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Joined: Apr 2007
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Legend
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OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009 |
Spring is soon to arrive. Gardening is a new hobby of mine. I love growing morning glories of all colors.
Hummingbirds come around the time the dogwoods blossom near April 1st. But of all the things that I look forward that comes with Spring. Number one is the return of baseball.
I have a deep reverence for the game that started when I was a boy in Harrisburg, Pa. in the 1950's. I fell in love with the game at maybe seven or so playing pick up games. If I could play ball all day. It was a good day. I started playing Little League at nine. Getting a uniform was a total thrill. I didn't want to take it off.
Life took a hold on me and pulled me all kinds of directions. When I settled down I got married and had two kids. The second child was a boy who took to baseball like a duck to water. That led to coaching in East Cobb Baseball north of Atlanta. I met a lot of Braves players through Ned Yost who at that time was the third base coach for the Braves. His son caught my son. We worked out together during the winters. Ned's wife had a big van and she would drive a bunch of kids to games we played in travel ball.
The Braves became a passion. In the 90's they started a streak of winning 14 straight division titles. Unfortunately only one World Series which was bittersweet because it was against the Indians in 1995.
They begin this year as the favorites to win the World Series by many publications. In 2023 during the regular season they won the most games, but fell short in the post season.
The team is led by Ronald Acuna 2023 unanimous MVP. One of the best players I have ever seen. The team is stacked with All Stars at every position except LF. Two pitchers in Spencer Strider and Max Fried who are Cy Young candidates along with Chris Sale, Charlie Morton, and Bryce Elder three former All Stars.
March 28th is opening day that begins the 162 game grind. I love it. Wake up. Get a cup of joe and read all the happenings of the night before. Check box scores. Check stats. Catch some highlights. I don't miss many Braves games. Maybe not the whole game. I watch the close ones till the end. But it is the habit of baseball and the soap opera of the regular season that I love. Then the build up to the post season.
Spring season games start Saturday.
Baseball is back.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 12,824 Likes: 274
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 12,824 Likes: 274 |
![[Linked Image from i28.photobucket.com]](http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c201/shadedog/mcenroe2.jpg) gmstrong ----------------- 2023: The year we got a legit D.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009
Legend
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OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009 |
You are right. I just read it.
Last edited by bonefish; 02/21/24 10:17 PM.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009
Legend
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OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009 |
Last night MLB finished their top 100 player ranking with the announcement of their top ten players. This is decided by a group who deep dive into stats and do their best to be objective.
The top ten:
10. Julio RodrÃguez
9. Gerrit Cole
8. Yordan Alvarez
7. Juan Soto
6. Corey Seager
5. Freddie Freeman
4. Shohei Ohtani
3. Aaron Judge
2. Mookie Betts
1. Ronald Acuna.
* Shohei Ohtani would have been number one if he was going to pitch. But he will not pitch this season so, no way a DH is number one.
I see Acuna damn near every game. He may get even better. He hit 41 HR's and stole 73 bases. He is the definition of a five tool player. He may hit 50 and steal 80. He hit 337 and cut his strikeouts near in half. Incredible player.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 4,847 Likes: 181
Hall of Famer
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Hall of Famer
Joined: Mar 2013
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Although I closely follow the 4 major sports closely baseball and football are my favorites. ST. Louis Cardinals are my team for 57 years.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009
Legend
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OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009 |
The Cards are a historically great franchise with a great fan base.
The Braves are a SE culture.
When Ted Turner first started TBS the Braves and Cubs WGN were the only teams that broadcast nationally. That grew a fan base. The Braves draw fans from all over the SE. Tickets are a hard get. You cannot get really good seats. So, I only watch the games on tv.
When you look at all games as a game. Baseball IMO is the coolest game. The idea of the game. The way the game is played and the rules. Baseball is so different from any other game.
I have spent a lot of time learning the game from the angle of coaching. I attended clinics at Ga. Tech with major league coaches teaching position skills. Pitching and hitting clinics with professionals. I have great respect for how hard the grind of baseball is. How hard one has to work at the game. How you can continue to improve and never master it. Baseball is a beautiful game.
Everyone dreams of what if. What sport would you play if you could be a professional? Easy answer for me. I would play baseball till I could not play anymore and then I would coach, manage, or be a GM.
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Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,248 Likes: 101
Dawg Talker
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Dawg Talker
Joined: Jan 2017
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He also will want an extension and a lot more money (ie. 400 million+). See what the Braves do then.
In my estimation, they are the Braves are the best run organization in baseball (Yankee fan here - they are one of the worst). Braves draft well and have great development. They lock up their studs early and they pilfer from the Oakland A's.
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Legend
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OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009 |
Acuna is making $17. He will get a new deal. He wants to only play for the Braves.
I agree the Braves are IMO the best run organization in pro sports. Their GM Alex Anthopoulos is crazy good at his job. The Braves do a lot for their players. Every player in the game knows about how well the Braves are run.
Nine players in the top 100. Four in the top 20. The entire infield made the All Star team. Michael Harris the CF was the ROY. He will be a 30 HR guy with 35 steals and a gold glove.
Acuna, Riley, and Olson are MVP candidates. Strider and Fried Cy candidates. Sean Murphy the best catcher in the NL. Ozzie Albies at second hit 33 HR's and had 109 RBI's.
The team is so stacked and damn every player is under long term deals and they are young guys.
They had a historic offense last season. They might win over 110 games.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 38,517 Likes: 809
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 38,517 Likes: 809 |
Had a nice day at the ballpark today. My son and I attended the Braves, Orioles game at CoolToday Park, winter home of the Braves. It's about 5 miles down the road from where I stay in Venice, Fla. Perfect mid 70's temps with good cloud cover which made it very comfortable.
It's been a number of years since I went to a spring training game. Back when the Tribe trained in Winter Haven. Spring training games have a whole different vibe. If you are a baseball fan, take a few days to catch some games.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong ![[Linked Image]](http://www.dawgtalkers.net/uploads/small-gator-chomp.gif)
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,395 Likes: 440
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,395 Likes: 440 |
You didn't happen to notice the Braves #26, Kade Kern, did you? He's on the spring roster. He'll probably get sent down to A, or outside chance AA when the season starts.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 38,517 Likes: 809
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 38,517 Likes: 809 |
You didn't happen to notice the Braves #26, Kade Kern, did you? He's on the spring roster. He'll probably get sent down to A, or outside chance AA when the season starts. No. If he is going to A or maybe AA, he probably wasn't at the game. They still play the games with 25 total players. The only prospects who get to be in the dugout are usually players the team feels are getting close to being major league ready. Those are usually guys who are at the top of the AA roster and AAA guys and on the 40 man roster. But, if he is in the big league camp he is getting to play in the intrasquad games. If he is tearing it up, he may get a look. They have the stadium field, then 3-4 more around the complex where guys are playing games and working drills. The teams have all of their minor league mgrs and coaches down there to evaluate all of the players in the system. I take it that you have some sort of connection. It's cool when you know somebody trying to fill their big league dream. Now that you mentioned him, I will keep my eyes and ears open for any news about the guy.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Legend
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OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009 |
I went to Spring Training one year.
I was turned off by the cost of everything. It was kinda of like baseball Disneyland. You just feel like you are getting ripped off.
When I was living in Reno from 1995 to 2020. Reno had a AAA team that was affiliated with the Arizona Diamondbacks organization.
Minor league games are really cool. You can sit pretty much anywhere. The players are the top prospects and they play hard. You get a chance to see future great players early.
I think Michael Harris CF Braves is going to have a terrific season. He is really talented. I think he will hit 35 HR's and steal 35 bases and bat around .300.
Chris Sale looked great so far. If he remains healthy. Look out.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 38,517 Likes: 809
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 38,517 Likes: 809 |
I like Harris as well. My son got him to sign a ball yesterday.
I like spring training. I haven't found it to be expensive, but I suppose that varies from place to place.
I love minor league baseball. In Chattanooga we have the Lookouts, AA affiliate with the REDS. The Southern League is considered the best AA league, so I have seen many top players play here.
I don't go as much anymore but for years I would go down to maybe 20 games a year.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009
Legend
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OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009 |
I love to sit as close to the catcher as possible.
I looked at the Braves games for this year. Impossible to get close unless you pay through the nose if you could find them.
Minor league games you can get real close for dirt cheap.
If I cannot sit real close. I don't go.
Harris is a stud athlete. He is a great bowler. He is one of those rare guys who can do everything. Great young local player from metro Atl.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,395 Likes: 440
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,395 Likes: 440 |
Couple of things.
Yes, I know Kade.
Also, minor league baseball. Toledo Mudhens. AAA affiliate for the Tigers. I much prefer to go to Toledo to watch them. Cheaper, closer to home obviously, and a great stadium now, as opposed to when they played at the Lucas Co. Rec center.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 38,517 Likes: 809
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 38,517 Likes: 809 |
I have been to a few Hens games...years ago. My Dad was born in Maumee and was a fan as a kid. He would take me to a game now and then when we went to visit his family who were spread out around the Toledo area.
Our family on his side first settled out in your neck of the woods in Bryan, Ohio. Maybe around the 1820's.
If everybody had like minds, we would never learn. GM Strong
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,232 Likes: 201
Hall of Famer
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Hall of Famer
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,232 Likes: 201 |
I try to get to a few Columbus Clippers games every season. Gonna try harder this season, they should loaded. Still hoping to catch a Guardians game on Sunday in Goodyear, AZ.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,559 Likes: 144
Dawg Talker
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Dawg Talker
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 2,559 Likes: 144 |
As an FYI, the Guardians tee it up tonight vs the Oakland Athletics.(In Oakland)
Bally Sports Great Lakes on my TV......10:00pm.
Let this sink in..... On 12-31-23 it be will 123123.
On the flip side, you can tune a piano but you can't tune-a-fish.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17,353 Likes: 1351
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17,353 Likes: 1351 |
Tackles are tackles.
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Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17,353 Likes: 1351
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 17,353 Likes: 1351 |
Tackles are tackles.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009
Legend
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OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009 |
Darn. Up till the beginning of 2021 I was living in Reno. Sacramento is not far away.
What a great place that would be to watch a game. Reno has a AAA team in the Dbacks organization. It was really fun to watch games there.
You could get real close and see the game up close and personal. Savannah has the Bananas. I have been to their park which is an historic park.
I didn't see a game but walked all around it when it was empty. Such a cool place. Many greats played there back in the day.
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,395 Likes: 440
Legend
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Legend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 30,395 Likes: 440 |
How about BGSU baseball? They went from losing their team due to budget cutbacks a few years ago (didn't lose it though, as BGSU baseball alumni did a crowdfunding thing) to now leading the MAC - all with a bunch of 'local' players. Nice article here: https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/...W1pVag2N16A8EaJqxjJeChcUuWTf7UzUSkC5CT5MOh, yeah, that Newman kid? Cousin of mine.
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009
Legend
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OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009 |
I follow two teams the Guardians in the AL and the Braves in the NL.
Before the season began Bieber and Strider were the aces of their teams. Strider was the heavy favorite to win the Cy Young. He had a dominant Spring allowing one run in 19 innings.
Both have to have TJ surgery to repair elbow damage. This article spells out MLB's concern about the epidemic of elbow surgeries.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...its-baseball-elbow-epidemic/73260109007/
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Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009
Legend
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OP
Legend
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 14,417 Likes: 1009 |
Billy Wagner should be in the Hall of Fame. Wagner appeared on 73.8 percent of the ballots with 284 votes, putting oh so close to the 75% needed.
He played a year for the Braves so I heard about his "story." He was born a right hander. He broke his right arm and learned to throw left handed.
Today there is a youngster playing for Mississippi State.
Here is his amazing story:
https://www.mlb.com/news/jurrangelo-cijntje-ambidextrous-pitcher-mississippi-state
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