AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2009 > February > 09 > Entry
A-Rod tests positive, world economy spirals
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In the terrific movie Frost/Nixon, the first question that David Frost asked disgraced ex-President Richard Nixon on the opening day of their historic interviews was, “Why didn’t you destroy the tapes?”
The first question that might be asked of a Players Association official regarding the alleged positive steroid tests of Alex Rodriguez and 103 other (so far) unnamed positive-tested players should be, “Why didn’t you destroy the results?”
Because unless I’m missing something here (and I could be, for I’m a simple caveman), the union had nothing to gain by keeping results of 2003 tests that were supposed to be secret and sealed, tests that were supposed to carry no penalties and to serve only as a gauge for whether or not the sport needed a mandatory testing program (which it obviously did, as the number of positive tests clearly indicated).
The natural assumption is that someone screwed up by not destroying the test results between then and now. Because if those results had indeed been destroyed, if there was no evidence in existence of a positive test for A-Rod, then wouldn’t the tarnished star and his agent Scott Boras (who has a law degree, by the way, and plenty of top attorneys at his disposal) be preparing a lawsuit right about now?
I mean, really, why wouldn’t they just say, “Prove it? Show us the positive test result” if proof of a positive test doesn’t exist somewhere? Or am I missing something?
(BLOGMEISTER NOTE: Even as I was typing this, A-Rod came clean and admitted to ESPN that he used performance enhancing drugs in the early part of the decade. So disregard the previous couple of paragraphs. That’s moot now.)
Anyway, that was among the thoughts I had while pondering this last night between mostly insipid performances at the Grammys, after being asked all day Sunday about my thoughts on the subject (the A-Rod subject, not the Grammys). ESPN interviewed me and asked if I was surprised by the news. Others asked if I was shocked.
And I told them: With the exception of Greg Maddux, no player from my era of baseball coverage (since the early 1990s) being connected to a steroid test would shock me at this point. Sad, but true. It’s gotten to that point.
(I should have added Tom Glavine’s name, too. Oh, and Charlie Hough. Remember old Charlie, the knuckleballer? He was the opening day starter for the Marlins in their franchise’s first game, and the genial greybeard smoked a cigarette a couple hours beforehand as he spoke to reporters. Folks, I can assure you, without reservations, that ol’ Charlie Hough did not use steroids. There, don’t you feel better about our grand game now? But anyway….)
(Oh, wait. David Eckstein. I mean, if he’s used them, someone gave him placebo ‘roids. So let’s add the skinny shorstop to the list. Maddux, Glavine, Hough, Eckstein. And the skinny dude that covers the Diamondbacks for the Phoenix paper. All ‘roid-free, absolutely. I think.
There, is that a slippery enough slope to begin today’s edition of the Braves/MIB blog? (And let me be clear, I’m not in any way suggesting it’s a bad thing when A-Rod or anyone else, if they’re guilty, gets tarnished by steroid scandal. Just wondering if the union that’s supposed to serve them might have failed in this 2003 testing thing.)
By the way, this will be the last blog on this outdated format we’ve used for a few years. We’re going high-tech, moving to WordPress for our next edition blog later this week. It’ll be easier, smoother, faster, and will allow us to do all kinds of links (audio and even video eventually, if we/I figure out that stuff).
But, just as I once said to my ex-wife: Why didn’t you just destroy the tapes? (OK, I never said that to her. It was a FedEx package, not tapes. But that’s another story, and this isn’t the place to delve into that. Though I would say to the genius who sent that … oh, nevermind. Raging water under the bridge.)
Oh no, no Ohman: Looks like we’ll have to find a new clubhouse well to go to for irreverent humor, since the amiable lefty Will Ohman isn’t being pursued any longer by the Braves.
Was told they hadn’t actually been in pursuit since getting lefty reliever Boone Logan from the White Sox in the Javier Vazquez trade, after earlier claiming another lefty, Eric O’Flaherty, off waivers from Seattle.
The Braves didn’t want to spend the money that Ohman sought in a two-year deal (something close to the two-year, $8 mill Jeremy Affeldt got from San Francisco back in November, before the diminished-salary market took shape for lefty relievers). After getting two far cheaper lefties, the Braves, obviously oblivious and/or unconcerned with our blog needs, no longer felt it made sense to sign Ohman.
With lefty closer Mike Gonzalez joined in the pen by the new lefties Logan and O’Flaherty, and Jeff Ridgway as a backup, the Braves would rather spend the money on other needs, named an outfield bat if they can find a deal they like.
They’ve talked to the Yankees about possibly trading for Nick Swisher or (less likely) Xavier Nady, but if either of those deals happens it probably won’t be until spring training, at least. They’ve had trade discussions with other teams, too, but the Braves are playing this very close to the vest and leaks have been few and far between in the last month, either from the Braves or from teams they’ve talked to.
The Braves could go the free-agent route instead of trading, and to me that possibility seems to have grown in recent weeks as Bobby Abreu, Adam Dunn and others have languished on the market, unsigned with barely one week before position players report (Braves pitchers and catchers report to Dark Star Saturday).
If the Braves can get a player as accomplished as Abreu for $4 mill or so per in a one- or two-year deal, it might be too good for them to pass up. Expect a flurry of signings in the next few days, and don’t be surprised if the Braves are involved in one. Not saying it’s a given, but it could certainly happen.
Saw a good quote from an anonymous GM, who told ESPN’s Peter Gammons: “I still believe that one of the factors that has hurt some of the good offensive free agents this winter, like Manny Ramirez, Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn, is the concern about how many runs they give back defensively. There is a great deal more appreciation for defense than there was a decade ago.”
Speaking of A-Rod: How ‘bout the rather stunning suggestion from my man Bill Madden at the NY Daily News, who said the Yankees should dump A-Rod and eat the remaining $270 million on his contract. Here’s the link:
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/baseball/yankees/2009/02/08/2009-02-08eating270mworthitfortheyankeesto_-2.html”>Sunday column.
If you don’t want to paste that link in your own browser (what, are you lazy?) then here’s part of what Bill wrote: “When the Yankees re-signed Alex Rodriguez in the fall of 2007, they envisioned the “clean” alternative to Barry Bonds — the knight in shining armor who would erase the stain of steroids from the all-time home run record, and they would bask in the glory of it with their brand.
Now that A-Rod’s pursuit looks as counterfeit as Bonds’, they should do what’s best for the organization: Cut him loose — no matter the cost.
As difficult as it is to imagine eating $270 million, the Bombers will be making a statement, not just for the Yankee brand but for baseball as a whole.
They will be applauded for it.
The Yankees operate under two basic tenets: The relentless pursuit of championships and the fierce protection of their brand. If they are going to remain true to both, then they have no choice but to sever ties with Rodriguez.”
This winter the Yankees invested $423 million with the signings of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira. All of that figures to be offset now by the reports that A-Rod was a steroid cheat. Everywhere the Yankees go this spring and into the season, they will be greeted by choruses of “A-Fraud!” and “A-Roid!” And if you think A-Rod wilted under the pressure of big games before, just imagine his delicate psyche now under the heightened scrutiny of the media and fans….
OK, ME TALKING NOW: Speaking of that gargantuan contract, do you folks realize it includes $6 million bonuses for A-Rod when he reaches each of the four milestone career home run totals of Willie Mays (660), Babe Ruth (714), Henry Aaron (755) and Bonds (762). Imagine the reaction now to his collecting $6 mill each time he clicks off one of those greats.
Disparity about NFL/MLB steroid cases: ESPN’s Buster Olney made an interesting observation in his Monday blog.
He wrote: It’s worth taking a moment to note the incredible disparity between the response to performance-enhancing drug use in Major League Baseball and the response in the National Football League. Players like Shawne Merriman and Rodney Harrison were suspended for drug use and the issue went away, with fans and media quickly moving on. But when baseball players are named, the fallout goes on and on and on.
Why? My own theory is that the average fan knows the faces of baseball players and is familiar with them. They follow them every day throughout the summer and hold them to a different standard. The faces of football players, on the other hand, appear only 16 to 20 days a year, hidden behind face masks for shorter careers than we often see in baseball. A-Rod is someone who has been in your living room hundreds and maybe even thousands of times, while Harrison could walk into restaurants without being noticed.
Buster then asked his readers the same question I’ll ask you folks: Why do you think it is that steroid use in MLB gets so much more scrutiny than in the NFL?
Who’ll fill Cox’s shoes? Whenever I’m asked to name possible successors to Braves manager Bobby Cox, I mention hitting coach Terry Pendleton and a couple of former Braves third-base coaches, Fredi Gonzalez and Ned Yost. Not that there won’t be plenty of other candidates, but those are obvious ones.
Anyway, I bring this up now because of something I read in the Miami Herald about Marlins manager Gonzalez, who hasn’t been offered an extension as he enters the final season of a three-year contract.
He was quoted in the article thusly: “I don’t even worry about it,” said Gonzalez, who was 71-91 in 2007 and 84-77 last year.
And the Herald quoted noted baseball fan Stan Van Gundy, the Orlando Magic (and former Miami Heat) coach: “With what Fredi has done with that roster — I mean, winning 84 games last year and they played only 161 — that he wouldn’t get an extension is mind-boggling to me…. It was one of the best managerial jobs done in baseball last year, if not the best.”
(I’d have to say, I agree with Van Gundy.)
Fredi, who was the Sporting News 2008 NL Manager of the Year, and his wife have kept their permanent home in Atlanta, where his kids attend school, etc.
No Andruw in Atlanta: In case you missed it, Andruw Jones has agreed to a minor-league contract with the Rangers, expected to be announced early this week. He’ll make $500,000 if he wins a job on the big-league club, and could make about $1 mill more in incentives if he plays all season.
The Braves talked to Andruw and his agent, Scott Boras, and made it clear they’d like to have him on a minor-league deal similar to what the Rangers and New York Yankees offered. I’m told that if Andruw couldn’t get the major league contract he sought, if he was going to have to settle for a minor-league deal, then it was going to be with the Rangers, in part because Boras wanted him to have a chance to work with renowned Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo.
Boras is trying to do what he can to help get Jones’ career back on track, to get his swing back to something resembling what he had in his best years with the Braves, before his performance slid precipitously and he began flailing at more outside pitches than ever and collapsing on his back leg on so many swings.
OK, that’s it for now. Carroll Rogers is on Braves watch this week, and will update the Tom Glavine situation and other matters.
“LITTLE BONNIE” by Patterson Hood (Drive-By Truckers)
On the day that she was buried
Her Daddy stood out by the cemetery fence
Prayed to God for forgiveness
For surely all of this is punishment for my sins
They put her in the family garden
Said you could hear his heart breaking miles away
All the men pitched in and bought a marble angel
To mark the piece of land where little Bonnie lay
My Grandma said she would keep her in the mornings
So her Mama could sleep a bit and do the chores and such
She’d read her stories about little girls and magic powers
That would never let a pretty angel hurt
Her Mama’s always been a beauty
She’s still beautiful to this very day
But they say Bonnie’s crystal eyes put the stars to shame
Maybe heaven needed Bonnie’s face
My Grandma said she would keep her in the mornings
A swollen angel who never would complain
She’d read her stories about little girls and princesses
Whose Daddy’s don’t feel punished for what heaven takes away
Little Bonnie never married
Little Bonnie never even made it to four
But I grew up in her presence
Even though she was gone before I’z born
Even though she was gone before I’z born
Comments
By Keith Moon Lives
February 9, 2009 1:50 PM | Link to this
Thanks DOB !
By Don
February 9, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this
First.
Or second, third, fourth, etc.
By Saltywoody
February 9, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
Is there a chance Andruw signing with the Rangers has something to do with keeping him out of the limelight?
LA, NY, and even Atlanta (with the whole returning-to-glory scenario that would be implied) would all mean a lot of scrutiny.
What are the chances that going to the Rangers is simply a means of taking as much media pressure off him as possible?
By will36206
February 9, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
DOB, I had similar thoughts about Fredi Gonzalez when I read that article. If Bobby does retire Fredi could position himself very well as a canidate for Bobby’s heir especially if he has a good year in Miami.
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 9, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
Don’t sleep on Jeff Ridgeway. Could prove to be a good arm.
By AndyC
February 9, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
I find it interesting that Andruw would go to the Rangers because they have a good hitting coach when he would never listen to any advice he was given when he was with the Braves. I think this is going to be a huge disaster and I’m glad the Braves stayed away.
By Tomahawkin
February 9, 2009 1:55 PM | Link to this
Maybe since the Rangers have a crowded outfield now maybe we trade for Nelson (Nellie) Cruz or David Murphy. Nellie Cruz can flat out rake and he’s young…
If we lose out on Swisher and Dunn, we should explore the option of trading for one of these 2 cats
I really like the Idea of getting Abreu down to the “A” on a 2 year 10 million offer…
By T-Bone
February 9, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this
Sign Glavine, sign Abreu, and let’s get the season started.
By Billy Walsh
February 9, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this
The MLB players union is too powerful. They can essentially write their own rules and follow their own agenda. They are the most powerful union in the United States. The NFL players union isn’t as nearly as powerful. While the NFL punishes steroid abuse and has cleaned up their sport, MLB players can do whatever they want. I guess that is the reason why baseball players are more scrutinized then NFL players. The NFL commissioner would never tolerate a steroid scandal in his sport. DOB, if the braves made up their mind about Ohman months ago, does that mean a FA signing is less immminent?
By Cameron in NC
February 9, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this
first?
By chuckw/deadjournalist
February 9, 2009 1:59 PM | Link to this
yay for wordpress!
By greg
February 9, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
What if Kenshin Kawakami is having a bad game and McDowell needs to go out to the mound to talk to him. Does he bring the interpreter to translate?
By flange1
February 9, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the new blog DOB!
Did anyone see that the Cardnals just DFA’ed Adam Kennedy and are eating his $4 million salary?
They really have no other real options at 2B….
Bet Kennedy signs with the Mets.
Wonder if they could use Prado????
By AustinBrave
February 9, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
What do you think of a trade for Mclouth. He sure tore up the Braves last year and I think he is locked up until 2011. We deffinently have some trade bait.
By mb
February 9, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
first?
I would like to comment on what Bill Madden wrote about dumping A-Rod. Didn’t the Yankees just sign another known steroid user, Pettitte? I think his article dumb. The Yankees are not going to drop A-Rod. No way. Right now they all have their heads together trying to figure out how to tie the situation to some medical problem, no matter how minor, in 2003.
Sorry, Ohman is gone. I would have signed him. Sorry, they are going to sign Glavine again. Give the kids a chance, Glavine got a chance when he was young. Save the money for a better Left fielder.
Mark.
By keylargo
February 9, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
How ‘bout the rather stunning suggestion from my man Bill Madden at the NY Daily News, who said the Yankees should dump A-Rod and eat the remaining $270 million on his contract. DOB
I would have a team of lawyers on it if I were the Yankees. And I wouldn’t be interested in eating any of the $270 million myself. I would want to make sure ARoid was sated though.
By TheDunderChief
February 9, 2009 2:05 PM | Link to this
I think steroid use gets more attention in MLB than NFL because its impact on the game is so much more obvious. For example, you have an average hitter like McGuire all of a sudden turning into the Babe. In the NFL, the added strength given to an HB might equate to .5 yards per carry (I know it’s wild spection, but that my point). There’s no way to measure the impact of added strength to a lineman or LB. In baseball, it’s sooo easy to see the difference by the numbers. The thing about seeing faces is pure baloney in my opinion.
By DAP
February 9, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
thanks for the new blog, DOB.
By Anders
February 9, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
A-Rod to release a statement tonight and be interviewed by Peter Gammons.
I guess all that A-Rod bashing Saturday on the MLB Network drove Boras to their rival.Plus Gammons might be an easy mark.
By bill
February 9, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
Well the NFL was one of the first to get a steroid poicy in their CBA.The MLB players union despite wisespread circumstantial evidence that use was going on,steadfastly refused to allow testing in the CBA until the pressure became too great.
By TheDunderChief
February 9, 2009 2:08 PM | Link to this
It’s about time they updated this blog by the way. The way this blog has a post limit before crashing is ridiculous, what year is this, 2003?
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 2:10 PM | Link to this
So what will the Yankees do if Teixeira and Sabathia are found to be on the list of the 104?? Release them all??
I think there will be a lot of jaws dropping if/when the list of 104 is leaked. (even in ATL)
Thanks Dave for an excellent article!
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this
OK, I just went back and fixed a few things in the blog, and added a few lines I’d left out. (my way of having you re-read the entire thing, to absorb its essence, for I fear that some of you are only skimming these days. no skimming. must read, digest.)
By Anders
February 9, 2009 2:12 PM | Link to this
As for Buster Onley’s statement, couple of thoughts. First of all many NFL guys come and go so quickly most never build a great attachment with the fans. Second. they’re uniforms make many mostly anonymous. But I think the most important is that baseball fans watch the games because they love the game for what it is, most NFL fans watch the games because they love to gamble on it. Therefore, they don’t personalize the players. Not sure that’s clear but I tried.
By Epinephrine
February 9, 2009 2:14 PM | Link to this
Steroids matter more in baseball for several reasons. For me, the most important is baseball is a game that has always been tied to its past far more than other major sports. Football and basketball have undergone significant transformations during the last 30 years. It is difficult to even imagine a star football player in the 60s making the backup squad of an NFL roster today.
The same can not be said about MLB. It’s easy to imagine Mickey Mantle in his prime suiting up today. It’s not a stretch to believe Sandy Koufax would be a dominant pitcher. Because of the similarity in the games, the records, numbers, and achievements of former players are meaningful to current fans. The greatest achievements of the past are at the forefront of the game today-hitting .400, the consecutive hit streak, etc. Every player is ranked by his numbers and what they mean in the context of the history of the game.
Steroids represent the shattering of that tie to the past that has always been so prevalent in the history of baseball. It changes the entire meaning of the game, and that change is painful.
In addition, I think baseball’s role as the central “American pastime” has imbued it with some element of desired purity. It is a game whose history mattered, and was in some way tied to the history of the country. While the game might never have been “pure”, it is rare that the impurity is so obvious and rubbed in the faces of fans to such an extent. Perhaps the only other example is the 1919 scandal. And I think the tarnishing of that element of baseball enrages many of the game’s long time fans.
By brent a.
February 9, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t cut A-Rod until I saw some more names. Who knows who else they might have to cut?
By Gibby
February 9, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
My heart said bring Andruw back but I have to admit the braves are better off without having to deal with his comeback story. Now the youngs guys can come to camp knowing they have a legit shot at a big league job. My guess is one of them will grab it and run with it.
As for Ohman, sorry to see him go but I think spending a bunch of money on middle relief is a mistake. I would rather save the money for the trading deadling and make a move then if we still need someone
By YankeeDawg
February 9, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
Harold “I didn’t grab her” Reynolds said on ESPN this a.m. that they didn’t destroy the test, he thought, b/c they wanted to re-test them, they didn’t believe that many people tested positive.
That is the dumbest answer/non-logic I’ve heard yet.
You can retest in 1 day, samples 3 days later.
Were the 104 held up due to the Bond’s case? Had that started by then in time for the San Fran judge h hearing the case to hold the sample for testing?
Also heard a theory that it was his wife that gave him up, that the other 3 are just confirming the story and that is why we will not hear about the other 103 cheaters.
By getnathan
February 9, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this
So Ohman will not be back. Well then the lefty setup guy will be a three horse race. I think Logan will have the inside track to get it since he was obtained in the Vazquez deal.
By THE BEAR
February 9, 2009 2:21 PM | Link to this
This is related to the last blog’s comments about why the Braves have not yet signed Kelly Johnson. The reason may well be that KJ is not going to sign until Francouer signs. Once that is done then it will likely only be a matter of hours before he will also re-up.
Look at it this way; KJ was more important and made a larger contribution to the Braves last year than did Francoeur. In addition he handles an infield position. Why should he take a lesser contract than Francoeur takes? If the Braves sign Frenchy on a compromise deal then KJ could easily conclude that he should at least be paid in the same range.
At least that is the way I would see it if I were in the same situation. I would not be surprised to see both to to arbitration if Francoeur doesn’t sign.
By Bravo in SATX
February 9, 2009 2:21 PM | Link to this
Gonzalez would be a good pick up to replace Bobby Cox. I wouldn’t mind that one bit. He’s proven to that he can do the job. Can anybody see Greg Maddux in that position in the future? That guy’s intense. I wonder how his intensity and focus would translate into managing a club and handling the players….
By Lee in S GA
February 9, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this
*Did anyone see that the Cardnals just DFA’ed Adam Kennedy and are eating his $4 million salary?
Wonder if they could use Prado????* flange1
I dunno but I can see all of the Johnson for Ludwick rumors starting up again.
By YankeeDawg
February 9, 2009 2:22 PM | Link to this
Aren’t the Yanks owed a first round draft pick if someone signs Abreu? He’s not worth a first rounder AND $5-8MM per.
By Pat
February 9, 2009 2:23 PM | Link to this
Shanks is reporting that the Braves offered a 1 year, 5 mil. dollar deal to Abreu, and that Glavine countered with a deal with nearly double what the Braves offered him.
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=248&f=2069
By lewie
February 9, 2009 2:24 PM | Link to this
i’d take BA in left…let diaz go back to being a sub and PH
also, if bc does hang it up i would love to get gonzalez on the bench
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this
XM is reporting that ESPN is reporting that A-Rod has admitted (in his interview w/ Gammons) that he used steroids.
If this is true, then good for you Alex. The truth will set you free.
By Efrim
February 9, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this
ARod doing an interview with Gammons. He has admitted to doing PED’s from 2001-2003.
By Tomahawkin
February 9, 2009 2:25 PM | Link to this
Looking at April’s schedule, we only have three series vs teams that posted above .500 records (Philly, Florida, and St Louis…Out of the first 21 games 9 of those will be played against those 3 teams, So there is no reason why we can’t come out smoking in April, at least post a 14-7 start…But that is being way too optomistic…
The cold weather in Philly is gonna be a drag however…
By Bubdylan
February 9, 2009 2:26 PM | Link to this
no skimming. must read, digest.)-DOB
I read the blog outloud into my Cakewalk music software, and then I trick out the recording to sound like Darth Vader, turn off the lights, light a couple candles and listen to it on headphones, sitting cross-legged in meditation pose. Then I make my ignorant posts…
By Jerry
February 9, 2009 2:26 PM | Link to this
The Bravos make the playoffs and Smoltz doesn’t.
If we’re going to get a free agent player ;lets make it Dunn, in my opinion. What would an outfielder with 40 homeruns done for us last year. His defense cannot be any worse than what we’ve had out there in recent years.
Glavine is right about him being a better 5th starter than what we have but it’s not worth 4, 5 or 6 million per year. 2 to 3 million is a good offer. Take it Tommygun.
Please don’t trade for Swisher or Nady. We can get someone cheaper and not lose the talent we would have to give up.
I’m sure Hanson will start in AAA this year. Even if he had a killer spring Cox will start him in AAA.
Dave, what do you think the chances are that Heyward will get a decent shot to make the roster?
By Anders
February 9, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah
Great point about Tex and CC in your 2:10. Hadn’t thought of that.
BTW- I keep thinking Piazza will come up on one of these lists. How else can a guy get drafted in the 62nd round and become a freak HOF hitter behind the plate? His career timing was perfectly aligned both with the rise and fall of steroids.
No proof - just sayin.
By mbatl
February 9, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this
Very well stated, Epinephrine. Was going to ramble on with my own thoughts, but you nailed it.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 9, 2009 2:29 PM | Link to this
OK, it’s 66° here, and was beautiful all weekend, too. The five-day forecast is looking gorgeous, also (might rain on Saturday, but hey, that’s not so bad…as long as it’s during the day).
I’m so ready for spring…Is it really only February?
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this
I agree w/ Gibby on Ohman. As much as I loved Wil, a middle reliever is not a starter or a closer for a reason. They are not good enough to start or close. Ohman is very good, but not a great reliever. I am not too worried about our bullpen for next year.
By spotts
February 9, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this
DOB How good is O’Flaherty? Bobby Cox said he looks good, but he says that about just about everybody. He has a career ERA close to 6.00, and he wasn’t good enough for the Seattle Mariners. Does he have potential? Otherwise, I don’t see how having a left-handed body in the bullpen is good enough to fill the shoes of Ohman.
Also, going back to A-Rod’s contract, I thought that players weren’t allowed to have performance incentives in their contracts. Only stuff like plate appearances, innings pitched, etc.
By mbatl
February 9, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
ARod admits to using PED’s from ‘01 through ‘03. On ESPN now with Gammons, coming clean. Full interview supposedly at 6 pm.
Good for him. Doesn’t absolve him of guilt, but at least it’s a start.
By Oasisbraves
February 9, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Why should you add Tom Glavine to the list? If Glavine is so clean, why didn’t he speak up in the middle of all this? The players knew what was going on, and even the clean ones didn’t say anything. Why? Glavine was the player rep, and should have said something. I think you can add Jeter with Maddux as the ONLY two guys you KNOW would never use.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 9, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
BTW—That stinks about Ohman.
By Pat
February 9, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
BTW, it’s the thread entitled Abreu (with scoop!). You have to be a subscriber to read it.
By DAP
February 9, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this
could the braves go back to the cardinals offering prado, infante, or even kelly in a package for ludwick?
if they could, would this be a good idea?
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this
Bubdylan: That (2:26) makes it all worthwhile for me. Thanks for letting me know that. I’ll keep that in mind in the future as I labor over blogs.
By THE BEAR
February 9, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
Epinephrine, well done. I agree about the past being so important to baseball. It shows itself with every time any of us compare a player’s stats to someone else or even to the same player last year. If one set of stats were made with steroids and the other was not then what pure value does one have over the other?
I think the cheating has cast a very dark cloud over the sport and it may well stay forever. Just think of those players sitting there before Congress and lying their butts off. We all knew they were lying and we are not forgiving. Their chances of getting into the HOF is drastically affected and should be.
Then I look at that interview when A-Rod flat out lied when Katie Couric asked if he had ever taken any substance that was supposed to enhance his performance and he said, “ABSOLUTELY NOT.” I can’t forget that statement. My wife is a long time fan of A-Rod and she is also a forgiving person but she was noticeably affected when she saw him lie in his teeth. She has not mentioned him since.
By Mitchie-san
February 9, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
C’mon FW, sign Abreu and trade for Swisher. You can do it.
By DAP
February 9, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
“Aren’t the Yanks owed a first round draft pick if someone signs Abreu? He’s not worth a first rounder AND $5-8MM per” yankeedawg
no, the yankees did not offer abreu arbitration. plus, the braves first round pick is protected.
By Butch Haynes
February 9, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
I bet Homer the Brave shows up on that steroid list. I mean come on, have you seen the size of that guy’s head?
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 2:43 PM | Link to this
McFann Woke up this morning to 6” of snow, but in the Salt Lake Valley, it is rainy and 35 degrees.
Anders I have always thought Piazza was a juicer. I think we will all be shocked (or maybe disappointed is a more correct term) when the other 103 are outed.
By BamaBrave
February 9, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
Good for A-Rod. The last thing baseball needed was another Legend in Denial, like Rose, McGwire, Palmiero, etc. I’m inclined to forgive someone who comes clean.
Still can’t forgive him for Madonna, though. C’mon dude, you make a zillion dollars. Madonna?!!? Are you kidding me?
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
DAP Maybe Prado, but I hope we hang onto KJ.
oasisbraves I am not sure I can exclude ANYBODY from the suspect list. I don’t personally know any of these guys, so I can’t vouch for them.
By BravesFanInRockies
February 9, 2009 2:48 PM | Link to this
DOB as always, thanks for the blogs. Guess you’re prepping for the move to Dark Star …
By TheDunderChief
February 9, 2009 2:49 PM | Link to this
Oasis Glavine DID speak up on the issue of steroid use. I think someone mentioned that on the last blog.
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this
C’mon FW, sign Abreu and trade for Swisher. You can do it.Mitchie-san
Not gonna happen. They’re not getting two oufielders and blocking path of Schafer. They’ve got guys to compete for CF job. Looking for a corner OF, not a CF. Wouldn’t have the money for both anyway, but they’re not looking for both so it doesn’t matter.
By Oasisbraves
February 9, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this
DunderCheif,
I’m thinking more along the lines of SCREAM, SHOUT…and not let the issue get out of hang. Glavine should have told the union he was going to alert the authorities if they didn’t clean things up. That type of a thing. No one did anything until Congress started sticking their noses in.
By 18 Wheels of Love
February 9, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this
But I thought Boras said Arod was out of the country and couldn’t comment? Must have taken the red-eye back to talk to Gammons. Clean or not, doesn’t change my feelings on Arod the person.
By Anders
February 9, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this
Rose, Bonds, Shoe-Less Joe, Clemens, McGwire, A-Rod, Palmeiro, Sosa. There must be a few more in the 103 that will fall out of favor.
Damn, I’m thinking of opening a cheaters HOF. I think I could outdraw Cooperstown!
By BravesFanInRockies
February 9, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this
BamaBrave
Yeah, you think any of the 103 who hasn’t been identified before now has a brief window of opportunity (a few weeks, maybe? before opening day?) to come forward and throw themselves on the mercy of the court of public opinion. I’m guessing fans would be more forgiving now of a player who makes a public admission rather than a player who’s named in a media report.
Now that A-Roid’s been outed, other names could start trickling out at any time.
The best defense is a good offense, as they say.
By Lew
February 9, 2009 2:57 PM | Link to this
Yeah-The Yankees eating a quarter billion in salary with ARod will improve their image-just as soon as everyone forgets about Giambi, Clemons and Petite, too.
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 2:57 PM | Link to this
If more names start appearing from the list of 104, the name Dark Star might take on new meaning…..
By Original Jon
February 9, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
Mitchie-san Seriously? Why would want to sign Abreu and trade for Swisher??
We only need one and we only have the money for one.
By Pete H.
February 9, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
you have an average hitter like McGuire all of a sudden turning into the Babe.
Dude hit 49 HR in his rookie year. In an pitcher’s park. He was hardly average; him and Canseco were the two premier sluggers in the AL during the early 90s. I don’t know how long he was juicing (Canseco was doing it from the git-go), but he was never an average hitter.
I started getting suspicious when he kept getting heel and toe injuries. Probably his artificial muscles were tearing ligaments.
By Bravo in SATX
February 9, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
Those three years, 01-03, were huge years statistically for Arod. However, it’s not like he hasn’t been able to duplicate those numbers since then.
Pre-steroid HRs from 96-00 are 36, 23, 42, 42, 41. Steroid years of 01-03 he went 52, 57, 47. Post steroid years since 2003….36, 48, 35, 54, 35.
This guy has been really consistent and didn’t need to take the roids…it’s a real shame. Funny that those 3 years were with the Texas Rangers. Was this a response to the HUGE contract and added pressure to perform up to that 1/4 billion dollar deal?
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 3:02 PM | Link to this
Just got my call from the Obama administration. Since I lost about 100K last year, they are going to send me a stimulus payment of 10 million to make up for it.
By Bravesfan
February 9, 2009 3:04 PM | Link to this
Ohman for three unproven lefties. Seems like something the Braves would do.
By Frank
February 9, 2009 3:06 PM | Link to this
Hey BamaBrave
Madonna is still hot at 50+!!!
The one I feel sorry for is Madonna hooking up with A-Fraud…(Lol).
Speaking of the Grammies last night…..
Sheryl Crow looked mighty good in the blue satin gown.
By TennesseePaul
February 9, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this
Wordpress huh? Well that will put a damper on my tables. But other formatting options do arise.
Thanks for the info DOB.
By TennesseePaul
February 9, 2009 3:07 PM | Link to this
Wordpress huh? Well that will put a damper on my tables. But other formatting options do arise.
Thanks for the info DOB.
By Canadianbrave
February 9, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this
My brother tells me that Dunn is going to sign with Houston. Is this true? Has nyone else read about this. Don’t know where he got it from can’t get ahold of him!
By Billy Walsh
February 9, 2009 3:08 PM | Link to this
Well…Jose Canseco is right again. He implicated A-Rod when he was going to do another book. I’m sure Canseco could recite all the 104 players on that list. I’m sure he could give you even more names too.
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
I applaud A-Rod for “coming clean” on the issue, but now that we know he is capable of lying to the public, who’s to say he isn’t lying now about when he started, and when he supposedly quit?
Therein lies the biggest problem with this whole PED issue. How can we know when it started, and if it has ended (which I highly doubt). A dark cloud is always going to shroud baseball of the past 20 years for me…..
By BamaBrave
February 9, 2009 3:14 PM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies: I know that’s how I’d want to handle it if I were one of the 103… Make a group admission and get it over with. There will never be a better time.
By Dadgum
February 9, 2009 3:17 PM | Link to this
A-ROD did the right thing by coming clean. Not that it will be easy on him now but at least the baseball world will look at him in a better light than say Bonds or McGwire. Still not a good spot to be in but at least he didn’t waste taxpayer money and deny it.
Rock on…..
By DAP
February 9, 2009 3:18 PM | Link to this
canadianbrave
your brother is mistaken, i think. houston might sign dun n if he could play CF, but since they have lee in left, pence in right, and berkman playing 1st base, the dont have a position for dunn.
(i giess they could put pence back in CF, but i dont think so)
By True Bravaes Fan
February 9, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
DOB: A baseball question I hope you will answer. John Smoltz turned the Braves down. You have said that they will not pursue Ohman further. Why could not some of this money be used to offer Glavine a better contract? Did they feel that John Smoltz (coming back in the middle of the year) was worth a lot more than Glavine (starting off at the beginning of Spring training) If they don’t think Glavine will make it, why not a heavy incentive contract with about 2mil guaranteed. I hope you will have time to speak to this situation.
Thanks,
True Braves Fan
Anything new on a Chipper extension???
By Canadianbrave
February 9, 2009 3:19 PM | Link to this
This steroid scandal does have an upside. Iy really makes me appreciate just how good our pitchers really were!
By Tony C.
February 9, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this
Get Abreu!
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this
Canadianbrave Yes, but were they “good” or were they …. “good.”
By mbatl
February 9, 2009 3:28 PM | Link to this
“I applaud A-Rod for “coming clean” on the issue, but now that we know he is capable of lying to the public, who’s to say he isn’t lying now about when he started, and when he supposedly quit?”
True, Wayne in Utah. Also, Arod said in the interview that he didn’t know what substances he took, and passed the whole thing off as being young and naive.
The guy was making $25 mil a year, was 27 years old (in ‘03) and had the best representation in the world, and was just letting strangers inject him with whatever they happened to have laying around? I doubt it.
I think Arod’s “confession” is a very good thing, for him and for baseball. But I don’t think for a minute that we’re hearing the whole story. We’re only hearing acknowledgment of things he’s already been caught for. He spent one day huddled with Boras as to how to ‘spin’ this, and that’s what we’re seeing.
By Anders
February 9, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this
“Make a group admission and get it over with. There will never be a better time.” - Bamabrave
Sure they could put their arms over each others shoulders and sway while singing “Goodbye Saigon” by Billy Joel.
“and we would all go down together we said we’d all go down together yes we would all go down together.
Remember Charlie? remember Baker? they left their childhood on every acre and who was wrong, and who was right? It didn’t matter in the thick of the fight,…”
And so on.
By 1eyedJack
February 9, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this
I am sick and tired of cheaters. They have made a mockery of MLB. Anyone who is tested for performance enhancing drugs should be given an immediate retest. If both tests are positive then that player should be banned from baseball for life and any records should be espunged from the books. Look what they did to poor ol’ Shoeless Joe Jackson. They banned him for life for cheating and couldn’t even prove that he took the money to roll over (and he certainly didn’t roll over).
A-Rod - banned for life. B Bonds - banned for life and all records expunged. McGwire - banned for life and all records expunged.
Hank is still the homerun king and Maris still holds the single-season HR record!!
By AGTfan
February 9, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this
(BLOGMEISTER NOTE: Even as I was typing this, A-Rod came clean and admitted to ESPN that he used performance enhancing drugs in the early 1980s.
DOB, You’re kidding right? A-Rod used performance enhancing drugs as a child?
I was somewhat disappointed with the lowball offer for Glavine.
Saw this quote from Chipper about Frenchy.
“He’s definitely made some adjustments,” Jones said. “His thought process is 300 percent better.”
sounds good to me. Hope it translates into results.
By Jimmy
February 9, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
Abreu offered 5 million by Braves….
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this
Sure they could put their arms over each others shoulders and sway while singing “Goodbye Saigon” by Billy Joel.Anders
Hopefully they could pick a better song and artist.
By Anders
February 9, 2009 3:34 PM | Link to this
Where did A-Rod “come clean”? Did I miss something? He hasn’t said anything yet. Tonight might be a complete denial for all we know - doubtful but until we hear it, who knows?
BTW- Should be interesting to see if the most over rated Captain in sports publicly supports A-Rod like he did Giambi and Pettitte or if he hangs him out to dry as he has consistently done. Jeter’s been riding that great “team” he was on for his first 6 years for the last 8 now. When exactly does this guy’s “he’s a winner” kick in again?
By Paul Hamilton
February 9, 2009 3:35 PM | Link to this
I would say there are a lot of differences between football and baseball. For one thing, records and the history of baseball is much richer in tradition and longevity. Baseball is a game that we all believe relies much more on skill than physical strength like football.
I’ve always believed that football players used steroids, and cheater were punished, while baseball parades around like a bunch of choir boys and everyone looked the other way for so long. Baseball has no one to blame but themselves. The purity of the sport is long gone, and will never return. Baseball is about equal with professional cycling, and the headlines center around doping and performance enhancing drugs.
At least AROD admitted he cheated!!! Beware your sins will find you out, the other 103 players should go ahead and step up to the podium. People are simply sick of these players making insane type money by cheating, and breaking records that belong to American sports hero’s like Hank Aaron!
By TheDunderChief
February 9, 2009 3:38 PM | Link to this
Oasisbrave So what you’re saying is that you think Glavine can’t be ruled out as steroid user because, even though he did push the issue, he didn’t push it hard enough? That’s what makes you suspicious of him. OK, it’s clear that you a very reasonable, sound minded person. I look forward to reading more of your astute posts.
By Chop Chop
February 9, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
I’m proud of A-Rod for admitting that he used steroids for three years. (His PR people made sure that he wore a nice vest and got a haircut. They also made sure that he spoke like he walked right out of a poorly-acted health class video warning against using steroids.)
Here’s the thing, though: I just don’t believe that he ever stopped using PEDs. Some will say that we should take his word for it. Why would he only tell a partial truth? Well, forgive me for being cynical, but people tell partial or half-truths all the time. Such “truth” is especially useful when someone is on your back and you figure that a partial admission of guilt will alleviate the pressure.
The problem for A-Rod now is that he damn well better not have been taking anything after 2003. If anybody anywhere has been supplying him with junk, he’s likely to get burned. I’m sure Boras and his PR folks did their best to get A-Rod to “tell all,” but that’s just advice. It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out.
By Graham
February 9, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
Anders
Where did A-Rod “come clean”?
It’s all over the news sites. CNN, Fox News, etc. I promise you it’s there.
By FJR
February 9, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
DOB,
What do you listen to your music through? I just bought a pair of Grado SR60 headphones, and am just blown away. Totally rediscovering my music collection. Hearing things in the music I’ve never heard. Did you know that Blitzen Trapper’s Furr is two different vocal takes put together? Through these headphones I can not only tell that, I can tell the differences between the two takes. the one that is slightly more panned to the left he hods notes longer, the slightly right panned take is slightly more percussive in a dylan-esque sort of way. There is also more reverb on the right side vocal. The background sound effects are much clearer. The acoustic guitar is substantially clearer. The bass drum that hits at 1:15 is a little bit tighter.
I really don’t know how I lived without them and my 80 GB iPod, although the 80 gigger is getting dangerously close to not holding my music collection anymore :(
Grado SR60s at Amazon
By A-Roid
February 9, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
(BLOGMEISTER NOTE: Even as I was typing this, A-Rod came clean and admitted to ESPN that he used performance enhancing drugs in the early 1980s. So disregard the previous couple of paragraphs. That’s moot now.)
Wow he’s been taking steroids since he was 5 years old? No wonder he is so good.
By Rufio
February 9, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this
You can’t cut A-Rod as a matter of principal and send a message. Have you seen In Bruges… I dont want to ruin it if you have, but bad things can happen when you set a standard like that.
The rest of the list could come out and you could be left with 7 players on your team. But hey, you would be the Yankees and you dont deal with steroids… unless its Pettite or Giambi, or…
Bad idea.
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 9, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
Abreu offered $5M, 1 yr deal according to Bill Shanks, a credible source with a lot of contacts inside the orgainization, Web site www.thebravesshow.com
Also reporting that Glavine has countered with double the original offer.
Frank Wren, bless you. My man.
By Tmo
February 9, 2009 3:44 PM | Link to this
DOB, great blog. And I’d really, really like to hear more about that FedEx package :-)
By Anders
February 9, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this
Got the A-Rod statement.
Sorry, same old thing for me. Admitted everything he “Had” to and left everything else in a gray area.
Let’s see what tonights more comprehensive (if you can call anything Gammons does that) interview turns up.
By 18 Wheels of Love
February 9, 2009 3:46 PM | Link to this
Anders: Because these things “”, called quotation marks, actually are the framework for things that come out of peoples mouths in the form of sentences.
By BamaBrave
February 9, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this
I was thinking more of a “We Are The World” type ensemble, Anders. With Mark McGwire as Cyndi Lauper.
By Taylor I
February 9, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this
Mr. O’Brien,
Where do YOU think this Tom Glavine situation is going to go? Do you think he’s going to accept the current offer on the table, or explore other possibilities?
Regardless, will he be signed somewhere before pitchers and catchers report?
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 9, 2009 3:49 PM | Link to this
Wayne—
Rainy and 35? Yuck…
I kinda wish we would have gotten some snow this year, but…
Dude, I don’t wanna sound like I’m bragging, but this 60° weather has been pure heaven. My sister and I have already started our “Spring Training” (and neither of us are gonna skip off to be in some WB—sorry, that’s enough of that…)
By TennesseePaul
February 9, 2009 3:50 PM | Link to this
Anders: Where did A-Rod come clean? All over every media outlet… here’s a snippet:
“When I arrived in Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure, felt all the weight of the world on top of me to perform, and perform at a high level every day,” Rodriguez told ESPN’s Peter Gammons in an exclusive interview in Miami Beach, Fla. An extended interview will air on SportsCenter at 6 p.m. ET.
“Back then, [baseball] was a different culture,” Rodriguez said. “It was very loose. I was young, I was stupid, I was naïve. I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worth being one of the greatest players of all time.
“I did take a banned substance. For that, I am very sorry and deeply regretful.”
Perhaps you’re right, all the media leaks of the interview are incorrect, and in the moment he says that, he clarifies it with something else entirely… but I doubt it.
By Patrick
February 9, 2009 3:51 PM | Link to this
Abreu offered $5M, 1 yr deal according to Bill Shanks, a credible source with a lot of contacts inside the orgainization, Web site www.thebravesshow.com
I just went on there. I didn’t see it anywhere
By Butch Haynes
February 9, 2009 3:53 PM | Link to this
Hopefully, Homer the Brave will follow A-Rod’s lead and admit to his past steroid abuse. I just hope it’s not too late for his head to shrink back to normal size. As for the size of his testicles, I shudder to think about such a shriveled mess.
By Mitchie-san
February 9, 2009 4:00 PM | Link to this
My thinking is if you can get both do it. There is still a need for a leadoff guy AND a left fielder. The Abreu deal would give time for Schaefer to blossom since it will probably be a one year deal. Next year he will walk and hopefully the outfield would be Swisher, Shaefer and Francoeur.
It would be nice, we cant afford it though. Too bad since we are only a few million off.
By Anders
February 9, 2009 4:05 PM | Link to this
“Back then, [baseball] was a different culture,” Rodriguez said. “It was very loose. I was young, I was stupid, I was naïve. I wanted to prove to everyone that I was worth being one of the greatest players of all time. - A-Rod
All that’s changed is he’s not young anymore. Is that enough to figure he’s not doing steroids anymore?
By getnathan
February 9, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know anything about a possible trade with the Cardinals?
It probably would be for Ryan Ludwick, and I think they would want KJ. I bet Ridgway goes in that deal, too because LaRussa and Dave Duncan love lefty relief pitchers.
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 9, 2009 4:06 PM | Link to this
Here is the link, Braves offer to Abreu
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=248&f=2069
Of course, you have to be a member to access.
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this
AGTfan: Just a typo, meant to say early part of THIS decade. Don’t even know why I’d type 1980s, so I’ll not make up a good excuse.
By Mike
February 9, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
Braves offer Bobby Abreu one year and 5 million according t Bill Shanks - www.bravesshow.com
By ncscoots
February 9, 2009 4:12 PM | Link to this
Ah, DOB, Billy Joel may have become cheesy, but he wasn’t ALWAYS cheesy, LOL. Some of that earlier stuff, while he was still an angry young man, wasn’t bad.
And, yes, yes, more FedEx. No teasing. Must explain.
By Fan-coeur (Frenchy has a lot to prove)
February 9, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t mind Ohman leaving us. However I do mind if he ends up with the Phils or Mets! NOT ACCEPTABLE.
I do mind not signing Glavine, I hope he accepts that one million deal. I’d hate to see him leave and go to the Nationals.
BTW, Pat can you give me a decent source of the Braves’ offer to Abreu? I’d like to know, thank you.
I say don’t trade your talent away. Stay away from Nick Swisher.
On another note, my grandpa is a big ARod fan, and I bought him an ARod jersey three years ago. Now what am I supposed to tell him?? How can I console him?? He’ll be really sad.
By ncscoots
February 9, 2009 4:16 PM | Link to this
—Bill Shanks, a credible source with a lot of contacts inside the orgainization—
There you go. Proof that “oxymoron” is a wonderfully expressive word. In ALL its component parts.
By Jim
February 9, 2009 4:19 PM | Link to this
DOB: Agree with you re players’ union. They’ve been so busy stonewalling re drug testing, they forgot about all the crap in their closet. That crap has now seen the light of day - and we will shortly know who the other 103 “positive” players were. And who’s to blame - the idiots running the union. For all their blustering, they simply forgot to throw out the trash - and it could not have happened to a nicer bunch of guys. What were they thinking? Their arrogance may lead to their downfall. If I were a player rep, I’d sure be arguing to replace the who group of union leaders who have let the players down so badly in this instance. What a bunch of dummies squandering the union dues paid to them by the players whose reputations they were supposed to protect.
By N8
February 9, 2009 4:22 PM | Link to this
Did anybody else out there that heard the 2 minute “snip-it” of Gammons’ interview with A-Rod, come to the conclusion (assumptions), that he’s lying through his teath?
He just so happened to STOP using in 03, the year he got busted? Hogwash. It’s like Andy Pettitte saying he used “twice” just to see how it would work.
Whatever.
I commend him for actually admitting it. But my guess is that he was coached very well by his agents, and MLB in what to say and how much to admit to.
It just reminds me of the kid who gets busted by his dad drinking beer, or smoking pot and claims it also just so happened to be the first time he tried it. What a coincidence.
I could be wrong, but I doubt it.
By Mark C.
February 9, 2009 4:23 PM | Link to this
DOB
According to John Heyman, Gene Orza was trying to lawyer down the number of positive tests from the 2003 survey to avoid testing going forward. Then the Balco investigators wanted the results for whoever they were investigating. Orza said ‘no’, and Feds said ‘How about we just take all of them?’. Epic, epic FAIL on his part. Here’s the link, hopefully I did it right.
[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/jon_heyman/02/08/rodriguez.union/index.html#?eref=T1]
By Curt
February 9, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this
Well now that Arod has come clean and admitted that he cheated and used roids, that makes Chipper the greatest 3rd baseman of this generation.
That is the silver lining in all of this to me. Chipper is how a great, all natural, baseball player should function.
Early in career decent power with an OK average. Later brings average up while increasing power as he becomes more of a man and starts to fill out his frame and learn pitching. Continued era of dominance and being a feared hitter. Then power declines while average continues to climb as his eye for the zone gets better even though his body cannot generate the power it once could. And one day, hopefully several several years from now he will lose enough bat speed to no longer be competitive.
Anyway, point is as we sit now CHIPPER JONES is the greatest 3RD BASEMAN of this GENERATION!!!!
By Efrim
February 9, 2009 4:28 PM | Link to this
Did Bill Shanks say that? Or did someone on that comments board bring it up? Until I hear it from a reliable source, I am not going to believe it. Although it’s possible. Has the guy even received a contract offer yet?
By N8
February 9, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this
It is also becoming more clear to me that Johnny Cochran (or any high profile defense attourney), would have made a fine member of the Players Union.
Really? That’s what people (not neccesarily bloggers - but everybody), are talking about, is HOW the alleged confidential list got “leaked”.
I love how people side-step the reality of things. Bottom line, is that 104 players tested positive and they have NOBODY to blame but themselves.
If your nosey neighbor tells your wife that your doin “business” with another woman while she is away at work, who’s to blame for you getting busted? The neighbor, or YOU for making the bonehead decision in the first place.
THIS is why people hated Tom Glavine for being so Pro-Union around the strike. NOBODY (other than the members of the union), has much respect for the union itself.
It’s a sas state of this country, when the ML Players Union is the strongest union in the nation. Lot’s of other workers out there right now, that could use a union like the guys that play a game have.
Unreal.
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 9, 2009 4:31 PM | Link to this
NCSCOOTS
Are you saying Shanks is not credible? If so, to use such a bold statement, might I ask why you think this.
By Datominator
February 9, 2009 4:33 PM | Link to this
I think, with only a few exceptions (kickers), all the players in the NFL are interchangeable: 6-5, 290lbs, etc. Interchangeable = anonymity. Only in baseball do you find such a broad spectrum of guys who are short/tall, fat/thin, fast/slow - there’s at least one player any fan can identify theirselves with. I think this makes the reality of steroid use much starker to baseball fans.
By Anders
February 9, 2009 4:34 PM | Link to this
N8
I’ve only read what’s been released and it even reads like you said in your 4:22. He copped to what he had to and left the rest subjective. Like I wrote earlier, we’ll give Mr. Gammons a chance to poke at A-Rod. Assuming Gammons doesn’t nod off or get distracted with a shiny object.
By Mark in Indy
February 9, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this
That is the silver lining in all of this to me. Chipper is how a great, all natural, baseball player should function.
Now, I’m as big a fan of Chipper as anyone, but how can you really say with any certainty that he never used any steroids? I would certainly be surprised to find it out, but not nearly as surprised as I would have been 2 or 3 years ago. It’s like DOB said, outside of Maddux, Glaving, Hough, Eckstein (and maybe Sid Bream) everyone that played in the past 2 decades is going to have that cloud of suspicion hanging over them.
By Rufio
February 9, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this
I’m still at work so I can’t look this up, but didn’t I read that Abreu was recently offered a one year deal worth 8 million from a team… I can’t remember the team… but why would he turn that down to take a one year 5 million dollar offer from us?
By shocker bro
February 9, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this
DOB, As an avid NFL fan, I feel there is a built in expectation that we want our guys to be big and nasty, basically an extension of comic book physiques for our modern day gladiators regardless of how they get there. NFL fans tend to turn more a blind eye. Even small DBs and RBs tend for the most part to be physical specimens. You don’t see a huge disparity between the players when you go by specific positions. For example, O-lineman tend to be proportionally similar when you see them in their uniforms from the stands on Sunday, (it might not be true with the jerseys off in the locker room) Perhaps we don’t care because we don’t on the surface “see” a direct correlation of success based on being so much bigger and stronger than a majority of the players, making it more accepted even though we know they are not called performance enhancing drugs for nothing. Perhaps the roid culture, or exposure of, is still so relatively new to baseball that it still has a huge shock value. Pro football had the Lyle Alzado, Terry Long, and Tony Mandarich sordid roid stories break years before baseball so perhaps it has less shock effect in the NFL world. Those 3 were all featured in big SI exposes.
Baseball however is played by a diversity of different size players at specific positions except for possibly 2B. In fact, we celebrate and embrace the little guys or guys with physiques like our own who are able to play this game so much better than the average guy even though a majority tend to have “normal” physiques. Even the history of nicknames celebrate the little guy, Pee Wee, Nails, Yogi, etc. We don’t like the fact that guys are getting an edge in a sport we have percieved as pure, a sport where we teach our kids they ALL have a chance to succeed .regardless of their size. Eckstein can play with Adam Dunn, etc. Maybe we see roids as more unfair an adavantage like bringing a gun to a knife fight.We don’t like the atypical physique unless we know it is “natural”. Now we don’t have faith in who is naturally getting it done. My take. Let the shredding begin.
By Random
February 9, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this
Adamant Manny Ramirez Vows: “I Will Not Test Steroids for Major League Baseball”
A confused but nevertheless resolute Manny Ramirez called a press conference yesterday to emotionally expound on his own unique interpretation of Major League Baseball’s new steroid testing program.
“Lemme tell you,” said an emotional Ramirez, wagging his finger forcefully, “all my career in baseball I’ve seen people using these steroids, and no matter what anybody tries to tell me, I believe with all my heart that steroids are very, very bad for you. So, when I hear Major League Baseball has started a big new steroid testing program, I am so mad. I am here to say that I absolutely refuse to test steroids for Major League Baseball.”
As the press conference was going on, a relaxed Theo Epstein said on the side that the problem will be simple to solve. “We’ll simply tell Manny that he is exempt from the steroid testing program,” he whispered, “and that the blood tests are part of a routine physical exam. Nothing to worry about. Believe me, we go through a hundred ‘crises’ like this a year with Manny.”
Bill Mahoney, callofthegreenmonster.com
By ncscoots
February 9, 2009 4:41 PM | Link to this
Najeh, that would be because I think you need at least a single shred of objectivity to reach toward credibility. :-) Hey, Shanks hasn’t spit on my mother or anything, I don’t hate the guy…I just don’t find him believeable on any subject connected with the Braves.
By AGTfan
February 9, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
AGTfan: Just a typo, meant to say early part of THIS decade. Don’t even know why I’d type 1980s, so I’ll not make up a good excuse.
No excuse needed. Besides in this day and time, I’m sure there are T-ball managers contemplating steriod use for their budding sluggers.
N8
You said: THIS is why people hated Tom Glavine for being so Pro-Union around the strike. NOBODY (other than the members of the union), has much respect for the union itself.
Wrong, I do. They have done a great job for the people for whom they’re supposed to be working.
I also agree with your final statements, but I don’t want to get into politics. Oh, What the heck? It sure would be nice if the average American working man was as well represented as the MLB players.
By getnathan
February 9, 2009 4:44 PM | Link to this
Ohman will end up with the Mets I think. Phillies only want him because JC Romero is serving a 50 game suspension, and they only have Scott Eyre as the left-hander in their bullpen.
I think Braves are trying to acquire Ryan Ludwick
By Rufio
February 9, 2009 4:47 PM | Link to this
Rafael Belliard reeked of steriods
Wasn’t his nickname Rafael “The Dirty Juicer” Belliard?
By N8
February 9, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
Rufio
I’d be interested in seeing the report of a team offering Abreu 8 million. I just read today (Ben Maller?), that sources are telling people that Abreu might have to settle for a 3 million dollar deal (either one or two years).
Anders
I actually don’t mind Gammons. I have respect for the guy. But don’t for a second, think that he wasn’t hand picked by MLB to be the guy to do the interview either.
By BA
February 9, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
Skimming? Geez, DOB- perish the thought.
By AGTfan
February 9, 2009 4:51 PM | Link to this
Anders we’ll give Mr. Gammons a chance to poke at A-Rod. Assuming Gammons doesn’t nod off or get distracted with a shiny object. LMAO
RANDOM Laughing even harder for your post.
By getnathan
February 9, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this
Rafael Belliard was the ish!!!!!!
By getnathan
February 9, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this
Rafael Belliard was no Rafael Ramirez
By PWHjort
February 9, 2009 4:55 PM | Link to this
DOB, seeing that Adam Kennedy was just released by the Cardinals, do you see the Braves re-igniting the Kelly Johnson for Ryan Ludwick talks? Would one of Soriano and Gonzalez plus KJ get it done?
By N8
February 9, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this
AGTfan
I should rephrase that. People may respect what the union does for it’s players, and you are right (like an attourney), they are hired to do whatever it takes (and whatever they can get away with demanding), to protect their clients.
That being said, I’m willing to bet that the average working class american, doesn’t feel sorry for the players (or the owners), when it comes time to contractual demands and negotiations.
I can respect what the union has done for players in terms of their salaries, free agency and arbitraion. We’ve all seen the movie “Eight Men Out” and realize how deceiving and manipulating the owners were back in the day. So good for them on that front.
I have ZERO respect for the union for being as anti drug testing as long as they were. No excuse for it. Not to a fan of the history of the game. That’s a topic that the players (and their union) will NEVER convince me that they were correct about.
By dogsbrekky
February 9, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this
AROD from the bit of the interview I have seen IS STILL LYING about some things, but why ?
Doesn’t anyone on the tv know that the roids he was taking are of the MOST SOPHISTICATED variety…
Roids improve hand-eye co-ordination like nothing else as well as all of their other properties..
AROD IMO was clearly using for a longer period and probably switched to HGH and Transgrowth post the testing in 2004….
“Shake and Bake”
PS I hope HOSS is NOT on the lost as some here are intimating (Coach ??)
By Random
February 9, 2009 5:00 PM | Link to this
N8: “It’s a sad state of this country, when the ML Players Union is the strongest union in the nation. Lot’s of other workers out there right now, that could use a union like the guys that play a game have.”
And whose fault is that? The MLBPA’s? Or their own for not organizing?
(To further appropriate and utilizae your very own words — “I love how people side-step the reality of things. Bottom line, is they have NOBODY to blame but themselves.”)
By Paul
February 9, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
“OK, ME TALKING NOW: Speaking of that gargantuan contract, do you folks realize it includes $6 million bonuses for A-Rod when he reaches each of the four milestone career home run totals of Willie Mays (660), Babe Ruth (714), Henry Aaron (755) and Bonds (762).”
DOB, I thought we’d been over this 1,000 times. Players can’t have stat-based performance incentives in their contracts. It’s against the Union rules. Or this does this not apply to career stats (in which case some GM is going to have a field day signing Manny to a $5 million dollar contract that doubles if he reaches 550 career hrs (he’s at 527), triples for 560, quadruples for 570, etc.)?
What’s the deal? Is the part about ARod’s bonuses not accurate? Or is there just a giant loophole in the rules?
By AdirondackDave
February 9, 2009 5:03 PM | Link to this
A-Rod coming clean? I give him absolutely no credit for this too little, far too late statement. The guy shouldn’t have have taken performance-enhancing drugs in the first place and his agents and union should have made that absolutely clear. Then he lied about it to “60 minutes” or some similar tv appearance, I forget which. His “records” now will mean very little. So often the cover-up is as bad as the original offense and that’s certainly true in this case.
Unfortunately, there is likely to be plenty more coming in the ‘roids scandal, the other 103+ god knows who else. The union, the agents, and club managements may well be shown to be negligent before this is over. And then there’s Bud… Can you imagine Bart Giamatti tolerating the last 15 years or whatever it’s been? I’ve been watching baseball since 1947 when I was a little kid pouring over stats and records of my heros endlessly. Made me gag when Hank’s record fell to the cheater.
By Brave-n-La
February 9, 2009 5:10 PM | Link to this
Why not sign Adam Kennedy to play 2B and move KJ to LF as planned before Furcal spurned us?!
By Random
February 9, 2009 5:12 PM | Link to this
AGTfan — Thanks.
And I myself also agree with your final statement:
“It sure would be nice if the average American working man was as well represented as the MLB players.”
Curt: “Anyway, point is as we sit now CHIPPER JONES is the greatest 3RD BASEMAN of this GENERATION!!!!”
No duh — A-Rod’s a misplaced shortstop.
By Chop Chop
February 9, 2009 5:13 PM | Link to this
J.A. Adande on “Around the Horn:
“One thing A-Rod is is smart.”
I question that comment. I think A-Rod’s just a damn good baseball player who cheated to get an edge. He doesn’t seem to be smart about much else.
Per Tim Cowlishaw:
“He’s polished enough to do this: to get the record and get into the Hall of Fame.”
“Polished enough?” What the hell does that mean? That A-Rod can smooth-talk his way through all of this?
Cowlishaw may be right, but this is why I don’t watch this stupid f*** show. Time to turn the channel.
Oh, wait. Jay Mariotti is also skeptical about A-Rod’s story. S**. I’m on the same side as Mariotti and the always-cerebral Woody Paige today.
By Anders
February 9, 2009 5:14 PM | Link to this
Paul I think A-Rods bonuses for passing certain HR marks are looked at like making the All Star team and MVP type rewards.
By Steve McP
February 9, 2009 5:18 PM | Link to this
I like the idea of going for Ludwick, but would not give up one of our main relief pitchers - nobody would want Soriano because of the injury issues, and there is no way the Braves would let Gonzo go, however with a lot of decent pitchers who will be in AAA this year including one of those with some MLB experience might make the deal.
Bear in mind that Ludwick had not done much before last season, it could have been a flash or the start of a big career, so there is an element of risk if they go for that trade.
By JimD
February 9, 2009 5:23 PM | Link to this
PWHjort
DOB, seeing that Adam Kennedy was just released by the Cardinals, do you see the Braves re-igniting the Kelly Johnson for Ryan Ludwick talks? Would one of Soriano and Gonzalez plus KJ get it done?
OK, that suggestion does not warrant a response from DOB so a lowly like me will take this one.
In a word no, at least not with the terms you suggested.
First, the Cardinals would not accept Soriano in a trade. He is set to make $6.1M this coming year, and is unproven coming off of elbow surgery.
Second, Gonzalez is untouchable in the Braves’ eyes. He is their closer and they have no other candidate to fill that role right now.
Third, I think the Braves (and most everyone else in MLB) value KJ a lot more than most of the bloggers here do. He is a hitter and he plays better than average defense.
Fin
By AGTfan
February 9, 2009 5:24 PM | Link to this
N8 If you want to get picky about it…..LOL
I don’t think some of their stands on certain issues have been in the best interest of the game, or even in their own best interest.
By JimD
February 9, 2009 5:24 PM | Link to this
PWHjort
DOB, seeing that Adam Kennedy was just released by the Cardinals, do you see the Braves re-igniting the Kelly Johnson for Ryan Ludwick talks? Would one of Soriano and Gonzalez plus KJ get it done?
OK, that suggestion does not warrant a response from DOB so a lowly like me will take this one.
In a word no, at least not with the terms you suggested.
First, the Cardinals would not accept Soriano in a trade. He is set to make $6.1M this coming year, and is unproven coming off of elbow surgery.
Second, Gonzalez is untouchable in the Braves’ eyes. He is their closer and they have no other candidate to fill that role right now.
Third, I think the Braves (and most everyone else in MLB) value KJ a lot more than most of the bloggers here do. He is a hitter and he plays better than average defense.
Finally, who would play 2nd? Prado? Infante? That would weaken the bench.
By reality is liberal-based
February 9, 2009 5:29 PM | Link to this
I think people pay attention more to steroids in the MLB largely because lying.
We all witnesses what took place before Congress. Whether or not Congress should’ve been involved is another issue. The people were there and they gave false testimony.
Add to that we have Bonds who is going to go to jail for lying(and he had immunity) with Roger Clemens right behind him. They are going to jail because they lied. And MLB players are now perceived to be liars hiding behind a union that many people cannot stand in the first place.
And then we have the few admissions that are the right thing to do, though they weren’t done particularly well. These confirmations of previously denied use just adds to the negative perception and keeps people focused on MLB.
Then again, some people look at football players and wrestlers and expect to hear about steroid use. Doesn’t make it right, but sports with massive people playing don’t get the same scrutiny as sports played by players who are big, but not huge.
Sorry to hear about Ohman and Andruw, let’s hope Abreu and Glavine sign.We can never ever have too much starting pitching.
By Lew
February 9, 2009 5:32 PM | Link to this
PWHjort-No.
By Braveheart
February 9, 2009 5:33 PM | Link to this
All my exes get FedExes, and that’s why I hang my hat in Tennessee
By Andy K.
February 9, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this
DOB: Can you give us any word on the Abreu reports?
By csg
February 9, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this
why in the hell would we trade KJ and Gonzo for Ludwick???? I wouldnt trade KJ straight up for the guy. Forget the trade scenarios while Dunn and Abreu are still out there for relatively cheap deals. No reason in giving up two good pieces of our team when there are FA’s available
By kiringa
February 9, 2009 5:41 PM | Link to this
I respect what A-Rod has done. He looked like he was going to cry. It wasn’t slick, though he tried to be, he choked up and then told the truth.
I think we should encourage people to tell the truth. He confessed to three years of using illegal substances on tv and possibly set himself up for a discussion with the feds.
He didn’t let the story linger and now we can deal with it a move on.
Wow, no Ohman? I think that’s a big mistake. Phillies pay Romero millions and we see how valuable he is, but the Braves are once again trying to skrimp on a proven asset. It’s ok to be frugal, but keep what is working for you.
If we sign the clutch Abreu, then I would have to grade the offseason a solid B+(no Ohman, no A).
By Random
February 9, 2009 5:51 PM | Link to this
AdirondackDave: “Made me gag when Hank’s record fell to the cheater.”
What makes you think that Aaron did not himself “cheat”?
Simply because you want it not to be so?
And I’m not talking “greenies”, either.
Here’s an excerpt from a San Francisco Chronicle article — I haven’t found the source article yet, so let’s take it with a grain of salt for now:
“The San Francisco Chronicle, in a May 3rd 2005 article quoted former Major League pitcher Tom House of the Atlanta Braves as saying that steroids were rampant in the game in the late ’60s and throughout the ’70s.
“House, perhaps best known for catching Hank Aaron’s 715th home run ball in 1974 in the Atlanta Braves bullpen, said he and several teammates used amphetamines, human growth hormone and ‘whatever steroid’ they could find in order to keep up with the competition.
“”I pretty much popped everything cold turkey’, House said. “We were doing steroids they wouldn’t give to horses. That was the ’60s when nobody knew. The good thing is, we know now. There’s a lot more research and understanding.”
“House, 58, estimated that six or seven pitchers per team were at least experimenting with steroids or human growth hormone. He said players talked about losing to opponents using more effective drugs.
“”We didn’t get beat, we got out-milligrammed”, he said. “And when you found out what they were taking, you started taking them”.”
Paul — I read the same thing about the four $6M bonuses, one each for tying Mays, Ruth, Aaron and Bonds, PLUS another $6M for establishing a new HR record.
I’ll see if I can find the site again, if you don’t believe DOB.
By Rufio
February 9, 2009 5:58 PM | Link to this
Hey N8
Here is the link about the $8 million associated with Abreu… It was just a rumor, but its what I was thinking of. Clearly just a rumor
Yahoo Rumor
By Canadianbrave
February 9, 2009 5:59 PM | Link to this
AdirondackDave Excellent I think you may have just hit the nail right on the head. I been watching baseball since 1962 and I played ball from the age of 7-18. I too used to pour over the stats endlessly, in a day when a record fell once in a blue moon and really meant something when it did. We used to buy all the cards, and not as a trading commodoty, but to read the stats and find out about the players around the league.
In my day, this is what made baseball so apealing. It wasn’t wasn’t just a big man’s game. It had mass appeal, anyone could play for free, and it was a multi-faceted game, with speed, sacrifice, strategy, and there was a player on everyone’s favourite team for them to emulate. I even remember writing in and getting a hand written letter from Felix Milan. Can you imagine that today!! There was no gladiator mentality in the sport. It was a team sport, with room for superstars, within the context of the team.
I think with the age of mass marketing, baseball lost a huge share of the sport market. Huge football players like “the Fridge” became marketable commodities. Basketball was marketed through music, and fashion lines. It had larger than life players who were athletic and appealing to youth. Baseball just fell behind, and the children of the 90’s were no longer content with just reading a baseball card, or hovering around a radio to listen to a game.
Then came the steroid and everyone from the players, managers, uunion reps, owners and the public, saw the increase in the appeal of the game, with records falling yearly, and huge gladiators who could hit the ball 600 ft. battling it out for supremacy.
In that respect everyone, including the fans share the blame. But the real fans remain, those of us who watch the players on our favourite team, those of us who blog for hours about our teams. These blog sites are just todays incarnation of the old baseball card. Baseball will evolve and survive because we love the game itself.
Who really suffers are those players of past generations and today who trained endlessly, toiled and acquired the skills necessary to become professionals. Those who excelled and set legitimate records. Their accomplishments are tarnished.
That’s why I think we have to be so careful, when we think about the kind of players we want on our teams. Do we really need 75 homeruns from our outfield, if we can get 75 stolen bases, and 75 hits. I know the homerun is extremely exciting for those in the stadium, but the fate of baseball hinges on fan interest and the little kid who wants to play and can hit and catch. What child wants to play if the only kid who gets the praise is the home run hitter.
Who wants to bother watching the game, if you can see the homerun highlights on the sports news. That is what’s so exciting about blogs like this. There are baseball fans out there who are interested in the little details that make this game so great. Hail the homerun, but not because your body is juiced, but because you have the handspeed and skill to generate the necessary force even at 5’ 10” or 11” like the hammer.
By Frank
February 9, 2009 6:01 PM | Link to this
kiringa
You can add Signing Glavine to that list along with signing Abreu.
By Mike Honcho
February 9, 2009 6:06 PM | Link to this
Two Questions for the ole Blog:
When Bobby Cox leaves what about Chipper Jones as player/manager? I don’t know why teams don’t do that anymore. Chipper has proven to be a very intelligent baseball mind.
Julio Franco juicing or not? It’s a tough call there, I certainly hope not. Maybe Charlie Hough put him on some stuff back when they were together with the Rangers…
By dogsbrekky
February 9, 2009 6:10 PM | Link to this
I’m watching AROD now, he is lying boys, sorry to say but one of my best skills is reading body language and he is lying ……. looks like he was doing stuff for a whiles, oh well…
NEXT !
“Shake and bake”
By Jeff R
February 9, 2009 6:14 PM | Link to this
Sign Abreu short term… Don’t trade for Swisher any other OF unless they come really cheap… The farm system has some bona fide OF talent coming up in the next 12-24 months… Tell Glavine to give Stan Kasten a ring up in DC… Hope that Boone and Eric prove to be better lefty middle inning relievers than their recent season performances indicate.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 9, 2009 6:14 PM | Link to this
Mike “Julio Franco juicing or not? It’s a tough call there, I certainly hope not.”
Me, too. I’d be pretty crushed if he did.
By BBFCFM
February 9, 2009 6:15 PM | Link to this
Excellent post Random. People seem to to think bad things didnt happen in baseball pre 1990’s. I think that thought process is foolish and naive. It’s Downright disgusting to me to think that all records pre 1990’s or whathaveyou are “legit” and “real” or whatever defining word you would like to inject in there.I mean, seriously- steroids were legal, and evidently not something people used to view as a bad thing.
Hell, look at Arnold and the “pumping iron” documentary. He openly took steroids- and that was like the mid seventies.
Not only that, but steroids and hgh and amphetamines are not the only drugs out there. In fact, the drugs of today are only here because of their ancestors. case in point: “We were doing steroids they wouldn’t give to horses. That was the ’60s when nobody knew. The good thing is, we know now. There’s a lot more research and understanding.”
All I’m saying is the good ole days were probably just as bad as today if not extremely more so.
Somebody posted here the other day (and i’m paraphrasing)
“There’s two types of people in this world son- caught and not caught”
Seems pretty pertinent to this conversation to me
By PWHjort
February 9, 2009 6:20 PM | Link to this
*JimD * In what universe does Kelly Johnson play above-average defense. He has well below average range and the +/- system has him rated at well below average.
By N8
February 9, 2009 6:23 PM | Link to this
“And whose fault is that? The MLBPA’s? Or their own for not organizing?” AGTfan
Oh come on now. Who do you think can AFFORD better reps for their union? Guys that ALREADY make millions of dollars, or union guys working in the oil-fields?
I really don’t want to get political hear. But it’s no different than OJ being able to afford “good” representation (said with eyes rolling), than the average man (or woman).
But you are right. If the other unions don’t like their current contract, they shouldn’t agree to it.
By Canadianbrave
February 9, 2009 6:23 PM | Link to this
RANDOM
I don’t think anyone thinks that players weren’t using steroids back in the 60’s and 70’s. Its just that the gladiator mentality didn’t exist then. Sure there were the huge home run hitters and the pitchers who could throw 200 pitches and nine innings almost every time out, but I think the reasoning was different. This was not organized use of performance enhancing substances. It sounds like it was a behind the scenes player motivated mentality, to stay competitive. I think drug use of every sort was more tolerated then because it was an experimental time.
In the nineties the game became secondary to the exploits of the steroid community. Baseball itself was just a backdrop to the achievements of individuals. The fundamental elements of the game or “science” of the game lost out to the science of creating, distributing and masking steroids.
Individuals, with massive bodies, battled it out every night on the center stage and if one of them didn’t homer the fans were dissappointed even if the team won. I don’t think baseball fans in the 60’s and 70’s were exposed to or shared that mentality.
By N8
February 9, 2009 6:25 PM | Link to this
Rufio
Thanks for the link.
By keylargo
February 9, 2009 6:29 PM | Link to this
http://www.bravesinfo.com/?p=215
Here is a site with the $5 million for Abreu.
By ellaguru
February 9, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this
Random, what you quoted from Tom House reminds me of one of my fave non-Joe Schultz lines from Ball Four about one of the Seattle Pilots chasing down, laying out but missing a fly ball: “Damn, five more milligrams and he’d have had it.”
By Mark E
February 9, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this
DOB - Your blog raises the very valid point that we just can’t be sure who has and who hasn’t used steroids from the late 80’s/early 90’s until now. Hopefully this will bring some perspective to the accomplishments of those who played primarily in the 80’s who clearly did not benefit from steroids. Guys like Murphy and Dawson were some of the greatest players of their era, and yet they don’t get as much love for the HOF because their numbers are dwarfed by the steroids era numbers. Not sure if the game will ever be the same.
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 6:33 PM | Link to this
Would anybody here be surprised if the 103 list contained names like Pujols, Griffey, Jones, Furcal, Jones, Smoltz, Franco, etc?
I just wish Frank would get us an outfielder, so we can go back to lineup and rotation and bench speculation……
By kiringa
February 9, 2009 6:38 PM | Link to this
Frank, you’re correct. I agree with the guy who said you can never have too much pitching. But even with signing Glavine and Abreu, I still would give the offseason a B+. I think the loss of Ohman is that profound.
All these people saying A-Rod is lying, uh, he admitted to using banned substances for at least 3 years, what else is there to lie about? If it’s banned substances, who cares if it’s Substance A, and/or Substance B?
Dude had tears in his eyes talking to Gammons, it was clear to any fair thinking human being that what he was doing was very hard for him.
By Rolf
February 9, 2009 6:42 PM | Link to this
We certainly could use another bat. In the 80’s, the Cardinals were kind of a punch-and-judy team and then we got Jack Clark. “Jack the friggin Ripper.” That dude had a Dawson-ish swing. Great clean-up hitter. Someone to fear in the clean-up spot. I think very highly of Mr. McCann, but I don’t think he is the Chipper-protector we need.
We scored a lot of runs last year even without the HR’s, but some of that was Tex.
Pull the trigger.
By Frumpy
February 9, 2009 6:44 PM | Link to this
Chipper Jones would have to be a little annoyed at A-Rod after he backed A-Rod for not using steroids when he was mis-interpretted when he said people would always be suspicious of A-Rod becuase people think most players were on steroids back in the late 90’s early 2000’s.
He took a lot of heat for that and in the end said he didnt think A-Rod took steroids. Now turns out A-Rod has taken steroids.
Looking at his stats over the period he was on the roids, definetly increased his power and will now be always tainted.
By Braveheart
February 9, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this
Is Julio Franco really a tough call for anyone? Really? Come on, man, that juice was oozing out of every last one of Julio’s pores.
By Frank
February 9, 2009 6:45 PM | Link to this
Hey JeffR
Ya know, I’d rather have Glavine as our 5th starter than any of the other options…..then if for some reason (God forbid) Tom goes down…THEN we have options to put in the 5th spot in the rotation.
Sorry DOB, I’ll defend Glavine for as long as I have to. I didn’t necessarily agree with him leaving for the Muts….BUT I’m one person who was glad they brought him back last year. I’d much rather have his knowledge, his leadership ON THE MOUND, etc this season. Let him finish his career where it should be finished.
By doc
February 9, 2009 6:48 PM | Link to this
random, i know they were available in the 60’s as i was offered them by a player on a local college team. much of the team he played for took them and got them from their coach. i looked into it and declined.
with that preface you have to look at aaron’s career. it is about as consistent as it could get including the fade into his forties. can i prove it? no. can i speculate that clemens did? yes and did right here before it was the correct thing to do and it was because of how his career went. honestly, i even have some suspicion of nolan ryan with the record he had of being a power pitcher into his mid forties and especially since he ended up getting an early cardiac bypass. yup, one of the detrimental things with roids is early cardiac disease.
certain players played the game in a normal way, others didnt and became superheroes straight out of wwf. most folks can tell the difference. as for aaron he didnt blow up until he was out of the game and it was due to the natural aging process of the chest going to the belt. funny with his swing and his wrists i am not sure if the roids would have hurt him more than help him.
kirk agree glad to see someone finally come cleaner and say that he did it for a period of time and not lie to soften the blow and say that they did it for only one shot like petite did.
By Oasisbraves
February 9, 2009 6:50 PM | Link to this
DUNDERCHEIF
I don’t think Glavine used, but I think he could have used his divine influence to help put a stop it. Why didn’t he stand up and say THIS ISNT RIGHT. These players were afraid of something. Not making bigger $$ I fear. That’s all im saying.
By On everyone's mind
February 9, 2009 6:54 PM | Link to this
Is Abreu signed yet?
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 6:56 PM | Link to this
kirknga Only problem I have with A-Rod’s confession is that it would have never happened if he hadn’t been outed.
Also, some of his statements are very stupid. He didn’t know what kind of drugs he was taking???? Give me a break Alex. You might be a juicer, but your not stupid.
I think he is still lying, telling only what he has to, to get this behind him. Alex is sorry he got caught.
As you state, I am certain that his confession was hard for him.
As for Ohman. He did a nice job for us for 5 months last year. Ran out of gas, or was overused, or the league caught up with him in September. Middle relievers are typically up and down in their careers. Who’s to say that Ridgway or Logan won’t be as good as, or better than Ohman in 2009? Nobody this time last year was raving about Ohman, because until last year, he was too up and down in his career.
What say ye??
By Frank
February 9, 2009 6:56 PM | Link to this
Just seen the Peter Gammons interview with Arod…. and I just have one thing to say….
SICKENING.
Whoever posted that story about Tom House saying steriods, etc were rampant in the 60’s & 70’s…are you kidding me? I can’t believe players like Brock, Musial, Williams, Gibson, Clemente….just to name a few used steriods.
No….they got their numbers the old fashioned way….THEY EARNED IT.
And like I said…Hank Aaron is still HR champ.
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 7:02 PM | Link to this
Frank I agree that Glavine would be a good addition to the staff. Not sure if we can keep Hanson out of the rotation though.
As for Tommy G, it is all up to him now. All this talk about wanting to pitch only for the Braves. For a pitcher who is very uncertain for the year, he has a fair offer on the table.
Tommy, either take the deal, or shut the heck up and get out of town (again).
By Braveheart
February 9, 2009 7:03 PM | Link to this
How about boxing? I remember back in the mid-90s, Evander Holyfied struggled with a scrub like Bobby Cyz and actually had to cheat and rub sh!t in Bobby’s eyes to avoid humiliating himself by losing to such a scrub. 6 months later, Holyfield came out roided up beyond belief and beat the ever living hell out of Mike Tyson. I remember looking at Holyfield when he came out for that Tyson fight. Dude didn’t look like a human. Holyfield wasn’t the Real Deal. Youtube those fights and look at how much Holyfield had disfigured his skull with his roid use. Holyfield was a natural light heavyweight who roided himself into a heavyweight champ, but no one seems to care. The world goes to hell in a handbasket, however, if a baseball player uses that stuff.
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this
Rumor has it that The Babe and Lou Gehrig were secretly juicing!
By Chop Chop
February 9, 2009 7:04 PM | Link to this
B-b-b-b-b-b-b-b-but, Braveheart!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Julio said he was “juiced on Jesus,” man!
Alas, no one ever told Julio that his dealer’s sales pitch (“This’ll be your savior, brother.”) was metaphorical.
By L-Town Scrub
February 9, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this
Any one hear Dale Murphy on XM 175 yesterday? Talking about steroids…wow had some interesting comments about the league needing to do more. Here’s the thing about roids’.. I’m 31 and have been a die hard, life long baseball fan, I knew in the 90’s when Terry Steinbach of the A’s hit 35 homers when he had never hit more than 16, we had a problem. I love the history of the game, Idolizing the players of my era has been some of the greatest memories of my childhood, so you know what……who cares about the steriods era, nothing fazes me anymore. Roids are what these players did to get ahead, to make money to gain fame. Maybe I’m just bitter about my childhood hero’s possibly being frauds or liers or cheaters… but in this day and age of sports its something that happened. I dont even care if players appologize, I still love the game. I personally dont feel slighted about spending 60 bucks to go to the game and know that some players could be possibly cheating…i just love the atmosphere and the spirit of the game.
By N8
February 9, 2009 7:16 PM | Link to this
“Is Julio Franco really a tough call for anyone? Really? Come on, man, that juice was oozing out of every last one of Julio’s pores.” Braveheart
TOTALLY agree with you. Finally something we can agree on, huh? I’ve been stating for ever and a day, that Julio was on the juice. If you don’t think he was (not you, but bloggers in general), then something’s wrong.
As for Holyfield? Again. Not sure how many were on roids. But being from ND, I watched (and went to many) of Virgil Hill’s boxing matches that were here in Bismarck. He was an 84 Olympic teammate of Holyfield’s.
I don’t remember who the guy was he faced, but he (Hill) pounded (more like jabbed) the hell out of hi face for 12 rounds, never knocking him down. Turns out after the fight, he had fractured his wrist.
But it came out later that the opponent (Jean Marie Amebe - sp?- really don’t remember), was hopped up on morphine for the fight, and though he was getting the snot kicked out of him, he wouldn’t go down. Couldn’t feel the pain.
I know that that was a huge trend (morphine use) in the 80’s and 90’s in boxing.
But you’re right. Holyfield is boxing’s version of Barry Bonds, when it comes to body (ahem) “transformation”.
By brAves Sucios
February 9, 2009 7:22 PM | Link to this
The call for the Yanks to dump A-Rod is pure journalistic hyperbole, intended to pressure the organization by putting them on the defensive and force them to stake out a strong position one way or another. Probably solicit good response quotes for tomorrow’s article. Although it will be interesting to see how this plays out long-term as he pursues the record.
Also DOB I’d add Griffey, Jr. to the list of guys I’d be surprised to find had used performance enhancers in his career. To paraphrase a buddy of mine, “dude missed like two full years to injuries and the phrase ‘bounced back’ never really seemed to apply after he did.” Seems like he did it the right way.
And regarding the disparity between fan reaction to baseball and football players when they test positive, I’d also add that I think the need to bulk up is seen as almost reasonable in football, whereas in baseball it’s seen as cheating… while football players have certainly gotten bigger and faster over time, the change has been more constant and gradual and the players have generally always been in better shape (with the possible exception of offensive linemen). There’s an easy and clear contrast between the Babe eating a hotdog in the dugout then going out and jacking one out of the park before going back out to the mound and pitching a complete game versus a ‘roided up monstrosity in right field who feels the need to take days off and wear Darth Vader armor to protect his delicate, over-taxed tendons when he does deign to step to the plate in pursuit of the Hammer’s home run record.
And also all those other reasons you mention.
By Billy Walsh
February 9, 2009 7:24 PM | Link to this
A-Rod did not come clean. When Gammons asked him why he lied to Katie Couric he responded that he did not know whether he tested positive or not. The head of MLB players union told him that he might have tested positive or might have tested negative. Why can’t he just apologize. Is he that obsessed with his image? It amazes me that he just doesnt get it.
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this
Dave, where the heck is our deal for an outfielder???
:-)
By nolie
February 9, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this
Ah, DOB, Billy Joel may have become cheesy, but he wasn’t ALWAYS cheesy, LOL. Some of that earlier stuff, while he was still an angry young man, wasn’t bad. Scoots
good man Scoots. I agree, through the early ’80s he was right on, after 1983 or so not so much. By late ’80s he deserved Dave’s scorn IMO
By Braveheart
February 9, 2009 7:34 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop, that was funny, however, after what I said a few weeks ago, I think it’s for the best if I avoid the Jesus jokes.
By A-ville Ranger
February 9, 2009 7:42 PM | Link to this
A-Rod’s comment that he quit doping after the 2003 season ”because he proved to himself and others he didn’t need it” just makes no sense.It goes to buttress his rep as being full of chit.I’d be real surprised if he quit after 03.
By Moby Grape
February 9, 2009 7:44 PM | Link to this
Anyway, point is as we sit now CHIPPER JONES is the greatest 3RD BASEMAN of this GENERATION!!!! Curt
maybe if true, but there are an awful lot of people who thing Chipper cheated too around ‘99-2001 time frame. Hopefully not, but you can’t completely ignore the possibility and more than you could Arod.
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 7:51 PM | Link to this
Dave, where the heck is our deal for an outfielder???Wayne
It happens when it happens, Wayne. Don’t know what to tell you. As I said, Wren said weeks ago that it might not happen until spring training or even the regular season, if it happened at all.
I think things have changed since then, just because the price is so much lower for real good players like Abreu that the Braves aren’t going to let them all go without making a competitive bid.
But the Yankees aren’t likely to trade either Swisher or Nady until spring, at least, so if Braves don’t do it through free agency this week, they might wait and see how the young guys look early in spring training before deciding if they need to make a trade.
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 7:55 PM | Link to this
Is Abreu signed yet? On everyone’s mind
Only if “everyone” believes we’re all keeping that news to ourselves.
By AdirondackDave
February 9, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this
Moby Grape — Regarding Chipper, unless I’m mistaken, Chipper’s body really hasn’t changed a lot in the last 10-12 years and his per-game average production hasn’t changed dramatically either. Granted his MVP year was special but everybody has what they would call a career year. No, Chipper’s on my good guy, clean list until somebody reputable proves otherwise.
Also, yes, I could easily see Chipper as a player-manager. Ty Cobb did it, so did the Cleveland Indians SS-Manager during the 40s-50s. Can’t remember his name at this moment, but he was also Denny McLain’s father-in-law… small world. Can anybody remember his name, it’s gonna drive me crazy now…
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this
Paul, the bonuses for ARod are on top of his regular contract, separate from it. They don’t affect his salary, just the club giving him additional money for reaching these standards. I don’t know how they get around it, but it might be something that’s not included in the contract and wouldn’t be transferred if he was traded, etc. Not sure, though.
By Rico Bologna
February 9, 2009 8:01 PM | Link to this
DOB- will I get kicked off the blog if I say that I ” think ” Bill Shanks is a complete douche? I know I would get kicked off braves.scout.com. And the fact that he charges people, and some idiots pay, for info that can be found on the internet. On a side not, why no love for Josh Anderson- he could be our true leadoff hitter. Any word on the new DBT album? The more and more I listen to Brighter than Creation’s Dark, the more I love it. Mike Cooley is a genius… 3 Dimes Down, Bob, Perfect Timing, Checkout Time in Vegas, etc…. It is a sweet double vinyl album… Wes Freed is the man too- killer album art.
Also, gottas love the clip of Leo on 680 in the morning_ ” Smoke em Bong “
Gene
By hokie
February 9, 2009 8:03 PM | Link to this
Funny everyone coming over here spilling scoops from Bill Shanks when he repeatedly asked them not to.
By clay
February 9, 2009 8:05 PM | Link to this
so did the braves make an offer to abreau?
By wide right
February 9, 2009 8:06 PM | Link to this
is it A Bray Hoo or A Bray You?
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 8:11 PM | Link to this
Some of that earlier stuff, while he was still an angry young man, wasn’t bad.Scoots
What was he angry about, other than fact that he was An Innocent Man and he didn’t start the fire?
(OK, that was pretty weak. But I couldn’t resist.)
By steveP
February 9, 2009 8:12 PM | Link to this
By AR Brave
February 9, 2009 8:13 PM | Link to this
Who cares!?! This whole steroid talk on xm, sportscenter, the blog is just stupid. These players don’t answer to me or you or anyone besides themselves and their family. The game is entertaining for us (the common fan) regardless of if someone juices or not. And talking about the record books, well some say records are tainted because players back then didn’t have juice to be on. They didn’t have the weightrooms, supplements, medical staff, and technology that we have today either. Point is, put the steroid era in the hall just like you did with the 60s (drug/hippie) era or the 20’s when travel and medicine was inferior to what it is now. Those players did what they were allowed to do! So what. Bud dumbass selig collects his big check and that’s only because he allowed this stuff to go on and possibly hid some of it.
This steroid talk is bush league. How bout the cardinals need for a 2B?
How bout Abreu going for 3 mil?
How bout Manny aka ManRam screwing himself over by thinking a team is going to outbid themselves for his “quitting” services?
How about Glavine coming to us for cheap?
What about a 40 hr 100 RBI guy still out there for cheap?
How about them Braves???
By Braveheart
February 9, 2009 8:14 PM | Link to this
Oh yeah, Arod won an mvp while on the juice, and then decided, you know what, I’d better not use this stuff anymore. whatever. Oh yeah, Arod felt pressured to use roids in a pressure free environment like Texas, but then when he went to pressure packed NYC, he finally felt free to go clean. whatever. That dude is so full of sh@t. Admit everything or admit nothing. Admitting some things does no good
By Rico's Babysitter
February 9, 2009 8:15 PM | Link to this
Rico ask your mommy for the money to get on the Shanks site. Rico Dicko
By nolie
February 9, 2009 8:20 PM | Link to this
Hey, Shanks hasn’t spit on my mother or anything, I don’t hate the guy…I just don’t find him believeable on any subject connected with the Braves. Scoots
I think you been readin’ my mail dude. How can we agree on practically everything? Anyway. I am not a Shanks fan. I spent years reading his contributions to a couple of other blogs and they were usually so homer that we used to call him the man who never met a Braves prospect that he couldn’t fall in love with. I would never ever trust his own personal judgment of a prospect. On the other hand he is ok at what he does best, essentially be a cheerleader, and he does have fairly good contacts within the Braves camp. I am more willing to consider what he says when it pertains to what he has heard from there.
By gobraves
February 9, 2009 8:20 PM | Link to this
Ok, DOB, we haven’t signed Abreu, but is the report true we offered him a one year $5 million deal?
By Billy
February 9, 2009 8:20 PM | Link to this
Shanks does not put up with adolescent crap and when he bans someone they run here and whine like the trolls they are and bad mouth him. Eventually some of them get banned from here too.
By mb
February 9, 2009 8:22 PM | Link to this
By hokie February 9, 2009 8:03 PM | Link to this Funny everyone coming over here spilling scoops from Bill Shanks when he repeatedly asked them not to.
I clicked over on the “The Braves Show” with Bill Shanks. They have a lot of nerve charging those prices to join their website. Let’s see I haven’t seen or heard of one “SCOOP” all year from Bill Shanks?
There are so many different websites to get information for FREE, why pay Bill Shanks for his information? So his big scoop is the Braves are talking to Abreau. I think we saw this “Scoop” on this website about 3 weeks ago. Tell Bill Shanks to try again.
By Bubdylan
February 9, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this
What was he angry about, other than fact that he was An Innocent Man and he didn’t start the fire?-DOB
You May Be Right. He’s been cheesy For The Longest Time. Don’t Ask Me Why.
hangs head in shame…
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this
Dave Thanks for the personal response, but I was asking the question kinda tongue in cheek. We need something to talk about that will get us off this ‘roids talk.
I can’t imagine the Braves at this point dealing KJ, unless it is for a top notch outfielder, but then, how many of them are there out there who we could afford???
We still might be able to get one of the Cardinal outfielders, but I really don’t think KJ will be a part of that package. More likely Prado and Boyer type of package, maybe with a minor leaguer thrown in.
If Abreu is available for 5 million, then I think he is our man. BUT, I really think he will have his choice of 5 million dollar offers, and why would he choose the Braves over say, the Dodgers or the Giants, etc.
I know it is a pipe dream, but Manny holding out for 4-5 years is sure looking like he might end up sitting for part of the season.
That will sure make teams want to sign him for more than 1 year, huh!!
By Sknahs Llib
February 9, 2009 8:29 PM | Link to this
easy people. abreu wasn’t offered anything. braves can contend with diaz, jones, anderson, blanco and francoeur as the outfielders.
By AR Brave
February 9, 2009 8:30 PM | Link to this
It’s a sad day in America when someone can make a mistake such as Bonds, palmeiro, mcguire, giambi, andy, and others can’t be forgiven. Granted some of those lied about it and haven’t asked for forgiveness for those lies yet. But andy and giambi and A-Rod have said sorry so if you forgive them don’t continue to hold it against them. If you don’t forgive them for trying to win and be the best they can be then don’t forgive them. Morals and ethics are huge here but at the time these roids weren’t illegal to the game. Forgiving isn’t forgetting, bc we can learn from mistakes, but forgetting is not holding something against someone who has came clean about the transgression.
By N8
February 9, 2009 8:31 PM | Link to this
All this Billy Joel talk has be clamoring for a White Wedding. Maybe I’ll just go downtown and check out some Flesh for Fantasy, because it’s Hot in the….. what’s that?…. Wrong Billy?
Sorry. Never mind.
By Shill Skanks
February 9, 2009 8:32 PM | Link to this
Scout’s Honor, homies!!!!! Scout’s Honor!!!!!!
By ncscoots
February 9, 2009 8:33 PM | Link to this
—(OK, that was pretty weak. But I couldn’t resist.)—
And I KNEW you wouldn’t, LOL. Could you even ask for a better straight man? :-) Set it up…on…a tee. Boom! goes The Notorious One.
Just trying to log some good karma, brah, so I can pry about FedEx.
By Shill Skanks
February 9, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this
Nollie, Scoots, get a room. Scout’s Honor!!!!!!
By N8
February 9, 2009 8:35 PM | Link to this
In reality, with the dark and twisted humor that I possess. My favorite Billy Joel song (due to it’s irony), is Don’t Go Changing. Which he wrote to his ex-wife.
Of course she became his EX-wife, when he “changed” his mind and decided to move on to the greener pasture otherwise known as Christy Brinkley.
Which brings me to one of my favorite Norm MacDonald SNL “news” bits. Where he stated:
“Christie Brinkley told reporters this week that her marriage to Billy Joel was over long before their divorce. The key moment, she said, came when she realized that she was Christie Brinkley and that she was married to Billy Joel. …”
Priceless.
By Wayne in Utah
February 9, 2009 8:42 PM | Link to this
Down at the bottom of the blog is the “Are you smarter than Tom Glavine? Take the IQ Quiz Now” line.
At the top of it, is listed Tom Glavine’s IQ=103. No wonder he left for the Mets!
By JR Bob Dobbs
February 9, 2009 8:43 PM | Link to this
Oasisbraves,
If I understand you correctly, I actually heard Bob Costas say the opposite yesterday on MLB Network - that Tom Glavine asked Gene Orza in his capacity at MLBPA to do something about the steroids problem, along with a handful of other players (but only Glavine was cited by name).
Here’s my abbreviated post from yesterday, but I got no responses, to this topic in my post anyway - lots of interest about actually getting MLB Network (now if they could just remove the marbles out of Harold Reynolds mouth when he speaks), so I guess nobody cares or everyone already knew this about Glavine…
From around 11:30 am EST Sunday: I believe I just heard Bob Costas say (to paraphrase) that the MLB players were silent about performance enhancers until “Tom Glavine and some other players finally went to Gene Orza and the MLB Players Association” and asked that something be done with regards to testing in an effort to try to get the problem under control.
Did I hear that correctly (or did anyone else happen to catch that)? Is that true that Glavine (the only player that Costas mentioned by name) personally went to Orza to ask that MLBPA try to address the problem, and if so, is that common knowledge? If so, I sure wasn’t aware. It would seem ironic to me, given how much flak Glavine has taken over his career for his player’s union role, if he was actually one of a small number of players that tried to do something about performance enhancers when so many others were silent.
By ncscoots
February 9, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this
nolie, I guess you and I are of an age, for one thing, and we’re three-stats guys who can still keep an open mind to other ways of looking at things. Or, of course, it could be something else altogether, LOL.
Besides, TennPaul can tell you that I’m a note-cribber of some fame…I’ve stolen plenty of ideas from him, so you’re in good company as a theftee. :-)
By nolie
February 9, 2009 8:46 PM | Link to this
I think part of baseball’s appeal is that it is played by physically relatively normal people. We all grew up playing it or at least believed in our hearts that we could play it.
Football has 290 lb guys who could catch and drag down a Quarter Horse in the 40 and basketball is dominated by 7 ft giants who can jump over the moon with a short running start. I think we resent the drug use in baseball at least partly for that reason.
On top of that nostalgia has alwys had a much more prominent place in baseball than in other newer sports. It violates the spirit and the intense memories of our youth.
OK,with that said I am not all that upset about it. I understand why it occurred from the point of view of both players and clubs. Unfortunate true, but not the big deal to me that it is to so many on this board.
I know myself well enough to concede that if ingesting such for a few years kept me in a job I loved and paid me at least 10-50 times as much as I could make anywhere else, I would most likely do them.
Oh and there were things being used long B4 what we see as the steroid era. Even back in the 70s when I was scouting, there were always players looking for any substance that would give them an edge in maintaining their livelyhood.
By chuckw/deadjournalist
February 9, 2009 8:53 PM | Link to this
AdirondackDave - That’d be Lou Boudreau
By Oh Gawd
February 9, 2009 8:59 PM | Link to this
How did I know Kennedy’s release would bring a bunch of inane posts about signing him, a Johnson trade, etc.?
ONE: The Braves made an offer to Abreu apparently.
TWO: Kennedy is horrible and was released for a reason.
THREE: Not every move in a set-up to a trade.
FOUR: The Ludwick rumors died around early December, let it go already, geez.
By AdirondackDave
February 9, 2009 9:00 PM | Link to this
Chuckwdeadjournalist — Thanks a million. I’ll sleep better tonight.
By dogsbrekky
February 9, 2009 9:02 PM | Link to this
Where is the info about our offer to ABREU please ?
By Moby Grape
February 9, 2009 9:13 PM | Link to this
Regarding Chipper, unless I’m mistaken, Chipper’s body really hasn’t changed a lot in the last 10-12 years and his per-game average A Dave
Chipper was much bigger back around 99. He was 240-245 by his own admission I know I read that several times though I can’t validate it with a link after all this time. He now runs about 225 at the beginning of a season to maybe 10-15 pounds lighter by the end. I have no idea if he cheated or not, only my inordinately suspicious nature. I hope not as he is my favorite player, but even if I found out that he did he would still be my favorite player.
By Rico Bologna
February 9, 2009 9:16 PM | Link to this
Just Curious- when, where, & how did Billy Shanks become the incredible reporter that he is today? Does he have any baseball background? He wrote a book, no? Pretty vain, imo.
Worried Walrus
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 9:21 PM | Link to this
You May Be Right. He’s been cheesy For The Longest Time. Don’t Ask Me Why.
hangs head in shame Bubdylan
No need to be ashamed, man. I love you Just The Way You Are.
By MiamiBeachBravesFan
February 9, 2009 9:22 PM | Link to this
Sorry to go retro on the blog, but…
I saw Wayne “the Train” in Ft. Lauderdale on Sat., Jan. 31st. He was AWESOME, considering that he performed outdoors on a night when in was in the low 50’s/high 40’s down here in SoFla. As you know, DOB, that passes for a Canadian Train down here. Nonetheless, all my hot rodder bretheren were there to see an amazing performance by a true rockabilly icon (a LOTTA amazing rides too!). We then when to Lester’s Diner on State Road 84 for a post game meal…
Only to have some @#$%&?! idiot run a red and slam my beauty ‘63 Thunderbird square on my driver’s rear quarter while on the way home! Proving once again what Steven Wright says…
“You can’t have it all. Where would you put it?”
PS - Jeez, sign Glavine already!
By Moby Grape
February 9, 2009 9:25 PM | Link to this
Shanks does not put up with adolescent crap and when he bans someone they run here and whine like the trolls they are and bad mouth him. Eventually some of them get banned from here too. Billy
that’s at least the second time you’ve posted the same foolish comment. you got a real man-crush on ol’ Bill dontcha? Your point shows some computer ignorance too BTW. Anybody can get back on a board they are banned from with a few judicious computer adjustments and just who specifically are you referring to as having been banned here? No way in h3ll Scoots is ever gonna get banned.
By TBF(n)K as Billy
February 9, 2009 9:27 PM | Link to this
I just hope smoltz and chipper are clean….if it comes out that one of them is dirty im done with baseball
By N8
February 9, 2009 9:36 PM | Link to this
“Morals and ethics are huge here but at the time these roids weren’t illegal to the game.” AR Brave
That excuse has been used MANY times, and it is the most lame excuse of all.
OK. So it’s not in the code of conduct of MLB. My guess is that they don’t have “killing (or simply beating) your wife” against their rules either.
But when it’s AGAINST THE LAW IT SHOULDN’T HAVE TO BE STATE IN THE RULES!!!!! Selling, obtaining, using, distributing, giving away, possessing, steroids without a perscription from a doctor (Paul Byrd’s dentist doesn’t count either), is a FELONY.
Is that what sports and this country has come to? That they need to start listing EVERY illegal activity in their rule book “just in case” somebody isn’t quite smart enough to get it?
MLB didn’t have to punish them because it wasn’t “illegal in MLB” to use them in the past. Fine. Fair enough.
But there is NOTHING that says the fans, or the court of public opinion has to grant them leniency.
I hold the players responsible for their actions. They chose to do it. But I also hold the commissioner, the agents, the player’s union, the advertisers, the networks, the magazines and anybody who has “profited” off of MLB since the 80’s, “responsible” in a guilty by association type guilt.
Will I stop watching? Nope Still love the game. None of the players are bigger than the great game of baseball (past or preasent). If EVERYBODY is on roids, the game would still be great.
But I pretty much am chosing to ignore ANY of the records that have been broken in the past 20 years. Especially the HR records.
But MLB got exactly what they wanted. This is evident by many things.
1) Expansion. If each team has 12 pitchers on the ML roster, that means that since the Marlins and Rockies came in 1993, followed by the Rays and D-Backs in 1997, that there is essentially 48 ML pitchers “up” that would still be in the minor leagues. Result… more offense. [1A is the unions backing of expansion - more players making millions of dollars]
2) The wave of smaller ballparks. If MLB had any sense of history, and wanted some of the older records to stand, they would REQUIRE that parks play a bit bigger.
3) Who really knows what the hell is going on with the baseballs?
4) The instalation of Ques-Tec (or whatever the hel it was called). God forbid allow the umpires to “expand” the strike zone east and west. After all, MLB has done such a good job before QT of making sure that the ball at the letters is called a strike.
5) The obvious allowance of steroids to run rampant through the dugouts and clubhouses. If baseball (and the union) actually had ANY sense of pride for the guys that came before them, they wouldn’t be so quick to juice up and blow those records out of the water.
6) MLB and the players union REFUSING to even think about raising the mound again, or get rid of the DH. I’m surprised that the union hasn’t pushed for a DR (designated runner), so when guys like Brian McCann get on base, there is a guy on the 25 man roster like Juan Pierre that does NOTHING but run for the slow guy. Then again, Chicks don’t “dig” the SB, or the “1st to Third” play, do they?
7) Refusal to outlaw “body armor”. Allowing hitters like Bonds to lean that elbow out over the plate without fear of getting his elbow shattered. Which allows hitters to drive the ball the other way. Add to that, when a player is wearing armor AND on the juice, it takes away BOTH sides of the plate from the pitcher, due to roider being quick enough to “turn” on the inside pitch.
8) Look at the all-star game. What is the “bigger” event and more hyped? The all-star game itself, or the HR Derby.
The old Glavine and Maddux commercial “Chicks Dig the Longball”, should have been titled: “Bud Selig likes the Longball”.
Why not just make the infielders where hockey helmets and padding, and allow the hitters to use aluminum bats? Would that REALLY be any worse than the subtle “changes” that have allowed the offenses to soar?
So let’s get this straight. There are more pitchers that technically don’t “belong” in the big leagues for hitters to hammer, most of them have to pitch in small “band-boxes”, the ball may be “juiced” compared to years ago, the umpires are under scrutiny to call a tighter zone, the mound is lower than in the years when records were initially set, and some broken, hitters can wear body armor regardless of whether that body armor is actually helping protect an injury that already occured, steroids were not only allowed, I’m beginning to wonder if players were ENCOURAGED to do so. And in baseballs mid-summer classic, where guys get “invited/voted” in to play based on MANY abilities they possess, MLB and ESPN chose to over-hype a HR hitting contest, where pitches are thrown by guys that throw batting practice. Why would anybody want to even be a pitcher any more? ALL of the advantages are geared towards the hitter.
I’ll stop now. Heaven knows I could ramble for another 20 paragraphs.
(sigh)
By rainman34
February 9, 2009 9:40 PM | Link to this
now i know this is not the popular way to look at this. I have no problem with these guys juicing. they tried to get an edge on there job just like any other job. Dave tries to get the inside from sources that are not allowed to let stuff out. nascar tries to cheat all the time. you try to get an edge until you get caught. just my opinion.
By Mike
February 9, 2009 9:42 PM | Link to this
What does everyone feel is the legitimacy of the rumor of us making an offer to Abreu? I have read it on 2 different sites, though one could be getting from the other. However, I have not read it on mlbtraderumors, and they are pretty good about their accuracy when they post a rumor. Does anyone have anymore info on it? I read its a 1 yr 5 mill offer. If it is true, then I hope he takes it, Glavine signs and then we can go to camp.
By richbrave
February 9, 2009 9:43 PM | Link to this
With OHMAN off the table, GLAVINE may be needed at the bottom of the rotation after all. I would prefer an experienced, albeit OLD. arm at #5 in case the three-headed question mark called ‘lefty bull-pen stopper’ doesn’t show up.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 9, 2009 9:46 PM | Link to this
Bubdylan “You May Be Right. He’s been cheesy For The Longest Time. Don’t Ask Me Why.
hangs head in shame”
DOB “No need to be ashamed, man. I love you Just The Way You Are.”
Haha…Ow…
I suppose I shouldn’t say that I’m Keepin’ The Faith when it comes to the Braves, should I?
Night, all!
By AdirondackDave
February 9, 2009 9:55 PM | Link to this
Richbrave — You make a good point that I hadn’t thought of. I was luke warm on Glavine considering the other young options for #5. But without Ohman, it would be good to have Tommy available if needed for 1-2 lefty outs in the 8th.
By ncscoots
February 9, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this
Moby, I dunno, man, I suppose it’s possible I could have been banned by Bill Shanks. In absentia.
By Canadianbrave
February 9, 2009 9:57 PM | Link to this
AdirondackDave
Was it Lou Boudreau?
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 9, 2009 9:58 PM | Link to this
Neight “But I pretty much am chosing to ignore ANY of the records that have been broken in the past 20 years.”
What if BMac breaks the record for Most Doubles in a Single Season By a Catcher (MDSSBC) this year??
; ) Really…I’m out…
By Bubdylan
February 9, 2009 9:58 PM | Link to this
McFann, you couldn’t just Leave A Tender Moment Alone, could you?
:) Night.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 9, 2009 10:05 PM | Link to this
Bubdylan—
Haha, nope! : )
OK, I’m Movin’ Out for real. Night!
By Chris from the Rock
February 9, 2009 10:05 PM | Link to this
I understand Reyes has more value as a starter. But with his lack of success in that role so far at the ML level, what do you guys think about him as the lefty in the ‘pen if Logan/O’Flaherty/Ridgway don’t work out? He was solid against lefties last season, with a .255 BAA and nearly a K/Inn.
Seriously, losing Ohman may be a casualty to DOB because of his candor, but the Bravos have lots of candidates to fill his role.
By Billy
February 9, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this
Moby I have defended DOB and Bowman many many times as well. DOB gets unjustly slammed on the internet as well without justification and some feel the need to set the record straight. They don’t ask for my defense nor the defense of others that do the same thing.
By dogsbrekky
February 9, 2009 10:06 PM | Link to this
BubDylan - lol
I live in NYC on “52nd Street”..
I could tell from “Half a mile Away” that AROD thought he was a “Big Shot”
Ta ta for now
By ncscoots
February 9, 2009 10:08 PM | Link to this
You guys just remember it was Anders who started all the Billy Joel stuff, LOL, not me. Though the puns shall remain non-attributable in the future, due to the invocation of the mercy rule.
As for me, tonight the lights are out on Broadway for my NY state of mind. Maybe tomorrow we can discuss pre-cheese Elton John. :-)
By AdirondackDave
February 9, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this
Canadianbrave — Yes, it was Lou Boudreau. I remember him as an exceptional shortstop while also managing. The Indians had some good ball clubs during his years, lead by pitching (Bob Fellar, Bob Lemon, Satchel Page, etc.)
By nolie
February 9, 2009 10:09 PM | Link to this
Nollie, Scoots, get a room. Scout’s Honor!!!! ShillShanks
hey, that’s a great idea. You wanna make it a threesome?
By TennesseePaul
February 9, 2009 10:10 PM | Link to this
“I’m Chris Berman and I’m back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back, back to my weight goal due Nutrisystem for men…
My goal was 40 pounds and look… he. could. go. all. the. way!
Call now.”
I didn’t think he could do it… but there it is.
By Billy
February 9, 2009 10:10 PM | Link to this
Moby, I have no clue who scoots is and never met the gentleman nor have I ever responded to him. You pulled that out of your head This is pointless. How are old you?
By chuckw/deadjournalist
February 9, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this
Because I obviously have nothing better to do, here are some non-roster invitees from around the league whose who I bet you didn’t know where still trying to find work (a lot of former Braves, actually):
Danny Graves, Russ Ortiz (Astros)
Ramiro Mendoza (Brewers)
Mike Stanton, Chad Fox (Cubs)
Shawn Estes (Dodgers)
Tomo Ohka (Indians)
Denny Stark, Chris Woodward (M’s)
Tom Martin (Mets)
Randy Choate (Rays)
Nick Green (Red Sox)
Roman Colon (Royals)
Scott Williamson, Timo Perez (Tigers)
By Areopagus
February 9, 2009 10:11 PM | Link to this
So is Bill Shanks correct when he today says the Braves have made an offer to Bobby Abreu?
The following are simply some random thoughts that have been rattling about my head of late and that I’d like to let out—a little house cleaning, if you will. It is worth noting at the outset that shills for getting Bobby Abreu have called people like me virulent rash-types, sinister, crude con artists, and brassbound philosophists so many times that these accusations no longer have any sting. Abreu supporters indisputably continues to employ such insults because he’s run out of logical arguments. I suppose an alternate explanation is that if we don’t remove the Abreu-tard threat now, it will bite us in our backside in a matter of days. Until we address this issue, we will never move beyond it.
By Random
February 9, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this
ellaguru — Funny. Thanks for that.
Canadianbrave — it seems to me that you’re either splitting hairs, or making a distinction without a difference, when you try to contrast 60s PED use with 90s PED use.
“I don’t think anyone thinks that players weren’t using steroids back in the 60’s and 70’s.”
90%-95% of commenters I read certainly act like sreoids/PEDs weren’t in use prior to the mid-90s.
And I’ve got no idea what you mean by “organized use of performance enhancing substances”.
By DamnI'mTires
February 9, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this
I’ll stop now. Heaven knows I could ramble for another 20 paragraphs N8
I missed the name at the top, but when my scrollwheel started smoking, I just knew it had to be you.
By N Nine (eta55)
February 9, 2009 10:17 PM | Link to this
“I’ll stop now. Heaven knows I could ramble for another 20 paragraphs” N8
ha! That new high-tech blog will handle the rants and N8
Preach on! We love you Just The Way You Are..
By David O'Brien
February 9, 2009 10:18 PM | Link to this
Stupid freshman foul and technical by one of the Morris twins at start of second half of KU-Mizzou. That’s what happens when I divert my attention. Gotta get back to the game…
MiamiBeachBravesFan: A Wayne Hancock show followed by a post-midnight session at Lester’s Diner. Outstanding. Lester’s is one of the few things I really miss about South Florida. Great dive. Many a night ended at Lester’s. Or the Floridian in downtown Ft. Liguordale.
By N Nine (eta55)
February 9, 2009 10:20 PM | Link to this
Nolie, Lots of tender love moments tonight at the ol blog :),
By Hummmph
February 9, 2009 10:20 PM | Link to this
However, I have not read it on mlbtraderumors, and they are pretty good about their accuracy when they post a rumor. Mike
you’ve got to be kidding. The only accurate thing about their site is that the rumor was actually out there on the net somewhere.They do work hard at scavenging the baseball news. As to the veracity of the rumor, I wish I had a dollar for everything I’ve read there that did not occur. If so I’d be rich enough to have something better to do than sit here and blog with and idiots
By Canadianbrave
February 9, 2009 10:32 PM | Link to this
Random
What I meant by organized use of steroids has to do with organizational awareness! I think that in the 60’s there may have been an underground pipeline of steroids for players who needed them to stay professional or competitive. In the 90’s I think that organizations were aware of steroid use and even condoned it, maybe even encouraged it to increase the games popularity. All behind the scenes of course. I think there was probably a more organized and established network for administering and supplying the drugs. So much so that the users were the stars of the era. Not fringe pitchers and players struggling to gain an advantage.
By Darren
February 9, 2009 10:36 PM | Link to this
Why the hell didn’t the Braves Offer Andruw Jones a minimum Major League contract?
I mean, good hell. Wren can kiss it. Andruw toiled over 10 years in Center for the Braves. Sacrificed his body. Played his guts out. And the Braves can’t even show enough respect to give the man a minimum contract.
And plan on starting the season with one of three scrub rookies. Wow. Unreal. What has this franchise come to?
I mean if he didn’t work out, bench him and your only losing the minimun contract anyway. Wow.
By dogsbrekky
February 9, 2009 10:37 PM | Link to this
The PECOTA projections for 2009 have Braves winning 88 games and the NL wild card, Metamucils to win 93 games…. I guess they do not program HEART into their equations……..
Of note Oakland is projected to win a very weak AL West with a massive 82 victories
By Steve from OH
February 9, 2009 10:38 PM | Link to this
Boy, you see some strange things at night here on the ‘ol blog. Threesomes and 80’s cheese? Oh my.
By Canadianbrave
February 9, 2009 10:41 PM | Link to this
Random
I remember talking to a couple of older guys at the gym who still train, but used to be bodybuilders. They told me that back in the 70’s guys used to do steroids while they were training, but the drugs were sort of taboo and just exchanged between the body builders users were fewer in number . They said that buy the 80’s these drugs were common place in the body building world and top competitors were supplied by there own sponsors and trainers. I guess this is the type of comparison im trying to make!
By Canadianbrave
February 9, 2009 10:44 PM | Link to this
Steve from Ohio
Yes but we keep coming back. What does that say about us!
By Dadgum
February 9, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this
Here we are in the middle of the most serious steroid issue in baseball and half the blog is being taken up by Billy Joel bashing and with teh esteemed DOB fanning the fires…oops.
While Billy Joel may have been popular before many of you were born the man put out some serious music. 52nd Street is excellent. OK OK I know Uptown Girl was terrible and cheesy but don’t start showing ignorance and categorize Joel as a bad artist. He isn’t and wasn’t. REM is a really good band but they have put out some real bad songs as well.
Stick to the blog main topic unless you want to say Milli Vanilli is bad then yeah…100% agreed. Don’t bust on the music that brought us through the decades. Man you guys are sounding pretty ignorant.
Hate to say I told you so in the last blog but A-Rod garnered some respect today by coming clean. Doesn’t make it right but at least better than the other steroid sagas of late. He will never be voted in the hall of fame but he has his millions and can proceed to play with a less heavy burden. Unfortunately he plays for the Yankees (or did) but that is still to be determined as well.
Will the Yankees let him go and pay out his contract? Some talking heads today suggest they will on ESPN. This is going to get interesting.
Rock on…..I’m In A New York State Of Mind.
By Canadianbrave
February 9, 2009 10:49 PM | Link to this
Darren
Maybe Frank Wren didn’t watch the games !!
Or maybe and probably more likely. Andruw would be under less pressure to perform in Texas and maybe a change of hitting coaches might be good. i’m sure it was Andruw’s choice.
By 74Dawg
February 9, 2009 10:54 PM | Link to this
DOB-Re: baseball roids vs. football roids. When a 350 lb sumo kncks around a 310 lb sumo in a team sport because he is doing roids, that’s a shame . Truly. When a hitter facing a hall of fame pitcher like Maddox, Smoltz, Clemens(yeah),CHEATS in the national pastime, the game of baseball,mano a mano, that is sacriledge. I love football. I am a middleaged guy who played both in school and was good at football, sucked at baseball. Major league baseball is in a different place. We smuggled crystal radios into school EVERY year to hear the world series in static..trust me, there is baseball,then everything else. The NFL is a more popular version of the WWE compared to baseball. It is 60% marketing. People STILL argue about Shoeless Joe. Who talks about Red Grange? It is not a question of popularity, it is well,a question of where your heart is. Keep up the good work.
By Bubdylan
February 9, 2009 10:58 PM | Link to this
Stick to the blog main topic unless … Dadgum
Unless it’s the offseason? Unless the deals are slow? Unless we don’t regard you as the moderator? Unless we’ve been riffin’ off of pop culture on this blog for a long time?
For what it’s worth, I think Billy Joel’s had some good tunes, and is especially good at crafting melody.
By Canadianbrave
February 9, 2009 10:58 PM | Link to this
Talking Heads
I thought you were talking about Billy Joel
By 74Dawg
February 9, 2009 10:59 PM | Link to this
P.S. now that I am off my soap box,that is a real shame about Ohman. Hopefully the Braves scouts are on the right track with the new lefties. Bobby loves having that weapon in his arsenal, and uses it better than almost anybody else.
By 74Dawg
February 9, 2009 11:20 PM | Link to this
and just one more thing…about the difference between football and baseball. I cheated in football on almost every play(slapped a guy over the earhole,cut him,whatever.Usually out weighed by 40 TO 100 LBS. Even in practice. The only way I made the team. I never even dreamed of cheating in baseball. That would be like,saying something rude about your own Mama. Trust me on this one. A-rod,Giambi,Bonds,Clemens,McGuire,Sosa,others that turn up,some may get voted in,though I doubt it. But the fan base will not accept them among the greats of the game. Williams,Dimaggio,Mantle,Aaron,Mays,Ruth,Young,Mathewson, even that a-hole Cobb;the cheaters don’t belong.
By 74Dawg
February 9, 2009 11:26 PM | Link to this
and one more thing…I like the segure to Boras helping Andrew. (Maybe he has a souil after all:Boras)
By 74Dawg
February 9, 2009 11:27 PM | Link to this
Selah
By Moby Grape
February 9, 2009 11:28 PM | Link to this
Moby, I have no clue who scoots is and never met the gentleman nor have I ever responded to him. You pulled that out of your head This is pointless. How are old you? Billy
Scoots was the first guy who had a little something negative to say about Bill Shanks. And who you immediately insulted by insinuating that anyone who doesn’t love Bill got thrown off his board. That’s at least the second time you’ve made that ridiculous charge against someone here. I’d say that you are the one who sounds childish. Go back and kiss his arse some more dude rather than insulting bloggers here.
By Jim
February 9, 2009 11:31 PM | Link to this
My sympathies DOB re KU. “Stupid freshman foul…”
By Scott Boras
February 9, 2009 11:31 PM | Link to this
What is this about the world economy spiraling? I read awhile back that this was your run of the mill recession. I can promise you one thing, there will be absolutely NO impact on the amouns or durations of deals offered to free agents. Baseball is immune to any economic repurcussions. The game and the salary structure are bullet proof. The large corporations in the large metropolitan areas will continue to spend lavishly on suites in spite of criticism from strident taxpayers. The minions will be ignored and the luxury boxes will be packed to the proverbial gills. ignore that talk of potential Perp Walks for executives who took taxpayer money and continued to wine and dine while watching Andruw and MY Manny. Everything will be fine!!
I suggest you continue to shun any interloper on this Blog who has the audacity to say differently.
By Random
February 9, 2009 11:45 PM | Link to this
BBFCFM — Thanks — there’s more where that came form (for you, doc).
;-)
Some good points from you here, as well.
PS: we have THE BEAR’s father to thank for “caught/not caught” (your paraphrase).
doc: “with that preface you have to look at aaron’s career. it is about as consistent as it could get including the fade into his forties.”
No — sad to say, but the performance evidence is there, if you look.
For his career, Aaron hit 755 HRs in 12,364 ABs — a rate of 6.11 HRs/AB (call it 6.11% to save ink).
In his age 23-29 seasons (‘57-‘63), he hit 276 HRs in 4,261 ABs — a HR rate of 6.48%.
In his age 30-34 seasons (‘64-‘68), he hit 168 HRs in 2,949 ABs — a HR rate of 5.70%.
A slugger in his decline? But, no!
In his age 35-39 seasons (‘69-‘73), he hit 203 HRs in 2,399 ABs — a HR rate of 8.46%%!
His three highest HR rates (10.20%, 9.49% & 8.04%) cames in his age 39, 37 & 35 seasons.
(The next highest, 7.60%, came in his age 28 season, 7-11 years earlier.)
His two next highest HR rates (7.36% & 7.58%) came in his age 36 & 38 seasons.
Repeat: Five of his six highest seasonal HR rates came in his age 35-39 seasons.
“Then what happened”?
‘74, age 40, HR Rate = 5.88%
‘75, age 41, HR Rate = 2.58%
‘76, age 42, HR Rate = 3.69%
Now, of course, other factors are in play aside from aging and possible PED use.
Different home stadiums, expansion, lowering of the pitcher’s mound, Fulton Co Stadium fences moving in as he approached Mays, and out after he passed Ruth, and others I’m sure.
By Robards
February 9, 2009 11:46 PM | Link to this
Don’t you miss Jerry’s Famous Diner, too? I think that’s what it’s called. How about “Piano Man”—what number on the top 500 rock songs of all time?
By Bubdylan
February 9, 2009 11:49 PM | Link to this
Dadgum, uh… forget my last post to you. Not really called for. I singled out the offensive part of your post and ignored the rest of your tone.
Goodnight All. (aren’tcha glad I didn’t say “Goodnight Saigon?”)
By MARK
February 9, 2009 11:49 PM | Link to this
Glavine needs to take the 1.5 million Braves offered him…after all we got only 2 wins for 8 million last year…GREED!!!Wow the Andruw Jones thing just shows that he has very few friends out there that think he can come back again..lets see what year was it when Andruw hit 50 homers….Was it 2003…Was he doing Steroids…..or maybe Andruw had too much Gas he always had a smile on his face like he was releiving himself..you know like farting….I know pretty crazy but you chili dogs and that type food makes ya have the kind of thing…maybe he needs more gas..I dont know oops awwwww…lol
By brian
February 9, 2009 11:50 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB - Don’t Go Changing To Try and Please Me
we love the MIB block just the way it is
N8 - the Chicks did the Long Ball Commercial still ranks up there as one of the best commercials of all time. Everyone loves the long ball. I bet the chicks, though, did not dig some of the effects of the steroids on helping produce the long ball.
I agree with DOB - Greg Maddux is the one top player that I would never suspect having used PED. The nose picking professor on the mound never exactly had the body by roids. I just hope that Chipper, Glavine, and Smoltz are not one of the other 103 positive tests.
By LOL
February 9, 2009 11:53 PM | Link to this
WIFN’s Shanks fired, radio show canceled
According to the Macon Telegraph; Bill Shanks has been canned and his radio show abolished and no show even today.
By N8
February 10, 2009 12:01 AM | Link to this
You all wanna know who is the happiest SOB in America right now?
Michael Phelps.
Nothing like a BIGGER scandal, to make his seem more minor than it actually was.
Phelps acted like a guy in his early 20’s and partied a little bit.
Arod used his wealth to buy and cover up PED’s so he could attack sacred records and profit more from it.
When was the last time you heard of a guy smoking pot to “enhance” his athletic ability?
Congrats Mr. Phelps, while not off the hook, you are officially off the radar.
By N8
February 10, 2009 12:08 AM | Link to this
brian
Agreed on the Maddux/Glavine commerical. I still youtube it every now and then, and laugh out loud at it every time.
BTW, you guys are right. I seriously doubt Maddux ever used PEDs. I do however, remember reading an interview with Pete Rose, where he was asked to comment on some of the current (at the time), superstars. When Maddux’s name came up, he stated something along the lines of how he HAS TO BE doctoring the baseball, because NOBODY can get that much natural movement.
Not so sure I buy that. But he is the all time hits leader, regardless of how much of an azz he is.
By Preacher Joe
February 10, 2009 12:08 AM | Link to this
Hopefully, the time will come when the police arrest sports fans caught in stadium parking lots with a former major league baseball player giving them some head for $20. Professional sports players (including the big name colleges’ marque players) are all prostitutes selling their bodies for money. They have figured out they can make more bucks by doing steroids and anything else they can get their hands on, just like some stripper paying to hang some silicone bags on her chest for more bucks under her garter. It is time to wake up and realize natural is good, natural is normal, and natural is where superstar players come around just a few times a decade. Superstars are not supposed to be $20 million a year per one hundred a year. Guess who pays for those salaries? Anything more than $100,000 is wasted; and $100,000 is superstar rate, considering they are part-time employees. However, the prostitution system only works when there are fools willing to pay. Sports writers are the pimps trying to grease hard-working paycheck earners’ wallets, making the uneducated think they need to pay for a “good time”. What they sell can be seen right at home, with a few neighborhood kids (and the family dog), a bat, and tennis ball. Throw in some trees for bases. We don’t even want to get into the idolatry issue, where movie stars and politicians fall into the same category of false worship by the ignorant masses. Imagine if they sold hooker (XXX) cards with a stick of bubblegum at the drug store when you were a kid. Boycott professional sports for 20 years and teach your children it is better to work for a living than play for one. Maybe then baseball might be worth $1, which would cover parking, a hot dog, a beer, and 9 innings.
By Wayne in Utah
February 10, 2009 12:24 AM | Link to this
Darren Didn’t you get the word on Andruw? Word is that he would ONLY accept a minor league contract from the Rangers, and nobody else.
Do you really think with his past two year performance, he is worth dropping someone from the 40 man roster. I suspect if he would have accepted a minor league contract from the Braves it would have been offered.
Next time, do a little research before you rip into somebody on something you know very little about.
I believe this to be the way Dave has explained it to us.
BTW, would you want to be the hitting coach that Andruw would listen to??? Do you really think he is ready to listen to ANYBODY, when he never showed any inclination to do so in ATL or LA?
Let’s not relive history with Andruw, let’s just remember the good times.
By nolie
February 10, 2009 12:39 AM | Link to this
MLBPA ON WHY RESULTS NOT DESTROYED
Up until today, no explanation had been given as to why the survey test was not destroyed.
Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director, Donald M. Fehr, today issued the following statement in response to questions raised concerning recent reports about the 2003 testing program.
By nolie
February 10, 2009 12:52 AM | Link to this
Up until today, no explanation had been given as to why the survey test was not destroyed.
Major League Baseball Players Association Executive Director, Donald M. Fehr, today issued the following statement in response to questions raised concerning recent reports about the 2003 testing program.
I don’t believe that for a second. I think it will keep him from first ballot, but I bet he’ll be in there B4 his window closes. More than likely he won’t be the only one either.. At my age and health issues I likely won’t still be around to say I told you so once again ,so when you learn that he got in just think to yourself-“damn that SOB Nolie, he was right again”. ;-)
By nolie
February 10, 2009 12:59 AM | Link to this
The link to the above article(which did not post correctly) about why they weren’t destroyed. It is a long link so I hope it works better than the article post did.
HERE
By Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 10, 2009 1:05 AM | Link to this
We really don’t want baseball to come clean like A-roid has and I’ll explain why.
Because if it did, the rest of this enormous iceberg would emerge from the depths of an ocean of lies and drown the game we all love.
Jose Canseco has yet to reveal the deepest and darkest secret of all. What is it you ask? I’ll put it starkly. Only a fool would believe that Canseco and McGwire were the only two players who were juiced out of their minds on those dominant Oakland teams from 1988-1992.
One of those players is already in the Hall of Fame (Cooperstown) and there you have it. Connect the dots for yourself.
By Random
February 10, 2009 1:08 AM | Link to this
Good siht, nolie!!!
Lemme try to reformat it — it’s well worth reading. Gotta make it easy for all the denizens.
“We are issuing this statement today to respond to two questions that have been raised in the last few days in connection with reports about Alex Rodriguez and the 2003 MLB testing program. First, it has been asked why the results from our 2003 survey tests were not destroyed before they were seized by the government in the spring of 2004. The short answer is that in November, 2003, before that could take place, a grand jury subpoena for program records was issued.
“In mid-November 2003, the 2003 survey test results were tabulated and finalized. The MLBPA first received results on Tuesday, November 11.
Those results were finalized on Thursday, November 13, and the players were advised by a memo dated Friday, November 14. Promptly thereafter, the first steps were taken to begin the process of destruction of the testing materials and records, as contemplated by the Basic Agreement. On November 19, however, we learned that the government had issued a subpoena. Upon learning this, we concluded, of course, that it would be improper to proceed with the destruction of the materials. The fact that such a subpoena issued in November 2003 has been part of the public record for more than two years. See, U.S. v. CDT, 473 F3d at 920 (2006), and 513 F3d at 1090 (2008) (both opinions have now been vacated). Other subpoenas followed, including one for all test results.
“Over the next several months we attempted to negotiate a resolution of the matter with the United States Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California. During that time we pledged to the government attorneys that the materials would not be destroyed. When the government attorneys refused to withdraw its subpoena for all 2003 test results, we decided to ask a judge to determine to what the government was entitled. See, 473 F3d at 944, and 513 F3d at 1118. On the same day we were filing our papers with the court, the government attorneys obtained a search warrant and they began seizing materials the following day. Pursuant to that search warrant which named only 10 individuals, the government seized records for every baseball player tested under our program, in addition to many records related to testing in other sports, and even records for other (non-sport) business entities.
“Later in 2004 three federal district judges in three different judicial districts ruled that the government’s seizures were unconstitutional under the Fourth Amendment and ordered the government to return all the materials seized (except for those related to the 10 players listed in the original search warrant). The government appealed and the matter is still pending before the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
On December 18, 2008, the case was reargued before an en banc panel of Ninth Circuit judges.
“The second question that has been raised in recent days is whether Gene Orza or any other MLBPA official was engaged in improper “tipping” of players about 2004 tests. As we have said before, there was no improper tipping of players. Any allegations that Gene Orza or any other MLBPA official acted improperly are wrong. This issue was raised last year by Chairman Waxman of the House Government Reform Committee following the issuance of the Mitchell Report, and last July I sent him a ten-page letter clarifying the record on this subject. The letter is a pubic document (http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20080703114405.pdf). In that letter, I describe certain privileged conversations MLBPA attorneys conducted in September 2004 with members whose names appeared on certain government lists. It should be noted that the Commissioner’s Office was aware that such conversations were taking place, and in fact those conversations were conducted pursuant to an agreement between the MLBPA and the Commissioner.” By nolie
By Random
February 10, 2009 1:13 AM | Link to this
nolie — the link worked. Thanks.
By Chop Chop
February 10, 2009 1:23 AM | Link to this
I don’t think A-Rod’s going to sweat this steroid mess. After all, only the good die young. He’ll find himself a nice uptown girl and settle down.
In short, I think he’ll be just fine as long as he can keep up the payments on his Cadillac-ac-ac-ac-ac-acs.
Besides, you oughta know by now that if he can’t hit homers without syringes attached, at least he can fondle some strippers.
And it seems such a waste of time if that’s what this’s all about.
A-Rod, good luck kissing up, ‘cuz I’m movin’ out.
(Screw you, Billy Joel.)
Goodnight everybody.
By nolie
February 10, 2009 1:33 AM | Link to this
nolie — the link worked. Thanks. Random
I’m glad., and thanx for the readable re-post. I haven’t yet figured out what the problem is but once in awhile my computer gets spells where links do not post correctly and uploads of articles sprawl all over the place out of its formatting. . I think you and McFann have had problems off and on too.If we are changing blog formats hopefully the problems will disappear
By kirkinga
February 10, 2009 2:01 AM | Link to this
Wayne, to answer your question back at 6:56pm, I really don’t care that if A-Rod can remember specifics or not. To me the point is moot, no matter the motivation, he came clean.
I think it was good legal advice for him to not remember and to be vague. We seem to forget that some things were illegal whether or not they were banned by MLB.His lawyers were wise to advise him to be vague, but confess to the larger point.
As I asked earlier what difference does it make which substances he used?
Bonds was given immunity and still lied, so contrast that to what A-Rod has done, swallowed his ego and admitted use, stands out to me. I hope others will come forth, but judging by some of the comments, they might as well remain silent as there no advantage to coming forth voluntarily at this point, especially on top of any legal jeopardy that may arise from a public confession.
It would be advantageous if we allowed players, or ex players to come clean, say ‘shame shame” and move on. But nope, we gotta get into whether or not they were sincere enough, contrite enough, we want more details, in others words, people aren’t just satisfied with someone coming clean and moving on. So for some of the offenders I’m sure they’re saying the heck with it and they’ll talk only if they have to.
As far as Ohman, I’m sorry but there was a reason why we had to trade for him and Mahay before that, we didn’t have that lefty to get us to our closer. Now in a division where you really really need to have a guy like that, Wren decided to take a gamble.
I know I will not feel as confident when it’s the 6th,7th, 8th inning and Utley, Howard, Delgado, etc… are up and it’s not Ohman on the mound.I was not impressed by Ridgeway, but I hope he or one of the other guys can get it done. I’m not holding my breath though.
By CharlieAlphaBravo
February 10, 2009 2:16 AM | Link to this
Lew:
You were absolutely correct about Seurat the other day. Consider me nailed.
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 10, 2009 3:13 AM | Link to this
For those who are up for a fun read about the “good old days” of the Atlanta Braves, here’s a great rundown of the 1993 NL Pennant Race. Hey — who doesn’t love reading about Barry Bonds staying home during the playoffs after his team won 103 games?
By nolie
February 10, 2009 3:57 AM | Link to this
Thanx, Daybed. That was an incredibly exciting pennant race that year wasn’t it? I think it might have hurt the Braves though in the post season. Might have fallen a bit flat after it was settled and perhaps took the Phils for granted. But an exciting season nonetheless
By 35YrBravesFan
February 10, 2009 8:11 AM | Link to this
I agree with T-Bone… Sign Glav, sign Abreu and lets get the season started…
GO BRAVES!!
By ncscoots
February 10, 2009 8:38 AM | Link to this
—Moby, I have no clue who scoots is—
Certainly, that wounds me much more deeply than a banning by Bill Shanks ever would, LOL. Maybe I need to make more posts about Bobby Abreu and Nick Swisher to up my Q score.
By Fred
February 10, 2009 8:58 AM | Link to this
AdirondackDave, I like the suggestion of hiring Chipper as player/manager after Cox retires (although I’m not sure Chipper would want that). Joe Torre was a player/manager for the Mets in the 70s and Pete Rose was player/manager for the Reds in the 80s.
By PMC
February 10, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
The fact that they would put that much faith in Boone Logan is a little staggering. I know he went to Walton and all but Blaine Boyer fell apart and was largely heinous from July on. Will Ohman was the most durable effective pitcher they had on the staff not named Jair Jurrjens last year so I sure hope he lands somewhere other than the division and he gets paid what he deserves.
By Butch Haynes
February 10, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this
“Why the hell didn’t the Braves Offer Andruw Jones a minimum Major League contract?”
Um, ‘cause he sucks now. (I’m sure his precipitous drop-off in performance has had nothing to do with the banning of, and testing for, steroids. The timing of all that is just coincidental.)
By JR Bob Dobbs
February 10, 2009 9:35 AM | Link to this
Oasisbraves,
If I understand you correctly, I actually heard Bob Costas say the opposite yesterday on MLB Network - that Tom Glavine asked Gene Orza in his capacity at MLBPA to do something about the steroids problem, along with a handful of other players (but only Glavine was cited by name).
Here’s my abbreviated post from yesterday, but I got no responses, to this topic in my post anyway - lots of interest about actually getting MLB Network (now if they could just remove the marbles out of Harold Reynolds mouth when he speaks), so I guess nobody cares or everyone already knew this about Glavine…
From around 11:30 am EST Sunday: I believe I just heard Bob Costas say (to paraphrase) that the MLB players were silent about performance enhancers until “Tom Glavine and some other players finally went to Gene Orza and the MLB Players Association” and asked that something be done with regards to testing in an effort to try to get the problem under control.
Did I hear that correctly (or did anyone else happen to catch that)? Is that true that Glavine (the only player that Costas mentioned by name) personally went to Orza to ask that MLBPA try to address the problem, and if so, is that common knowledge? If so, I sure wasn’t aware. It would seem ironic to me, given how much flak Glavine has taken over his career for his player’s union role, if he was actually one of a small number of players that tried to do something about performance enhancers when so many others were silent.
By csg
February 10, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this
kirkinga, you’re upset about losing Ohman and his ability to completely shut down Howard/Utley/Delgado? Btw, these three guys are combined 13-43 .302AVG w/ 3 doubles, 1 triple, and 2 hr’s in their careers against Ohman. Its not like he’s just mowing them over. I think we’ll be okay not throwing $4 mil to a loogy.
By DirtyDawg
February 10, 2009 9:59 AM | Link to this
What is it about performance enhancing drugs and the Texas Rangers? Let’s see…Sosa…Caminiti…Rodriguez (Alex and Pudge)…Palmieiro…Canseco…even Julio Franco (went from a scrawny, 160-lb SS to a 210-lb Senor Universe). Are all those just a coincidence? Too bad George Bush couldn’t have gotten into ‘em while he was an owner, maybe his performance over the past eight years might have been ‘enhanced’ a bit.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 10, 2009 10:01 AM | Link to this
Nolie—
Yeah, I don’t know what’s up with that. Thankfully (for me, anyway), my links have been working lately.
“If we are changing blog formats hopefully the problems will disappear”
I hope so…It would also be extremely nice to get the italics back.
(Dadgum, just for the record, I like some Billy Joel songs, too.)
By csg
February 10, 2009 10:10 AM | Link to this
interesting comparision - Jo Jo vs. Utley/Howard/Delgado
8-30 .266 avg
Jo Jo’s career line vs LH
.224avg 34IP 28H 15BB 32K, good overall numbers vs LH, the walks are a concern
DOB, any talks of possibly moving Reyes to the pen for the loogy role? Its not like he’ll get a shot in the rotation and he cant really learn anything more at AAA. Do they just want to keep him as a starter?
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 10:15 AM | Link to this
Wayne; accurate explanation to Darren at 12:24.
By Oasisbraves
February 10, 2009 10:16 AM | Link to this
JR Bob Dobbs
Good stuff. Even after reading your posts… Glavine STILL could have done more if he really cared. He could have called 60 minutes, called CNN, called everybody and told MLB hey if you dont want to clean this up in house…im calling the News people.
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this
DirtyDawg, I was having the same conversation about the Rangers yesterday with another writer. Man, for about a decade it seems that clubhouse was a chemistry lab.
By keylargo
February 10, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this
I guess I’m just not too progressive. I like the blog like it is - nice and plain - with no distractions. I’ll bet our new blog will have all sorts of colorful advertisements, some even flashing, offering us fantastic opportunities if we just click on some icon.
As the old saying goes “sometimes you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”.
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this
Mets ain’t messing around: Johan Santana pulling out of WBC at their request, so he can be in their camp (at Port St. Lousy) for the whole spring.
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
Forgot to mention one other obvious candidate as possible replacement for Bobby Cox someday: Eddie Perez. Dude is universally respected in the clubhouse and has the rare ability to be both a hardass and friend to individual players, whatever’s required.
By gayle
February 10, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
Should ARod be punished? What a joke! How do you “punish” someone who makes $500,000.00 a WEEK?
I am from Seattle and believe me, with ARod it is ALL about him and all about the money. When he left Seattle, he claimed that he wanted to go to a contender. The Texas Rangers?
For a player whose credits read that teams improve after he leaves, this admission will cement his place in the non-Hall of Fame along with Clemens, Bonds, Sosa, Palmiero and McGuire.
Does anyone honestly believe that he would have been so forthcoming had this report not come out? Don’t forget, he lied to Katie Couric’s face on “60 Minutes” just last year.
Couldn’t happen to a “nicer” guy.
By flange1
February 10, 2009 10:26 AM | Link to this
Morning All,
More on the Braves later….
Anyone else watch the AROD interview more than once?
Let me preface this with the comment that I am not happy that the drug tests from this time period were not thrown away. I think it is VERY unfair for AROD’s name to be thrown out and the other 103 kept quiet. I don’t think any of these guys should have been outed.
BUT, AROD’s interview is awful! He contradicts himself on multiple occasions. He is obviously not telling the full truth.
Compare this to Barry Bonds public statements and there are TOS of similarities. Both of these guys want to make you aware of how smart they are, both want to control everything about their lives, and both took products and did not know what they were?
HUH?
AROD took something he got from somewhere (maybe GNC). It was prevalent in the culture of the time, but he tries to go through his day with blinders on?
again HUH?
What a joke of an interview. He sure sounds more guilty now than before the interview..
With press like this, the PED issue will NEVER die….
By Oasisbraves
February 10, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
and whats wrong with Billy Joel? I’m only 30, but I enjoy a lot of his stuff from the 70s. Everything on the Stranger and 52nd street is excellent. Rootbeer Rag and the stuff on Streetlife Serenade are awesome too. The only songs I think are cheesy would be Uptown Girl (80’s) and The Entertainer.
By DAP
February 10, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this
dang, ive missed baseball. im getting so excited thinking about the season starting!
By MDBraveFan
February 10, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Hi DOB - we saw Slumdog Millionaire over the weekend. One of the best movies I’ve seen in a while. I loathe cheaters in any sport. But as one of your denizens pointed out, steroids has a more direct impact b/c it’s easier to see the immediate impact they have on the sport (e.g., what might have been a triple, ends up being a home run). I have NEVER been a fan of Bonds or ARod; but what makes this all the more maddening is that they didn’t need the “extra” help to be fabulous ballplayers. It is my sincere hope that anyone found to have used steroids NEVER makes it into the HOF. Last point, I take issue with the double standard that Gammons has for bball players. He was downright fawning over ARod yesterday and after the interview, attempting to minimize that fact that HE CHEATED by saying he plans to help kids. Great. (With the money he’s making, shouldn’t he have been doing that anyway? Aside from the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs what else is doing to help the less fortunate. Oh that’s right, no time b/c he too busy chasing Madonna around.) But when McNamee provides credible evidence that Clemens CHEATED, he called McNamee every name in the book that could be televised without bleeps. It’s ridiculous that reporters are losing their objectivity here. Once again, no equivocation, if you use steriods or other banned substances, YOU ARE A CHEATER! And apologies, no matter how many times you say them, won’t (and shouldn’t) remove the stain.
By JOE
February 10, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this
Someone posted yeaterday that A-Rod”s wife turned him in. Now thats funny- Going down the baseball tubes just to get into Madonna’s pants.
Go braves… Hope Abreu takes the $5,000,000.00!!
By McPoyle
February 10, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
toss up: Whose image is more tarnished?
A-Rod or Chris Brown
By ncscoots
February 10, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this
PEDs? Bad, sure. Agreed. But it’s naive to rant against steroids as “cheating” and ignore other forms of it in baseball. Is Gaylord Perry denounced for doctoring the baseball, or Jackie Robinson for stealing signs? I don’t myself equate stealing signs with using PEDs, but still, cheating is cheating, no?
Getting an edge in the game has been around for as long as the game itself. This ain’t golf, boys and girls.
And, to be clear, I threw some awfully funky-looking pitches in my college days. Not many, but some. It would be rank hypocrisy were I to condemn others for attempting to get a similar edge in only a different way.
By BB FAN
February 10, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this
Butch Haynes “Um, ‘cause he sucks now. (I’m sure his precipitous drop-off in performance has had nothing to do with the banning of, and testing for, steroids. The timing of all that is just coincidental.)”
Actually, MLB started testing in 2003. While the 2003 test results were supposed to be private, I believe MLB made the failed test results public in 2004. Jones has had numerous good/great seasons from 2003-2006. These included his 51 HR/128 RBI season in 2005 and a 41 HR/129 RBI season in 2006.
Do you think part of his fall may be from the 12 seasons of amazing catches while diving or crashing into the wall for the Braves from 1996-2007? Or how about the fact that he won’t make adjustments and go to the opposite field that help ruin his 2007 season. I say helped because he did hurt his elbow while going after a ball over the wall in May 07. He had decents numbers before that. But the injuries to both of his knees wiped out his 2008 season. The fact he was 30 pounds overweight probably didn’t help, but he started having knee problems a few years before that.
Jones has not been linked to any ateroids, HGH or any other PEDs. Until that happens, why should anybody assume he is guilty of it.
By atlbravesfan44
February 10, 2009 11:01 AM | Link to this
McPoyle - While beating a woman (and apparently brandishing a weapon and threatening her life) is a much greater crime in my mind, I think A-Rod’s image was much bigger than Chris Brown’s. Thus, A-Rod had farther to fall.
By mbatl
February 10, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
“But it’s naive to rant against steroids as “cheating” and ignore other forms of it in baseball.”
‘scoots, scuffing a ball, stealing a sign, or corking a bat don’t generally lead to liver damage, shrinking ‘nads, or fits of rage. And they’re not felonies (as steroid trafficking is).
I’m not trying to go all high and mighty on this, but steroids are a much more serious issue than those others - especially when you consider the risk of high-schoolers or young players (Flowers, Schafer?) being tempted to get in on the act.
By Wayne in Utah
February 10, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
A foot and a half of snow in the past two days (of course, that’s nothing to Lew, N8 and Coach).
That danged ground hog should be slow cooked!
(pulled hog w/ some Carolina sauce!)
By 18 Wheels of Love
February 10, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
AROD will come out much better than Bonds and McGwire…unless new aligations come out that contradict what he said with Gammons. People are forgiving and all they wanted was for him to fess up so they could confirm their own suspicions…nothing more. The fans wanted to be able to say “I knew he had to have been on something”. Now that the fans know that, it’s pretty much an old subject.
By dogsbrekky
February 10, 2009 11:17 AM | Link to this
flange
AROD - yes he is still lying, also about earlier drug use. I am writing a blog at the moment now at
www.kawakamiskamikazes.blogspot.com now going through the Couric and Gammons interviews writing down the body language and stuff where he clearly lies.
IMO he has been a sophisticated user for a LONG TIME and has other problems (uses) apart from roids’.
By Butch Haynes
February 10, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this
“Jones has not been linked to any steroids, HGH or any other PEDs. Until that happens, why should anybody assume he is guilty of it?”
You’re right, it would be naive of anyone to assume that a player who played in the Steroid Era, started out as a slender kid who never got injured, hit prodigious home runs until MLB finally put some teeth into its previously bogus drug policy, and then ballooned into a fat, injury prone, sub-.200 hitter, took performance enhancers. I apologize for my naivete.
By Lowcountry Bulldawg
February 10, 2009 11:32 AM | Link to this
www.thesaturdayeveningsportsblog.blogspot.com
Feel free to see just how bad A-Rod is lying. Have researched the Mitchell report. Enteresting read! Enjoy….
By ernesto
February 10, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this
Regarding Santana pulling out of WBC, wish Chipper and BMac would follow suit.
I mean talk about two guys who don’t have unlimited gas tanks and two guys who we desperately need all they can give us.
Don’t see how giving meaningful innings to the WBC jibes with “nothing is more important than getting back to October baseball.”
By Fred
February 10, 2009 11:33 AM | Link to this
McPoyle, I see Chris Brown as the worse of 2 evils. A-Rod really only hurt himself by injecting himself with illegal drugs (although one can certainly argue that he further tarnished the game of baseball, specifically his pursuit of the all-time home run record). However, Chris Brown is accused of causing physical injuries to another person and will hopefully get what he deserves. I’m glad that both men were caught and will face the consequences of their behavior.
By ncscoots
February 10, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this
mbatl, agreed on severity, no argument. Lots of good reasons, non-baseball reasons, to not cheat chemically. I also understand the emotions behind the fervor with which some fans decry PED use. I was just pointing out that I can understand the attraction (to some players) of getting an edge in whatever way they can.
And that kinda leaves me out of the conversation, mostly. I can’t condone that sort of behavior, but I can’t condemn it, either. Not many sides of the question left on which I can weigh in. A fact that brings joy to a multitude of bloggers, I’m betting. :-)
By Madonna
February 10, 2009 11:35 AM | Link to this
I’m here to defend my Rod on one count. Based upon his performances with me, he NEVER used performance enhancement drugs during the time I knew him. I had heard he had performance problems in September and October, it was staggering to SEE they continued the other 10 months as well. I was sympathetic but the power outage was painful to watch.
By BravesFanInRockies
February 10, 2009 11:43 AM | Link to this
Random
Last night you brought up Hank Aaron’s career performance, noting that his home run production varied a lot (and in fact improved dramatically in his later years). Not insinuating that he did anything wrong, only noting that he had the sort of career stats that would have raised eyebrows in the steroids era.
I looked a little more deeply at the numbers and didn’t really arrive at any conclusions other than to say that if you look past his HR totals, his overall offensive numbers stayed within a pretty consistent range for his first 18 full seasons.
He performed at a remarkably high level throughout. His OPS+ was 143 at age 21 and 173 at age 39. He only got outside that range a couple of times, including his remarkable 1971 season when he put up a 1.079 OPS. This was the second year after the mound was lowered (and his OPS in 1970 was .959 — really good but on the low end of his career norms — that’s how amazing the guy was).
But within that OPS+ range he was all over the map from year to year.
The year Fulton County Stadium opened, Aaron hit 44 HR (vs. 32 in 1965), but in the Launching Pad his OPS went down, from .939 in 1965 to .895 in ‘66.
My theory is, home runs don’t tell all the story. And that when you’re putting up offensive numbers like Hammerin’ Hank did year after year, an “off” season is still great.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 10, 2009 11:44 AM | Link to this
DOB “Mets ain’t messing around: Johan Santana pulling out of WBC at their request, so he can be in their camp (at Port St. Lousy) for the whole spring.”
Wow…wish a couple other dudes would do likewise for this team…
Arg…
By mbatl
February 10, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this
One thing that’s overlooked about the “list of 104”… if the Feds were to pursue it (which I doubt), that list would probably grow substantially.
Part of the evidence in the Bonds perjury case is his “negative” 2003 test (in other words, he was “clean” according to the testing that nailed ARod). But, because of new and more accurate testing procedures, that same Bonds sample is now shown to be positive.
We don’t know how many more of the 550 (or so) “negative” samples from 2003 would turn out positive if tested today.
I don’t think it’s likely to happen… I don’t the gov’t is on a witch hunt for users. But there were probably a lot more than 104 on ‘roids in ‘03.
By Forget ARod
February 10, 2009 11:54 AM | Link to this
What are we going to do about leftfield?
By flange1
February 10, 2009 11:57 AM | Link to this
I guess I am starting to really wonder if MLB and the Players Association really wanted to get rid of PEDS.
This issue has been going on for so long..
No one is taking any responsibility and the players are getting outed left and right.
Scoots has a good point, everyone is looking for an edge, is there a difference between corking a bat and taking a pill that helps you work out longer? What about 5 cups of coffee before the game to help you get up?
I don’t know, but I do know that I am getting tired of hearing about it and it makes me less interested in MLB
By Jersey Gil
February 10, 2009 12:02 PM | Link to this
If they continuos to pull out Player from the WBC i predict this will be the last year of the WBC. Same happen in Winter ball in Puerto Rico,Prime time MLB Puerto Rican Player can’t play winter Ball because the Team prohibit those player to Play. Attandance was down because that.
By Southern Bones
February 10, 2009 12:03 PM | Link to this
Billy Moby, I have no clue who scoots is and never met the gentleman nor have I ever responded to him. You pulled that out of your head This is pointless. How are old you?
Billy don’t worry about some of these slugs. This is a great blog and DOB does a fantastic job that goes unappreciated at times. DOB busts his arse and gives up a lot of personal time to be here for Braves fans. Hey Moby Slug am I sucking up to DOB too much for you too?
DOB, Bill Shanks and Bowman along with Carroll and Bradley do a fantastic job bringing all of us fast, accurate and useful Braves information and all should be commended for all their hard, under appreciated work. To slam one of them is to slam all of them and it is not very mature.
DOB is on each new blog relentlessly to provide interesting interaction, not just baseball, but other topics because you can only talk about a player so much before it gets boring. Each writer or reporter has his own unique style and delivery method of getting Braves information to the fans.
DOB writes about what he has been told by reliable sources, just like the others. Not always what they write comes true, due to many factors, not because is was untrue to begin with, but because things do change just like the information that has been originally reported also changes for the others..Bill Shanks, Bowman, Carroll, Bradley.
Some of you have an ignorant idea as to TheBravesShow.com and what it is and why so many lawyers, doctors, Braves players, Braves Front Office people, College students, teachers from all school levels go on the site, and they all willingly go there and willingly pay money to actually speak to players in all of the Braves organization and read articles and interact with other Braves fans.
The subscribers to Bill Shanks show get to actually talk to McCann, Wren, Boyer, Hanson, Jo Jo, Morton, Bill Ballew, Kurt Kemp and I could go on and on. Nobody else gets that stuff and I will tell you we get more than what we pay for and the site is growing in leaps and bounds. There are interviews that are done with those people also and those quotes we get to read and nobody else does. We get written interviews and audio interviews that is not available anywhere else.
Most importantly are the friendships that are gained with some of the most loyal and fanatical Braves fans on that site and there are hundreds and hundreds of subscribers and we get to talk baseball with one another just like people do here. As a matter of fact this blog is loaded with names I recognize from Shanks pay site and have civil posts here.
I hail and applaud all that bring Braves baseball news and information to all us Braves fans. My hat is off to DOB, Shanks, Bowman, Carroll and Bradley. Keep up the ggod work and keep bringing all rumors, good or bad, coming. Also, keep the direct quotes flowing.
As with all internet sites you have adolescent jerks whose primary existence is to show how obnoxious they are or how hip they believe they are. If you can get banned from an internet site you must be one large weenie.
By mbatl
February 10, 2009 12:07 PM | Link to this
Well, just after saying I didn’t think the Feds were on a witch hunt, read THIS
(a very long URL… if it doesn’t work, go to bizofbaseball.com - it’s a good site for the business end of baseball, btw.)
Here’s a snippet:
In a phone interview with Newsday, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) said that he would call for A-Rod to testify about his steroid use, opening the door to questions under oath as to whether he used steroids beyond the time period he confesses to, along with the possibility that he may be asked about where he obtained the PEDs.
“I think we’re going to have to see what Rodriguez will tell us,” Cummings said in [the] phone interview.
By BB FAN
February 10, 2009 12:08 PM | Link to this
Butch Haynes
“You’re right, it would be naive of anyone to assume that a player who played in the Steroid Era, started out as a slender kid who never got injured, hit prodigious home runs until MLB finally put some teeth into its previously bogus drug policy, and then ballooned into a fat, injury prone, sub-.200 hitter, took performance enhancers. I apologize for my naivete.”
Let’s see, Jones was 19 when he came to the Braves. When I was 19, I was 6’2” and weighed 170-175 pounds. I am 34 now and am 6’2” and weigh 235 pounds. I can assure you have have never taken steroids.
You actually know nothing about baseball. Many players start to break down after 12 years of major league service. Mickey Mantle started breaking down before age 30. There are thousands of players whose bodies break down after just a few seasons of punishment let alone 12 years.
Jones sacrificed his body making catches every day for 12 years. Jones played in 153 or more games every year from 1997-2007. That takes a toll on an athletes body. And he has missed significant time due to injury only in 2008. Does that make him injury prone?
Steroids have been around for a long time. I remember reading an article a couple years ago that quoted former Braves pitcher Tom House as saying that while he pitched (1960’s -1970’s), they tried anything and everything including steroids. I guess we should assume all players from the 1930’s through today are guilty then because I believe the first known steroid was made in Germany in the 1930’s.
I’m not in favor of calling this the steroid era as they were obviously used by numerous players in other eras. How do we know all of the records from 1970’s and before are not “tarnished” from steroids?
Anyway, my point is when a person makes false accusations with no proof and based on absolutely nothing, it’s ignorant. And false accusations that are made public could lead to a civil lawsuit.
By Reality
February 10, 2009 12:14 PM | Link to this
Question for DOB: as it now seems the Braves were never even remotely close to retaining Ohman for this season (their decision being made after the Vazquez signing), on what exactly did you base your recent article entitled something like “Braves Getting Close to Signing Ohman”? Even you admitted that Ohman himself told you he couldn’t talk about negotiations, so what facts, research, quotes etc. did you base this article on? Or do you just regularly publish your hunches and guesses as fact? Because really, anyone could do that. The whole Ohman thing just makes it pretty obvious you don’t really have any more information than the average reader of your newspaper.
By DAP
February 10, 2009 12:16 PM | Link to this
butch haynes
ive got more fat and muscle on may body than i did when i was 19, 20, 21. i got my man muscles after that. people look at how skinny andruw was when he came up but forget that he was a teenager. he gradually got bigger. it seemed very natural to me. it wasnt an all of the sudden thing.
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 10, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this
Next post from Reality:
DOB — how come you never reported that Alex Rodriguez used steroids? Now that it’s out, it’s obvious that he was using for three years. The guy’s even admitted to it. I guess you’re not so much of a newspaper reporter after all, are you?
By Bravo in SATX
February 10, 2009 12:28 PM | Link to this
Anyone else still looking for information on the alleged offer the Braves gave to Abreu??? We need a quality LFer. C’mon FW, let’s see what you’ve got left….
By A FAN
February 10, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
hey DOB didn’t Santana have knee surgery in the off season? if so he shouldn’t be allowed to participate in the WBC. they paid him a boatload of cash no need for him to blow it out in a meaningless spring tournament. also looking at the schedule and potential match ups the US will be out in about mid march. chipper and mcCann will have 17 spring training games to get in a rhythm for opening day. all of our major players will either be knocked out of the thing early anyway. only long guy might be Campillo with Mexico. meanwhile the Mutts have their three main guys in the bullpen going along with their left side of the infield Beltran and Delgado. now i know it isn’t wise to put a lot of stock in that but bad things can happen when playing in this thing. and since I’m snowed in Prescott AZ i have nothing to do so i checked out baseball prospectus and it says we will be in a tie for the wild card with Philly this season. that i in my opinion( which means nothing) is a high mark for a team with a shaky outfield and a bullpen with a lot of important arms coming of surgery.
By Poorbrave
February 10, 2009 12:32 PM | Link to this
Now that the Cards have released Kennedy 2b, does that open up trade talks with Braves for Kelly J in x/c for a big bat in OF?
Hope Glavine retires..Would love Fredi or Perez to replace Bobby need year. Fredi has most exp. Please no to TP.
By Graham
February 10, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this
Bravo in SATX
I wasn’t able to find the information on Abreu other than what I read on here. I don’t have an account on thebravesshow.com so I couldn’t tell you if it was there. They may be playing close to the vest right now, as they have been with most decisions lately. Wren showed his cards too many times in other scenarios, so that $5 mil to Abreu may be a guess or a possibility, rather than fact. Not quite sure.
By Wayne in Utah
February 10, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
I took steroids back in 1996, and gained 25 pounds, but did not increase my HR output.
I went from zero to zero.
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 12:54 PM | Link to this
Question for DOB: as it now seems the Braves were never even remotely close to retaining Ohman for this season (their decision being made after the Vazquez signing), on what exactly did you base your recent article entitled something like “Braves Getting Close to Signing Ohman”? Even you admitted that Ohman himself told you he couldn’t talk about negotiations, so what facts, research, quotes etc. did you base this article on?Reality
For one, I never wrote a recent articled “entitled something like ‘Braves Getting Close to Signing Ohman.’” if I did, please let me know when or link to it. And by the way, I don’t write headlines for anything but my blogs.
Secondly, the Braves never, not once, said or indicated they had pulled their offer or were no longer pursuing Ohman. Not until I was told late Saturday night by someone who knew (not Ohman).
Ohman said several times, most recently last week, to me and Bowman, that the Braves were still in it, or at least that “that lines of communication were still open” and Braves hadn’t given him any indication they were out of it.
Since there were no other known offers for Ohman until about a week ago, at a couple of points recently I said my gut feeling was that the Braves would sign him. That’s the extent of it.
If you’d prefer me not to give you my gut feelings on matters … well, then don’t read the blog. Because I put opinions and gut feelings here. In the stories I write for the paper or online, straight news stories, I do not. Perhaps you should ready only those.
Or find what you’re looking for elsewhere. Don’t know what else to tell you, Reality.
By Bill Lumbargh
February 10, 2009 12:55 PM | Link to this
DOB:
Do you think that since A-Fraud is now linked to steroids. We could see at next years Hall of Fame an increase in the amount of votes that Dale Murphy will get for election into the hall? Doesnt this truely show all the sports writers that Murphy is someone whom should get a shot at the hall, he was honest, family loving, no drugs, drank milk, back to back MVP awards, and an overall good hitter without cheating.
Oh and “Yea I am going to need you to go ahead and come into work on Saturday” “We lost some people this week and we need to play catch up” “Thanks!”
By Graham
February 10, 2009 12:57 PM | Link to this
robdawg08
I guess Smoltz and Andruw spurned the Braves and Glavine will be next ?
I don’t think that Andruw “spurned the Braves”. The Braves were very reluctant to offer him a minor league contract from the outset. The odds that Wren and company were going to offer him a minor league contract were not in Andruw’s favor.
Smoltz’s departure is debatable, and has been debated many times on this blog since he left. Did he “spurn the Braves”? It is a matter of perception.
As for Glavine, it remains to be seen if he decides that the contract offer is acceptable. What’s fair in player’s eyes versus what’s fair in the ball club’s eyes are two different things.
By Thundar the Barbarian
February 10, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this
“Reality” must be “Southern Bones” evil twin.
By robdawg08
February 10, 2009 1:06 PM | Link to this
So you are deleting my posts now DOB ? How is that allowing free speech ? Link to my blog : http://sportsnation.espn.go.com:80/fans/rwcollectibles/blog/posts/79072
By Wayne in Utah
February 10, 2009 1:08 PM | Link to this
Who the heck is this Reality person? You need to find another hobby.
(Dave, it might be one of your jealous colleagues trying to give you a ration of $h!t!)
:-)
By Steve McP
February 10, 2009 1:11 PM | Link to this
Keep up with the gut feelings DOB, they provide insights and thoughts that we would not find elsewhere and, although this off season has been a catologue of missed events, that is not down to you.
Especially like the clubhouse stuff, looking forward to ST when you will chance to be around the players more and hopefully give us the insight on how they are feeling as well as how the team is doing. I still remember the prophetic “lose and Andruw, gain an Andruw” quote from Chipper that you recorded here last year, that sort of thing does not appear anywhere else that I am aware of.
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 1:14 PM | Link to this
Poorbrave and others asking whether Adam Kennedy being released means Cards might trade for Kelly Johnson: My thoughts (Reality, you might want to stop reading now, since it’s just my opinion) is that no, this has nothing to do with Braves and KJ.
Not saying it’s impossible, but seems doubtful the Braves would trade KJ at this late date.
I heard this was just about La Russa not liking Kennedy and that the Cardinals plan to let a handful of guys compete for the position.
By the way, Kennedy is a former Angels standout, and the L.A. Times had a note about him being released. In it, there was this: “Paul Cohen, Kennedy’s agent, said the Cardinals told him that they had not been able to resolve their glut of outfielders via trade and now want to try Skip Schumaker at second base. Schumaker, 29, from Aliso Niguel High and UC Santa Barbara, hit .302 with eight home runs last season. He has played 296 major league games, all as an outfielder.”
By robdawg08
February 10, 2009 1:17 PM | Link to this
Wayne, Arod went from averaging 30 hrs per year to averaging 52 per year from 2001 - 2003 his steroid years. These players would be very good without steroids no question but become exceptional players WITH steroids. That gives them a disadvantage over the honest players that don’t use steroids. Either ban it for all (as is the case now) or allow all of them to use steroids. There can be no in-between.
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 1:19 PM | Link to this
Robdawg, I don’t know. Perhaps your post was deleted because you’re trolling for readers for your own blog. But we’ll try to make sure this one stays up. Wouldn’t want the Braves/MIB denizens to be denied the opportunity to link to your blog. (You know, commonly it’s up to the person writing a blog to link to other blogs of interest to his or her readers. But if you feel compelled to come here asking others to link to your blog, then that’s fine.)
By Moby Grape
February 10, 2009 1:20 PM | Link to this
Billy don’t worry about some of these slugs. This is a great blog and DOB does a fantastic job that goes unappreciated at times. DOB busts his arse and gives up a lot of personal time to be here for Braves fans. Hey Moby Slug am I sucking up to DOB too much for you too? Southern
LOL. Can you actually read dude? I’ve never had any disparaging remarks about Dave so where in the h3ll do you and Billy get that from. In fact I wasn’t hard on Shanks either, I was posting in regard to Billy’s(you? your brother?your lover?) childish attacks on posters who don’t care for Bill Shanks.
So dude, It takes a real moron to jump into the middle of a discussion with a bunch of insults when he(you) has no clue what has been said. I suggest you go back and try to finish the 4th grade. I bet you might learn to read if you try real real hard and get some tutoring…. Gee where do creepy idiots like you crawl out from?
By robdawg08
February 10, 2009 1:23 PM | Link to this
Graham, what exactly do you have to lose offering Andruw a minor league contract ? If he regains his old form then you’ve made the best investment ever. If he can return to .280 40 100 with his Gold Glove defense to boot only making 500,000 ? It’s worth a shot because Andruw is still young.
By robdawg08
February 10, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this
Seriously, Thanks Dave. I’m not selling anything just my opinion of Arod for others to blog their thoughts. This (your Arod) blog has at least 3 other people linking to other blogs. We can never have enough blogs. Lol. Your blogs are by far the best and most popular. I’m not trying to compete (I couldn’t), just offer a hardline perspective.
By Jim H.
February 10, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this
Some of y’all are insinuating Andruw was on Steroids?……No way, Andruw was too busy eatin’ Big Macs and Taco Bell to have had time to do any steroids.
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 10, 2009 1:37 PM | Link to this
Southern Bones
Your wasting your time trying to defend rational thought. 99 percent of sane folks appreciate the hard work done by all those ‘in the know’, including Bill Shanks. The other one percent that always seem to have to take a shot are just miserable trash that have so much misery that they have to ‘unbuckle and let some hang,’ you know.
Its one thing to do like NCSCOOTS suggested to me yesterday and not choose to accept a report as credible. That is his choice. But to come on here and trash someone they don’t know is just showing their ignorance.
I choose to read and try not to let those who live to frown and drown in their unfufilled lives ruin my good day. Some people just can’t enjoy, you know.
Thanks. I will hang up and listen to your response.
By Eware
February 10, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this
DOB, have you gotten the Ryan Adams EP released today? I’m going to get it after work. Can’t wait - his stuff has been great lately.
I hate that KJ’s name even comes up in trades. I love this guy. He’s truly a team guy. Moves to second - no problem. Maybe move back to the outfield - no problem. Dude just wants to play. And he plays hard. Perfect guy for the Braves. Plus, dude comes to the plate with awesome songs.
I wish all this steroid stuff would die. Everything’s tainted from that time period - let’s move on.
Man, I just moved to Dothan, AL and I’m already missing the Atlanta sports radio shows. Too much stuff about Bama everything and nothing about baseball. Fortunately, Dothan is part of the Braves radio network and we get SportsSouth and Fox Sports, so I should be okay, except for the Peachtree TV games.
By brent a.
February 10, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this
Speaking of this blog …
When I peruse other message boards/blogs, I often mention this blog as a good example of a solid forum, noting the combination of regular updates as well as the importance of the regular presence of the blogmeister.
One of the biggest problems with message boards/blogs, (message boards, in particular) is that they are not policed very well, and too much favoritism is shown, when police action is taken.
While I am sure that favorites have naturally developed here, I think DOB’s presence, combined with the fact that this thing gets updated regularly enough so that arguments die more quickly, makes it an excellent over-all forum.
Nothing is perfect, but there is a reason why I use a message board for University of Kentucky and Los Angeles Lakers discussion, but use a blog for Atlanta Braves discussion/information.
Now, let’s all go out and enjoy the sunshine.
By Mitchie-san
February 10, 2009 1:39 PM | Link to this
You think Andruw can “return to .280 40 100”???
Has he ever hit .280???
By Graham
February 10, 2009 1:43 PM | Link to this
robdawg08, I understand what you are saying and I am not saying that I disagree. What I am saying is that I don’t think that Andruw “spurned the Braves”, as you put it. He was offered a contract with Texas and took it. Atlanta did not look at it the same way you do and did not offer him a contract, major league or minor league (that I am aware of. DOB, correct me if I am wrong).
Texas may make out like a bandit on this one. If Andruw returns to form, they will look like geniuses. If he doesn’t, then that makes Atlanta look smart for not signing him. You just can’t decline an offer that does not exists or “spurn” a team that doesn’t want you.
By Butch Haynes
February 10, 2009 1:45 PM | Link to this
“Anyway, my point is when a person makes false accusations with no proof and based on absolutely nothing, it’s ignorant. And false accusations that are made public could lead to a civil lawsuit.”
Once again, you’re right. Redundant (“no proof and based on absolutely nothing”), but right. Which is why I’m thinking of filing a defamation suit against you for stating in this public forum that I “actually know nothing about baseball.” That’s false, because I know that in baseball when you get “walked,” you don’t actually walk to first base, you sort of jog there. See, I know a lot about baseball. Don’t worry though, I’m not really considering a lawsuit since mere expressions of opinion are not actionable. But I’m sure you already knew that. Also, just because I’m concerned about your health, based on your claimed height of 6’2” and weight of 235 lbs., your Body Mass Index falls into the obese range, which is dangerous for someone your age.
By TommyP
February 10, 2009 1:48 PM | Link to this
A previous blogger (Coach?) mentioned someone else being on that late ’80s Oakland team and perhaps juicing.
I always found it strange that Dave Stewart didn’t become anything until he became an Oakland A’s pitcher in the late ’80s. We’re talking a guy doing nothing and then winning 20 games year in and year out.
Weird.
By BravesFanInRockies
February 10, 2009 1:50 PM | Link to this
Mitchie-san
Good point. He has. Once. 2000 — .303. His career BA is .259.
By Graham
February 10, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this
You just can’t decline an offer that does not exists….
That would be “exist”. Sorry about that.
By Gibby
February 10, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this
I just read on mlbtraderumors.com that pecota has thier predictions for the division winners. They have the Mets winning the division and the Phillies and Braves in a one game playoff for a wild card spot. I can live with that. I like seeing that the Braves bad luck last year. The number of injuries in the rotation, plus all the one run losses should be coming in our favor next year. I think those would be 2 big reasons why Pecota has the Braves competing this year.
By Anders
February 10, 2009 1:58 PM | Link to this
Miguel Tejada is due in Federal Court tomorrow morning to plead guilty to lying to the feds in his part of the Congressional hearings. He wasn’t at the hearing with McGwire et al but spoke to the Feds off site earlier. Same rules apply though.
Word is he cut a deal to avoid 1 year in jail. I wonder what he gave them for that? Should find out tomorrow. Looks like another night with some MLB players lying awake in bed staring at the ceiling I’m afraid.
By TennesseePaul
February 10, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
How is that allowing free speech ?
Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech
And while you’re at it Crusading Everyman, when are you going to fix this economy and clean up Washington?
By lexbrave
February 10, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this
i wish that the braves would stay in on the ohman front even if they don’t want him. i really hate to see headlines that the phils or mets might end up with him for a bargain by default.
not that it would happen necessarily, but it makes sense to at least try and make your direct competition in your division overpay for the new players they bring in. no sense in letting them improve their rosters without some sort of penalty.
boston jumps in on every free agent that new york goes after for this very reason. i wish the braves would do that with the phils and mets. it seems as though all of the teams in the nl east just sort of act independently of each other on the market.
By Jersey Gil
February 10, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this
Fed Charge Tejada to lie to congress Another hit the rock button..
By keylargo
February 10, 2009 2:07 PM | Link to this
dogsbrekky
I would like to respectfully ask for your source on the steroid research you talked about in the Katie Couric interview. You, and I paraphrase, said concentration, hand eye coordination and fast twitch (muscles) improved. By the fast twitch imporvement, I am guessing you meant ration to slow twitch.
By Ericchipper
February 10, 2009 2:09 PM | Link to this
if the braves fail to sign abreu, any chance they quickly sign griffrey jr?
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 2:13 PM | Link to this
Robdawg, no problem. And I don’t mind people linking to their own blogs, long as it doesn’t become rampant.
And when we go to WordPress, we’ll have more links and some established, permanent links down the side of the screen, etc.
By DAP
February 10, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this
eware the company i work for has a station in dothan. His Radio 94.3
By Anders
February 10, 2009 2:21 PM | Link to this
boston jumps in on every free agent that new york goes after for this very reason. i wish the braves would do that with the phils and mets. it seems as though all of the teams in the nl east just sort of act independently of each other on the market. -Lexbrave
You mean like the Mets did when they drove the Braves price on Lowe up from 3 years guaranteed to 4? Apparently Omar is onto this already.
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 2:27 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, I was working on the economy problem this afternoon, but now distracted after returning from my mailbox with new Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue. (Stimulus package joke here.)
By Patrick
February 10, 2009 2:31 PM | Link to this
DOB- Forgot to mention one other obvious candidate as possible replacement for Bobby Cox someday: Eddie Perez. Dude is universally respected in the clubhouse and has the rare ability to be both a hardass and friend to individual players, whatever’s required.
Yeah, and he’s also scared easily by Tim Hudson.
By Poorbrave
February 10, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
Thanks DOB for answer on KJ. I also like KJ and hope Braves keep him.
Reality if you have a problem with DOB, try another sports blog are TM blog. DOB is the damn best in the business and 99% on these Bloggers will agree.The man works 24 hours aday to keep us informed year round. Cool it.
By Jersey Gil
February 10, 2009 2:32 PM | Link to this
Next TV season will be a Show call “CIV” This will bring all TV rating over the chart.
By semiballcoach
February 10, 2009 2:34 PM | Link to this
any truth to the rumor that hudson had the “brady” infection and they had to open him back to clean it out?
By DAP
February 10, 2009 2:36 PM | Link to this
lexbrave boston and new york can battle because they have enough money to pay for a player if they call their bluff. the braves cant do that.
i see the logic behind not pursuing ohman, since we have 4 lefties going for the ‘pen this year, but i still think its too bad. i have a feeling that if money was no object, the braves would bring back ohman. wren just feels like there are more important places they need to put that money. (LF….i hope)
By The Goche
February 10, 2009 2:42 PM | Link to this
I’m sure I’m not saying anything especially shocking, because we all want Ohman back (and I know very few bloggers are really excited about Boone Logan, career ERA of 6 O’Flaherty, or Ridgway).
And that has nothing do with liking Ohman the dude, but is more just it seems stupid when we have the chance to have a top to bottom great pen.
But we REALLY need to get back in it because 1. it sounds like he’s going to be a little cheaper than we though. and 2. if he’s not pitching for us he’s going to be pitching for NYM or Philly.
All of the recent news about him is that he’s being pursued by the Phillies, but they aren’t going to pay him a ton and the other big pursuer is the Mets but they aren’t willing to pay a ton either.
I’m not saying go offer him 8 mill over 2, but i am saying don’t let the Mets or Phillies get him for 2 mill per year or something ridiculous like that.
If we quit pushing for him months ago, maybe we should reexamine now since it looks like the market for him is favorable.
If someone else is going to try to low-ball him, and he wants to come back to us anyway, that it would be stupid to just let him be.
By Anders
February 10, 2009 2:46 PM | Link to this
any truth to the rumor that hudson had the “brady” infection and they had to open him back to clean it out? -semiballcoach
Yes and he is no longer considered a child actor who turned into a loser as an adult.
By Anders
February 10, 2009 2:50 PM | Link to this
boston and new york can battle because they have enough money to pay for a player if they call their bluff. the braves cant do that. - DAP
Reading this I just had a funny vision of Wren turning to one of his aides incredulously and saying “Did he just say yes?” with that Oh Crap! Now what? look on his face.
By Greg in TN
February 10, 2009 2:53 PM | Link to this
Afternoon gang…
Dark Star awaits at the tail end of the week, however all eyes are now on the saga of Alex Rodriguez and the doping that occurred deep in the heart of Texas. A-Rod has said one of his early baseball idols was Dale Murphy. Seems to me that Rodriguez didn’t pay too much attention to how Dale Murphy played the game did he?
I’ll miss Will Ohman to be sure, however we do have a stable of southpaws in the bully now with Logan, O’Flaherty and Gonzalez (sounds like a really good law firm doesn’t it?)
DOB, I’d really love to see Freddi Gonzalez back in Atlanta when Bobby Cox decides to retire. I think he would easily be my first choice, however I also liked the job Ned Yost did in Milwaukee.
Happy belated birthday to the Hammer. 75 glorious years.
By 18 Wheels of Love
February 10, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this
Bar Rafeala…is she with Kelly Slater or Leonardo?
By Wayne in Utah
February 10, 2009 2:58 PM | Link to this
The Goche Personally, I would like to see Ohman back, but I suspect the Braves believe in these other guys enough to go with them. All 3 are young, and have strong arms. Who’s to say that Ridgway or Logan won’t blossom in ‘09?
By THE BEAR
February 10, 2009 3:01 PM | Link to this
Just looking at Marcus Giles’ stats. His career year was 2003 when he hit .316, had 49 2B, 21 HR and 69 RBI. The following year he fell out of bed, (so to speak) hitting .311, 22 2B, 8 HR and 48 RBI. And he went down from then on. Could he have been on the juice or was it just that crazy upper cut swing he developed?
By Butch Haynes
February 10, 2009 3:09 PM | Link to this
What is Frank Wren’s problem? Doesn’t he understand that the Braves have to sign Ohman because four lefty relievers just aren’t enough for one team?
By lexbrave
February 10, 2009 3:11 PM | Link to this
i don’t think the mets got in on lowe because they wanted to drive the price up for the braves..they didn’t get in on burnett to drive the price up.
i think the mets genuinely wanted lowe. if you recall, they were the one’s who were rumored to make the first offer to him.
in fact here was the ny times quote about the mets and lowe.
“As the Mets try to add a reliable starter, they have marked Lowe as their priority over Oliver Pérez, who has pitched for them since 2006. By making their first offer to Lowe, the Mets have told him and Boras that Lowe is the pitcher they would prefer. Before that can happen, the Mets and Boras need to agree on Lowe’s value.”
doesn’t sound like they were in on him just to drive up his price for the braves to me.
By McPoyle
February 10, 2009 3:20 PM | Link to this
speaking of the swimsuit issue… Leo is a lucky man. but i’d still take marissa miller. maybe i’m a little biased because of the (painted on) rolling stones t-shirt. mercy.
By Anders
February 10, 2009 3:25 PM | Link to this
Lexbrave
There’s some truth to your 3:09. However, it was rumored here in NY all winter that Omar wanted Perez all along. One of the SI writers I believe wrote this as well after they signed Perez. I think if the Mets could have gotten Lowe for 3 years at a decent rate (same as they offered Perez) they would have signed him. I don’t think they ever actually believed they could though. Now to the hard part for you. Had the Mets signed Perez before the Braves signed Lowe - do you think Lowe would have gotten the 4 years guaranteed? I don’t as there was no other market for Lowe.
Did Omar or Boras drive this? Who knows? Either way the Mets had to play along to make it happen.
By DAP
February 10, 2009 3:27 PM | Link to this
“Reading this I just had a funny vision of Wren turning to one of his aides incredulously and saying “Did he just say yes?” with that Oh Crap! Now what? look on his face.” anders
exactly. probably how JS reacted when maddux accepted arbitration way back when.
By BA
February 10, 2009 3:29 PM | Link to this
DOB, if Texas was a chemistry lab, then Yankee stadium was Axis Chemical.
Robdawg, you could use a little wordpress yourself, pal. You can blog for free and it would look a lot better than your current four-letter network setup (just a friendly suggestion).
By Greg in TN
February 10, 2009 3:31 PM | Link to this
Perhaps A-Rod’s penance should be to have Richard Sanders (aka Les Nessman, five time winner of the Buckeye Newshawk award) butcher his name on the PA system (ala Chi Chi Rodriguez) at the new place in the Bronx instead of Bob Sheppard.
By Eware
February 10, 2009 3:33 PM | Link to this
DAP, my wife likes that station. She listens to it all day (and the local funk and R&B station), cause she’s not working right now. Are they hiring? Haha, I’m kidding….but, seriously, are they hiring? Networking on the ole blog…
By chuckw/deadjournalist
February 10, 2009 3:36 PM | Link to this
THE BEAR - If I have to pick one former Braves player, who hasn’t been previously named or implicated to steroids/HGH, it would be Giles.
By Carroll Rogers
February 10, 2009 3:39 PM | Link to this
I’m sure DOB will jump on this in his own unique way, but the Braves just sent out a release that they’d be looking for local bands to perform before games at Turner Field. And at the end of the year, award a band of the year and give them a free suite for the last game of the season.
Here’s what the release says:
The Atlanta Braves are looking for bands who think they have what it takes to energize and entertain thousands of fans at Turner Field before a home Braves game in 2009. Country, rock, pop, cover, or original bands can submit their information for review at www.braves.com/bravesbands.
The band that performs each night gets free tickets to that game and some kind of discount code their fans can use to come see them perform at that game. Call me crazy, but I wonder if somehow the Teixeira singing guys were somehow at the root of this idea.
By Butch Haynes
February 10, 2009 3:47 PM | Link to this
With regard to the search for a Braves pre-game musical performer, I’d like to nominate Rick Springfield. He could play Jesse’s Girl.
By BB FAN
February 10, 2009 4:01 PM | Link to this
Butch Haynes, “based on your claimed height of 6’2” and weight of 235 lbs.”, “dangerous for someone your age”
Claimed height? It sounds like you don’t believe I am 6’2”. Why would I lie about that? I just thought that was odd. And you make it sound like I’m ancient.
But you are right about one thing, I did say that you know nothing about baseball. That was written wrong. I should have said, It’s hard for me to believe you know anything about baseball after your previous comments.
“With no proof and based on absolutely nothing” was stressing just how ridiculous your previous comments were. As if no baseball player has ever broken down just because of injuries sustained while playing the game.
By Anders
February 10, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this
Atlanta Idol at the Ted with Terrence Moore as Randy, Carroll Rogers as Paula and our very own DOB as Simon!
“Lew, that was utterly ghastly!I suggest you stick to painting as you sound nothing like The Drive By Truckers. You certainly are not going to Dollywood. Now off with you”
By DAP
February 10, 2009 4:03 PM | Link to this
eware that makes sense since your wife is the target demographic of stations that play that kind of music.
im not sure if they are hiring at the dothan station, but i know that on the website that i linked you to http://hisradio943.com/) there is a feature called the “job board”. We are doing it here in Augusta as well. the idea is to link up businesses with workers who share their values. at my station, we have had several listeners employed through the job board on our website. pretty cool way to be a positive part of the community in these economic times. i just checked the job board for the dothan station, and they dont have any listed yet, but you can tell your wife to keep checking, and she might find something!
By Gooble
February 10, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this
DOB seems to be avoiding the Tom Glavine questions. Why?
By The Artist Formerly Known as Too Hot For Teacher
February 10, 2009 4:14 PM | Link to this
Hey CR - nice to see you patrolling the DOB blog with the rest of us! haha. that’s cool about the Braves doing the bands thing - and I think a little Rick Rollin may be in the works here.
hey DOB - what are the chances that the other 103 folks on the A-Roid list get released? When the Mitchell report came out I breathed a sigh of relief that there was nobody doing anything when they were with the Braves. But now I’m paranoid again that that our good guys may have well….not been so good.
I know you wouldn’t name names of people you suspected but do you think there’s any Braves on that list? I’ve got some worries.
By Jersey Gil
February 10, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this
DOB Here a article that John Gonzalez Wrote today about the Saga of Commisioner Selig & ESPN Van Pelt Suspension yesterday from ESPN Radio. The Article portrait The Power of the Commish again ESPN. www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/2009021
By brian
February 10, 2009 4:26 PM | Link to this
maybe he is avoiding the Glavine questions because he has answered them all in 30 different ways each and there is no new news. Still up to Glavine to decide whether or not to accept the braves offer
By Random
February 10, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this
From Carroll Rogers’ comment:
“There is an abundance of great musical talent in our region,” said Scott Cunningham, Braves Director of Game Entertainment. “This contest gives us an opportunity to tap into the wealth of talent for our fans to enjoy, while supporting up and coming musicians by providing them a venue and audience at the major league level.”
By Mitch
February 10, 2009 4:29 PM | Link to this
Great blog as always, Dave. I have a few comments.
First, I’ll have to go read the column at the Daily News regarding Arod. I would be surprised if the Yankees just eat $270 mil. I;m of the mind that maybe Arod should be suspended for a year for his admission. If the Yankees do release Arod, another team might be wary to pick him up, considering this admission.
About Glavine: I could be wrong, but, unless no one else wants him, I think he may leave. It just doesn’t seem to me that Glavine will want to finish a Hall of Fame career, for such a bargain basement price, even though he claims he doesnt need the money, The only reason would be, if he felt so strongly about not leaving home again. I’m not sure that’s the case.
I hope that Frank can get the bat we need. Abreu would be good. He used to be a terribly dangerous hitter in Philly. Yes, he’s a bit up there in age, but so is Derek Lowe. If he can help us, sign him.
With pitchers and catchers reporting in less than four days, the Glavine thing should come down in the next 72 hours. It will be very interesting to see what Tom does.
By Lew
February 10, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this
Anders-I have no idea what you’re talking about.
By N8
February 10, 2009 4:39 PM | Link to this
For those of you freaking out about the loss of Ohman (don’t get me wrong, I’d like him back - but am not gonna panic over it), need somebody remind you that BEFORE last season with the Braves, he had a career ERA of 4.33, and was coming off of a HORRIBLE season, in which his ERA was 4.95.
As evidenced before, if put in the correct situation for their abilities, (and if he doesn’t have to use them), Bobby will find a way to get something out of Ridgeway, Logan and the Irish Wonder (actually forgot his name).
Add to that, Ohman had an ERA over 6.50 in August and September.
There’s bigger fish to fry, people.
By Anders
February 10, 2009 4:46 PM | Link to this
Lew
Read Carroll’s 3:39. Hope this helps. Just having some fun.
What did you think of A-Rod’s interview last night? Personally I think it was insulting to baseball fans intelligence and disgraceful to A-Rod and quite honestly Gammons who underhanded powder puff after powder puff to him. If those were the parameters of A-Rod’s camp than the HOF reporter should have passed out of self respect and respect of the game.
By Thrillhouse44
February 10, 2009 4:47 PM | Link to this
Agree with you there, N8. I hate to see Ohman go, but it could certainly be a lot worse. We were all disappointed last year when Mahay wasn’t resigned and it all seemed to work out okay.
By Eware
February 10, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this
Thanks, DAP. We’ll keep an eye on it. My wife and I definitely hold the ideals of the station. She’d probably be a great fit.
DOB, apparently the Ryan Adams EP only has one new song on it. I hate that. I get excited, and he brings me right back down. Just like his last concert. (But, I should add that the first two concerts I went to were unbelievable)
By DAP
February 10, 2009 4:50 PM | Link to this
N8 on the irish guy, just remember, O’Flattery will get you nowhere. (not how you spell it, but it helps me remember)
By Thrillhouse44
February 10, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this
Anders, I think A-Rod’s camp picked Gammons just for that reason.
By Random
February 10, 2009 4:56 PM | Link to this
from the archives:
Dodgers to Force Andruw Jones to Take Steroids
LOS ANGELES, CA (August 2008)— In a controversial move, Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti has issued an executive order requiring that Andruw Jones immediately begin taking a regiment of steroids.
…
Colletti credits new manager Joe Torre for suggesting that Jones use anabolic steroids. Torre, who said he “ordinarily would just turn the other cheek when a guy wants to juice up,” was concerned that Jones would never come to the idea on his own and felt like the club had to push their center fielder to do the right thing.
“Joe came up to me one day after Andruw went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts and told me his idea,” Colletti said. “At first I was against it, but he started telling me about how well the stuff worked with guys like Giambi, Pettitte and Clemens. We were gonna bat him ninth – you know, behind the pitcher – but we were afraid teams might take the bat out of Brad Penny’s hands to get to Andruw. Ultimately, steroids just seemed like the most prudent course of action.”
(More at SeriousSportsNewsNetwork.con)
By Brian
February 10, 2009 4:58 PM | Link to this
I read on mlb trade rumors site that Luke Scott of Balt. could be traded, and the Braves as a possible suitor. I’d rather have him than Swisher, because we’d probably give up less. Of course Abreu is the best choice right now, but if that falls through, he’d be a guy who could work.
By Efrim
February 10, 2009 5:06 PM | Link to this
Jerry Crasnick has an update on Bobby Abreu:
“There are growing indications that the Angels could be ready to make a late push on Bobby Abreu, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick.”
“One person familiar with the situation said the Angels have “strong interest” in the free agent outfielder, whose price has progressively dropped throughout the winter. The Angels signed outfielder Juan Rivera to a three-year deal in December, but the departure of Mark Teixeira and Garret Anderson through free agency leaves management with the flexibility to add a bat.”
“The Braves also remain interested, but have been squeezed financially by several pitching additions and are still waiting for an answer on whether Tom Glavine will return in 2009.”
I hope the possible signing of Glavine doesn’t significantly impact the potential Abreu addition. The Braves have plenty of pitchers who can handle the fifth starters role.
By Original Jon
February 10, 2009 5:07 PM | Link to this
Brian No where on that site does it say the Braves are a possible suitor, that was just Tim saying he could see a fit, but no mention of Braves actually saying they are a possible suitor
By Mitchie-san
February 10, 2009 5:18 PM | Link to this
Abreu over Glavine. To me its a no-brainer.
By Gordo
February 10, 2009 5:50 PM | Link to this
Just a thought. Last summer on ESPN radio, Curtis Granderson related he grew up a Braves fan and would love to play someday in Atlanta. Maybe the Braves could target him in a trade with the Tigers and have a speedy lead-off hitter and centerfielder. What do think? Just asking!
By BravesFanInRockies
February 10, 2009 5:58 PM | Link to this
The Angels should have the cash to spend on Abreu, especially if he’s a bargain. If Wren can’t lock him up, guess we’re choosing between Griffey and Anderson (since Dunn doesn’t seem to be in the equation).
I honestly don’t know which one of those guys I prefer. Griffey might sell more tickets, but he was OK at best after leaving Cincy. And I’m not sure whether he can play the OF regularly any more. GA’s better than mediocre, and better than anybody the Braves put out there last year, but that ain’t saying much.
By pfunkatl2
February 10, 2009 6:05 PM | Link to this
DOB
I KNOW you are a HUGE jawhawk fan, not sure if you remember but I went to both KU and to UMKC. At any rate always been a HUGE missouri fan here.
Not sure if you agree, but I thought last nite’s game was one of the most THRILLING(at least at the end) in recent memory. I know there were some BAD foul calls on BOTH sides, Missouri couldn’t hit a free-throw if their NUTZ depended on it, Kansas couldn’t DEAL with that full-court pressure D, and NIETHER team are likely to get far into the tourney. As a long-time fan of BOTH teams tho, to me it was ONE FOR THE AGES!
Thoughts?
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this
First, I’ll have to go read the column at the Daily News regarding Arod. I would be surprised if the Yankees just eat $270 mil.Mitch
I agree with you. Only I wouldn’t just be surprised, I’d be in utter disbelief. No way it’ll happen. I wasn’t even suggesting it could or would. Just relaying the column.
By blog broke
February 10, 2009 7:26 PM | Link to this
help
By David O'Brien
February 10, 2009 7:31 PM | Link to this
pfunkatl2, it was an exciting game, but hard to enjoy it after your team blows a 10-point lead in the last 8 minutes, and your guard (Collins) who’s made 35 consecutive free throws in Big 12 play misses both free throws with about a minute left.
And depending on their draw, I think either team could definitely win a couple of games in the tourney. Not Final Four contenders or anything, but KU, for sure, and possibly Mizzou, too, could get to Sweet 16.
By Efrim
February 10, 2009 7:40 PM | Link to this
PECOTA projected standings:
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/fantasy/dc/index.php?sessionstatus=notloggedin
Little early in my mind, as there are still quite a bit of free agents without places to play. But 88-74 and a one game playoff with the Phils? Sure. I’ll sign for that.
By Rico Bologna
February 10, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this
DOB- ok, no more shots at Shanks. But seriously, I tackled the Lewis Grizzard ( Chopped pork sammy/ topped w/ slaw, 3 sweet pickle chips, cup of stew, & O. Rings ) at Sprayberry’s ( unfortunately not the original location ). Hate to say it, but the O. Rings were the best part… Stew was bland, as well as the pork ( they do not cook the pork over a flame anymore, done in electric boxes ). Still need to try Pappy Red’s & BBQ 1 - i’m a little skeptical of BBQ 1, but have heard great things.
* Will someone please explain why the Bravos spring training park is referred to as ” Dark Star “?*
By Efrim
February 10, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this
More on Abreu from Crasnick:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3898085
“Free-agent outfielder Bobby Abreu is in serious talks toward a one-year agreement with the Los Angeles Angels, two baseball sources told ESPN.com.”
“Abreu, 34, is one of the premier hitters left on the market this offseason. The Angels jumped into negotiations with a big push this week and have emerged as clear front-runners. Although the two sides still have some issues to work through, a source said an agreement could be reached before the start of spring training this weekend in Arizona.”
“The price is unclear, but Abreu’s financial aspirations have taken a hit because of the soft economy and surplus of left-handed bats available. Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Jim Edmonds, Anderson and Luis Gonzalez are among the other veteran lefty hitters still looking for jobs.”
“The Braves have also expressed serious interest in Abreu, but sources said Atlanta’s budget is so tight that general manager Frank Wren would have to stretch to give him a $5 million salary.”
By BravesFanChris24
February 10, 2009 8:39 PM | Link to this
WOW
Dodgers could possibly sign both Manny & Orlando Hudson in the next 72 hours.
By Steve McP
February 10, 2009 8:45 PM | Link to this
Rico Bologna - DOB has previously said that there is no particular reason that Disney is Dark Star - it just is!
My personal view is that it is a Star Wars reference and Disney are planning to take over the universe.
By Nobody Likes Blog Pimps
February 10, 2009 8:47 PM | Link to this
Robdawg, your blog pimping is so shameless.
By Choppinmama
February 10, 2009 8:49 PM | Link to this
DOB- re: your 2:27 Now……..there are stimulus packages and there are Stimulus Packages………yowza!
Bill Madden’s ears must be ringing - called up by Gammons, and called out by A-Rod.
And congrats to our very own Lew Hartman. Back page of the latest Chop Talk. Very cool notice of a very knowledgeable fan.
By Eware
February 10, 2009 9:03 PM | Link to this
DOB, Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys released an album today. I had no idea. So far, very dark blues with a little sonic type sound - kinda like North Miss Allstars. Really sweet guitar (no surprise there). Check it out!
By Lew
February 10, 2009 9:11 PM | Link to this
SteveMcP-If you lived in Orlando, you’d realize they already took over the world-that’s why the Star Wars reference.
By Stinky
February 10, 2009 9:17 PM | Link to this
Rico Sprayberry’s serves mediocre BBQ and always has. Their Brunswick Stew is repellent. I took my Grandmother there (who was from Newnan) about 6 years ago before she died and it was horrible. I apologized to her for such a bad experience and she laughed and said everybody knows Sprayberry’s was no better than dog food.
By Doc Holiday
February 10, 2009 9:25 PM | Link to this
Gordo
I dont think the tigers will ever want to make business with us again………they dont have good luck with us.
By Rico Bologna
February 10, 2009 9:28 PM | Link to this
I’d rather Dark Star be named for Jerry Garcia rather than Disney & Star Wars combined, but a cool name regardless Yep, Fins down to Sprayberry’s. Anyone been to Ollie’s in B’ham? Pretty sure it is closed now…
By keylargo
February 10, 2009 9:37 PM | Link to this
There is a BBQ place just north of Danielsville, GA named Zeb’s that is a throwback to the 60’s. The original owner (Zeb) passed on about 10 years ago but his family still runs it about like he did.
Good old fashioned stew (best item on the menu to me) and BBQ pork along with the fixings.
It’s about 25 miles from Athens, GA on Hwy. 29, apprx. 5 miles north of Danielsville.
By Bill
February 10, 2009 9:50 PM | Link to this
If its between Glavine and Abreu???? Let Glavine walk and sign Abreu, asp.
By jcp
February 10, 2009 10:05 PM | Link to this
Angels close to a deal with Abreu. Hello Matt Diaz and Brandon Jones in left field. So who is batting clean up when McCann is off? Francoeur? Who is hitting third when Chipper takes his DL trip? Omar Infante?
By pfunkatl2
February 10, 2009 10:08 PM | Link to this
Not sure why no one ever mentions Daddy D’s BBQ. It’s close to the stadium, and tho NOTHING matches my hometown of KC for barbeque, it comes as close as any. Ribs are a great match-up of sweet/tangy/spicy and the collards/green beans/baked beans and sweet cornbread rival anything east of Jackson CO, Missouri
By Rico Bologna
February 10, 2009 10:14 PM | Link to this
Zeb’s is tasty for sure. I like Fresh Air too- geew. I’ll still say Old McDonald’s, near Lake Lanier, is some of the best stew I’ve had in a long time. Lowcountry BBQ has killer stew, too bad they don’t make it!! That killed me when I found out.
Zane ” The Beaver ” Smith
By Chuck James was solid until the 6th!!!
February 10, 2009 10:22 PM | Link to this
I was just watching some Kawakami action on YouTube out of curiosity…DOB/Anybody Is it me or didn’t many published articles come out from several “senior analysts etc.” that Kawakami has “Is a solid mid-rotation start with command but his big downfall is he has no out pitch.” Well watch this footage on YouTube real quick and skip to 2:37…. : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovPTcJfa_QU&feature=related
After watching that, name another player in the league that has a curveball more wicked then that. That is what I call a ridiculously filthy curveball, that is the definition of 12-6. Zito in his prime had one like that but not even as good. Factor that in with his strong fastball with sharp command on all pitches. And, oh yeh the fact that he is the only player in the hisory of MLB (maybe every sport) that at his press conference brought a phenomenal trippy painting representing that that was the symbol of him putting his soul into every pitch with a dead serious face. This guy really is dedicated to his job and love of pitching and will be a warrior. But back to square one, tell me how these “genius analysts and scouts” don’t call that curve of KK’s a “strikeout pitch”. And that’s excluding his other pitches he has! I think he will be something serious. Look at the money he got with no experience. Braves scouts are like wizards and have always got reclemation projects and see talent other teams scouts don’t detect.
By lexbrave
February 10, 2009 10:23 PM | Link to this
so with the angels getting in on bobby this is shaping up to be the offseason where we lost out on hampton, peavy, burnett, furcal, smoltz, and abreu.
hey but at least we gained lowe, vasquez and a guy that has never pitched in the majors before.
oh and if we are lucky, maybe glavine.
By Steve from OH
February 10, 2009 10:24 PM | Link to this
Ok, this is gonna sound really dumb, but can someone please fill me in about the “new” blog I’m hearing about. Something about a new format? Sorry if this has been discussed, but I don’t have much time to do more than skim these days…
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 10, 2009 10:33 PM | Link to this
Steve from OH — the new blog isn’t in the works yet. I think that what DOB said at the top of this blog is that sometime next week, there will be a new format that the blog will be in.
By Chuck James was solid until the 6th!!!
February 10, 2009 10:36 PM | Link to this
Steve, nothing that serious just more colorful I think DOB said earlier and “quicker” or somethin just flashier nothin serious, no need to worry haha
By hoho
February 10, 2009 10:42 PM | Link to this
lexbrave- i hardly think that hampton, furcal and smoltz fall into the “losing out” category. nice players, but i ain’t cryin’ over those guys going elsewhere. peavy, we’ll see; burnett, we’ll see.
i’m sure all this will be revisited in june or july. we’ll see how many of those players are on the shelf or out of baseball. Remember, sometimes the best you moves are the ones you don’t make.
GO BRAVES!
By Daybed Wagmoe
February 10, 2009 10:55 PM | Link to this
Steve — here’s what DOB said in the original blog above, about 12 paragraphs down:
“By the way, this will be the last blog on this outdated format we’ve used for a few years. We’re going high-tech, moving to WordPress for our next edition blog later this week. It’ll be easier, smoother, faster, and will allow us to do all kinds of links (audio and even video eventually, if we/I figure out that stuff).”
By mb
February 10, 2009 11:04 PM | Link to this
DOB,
I’m disappointed by your comments earlier regarding Billy Joel, better artist? He’s a dam good artist. I think you need to break out “Glass Houses, pun intended, and 52nd Street”, there are some classic songs on those albums. In fact I think Big Shot is a Great song for A-Rod.
Well, you went uptown riding in your limousine
With your fine Park Avenue clothes
You had the Dom Perignon in your hand
And poppin the Testosterone and Primobolan Pills,
Ooh, when you wake up in the morning
With your head on fire
And your eyes too bloody to see,
Go on and cry in your coffee
But don’t come b***’ to me
Because you had to be a big shot, didn’t you
You had to open up your mouth, lied to Katie
You had to be a big shot, didn’t you
All your so called friends were so knocked out
You had to have the last word last night, with Peter Gammons,
You know what everything’s about, except what drugs you took?
You had to have a white, hot spotlight, and no Hall of Fame votes,
You had to be a big shot last night, just telling a few more lies,
Whoa
Just like I said, another classic from Billy Joel.
thanks
Mark.
By Steve from OH
February 10, 2009 11:22 PM | Link to this
Thanks Daybed, Chuck. Sounds pretty cool.
By lexbrave
February 10, 2009 11:34 PM | Link to this
if there was ever such thing as karma it happened during the uk v. fla game tonight. replays clearly showed that meeks was hit on the arm by clathes when he hit the 3 pointer to put uk up with seconds to go. when clathes was fouled on the 3 with .6 to go and he bricked his first 2 free throws that was karma at its best.
By lexbrave
February 10, 2009 11:38 PM | Link to this
hoho.. i feel you for sure. but i had to include those guys to show how the story of this offseason might be more about missed players than players we picked up. you are completely right tho, it will be remained to see how those “missed players” will either have hurt or helped our cause.
im the fan that puts hangs on to faith until the mathmatical elimination so here’s to hoping our front office has done their job.
By Saltywoody
February 10, 2009 11:43 PM | Link to this
Most of Auerbach’s new album has been up on his myspace for a while.
Some good stuff on there. “Trouble Weighs a Ton” is fantastic. And it definitely shows Dan’s musical range a little bit more. But, I’d also argue that it’s a little spacey and open-ended, and that’s frustrating because that’s what makes his stuff with the Black Keys so good- it’s so pointed and concise.
Still, surely worth the 10 bucks on itunes.
By mitchie-san
February 10, 2009 11:44 PM | Link to this
Good bye to this blog format. I hope I like the new one.
By brent a.
February 10, 2009 11:53 PM | Link to this
lexbrave,
You know, as bad as it was that Galloway fouled Calathes, it was fun to see Nicky miss those free throws. :)
So, net-net, I’ll take it.
By greg
February 10, 2009 11:59 PM | Link to this
Anybody see that Florida Kentucky game? Jodie Meeks is a beast. What a shot to win the game for Kentucky. Jodie played at my high school Norcross and of course he was good there but I didn’t think he would be this good. He was also in my senior english class. Cool guy. Fun to talk to.
By David O'Brien
February 11, 2009 12:19 AM | Link to this
I’m thinking UGA could have used Jodie Meeks (as well as a half-dozen other Georgia kids starring at big-time schools outside this state). Gotta get a big-time recruiter in there, can’t let those kids slip away….
By greg
February 11, 2009 12:32 AM | Link to this
UGA could use Jodie Meeks, Gani Lawal, and Al-Farouq Aminu, all from Norcross High. Hell yea.
By ncgary
February 11, 2009 12:33 AM | Link to this
carolina at cameron indoor stadium tomorrow night. go dookeys
By Wayne in Utah
February 11, 2009 12:38 AM | Link to this
So the Braves are looking for bands to perform before games????
Sounds like the perfect venue for “Grandpa Porter and the Porter Potties”
By David O'Brien
February 11, 2009 12:38 AM | Link to this
After spending the last 45 minutes or so doing an online tutorial on Wordpress, I’ve decided to end the blog rather than move to the new format. Thanks for your participation these past several years, and God bless.
(OK, kidding. But it sure is an entirely different process. I’m a creature of habit, so it’s gonna take some getting used to.)
By David O'Brien
February 11, 2009 12:41 AM | Link to this
to the person who recommended the new Ben Kweller CD, “Changing Horses,” you’re right: It’s solid. Some good country-rock.
By proeye
February 11, 2009 12:43 AM | Link to this
Why do steroids and performance enhancing drugs matter more in baseball than football? The answer is simple: Stats. They matter more in baseball than any other sport.
Baseball is like a collection of individuals who just happen to be on teams. Other major sports are like collective units. Look at football, basketball, and soccer… When the game is on, every player is moving, participating at the same time. In baseball, technically speaking, there is only one player at a time doing anything significant: The pitcher throws the ball, the hitter swings at the ball, the fielder makes the play and so forth. The collective individual accomplishments make up the team play. What ONE does affects the game and the season.
This is why stats matter more in baseball than they do in other sports. A player has it in him to hit 60 homeruns if he has that capabililty but a quarterback isn’t going to throw 45 touchdowns unless he has capable receivers and no one can score 100 points in a game unless someone passes him the ball. Other sports are true team games but baseball is unique, comparable to tennis—just more players.
Combine this with the fact that baseball has a long history which is intimately connected. It is not as if we can neatly cut out the 90’s and throw out the individual contributions since it’s been a running movie since the 1870’s. Sure there has been an ebb and flow in the way the game is played but it is essentially the same game since day 1. So stats from any era are comparable.
So when ‘roid allegations come up, it threatens to destroy the very fabric of the game which is statistics. Barry Bonds has destroyed the very essence of what it means to hold the most cherished stat in all of sports. A-roid has basically dashed our hopes of destroying this record in our lifetime and killing the asterisk that Bonds created.
By Wilson
February 11, 2009 1:06 AM | Link to this
DOB, why are the Rangers getting half of Andruw’s contract this year?
By Coach (Skip and Pete will be missed)
February 11, 2009 3:06 AM | Link to this
After much soul searching and bashing Frank Wren for not adding another big bat in the outfield, I have concluded that the Braves are probably better off if they just let the kids play.
I’m talking about Jordan Schafer, Josh Anderson, Brandon Jones and Gregor Blanco. O yea, that Francoeur dude should get another shot too.
After reading Peter Gammon’s latest blurb I’m remembering that I am in truth, a Whitey Herzog zealot. Baseball is once again built for defense, athleticism and sound fundamental base running. Youth is once again the focal point, as it should be.
Matt Diaz can hit in a damn phone booth. But in truth, he’s an absolute slog on defense. Why the Braves gave him 1.2375 million is beyond me. Bobby Abreu can play somewhere else. Ryan Ludwick is the only potential suitor who interest’s me.
If Tom Glavine really thinks that the Braves current contract offer is beneath him, he needs to retire. The Hall of Fame lefty’s talent is only superseded by his arrogance. I sincerely hope I’m wrong on this account.
Tommy Hanson has the talent to make the Yankees rotation or almost any other starting five for that matter. If Glavine walks away and Hanson pitches well in spring training, the youngster deserves to make the team. If these two things occur and Cox sends him to the minors, I’m gonna be all over our manager like white on rice. The same applies concerning Jordan Schafer.
About this steroid thing. The average fan has no idea just how truly awful things are going to get. We have yet to see and hear the worst of it. Those Oakland A’s teams from 1988-1992 were ground zero followed by the chemistry lab that was the Texas Rangers. Jose Canseco was the lightning rod that struck both of those teams.
We all agree that Pudge Rodriguez, Rafael Palmeiro, Juan Gonzalez, Julio Franco and many more Rangers were juiced out of their damn minds. So were the A’s and it wasn’t just position players. It goes without saying that a lot of baseball writers and Hall of fame voters are in denial right now.
By Steve McP
February 11, 2009 7:52 AM | Link to this
DOB - re your 12.41 - is there going to be a tutorial for the readers of the blog too?
By TBraveFan
February 11, 2009 7:53 AM | Link to this
Frank Wren: Shame on you - first you have the Peavy fiasco, then the Burnett mess, add in the Furcal scandal and then Smoltz walks away because he’s not feelin’ the Wren love… You then panic when the fans are in an uproar and overpay for Lowe (glad to have him -don’t get me wrong)… Now you have a veteran leader, a left handed pitching veteran who has made it known to all that Atlanta is where he wants to prove himself a winner again, and there’s a question on whether he should get a respectable offer?
Tommy’s healthier than he’s been in the past few years, never made any loud noises about a contract offer before he had proven to himself he is capable of pitching and winning — and did I mention he’s a left handed pitcher…with over 300 wins? Shame on you Frank Wren if you do not offer Tommy at least the same incentives you were giving Smoltz.
You have before you today, the second player this off season who has shown the utmost desire to be here to contribute to a winning season - you passed on AJ, don’t make the same mistake with Tommy. Please….
By Billy Walsh
February 11, 2009 8:11 AM | Link to this
Glavine is 42 years old and coming off a major injury. The braves overpaid him 8 million dollars last year to go 2-4 with a 5 era. A potential three million dollar for Glavine is very fair. Scott Olsen 8-11 4.20 era 200 innnings pitched signed a one year 2.4 million dollar contract. The braves have more pressing needs than starting pitching. We have still have an outfield that hit 27 homer runs last year. In todays economy with 7% of total population out of work and people losing their homes and you feel that a potential 3 million dollar is unrespectable? In addition, the Peavy fiasco was not his fault. Would you have given up Heyward or Hanson? Plus, many people feel that Peavy rejected the trade. As for Burnett, he went to the highest bidder. No one is going to outbid the Yankees when they want something. How can you fault Wren for that one? And Furcal? Are you really going to blame him on that one too? I would be mad at Wren for not signing an OF bat like he said he would. With Abreu going to the Angels…there is little left to choose from.
By Couch Tater
February 11, 2009 8:26 AM | Link to this
“Someone should speak out on this subject, and speak out strongly,” says Dr. Robert Kerlan, until recently the physician for the Los Angeles Dodgers as well as a number of athletes in all sports. “The excessive and secretive use of drugs is likely to become a major athletic scandal, one that will shake public confidence in many sports”…
Source: Sports Illustrated June 23, 1969
link if you’re interested in the article: http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1082543/2/index.htm
By 'toga party
February 11, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this
The blurb about Abreu (from Neyer I think) contained a tidbit that I’ve been concerned about for a few days now. Between the offer to Glavine, not pursuing Ohman, and lack of a solid offer to Abreu, the Braves are looking like they are out of budgeted payroll. I don’t think these actions are indicative of getting ready to land a big left field bat. They look more like a tightening of the purse strings. I can’t imagine that Liberty Media is unaffected by the current economic situation.
By 'toga party
February 11, 2009 8:41 AM | Link to this
Woops, it was a Crasnick article, not Neyer.
By Efrim
February 11, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this
“Between the offer to Glavine, not pursuing Ohman, and lack of a solid offer to Abreu, the Braves are looking like they are out of budgeted payroll. I don’t think these actions are indicative of getting ready to land a big left field bat. They look more like a tightening of the purse strings. I can’t imagine that Liberty Media is unaffected by the current economic situation.”
Or they value Ohman, Glavine and whatever the left fielder may cost at a certain dollar amount and are sticking to that amount. Personally, I think giving Glavine 3 million guaranteed is crazy, but they haven’t done that yet so we’ll see where it goes. Let’s see what the Angels actually give Abreu before figuring out if the Braves went cheap all of a sudden. I hear 6-8 million to work with, so maybe they will opt to sign Glavine(1-2 million) and trade for Nick Swisher(5.3 million).
By Run Heap Run
February 11, 2009 8:53 AM | Link to this
So the Angels got Abreu? I keep reading they are “expected” to sign him.
Hey DOB, I’ve been using a wordpress blog for a while, I’ll be glad to help ya out if you need it….just let me know and I’ll email you. I don’t know what you used before but wordpress has some really cool features once you figure it all out.
By STRETCH
February 11, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this
Toga party….i know for a fact they dont have the money. But thats what happens when you have guys making tons of money but not willing to a pay cut. Thats the only way this team is going to be competitive the season.
Plus, they should have taken a chance on Andrew for 500K. Better than spending 5M on a 37 year old outfielder. Atleast Andrew can play defense and on top of that, the guy shows up this year 25 pounds lighter, so there he’s showing that he’s trying.
Swisher, Nady or Griffey or whoever…ANYBODY is better than the group they have out there now!
By Carroll Rogers
February 11, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this
Glavine just confirmed that he’s meeting with Frank Wren today to talk contract. So we’ll see if this thing gets resolved one way or the other.
Also, FYI, Kawakami did not have any visa problems and was expected to land in Orlando last night. That leaves him a couple of days to get over jet lag before things kick up in…Dark Star?
By Dadgum
February 11, 2009 8:54 AM | Link to this
Coach, agree with your 3:06 on all points. I have been commenting for months about the Braves needing to play their youth. My main point being that the Braves have lost faith on any of the outfielders turning it around and are looking to bring in Abreu or whomever as if they are going to magically change everything.
There is no guarantee that a proven veteran is going to produce as the Braves want them to do. We have Diaz, Anderson, and Blanco that can do a good job in LF. Maybe they don’t have a killer year but if you bring in a veteran at 6 mil and he tanks then you have a bigger problem. Again, and I have said this at least a dozen times, I would put Kelly in LF and Prado at 2nd.
TBraveFan….Glavine has an offer on the table. He can take it or walk. Nobody cares that he has won over 300 games. That is the past, we play in the present and build for the future. Right now the Braves have 5 pitchers for the 5th starting slot. None of them named Glavine. So, exactly what is your rationale for offering him Smoltz-type dollars? Sure he wants to play for Atlanta. If he really wants to play badly then he will take the offer and be thankful. Actually I am shocked he was even offered a contract.
Frankly the 5th slot favorite is Hanson probably followed by Morton. Glavine would have to have a lot of guys falter in front of him to take that slot.
Rock on…..UNC @ Duke—I like Carolina by 10 here. Say 80-70.
By ncscoots
February 11, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
Hasn’t it been the Braves’ MO to trade for a bat all along, rather than sign a FA? That’s how I remember the comments earlier in the offseason. If so, then wouldn’t it be likely that whoever is on their radar would fit into the payroll as currently constructed?
As for Glavine, there may be sufficient baseball reasons to sign him, but “veteran leadership” is already plentiful on the staff with Hudson and Lowe. Don’t think you need Glavine for that reason, alone.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 11, 2009 9:02 AM | Link to this
JCP “So who is batting clean up when McCann is off? Francoeur?”
If the Braves are smart, they’ll go into the season without either one of them as their cleanup guy. Can’t put Frenchy there until he proves himself.
…No, they could do it…
Anyway, I was kinda hoping for Abreu, I don’t know why. Looking at Swisher’s stats, I wouldn’t be overjoyed if they picked him up. Nady wouldn’t be horrible.
But they gotta do something. Nuthin against McCann, but they shouldn’t count on their catcher to be the cleanup guy. He should be fifth…Francoeur cann bat sixth or seventh.
I remember during Spring Training last year, Fan-heart and I had a fight about who should bat fifth—McCann or Francoeur? Pretty chaotic, but I’m willing to forget the whole thing.
By McFann O –[zzz] (Braves Fann For Life)
February 11, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this
DOB “But it sure is an entirely different process. I’m a creature of habit, so it’s gonna take some getting used to.”
That goes for me, too—not to keen on change. But you gotta do what you gotta do, I guess.
When will the switch take place? Just please give us a warning…
By Urban Braves Fan
February 11, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this
Danks fo’ de downdate on Glavine, Mrs. Rogers. Hopefully dis wahtahmellun gits resolved one way o’ anoda’ today, likes ya’ said, so’s de Braves kin move on and git dat left field bat. Here be hopin’ t’a “Braves sign Glavine” ‘haidline late today.
By Ricardo
February 11, 2009 9:13 AM | Link to this
Has anyone seen today’s NY Post story that Robbie Alomar has AIDS? I know the Post is usually full of it, but there is a big story on it right here:
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=mlb/news/newstest.aspx?id=4211009
If true, wow, that sucks.
By Efrim
February 11, 2009 9:32 AM | Link to this
Ricardo, heard that on the radio this morning. Crazy story.
By getnathan
February 11, 2009 9:41 AM | Link to this
RICARDO
I saw that report on another site Robbie Alomar is being reported as having full blown AIDS. Wow!!!!!
The Braves website is now saying that the Abreu is close to a deal with the Angels, so Braves attention will now turn to Swisher or Nady.
By csg
February 11, 2009 9:45 AM | Link to this
Abreu is off the market. Angels got him for $5mil + incentives. Hey thats Ross’ and Glavine’s offer combines. Sorry, but why are we offering Glavine this deal and missing out on an Of’r or a good loogy? Wren, I hope you got a backup plan
Crasnick saying that Glavines offer is $1 mil guaranteed, $1 mil for being on opening day roster, $1 mil for being on the roster for 60 days.
Unbelievable
By getnathan
February 11, 2009 9:46 AM | Link to this
Braves want Yankees to pick up about 2 million dollars of Swisher’s salary so they can get Swisher and sign Glavine.
Glavine’s signing, I believe, will allow for more seasoning in the minors for their young pitchers, and he would be a formidable 5th starter. Better than Kyle Kendrick, Tim Redding, or Chris Volstad.
By richbrave
February 11, 2009 9:47 AM | Link to this
May be my last post as I’ve tried WORDPRESS on some WASHINGTON blogs and have had no success to date. So DAVE, LEW et.al. see you in the funny papers unless I become more of a cyber-sophisticate.
By Wayne in Utah
February 11, 2009 9:50 AM | Link to this
I think *Coach and several others have made some good points recently, about going with what we have. I am OK if we add another outfield bat, but I am also OK if we don’t. I would rather have someone out there who can catch the ball.
As for Glavine, I hope they work something out today, but if they don’t, see ya later Tommy.
Coach While Diaz ain’t ever gonna get a gold glove, he has made some improvement. And you are right about hitting, although don’t expect too many walks from him. Of course, if he hits lefties at a .325plus clip, I can live with a minimal number of walks.
I kinda halfway hope Brandon Jones gets one more shot to shine. And, like many other Braves fans, I think we are counting on Schafer to be a contributor “early” on, and not in July or August. I just don’t see Anderson or Blanco being more than stop gap.
My dream, is for Schafer and Hanson to start the season in Atlanta, and have decent first years; and for Frenchy to find his 2005-2007 stroke. Some will still complain about his lower OBP, but what I remember is him hitting so well in the clutch, which is really what it’s all about (something Adam Dunn does NOT do).
By Najeh Davenpoop
February 11, 2009 9:51 AM | Link to this
MLB TRADES RUMORS.COM According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Angels and Bobby Abreu reached an agreement on a one-year deal worth a little more than $5MM plus incentives.
Abreu, 35 in March, hit .296/.371/.471 in 684 plate appearances for the Yankees last year while playing poor defense. He earned $16MM in ‘08. Many questioned Brian Cashman’s decision not to offer arbitration to Abreu, a Type A free agent. The decision was wise, as Abreu ended up taking a 69% pay cut in base salary. At the beginning of the offseason, most people expected him to get multiple years and at least $10MM per.
In Abreu, the Angels add some much-needed OBP to a team that ranked 11th in the AL last year in the crucial stat.
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, free agent lefty Tom Glavine is likely to make a decision within 36-48 hours on whether to take the Braves’ offer or move on. Crasnick describes the offer:
Also, sources said the Braves have offered Glavine a $1MM base salary, another $1MM if he’s on the Opening Day roster, and an additional $1MM after 60 days. Glavine is believed to be looking for some incentives that could kick in and increase the value of the deal if he’s able to make at least 25-30 starts. Glavine is also apparently willing to defer some salary to make a deal work with Atlanta.
Glavine, 42, had flexor tendon and shoulder surgery in August of last year.
By steve
February 11, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
Abreu to the Angels! missed out on that…no Ohman…and no OF yet…If this Yankee trade goes down…I like Nady…even if its for a year…
By Efrim
February 11, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this
Abreu to sign with the Angels for a little over 5 million plus incentives:
http://www.fannation.com/siblogs/hotstove/posts/49261-angels-and-abreu-agree-to-one-year-deal?eref=fromSI
Great deal for the Halos. Where is Adam Dunn going to play baseball next season? Looks like it’s the Nats or no one. Hopefully Wren can strike a deal for a bat.
By johnson's girl
February 11, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this
So I think you are confused Billy Walsh…..I understand what tbravefan is saying completely. It’s not that it is Wren’s fault for not signing those individuals, it is Wren’s fault for letting everyone, players included believe that the Braves were signing them. If it were JS still running things we would not have heard about anything until it was done. The whole Smoltz deal is a joke, and the fact of the matter is that if you could offer Smoltz that sort of deal, why not Tommy? He is a proven leader and with the youth that they have in their system, it makes sense that you give Tommy something close to what Smoltz was being offered or at least better than what he was offered. Not only will Tommy prove to be a good spot starter, but he will be a great teacher for the younger guys. Tommy has made it quite clear that he wants to be in Atlanta and it really isn;t about the money, btu the offer they gave him after the Smoltz incident is just an insult. Everybody always speaks so badly of Tommy for going to the Mets when he did, but the fact of the matter is that Tommy was NOT offered a contract from the Braves, so what was he to do….not pitch anymore…throw in the towel??? Smoltz just wanted more money, his ego needed to be stroked….clearly going with the Red Sox who were willing to pay him more not to pitch only indicates that Smoltz doesn’t have it in him anymore to be that reliable starter that he claims to be!
By Lee in S GA
February 11, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this
I see on Fox Sports.com that D. Strawberry just can’t tolerate another sports figure getting all the attention for drug use. He’s already trying to bring hype to his book “Straw, Finding My Way” due to be release in a couple of months of the mid 80’s Mets’ players. Drinking, drugs, fights, gambling, women, and groupies are the topics. Like all of this is such shocking news. After reading interviews in various articles through the years with players on that 86 World Champion team this really does should not come as a shock to anyone. Straw-man keep it to yourself - nobody cares.
By getnathan
February 11, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
Adam Dunn will probably sign with the Dodgers. Braves should go after him so they can hold on to their prospects. They will probably give up two prospects to get a Nick Swisher or Xavier Nady.
By getnathan
February 11, 2009 10:12 AM | Link to this
Or maybe Braves should set sights on Matt Holliday for next season and beyond (if they can afford a player like that).
By TBraveFan
February 11, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this
Dadgum - does the name Joey Devine ring a bell? Just because Hanson’s had success in the minor league level and in the fall league does NOT guarantee he will be successful up here at this point. I don’t want to see another kid being screwed up because he was rushed up too soon.
Hudson and Lowe are veterans, but Lowe does not know this team yet - and Huddy well, I don’t see him as the leader type. Tommy can and has been in a team leadership role and can mentor the young lefty pitchers and someone with 300+ wins has the experience to garner the respect of fellow teammates - to turn to that person for help and guidance. Someone said Smoltz’s presence on the bench alone was worth millions - so why not Tommy?
There is no way we should let Glavine walk away from this team without a decent offer. And the fact that, if indeed he offered to defer salary just shows you he really wants to win and win HERE now - this year.
By DAP
February 11, 2009 10:24 AM | Link to this
“Everybody always speaks so badly of Tommy for going to the Mets when he did, but the fact of the matter is that Tommy was NOT offered a contract from the Braves,” johnson’s girl
thats not how i remember it.glavine took a couple of million more from the mets. the braves gave him a good offer. the guy the braves didnt give and offer to is greg maddux. maybe your confused?
By David O'Brien
February 11, 2009 10:27 AM | Link to this
richbrave: good luck to us all in the transition to Wordpress. But I have no choice in making the move. We’re phasing out the current format very soon, and thus it simply won’t exist on our website.
By Lew
February 11, 2009 10:28 AM | Link to this
Johnson’s Girl-People (especially many Denizens here on the blog) are going to believe whatever it is that they believe in whether or not Frank Wren tells them to or not. Just scan the posts from the last four years or so if you want to see some of the most absurd beliefs ever believed.
Ryan Freel (Wayne In Utah still pines for him running into Turner Field Walls) or Carl Crawford, anyone? Coco Crisp, perhaps? Maybe Rocco Baldelli? Man Ram? AAAAArgh.
By David O'Brien
February 11, 2009 10:31 AM | Link to this
Steve McP: No, sorry, won’t be any tutorial for you folks. But I’m quite sure your part isn’t nearly as complicated as the changes at this end.
By getnathan
February 11, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this
If Glavine signs, the starting rotation would project to be:
Lowe, Vazquez, Jurrjens, Kawakami, and Glavine. Not bad I’d say (We still don’t know about Kawakami)
This will allow them to send down Hanson for more seasoning. Campillo and Carlyle will duke it out for the long man role.
By Urban Braves Fan
February 11, 2009 10:37 AM | Link to this
De sucka’s at da damn Atlanta Journal-Constitushun are insane t’switch ova’ to Wo’dpress. Dere be no reason o’ justificashun fo’ dis. Change fo’ de sake uh change neva’ wo’ks. Just cuz’ ya’ make sump’n look different duzn’t mean it looks better. Ah be baaad… Dis be absurd, keep de current look. This change idea be whack. Right On!
By DAP
February 11, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this
its too bad to see abreu off the market, especially for that price. hopefully wren WILL get someone to at least platoon in left field, because to be in it, i believe we need to get a hitter BEFORE the season starts.
By Wayne in Utah
February 11, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this
Amen Lew!!!
My mind can picture it now, Ryan racing across left-center (covering for Diaz) and crashing through the wall, and coming out the other side with the ball in his glove. (through might be hard, huh)
Whadddya think the O’s would take to give him up? Maybe we could send Blanco and Prado, cause he could replace them both!
:-)
By mbatl
February 11, 2009 10:48 AM | Link to this
Wonder if the Yanks might be interested in Infante as part of a deal for Swisher? Since he makes some money ($4.35 mil) over the next 2 years, that would provide a little salary relief for Atlanta.
If we had Swisher, we wouldn’t really need Omar for CF backup… and Diory Hernandez could step in to help b/u middle infield.
By getnathan
February 11, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this
Josh Anderson is a Ryan Freel type player but he can’t play the infield. Freel is scrappy and has speed, but Anderson also has speed and is scrappy. Just the type of player the Braves need.
By Urban Braves Fan
February 11, 2009 10:51 AM | Link to this
dat AJC honkey jus deleted dis brotha’s fust two posts earlia’ today.
screw dat s&@# yo i be stealin mi Braves’ info from oda’ blogs fo’ now on
By ChopShop860
February 11, 2009 10:52 AM | Link to this
DOB
What is your least favorite major league city that you have to have to travel to?
By PTBNL
February 11, 2009 10:56 AM | Link to this
Either Glavine is really dumb or he thinks the Braves front office and their fans are.
“I don’t need the money…” “It is not about the money…”
“I have something to prove…”
(not direct quotes…. but you know the gist of what he said)
Ok Prove it! Don’t make it a matter of money!!! But that is what it boils down to.
Ummm Please!!! Don’t insult us!
He said that you have to make it “worth it”. Well… if money is not the issue. How can the Braves make it worth it by paying more money? Also, Worth it? Are you kidding me? People spend their whole lives doing things that really matter and don’t make a million dollars in a lifetime. And it is not worth more than a million dollars for you to “play” baseball???
This whole thing is as sickening as the rest of the trash that is going on. A-rod and company, etc.
Where can one find true sports any more?
Fans have become so accustomed to hearing multi-millions (dollars) and not even having any perspective of its meaning. To speak of players “deserving” so many millions of dollars…. is sad. When people are helping hurting people for and making only 10s of thousands of dollars. Can we not see that something is wrong here?
By Mark in Indy
February 11, 2009 10:58 AM | Link to this
Wordpress can’t be any worse than CCI can it?
By Efrim
February 11, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this
“its too bad to see abreu off the market, especially for that price. hopefully wren WILL get someone to at least platoon in left field, because to be in it, i believe we need to get a hitter BEFORE the season starts.”
Agreed.
By rotty
February 11, 2009 11:10 AM | Link to this
The Yankees are not going to take on any salary for Swisher or Nady.
Up here in NYC the word is (local papers/radio etc) the only way they reconsider taking on salary is for significant prospects.
Nady costs more that Abreu (just signed for) and Swisher as well though we don’t yet know about the incentives in Abreu’s deal.
Trading for either one (Swisher or Nady) will be the same knee