You know, I don’t think I say it often enough, but I’m really, reeeeeally glad I’m a Braves fan and not a Cubs fan.
Uncle Garret's Sleepytime Jamboree
on April 5, 2010 at 12:18 pm
yaaaaaaaaaaaaawn. is it really necessary to play games this early in the day? i wonder if bobby can give me the day off.
oh wait, i don’t play for the braves anymore. it’s so tiresome to remember stuff like this oh well.
sdp
on April 5, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Albert Pujols just went deep in his first AB of the season. Surprise.
csg
on April 5, 2010 at 12:25 pm
PWH, last thread, thanks. I know that the NL games are much shorter than AL games, just dont know by how much. The morons (Miller and Morgan) last night were discussing how to shorten the time of the games. They wanted to implement rules stating that players couldnt step out of the box during AB’s and that was about all they could come up with.
How about getting rid of the DH or bringing back the larger strike zones? Seems like having pitchers hit and having all the sac bunts in tne NL help with the time issue. Plus, baseball players should hit and play the field
Marc Schneider
on April 5, 2010 at 12:27 pm
Some commenters on the AJC have decided that the Brave losses in the exhibition games over the weekend mean that they suck. I guess if the Braves lose today, these folks will predict a 0-162 record.
csg
on April 5, 2010 at 12:29 pm
Roy Halladay current ERA = 27.00
so much for the NL CY
Jeff K
on April 5, 2010 at 12:31 pm
The DH is the worst thing to happen to baseball since the end of the color line. That includes steriods and the 16 WS championships by the Yankees since that time.
Guess I’m supposed to be rooting for the Mets vs. Florida today. Not my natural reaction, of course, but Wright did go deep (opposite field) to give the Mets a 2-0 early lead.
Was on the LIRR today with lots of Mets fans headed to Bailout Field. One guy got on at Woodside wearing an orange Mets visor, an orange bow tie and a pair of orange pants with a million Florida Gator logos.
Yes, he was snickered at all the way to Flushing.
Alex R.
on April 5, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Ububba, my brother is a Georgia and a Mets fan. Well, at least he got it HALF RIGHT.
Let’s go Braves! Here’s hoping for a magical 2010.
Joshua
on April 5, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Hell freezeth over. Frenchy just walked in his 2nd AB of the season. He is now on pace for well of 200 on the year.
Ethan
on April 5, 2010 at 1:51 pm
Phils just destroying Washington now.
Frank
on April 5, 2010 at 1:53 pm
Bailout Field = LOL
csg
on April 5, 2010 at 1:59 pm
well you could only keep Halladay with bad numbers for just a short period of time, fun while it lasted though.
I love meaningful baseball
btw, maybe Garret Jones is the real deal for Pit – 2HR on the day
Smitty
on April 5, 2010 at 1:59 pm
To pay homage to opening day, I have decided to take the day off. Well, that and being unemployed…ha ha ha!
Give ’em hell Braves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My barber predicts Heyward goes 4-4 with 4 home runs and then Bob Horner and Frenchy’s first game heroics are long forgotten.
Steffen
on April 5, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Should read “Cubs at Braves”.
\nitpicking
Go Braves!
Dusty
on April 5, 2010 at 2:03 pm
Ready for opening day!
Though I’m a CPA in the middle of tax season, so I’m DVRing the game. Going to have to shut down this site and twitter and hope to not hear anything before I get to go home. Who knows when that will be.
One exciting inning. Thank you, Carlos. Now it’s Lowe’s turn again.
Oh, wait…
Seat Painter
on April 5, 2010 at 3:44 pm
Managed to sneak into the break room at work to see the bottom of the first from McCann’s blooper. Heyward’s HR sounded like nothing I’ve heard from a Brave since….I don’t know…Aaron? Maybe Horner. But DAMN, he destroyed that pitch.
Hanan
on April 5, 2010 at 3:46 pm
Well, I was GOING to say we were dinking Zambrano to death, but then Heyward’s launch was a little more authoritative.
Nice start young man….2-0 fastballs down the middle are usually pretty tasty.
On the blackout note, MLB.TV has done something cool this year. It used to be that they determined blackouts based on your registration information, which is tied to your credit card. That’s generally okay, but it means when I travel, I’m out of luck.
This year, however, they use the location information from my phone. I assume this means that if I’m somewhere else in the country, even though I can’t watch it through my laptop because of my credit card, I can at least see it on my phone.
Lowe might be the most expensive middle reliver in history, by June. We shall see.
Hanan
on April 5, 2010 at 4:09 pm
I believe Lowe now qualifies as the second “negative” of the day. He’s in August form already. Ofcourse the ball is carrying (cough).
Stu
on April 5, 2010 at 4:09 pm
I’m quite nervous about Lowe this year, not to mention in 2011 and 2012.
td
on April 5, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Joe Morgan would say that it’s not a coincidence that Lowe is winning now, even though he’s allowed 5 runs. It’s something about being a winner and knowing how to win.
sdp
on April 5, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Hang on. It’s going to be a long season with Lowe.
c. shorter
on April 5, 2010 at 4:09 pm
Get Medlen warmed up.
Tom
on April 5, 2010 at 4:10 pm
We need a nickname for Lowe. I suggest Albie. Or MF, not for motherf***er of course, but for Mechanics Fixed.
sdp
on April 5, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Ugh. Send him to Gwinnett.
Brian J.
on April 5, 2010 at 4:12 pm
Did we ever get around to calling anyone, say, Robert Mugabe? That tradition from the Sos… er, Kim Jong Il days may need to be revived.
sdp
on April 5, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Re-watch that homer, man. There was absolutely nothing cheap about that shot. Christ!
JoeyT
on April 5, 2010 at 4:16 pm
I know. It was the first strike he was thrown in the majors, and he took full advantage of it.
For some reason, here in Austin, no ESPN. Just weird.
But it’s so frustrating trying to enjoy Joe Simpson when Chip Caray keeps piping up. Maybe Heyward could make sure a foul ball ends up lodged in Chip’s mouth.
korobeiniki
on April 5, 2010 at 4:38 pm
can we agree on the name J-Hey for the kid? very exciting
Mike N.
on April 5, 2010 at 4:39 pm
Yea I’m at work so fortunately I’m watching ESPN360 (how often can you say that?) But its not really tough to guess what Chip is gonna say in certain situations
Considering how many calls have gone AGAINST the Braves over the years, I will take that gift.
But it is a perfect example of why they probably should have instant replay.
Tom
on April 5, 2010 at 4:48 pm
For some reason, I don’t want to win this way. Bad calls against us and all.
Michael
on April 5, 2010 at 4:50 pm
Bad calls even out over the course of a long, long, long 162 game season.
jorgbacca
on April 5, 2010 at 4:51 pm
For those of use following via game tracker can you describe the bad play? Or bad call?
Brian J.
on April 5, 2010 at 4:52 pm
Fly ball to CF, which McLouth dove for and initially caught, but then dropped when he hit the ground. The runner on first had gone to second and was “doubled up.”
Tom
on April 5, 2010 at 4:54 pm
Line drive CF, apparent gapper, but McLouth dove for the ball, caught it, then dropped it falling to the ground, but the ball stayed so close to his body that the umps couldn’t see it. He then made a throw to the cutoff man, who had an easy DP at first because Ramirez had advanced to 2B.
Alex R.
on April 5, 2010 at 4:55 pm
Since we were still winning 8-5 when that bad call happened, there’s no way for Piniella to argue that it would have in fact given teh Cubs the game.
Tom
on April 5, 2010 at 4:57 pm
Alex, in all honesty they would have gotten runners at 1B and 2B with nobody out. Instead, two out nobody on. I’m not a Cubbie but there IS an argument to be made here.
I would save Moylan for the good hitters. Fontenot, Soto, pinch hitter, and Theriot don’t exactly scare me.
Alex R.
on April 5, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Yes, Tom, we’re all aware of the situation but you don’t know that Moylan doesn’t come in and get a double play. There’s no crystal ball.
But we’re up 8-5, we got a gift, we’ve been screwed a ton over the years, and I will take it.
Tom, need I remind you that bad umpiring essentially help cost us the 1991 World Series—Kent Hrbek?
jjschiller
on April 5, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Can someone tell Chip that grown men don’t ‘scamper’ ?
billy-jay
on April 5, 2010 at 5:02 pm
Moylan on pace for 162 appearances.
Adam M
on April 5, 2010 at 5:03 pm
I can’t get over the Heyward shot OR the call. An eventful opening day.
Alex R.
on April 5, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Bite your tongue, Billy-Jay. Cox might hear you and go for it.
Brian J.
on April 5, 2010 at 5:05 pm
When did Atlanta get its own Roman Tynan (or however his name is spelled)?
billy-jay
on April 5, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Alex, I’m sure he’s already thought of it.
😀
John Gaines
on April 5, 2010 at 5:11 pm
@181
I have a feeling that I’m going to be doing a fair share of scampering over to the opponents broadcast on MLB.tv this year.
Tom
on April 5, 2010 at 5:11 pm
Yes, Tom, we’re all aware of the situation but you don’t know that Moylan doesn’t come in and get a double play. There’s no crystal ball.
Of course I don’t, but you don’t know the opposite either. If you read my post again, you will see that I did NOT say they would have won the game, but that an argument could be made.
Tom, need I remind you that bad umpiring essentially help cost us the 1991 World Series—Kent Hrbek?
No you don’t, for many reasons, the #1 reason being that that’s just nonsense.
I can’t make much sense of the Samardzija contract(s), but far too much:
Jeff Samardzija rhp
5 years/$10M (2007-11), plus 2012 & 2013 club options
* 5 years/$10M (2007-11), plus 2012 & 2013 club options
o signed Major League contract with Cubs 1/07, giving up football
o $2M signing bonus
o 10:$3M
o no-trade clause
o total value may reach $16.5M with exercise of options
o must return bonus & much of remaining $10M if he returns to football
* drafted 2006 (5-149) (Notre Dame)
* signed 6/06, $1M signing bonus (may increase to $7.25M if Samardzija chooses to play baseball over football)
* agent: Mark Rodgers
* ML service: 0.152
I know tomorrow’s a day off, but did Saito really need to get his work in today? Isn’t this Chavez and Jo-jo territory?
I mean, isn’t that why they’re on the team?
Trying to not get upset about it — just enjoying the win.
Alex R.
on April 5, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Stu, like a lot of others on here, we’re not convinced Troy Glaus is still an everyday player anymore. And as Billy-Jay said, Hinske wins wherever he goes…and he’s always a contributor.
Again, one game is NOT a sample size, but my GUESS is that Hinske will have better numbers in comparison to Glaus by late May. Yes, I am wrong plenty, but this is my hunch.
Alex R.
on April 5, 2010 at 5:33 pm
Saito being used in a 14-5 game is exactly why I DON’T LOVE Bobby Cox, the manager.
Weldon
on April 5, 2010 at 5:34 pm
What Mac said. It was a 3-run game when Saito started warming up.
Alex R.
on April 5, 2010 at 5:35 pm
When the runs start pouring in, time to warm up Jesse Chavez.
Stu
on April 5, 2010 at 5:36 pm
I would hope we’ll see Chavez in the 9th.
Alex, who are all these others that believe Glaus is going to lose his job to Hinske? I read this site daily, and I think yours is the first suggestion I’ve seen to that effect.
But once he’s warmed up, you might as well use him. Throwing an inning now won’t mean anything more after he’s started working.
braves14
on April 5, 2010 at 5:37 pm
If Hinske ends up playing everyday at 1b we’re in trouble. It would mean that Glaus is either hurt or a bust. Nothing against Hinske, but he’s a utility guy, and he isn’t going to suddenly become an everyday first baseman in his thirties.
jorgbacca
on April 5, 2010 at 5:37 pm
I’d take JoJo. Just no reason for Wagner or O’Flarety.
Stu
on April 5, 2010 at 5:45 pm
Chip Caray makes great games good.
braves14
on April 5, 2010 at 5:45 pm
A shinburger, Chip?
Brian J.
on April 5, 2010 at 5:45 pm
You gotta like that Heyward’s developed a professional attitude. No showboating when the game’s in garbage time; just take what they give you and hit it hard.
braves14
on April 5, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Wagner warming up, lol
Douglass
on April 5, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Wagner up in the pen.
Stu
on April 5, 2010 at 5:46 pm
And Wagner is warming up.
Sigh.
jjschiller
on April 5, 2010 at 5:48 pm
So they’ve already got Heyward’s homerun in a commercial for Sportsouth or whatever network I’m watching today.
jjschiller
on April 5, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Not to be an apologist, because I don’t really want to see Wagner in a 10 run game, either…
But Joe had a good point. No game yesterday, no game tomorrow, and Wagner didn’t work in the game on Saturday, either. You spend a month getting a rhythm, you don’t want to sit from Friday to Tuesday without pitching.
Also, I think it’s a positive that Bobby is able to get almost all of our guys season-debuts out of the way. Everyone but Diaz so far?
braves14
on April 5, 2010 at 5:51 pm
An 0 for 5 day for Melky.
Stu
on April 5, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Everyone but Diaz so far?
Which is fitting.
drew
on April 5, 2010 at 5:52 pm
The best part of the footage is watching his dad hugging random people in the crowd.
16 of the 25 players on our roster have been in this game. Every position player who had an at-bat got a hit except for Infante; of those who didn’t, Brooks Conrad came around to score as a pinch runner. Every one of our relievers pitched a perfect inning.
The only player who had a bad day today was Derek Lowe.
Brian J.
on April 5, 2010 at 5:58 pm
I want 172 more of those.
Note: Lowe got the win and pitched good innings from the 4th to 6th, so it wasn’t that bad even for him.
Trace
on April 5, 2010 at 5:59 pm
232,
You’re ignoring the fact that Lowe is an absolute winner.
thebravesblowhere
on April 5, 2010 at 5:59 pm
229
If the Braves scored an infinite amount of runs, the game would last forever and Wags wouldn’t have come in.
Pumped! I predict Braves win 10-0, with a CG by Lowe and two 2R HRs by Heyward!
Let’s Get It On! Opening Day, best day of the year!
just a reminder to everyone..major league baseball extra innings package is free for the first week…go braves!!!!
You know, I don’t think I say it often enough, but I’m really, reeeeeally glad I’m a Braves fan and not a Cubs fan.
yaaaaaaaaaaaaawn. is it really necessary to play games this early in the day? i wonder if bobby can give me the day off.
oh wait, i don’t play for the braves anymore. it’s so tiresome to remember stuff like this oh well.
Albert Pujols just went deep in his first AB of the season. Surprise.
PWH, last thread, thanks. I know that the NL games are much shorter than AL games, just dont know by how much. The morons (Miller and Morgan) last night were discussing how to shorten the time of the games. They wanted to implement rules stating that players couldnt step out of the box during AB’s and that was about all they could come up with.
How about getting rid of the DH or bringing back the larger strike zones? Seems like having pitchers hit and having all the sac bunts in tne NL help with the time issue. Plus, baseball players should hit and play the field
Some commenters on the AJC have decided that the Brave losses in the exhibition games over the weekend mean that they suck. I guess if the Braves lose today, these folks will predict a 0-162 record.
Roy Halladay current ERA = 27.00
so much for the NL CY
The DH is the worst thing to happen to baseball since the end of the color line. That includes steriods and the 16 WS championships by the Yankees since that time.
Guess I’m supposed to be rooting for the Mets vs. Florida today. Not my natural reaction, of course, but Wright did go deep (opposite field) to give the Mets a 2-0 early lead.
Was on the LIRR today with lots of Mets fans headed to Bailout Field. One guy got on at Woodside wearing an orange Mets visor, an orange bow tie and a pair of orange pants with a million Florida Gator logos.
Yes, he was snickered at all the way to Flushing.
Ububba, my brother is a Georgia and a Mets fan. Well, at least he got it HALF RIGHT.
Let’s go Braves! Here’s hoping for a magical 2010.
Hell freezeth over. Frenchy just walked in his 2nd AB of the season. He is now on pace for well of 200 on the year.
Phils just destroying Washington now.
Bailout Field = LOL
well you could only keep Halladay with bad numbers for just a short period of time, fun while it lasted though.
I love meaningful baseball
btw, maybe Garret Jones is the real deal for Pit – 2HR on the day
To pay homage to opening day, I have decided to take the day off. Well, that and being unemployed…ha ha ha!
Give ’em hell Braves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
My barber predicts Heyward goes 4-4 with 4 home runs and then Bob Horner and Frenchy’s first game heroics are long forgotten.
Should read “Cubs at Braves”.
\nitpicking
Go Braves!
Ready for opening day!
Though I’m a CPA in the middle of tax season, so I’m DVRing the game. Going to have to shut down this site and twitter and hope to not hear anything before I get to go home. Who knows when that will be.
Go Braves!
The Marlins are dropping the ball all over the field. Some things never change.
Dusty, Ill call you with all the updates. Even CPA’s have to answer phone calls! 🙂
Pujols with 2 bombs on the day – doing his best Heyward impression.
So Melky goes from being the Yankees 9-hole hitter to batting lead-off for the Braves.
What does this tell us? How awesome the ’09 Yankees line-up was or how weak the Braves’ has become?
That Cox has a really weird idea of what a leadoff hitter should be.
@ 23 – It just tells us that we don’t really have a leadoff hitter.
OK, no more negative comments. I’ll start the season with a LET’S GO BRAVES!!!!
A game thread?!?
Awesome!
I can’t tell what would make me happier: a Braves World Series championship in 2010 or Chip Caray being fired mid-way through the season.
Let’s Go Braves!
Anybody else getting a ‘game will start shortly’ on ESPN3 or ESPN360?
I’m getting irritated at the Reds’ pitching for sucking so much that we can’t see the Braves. (A GS for Yadier Molina? Come on!)
In.
8)
Oh man I’m pumped now, the game is on ESPN360, now I can be even more worthless at work!
Aaron to throw out Opening Day first pitch | braves.com: News.
And the Riot flies out, and Heyward ties the fielding percentage record!
Golden.
Nothing so far on MLB Gameday Audio.
This is not a good start.
Aw, crap.
Hello goodbye is right.
Well THAT’S what I missed last thread isn’t it… the notice that this one was up. D’oh!
Well that’s what happens when you pitch your #5 starter on Opening Day.
Why is Lowe our opening day starter again?
Well hmmm
Season’s over. Go home, everyone.
ballgame
Well good.
Thanks for sucking the air out of Braves nation, Lowe. I miss Javy. 🙁
great job gettng you mechanics right, Lowe… two deep fly balls and the third goes out.
Why is Lowe our opening day starter again?
$15,000,000.00
Melky leading off? Uggg.
great job getting you mechanics right, Lowe… two deep fly balls and the third goes out.
Oh, come on now, guys? Where’s the faith in the comeback that looks like it’ll succeed but falls one run short?
Oh, Derek Lowe. You’re not a good baseball player. You make me look dumber each and every day.
Melky drew a walk!
Hey, Francouer got a walk today…I just don’t think Melky leading off should become a routine.
Looks like Lowe is already in mid-season form…
Chipper’s up with two on and nobody out. Let the fun begin!
(Edit) Yep, we’re playing the Cubs!
Good to finally have a guy that can go first to third
Looks like the Cubs are already in late-season form.
Hoo-ah!
This is atrocious.
Wow, we haven’t hit the ball hard yet.
Time for Francoeur to kill this rally….
Oh wait.
This has been a fun bottom 1st inning so far.
I hope this ex-Angel works out better then the last ones.
Good morning, good afternoon, good night, Troy Glaus.
#63
Favorite comment so far. 🙂
But that’s OK, looks like Glaus is paving the way for Eric Hinske, first baseman.
“Signs point to No,” as the Magic 8-Ball says.
(Edit) Love dem seeing-eye singles, and two ducks on the pond for Heyward.
Yunel!
Esco!
Why is Greg Norton batting 5th?
YUNELLL!!
In honor of Chip Caray….
Swung on and BELTED!!
God I love the Cubs defense.
The seasons premier of “The Jason Heyward Show”.
Heyward. The man. The legend.
JASON HEYWARD!!!!!!!1111!!!!!!
FUCKKKKK!!!!!!!!!
HEYWARD
omg heyward
HEYWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!
Suck it, Johnny Damon!!!! Home run for the Say Hey kid!!
He hit that ball like it insulted his mother.
Well I guess we should just put him in the Hall now.
WHEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
It’s about time Heyward delivered.
Woo! I called that shot at home if Frenchy could do it why not Heyward!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!! 🙂
Unbelievable.
My barber was on to something
well maybe he should be here from day 1
Me thinks Carlos Zambrano’s new, supposedly zen attitude may not make it past day 1. Just sayin.
Two opening days in a row with our rookie having an HR in his first ML at bat right?
The listing of 1st AB home runs left out Marty Malloy… for whom it was his only career home run.
Unreal. I got an insane rush of adrenaline from that.
I think there’s going to be a lot of boys named Jason in 2010/11! WHAT A SHOT!!
I hit rewind and watched it again.
Yes. I really did see that.
No words
Go ahead and put Heyward in the hall.
One exciting inning. Thank you, Carlos. Now it’s Lowe’s turn again.
Oh, wait…
Managed to sneak into the break room at work to see the bottom of the first from McCann’s blooper. Heyward’s HR sounded like nothing I’ve heard from a Brave since….I don’t know…Aaron? Maybe Horner. But DAMN, he destroyed that pitch.
Well, I was GOING to say we were dinking Zambrano to death, but then Heyward’s launch was a little more authoritative.
Nice start young man….2-0 fastballs down the middle are usually pretty tasty.
“Jason Heyward” now tweeting worldwide.
also that AB of his won me a nice little stack.
This could be a great, great year.
I think that got Prado on the pad.
I hate seeing Martin in pain, but the kid’s gotten on base twice in two appearances. Dude’s a professional hitter.
Nitram!
Nothing outlasts the Prado. He just keeps going and going and going…
Tee hee.
Prado causing trouble.
I don’t think it was intentional. You don’t plunk the leadoff hitter after a 6 run inning.
Unless you’re pretty stupid, of course.
Meanwhile… thank you, Cubs.
MCCANN!!
PIMPBOT
lol, this is amazing.
BRIAN MCCANN!
We are tatooing Zambo.
Zambrano’s head may literally explode..
Hey, that McCann guy isn’t bad!
damn
Scoring a bunch of runs on opening day is fun. Scoring a bunch of run against the Cubs is so much funner.
And Zambrano comes out with a nice, shiny 54.00 ERA.
It makes Lowe’s 13.50 look pretty good.
One negative: the Glaus Experiment hasn’t looked too good so far.
I’m sure Glaus’ middle name is Jeffrey.
Glad we got Z’s bat out of the line-up.
youtube of heyward HR
Jason Heyward is trending #2 on Twitter. Yikes.
Actually, Glaus looked decent with a glove; Chipper threw the ball into the runner and Glaus managed to catch it and apply the tag.
But yeah, 2 K’s in 2 tries ain’t so pretty.
I’m blacked out of the game, by the way. This isn’t normal, but for reasons I won’t go into I find myself here.
Fukudome came over in the Jack Parkman trade.
Not sure why ESPN is blacking the game out here in Austin, but for some reason, I am getting SportSouth…good and bad…I get Joe (yay) but Chip (boo).
This must be a first week thing to get me to buy the baseball package. (I went with MLB.com).
Glad we have Melky in for defense.
sets the bar high for play of the year.
Sigh. Well, Jason, Lowe’s making sure that you know your day’s work isn’t done yet.
Ladies & Gentlemen, our ACE.
For cripes’ sake, Derek.
On the blackout note, MLB.TV has done something cool this year. It used to be that they determined blackouts based on your registration information, which is tied to your credit card. That’s generally okay, but it means when I travel, I’m out of luck.
This year, however, they use the location information from my phone. I assume this means that if I’m somewhere else in the country, even though I can’t watch it through my laptop because of my credit card, I can at least see it on my phone.
Lowe sucks. Hard.
Lowe is making me yearn for russ ortiz!
Lowe might be the most expensive middle reliver in history, by June. We shall see.
I believe Lowe now qualifies as the second “negative” of the day. He’s in August form already. Ofcourse the ball is carrying (cough).
I’m quite nervous about Lowe this year, not to mention in 2011 and 2012.
Joe Morgan would say that it’s not a coincidence that Lowe is winning now, even though he’s allowed 5 runs. It’s something about being a winner and knowing how to win.
Hang on. It’s going to be a long season with Lowe.
Get Medlen warmed up.
We need a nickname for Lowe. I suggest Albie. Or MF, not for motherf***er of course, but for Mechanics Fixed.
Ugh. Send him to Gwinnett.
Did we ever get around to calling anyone, say, Robert Mugabe? That tradition from the Sos… er, Kim Jong Il days may need to be revived.
Re-watch that homer, man. There was absolutely nothing cheap about that shot. Christ!
I know. It was the first strike he was thrown in the majors, and he took full advantage of it.
That’s better, Derek.
Can we platoon Lowe so he only pitches in even numbered innings?
Well that wasn’t an offensively productive inning… but at least Lowe didn’t fall further behind I guess.
Lowe better stay settled down since it appears we CAN’T hit the suddenly dominant, Sean Marshall.
I’m thanking God that ESPN is covering this game because I would be crying if Chip Caray had the only call on J-Hey’s HR.
We’re one of the teams he is best against… he’s got a career ERA against us of 1.45 in 8 games.
I’m assuming Chip’s call was something along the lines of “SWUNG ON AND BELTED, DEEP TO RIGHT! WELCOME TO THE BIGS, KID!”
Lowe is the worst. Just the worst.
Oh, that is frightening even to think about, sdp.
Yunel’s defense, however, is much more fun!
sdp,
Where are you? I am trying to understand why certain markets have the ESPN broadcast and why certain ones don’t.
Mike N,
YES – unfortunately, that was EXACTLY Chip’s call. Good lord he’s horrible.
I’m in Upstate SC–I’ve been watching on ESPN360.com
Whew, nice catch, Nate!
I’d somehow forgotten all about Hibernation Mode.
Youtube – Jason Heyward first MLB at-bat HR
For some reason, here in Austin, no ESPN. Just weird.
But it’s so frustrating trying to enjoy Joe Simpson when Chip Caray keeps piping up. Maybe Heyward could make sure a foul ball ends up lodged in Chip’s mouth.
can we agree on the name J-Hey for the kid? very exciting
Yea I’m at work so fortunately I’m watching ESPN360 (how often can you say that?) But its not really tough to guess what Chip is gonna say in certain situations
Just when you thought opening day couldn’t get any better…
Considering how many calls have gone AGAINST the Braves over the years, I will take that gift.
But it is a perfect example of why they probably should have instant replay.
For some reason, I don’t want to win this way. Bad calls against us and all.
Bad calls even out over the course of a long, long, long 162 game season.
For those of use following via game tracker can you describe the bad play? Or bad call?
Fly ball to CF, which McLouth dove for and initially caught, but then dropped when he hit the ground. The runner on first had gone to second and was “doubled up.”
Line drive CF, apparent gapper, but McLouth dove for the ball, caught it, then dropped it falling to the ground, but the ball stayed so close to his body that the umps couldn’t see it. He then made a throw to the cutoff man, who had an easy DP at first because Ramirez had advanced to 2B.
Since we were still winning 8-5 when that bad call happened, there’s no way for Piniella to argue that it would have in fact given teh Cubs the game.
Alex, in all honesty they would have gotten runners at 1B and 2B with nobody out. Instead, two out nobody on. I’m not a Cubbie but there IS an argument to be made here.
Who can we throw out there for a good ‘ole fashioned bullpen meltdown?
We all know the answer to that, PW. Fortunately, Cox runs Moylan out there instead.
I would save Moylan for the good hitters. Fontenot, Soto, pinch hitter, and Theriot don’t exactly scare me.
Yes, Tom, we’re all aware of the situation but you don’t know that Moylan doesn’t come in and get a double play. There’s no crystal ball.
But we’re up 8-5, we got a gift, we’ve been screwed a ton over the years, and I will take it.
Tom, need I remind you that bad umpiring essentially help cost us the 1991 World Series—Kent Hrbek?
Can someone tell Chip that grown men don’t ‘scamper’ ?
Moylan on pace for 162 appearances.
I can’t get over the Heyward shot OR the call. An eventful opening day.
Bite your tongue, Billy-Jay. Cox might hear you and go for it.
When did Atlanta get its own Roman Tynan (or however his name is spelled)?
Alex, I’m sure he’s already thought of it.
😀
@181
I have a feeling that I’m going to be doing a fair share of scampering over to the opponents broadcast on MLB.tv this year.
Yes, Tom, we’re all aware of the situation but you don’t know that Moylan doesn’t come in and get a double play. There’s no crystal ball.
Of course I don’t, but you don’t know the opposite either. If you read my post again, you will see that I did NOT say they would have won the game, but that an argument could be made.
Tom, need I remind you that bad umpiring essentially help cost us the 1991 World Series—Kent Hrbek?
No you don’t, for many reasons, the #1 reason being that that’s just nonsense.
Chipper for leadoff?
Could we score any amount of runs here that would prevent Bobby from using Wagner in this game?
EDIT: I guess we’ll find out
Yunel… BOOM.
Yes, Chipper for leadoff.
Say what you want about the bat flip, but the dude comes through.
Oh, I imagine Yunel’s about done it. Of course, are you that anxious for your Jo-Jo fix?
Edit: Heyward realizes another truism- let the Cubs do your work for you.
So is this offense going to be here all season?
Me thinks there’s a fairly good chance Hinske will be our everyday first baseman, though yeah, it’s early.
I guess hibernation mode doesn’t last forever!
I like Hinske. Dude knows how to win.
How much did the Cubs pay Samardzija to keep him out of the NFL?
Oh I love this! Worth the wait!!
Looks like $10 million:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2736354
I can’t make much sense of the Samardzija contract(s), but far too much:
Jeff Samardzija rhp
5 years/$10M (2007-11), plus 2012 & 2013 club options
* 5 years/$10M (2007-11), plus 2012 & 2013 club options
o signed Major League contract with Cubs 1/07, giving up football
o $2M signing bonus
o 10:$3M
o no-trade clause
o total value may reach $16.5M with exercise of options
o must return bonus & much of remaining $10M if he returns to football
* drafted 2006 (5-149) (Notre Dame)
* signed 6/06, $1M signing bonus (may increase to $7.25M if Samardzija chooses to play baseball over football)
* agent: Mark Rodgers
* ML service: 0.152
Well worth it, obviously.
Me thinks there’s a fairly good chance Hinske will be our everyday first baseman, though yeah, it’s early.
I love you, Alex, but what?
Here’s 40 year old Saito…I’m still not convinced we won’t see Wagner
Wow saito sighting. I guess the Wagner 9th is inevitable.
As usual, Saito was already warming up.
Did Jesse and Jo-Jo not show up for opening day?
I know tomorrow’s a day off, but did Saito really need to get his work in today? Isn’t this Chavez and Jo-jo territory?
I mean, isn’t that why they’re on the team?
Trying to not get upset about it — just enjoying the win.
Stu, like a lot of others on here, we’re not convinced Troy Glaus is still an everyday player anymore. And as Billy-Jay said, Hinske wins wherever he goes…and he’s always a contributor.
Again, one game is NOT a sample size, but my GUESS is that Hinske will have better numbers in comparison to Glaus by late May. Yes, I am wrong plenty, but this is my hunch.
Saito being used in a 14-5 game is exactly why I DON’T LOVE Bobby Cox, the manager.
What Mac said. It was a 3-run game when Saito started warming up.
When the runs start pouring in, time to warm up Jesse Chavez.
I would hope we’ll see Chavez in the 9th.
Alex, who are all these others that believe Glaus is going to lose his job to Hinske? I read this site daily, and I think yours is the first suggestion I’ve seen to that effect.
But once he’s warmed up, you might as well use him. Throwing an inning now won’t mean anything more after he’s started working.
If Hinske ends up playing everyday at 1b we’re in trouble. It would mean that Glaus is either hurt or a bust. Nothing against Hinske, but he’s a utility guy, and he isn’t going to suddenly become an everyday first baseman in his thirties.
I’d take JoJo. Just no reason for Wagner or O’Flarety.
Chip Caray makes great games good.
A shinburger, Chip?
You gotta like that Heyward’s developed a professional attitude. No showboating when the game’s in garbage time; just take what they give you and hit it hard.
Wagner warming up, lol
Wagner up in the pen.
And Wagner is warming up.
Sigh.
So they’ve already got Heyward’s homerun in a commercial for Sportsouth or whatever network I’m watching today.
Not to be an apologist, because I don’t really want to see Wagner in a 10 run game, either…
But Joe had a good point. No game yesterday, no game tomorrow, and Wagner didn’t work in the game on Saturday, either. You spend a month getting a rhythm, you don’t want to sit from Friday to Tuesday without pitching.
Also, I think it’s a positive that Bobby is able to get almost all of our guys season-debuts out of the way. Everyone but Diaz so far?
An 0 for 5 day for Melky.
Everyone but Diaz so far?
Which is fitting.
The best part of the footage is watching his dad hugging random people in the crowd.
So I guess the answer @ 190 is no…
Hi, Billy Wagner! I hope Bobby doesn’t destroy your arm till Game 7 of the World Series.
Wagner throws a pitch 96 MPH and Chip thinks it’s a slider. Idiot.
16 of the 25 players on our roster have been in this game. Every position player who had an at-bat got a hit except for Infante; of those who didn’t, Brooks Conrad came around to score as a pinch runner. Every one of our relievers pitched a perfect inning.
The only player who had a bad day today was Derek Lowe.
I want 172 more of those.
Note: Lowe got the win and pitched good innings from the 4th to 6th, so it wasn’t that bad even for him.
232,
You’re ignoring the fact that Lowe is an absolute winner.
229
If the Braves scored an infinite amount of runs, the game would last forever and Wags wouldn’t have come in.
So there’s that I guess.
AAR: Melky.
True enough. Melky went hitless, but he walked and scored.
Happy Jason Heyward Day, everyone.
Recapped!