A quick positive note.

by lacrosse_cat on Jul 24, 2008 9:23 PM EDT

I know with the disappointing season we tend to get caught up in the negatives (record, injuries, Francoeur). And trade talk lights up the message boards. But just for a minute let us appreciate the good things.

Anyone want to wager a guess who has been the most productive catcher over the past calendar year? That's right, our very own Brian McCann.

http://www.fangraphs.com/leaders.aspx?pos=c&stats=bat&lg=all&qual=400&type=1&season=2008&month=10

Without getting into the stats and sabermetrics too much, Brian leads all catchers in Runs Created and 3rd in Runs per 27 outs (to normalize for playing time). Not too shabby. This one's to you Mr. McCann (and you should be the "face" of the Braves moving forward since you produce, and produce well).

2 recs | Comment 25 comments

Read Related

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Your positivity isn't welcome here.

I’d much rather harshly critique everyone else’s trade theories, whether they’re just hypothetical, fantasy or just plain “I wish.”

Just kidding. Your comment is welcome, and recommended. That’s awesome, but I for one don’t need to see any graphs to know that Brian McCann is pretty much the best catcher in the National League, if not the majors right about now.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Jul 24, 2008 10:39 PM EDT 0 recs

Don't let royhobbs alarm you

He’s just a little snarky ‘cause he saw the cat pic and thought the post would revolve around
cougars
...not catchers

LOL!

by Lizziebeth on Jul 24, 2008 11:09 PM EDT up 0 recs

Thanks Lizzie

No offense taken from royhobbs. I understand futility makes people jumpy, after all I grew up a University of Kentucky football fan… Ouch, I know.

Just thought I should take the opportunity to pump up my second fav Bravo (Behind Chipper, of course). And an excuse to introduce myself around here. Been lurking, but been overdue to speak up.

by lacrosse_cat on Jul 25, 2008 1:45 AM EDT up 0 recs

Welcome aboard.

“record, injuries, Francoeur” = +1

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 25, 2008 8:53 AM EDT up 0 recs

Haha, I said I was just joking. It’s nice to see a reprieve from the same arguments day after day with some good stuff. I’m all for positive reinforcement as much as a doting parent. By the by, welcome aboard, as well.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Jul 25, 2008 8:55 AM EDT up 0 recs

Kentucky fans

are always welcome.

"Have you ever had your heart broken?"
"Yeah, when we lost the pennant in '87."

by jug on Jul 25, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah...

the UT fans need someone to shoot down. ;-)

by sddbaker on Jul 25, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up 0 recs

Yeah, we have to stick together. I had first noticed you on ASoB, where your avatar sticks out a bit.

by lacrosse_cat on Jul 25, 2008 5:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Last night...

....my kids asked me if I am a cougar. Geez.

by sddbaker on Jul 25, 2008 12:39 PM EDT up 0 recs

this was supposed to be...

a reply to Lizzie…..

by sddbaker on Jul 25, 2008 12:40 PM EDT up 0 recs

haha, how’d you defuse that question?

I guess I should be one to talk.
There's nights that I can't even walk.
There's days I couldn't give a fuck.
And in between is where I'm stuck.

by Smoltz's Beard on Jul 25, 2008 12:55 PM EDT up 0 recs

I am...

...curious to know where your kids even heard the term, aside from perhaps looking over your shoulder at the computer screen.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Jul 25, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up 0 recs

Uh...well...

my kids are sort of old enough to have heard a lot of terms… but I had them when I was 10 years old, of course.

by sddbaker on Jul 25, 2008 2:51 PM EDT up 0 recs

afdkjhga

people have been asking me lately, “why the hell are you still watching the braves?” my answer is that i’ve sort of gone from tracking the braves as a team to getting pumped about individual performances. of course i’m still keeping my eye on the standings, but your post certainly highlights a tangible, non-bullshit positive in our awesome catcher, and i’d like to add a few others who have kept me excited as well:

jair—he is hope

chipper—i’ve never cheered louder for a short-stroke bloop single

mike gonzalez— came back hot with the gonzo whoaaaaaaa dizzy wobble

by brndn on Jul 25, 2008 12:55 AM EDT 0 recs

That’s as good of a reason as I can think of.

by lacrosse_cat on Jul 25, 2008 1:47 AM EDT up 0 recs

Very, very simple answer

Because we’re fans.

Just because we’re not winning doesn’t mean we shouldn’t cheer for them. Those who ask that question are usually the ones who abandon their own teams the minute playoff contention seems unlikely, and begin cheering for the Boston Red Sox.

I can’t speak for others, but I couldn’t switch allegiances easily even if I wanted to. I have a hard time watching baseball if it doesn’t feature anyone I can stretch into a Braves reference.

No wonder nobody likes you, Tuttle... everything's a (Pujols) damn debate.

by royhobbs on Jul 25, 2008 8:57 AM EDT up 0 recs

+1

Sometimes it’s frustrating and I end up turning off the TV/stream/radio during the middle of the game, but half the time I end up coming back a few innings later, or at least check the score later that day. And of course I’ll always be watching tomorrow.

by VictorW on Jul 25, 2008 11:14 AM EDT up 0 recs

I keep watching...

...because I love my team. They are my team. Sort of like my kids are my kids. They are all great kids, but it they became ax murdering skinheads, they would still be mine, and I would still love them.

by sddbaker on Jul 25, 2008 12:45 PM EDT up 0 recs

Amen

Well said everyone.

by Lizziebeth on Jul 25, 2008 2:49 PM EDT up 0 recs

I watch them...

because it’s what I do. My mom and dad did, my grandparents did. I watched the Braves before I could stand, before I could speak. I watched them when they spent a decade in hell between 1983 and 1991. I watched them when they rewarded us all for our years of pain with 14 years of success, long past the time we took them for granted.

Fans are irrational. Damn right.

by mcboyt on Jul 25, 2008 10:03 PM EDT up 0 recs

Why am I still watching?

Because ~~they’re~~ we’re still playing!

by skipcaray on Jul 25, 2008 10:54 PM EDT up 0 recs

Indiana boy

I went to Indiana University so I can honestly say that no Kentucky fans are welcome.

Just kidding. I wanted to get a jab in.

My Hoosiers are gonna suck in basketball for awhile. Ugh, how pathetic.

Braves played pretty good baseball tonight, especially Jurrjens & McCann. Francouer got 2 hits! He still sucks, he’s becoming a singles hitting guy. Poor Franc, hope he finds his swing soon.

by Sparhawk on Jul 25, 2008 10:58 PM EDT 0 recs

I have no beef w/ IU fans, remember I’m a football guy (I barely even watch basketball). And IU football has been every bit as bad as my team.

Plus I had plenty of friends who went to IU and I love the campus (and the parties, those were really good).

by lacrosse_cat on Jul 25, 2008 11:33 PM EDT up 0 recs