Ted is suspended for a year (January 2, 1977)

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1977, Atlanta Braves, Bowie Kuhn, Gary Matthews, January 2, Ted Turner

Ted Turner

There may never be another owner of a team like Ted Turner. He was a one of a kind character. The good news is that he loved his team and invested in them.

There were lots of sides to him. Ted was suspended for one year on January 2, 1977 by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, due to tampering charges in the free-agency signing of Gary Matthews. The rumor is that Ted spent much of baseball’s winter meetings seemingly drunk out of his mind and threatening to kill Kuhn. Eventually, two of Turner’s company officers had to drag Turner out of harm’s way, and Kuhn suspended him for the entire 1977 season.

So what does Ted do? Well, the Braves’ owner, an accomplished sailor, uses his free time to pursue another goal, winning the this year’s America’s Cup, which he accomplishes in September.

I’m thankful he didn’t order me shot! ~Ted Turner

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“If you don’t win, you’re going to be fired. If you do win, you’ve only put off the day you’re going to be fired.” ~~Leo Durocher

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Leo Durocher, Win

Leo knew his baseball. And of course, this applies to the long history of the Atlanta Braves.

If you don’t win, you’re going to be fired. If you do win, you’ve only put off the day you’re going to be fired.”

~~Leo Durocher

July 4, 1919 – The second game and … my dad is born!

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1919, Dick Rudolph, Ebbets Field, Everett Wiley Wilson, Johnny Rawlings, July 4, Rabbit Maranville

The Boston Braves (now known as the Atlanta Braves) won the second game of the Double Header on July 4, 1919 at Ebbets Field after having lost the first game. At this point in the season we were in 7th place, 15 1/2 games behind.

My dad (Everett Wiley Wilson) was born this day. He probably would have expected them to split this. He saw or listened to a lot of games over the years. Johnny Rawlings, the second baseman, went 4 for 5 at bats in this game with a home run, a double, and a stolen base. Rabbit Maranville, our shortstop,  went 2 for 3 with a home run and sacrifice hit. Dick Rudolf was the winning pitcher with a complete game. Both runs were earned.

And so, my dad was born. He would come to love the Braves.

Atlanta Braves name Brian Snitker manager and that means hope for 2017

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2016, 2017, Anthony Recker, Arodys Vizcaino, Brian Snitker, Chris Withrow, Ender Inciarte, Freddie Freeman, Ian Krol, Jim Johnson, Josh Collmenter, Julio Teheran, Matt Kemp, Nick Markakis, Paco Rodriquez, Ron Washington, Tyler Flowers

Brian Snitker, who replaced fired Fredi Gonzalez on May 17, will remain manager of the Atlanta Braves for 2017.

Snitker went 59-65 as interim manager of the Braves last season but sheds that label as Atlanta moves into SunTrust Park in 2017. The Braves hold an option on his contract for 2018.

Rumors began at midseason that Braves’ management would replace Gonzalez with former San Diego Padres manager Bud Black, but Snitker was left standing following an interview process that included experienced MLB managers Black and Ron Washington (Texas Rangers) and three other members of the current Braves’ coaching staff. Bench coach Terry Pendleton and Eddie Perez interviewed with Hart.

Snitker has spent his entire 40-year baseball career in the Braves’ organization as a player, minor-league manager and coach and with the MLB coaching staff. He has a strong rapport with a very young roster based on his experience at Triple-A Gwinnett. The Braves were 9-28 when Gonzalez was fired.

Several trades netted top prospects in return in the past year to position Atlanta as an up-and-coming team for 2017. I am hopeful!

Snitker made multiple changes on the coaching staff, including hiring Washington as third-base coach. Pitching coach Roger McDowell’s contract option was declined and minor-league pitching coordinator Chuck Hernandez replaces him with the Braves.

What is on the horizon for 2017?

Guaranteed Contracts

• Freddie Freeman, 1B: $106.5MM through 2021
• Matt Kemp, OF: $54.5MM through 2019 (Dodgers, via Padres, paying $10.5MM of remaining obligations)
• Julio Teheran, SP: $26.3MM through 2019 ($12MM club option for 2020; $1MM buyout)
• Nick Markakis, OF: $21MM through 2018
• Tyler Flowers, C: $3.3MM through 2017 ($4MM club option for 2018; $300K buyout)
• Jim Johnson, RP: Unreported guarantee through 2018

Arbitration Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; link to MLBTR projections)

• Ender Inciarte, OF (2.157): $2.8MM
• Josh Collmenter, SP/RP (5.110): $2.2MM
• Arodys Vizcaino, RP (3.168): $1.6MM
• Chris Withrow, RP (3.111): $1.2MM
• Ian Krol, RP (2.147): $1.0MM
• Anthony Recker, C (4.000): $1.0MM
• Paco Rodriguez, RP (3.120): $900K
• Non-tender candidates: Collmenter, Withrow, Recker, Rodriguez

Free Agents

• Emilio Bonifacio, Eric O’Flaherty, A.J. Pierzynski

It sounds like some weird things happened for the Atlanta Braves to sign Ron Washington

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2016, Atlanta Braves, Ron Washington, Texas Rangers

It might not be a conspiracy theory – I think there’s a very specific reason the Braves brought in Ron Washington.

via It sounds like some weird things happened for the Atlanta Braves to sign Ron Washington — Breslanta

Ron Washington is a great manager. He is a great addition.

The longest game ever played ends in a 1-1 tie (May 1, 1920)

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1920, Boston Braves, Joe Oeschger, May 1

Joe Oeschger

The longest game ever played ends after 26 innings in a 1-1 tie. They would have kept on playing but it was called because of darkness.

Now imagine this. Brooklyn Robin Leon Cadore and Brave Joe Oeschger both go the distance for their respective clubs. Braves’ Charlie Pick establishes the major league record for hitless at-bats in one game as he goes 0-for-11 in the marathon.

Oescheger only gave up 9 hits the entire game, while Cadore allowed 15.

For the rest of the 1920 season Oescheger won 15 games with a 3.46 earned run average.

 

Atlanta Braves say goodbye to “The Ted”, aka Turner Field (October 2, 2016)

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Atlanta Braves, Ender Inciarte, Freddie Freeman, Julio Teheran, Turner Field

I wish I could have been there. I thought about flying. My wife suggested we drive. Maybe I’m just too old now but the prospect of a 24 hour road trip in two days was just too much. What has happened to me?

I decided not to go. I watched it on my laptop via MLB.TV.

It is the end of so much and the start of so much more. No more baseball in downtown Atlanta. It was always an adventure. How to get there. Where to park. When to leave to not get stranded.

The good news, for a really horrible season, is they leave with a win. Teheran pitched one of his finest games, going seven innings and giving up three hits, one walk and no runs. He struck out 12, tying his career high.

Freddie Freeman drove in Ender Inciarte on a first-inning sacrifice fly. That would be all that is needed. A perfect end to the history of it all.

And so it goes! A new stadium, new hopes, new dreams.

The first pitch was thrown by Atlanta Braves starter Julio Teheran to Detroit Tigers leadoff hitter Ian Kinsler at 3:13 p.m ET, with the game-time temperature at 80 degrees.

Source: Atlanta Braves say goodbye to Turner Field – CNN.com

Last game at Turner Field, moving on again …

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Atlanta Braves, Turner Field

The Braves have played in lots of stadiums. Eight to be exact.

Today will be the last game played at Turner Field.

Sad, but they are moving on. I have many fond memories of games from Turner Field. But I remember Atlanta – Fulton County Stadium as well.

Here is the list from the past:

• Turner Field (1997– 2016)
• Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium (1966–1996)
• Milwaukee County Stadium (1953–1965)
• Braves Field (1915–1952)
• Fenway Park (1914–1915)
• South End Grounds (1894–1914)
• Congress Street Grounds (1894)
• South End Grounds (1871–1894)