Huddy to become a free agent?

Major League sources are talking and I am not loving what they are saying. Barring a big offer from the Braves, Tim Hudson could become a free agent this offseason. Hudson and the Braves have a mutual $12 million option for 2010, but if Hudson rejects the option, he’ll become a free agent.

Hudson has been a staple in the Braves rotation since his trade to Atlanta in 2004 offseason. Four years later, the right hander suffered a set back when he was forced to undergo Tommy John Surgery, but was able to return in September 2009, going 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in those final seven starts.

Without Hudson, the Braves would still command one of the best starting rotations in the National League with Derek Lowe, Jair Jurrjens, Javier Vazquez, Tommy Hanson and Kenshin Kawakami. I would just rather have Hudson in there and move Kawakami to the bullpen.
(Photo: Getty Images; source)

Braves Complete Sweep; Remain 2.5 back

Braves 6, Nationals 3



With time running out, the Braves were able to pull off an extra innings victory over the Nationals to wrap up a sweep of the bumbling Nats. Brian McCann drove in the go ahead run in the 10th with a week grounder that scored Nate McLouth. Omar Infante followed with a two run single that padded their lead.

The Braves will now head home for a three game set against the Marlins followed by four against the Nationals. They’ll have to stay as close to perfect as possible to keep pace with the Rockies, but anything can happen!

Atlanta picked up a game in the Wild Card standings after Colorado fell to St. Louis, 6-3 on Saturday.

News&Notes: On Mike & Mike this morning, Buster Olney declared the Braves pitching rotation the best in the National League. I’d agree with that.
(Photo: AP)

Braves continue hot streak but is it too late?

The Braves wrapped up their sweep of the Mets with a 5-2 victory moving them just four games behind the Colorado Rockies in the NL Wild Card. The Braves are tied for second in the race but with just over a week left is it too little too late for Atlanta?

It seems for the past few seasons the Braves have moved into a seasonal pattern. For the first few months the Braves hover around .500 until the All-Star break descends and they move into high gear propelling them right into the thick of the playoff hunt until mid-August when they begin to stumble. Once their name has fallen from reporter’s tongues as a possible playoff team (somewhere around the second week of September) they start up a hot streak, getting close to a playoff spot but ultimately falling short.

Not one to give up before they are mathematically eliminated, it seems the Braves will fail to make the playoffs for the fourth straight year. But don’t fear Braves fans, there is some hope. In the next 10 games; the Braves will play the lowly Nationals seven times. They also will play the Marlins – who are also still mathematically alive – three times. In addition to the friendly opponents, Atlanta will end the season with a seven game homestand, a place where they are four games over .500.

Still the task at hand will not be easy. As red hot as the Braves have been over the last few weeks, the Rockies have been equally as hot and the Giants - who are tied with the Braves for second in the race - feature a stellar rotation with Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum at its helm. Over their final 10 games, the Rockies will have series against the Cardinals who should have their playoff ticket punched by the start of the series, three games against the Brewers and a final series against the Dodgers who should also have the division wrapped up. The Giants, meanwhile, will play against the Cubs, Diamondbacks and Padres – all teams who are closer to a spot on the golf course than in the post season.

One thing is for sure, even if the Braves miss out on the playoffs this season, they can take pride in their stellar record and what appears to be a very exciting future.

News&Notes: Poor Martin Prado, if it’s not unexplained headaches it’s a ball ramming into his knee during batting practice…Chipper Jones stands only three homeruns away from having his 15th straight season with 20 homeruns. If he can get the required dingers, he’ll be the only person to accomplish that feat…In addition to announcing the signing of Bobby Cox, the Braves have announced they will retain their current coaching staff.

(Photo: AP)

Cox to retire

The Braves have announced Bobby Cox will retire following the 2010 season after the manager and the team agreed to a one year contract extension. Cox will serve as a consultant for an additional five years.

Since returning to manage the Braves in 1990, Cox has lead his team to 14 consecutive division titles, five pennants and one World Series victory in 1995. The Braves last playoff appearance was in 2005.

I love that while I was searching for a photo to post of Bobby, about 85% of the photos featured Cox arguing with an umpire and/or being thrown out of a game. 10% showed him smiling in the dugout and the other 5% had him interacting with current and former players. I know those are some of the things I will remember most. Many others will remember his Major League leading penchant for being thrown out as P.T. Barnumesque, but for me it is just another example of how he always puts his players first. I remember a game a few years ago where Chipper Jones started arguing with the homeplate umpire about balls and strikes and Bobby came running out of the dugout and wound up being thrown out of the game. A few innings later, Chipper drove in the game winning run which would not have been possible had he been the one who got thrown out of the game.

It will be sad to see him go, but it may also be time for a new era in Atlanta.
(Photo: AP; source)

Chipper Jones to Retire?

(Like I wrote, yesterday, I have been a bit busy so I am a little behind on this story)

Former MVP Chipper Jones said he may retire after the 2010 season if next year is as frustrating as 2009. Jones is batting a paltry .269 with 16 homers and 64 RBIs this season, but has managed to stay off the DL. He has also accumulated 70 runs and four stolen bases in 126 games for the Braves so far this season.

The Third baseman signed a three year, $42 million extension in March that would take him through the 2012 season if he decides to keep playing.

I can understand Chipper’s feelings, but I think he means more to the Braves than just numbers. As a veteran player who is the last link to the Braves 90s-early 2000s dynasty, Jones has unprecedented influence on the team’s younger core. I also think, crazy as this sounds, he’s hurt his numbers by staying relatively healthy this season. Since 2004, Jones hadn’t played in more than 137 games and his body is not used to the wear and tear of playing this regularly. It almost behooves him to miss 10 – 15 games in a row on the DL so he can recharge and comeback stronger.

I understand a certain point, Jones will retire and a new guy will being playing third for the Braves, but hopefully that won’t be for a couple more years.
(Photo: Reuters; source)

Alright Alright Alright!

So I haven’t jumped off a cliff, but I have, unfortunately, neglected this site. Although I have a couple of really good reasons; one being work, which is absolutely crazy, and two being my impending move, but I figured after a weekend sweep of the first place Cardinals I had to give a shout out to the Bravos.

Braves 9, Cardinals 2

Atlanta roughed up contending Cy Young Award winner Chris Carpenter early, while Javier Vazquez shined for the Braves in their 9-2 romp. Atlanta jumped out to a six-nothing lead after an impressive third of an inning. Carpenter easily retired the first two hitters before giving up six runs on 22 pitches in the third. It was all Braves from there on out, as Javier Vazquez tossed a two run complete game for his thirteenth win of the season. (Imagine how many wins Javy could have had had the Braves offered more run support for him throughout the year.)

The win wrapped up a solid weekend sweep for the Braves which included a 1-0 win on Friday and a dramatic late game rally on Saturday.

Atlanta has now won five out of their last six games heading into their series with the Mets on Tuesday.

News&Notes: Chipper Jones was held out of Sunday’s game with a groin injury…Man I totally missed Tim Hudson’s homerun!...Congratulations to Jason Heyward on being named minor league player of the year…The Gwinnett Braves have been eliminated from the Governor’s Cup playoffs.
(Photo: AP)

Friday Funnies

Over on my other blog, I post funny photos and stories on Friday and after seeing this photo today, I thought it was too good not to post.



I never knew Kris Medlen loved My Little Pony so much.
(Photo: AP)

Thud! Pow! Smack!

Braves 9, Padres 1

The Braves avoided the sweep by the Padres with an offensive outburst that spurred them to a 9-1 victory. Atlanta had six singles in their five run second inning which staked them to an early 5-0 lead. Adam LaRoche added a homerun in the sixth while Matt Diaz, Omar Infante and Reid Gorecki all produced RBI singles in the win.

Javier Vazquez, meanwhile, held San Diego scoreless over seven innings and even provided an RBI-single to help him break a personal two-game losing streak.

Quote of the Night: "All the teams that are losing are the right teams, which is good, so we'll keep trucking," said Braves manager Bobby Cox

News&Notes: The Braves recalled Buddy Carlyle and optioned Manny Ascosta to Triple-A Gwinnett…Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman, Brandon Hicks and four other pitchers will all join the Arizona Fall League...Atlanta is just 4 ½ games out of the wild card and seven games out of the NL East lead as the take on the Phillies for a three game series this weekend.

(Photo: AP)

Huddy Back on Monday

Good news Braves fans, TIM HUDSON IS BACK!!! The Braves have decided to have Hudson skip his final rehab start Friday and instead will insert him into the starting rotation for Monday’s game against the Marlins. Ironically, it was in Miami where he stepped off the mound for the final time before undergoing Tommy John Surgery. 13 months later and Hudson is back to bolster the Braves’ rotation just in time for their final push towards the playoffs.

Kenshin Kawakami will move to the bullpen to make room for Hudson.
(Photo: Getty Images; source)

Musings from Citi Field

Braves 3, Mets 2

Well they finally did it; the Braves finally broke the streak of losing games that I attend that are not in the month of April. Yeah, it’s been 26 long years coming, so it was nice of them to create a new tradition at Citi Field. Of course Chipper Jones going 0-for-10 in the series is not a new tradition I’d like him to create, but at least Brian McCann got a homerun, right?

Citi Field is a massive upgrade from the orange and blue disaster that was Shea Stadium or what we now refer to as the parking lot. I’d suggest starting your adventure by going through the Jackie Robinson rotunda located at the Subway/LIRR exit. The rotunda pays homage to the Brooklyn Dodgers’ Ebbets Field and certainly has the biggest wow factor of the Stadium. In the rotunda fans can stop at the large team store or proceed up the escalator to the field level. From there I would head either left or right by passing the usual concession stands and head towards centerfield. You’ll know you’re in the right place when you see three very large lines. Two of those lines are for the Shack Shake and - I won’t lie - will not move quickly, but trust me, you will not be disappointed by the Shack Shake burger (single or double) or the frozen custard shakes. If you’re in the mood for barbeque, Blue Smoke is right next door. And make sure to look up while you’re wasting away on line, directly above the Shake Shack/Blue Smoke concession stand is the New York skyline that was previously located above the scoreboard in centerfield at Shea Stadium, one of the few leftovers from that relic. There is also a video board on the backside of the scoreboard which shows replays of the game.

If you’re in the mood for French Fries, take a few extra minutes to head across the concourse to pick up the tasty treat at Box Frites. The fries aren’t remarkable (well not nearly as good as the crab fries at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia) but the dipping sauces are out of this world. (Last night I chose the ballpark mayo, which had a hint of honey mustard, and bacon varieties. Don’t be fooled by the sign, you can get an extra sauce without paying an extra fee.) After loading up on the goods (read: calories) you can head to your seats and enjoy the game.

The Stadium offers many interesting sections to view the game. My first trip to Citi I was seated in the left field upper deck, but I’ve also watched the game from the field level, right field seats, which were perfect. Under the Pepsi Porch, the seats were shaded and close to the field with very little restricted views. Another great spot is the Bridge Terrace seating which is located above the bullpen. These seats are actually tables from which fans can watch the game. There is also the Modell’s section located in right field that is literally at field level.

The Ballpark itself has a lot of modern amenities fans have grown accustomed to or could easily do so. Things like the three large video boards that show replays and game facts, TV monitors located in sections (like those under the Pepsi Porch) that do not have a view of the video boards, comfortable seats, large open concourses which blare the TV broadcast, differing concession stands on every level so you’re not stuck with just hot dogs and fries, various team stores and kids areas.

Once the game is over, make it a point to head out the bullpen exit. There you’ll see the original homerun apple and all of the Mets pennants. During the game, this is also a great place to watch the pitchers warm up.

Citi Field hasn’t surpassed Miller Park as my favorite place to catch a game, but it’s definitely worth a trip the next time you’re in New York.

(Photos: PIMC)