Today’s task: pick new theme music for Braves players. I’ll start by repeating my suggestion that Chipper change his from “Crazy Train” to “Iron Man” in an effort to stay in the lineup. (Plus I like “Iron Man” better.)
Or just talk, hang out, whatever.
Marcus Giles: “California Dreamin'”
Andruw Jones: “Surf City”
Furcal: Hey, Bartender
in keeping with the beach boys theme, and using it strictly with risp, andruw jones – i just wasn’t made for these times
Giles – “Hit me with your best shot”
Andruw –
“I have something in my pocket
That belongs across my face.
I keep it very close to me,
In a most convenient place. . .”
dan kolb – lost cause
Adam LaRoche: “Andy you’re a Star” by The Killers
In the “duh” category, the Braves just picked up John Thomson’s option.
Dan Kolb: Loser (beck)
Johnny Estrada: “Fast Freight” by The Kingston Trio
Francoeur: My Future is so bright (I gotta wear shades)
Well I guess Furcal is gone now. Have fun as a Cub
Does Francouer still use that “she thinks my tractors sexy” song in the show? The chicks dug that one in Rome, and i thought i was funny
Why did Eddie Perez file for Free Agency? Is he going to try to play?
i guess dan kolb is a beck kind of guy.
“motherfucker” would work for him too.
Jorge Sosa: “Do It Again”
Batting Practice: “Long December”
Jay Powell – It’s all Gonna Break.
😐
Terry Pendleton: “The Weight” by The Band
I wish I had more time to think about this, but these are off the top of my head:
Rafael Furcal
Steve Miller Band: Take the Money and Run
Garth Brooks: Longneck Bottle (Let Go of My Hand)
Dan Kolb
Michelle Branch: Goodbye To You
Charlie Daniels Band: The Devil Went Down To Georgia
Jeff Francoeur
Tenacious D: Wonderboy
Twista: Overnight Celebrity
Your second Kolb suggestion is the best yet, Tennessee Brave. Everyone in the law library is staring at me because of how loudly I just laughed.
I thought about wonderboy for francoeur, but couldn’t figure out who young nasty man would be. mccann i guess.
Thomson’s option picked up whipty do…
Off the top of my head:
Furcal – tie “It’s a Small World” and “How Dry I Am”
Farnsworth – Morricone theme from “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly” – hell, any closer should use it.
Brian Jordan – “I’m Not As Good As I Once Was”
Chipper – “I’ve Got Friends In Low Places”
Andruw – “It takes Two, Baby (To Make A Dream Come True)”
Smoltz – “I Took Jesus For My Savior (You Take Him To Or You’ll Go To Hell)”
Kolb – “I Get Along Without You Very Well”
LaRoche – “Is That All There Is?”
Let me think for a bit – I ‘ll do more
Tell them your mass torts textbook has dirty words in it, Stu.
Andruw: “How Great Thou Art”
Marcus Giles: “I Want Candy”
Dan Kolb: “Killing Me Softly”
Johnny Estrada: “Fat Lip”
Rafael Furcal: don’t know the name but it’s the one that goes
Na na na na
Na na na na
Hey hey
Goodbye
“Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)” is by Steam.
For Adam LaRoche, “Pajama People” by Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention.
Furcal: “Jockey Full of Bourbon” Tom Waits
Chipper Jones: “If loving you is wrong (I dont wannabe right)” Percy Sledge
Andruw: “Three times a Lady” Lionel Richie
Kolb: “Lawyers, Guns, and Money” Warren Zevon
Biggest laugh in Torts is the kid that got his wang cut off when trying to “ride” a vacum cleaner. one of my buddies made his Fantasy Team name the “Vacum Cleaner Riders” and I laughed all season.
Well, the Boston Globe just e-mailed me for permission to quote something I wrote on their message boards. I told them fine, but not if it was going to be in anything relating to Dan Shaughnessy. It won’t be, I’m sure, but at least someone is on the other end listening this time.
doubledawg, I love your one for Kolb, “Daddy send some money, casue the Shit has hit the fan.”
Not sure why, but as soon as I read the challange I got an image of Chris Reitsma walking from the bullpen with “Thriller” playing in the background.
Might be time to adjust my meds.
How about the following:
Rafael Furcal: “I’d Rather Have a Bottle in Front of Me (Than a Frontal Lobotomy)”
Brian McCann in drag: “The Too Fat Polka (I Don’t Want Her, You Can Have Her, She’s Too Fat for Me)”
Rudy Seanez, who I’m POSITIVE we will reacquire again: anything from the Ludacris album “Back for the First Time”
Hows ’bout “These Arms of Mine” by Otis Redding for the whole organization in relation to winning the World Series.
Does anyone think Jorge Vasquez and Paul Bush will be in our bullpen this year
Dan Kolb; “Suicide is Painless (theme from M*A*S*H)”
Andruw Jones; Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off
Furcal; Jack Daniels, if you please (David Allen Coe)
Giles: Thick as a Brick, Jethro Tull
What about “Cold as Ice” for LaRoche when he slumps
Has anyone heard anything of Andruw or his wife getting in a car accident yesterday? I was driving down Roswell Rd. in Atl yesterday around 1:00pm and saw his Aston Martin wrapped around a pole in a parking lot. I know it was his car because of the “AJNJ” license plate which I have seen several times in the player parking lot at Turner field. I din’t have time to stick around the accident site to see what was going on,but it was definately his car.
Oh God Phil! I am sure Andruw is probably out for the year now!
nope, it wasn’t a bad accident, definately no injuries
Well, Jeter won another Gold Glove despite a .979 fielding percentage that ranked in the middle of the league.
Jenny,
In an earlier post you said you were also a Red Sox fan. I don’t know how far back your interest goes, but thought I’d recommend a book I’m currently reading, “The Teammates, A Portrait of a Friendship” by David Halberstam. It’s about the friendship between Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr, Johnny Pesky and Dom Dimaggio. I’m really enjoying it, and thought I’d pass along a recommendation.
Unfortunately, I’m pressed for time..
I have need of a rest, besides, lose my freedom. FREEDOM~~~~
cya~~~
Chipper Jones–a concise and clear answer, but carry big guns
John Thomson: Red Headed Stranger — Willie Nelson
Marcus Giles: Pinhead — Ramones
Brian Jordan: Old Grey Mare (Ain’t What She Used To Be) — Carson Robison
Rafael Furcal: Already Gone — Eagles
Julio Franco: John Henry, Steel Driving Man
Marcus Giles – Theme from Mighty Mouse
John Smoltz – “I Don’t Need Your Rocking Chair” by George Jones
Tim Hudson – “War Eagle” by the Auburn University Marching Band
Mike Hampton – Them from E.R.
Adam LaRoche – a TiVO commercial
Mike Hampton: Suits Are Picking Up The Bill–Squirrel Nut Zippers
WAT the DEUCE?
And for new pitching coach Roger McDowell: “Shamrocks and Shenanigans,” House of Pain
bmac, your recommendation brought to mind Halberstam’s October 1964, an excellent book about the World Series between the Yankees and Cardinals. The best part of the book is watching the Cards put all of the pieces into place by acquiring Brock, Simmons, and Groat. The book’s so good I don’t mind Tim McCarver putting in an appearance.
Now that the off season is here, I plan to read more about baseball’s history, beginning with the revised version of Roger Khan’s The Boys of Summer, a book I never got around to reading. Any other recommendations out there?
Looks like the Phils signed Pat Gillick as GM.
David, if you want to reach way back, try The Glory of Their Times by Lawrence Ritter. Great oral histories about the game from 1900-1940 or so. Ball Four, if you haven’t already. And Lords of the Realm by John Helyar is the definitive history of contract and labor negotiations. It sounds dry, but believe me it’s anything but. Enjoy!
http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/1105/02braves.html
Apparently, they aren’t interested in hiring editors, ever, at the Atlanta Constitution. Who knew Matt Damon was playing center field for the Red Sox? I am sure the Boston native would be thrilled to learn the Atlanta Constitution put him out there…what, is Ben Affleck in left? Robin Williams as Manager and Kevin Smith behind the plate?
God they are bad writers.
Songs–How about that “Old Time Rock n’ Roll” by Bob Seger for Smoltz?
A few other suggestions… Robert Creamer’s books, especially Baseball in ’41 but also his Stengel and Ruth biographies… Tygiel, Baseball’s Great Experiment… Sowell, The Pitch That Killed.
Maybe we should have a book club.
Thanks for the tips, guys. You know, a book club might be a good way to pass the off season. Count me in.
I remember reading Ball Four and wondering why all the fuss about amphetamines (“greenies”) in the clubhouse (not that I condone drug use). That stuff pales by comparison to what’s going on nowadays.
It is by no means a classic, but for a really enjoyable read try The Wrong Stuff by Bill “Spaceman” Lee. It’s funny and reasonably insightful- it’s not Ball Four but it’s a pretty good look into the ’75 Red Sox, if I remember correctly.
I hear Joe Morgan recommended a book recently called “Moneyball”.
I think that in a decade or so, when Theo Epstein finally gets beyond his ridiculous idea of living by principles (please no, haha), we will see a book called “Powerball” come out. He writes well, so it should be a real doozy.
I tend to prefer crappy, sensationalist baseball books, so may I recommend, shockingly, David Wells’ autobiography, aptly and subtly titled Perfect I’m Not. Boy is he a jerk, but he’s hilarious, too, sometimes unintentionally.
Also, Ken Kaiser’s Planet of the Umps is another one, although he does have a few sour grapes. Fascinating look at umpiring from a guy who got a really good, funny ghostwriter.
And, speaking of, the Sox seem to be imploding. I didn’t realize that Bill Lajoie had also resigned in solidarity with Epstein. So that’s the GM, the assistant GM, the special assistant to the GM, and now the director of baseball operations is leaving, too. Their 3B coach is gone, their assistant trainer was fired, their LF and a fat LHP are demanding trades, their bullpen is crap, and their CF, 3B, 1B, and 2B are all free agents. And now the ownership is being roasted in six states and, by my count, seven players and the manager have come out saying they are very upset about Epstein leaving. What a complete fiasco.
You know, we could have WAY worse problems this off-season.
Baby Braves: the “Gummi Bears” theme song. If you have never heard this, especially done a cappella, it is the greatest song ever.
I just got Simmons’s book the other day, I am almost done
It is pretty good
“Why did Eddie Perez file for Free Agency? Is he going to try to play?”
Its a procedural thing, about every retiring player does it anyways.
“I hear Joe Morgan recommended a book recently called “Moneyball”.”
Its the one Billy Beane wrote he said.
Also, where on Roswell did you see that accdient?
Mac, I’d like to second Robert Creamer’s Baseball in ’41–I would have said it if you hadn’t beat me to it.
So let me recommend Burt Solomon’s fantastic book Where They Ain’t. It’s about the legendary turn-of-the-century Baltimore Orioles, who won several championships and put practically half their team in the hall of fame (including Willie Keeler, John McGraw, Wilbert Robinson, Joe Kelley, and manager Ned Hanlon). Apparently, the business of baseball was just as ugly then as it is today, and in fact very similar in its unscrupulousness.
Hell of a read, and it’s never been more relevant.
I like Halberstam’s Summer of 49
For fiction, I recommend The Golem’s Mighty Swing, a graphic novel about a year on a barnstorming Jewish baseball team; for nonfiction, The Catcher Was a Spy, which is not a pure baseball book, but nonetheless a fun read about Moe Berg: terrible catcher, good spy. He almost had to kill Schrodinger.
Gillick’s the new Phillies GM.
Not sure what to think about it. On one hand, he’s been behind a bunch of winners; on the other, that Seattle collapse sure did happen in a hurry.
On the whole, I think it’s bad for the Braves. It’s hard to ignore all the success he had with the Jays and Mariners.
JoeyT, I personally think the Mariners are still suffering from Gillick’s inability to build a strong farm system. When the M’s were very good, he was relying on a bunch of old veterans to ride the wave as long as he can and never helped the M’s to get younger. I think Gillick is very good at plugging holes for the major league level team but not very good on building from within. His teams usually were very good for three to four seasons, then will head south and never recover again. The Blue Jays (starting around mid-90s after they won the two WS), the O’s (the late-90s), and the M’s (the last couple seasons) are pretty much the same story.
Also, when Gillick starts analysing the roster of the Phillis, he will see a bunch of long term contracts committed by Ed Wade and he will have little room to play around unless he can convince someone to take Thome, which is quite hard to do unless the Phillis take on at least half of Thome’s remaining contract.
I will second The Glory of Their Times. It’s fantastic. While it’s not out yet, The Mind of Bill James : How a Complete Outsider Changed Baseball looks like it’s going to be interesting. It’s supposed to come out in March. I read Mind Game, and I was disappointed. Books by many authors on the same subject tend to bother me though. And the total collapse of the Red Sox in the past month isn’t doing much for the subtitle “How the Red Sox Got Smart…” I’ve got Felber’s book The Book on the Book, but I’m having trouble reading it cover to cover. It’s looks good, but I’m not in the mood just yet.
All of you so-called baseball fans with your “books” and your “words”. Shoeless Joe would never have read any of this stuff.
Robert Whiting wrote two excellent books on Japanese baseball: “You Gotta Have Wa” and “The Meaning of Ichiro.” The first chapter of Wa is all about Horner’s experiences of playing for the Yakult Swallows after he left the Braves. Both books offer a very interesting perspective on how respective American and Japanese culture is mirrored in the way they approach baseball.
For fiction, it is hard to beat Bang the Drum Slowly, which also had one or two sequels/prequels if I recall. These books, and Philip Roth’s laugh-out-loud funny The Great American Novel, are the only fiction books I recall that capture the pace of a baseball season.
“The Last Good Season–Brooklyn, the Dodgers and Their Final Pennant Race Together” by Michael Shapiro. It’s about the 1956 season when the Dodgers beat out–the Milwaukee Braves, who down the stretch. If you are interested in The Boys of Summer period (featuring a lot of really great players and few goddam relief pitchers), it really evokes that era. (And Tim McCarver is NOT in the book.)
And, by the way, if you are taking torts, have you gotten to the assumption of risk cases yet where people get hit by foul balls? Have there been any cases involving people getting hit by Julio Franco’s bat slipping out of his hands? There must be dozens of people that have been hit.
NMS, The accident was behind the CVS in Sandy Springs. Right next to Kinko’s close to where Roswell Rd passes 285.
How did Jeter win a Gold Glove?
Wow, JC, I hadn’t even heard about that book.
I will probably start off the book club, if we actually do it, with a James book.
I really liked, “The Kid Who Batted 1.000” by Allison and Hill. I see there is a modern ripoff of it, which disheartens me.
OK, since we’re talking books, there’s one I read as a kid but can no longer remember the title. Maybe if I describe the plot it will jog someone’s memory (keep in mind, the book is probably 30 years old):
So there’s this kid, the youngest of several children. All his older sibs are brilliant, and involved in all sorts of brainy extracurricular pursuits. Our hero isn’t quite as smart as the others, and hasn’t been able to develop an interest in things like chess or rockets.
Unbeknownst to his family (who, he presumes, would disapprove) he tries out for a Little League team (he gets the parental permission slip signed by placing it under a science club membership application, or some such), and makes it. He has to maintain his lie about club meetings for the duration of the season in order to sneak away to practices and games, eventually letting one older sister in on his secret.
At first, he’s a terrible player, but he gradually gets the hang of it, and by the end of the season (naturally) he’s one of the best players in the league. After getting the game-winning hit in the championship game, he decides to tell his family what he’s been doing, only to find out they’ve been following him all along and keeping a scrapbook of his achievements, which they present to him on the final page.
Does this ring a bell with anyone?
Yeah I read that book too, I can’t think of the name either, damn!
Well, I just watched the Epstein press conference. He’s definitely gone, looked pretty happy and relaxed, said nothing of substance, and John Henry sounded like he was on the verge of tears. Sad stuff for the Sox.
Well they won it all last year, their fans are over hyped, everyone is all the sudden a “Life long Sox fan,” they have a massive payrole, they will just hire another good GM, (Schilling, Manny (who will be back), Big Popi, Varitek, Johnny Damond (who will be back)) I really don’t feel too sorry that they lost an over rated GM. If they are not careful they will slip into Yankee fan mode.
Smitty,
I think they’re past that point. But this never should have happened.
What about Philly’s new GM? Maybe he will pull a Steve Phillips!
Offseason power rankings are up at ESPN. Here’s the NL East:
Generally fair, except that their ranking of the Mets is ridiculous–especially saying that have a strong 1-2 in their rotation, based on two pitchers who may well break down next season.
Until that team produces on the field for an entire season (2000 they caught fire late, but that seems ages ago), no amount of hype or third-level winning percentage or anything is going to convince me that they’re a contender.
If the Phils deal Thome, they’re definitely the most dangerous, and maybe the Marlins can be a surprise again if they gel under Girardi. But with a balanced NL East, I think the wild card goes elsewhere in ’06–maybe to Milwaukee.
I thought this was a Braves blog?
Still taking that trash they put up on ESPN seriously? The quality of that sight is fading fast.
If Furcal leaves he will be a Cub.
The order and % chance a team has to get Furcal.
1) Cubs 70%
2) Braves 15%
3) Mets 10% (Furcal will want even more $$$ to play second. It would be a waste of his arm too!)
4)Other 5%
Any word on Furcal’s meeting today. I read yesterday on MSNBC that the Braves were looking at a 4 year $32 mil offer. I dont think that will be enough though
I dont know the name of that book, but whoever wrote it should sue the pants off the Bend It Like Beckham people. though, it does seem like a fairly generic story line. not nearly as blatant as Sophia Coppola ripping off Wong Kar Wai.
what makes ESPN so sure Beltran wont have another year like ’05. He’s a .282 career hitter, with most of that being in the Jr. League.
If Pedro is a question mark because he may hypothetically break down next year, then John Smoltz is just as big of a question mark.
I say we toss him a two year deal
Good point Aram. Hudson, Thompson, Smoltz, and HR have all spent some time on the DL over the last two seasons. I don’t feel safe with Davies, Sosa, James, and the pitching machine as my rotation.
CNNSI just put out a list of the top 20 free agents this winter. Guess where Furcal ranked… He didn’t make the list. Reggie Sanders, Todd Jones, THe Farns and Whasburn all did. We should use this in our negotiations.
CNNSI aren’t they owned by Time Warner?
What a joke that list is. Yeah, let’s offer Furcal “Reggie Sanders money”!
Mac;
I hope that you’ll consider Bill James’ “Historical Abstract” as your first nominee. It really puts baseball history into perspective. That’s too stuffy-it’s like having a real sharp baseball fan talking to you during a rain delay.
My favorite: Bob Uecker’s “Catcher in the Wry.” Tells how you can go “O fer August” and keep a major league job.
The Mets are overrated coming into every season it seems.
Rafael Furcal Update:
I actually just emailed with an Atlanta Constitution sports writer who hung up with JS about 30 seconds ago and that JS, Bobby, and Frank Wren just completed preliminary talks with Rafy and this writer confided that from what he was hearing, it’s about 70% he leaves the Braves.
But he says not to buy the Mets thing. Furcal’s agent is using them to drive the prive and expect him to go for a 4 year, $38 million deal to the Cubs.
Why not Ironweed? It’s takes place during the offseason, and it’s such an uplifting story too.
Good, is Alex Gonzalez from the Marlins available? Not the greatest, but still a decent ballplayer.
The Mets are overrated coming into every season it seems.
As long as they continue to not be when the season is over, I am okay with it.
If the Mets have to pay a lot more than the Cubs for Furcal’s services (because he rightly doesn’t want to move to second base) I don’t see them outbidding Chicago. Right now, it should be between the Cubs and Braves, though that might change. And if he indicates a willingness to move to second, the Red Sox and Yankees might get involved. Jose Reyes, ha.
Mac, your interview is up:
http://baseballanalysts.com/archives/2005/11/what_went_wrong_2.php