Tomahawk Chops: Daily Atlanta Braves News Clippings For Thursday, July 28th

by gondeee on Jul 28, 2011 8:25 AM EDT in Tomahawk Chops

Your one-page daily morning overview of Atlanta Braves news:

Braves quotes after Wednesday 10-inn. win over Pirates | Atlanta Braves
"Great evening, not only behind the plate, made a nice tag at the plate, was able to hold that team to one run for 10 innings with multiple pitchers and drive in two. He did a terrific job." "Freddie Freeman got three hits and a big hit there to go first and third. The bullpen, terrific job. We’re running on fumes down there right now. For them to shut them out for three innings with O’Flaherty and Kimbrel and Linebrink…. For me the play of the game was JJ on that bunt to end that seventh. If he only gets one out there, then we have to bring in Georgie (Sherrill) in to get those left-handers, maybe becomes a little different game. It was a heads-up play by him. "Good win. Two in a row, got a chance tomorrow to maybe win the series."

Braves' trade needs magnified with injuries to Brian McCann, Chipper Jones, Jordan Schafer | braves.com: News
Now, it seems they're still hoping to add a right-handed hitter who can fortify the lineup immediately and when it once again also includes McCann, Jones and Schafer. "Obviously [McCann's injury] changes a little bit, but I think we were going to change the club no matter what," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said.

Braves' Tim Hudson nearly played left field in 19-inning game on Tuesday | braves.com: News
"We were all ripping on Huddy the whole game," catcher David Ross said. "He had on his spikes and batting gloves from, like, the ninth inning on. He was annoying me every time I walked by. I was like, 'You are not getting in this game.'" [...] But Gonzalez wasn't short on other volunteers. "[Freddie] Freeman wanted to volunteer to pitch," he said. "I said, 'No.'"

Fredi expresses sympathy for umpire Meals | braves.com: News
Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez was not happy with Jerry Meals when he was ejected during the ninth inning of Tuesday night's 19-inning win over the Pirates. But he sympathized with what the veteran umpire has experienced since ending the marathon affair with a controversial call at the plate.

Umpire Jerry Meals admitted that me made the wrong call | braves.com: News
Standing inside the umpires' locker room shortly before Wednesday's game, umpire Jerry Meals admitted that, after reviewing the play several times, his decision to call Atlanta's Julio Lugo safe on a 19th-inning play at the plate on Tuesday night was incorrect.

Braves brighten spirits at children's hospital | braves.com: News
Eight Braves players, three coaches and both of the club's broadcasters made their way over to the Shepherd Center and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Wednesday to participate in a Christmas in July celebration. "I'm so proud of them. I think our group of guys are great," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "And now, I even hold them in a higher esteem. Here they are 10 hours after playing, and they're out there doing something for the people at Shepherd. It's great. I'm really proud of them."

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Comments

I wonder if there’s ever been a situation where a position player was pitching, and a pitcher was in the field, in the post-expansion era?

by Broccoman on Jul 28, 2011 8:52 AM EDT reply actions

Didn’t the Phillies do that last year in an extra inning game? Ryan Howard got ejected in extra innings, and after they ran out of subs…so they had to move Ibanez to 1B and put Roy Oswalt in LF. I think they still had regular pitchers available though.

by TBuzz on Jul 28, 2011 9:07 AM EDT up reply actions

Also that Cards game in 2010 where our old friend Joe Mather pitched two innings, I think Kyle Lohse played the outfield. I bet there are more examples too.

by Shocked on Jul 28, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

July 2, 1999, Braves vs. Mets

Matt Franco came in to pitch, Rick Reed played CF.

Twitter: @TAlmeyda

by TonyAlmeyda on Jul 28, 2011 10:05 AM EDT up reply actions

in 2008 or 2009

Kyle Lohse played LF and some position player pitched for the Cardinals, it was against the Mets, they played 19 or 20 innings, I don’t remember

The PuertoRican Kid

by Kobe:The Legend on Jul 28, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I mentioned that in my comment above. Was in 2010 though. Guess who the position player was!

by Shocked on Jul 28, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Standing inside the umpires’ locker room shortly before Wednesday’s game, umpire Jerry Meals admitted that, after reviewing the play several times, his decision to call Atlanta’s Julio Lugo safe on a 19th-inning play at the plate on Tuesday night was incorrect.

In Other News:

My friend, Billy, admitted this morning that the sun indeed, is bright.

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 28, 2011 9:40 AM EDT reply actions

Did your friend previously maintain that the sun was dim?

by Ivan the Great on Jul 28, 2011 11:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Yes he did – despite all evidence to the contrary. He said he felt that the sun was more or less ole’-ing the earth, as opposed to shining brightly on it.

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 28, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions

You on fire to day, my friend. Dan Uggla type of fire.

"Baseball is the only place in life where a sacrifice is really appreciated."

by Grantdawg on Jul 28, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Every morning I wait for two headlines…

1. “Scott Proctor DFA’d”

2. “Braves trade Minor/Delgado for Upton/Bourn”

by liv4sport100 on Jul 28, 2011 10:10 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

My two

Braves aquire Jonny Damon for scraps
Braves acquire Pujols for Lowe, KK, Delgado, and Perez

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 28, 2011 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions

That second trade would be terrible

Eddie’s too valuable to the bullpen

by Fatvirus on Jul 28, 2011 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions

After the hospital visit...

…did Jordan Schafer get admitted?

"Just take out the whole Tim McCarver part of the broadcast and boom, the director has freed up a whopping 45 minutes of airtime." - Rob Iracane of Yahoo! Sports, 7/13/11

by carpengui on Jul 28, 2011 11:09 AM EDT reply actions

Considering the Shepherd Center is for major rehabilitation from catastrophic neck and spinal injuries...

No.

by TBuzz on Jul 28, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

I realize you really must hate Jordan Schafer as a baseball player but did you really mean to write that? Maybe you should follow this link: http://projects.ajc.com/gallery/view/sports/braves/braves-shepherd/

by JimH on Jul 28, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Latest from MLB trade rumors

The Phillies have now begun their own pursuit of Carlos Quentin of the White Sox and are also trying to look sat acquiring Hunter Pence from the Astros. The Nationals are looking to acquire Micheal Bourn as well. Braves need to consider making a move and making it now.

Ross is a excellent backup but we cant expect him to come close to producing anything remotely close to what BMac was doing in the lineup. Chipper may be able to go here in a day or two but Nate and Gonzo, and sad to say though he seems to be coming around, Heyward are not producing.

Beltran is gone and there is not much left as the market is starting to thin out here with least than 3 days to go till deadline.

by RazorbackBrave80 on Jul 28, 2011 11:24 AM EDT reply actions

Be ready for Ludwick or Willingham then they’ll cast Heyward back to the minors and welcome Schafer back with open arms from the DL.

by Ultada on Jul 28, 2011 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions

it will be quite humorous

when this happens. And by humorous i mean i’ll be throwing up all over the place

by Jonesy24 on Jul 28, 2011 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Ryan Ludwick. A guy who only plays LF, strikes out a ton, doesn’t walk and is in the middle of a slump.

Good God, I pray that’s not who we end up with.

by Fatvirus on Jul 28, 2011 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Ross is a excellent backup but we cant expect him to come close to producing anything remotely close to what BMac was doing in the lineup.

I don’t see why not. Ross will only have to fill in for 10-15 games that BMac would have started and we haven’t missed a beat with Ross in the past. He’s better defensively and just a notch below with the bat.

Hell, just look at last night.

by DCP916 on Jul 28, 2011 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Apparently we are in it for Quentin too

Not sure how I feel about that.

"He knows where he's throwing. If he didn't, there'd be dead bodies strewn all over Idaho." - Washington Senators scout on Walter Johnson

by Doghnut on Jul 28, 2011 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s all about the price. I’d be happy if we could get him without giving up any of our top arms, Salcedo, or Bethancourt.

by ducheneaux13 on Jul 28, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Only concern with Quentin

He plays right field. I am not big on platooning Heyward with him nor I am a fan of sitting Schafer in favor of Nate. Thats the main and only reason I say don’t trade for him

by RazorbackBrave80 on Jul 28, 2011 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions

just a notch below with the bat.

He’s not even close to the hitter that Heap is. Not even close.

by Fatvirus on Jul 28, 2011 12:13 PM EDT reply actions

Yes, he is, actually

Over the last 3 years, Ross has hit to the tune of .284 .382 .498 .881. During the same period, McCann has hit .283 .366 .481 .847

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 28, 2011 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions

Is this the greatest catching duo ever?

We fill this hole with foam and your man will float right up. I don't think that will work. Me neither, but I have a truck full of foam and six kids to feed, come on man, I need this. What about lowering a rope. A rope made of foam?

by bwellnjonesco on Jul 28, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

No.

by TBuzz on Jul 28, 2011 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

Touche, so wrong, but so funny.

by RazorbackBrave80 on Jul 28, 2011 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

So wait...

if their both catchers, is the tiger the pitcher?

http://sportsandgrits.blogspot.com/

by Mr. Sanchez on Jul 28, 2011 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions

That was dirty, Sanchez.

by aaaaandTheBravesWin on Jul 28, 2011 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions

hohoho

Dan Marino (13) and Steve Nash (13) will go down in history as being the greatest passers to never win the last game of the season.

by BravePhin on Jul 28, 2011 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions

Seriously?

David Ross is a career .237 hitter. Heap’s numbers are way better across the board if you look at their career numbers. I love Rossy, but he’s putting those numbers up playing in 50 games a year as opposed to 140.

by Fatvirus on Jul 28, 2011 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions

And Nate McLouth is a career .750 OPS player.

Neither of those things really matter for the last few years.

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 28, 2011 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions

The fact that Rossy starts about 1 game out of 4 doesn’t matter.

ok.

by Fatvirus on Jul 28, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Yes. That’s exactly the point I was making.

My dad taught me how to make meat for sloppy joes and my mom let me turn over hot dogs on the grill.

by ChopMaster on Jun 25, 2011 7:25 PM CDT

by justincredubil02 on Jul 28, 2011 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions

Ross does have nice stats over the past few years. We couldn’t ask for a better back-up catcher. The caveat, of course, is that those numbers are in a limited role (ie, the Matt Diaz paradox). I’m not sure how they project to playing 2-3 weeks in a row behind the plate.

by aaaaandTheBravesWin on Jul 28, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions

In 2-3 weeks

I don’t think we are going to be seeing a huge drop from Mac’s production to what Ross will do, barring a huge dry spell from David. Over a full season, yes, Mac is clearly the more consistent catcher, and Ross earlier this year alluded to that. But theres nobody else I’d rather have for the next 2-3 weeks behind the plate than D Ross. Especially when you bring his defense into the conversation, the fact that he knows this pitching staff, the way he is respected in the clubhouse, etc. etc. The holes in the Braves lineup will be other places, not at the C position, even with a backup.

by SupermanWears#6 on Jul 28, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope you’re right. I’m just trying to be realistic with what his offensive production may be like. As far as his defense, game calling, and familiarity with the staff, he’s the man. I’m ecstatic he is still with the Braves.

by aaaaandTheBravesWin on Jul 28, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Heyman reports that the Braves are the “last team in” on Pence.

by Ivan the Great on Jul 28, 2011 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

Philly’s offer was pretty insane. If we top that offer…..

by Ultada on Jul 28, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

The one thing I’m holding out hope for is that the Astros are sick of dealing with Philadelphia after they feel they got fleeced for Oswalt.

by Ivan the Great on Jul 28, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

The Cosart/Singleton/C+ arm offer?

by TBuzz on Jul 28, 2011 12:52 PM EDT up reply actions

I heard that Houston said no to all offers...I don't know what to believe!

Dan Marino (13) and Steve Nash (13) will go down in history as being the greatest passers to never win the last game of the season.

by BravePhin on Jul 28, 2011 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions

last report out of Houston

Said Pence was staying in Houston with the possibility of being traded in the offseason. Micheal Bourn is available but Washington is all in as the frontrunner for his services.

by RazorbackBrave80 on Jul 28, 2011 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions

This is exactly why you don't play No-Limit poker with rich idiots...

by TBuzz on Jul 28, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions

haha

Dan Marino (13) and Steve Nash (13) will go down in history as being the greatest passers to never win the last game of the season.

by BravePhin on Jul 28, 2011 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

so true

by RazorbackBrave80 on Jul 28, 2011 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Here is a depressing stat

The worst hitting SS in the AL is batting 12 points higher than Alex Gonzalez. Alex is second to last in the NL. I just dont know if Wren can pull off a deal for one of the guys were all drooling over, are there no decent SS available we could get? Somebody? Anybody? Bueller?

by HeyMikey on Jul 28, 2011 1:47 PM EDT reply actions

We gave away our good SS last year. Only hope is the silver lining in getting Pastornicky when we gave Escobar for peanuts. I wouldn’t get excited he gets used much this year. Fredo will “feel” like Lugo and Gonzo give a better veteran presence.

by Ultada on Jul 28, 2011 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions