Jamie Moyer made his major league debut when Kris Medlen was nine months old.
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Jamie Moyer made his major league debut when Kris Medlen was nine months old.
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The guys broadcasting the Gwinett game are gushing about Taveras. “He’s got too much talent [to be released 3 times].” Gimme a break.
Oh God. I didn’t even know Willy Taveras was in the Braves organization.
Tonight’s lineup:
Prado – 4
Infante – 9
Chipper- 5
Glaus – 3
McCann – 2
Diaz – 7
Escobar – 6
Cabrera – 8
Medlen – 1
@2 Taveras was just signed to a minor league deal a couple days ago… I think there was some talk of using him as the designated runner after Sept call-ups maybe.
Hicks can do that just fine, plus he doesn’t leave a stink of failure everywhere he goes.
So we need not dis Taveras any more than he deserves. The guy is like the Aristotelian ideal of a fifth outfielder. He’s a legitimately excellent CF with a legitimately excellent arm and by whatever baserunning metric one likes, he’s one of the very best baserunners in baseball, including both steals and taking the extra base.
Just don’t ask him or expect him to get on base more than 30% of the time or hit with any power whatsoever.
If one has a roster where you can use those strengths without letting him see too much of the plate, he could be a very valuable guy, just as long as nobody gets enamored and thinks he should get some at-bats.
Remember how well the makers of the last two Batman movies created that feel of endemic corruption and hypocrisy in Gotham City?
That’s how I fell about this LeBron / ESPN “special”.
I, for one, will not watch one scintilla. Nor will I allow my son to do so.
well then…..CWS calls about Adam Dunn, Nats say sure for Gordon Beckham or Carlos Quentin
I wonder how old Medlen was when Moyer was making his first start in the bigs??? Hopefully whoever is broadcasting the game tonight will be able to help the viewers put his age into perspective. Maybe they can tell us how much a gallon of gas or a loaf of bread cost all the way back in the eighties… Because that really never gets old.
EDIT: LOL… I definitely did not read what Mac posted for this game thread.
Opps.
This.
McCann will be the only starter batting lefty against Moyer.
I want Adam Dunn in a Braves jersey.
I need Adam Dunn in a Braves jersey.
Nathan, the Braves already have Blanco playing full-time and Josh Anderson in AAA and Alex Romero at AA. How many punchless outfielders does one organization need?
I like Dunn, too. But where do you put him if Glaus is healthy?
Beckham is currently losing time to Li’lbridge in Chicago, which is about the worst thing you can say about somebody without using profanity.
And this after I was assured on this board that Beckham was a better second baseman than Prado. Head scratcher.
Mac, I don’t know much about Alex Romero, but Josh Anderson is a poor man’s Willy Taveras. If we need a guy like that, I’d rather have Taveras. There is certainly a big question about whether this team, as constructed, has a roster spot for a guy like that.
Blanco’s certainly a much better full-time fill-in than Taveras would be; they hit for the same power, but Blanco on-bases fifty points higher, which waaaay outweighs the defense and the baserunning. But currently Brandon Hicks is sitting on the bench doing literally nothing for us. With Infante, we already have a backup SS. Taveras could provide some additional value late in tight games.
From the last thread:
Ive seen Gordon play. He has the build of a nine year old boy and the arm to match it.
There are jokes that suggest themselves, but for the sake of my career, I will refrain from all of them.
Greetings from the Boston Public Library! Toured Fenway today. That was a lot of fun.
@9 – Medlen was nine months old when Moyer made his debut
LF, with one of the current LF/CF options coming off the bench defensively in games where you have a lead late.
The Boston Public Library?
@12 I kinda do too.
Dunn AND Kemp!
I mean, we’re playing friggin Hinske in left, Dunn can’t be that much worse.
On a side note, I’ve gotten the basic framework up for the website for my baseball project!
Man, I figured with Gallardo not being able to play in the ASG that Mat Latos would be his replacement, but Heath Bell got it instead. What does Latos have to do to get on this team?
But where do you put him if Glaus is healthy?
Left field? Maybe some right field on days Heyward isn’t playing and first base when Glaus isn’t playing.
The Braves don’t seem interested in Dunn however. Guess the dynamic duo of Melky Cabrera and Gregor Blanco is just too much to break up.
This is absolutely the greatest sabr v. traditional fan video of all times – I can’t spoil it for you, but there is a reference to someone that will make you just fall over laughing.
http://www.thefightins.com/chris/the-endless-debate/
The comments section is pure knucklehead genius too.
Reading just now about McClouth’s progress and that hes back by next week. GOOD GOD, NO. If he steals at bats from Blanco, that’s really, really bad.
We have such a plethora of mediocre to bad, fringe outfielders in Atlanta & Gwinnett with McClouth, Schafer, Tavares, Blanco, Melky, Diaz, etc etc, it would just be nice to put an actual stud out there like Dunn or Kemp.
What is the longest time we can keep someone on a rehab assignment?
#25
Hysterical.
Except in real-life Philadelphia, the SABR nerd gets stomped by the cretin, who would’ve already downed 5 Jägerbombs.
Or, in other words:
“Howcum evreybody is al xcited abowt Jeff franker wen no body wus xcited abowt me wen i cum to Alanta? I wus a ahlstar las yeer + wut has franker evr dun bfor now? Peepol ar meen.”
25—That is absolutely the greatest video in the history of whatever.
MARRY ME MARTIN!
Mar-TIIIIIINNNN!!
John Sickels is doing another All Questions Answered thread. (He isn’t taking any more questions; he’s going through and answering them now.)
Here are the Braves-related answers he’s given so far:
Keep checking in — more to come.
Is the Braves’ TV feed picking up a particularly obnoxious heckler? The Phils’ feed sure is. I might turn on the radio guys.
Jamie Moyer looks just like Ferris Bueller’s dad.
That was a strike, dammit.
Contrary to rumor, Jamie Moyer is not old enough to be Matthew Broderick’s father.
Smoltz is so much better when Joe Simpson is in the booth
It’s amazing, when Smoltz and EJ are in the booth I actually want to listen to the Braves’ TV feed. I pretty much swore off ever listening to the TV crew when Chip was in there.
For the last GD time, will someone tell the umpires that hitters have to try to get out of the way of the baseball?
Mac,
It would slow down the game?
How does allowing fewer baserunners slow down the game? How does letting the pitchers have the actual strike zone without some clown hanging over the plate slow down the game?
No, seriously. Jamie. Pa Bueller.
Putting on a baserunner has to slow the game down more, doesn’t it?
I’m thinking Smitty was joking there.
Medlen seems to be getting squeeze a little tonight.
Yeah, total joke
He’ll probably go 3-4 now, but I really can’t believe Dane Sardinha is playing everyday for the Phillies. How did that happen?
Strike 4. You’re done.
BTW, I don’t know that there’s a better example of the demise of the Royals — no, not even the acquisition of an entire pitching staff’s worth of Braves rejects — than that they drafted Sardinha in the second round in 1997 and couldn’t even sign him.
Heres the question of the night from the Philly feed.
Who are the two players to lead the Braves and Phillies in Saves?
Steve Bedrosian and Joe Boever.
No… not Boever.
Jeez. Gene Garber.
Bedrock was instant, the other I had to think about.
Yikes, earthquake here. A long rolling one.
It stopped. My house is still standing.
Where are you Robert?
Manhattan Beach. USGS had that one at 5.9. Glad it wasn’t that close.
It would be really cool if the trivia answer involved Satchel Paige
Glad your alright.
That’s why Infante is an all star! I think…
Trivia Q: What is the largest age difference between starting pitchers in a game since 1900?
I think Knucksie started a game against Jose Rijo when they were about 26 years apart. Not gonna look, though.
Peachtree TV trivia question:
Since 1900 what’s the biggest age difference between starting pitchers.
I’m going with Charlie Hough – “someone.”
A: Satchel Paige (59) and Bill Monboquette (29).
Edit: OK, now I’m looking it up. Sept. 8, 1985, Phil Niekro (46) vs. Jose Rijo (20). Knucksie got his 15th win that day, so I’m calling that the largest non-stunt differential until proven otherwise.
(Also, in 1984, Rijo saved a game started and won by Knucksie….)
Sactchel Paige was awesome. He is better right now than Jessie Chavez
I had forgotten Satchel’s swan song in the bigs.
I’ll take partial credit…
better question…what would Jamie Moyers ERA look like with 30 starts vs the Braves?
I hate watching this team against Moyer.
If you want to know why I think Satchel was the best pitcher of all time… In 1952, he put up a 3.07 ERA, went 12-10 with 10 saves for an awful team, and made the All-Star team. And was 45 years old.
Two hard-hit balls, and nothing to show for it…. This is getting annoying.
I definitely wasn’t a good hitter in college (couldn’t hit a decent breaking ball), but part of me would really like an at bat against Moyer. It boggles my mind that he does this to a major league team.
Mac, it was 1952. All the good players were in Vietnam. Idiot.
?
I love watching Victorino fail. If only he would strain something swinging, it would be perfect.
Boy, Medlen has really gotten abused by the umpire
Id swap Melky for him in a heartbeat
stupid little league park
these are bush league HR’s here too
cant walk people
Damn
i hate this stadium. that’s an out.
2-2 curveball to Ibanez was straight down the middle, no idea how it was a ball.
250’ish yard homerun.
The HR Chipper hit in game 1 wasn’t much better.
The walk-homer combo back-to-back in that order is so painful.
This stadium is pathetic.
UPDATE: well, the ballpark giveth, and the ballpark taketh away.
My god, I love him.
Awesome that he did that after that terrible strike call.
Way to get ’em Martin.
Hmmm…now I like this stadium……
At least we got to take advantage of the bandbox as well.
Martin Prado is the Phillie Phanatic!
Too bad Omar isn’t hitting ahead of Prado tonight.
The hell is Moyer complaining about? After Nitram’s fly ball homer that is.
So we can hit the 45 year old who can’t hit 85 anymore…
Tomas: These kids today won’t get off his lawn.
This is ridiculous. What the hell is the stikezone?
If they’re stepping in the flower beds, fair enough. Just looked strange, as I really have a hard time seeing how Moyer could complain about the strikes and balls called today.
Glaus from 1st!!!
McCann!
YEEEESSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Damn, Glaus can run.
Poor Troy is always on first when McCann doubles.
mmmmmmwah, Brian!
No one scores from first better than Troy Glaus. He needs to teach Escobar to run bases.
pretty good 5 minutes – Reds HR and McCann hits a 3R double
MATTY D!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is fun.
I am reminded of something Bill James wrote about Luis Tiant in the 1975 World Series — deception is a limited resource. I think Old Man Moyer has run out.
HOLY CRAP YES!
Thank goodness.
Rally Killer Matt Diaz!
Yeah, tough luck Moyer, you can’t get the same strikes on McCann as those pitches would be behind him.
AWESOME!
Victorino would have had to have a rocket up his ass to catch that ball.
Welcome back Matty D!
Diaz looking good out of the chute – the earlier ball was hit hard as well.
Wow, I step out for a minute with it 1-1 and all hell breaks loose.
But obviously, Yadier Molina is much more worthy candidate to start the All-Star game…
Nice quote there, Mac.
Very nice!
just think if Nate could somehow come back like Diaz and Jurrjens have, Heyward also.
Wow, even Melky is joining in.
After the first out of the sixth Ernie Jr mentioned that the Braves, in 20 innings, had not had two consecutive hits against Jamie Moyer.
Kris Medlen is a switch hitter?!?
#115, especially when the other guy who is touted for the gig is Miguel Olivo, he of the .215/.318/.344 line away from Coors Field.
Of course he’s a switch hitter, because he’s a badass.
I have never, ever seen a switch hitting pitcher.
Zambrano, right?
Manny Acosta is also a switch hitter.
Great turn by Esco. Most don’t make that play.
A lot of good-hitting pitchers, including several Hall of Famers, were switch-hitters — Kid Nichols, Robin Roberts, Early Wynn. Zambrano is the only other active one I know of.
What a superfluous skill: a reliever who can switch hit.
@126 – agreed. Not a good first throw by Glaus. Esco earned his start by getting two there.
Once Medlen becomes a little more known as a starter his change-up will be among those mentioned as the best in the league I think.
Looking deeper, here are some other active switch-hitting pitchers: Bruce Chen (!), Jorge Sosa (!!), Wandy Rodriguez, Matt Belisle (!!!), Kyle Farnsworth (running out of !). Brad Woodall was one, too — I think that there’s probably some sort of hint about Braves drafting philosophy here.
Oh, and Greg Harris was one. Obviously.
He’s a starter, man.
Wow…..I swear it was 1-1 a few minutes ago. Prado, McCann….keep it up.
Billy-Jay, I think he was talking smack about Zambrano.
Ah, of course.
Tip o’ the cap.
Heyward coming back at even 3/4 of his start would make this a tough team to beat, presuming one of Diaz or Mclouth can keep hitting a bit.
I had never even considered the possibility.
i love john smoltz’s jokes
Victorino has a noodle arm.
@138 – That means you’re evil.
Bobby needs to start using KK some….Venters is going to wear down
Mac @131
ah Brad Woodallthe first “Next Tom Glavine”
Yeesh, how did that go out?
By clearing the wall by about 15 rows.
I wonder if we have a deal in the works with KK and that’s why we haven’t seen him in relief
Im sure Wren is trying, I like the depth though. They probably think Minor is ready though also
Please no KK in this game. A win here means a 6 game lead over the Phils. Plus tomorrow is an off day. Won’t be too long before some low leverage innings are around for KK to clean up.
If we hold on here, don’t the Phillies have to start thinking about selling?
smitty, would your barber approve of this trade:
escobar and kawakami for furcal?
@147 – Mets are losing late too – headed to the bottom of the 9th 3-1 down. Gotta close the deal here.
I don’t know why, but Nelson Figueroa’s picture really cracks me up:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/6491
Ayyyyy!
why didn’t bobby make that pitching change? has he been ejected??
Phils not as far back in Wild Card
Too early for the Phils to sell, esp. with Utley and Polanco returning in a few weeks. All the more reason to want to be 6 ahead of them after this game rather than 4 ahead.
Also nice that the Mets are down to the Reds.
@149
No, he likes multi-team deals
Mets making it interesting in the bottom 9.
Frank,
Utley is out for a few months
Mets’ game is over, Reds win 3-1.
So the Phillies wouldn’t lose any ground on the current wildcard leader.
Final in NYC. Mets lose 3-1.
Oh jeez.
Ugh, making it tight.
I think it needs to be a four out appearance for Wagner
For the love of God already, can Wren find a set up guy at the break? Saito SUCKS.
Man, that was some weak sauce. Unlucky, Saito.
Saito does not fill me with confidence.
Why is Saito still out there?
alex, you’re spoiled if you think saito sucks.
No, hes not a good set up guy. I wasn’t thrilled when we added him in the offseason.
Thank goodness. God he sucks.
I bet Saito looks great after the break when he gets more time to really heal.
We’ve got a setup guy in Venters, but Cox won’t use him that way until Saito’s blown a sufficient number of games.
Saito
BAA – .210
H/9 – 6.3
HR/9 – 0.9
BB/9 – 3.2
k/9 – 11.5
I think that’s going to qualify as “not sucky”
That got way too interesting.
Saito has has a few issues of late, but I think he has been good.
not a single ball was hit well that inning and saito’s era this year is in the mid-3s (and 2.21 for his career). also for his career, he has 88 walks to 337 ks, and a 1.016 whip. and he sucks? give me a break.
Saito was going great before he went on the DL, but has been a little shaky since returning.
Peavy out for the year with a “detached back muscle”. Ow.
That slide by fat Melky was Kruk-esque.
melky bounced into 2nd on a belly first slide.
That guys does look like a baby John Kruk
I take it back, he looks like a cross between Kruk, Schilling, and Jonah Hill.
melky not all that skinny
My favorite trivia question: Who was the last switch hitter to win the American League MVP?
I assume it was a pitcher?
Saito does not suck. He got dinked that inning. If you think Saito sucks you need to get your head out of your ass.
@184 – yes.
Oh. I knew he was a switch-hitter, but had forgotten he was the MVP.
Yes, Vida Blue, 1971.
That’s not even to the track in any other park except Wrigley. Well, off the wall in Fenway.
Friggin ballpark. Rollins completely under a ball and almost parked it.
AIR MELKY!
It’s weird that Bobby trusts Infante defensively in the outfield more than Melky or Diaz.
Mac @189: That’s on the street in Houston’s “ballpark.”
@183
Vida Blue?
Sit down, you jackass.
Seriously, I hate Victorino. I loathe him. And I don’t normally hate other teams’ good players.
Phillies broadcast guys claiming Rollins hit that one to a “deep part” of the ballpark. Good one.
The last switch-hitting hitter to win the AL MVP was Mantle in 1962.
Too late
BILLY BADASS!
I like it when Billy doesn’t mess around. Peace, Phils.
God I will miss him..
ESPN is saying that Peavy’s injury may be career ending
Two out of three, baby!
Hell yes! This stretch before the break has been outstanding. 2 out of 3 from Washington, Florida and now the Phillies? Just don’t get swept in NY and that’s one hell of a run to get to the All Star break.
This is beautiful.
Good win. I effing hate it when they play in that stupid stadium.
Braves 10-1 with Medlen on the mound
Attention anyone who thinks Saito sucks — he’s the fifth most difficult pitcher to hit baseball history. Okay?
@202
That non-trade of Yunel and Hanson for Peavy is looking better and better all the time.
Saito doesn’t suck. He is no where near the level of suckness. I think we all know what suckness means.
Recapped.
Kolb, Reitsma, Chavez, and Gryboski suck….Saito does not