This spring was miserable. Mid-February pitchers and catchers arrived at camp. The WBC was played and left the Braves without Chipper, B-Mac, Vasquez, and others. Ken Griffey said he liked Atlanta...then went to Seattle. We got Garret Anderson instead (younger, higher career avg). Glavine's fastball topped out at 80mph while a guy named Hanson topped out a 99 mph (he was sent to AAA Gwinett). Two 19 year olds carried the Braves while the vets were playing for their WBC teams (they're in A ball as well). A 22 year old named Schafer essentially locked up the center field job with a .350 avg and 5 stolen bases. This spring training has felt like a season in itself. On the immediate horizon, however, is the first meaningful game of 2009 against the Phillies.
I like this Braves team - a lot. Sure, I am biased, but I operate on facts.
Fact 1- The Rotation is solid. These guys should "eat innings" and if you are able to "eat innings" then that means first of all that you are pitching well enough to be left in the game. This will also benefit our bullpen.
Fact 2 - The bullpen may be one of the best in the majors. The huge factor here is health. If Soriano can show up and Moylan's arm be totally healed, then Gonzalez can be money in that closer role - he converted 33 straight saves over two years before his surgery.
Fact 3 - Franceour will rebound. This guy is talented, too talented to be a .230 hitter with 0 power. He has worked on his swing and will be much improved in 09.
Fact 4 - Brian McCann is the best catcher in baseball.
Fact 5 - Home runs aren't everything. We did not add a legitimate 30 homer guy in the offseason, but we don't need it. Home runs are not the only way to score in this game. This is why on base percentage is important when paired with runs and rbi. The team OBP will be up this year with Anderson and Kotchman proving reliable and the returning batting champ, Mr. Jones bringing his .300 to the plate. Franceour will be better and Johnson and Escobar will be consistent.
Fact 6 - Our bench is very deep. We've got Norton, Infante, Prado, and the newly acquired Ross, who will spell B-mac from time to time. All of these guys are potential starters on other teams - with the exception of Norton - and all will provide sound D and O off the bench.
Fact 7 - We improved the most in our division this offseason. One analyst called the Braves rotation reconstruction the best job this side of the Yankees (Sabathia and Burnett). The Mets did drastically improve their bullpen, which probably is the best in baseball on paper, but their rotation is not pretty, lacking depth and certainty after their ace, Santana. The Phillies are looking at the same issues, with Hamels coming off his heaviest workload of his career last year and experiencing elbow discomfort this spring. Their bullpen will be hard pressed to be as efficienct this year as it was last year. The Marlins are very talented, but very young, and the Nats still have several holes.
All of this leads to one conclusion: The Braves may be the team to beat in the East again. Certainly they should be wild-card contenders.
Friday, April 3, 2009
UGA's Coaching Hire
The Dawgs hired Mark Fox from Nevada yesterday. Many are calling it a suprise move because he wasn't on any speculators' lists for the job. His record at Nevada is very impressive (70 games over .500) and he has 3 tourney appearances. This is at Nevada...He now comes to a school with some of the best prospects in the country playing ball for high schools all over the state. I don't know much about this guy, or what he does, but I like the hire. Mainly because a name like Mark Fox just sounds like a winner. I like the fact that he took a mid major to the tourney and had some success there. I like the fact that he was under the radar.
Basically, I think it doesent matter what this guy does. The Men's basketball team has been under scrutiny this year for not being a consistently good team - but it has been like that more often than not in Athens. Perhaps the scrutiny comes now because fans have grown complacent about the football team. 10 win seasons are all too common in Athens these days and the fans have been privy to a remarkable consistency that has put Georgia Football among the elite teams in the country. Much like the Braves' run of 14 years, complacency has set in for that area of athletics. It must be time now to focus on an area that has been ignored for nearly 30 years - the bball team.
Basically, I think it doesent matter what this guy does. The Men's basketball team has been under scrutiny this year for not being a consistently good team - but it has been like that more often than not in Athens. Perhaps the scrutiny comes now because fans have grown complacent about the football team. 10 win seasons are all too common in Athens these days and the fans have been privy to a remarkable consistency that has put Georgia Football among the elite teams in the country. Much like the Braves' run of 14 years, complacency has set in for that area of athletics. It must be time now to focus on an area that has been ignored for nearly 30 years - the bball team.
Hawks Poised for One and Done
The Hawks began this season with a bang, winning six straight games against teams like Orlando and New Orleans - and won these on the road. Optimism was high for this fan, who still lacks the understanding that seasons in the NBA are very young in November. Now it is April and the Hawks have all but secured the 4th seed in the Conference. I should be excited, but I'm not.
The Hawks are very consistently incosistent. That opening week Orlando win? They turned that into a mid-season trouncing by losing to the Magic in two games by a combined 60 points. They ended Cleveland's winning streak early in the season to be beaten by them convincingly two weeks ago. The Celtics have yet to be beaten in the regular season.
If they cannot be consistently intense on the defensive end of the floor, these Hawks are going to be done in the first round. The 76ers are a bad matchup for the Hawks and recently destroyed their zone defense to beat the birds. The Heat have an MVP that will take a game - or 4 - over. When the Hawks lose, it is because they play uninspired defense. They better find some intensity, and fast.
The Hawks are very consistently incosistent. That opening week Orlando win? They turned that into a mid-season trouncing by losing to the Magic in two games by a combined 60 points. They ended Cleveland's winning streak early in the season to be beaten by them convincingly two weeks ago. The Celtics have yet to be beaten in the regular season.
If they cannot be consistently intense on the defensive end of the floor, these Hawks are going to be done in the first round. The 76ers are a bad matchup for the Hawks and recently destroyed their zone defense to beat the birds. The Heat have an MVP that will take a game - or 4 - over. When the Hawks lose, it is because they play uninspired defense. They better find some intensity, and fast.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
About the Braves
The rumors that have surfaced recently about Ken Griffey Jr. coming to the Braves organization to fill the left field void have incresed my enthusiasm about the upcoming season. Let us examine first the path that led the Braves to this position and then we may try to figure out whether or not this is a good thing for the 2009 season.
If anyone remembers the Rapheal Furcal debacle, they may also remember that the former Brave was expected to play second upon re-joining the club, moving Kelly Johnson to left...this would have voided the need for Griffey. Dunn and Abreau signed contracts with the Angels and Nats, respectively and Ramirez is way out of the price range. The trade with NY fell through because the Yankees were seemingly unwilling to take on some of Swisher's salary. Then there is Ken Griffey, Jr. He has been barely a blip on the radar of any major league team this winter. Out of the blue, the Braves surface as one of the clubs that would enlist his services in left field.
So what does this mean for '09 (should he sign with us)?
Let me offer a disclaimer: I grew up with Jr. He was the best all around player in baseball in the 90's, in my opinion. He is the one player that could have reached 800 home runs had he stayed helathy 800. That is a bold statement, I realize, but he has 611 HR's at the age of 39 and was absent for a while (the Reds years). So you may see how my next revelation will be quite skewed.
Assuming Griffey does sign with the Braves for '09, the immediate impact will be ticket sales. Griffey is a Hall of Famer without question and a member of a very exclusive club - 600 HRs. People will still pay to see him for the opportunity to catch #612 (or any other #). I am 2 1/2 hours away from "The Ted" and am considering several games this summer, just for the chance to see a great. I realize that we have Glavine and Chipper and that they are too HOFers, but we have seen them time and time again. Griffey is fresh, exciting, and a new kind of legend for the Braves: A home run king.
How does this translate into W's for the fan? Quite frankly, it doesen't. Griffey may not be capable of improving our ballclub the way a Ramirez or Rodriguez would anymore. Almost everyone has written him off as done, washed up, card carying AARP member. I still believe, however. I believe that a surgically repaired knee can rejuvinate the Kid for one more magical season. Not a 50 HR season, but a .280 avg., 100 RBIs and 30 HRs magical. He will have the opportunity for at least one of those stats with Anderson (projected), Escobar and Jones in front of him, and the right handers in the NL East are not as good as the Lefties.
This is all likely a pipedream, however. I love Griffey, because he has yet to let me down ('roids) and he could have been the greatest of all time (injuries). His swing is majestic and his character is fun. He would do well for Atlanta and for baseball if he signs for the Braves. So get it together, Griffey and Frank Wren, don't screw this up.
If anyone remembers the Rapheal Furcal debacle, they may also remember that the former Brave was expected to play second upon re-joining the club, moving Kelly Johnson to left...this would have voided the need for Griffey. Dunn and Abreau signed contracts with the Angels and Nats, respectively and Ramirez is way out of the price range. The trade with NY fell through because the Yankees were seemingly unwilling to take on some of Swisher's salary. Then there is Ken Griffey, Jr. He has been barely a blip on the radar of any major league team this winter. Out of the blue, the Braves surface as one of the clubs that would enlist his services in left field.
So what does this mean for '09 (should he sign with us)?
Let me offer a disclaimer: I grew up with Jr. He was the best all around player in baseball in the 90's, in my opinion. He is the one player that could have reached 800 home runs had he stayed helathy 800. That is a bold statement, I realize, but he has 611 HR's at the age of 39 and was absent for a while (the Reds years). So you may see how my next revelation will be quite skewed.
Assuming Griffey does sign with the Braves for '09, the immediate impact will be ticket sales. Griffey is a Hall of Famer without question and a member of a very exclusive club - 600 HRs. People will still pay to see him for the opportunity to catch #612 (or any other #). I am 2 1/2 hours away from "The Ted" and am considering several games this summer, just for the chance to see a great. I realize that we have Glavine and Chipper and that they are too HOFers, but we have seen them time and time again. Griffey is fresh, exciting, and a new kind of legend for the Braves: A home run king.
How does this translate into W's for the fan? Quite frankly, it doesen't. Griffey may not be capable of improving our ballclub the way a Ramirez or Rodriguez would anymore. Almost everyone has written him off as done, washed up, card carying AARP member. I still believe, however. I believe that a surgically repaired knee can rejuvinate the Kid for one more magical season. Not a 50 HR season, but a .280 avg., 100 RBIs and 30 HRs magical. He will have the opportunity for at least one of those stats with Anderson (projected), Escobar and Jones in front of him, and the right handers in the NL East are not as good as the Lefties.
This is all likely a pipedream, however. I love Griffey, because he has yet to let me down ('roids) and he could have been the greatest of all time (injuries). His swing is majestic and his character is fun. He would do well for Atlanta and for baseball if he signs for the Braves. So get it together, Griffey and Frank Wren, don't screw this up.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Intersting News on AJC.com
Obviously, I don't follow UGA basketball very much, but an article on the ajc.com website has required my attention. Just to update those who may not know, UGA Men's basketball is winless this year in conference games and Dennis Felton was fired recently for the teams shortcomings...UGA was the SEC tournament champion last year under Felton.
Anywho...The AJC is speculating that Bob Knight may be interested in the job at UGA. Furman Bisher has an intriguing article in which his primary source is a friend of Knight's: http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-%20blogs/ajc/bisher/entries/2009/01/31/bob_knight_interested_in_uga_j.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Wow, this would electrify the UGA program. Let's face it, whether or not you like Bob Knight, he has 902 ways to prove you wrong - more than any other coach - and the UGA basketball program would suddenly be in HD on ESPN (see Texas Tech). Personally, I am all for it, win or lose. Anything that will actually make me interested in UGA basketball is a good thing for me. The turnouts at the Dawgs' arena for games is enough alone to make one want to change the channel...
Let's hope this rumor has some weight.
Anywho...The AJC is speculating that Bob Knight may be interested in the job at UGA. Furman Bisher has an intriguing article in which his primary source is a friend of Knight's: http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-%20blogs/ajc/bisher/entries/2009/01/31/bob_knight_interested_in_uga_j.html?cxntlid=homepage_tab_newstab
Wow, this would electrify the UGA program. Let's face it, whether or not you like Bob Knight, he has 902 ways to prove you wrong - more than any other coach - and the UGA basketball program would suddenly be in HD on ESPN (see Texas Tech). Personally, I am all for it, win or lose. Anything that will actually make me interested in UGA basketball is a good thing for me. The turnouts at the Dawgs' arena for games is enough alone to make one want to change the channel...
Let's hope this rumor has some weight.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
2009 Falcons Draft
The draft is already a hot topic for 30 teams in the NFL. For the Falcons, defense has been the topic of greatest attention. There have been several reports on what the Falcons will do, including the well-respected Mel Kiper's first Mock Draft of 2009: http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/insider/news/story?id=3849927 . He projects the Falcons taking an OLB/DE in Larry English from Northern Illinois.
One Atlanta Journal Constitution report has the D as the main focus and cites Dimitroff as the source for this information: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/printedition/2009/01/22/bradley0122.html?cxntlid=inform_artr
My concern, however, is the offensive line. Some believe that the O-line was exposed in the playoffs by Arizona and even referred to Atlanta's success in the run game and pass protection as "smoke and mirrors." This need will be addressed, I believe, but perhaps not in the first round. Let's face it, the Falcons will not have a sexy draft. QB's, RB's, and WR's are sexy. Defensive Tackles, Outside Linebackers, and Safeties, are not. Neither are Centers. Aside from Ryan, Ovie, Turner, and Lofton on Defense, look for Atlanta to adress the middle of both sides of the ball. They inched into this territory last year with DeCoud and in 2007 with Datish from Ohio State. Decoud is not quite like the head hunting run-stuffing Milloy, and Datish was cut. Grady Jackson is 35 and 375, and McClure, though still very effective, will be entering his 14th year.
We cannot go through another year with the same talent on the O-line and expect to get away with it - nor can we expect to ride the backs of 35 + year old players. Dimitroff is a fantastic GM and talent evaluator, and Coach Smith is a great mind who knows what he needs for his game plan, thus, the Falcons will be in great shape after the draft, just don't expect it to be sexy.
One Atlanta Journal Constitution report has the D as the main focus and cites Dimitroff as the source for this information: http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/printedition/2009/01/22/bradley0122.html?cxntlid=inform_artr
My concern, however, is the offensive line. Some believe that the O-line was exposed in the playoffs by Arizona and even referred to Atlanta's success in the run game and pass protection as "smoke and mirrors." This need will be addressed, I believe, but perhaps not in the first round. Let's face it, the Falcons will not have a sexy draft. QB's, RB's, and WR's are sexy. Defensive Tackles, Outside Linebackers, and Safeties, are not. Neither are Centers. Aside from Ryan, Ovie, Turner, and Lofton on Defense, look for Atlanta to adress the middle of both sides of the ball. They inched into this territory last year with DeCoud and in 2007 with Datish from Ohio State. Decoud is not quite like the head hunting run-stuffing Milloy, and Datish was cut. Grady Jackson is 35 and 375, and McClure, though still very effective, will be entering his 14th year.
We cannot go through another year with the same talent on the O-line and expect to get away with it - nor can we expect to ride the backs of 35 + year old players. Dimitroff is a fantastic GM and talent evaluator, and Coach Smith is a great mind who knows what he needs for his game plan, thus, the Falcons will be in great shape after the draft, just don't expect it to be sexy.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Braves Offseason Moves
John Smoltz is a Red Sox. That is about how this offseason could be summed up until Monday, the 12th. The Braves were repeatedly let down by rumours and trade talks that consistently fell through. At one time, Derrick Lowe was considered to be of no interest to the Braves, until he was the last pitcher left that could lead a rotation. Now our rotation will debut with three new faces, including the first Japanese player in a Braves uniform. The missing piece is a legitimate power bat in the lineup. As it stands right now, there is a legitimate chance that no one in the lineup will reach 25 homeruns. Ouch. Spring training is right around the corner, so we will have to see if Wren has anything else up his sleeve.
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