sound fired up I dont know what is. And J.C. Romero I would have never guessed. Would you guys have? I suppose it was because he and Big Mac only faced off once last season.
Lastly as you all know I am a tech baseball season ticket holder so for me basball season is two short weeks away!
Hallelujah
February 5th, 2010 at 4:42 pm
Round three. Not NBC but still…http://bit.ly/cT284u
February 5th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Thanks for the link, Leah. Keep ‘em coming!
February 5th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
http://bit.ly/asP1Zo
Now it’s just getting ridiculous.
February 5th, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Good hunting, Leah!
February 5th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Wiley, thanks for the McCann interview link. Big Mac always makes me proud.
February 5th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Not hunting Bub. It’s called Twitter. Heard of it?
February 5th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Sorry Bub…that was rude…I’m crabby. Not a good representation of ABT for the new comers.
February 6th, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Awe come on guys…I said I was sorry. Bub’ll forgive me. Right Bub? Bub? Oh well. Happy Truck Day anyway.
February 6th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Dear Princess Leah, Here’s a pretty realistic view of Martin Prado I thought you might enjoy. http://bit.ly/cUyiRz
if you are all at Academy Sports in Birmingham experiencing the Braves caravan today I’m going to post every bad word I’ve ever hear on the message board.
February 6th, 2010 at 5:21 pm
Bub, did you hear somebody say something? Me, neither. 8)
February 6th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Anne heard nothing, and that’s straight second-hand from the horse’s mouth. Go Braves.
February 6th, 2010 at 6:53 pm
Leah, d’you see this? Gotta love the vinyl on display. I already thought how much that album cover looks like an old record.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d1XMHGVOXZ8
Bo Braves!
February 6th, 2010 at 9:12 pm
Bub, I did see that. If I’m honest I’ll tell you that I stayed up super late to watch it even though I knew it would be on the internet the next day. But I won’t tell you that since it may confirm your suspicions that I have no life. Did you know that Scott Avett (dude on the banjo) does all the artwork for their albums including that painting? He’s crazy talented that guy.
Go Braves!
February 6th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
Good on the Avett’s. Gotta love that banjo.
Go Braves!
February 6th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Steve and Co-Captain Curt, I HAD to be sure you saw DOB’s reaction to one of his “brethren” when they asked him why you guys didn’t press Javy re: steroids usage.
“Chin music: Why didn’t they ask him directly? Because sometimes, you gauge the answers you’re getting, try to prod a guy along without him getting nervous and clamming up. I thought the hosts did a really good job handling the situation and continuing to push without coming right out and asking him, which might well ruined any chance of getting anything more. I thought they handled it quite well.”
I’m so proud!
February 6th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Leah – thanks for that. I did see it that day (as I neurotically followed his blog moment by moment on Friday). It was satisfying, to say the least.
February 6th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
I was pretty proud of DOB for taking the time to make such a thoughtful answer. The man has his moments.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:25 am
#146. Careful Bub, he reads the message board.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Believe me, I was such a sycophant on DOB’s blog, he could only be relieved to see my enthusiasm tempered here. If that’s what you meant by telling me to be careful.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:44 pm
I swear I’m always having to look up words from your posts. Which is awesome since I’m always learning something new.:) I wonder if DOB is familiar with da Brothas since they both grew up in NC. I would ask him but I just can’t seem to post on his blog. I get the same sick feeling as when I dream I’m at my high school and I forgot to put on pants.
February 7th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
And I was telling you to be careful since your comment implies that he all of his moments aren’t to your liking. I’M SOOOOOOOOOO READY FOR BASEBALL!!!!!!!!!
February 7th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
DOB knows the Avetts. I went to his blog and razzed him for not telling me about them on the day you sent me the link. He said they talk do about him over there and I just missed it. He also had “I & L & U” on his list of albums of the year.
As for said implications in said comment, I like DOB fine and he seems to like me back. But I find him too acerbic to many bloggers and I’m sure he in return finds me too sensitive (read: girly). It’s not a big deal. I still read him and think a lot of his writing voice and his valuable work for the home team. Plus he turned me on to James McMurtry and was always gracious to me personally.
I’m ready for baseball, too. Very excited about the Cubs series. Can’t ask for a better start than that. And can’t wait to see what Heyward can do. I personally hope they start him from day one so by the second half he will acclimated, rather than bringing him in at the middle and having his hardest knocks take place during the chase.
February 7th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
*”the talk do about him” is Over-studied Dutchman for “they do talk about them”
February 7th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Alright, I apologize to ABT for tainting the comments section of the best interview with icky personal crap. Steve & company, do feel free to erase those posts.
Go Braves!
February 7th, 2010 at 2:53 pm
If your comments are “personal crap” what should I call #173 and my sick feeling? So does anyone know for sure if the caveman has for sure signed with the Tigers? I heard rumblings but nothing definitive.
February 7th, 2010 at 2:54 pm
For sure? Fo’ shizzle? Sho’ nough?
February 7th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
I dunno, but I had that same dream just last night. And I was like, “Leah, put some pants on, girl!” *Ba-dum, bum ctchhhhhh* [crickets]
February 7th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Ok…that comment was almost as funny as your t-shirt comment re: 7″ from the previous show. Almost woke up Rev. From his Sunday slumber with my laughter.
February 7th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Leah, I couldn’t find anything for you on Damon & the Tigers being definite. I would think they’ll snag him, though. I don’t think Detroit is as willing to go to camp with their current team as Atlanta is, and they have a passionate owner who I expect would like the idea of a superstar, aged or not.
February 7th, 2010 at 7:54 pm
Superbowl Halftime Post.
Go BRAVES!!!!!!!!
February 7th, 2010 at 8:09 pm
Whoooooo are you who who who who. Whoooooooooo are you.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Oh poor Peyton.
February 7th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
Yup. That’s poop.
February 7th, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Just like I called it, Colts by 17
February 7th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
How many minutes after the interception before you and Steve got Hammy’s “Who dat” text?
February 7th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
he’s humble
February 8th, 2010 at 9:47 am
Yes – big props to Hammy. Who not only had it over Curt and I in the SB department, but most of the country as well.
So – what did y’all think of the Who’s performance? They were my first rock band as a teenager. The first band that I went crazy for, bought every piece of vinyl they ever produced, every boot leg, had countless t-shirts, posters, etc. All of which to say my critical eye is not too sharp when it comes to them.
Bub – sycophant is such a tremendous word. I was jazzed about that post for quite a while.
Chuck James – I’ve got to tell you that your DOB blog moniker has been my favorite for years. Well done.
February 8th, 2010 at 5:49 pm
If something doesn’t happen soon, I’m going back to my bottom of the barrel baseball puns.
Hey, what did God say after the first man died?
Adam Dunn.
What did the bullpen say to the nosy young reporter dude?
“Boyer Medlen too much.”
[dodging tomato]
February 8th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Somebody else loves us.
http://www.baseballprojection.com/2010/standings2010.htm
February 8th, 2010 at 7:28 pm
Can’t quite understand the Mariners being tagged for last place, but whatever. They picked Atlanta so they’re flippin’ geniuses.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:30 pm
#192 – nice link, Bub. Poor Nats. Such a nice stadium…doesn’t deserve sub-par play and empty seats.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
I kind of like the idea of the Nationals doing well in that park, too. Also, haven’t mentioned it before, but I think they have the best name of any expansion team. Sounds so old school: The Nationals. If they weren’t in our own division, I’d probably pull for them as a second club.
February 8th, 2010 at 7:38 pm
And by expansion team, I of course mean… team that moved cities… in the last 20 years… among those ones.
February 8th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
They should have called them the Senators. I know that:
1. That harkens back to several failed – see moved – franchises
2. There is a hockey team of the same name
but to me the Senators is a classic for the DC market and franchise. And there is some great history there. That said, I too am a closet Nats fan as my wife’s family is in DC.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
I dunno. To me, “Nationals” sounds more rugged, while still sounding patrio-political. (Yeah, I made that word up.) But I guess if I had a bunch of old Senators sports images to cancel out the suit & tie images, it might be different.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Steve, I liked The Who although I’m afraid they must have needed oxygen after the show. They did also make me want to watch old CSI episodes.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:17 pm
You know, Walter Johnson played for the Senators.
http://i.a.cnn.net/si/multimedia/photo_gallery/0605/gallery.intimidatingpitchers/images/Walter_Johnson.jpg
February 8th, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Curt, I wish I had half your memory.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Well, can’t get more rugged than that picture!
February 8th, 2010 at 10:28 pm
Steve, I didn’t catch the halftime. I know, weird. And my The Who exposure is wanting. I’ve got one cd. Forgive me.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Ok…I’m about ready to stab myself with a pitchfork. I’m assuming no new show this week due to heart day and all. I understand. So, someone come up with a topic quick or I’ll be forced to revert back to Dostoevsky, Austen and a really great rock band that no longer needs to be mentioned.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:53 pm
I listened to that whole cd again today. I’ve decided tracks 3, 9, and 13 are my favorites.
I have a topic. Everybody give their reaction to Sid Bream’s slide.
I was at my grandmother’s house. I jumped straight up, then bent down, fell forward, and lay on the ground face down yelling for about a minute, then rolled over and looked up at the ceiling and held two fists up towards the sky. And my grandmother scolded me for scaring her half to death.
February 8th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Here’s Sid talking about it. Nice piece.
http://www.talkingchop.com/2008/8/4/586507/my-favorite-skip-caray-cal
February 8th, 2010 at 11:00 pm
Dangit. That link doesn’t work. I was just at a Sid Bream interview on the slide and I can’t get back to it. Oh well. It’s bed time anyways.
Go Braves!
February 8th, 2010 at 11:01 pm
Okay, there’s Sid. G’night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64EWuKtFcSg
February 8th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
I’m jealous. I wish I had that kind of history with the Braves.
February 8th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Great link Mr. Dylan. I want more moments like that in my memory. Is #13 Kick Drum heart? It shows up totally seperate on iTunes. My favorites are 2,7 and 8.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Steve, I never answered your Who question, either. I watched the Super Bowl commercials…uh, I mean, the Super Bowl. During the break before they started, I said, “I really don’t like The Who so much. I know they’re a classic and all, but, meh, not my favorite.” Cut to: they begin to play. I’m like, “Tommy! What a crap movie…but man, Pinball Wizard is pretty great.” Then the whole Who Are You and, basically, they drew me in. By the time they were halfway through, I took back everything and announced, “You know, I bet they put on a mean concert. I’m enjoying this.” AND I really hadn’t had a lot of bourbon by this time.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:25 am
That Tex trade really is the gift that keeps on giving. According to Sporting News, the Rangers have the two best 21-year-olds in baseball, Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz. Hurrah.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Sad. Were you guys happy when that trade went down or did you see him one day playing first base for the devil leaving us lamenting?
February 9th, 2010 at 9:16 am
Steve…me too. I loved the Who when I was like age 11 – 15. They were the first band where I tried to have every LP on vinyl, like Odds and Sods and Meaty Beaty Big and Bouncy, Quadrophenia, Tommy, Who’s Next.
February 9th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
I didn’t have a reaction to Sid Bream’s slide, as i hadn’t been born yet. Yes I know I have missed the great braves runs of the 90s but I have scene the highlight dozens of times.
But my father and mother were at the game, on a date. In fact it was my mother’s first braves game. She grasped none of the immense power that moment had in the city of Atlanta. She even asked if they could leave early on account of traffic.
Oh how i wish i was older than 16, but not really.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
“I didn’t have a reaction to Sid Bream’s slide, as i hadn’t been born yet.” Wiley, do you need a ride to the game in June? Are you coming just cause you think we’ll let you drink? I, the mama, claim the seat next to the kid. Seriously, had no idea you were a baby.
February 9th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
The Tex trade hurts. In every way. It hurts because he’s a big ol’ robotic lump of Yankee coal who cost us two studs for a year of his wait-till-i-get-warmed-up service. It hurts because on his way out the door, he kicked us with that Borastic malarkey (don’t google it, Leah, I made it up) about wanting to finish his career here. Puh-lease. And if any of you believe that I swear I’ll scoop out my spleen with a KFC spork. And it hurts because it was the trade that made the entire baseball world reconsider trading heavy value at the deadline for a run at the playoffs, making Atlanta an official cautionary tale.
What could have been in Atlanta without that trade or the Hampton contract?
February 9th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Haven’t watched this video since my iPhone just isn’t THAT smart but maybe it’s good and maybe someone will enjoy it. http://twitvid.com/F5A5F – #BravesCaravan Q & A in Knoxville… Otis Nixon talks about the magic of 1991.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
No no Leah. I think my dad’ll most likely go with me to the philly series and we’ll probably see you all there. After all, he’s an avid fan of the show. But even if we dont sit together. We’ll definitely meet up.
And yes leah I do consider you my second mother.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:45 pm
Pay no attention to Leah, Wiley. Sit next to ME. I enjoy corrupting the youth of today. Go Braves!
February 9th, 2010 at 4:48 pm
Also has anyone been to the annual career fair they hold down at Turner. I was thinking about attending it and was curious if anyone had strong opinions or any opinions for that matter.
February 9th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Anne, did I tell you I’m 12?
February 9th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
didnt mean to ignore your comment. I hadnt reloaded the page. But yes i suppose we will have to have an auction.
February 9th, 2010 at 5:04 pm
Oh how Bubdylan makes me laugh. Wiley, I am very impressed with you young man. Very well spoken. Now, go do your homework.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Bub, even I have my limits, but you can sit on the other side of me.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
Actually I was hoping to sit by Curt. Slip some Kool Aid in his brew.
February 9th, 2010 at 6:28 pm
^There’s nothing metaphorical about that post. Just to clear that up.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:40 pm
Johnny Damon’s text reply to AJC about possibility of an offer from Braves: “I hope. They are definitely a team that is on top of the list.”
Yeah…like the ONLY team on the top. The other team’s on the bottom of the list.
February 9th, 2010 at 7:58 pm
Jeez, you miss a couple of days on this blog and it takes an hour to read all the posts!
Anne, thanks for the inside stuff on the SunTrustClub. Also, don’t listen to Bub, he’s 13 if he’s a day.
Steve. I was not the big Who fan that you and Will were but liked them a lot. At work on Monday, several people were saying “ugh, they were terrible, who puts those oldies on the SB, they weren’t even really playing…etc” I thought it was cool and pretty hilarious those “oldies” were up there singing “teenage wasteland” What a gas!
Curt, great photo of Walter Johnson. Not many people know he is the great grandfather of Robin Williams.
Princess Leah, I agree with Anne. If I ever come across any meaningful Prado memorabilia I will forward it on to you.
Friday week! Go Braves!
February 9th, 2010 at 8:30 pm
I apologize in advance for the length. This’ll take a bit.
This snip from Rob Neyer backs up my parks theory:
“Regardless, the Mets’ 2009 power outage wasn’t exclusively a Citi Field phenomenon. They ranked last in the majors in road homers last season with 46. Pittsburgh had the second-fewest with 50. The Yankees and Phillies, who play in hitter-friendly ballparks, also ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in road homers with 116 and 108, respectively. ”
See, I’ve been arguing (did I say this here already?) that a small home park makes hitter better on the road. And a large home park makes hitter worse on the road. I’ve never researched the numbers, but when has that ever stopped me from flashing a hypothesis?
Anyways, I know the Yankees and Phillies have just plain good hitters, but the Mets (I know, injuries, but…) fall all the way to dead last in road homers? That’s too much.
My theory is that the park-padded numbers hitter achieve at home make them relax. They relax early in the season about fulfilling their offensive obligations to the team, due to the good numbers. They relax their swing, knowing that good solid contact is all you need for a chance to get it out of the park. They relax about their personal contracts because the numbers are looking good.
And when they get out on the road? Still confident. Still relaxed. It simply carries over. They don’t try to kill the ball when they are visiting Turner Field. Their habits are set.
Meanwhile, you might think visiting hitters would gain confidence when they visit you in your small park. Maybe a little, but not nearly the kind of permanent hitter’s swagger that settles in on a player who plays a band box all year.
Then, there is the converse. If you are a hitter playing in a place like Citi, you take on habits of strain, mental and physical. And those follow you on the road, even when you visit Philly.
Maybe the Phillies would play division-winning ball if their home field was the Ted. I dunno. But hitting is so much about rhythm. And rhythm is so much about confidence. And confidence in baseball is mightily helped by putting up good numbers… Which breeds more good numbers… more confidence… more rhythm.
You could say that the pitchers of team with a small home park suffer a balancing opposite, but I think that a very twisted thing happens instead. Pitchers learn how to survive in their small home ball park. They get a lot of breaks on their ERA cuz, hey, it’s a band box, right? And then, on the road, they have double confidence. Meanwhile, visiting pitchers get all screwed up thinking how few mistakes they can make and survive that game in that park. I know some of you will sniff the fallacy in this part of the argument, and I can only answer it by saying that in the end, I don’t think that the small ballpark voo-doo works against pitchers as much as it works FOR hitters. I’ll bet there are numbers that would support this. Not that I’m going to go find them or anything.
February 9th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
The heck do ya mean?
February 9th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
A small home park helps a team win more games.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Okay, I just read back over it. It’s lame. Season needs to get here already.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:17 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Or4QGI80Y
maybe geezers now, the Who used to blow my teenage mind…check out
Hammy – now I see why Bobby Valentine wouldn’t give ABT an interview about Japanese pitchers…he has been in the middle of a royal disaster – basically being fired for his embarrasing $20 million contract – and over being an alleged primma donna. Its not very Japanese to make too much money….somebody forgot to tell KK! Good for KK! Thats actually a good sign – he has control over his own mind.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:21 pm
I look forward to sitting next to Bub and sharing a nice cool glass of reality.
As far as the Tex trade, my thoughts at the time were:
1. Excited that the Braves were actually making a move and a big one at that
2. Felt like maybe they were mortgaging the future a little by giving up so much
3. Completely supported the move thinking it would propel them to the WS
But with time and retrospection, this could be one of the worst trades ever. I think Schuerholz needs to be held much more accountable for it, and I’m not sure why he hasn’t been. It was as if he felt that he was leaving his GM post, so why bother with the future of the team. I think he traded something like 4 of the top-10 farm hands in that deal? How are we going to feel if the next generation Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera were traded for nothing? We literally have nothing to show for that deal.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:24 pm
“See, I’ve been arguing (did I say this here already?)…” um, where else exactly have you been talking baseball?! I also think psychologically a hitter would be able to feel like he just needed a little more umph to get it out of the park if he’s used to a hitter friendly home field. While in reverse a hitter may get a little too relaxed in a smaller park if he’s used to a bigger park. I have no clue what I’m talking about or if it agrees or disagrees with your previous comment. Hell, maybe I just reiterated what you said in girly talk. I do know it’s a good thing you’re funny cause that comment will kill my iPhone.
So Damon should be so steeped in confidence by hitting in Yankee Stadium that he’s ready for a bigger park like TF. I get it…I hear ya.
I’m taking MattChu’s advice and have planned a mother/son outing to a local collegiate baseball game. It does help to have baseball coming up on a date I can actually see on the horizon. So GO …whatever the battle cry is for University of Vermont.
I’m hoping lots of Prado/Infante signed memorabilia comes your way this season.
Tcc and Anne, “my grace” appreciates your servitude.
February 9th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
TCC – I am with you. I got sucked in a workhole, and I resurface to too many comments to take in. A couple of thoughts:
- Our boy, Wheel (that’s how I pronounce it – you can take a boy out of the south, etc.) is the one who turned me on to the Who. 5:15, Will? Classic. (For me, I kept expecting them at halftime to say “And now, from CSI New York . . . We Won’t Get Fooled Again!)
- I remember jumping up and down and hugging my roommate, Bill, when Sid slid. That was the first and last time I ever did that.
That’s all I got for now.
February 9th, 2010 at 11:04 pm
Leah, to answer your old question, which I kind of forgot about: Head Full of Doubt, Ill With Want, and Incomplete and Insecure. (Yikes. Running theme, anyone?). And, even though the lyrics are the main thing for the whole album (for me), those are the three most haunting melodies.
And I’ve decided that the sharp organ blast that comes on the word “light” in “darkness upon me that’s flooded in light” is my favorite moment on the whole CD. Did I say that already? I swear… I’m getting old.
To answer your more recent question, I talk on the mlb.com board sometimes. It’s rough over there, but I get the advantage of not giving three dangs what anybody thinks of my lame opinions.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:38 am
Late Night Post! Wow Bub, the songs are all mixed up on my iPhone. My favorites are January Wedding, Laundry Room, and Ill With Want. RIP Captain Phil Harris from Deadliest Catch.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Anybody seeing DOB’s tweets? Bring it!
February 10th, 2010 at 12:52 pm
DOB is one Damon-stokin’ hombre. Using Atlanta to get a better contract from another team: a 21st Century tradition.
Griffey: always wanted to play for Bobby.
Furcal: ready to get back to Bobby. Just fax me dat der term sheet.
Damon: I hope so… top of the list.
February 10th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
There ya go Bub…dashing my hopes. He seems to still want a 2 year deal and THAT I would not go for.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Hey, don’t let me dash your hopes. The Braves’ interest appears to be real. And it’s a no-lose situation for me. I’ve warmed up to having Johnny in the line-up (and in the media guide, I’ll admit that), so if we get him, hey that’s groovy. But if (when) he goes somewhere else I can rev up my Diaz-watch to full speed again. Either version is good for this fan.
But I highly doubt Wren will spend much. If Detroit is already in the lead with a two-year offer, I would expect them to remain in the lead. (Of course, the two year offer could be more Borastic Malarkey). The last Boras contract we outbid everybody for was Lowe. And we were unbelievably desperate for a quality pitcher. I don’t see Wren feeling that desperate just to add a LF when we already have a Diaz-Melky-Schafer (assuming Heyward in RF) depth chart out there.
Recent bidding wars: Burnett (lost), Furcal (lost), Griffey Jr. (lost), Lowe (won = lost).
February 10th, 2010 at 1:18 pm
Nice ink on Heyward from Rosenthal, via Bowman:
Jason Heyward is more than the top prospect in baseball.
He’s the player who could transform the Braves from a modest threat into a World Series contender. [...]
Teams routinely delay the promotions of top prospects until the cutoff date passes for them to qualify for an extra year of arbitration, usually around May 15. The Braves did just that with Hanson. But they had four starting pitchers ahead of him.
Their need for Heyward is more urgent.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Sorry, that’s not via Bowman. It’s over at Choptalk, from Gondee.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
Bub…I totally just copied that link to post. I LOVE reading about Heyward. Again, I have to reiterate I only want Damon if it’s the right price and for a year.
February 10th, 2010 at 1:39 pm
Hamilton, LOST=creepy!
February 10th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
New show coming Monday, the 15th. Talking prospects with Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus.
And a little something to torture Bub: http://markbowman.mlblogs.com/archives/2010/02/source_says_braves_made_offer.html
February 10th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Cruel, Steve. And I called you Captain.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
MLB says Braves have offered 2-4 Mil for one year. Hmm.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Lukas – you’ve grown much more coherent over the past few days. Glad to see you’ve dried out.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:28 pm
Here is a lengthy, but worthy rant from somebody called 11String at mlb.com
This move is bad on so many levels. The implications are horrible. Doing this means one (or more) of several things:
1) We will not be seeing Matt Diaz as an everyday player, but instead, Johnny Damon. This is horrendous. Diaz is younger (32 this year), more powerful, a better hitter, and a better fielder. Conclusion: Matt Diaz is a better baseball player. Diaz posted an overall UZR in the OF in 2009 of -4.9 in 2009. In LF (where he is positioned to play in 2010), he posted a +2.9 metric.
While Diaz has never been accused of being a Gold Glover, it is plain-to-see to any Braves fan that Diaz’s outfield play has improved tremendously over the years we’ve seen him in ATL, and his range is actually quite good. His arm, while not fantastic, is certainly lightyears above Damon’s.
Meanwhile, Damon (age 36 this year) posted an awful -12.1 UZR in LF this year, the only position he played all year. Given the age disparity, we can probably assume Diaz will maintain his good defensive range in 2010, while Damon will resemble something similar to what we saw in Garret Anderson last year (read: “Fock my life”).
And again … there’s the significant dropoff in arm strength from Diaz to Damon … not to mention the dropoff from Anderson to Damon … it’s possible Damon will be defensively worse than Anderson was last year. Such a crime of constructing the roster in this fashion is unforgivable.
===========================
2) Jason Heyward won’t being in the big leagues. While this is good because it delays his arbitration clock, it is likely bad as it doesn’t have us break camp with the best team possible.
===========================
3) This likely forces a trade at some point of either Melky Cabrera, Nate McLouth, or Jordan Schafer. And while we were likely looking at a trade of either Cabrera or McLouth at some point depending on the development of Schafer, I don’t like the idea of forcing the issue to accomodate an aging veteran with declining skills who wants a 1-year stay in Georgia.
Cabrera, while defensively much superior in the corner outfield to Damon (and Diaz, for that matter), I fully expect to put up similar numbers in 2010 to what Damon would put up in Atlanta.
Damon’s numbers were greatly inflated by New Yankee Stadium, while Cabrera’s were not. On the road, Damon posted a line of .284/.349/.446/.795.
Cabrera on the road posted .278/.336/.409/.745.
That is not a great difference in performance. Now adjust for Damon’s continuing declining skills, and Cabrera’s growing skills, and you’re likely coming at eerily similar results in 2010.
Neither player is a good fit for leadoff. Damon stole an amazing 12 bases last year. 12. You really think that his .350 OBP and 12 SB is a better option that McLouth’s .350-.360 OBP and his 25 SB ability? Or that Damon would play better than Diaz’s .360ish OBP and 15-20 SB potential?
Signing Damon is stupid. Stupid, stupid, stupid. It’s a waste of what money we do have left in the coffers, and buys us a name, and a name only. The player is certainly not a better everyday option than Diaz, is not a better leadoff option than McLouth, and is not better than Heyward or Cabrera.
I say no to this. No emphatically. I’m mad at Wren for caving into the pressure laid upon him by those in the Atlanta media without the mental capacity to realize this is 2010 and not 2003, and Damon is not the player he once was. Signing Damon, by multiple extensions, makes us a worse club in 2010 because it delays Cox from putting the best lineup on the field, something that will undoubtedly be realized and fixed in July of 2010 … months too late to make the playoffs, I’m afraid.
February 10th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Did I write that?
February 10th, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Curt, you don’t like Dam*n (get it Bub? I made it a curse word)? So glad there’s a new show…for the sake of my sanity and thumbs oh the poor thumbs.
February 10th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
You baseball wise guys should help a brother out.
http://bit.ly/9v1yQi
February 10th, 2010 at 8:01 pm
Got a ? whom would they trade if Damon was added? or would they? IMO keeping Heyward in triple A would only help him, till June.You can’t slow his progress down only help it since he has only seen very limited time in triple A.The needed at bats at that level is just that needed.Maybe i will see something in Spring Training to change my mind.If i do see he needs to start the season in the show then Melky would be a trade chip not a great one but decent in no way would i trade Diaz or Nate at this point.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:07 pm
Damon, huh? Well I guess we got what we got..did Lukas say that? I mean that now we just wait and see how it all plays out. Yes, Heyward can spend sometime in Gwinnett and it should only help. MattChu..I would not trade those guys either.
February 10th, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Well here’s a quote that shows what I know about Chipper & Damon having no chemistry.
***********
A little more Chipper on Damon: “I know Johnny. We played on the WBC together, and he’s from Central Florida just like me. We always had a connection — my dad recruited him at Stetson.”
February 10th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
Bub you have great points.I believe Damon has 2yrs left in him though i just want him for one and to put this simple Damon would put butts in the sits at the Ted.This could influence the payroll for next year.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:15 pm
I knew I liked that Matt guy.
February 10th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
I just wrote a song about getting Damon. I’m gonna youtube it probably by tomorrow. I’m not even kidding.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:34 pm
MattChu..I think Jason Heyward would put more BITS than Damon, but may now have fewer AB’s to do so.
February 10th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Leah, don’t hate me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2y-mLjqz_bA
February 10th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
Bub, “Talkin’ Matty Diaz Blues”? Very nearly brilliant. Where was the harmonica???
February 10th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Tcc, does that sound like the guitar playing of somebody who can play a harmonica?
February 10th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
Bub – you are one creative mofo. Seriously – I LOVED IT. One question: what was that first line, “you can grow your hair out like ….” Couldn’t understand that one line.
February 10th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
… you used to and look like a neanderthal.
Enjoy it while you can. I’m three winces from ripping it down. Too harsh.
February 10th, 2010 at 11:52 pm
Veto the rip. Too great. The “other Dylan” was no genius on the mouth harp but it was a great effect. Great stuff, Bub!
February 11th, 2010 at 5:44 am
haahahahahahaahaaaaaaa
Bub! that was grate!!!
February 11th, 2010 at 7:17 am
I will hate you if you take it down b4 I see it. Gotta do my rat killin then I can see it. Rat killin= rugrats to school.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:00 am
Double blast! It won’t play on my phone. I’ll have to wait until John Bunyan brings home the laptop. Don’t you dare remove it Bubdylan! (wispers) I thought Cledus was the rock star.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:34 am
LOL awesome!!! BUB!!! Next thing you know it will be on Mike&Mike in the morning on ESPN! Maybe Chipper could use it in his recruiting efforts LOL!!! Very talented Bub,i enjoyed it!
February 11th, 2010 at 10:04 am
Boy, if you ever want to find out how narcissistic you really are, post something on youtube.
Better hurry, Leah. Getting squeamish…
(Thanks for the compliments, though)
February 11th, 2010 at 10:49 am
Ill leave this message board forever if you take it down! FOR…EVER!
February 11th, 2010 at 11:30 am
This little snip from Schultz (sp?) piece on Smoltz kind of surprised me.
“I admire him and it was a pleasure to be around him for so long,” Smoltz said of Cox. “Nothing would make it a more perfect scenario than if the Braves went out and won the whole thing in his last year. That’s how much respect I have for him.”
February 11th, 2010 at 11:53 am
Bowman just told 790 that he does not see Damon playing for the Braves next year.
February 11th, 2010 at 12:47 pm
Oh…my…goodness. You da man funny guy! I would give up Damon for that song if I had to. Why would you take away the listening pleasure of Braves fans everywhere? Leave it I say!!!!
What does Bowman know.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:21 pm
Have you guys seen this? Is it a joke? DH in the NL?
February 11th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Oh…ok…I get it. It’s a joke. Got it. But Glavine’s back for reals.
February 11th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
That’s comforting news on Glavine. I’m getting exhausted from disliking him & Smoltz anyways. I (Kool Aid King) envision this healing the (presumed) rift between Wren and Bobby enough to flood the clubhouse with enough warm fuzzies to propel us to a Championship.
Cuz in the end, it isn’t pitching, it isn’t hitting, or even just any old kind of chemistry that wins it all. It’s warm fuzzies.
*hands Curt an airline bag*
February 11th, 2010 at 3:12 pm
Dear Bub, I really love your song. Can I have your autograph?
February 11th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Speaking of airline bags…I’m headed to Austin tonight, home of the Round Rock Express, AAA Affiliate of the Houston Astros. Not saying that because I’m going for baseball, just saying. Go Braves.
February 11th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
Now there’s a city rich in roots music. Will get to take in any tune-idge?
February 11th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
-To Leah… you are the inspiration for all of my drunken Braves songs. Stay sassy — Bub Dylan
February 11th, 2010 at 3:18 pm
(I know, I know… Dr. Pepper. I’m workin’ on it.)
February 11th, 2010 at 4:28 pm
Leah, if you’ve never seen the Slide and heard Skip call it, somebody’s posted it. I’m surprised MLB hasn’t had it pulled. They usually do.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krE1pmEAJ-E&feature=player_embedded
February 11th, 2010 at 5:07 pm
Chills. I miss Skip and how funny to see all the old guys so young. I hate to bring it up but was he really safe? BASEBALL!!!! I’m positively convulsing for the crack of bats! And…a new show or I’ll never find the bottom of the message board with my phone.
February 11th, 2010 at 5:24 pm
The man said, “HE ISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS… SAFE!!!! BRAVES WIN!!”
So, I reckon he’s safe. 8)
You gotta get a laptop, Your Highness.
I’m hungry and there’s not a thing here in the apartment. But all my pants are in the washer. Life’s not fair. How far past the date can you fry an egg?
February 11th, 2010 at 6:02 pm
I guess Detroit’s lost their damn minds.
http://twitter.com/SI_JonHeyman/status/8981449535
February 11th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Oh, and LOL at “Braves also trying.” *facepalm*
February 11th, 2010 at 6:26 pm
I think that’s their marketing campaign slogan for 2010.
February 11th, 2010 at 6:27 pm
You took your damn song down before I could see it.
And it looks like MLB took the slide down too.
Rassa frassa
February 11th, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Haha, #291.
Yeah, sorry Curt. You missed the show. It just wasn’t doing much for me sober.
February 11th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
The Slide is still there..always great to see.
February 11th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
I’m enraged, vexed, livid, incensed, and yes hot! You took it down? SHAME ON YOU! I wanted to listen to it again. I can’t exactly remember how the line went about Damon not being fit to hold Diaz’s jock strap. Seriously, either put it back up or at least give us the lyrics. “It just wasn’t doing much for me sober”. I’m the Princess!
In other news I need a little personal leeway. I just watched my youngest button his jammie shirt which may not sound huge. But for a child who could barely talk a year ago due to a developmental delay tonight he climbed Mt. Everest. Okay…I’m done…thanks.
February 11th, 2010 at 7:35 pm
Congrats, Princess Mom..and Bub, get that back up! Right away!
February 11th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
Bub – seriously. This is bigger than you now. Get that song back up and just let it go.
Leah – congrats to you and your son. One of mine went to OT for many years so I’m totally with you on hitting those seemingly not big to others, but enormous to you, kind of moments. Very nice.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:44 pm
I’m sorry folks. That snarky side of myself is troublesome to me. I’m sure you understand. But as Bobby’s last season trucks along, I’ll try to write something in a warmer tone (hands Curt another bag) and do it up right.
Leah, kudos on the awesomeness of your boy’s buttoning. In my SPE-300 class, it was eye-opening to see how the paths of children with developmental delays differ so much according to their parents’ attitudes and efforts.
February 11th, 2010 at 8:51 pm
That is great news Leah.
As Andrew Carnegie said:
Think of yourself as on the threshold of unparalleled success. A whole clear, glorious life lies before you. Achieve! Achieve!
February 11th, 2010 at 9:35 pm
THIS… IS… SPARTA!
(do you see what I did there?)
February 11th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
I do NOT understand! I want it back! I’ll make a deal Bub. If Damon ends up in a Braves uniform I can sort of understand you not wanting it out there (not really but I’ll trust you have your reasons). But if Damon does not end up in a Braves uni give us the song to laugh at! It will curve my very small disappointment.
February 12th, 2010 at 12:28 am
Well the tigers offered Damon too just another Boras plot!If i was Wren i would not offer anymore than whats on the table.Its real simple, Damon could have a realistic shot at the playoffs or play for a team just for the money.This will determine for me if Damon really wants to be with a winner.It will also determine if money is everything to him,he has made plenty of money over his career ,more than i will ever make!
February 12th, 2010 at 5:41 am
Stephan Curry triple double helz to the yelz
February 12th, 2010 at 10:00 am
Will – why do you care about Stephen Curry? Did you go to Davidson? A place I applied, by the way. A very beautiful campus, as I remember.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:12 pm
MattChu – I think that the money vs. the winning thing is easy to be judgemental about when us common folk see 7, 8, and 9 digit earnings. But it’s all relative. And I think that as Americans, living in our capitalistic society, where money is king, it’s damn hard to leave money on the table in any situation. Also, with a nod to Dimino this week, the winning is often more important to us fans than it is to the players. Sad and cynical, but true, imo.
February 12th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
That looks like a whole lotta fun.
Check out the view from the dugout as snow falls at Turner Field. http://twitvid.com/5B11B
February 12th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
“the winning is often more important to us fans than it is to the players.”
This is surely true. Though I have to say that winning seems more important to most of the players than I would have predicted it would be if you just described the circumstance to me. I would have thought that if you gave a bunch of jocks millions of dollars to play a game, most of their competitive fire would die out and they’d adopt “just happy to be here” attitudes. But that doesn’t seem to be the case. It would be hard to fake the kind of excitement you see when teams get on a roll, and hard to fake the kind of blues that, for example, the Braves clearly exhibited the last couple of years when things fell apart.
Conversely, if we fans, by some freak circumstance, were awarded 10 million dollars to just watch broadcasts of our favorite team all year, win or lose, I doubt that seeing them lose would upset us so much.
So I give the players a little credit on this topic.
February 12th, 2010 at 8:27 pm
My husband tried to get an Atlanta Braves Snuggie for me for V’day. However, MLB doesn’t make snuggies for the Atlanta Braves. That’s sick and wrong.
Bub, I meant to tell you many comments ago, my favorite moment on the album is when The Perfect Space gets groovy. What is your very very favorite line or verse?
February 12th, 2010 at 9:45 pm
Steve – sorry for the nerd explosion. I did – Davidson class of 1992. Gorgeous campus, idyllic. But not much for sports. Cept for hunting and fishin after girls from Salem or UNC-Charlotte. Good times. Having Curry was fun- so unexpected.
February 12th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Seems to me that motivation is more of an individual thing, particularly with pro athletes. I would hope that most guys would be motivated by the desire to win at all costs, particularly given how much money they make, but I don’t think that is always the case. It certainly, and I think most tragically, isn’t the case for owners. Look at the Royals. David Glass, their owner, is one of the richest guys in the world, and he could care less.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
Ahem…Curt, you mean couldn’t care less. Sorry, pet peeve.
February 12th, 2010 at 10:30 pm
I’m snowver it. Bring on Spring! If I were paid 10 million dollars to watch i’d fund a big bat and the manufacturing of the Braves Snuggie. Then I’d be broke again and would care about wins and loses.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:16 pm
anyone watching the olympics?
February 12th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
I am. Snore.
Turns out you need Chinese slave labor to make an interesting opening ceremonies.
I could care less………
February 12th, 2010 at 11:22 pm
on Glavine – crikey – 4th most winning lefthander in history – had sort of forgotten that. Glad hes on board. He likes hockey too.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Thrashers got a big Win without Kovy.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:30 pm
*punches Curt*
February 12th, 2010 at 11:31 pm
thought lord of the dance + Kurt Cobain + fiddles was kinda an odd choice – sad about the athlete who died on the luge. certainly these guys/galls are doing it to win, not for money…does that make it boring? Interesting…hadnt really thought of that.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
my son is sitting here making fun of the French…..love it..
February 12th, 2010 at 11:34 pm
I love the Olympics. Ultimate compitition. Ultimate diversity.
February 12th, 2010 at 11:37 pm
yes….we like diversity…sorry for my non p.c. post about the French..it was too easy…my son then says “is that a man?” to KD Lang…
Olympics good. KD Lang good. All good…
February 12th, 2010 at 11:39 pm
Will, check out “Maritime and French Canadian Fiddling”. A huge part of Canadian culture with significant influence on American fiddle styles.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:05 am
Oh Canada. So close. At least it wasn’t the Olympic cauldron that screwed up.
Will, in all fairness to Jr, kd lang does sort of look like a young Wayne Newton in that white suit.
February 13th, 2010 at 12:17 am
Winning should mean everything! The money they do make no matter how much,its going to be 400,000 and up at the MLB level,shouldnt matter.Most guys dont even get a shot at the playoffs and if you do its addictive!! You want it there every year or a shot at it.I had to go into to detox the first year the Braves didnt go!!!but relapsed found some VHS tapes of the Braves playoff seasons in review(all 14) i went through them like a MAD MAN I TELL YOU!! A MAD MAN!!
February 13th, 2010 at 10:27 am
NEW SHOW! “Don’t throw your lollipops just hand McLouth the ball.” or something like that. See, I can’t be sure since it’s been a while since I heard the lyrics. Sad. Very sad.
February 13th, 2010 at 5:03 pm
Leah, probably the chorus to “Ill With Want.”
Or from the first line until “… up to you my father” in “Incomplete and Insecure.”
Particularly:
“Will there ever be silence
without mental violence?
Will the ringing at night go away?”
The album is full of very resonant lines, some of them simple, but framed in a very effective way. That’s a rare talent in my opinion, to understand the difference between “filler lines” that say nothing and overly-clever lines that try to frig your mind with impossible imagery and calm lines that don’t try to say too much, but just resonate. Bruce Springsteen aces that style in sometimes. These guys do it, too.
( Ugh, speaking of trying to sound too clever…)
February 13th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Temporary is my time, ain’t nothing on this world that’s mine
Except the will i found to carry on
Free is not your right to chose
It’s answering what’s asked of you
To give the love you find until it’s gone
That’s my very favorite.
February 13th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Yeah, those are great lines. Forgot about them somehow.
February 13th, 2010 at 8:54 pm
Is anyone else sort of bemused/disgusted by We Are the World v2? How many times do you think we will see it before the Olympics are over? 50?
February 13th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
Hammy, did you know that one time Bub wrote this great song about Damon and we could go listen to it any time we wanted. Oh how we would laugh…those were the days…
February 13th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Want be on for a day or so LOL!.I hate to do this but have to.Spending the next 8 days in the Bahamas!!! First time going,taking laptop so i can keep in touch and tell yaw every little detail LOL!! I promise to have as much fun as possible!
February 13th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
http://bit.ly/cejosI Thoughts? Since, clearly we need something to talk about.
February 13th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Bob Costas needs to learn another facial expresion. One is not enough in his profession. Smile? Frown? Yawn?? Single pancake with two raisons is kinda creepy.
February 14th, 2010 at 12:11 am
Maybe raisin is correcter.
February 14th, 2010 at 6:21 pm
Jamie Moyer’s old.
February 14th, 2010 at 10:08 pm
Jamie Moyer’s old what?
February 15th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Heh. I tried to think of something funny, but I couldn’t.
Ah, mid February. The calm before the storm. I’m getting the feeling Damon’s offer from Detroit isn’t like the highest ones rumored. But I still think he’ll end up there.
If the Yankees swoop in and take him from Detroit, that’ll be a punch in the stomach. I want New York to calm down and they are showing some signs they will do that. And I want a couple of players each offseason to pay a toll for turning down good offers and setting their beginning demands at some looney-toon figure. So far this year LaRoche has taken a real hit. Anyone else? Adding a Boras client to that list would make my heart sing.
Maybe we can see players start to get on board earlier in the hot stove season, and more appreciative of decent offers. I know, I’m dreaming. On such a winter’s day. (That’s a really sad song if you pay close attention to it, by the way.)
February 15th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
I’m sick to death of Damon. I don’t even care anymore. I hope everyone had a great V’day and all were kind to their ladies.
“I love winners when they cry and losers when they try…” I Love, Starbucks Sweetheart album
-for the record I don’t love onions or squirrels but the harmony is fabulous.
February 15th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
MattChu – have a great time in the Bahamas.
Tcc – Regarding Costas’ facial expressions (or lack thereof) I think that’s what a bunch of surgery and a bunch of botox does to a person.
Bub – I totally agree on the DET offer. If 2 years, 14MM was really on the table, he would have snatched it by now, right? I think there’s really just 1 yr, 7MM being offered by DET and he’s just waiting to see if ATL (or NY, TAM, CHI) will get anywhere close. Because who wants to live in DET?
February 15th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
Reminder: New show tonight. Kevin Goldstein from Baseball Prospectus talks Braves prospects with us.
February 15th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Steve, that’s exactly what I was thinking about the Damon offer. 2 years at 14 million, with all other suitors stuck at under half that, would have been taken. Even in Boras Land, there’s more sense than that.
February 15th, 2010 at 2:56 pm
Mark Newman wrote a beautiful article called “Pitchers and catchers signal dawn of 2010″ on MLB.com. Well worth the time. Can’t wait for the new show (and it taking less than 2 full minutes to get to the submit comment here box).
February 15th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Almost there, Leah.
February 15th, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Keep scrollin’…
February 15th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Thumbin’ a ride…
February 15th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
Not…
.
.
.
.
.
quite…
.
.
.
.
to the …
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
…end…
.
.
*whew…*
February 15th, 2010 at 5:14 pm
And… YOU’RE THERE! And to reward your efforts, I have the best baseball post you EVER READ.
.
.
.
.
.
Johnny
.
.
D
A
M
O
N
!
February 15th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Funny guy…and now I’m dead from exhaustion. It was nice knowing you ABT.
February 15th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
Might as well go for…
February 15th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
350
February 15th, 2010 at 7:59 pm
GOLD STEIN!
GOLD STEIN!
GOLD STEIN!
February 15th, 2010 at 8:02 pm
“Braves standout Jair Jurrjens will have an MRI on his sore pitching shoulder. Reported a week early and had mild soreness for a few days.”
Crapola. Shiitake Mushroom.
February 15th, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Um, that’s not good.
February 15th, 2010 at 8:52 pm
Crap.
February 15th, 2010 at 9:38 pm
Shake it off, Jair, C’mon kid!
February 15th, 2010 at 9:53 pm
We should have never traded Renteria. 8)
February 15th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
show coming soon. some good stuff on our future
February 15th, 2010 at 10:02 pm
For real…how bad is this? I mean I know if it’s bad it’s freakin “Can we have Javier back” bad but could it not be bad? Could it be tendinitis?
February 15th, 2010 at 10:26 pm
Leah, Jurrjens had some shoulder issues in Detroit. And when we traded for him, I was concerned, imagining he would never make it through his first full MLB year without flare ups. But he did.
But then, in his second year, when he was a prime candidate for the Verducci effect and Sophomore Slump, I figured it would definitely flare up this time. But he did fine again.
So, on the one hand, I’m as ready as anybody to be concerned about it. But so far he has proven tough against whatever shoulder problems threaten him. So, here’s hoping.