Show #96: Our Interview with Martin Gandy of Talking Chop
We talk to Martin about his blogs, his new book, and story lines from Spring Training.
144 Responses to “Show #96: Our Interview with Martin Gandy of Talking Chop”
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Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 » Show All
March 9th, 2010 at 7:51 am
Great show. Thanks, Martin. I enjoy your writing.
Thurston over Conrad, eh? Might have a point about Thurston being more used to that role. Lower risk, lower reward. Better to turn the line up over with Thurston or is it better to have either a strike out or a huge, exciting XBH?
It’s nice to have a Spring battle that’s that clean. Just let them go at it and may the best man win.
I’m glad to hear Martin say Norton knows how to hit, just couldn’t do it. That his bat speed let him down. Because I like him as a guy a lot, and that makes it sound like he can excel at his new job. Next to Kelly Johnson, he’s my favorite couldn’t-cut-it-here guy that I want to see succeed in the game elsewhere.
So, what is the Chipperless line up? Is it Infante or is it Hinske? Do we know? And what is the McLouthless outfield? Heyward/Melky/Diaz? Right now, McLouth is my biggest concern up and down the entire team. It seems like his failure is the one we are least prepared to endure.
Go Braves!
March 9th, 2010 at 8:04 am
Alright, I just returned from some spring training batting averages, and the McLouth situation just isn’t that bad.
Here are some of his peers from our division, and for kicks, some Yanksox players:
W Harris .125
Adam Dunn .167
Jason Bay .200
Tatis .111
Fr*ncoe*r .111
Murphy .083
Uggla .125
Cantu .182
Maybin .143
Ibanez .167
Howard .167
Ruiz .167
Teixeira .100
Posada .100
Thames .111
Winn .143
Youkilis .167
Cameron .200
Maybe nobody else was concerned about McLouth, and this is just a post to myself. Not the first post to myself, just the latest. 8)
March 9th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Next up: Saite & Wagner comfort:
Blanton 13.50
AJ Burnett 10.78
Buchholz 13.50
Josh Johnson 9.00
A. Miller 13.50
Gagne 18.00
Joba 33.83
Lincecum 18.00
Jiminez 13.50
Weaver 10.78
Silva 27.00
Millwood………… 80.60
March 9th, 2010 at 8:24 am
Bub- if you keep posting to yourself, you’ll go blind.
March 9th, 2010 at 8:40 am
*tosses Bill James book under pillow and sits up straight on bed*
Huh? Wha? I was just… is dinner ready?
March 9th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Bub, it’s funny you mention McLouth, because he is my biggest concern as well. I know that he couldn’t see and was on a bum leg last year and that he should be a different player this year. I get all of that, intellectually, but my gut just isn’t buying it. Hopefully, of course, I’m wrong.
When Chipper is out, I think there will be a few different configurations. Both Glaus and Prado can play either 1st or 3rd and Infante can play 2nd. For the outfield, I would think the main replacement for McLouth will be Melky with Diaz in Left and Heyward in Right. And Bobby will throw Hinske in a corner spot from time to time as well.
March 9th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Like to mention that Melky’s looking like more of an asset that I’d thought. Wren is either lucky or good.
March 9th, 2010 at 10:38 am
Do you think they are going to move Glaus around? I honestly think it would screw him up more to go back and forth. I think if he is the guy at first, he needs to stay there. Plus, fewer throws for his shoulder to take. Brooks Conrad has also been playing some third this spring, so he’s an option. Maybe let Diory play SS and move Yuni to 3rd? Infield of the future?
March 9th, 2010 at 10:51 am
100% with you on protecting Glaus’ shoulder at 1B and keeping him in rhythm.
Please, though. No Diory. *shivers*
Our 2B, 3B, SS depth chart, by my count (not all interchangable, but close)
Escobar
Prado
Jones
Infante
Hinske
Conrad
March 9th, 2010 at 10:54 am
I submitted my post early by accident.
Hinske is 3B only, obviously. Unless Glaus goes down, then he can man 1B.
But, under those guys is Thurston. Then, if we actually go through all those men and need help, Diory. I guess. Because, at that point, the season’s shot anyway.
GO BRAVES!
March 9th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Really positive interview with Schafer this morning on 790. He might be saying all the right things, but I bought it. He sounds very confident in his ability and his return. He also sounded humble about his situation and understands that he is going to have to work hard to get back to Atlanta. Dimino also pointed out what a tremendous defensive player he is and how great it would be to have him back and contributing to the OF depth. Gotta be pulling for that guy. I think he made a mistake playing hurt last year, but I think he was overwhelmed with the idea that he had one shot and didn’t want to let people down. His re-emergence could be huge for this team.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:27 am
I just gave the Schafer replay a listen. Jordan’s in the perfect spot to regain his value. He’s not about to be traded, with our CF spot in potential limbo (even if McLouth fully rebounds, he’s only under contract this and next year). And he’s not about to be promoted any time soon, and knows that. So, that should be the recipe for patience.
March 9th, 2010 at 11:31 am
“[The pitcher] supplied the pop and I just made a good swing,” Heyward said. “I’m a big enough guy, those are going to happen. I’m just pleased with a good at-bat.”
Sweet, sweet music.
Francoeur’s reaction: “The pitcher supplied the pop? What does that even mean? I’m the batter. I do the pop. I DO THE POP!!” *swings furiously at a high outside change up.* RRRRAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!
March 9th, 2010 at 1:48 pm
Here is a pretty hilarious line from a great Peter Gammon’s article about Heyward. Man, this is getting crazy.
‘But that discipline is one of the things that will make Heyward’s jump to the big leagues easier. Through Monday he had five walks, one homer, five hits and one strikeout in 12 plate appearances, and Cox says that one strikeout came on two bad calls.’
gotta love Bobby.
full article here:
http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100309&content_id=8723826&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl
March 9th, 2010 at 4:32 pm
The Gammons article, coupled with DOB’s latest blog has my Heyward euphoria at an all time high. Which is saying a lot given the levels it’s been at.
I CANNOT WAIT to see the game tonight. With what will likely be our regular season line up against RH pitchers. And against Halladay. Good God, I have not been this excited about a freaking ST game in a long, long time.
March 9th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Tweet from DOB: Cox about tonight being opening-day lineup: “Pretty close. I don’t know if Heyward will be hitting seventh, if he keeps going like this.”
March 9th, 2010 at 5:43 pm
Wow. Cox is off the charts with sealing the deal verbally. He ought to be more careful, but in a way I like it. Let it all hang out, man! It’s the LAST RIDE OF BOBBY C!
March 9th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Ditto comments 1-17.
March 9th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Except for #5.
March 9th, 2010 at 6:04 pm
Boo.
March 9th, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Sigh.
2-0 Phillies.
March 9th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
Smile.
3-2 Braves.
March 9th, 2010 at 8:47 pm
Haven’t had a chance to hear the latest PC, but looking forward to it. Right now it’s BRAVES BASEBALL! 4-2…Man do I hate those hats!
March 9th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Phorking Philistines…
March 9th, 2010 at 9:00 pm
MLB Network is blacked out in Atlanta. Oh, the pain.