Matt Kemp hits 3 HRs, powers Braves to fourth straight victory (April 29, 2017)

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2017, April 29, Atlanta Braves, Matt Kemp

Matt Kemp had a night like he had never had in his career. He was more than happy to share the good vibes.

Kemp homered three times and drove in five runs to help the surging Atlanta Braves pound the Milwaukee Brewers 11-3 on April 29.

“It was everybody’s night,” he said. “Everybody was swinging the bat well. That’s a good sign for us.”

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Braves name Alex Anthopoulos as next general manager (2017)

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2017, Alex Anthopoulos, Atlanta Braves, General Manager, Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays

Hoping this is very good news. We need some help and he has a very good track record.

The Braves are in deep with the league over rules violations in connection with the signing of international players. They are still likely facing big penalties for that and, for the time being, remain in limbo. While there were some noises coming out of Atlanta about who, possibly, might take over as the next general manager, they were decidedly muted.

The big potential move — luring Dayton Moore back to Atlanta from Kansas City — was blocked by Royals owner David Glass who would not grant the Braves permission to interview him. The remaining names bandied about as a replacement GM were less-than-inspiring. Dan Jennings? Ugh.

It appeared as if Atlanta was going to enter this week’s General Manager Meetings with placeholder GM John Hart at the helm. Given that he was likely to be pushed aside eventually, the Braves offseason looked pretty bleak.

According to FoxSports “The Atlanta Braves named Alex Anthopoulos as their new general manager and executive vice president on Monday afternoon — a masterstroke hire for an organization looking to climb out of offseason turmoil and rejoin Major League Baseball’s first class.

“Landing the former Toronto Blue Jays general manager and current Dodgers vice president of baseball operations ends the search for John Coppolella’s replacement and installs long-term leadership in Atlanta, answering waves of offseason question marks surrounding the front office.

“Anthopoulos, 40, will take over baseball operations with “full control” of baseball operations. He signed a four-year contract through the 2021 season.”

Source: Braves to name Alex Anthopoulos as next general manager

Freddie Freeman of Atlanta Braves calls Milwaukee Brewers’ Miller Park ‘bad-lit Little League field’ (April 29, 2017)

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2017, April 29, Atlanta Braves, Freddie Freeman, Little League

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman looked forward to the 2017 series finale against Milwaukee on April 29. It was mostly because he was apparently tired of playing at the Brewers’ Miller Park.

Miller Park was completed in 2001 as a replacement for Milwaukee County Stadium. The park is located just southwest of the intersection of Interstate 94 and Miller Park Way. The title sponsor is the Miller Brewing Company. Miller’s contract with the stadium was for $40 million, and runs until 2020.

It is unique in that features North America’s only fan-shaped convertible roof, which can open and close in less than 10 minutes. Large panes of glass allow natural grass to grow, augmented with heat lamp structures wheeled out across the field during the off-season.

I remember the original domed stadium, the Astrodome, in Houston. They didn’t have a convertible roof and thought the grass would grow anyway. It didn’t, thus creating Astroturf.

Speaking before the Braves’ 11-3 win, Freeman was critical of the stadium.

“I think it’s a bad-lit Little League field,” Freeman said, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “I can’t see anything here.”

You have to love the honesty.

Freddie Freeman homer sets Atlanta Braves record for times reaching base (April 19, 2017)

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2017, April 19, Atlanta Braves, Freddie Freeman, Jeff Burroughs

Freddie Freeman had a first-inning walk and third-inning home run on April 19, 2017, against the Nationals to set an Atlanta franchise record by reaching base in 12 consecutive plate appearances, a streak that was snapped when he grounded out in the sixth inning.

Freeman broke the record previously held by Jeff Burroughs in 1978.

Now hear this: The Braves’ rebuild is progressing nicely. Really? I don’t think so.

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2017, Atlanta Braves, Bartolo Colon, Julio Teheran, Rebuilding Season

As a fan, I want the Braves to win. I want them to win this year. It isn’t going to happen. That is more than frustrating. It doesn’t have to be this way.

I disagree with Mr. Bradley. It isn’t proceeding nicely. It is a bust. Corporate ownership doesn’t get it. There is a huge chasm between building (what they should have done) and rebuilding (gutting the core of the team).

“There are times in every rebuild when progress seems so incremental as to be measured in angstrom units. For the Braves, this is such a time. The glow of being a .500 team in mid-July has yielded to reality.

• The Bartolo Colon experiment fizzled.
• Sean Rodriguez played 15 games here.
• Julio Teheran has been terrible.
• Swanson, star of Cobb County billboards, was sent to Gwinnett.
• Johan Camargo, who supplanted Swanson at shortstop, tripped over the foul line.

And yet …

Source: Now hear this: The Braves’ rebuild is progressing nicely. Really | Mark Bradley blog

Dickey, Markakis help Braves overcome Stanton, Marlins 5-3 (August 4, 2017)

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2017, Atlanta Braves, August 4, R. A. Dickey

R. A. Dickey – Atlanta Braves 2017

R.A. Dickey is glad he doesn’t have to face Giancarlo Stanton too often. But he did and won. Now that is some good news for the Braves who continue to struggle this year. In third place for the NL East, 14.5 games behind Washington.

Source: Dickey, Markakis help Braves overcome Stanton, Marlins 5-3

• What does this mean for Dickey? “Dickey won for the first time in seven starts, Nick Markakis hit a three-run homer and the Atlanta Braves overcame Stanton’s two home runs to beat the Miami Marlins 5-3 on Friday night.”
• And Dickey says … “I had done a pretty good job of keeping him in the yard for about six years, so he was probably due,” Dickey said. “He’s good. He’s a specimen. I thought I had a pretty good knuckleball otherwise.”
• How did Stanton do? “Stanton hit his 34th and 35th homers, passing Yankees slugger Aaron Judge for most in the majors, to give the Marlins a 3-1 lead in the sixth. Markakis took Adam Conley (4-4) deep in the bottom of the inning to make it 4-3.”
• Dickey holds his own: “Dickey (7-7) allowed three hits, three runs, one walk and struck out three in six innings. The 42-year-old knuckleballer has pitched well lately, going 3-2 with a 2.22 ERA in nine starts since losing 10-5 at Washington on June 13.”
• More on Stanton: “Stanton crushed his first homer into the tunnel past the wall in center field to make it 1-all in the fourth . Major League Baseball’s Statcast said it would have gone a distance of 477 feet unimpeded, his longest of the season, and an exit velocity of 115.5 mph off the bat. He followed with a hard two-run shot off Dickey in the sixth, this one to left field, that put Miami up 3-1 .”

 

Braves All-Stars (July 11, 2017)

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2015, 2017, All Star, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, December 9, Ender Inciarte, July 11

God bless Ender Inciarte for getting elected to the All Stars game in Miami on July 11, 2017. It is well deserved. On December 9, 2015, the Diamondbacks traded Inciarte, Dansby Swanson, and Aaron Blair to the Braves for Shelby Miller, and Gabe Speier. Inciarte started for the Braves as their center fielder and leadoff hitter on Opening Day

We seem to be entering a drought here. Only 1 player going to the All-Stars each of the last 3 years. If you look back over the last 20 years, you will see a different story. Sending only 1 would have been embarrassing. The culture has certainly changed in Atlanta.

At least we have a new stadium!

RIP: Gene Conley, Milwaukee Braves and NBA champion, dies at 86 (July 4, 2017)

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1952, 1954, 2017, April 17, Brooklyn Dodgers, Gene Conley, July 4, Milwaukee Braves, NBA

Gene Conley, one of the few players in history to win championships in two major professional sports, has died. He was 86.

The Boston Red Sox, for whom Conley played for from 1961 to ’63, say he died Tuesday. Conley played 11 seasons from 1952 to 1963 for four different teams.

Conley helped pitch the Milwaukee Braves to a World Series championship in 1957 and won three NBA titles with the Boston Celtics. Otto Graham won championships in the NFL and the NBL, a precursor to the NBA.

Freddie Freeman returns earlier than expected; starts at third base (July 4, 2017)

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2017, Freddie Freeman, July 4, May 17

You have to love it. Freddie Freeman returned earlier than expected from a broken left wrist as he started at third base July 4, 2017 in a 16-4 loss to the Houston Astros. It was a nasty loss but Freddie did relatively well at third.

Freeman, who was reinstated from the disabled list after meeting early in the day with a team physician, has played his entire career at first base. He singled in his first at-bat and easily handled his first chance at the hot corner, fielding a grounder and throwing sharply to first.

Who is the Freeze and how did he became an Atlanta Braves Sensation

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2017, Atlanta Braves, Groundskeeper, Nigel Talton, The Freeze

Who is The Freeze and how did he become so popular?

Talton is a track athlete who has his eyes set on the 2018 World Indoor Championships in England. He is working 2 jobs right now and works all night. Doesn’t seem to slow him down though.

“The Freeze, whose real name is Nigel Talton, is a grounds-crew member for the Braves, but between innings he becomes a superhero. Fans challenge him in a race from foul pole to foul pole, and the Freeze gives his opponents a sizable head start — often five or more seconds — before turning on the jets.”

Source: How the Freeze Became an Atlanta Braves Sensation – The Ringer

R. A. Dickey is closing in on two milestones in 2017

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2017, Atlanta Braves, R. A. Dickey

Dickey is closing in on two milestones: 2,000 innings pitched and 1,500 strikeouts. He’s currently at 1,883.2 and 1,341, respectively.

So… he needs 116.1 innings and 159 strikeouts. Both are possible this season, especially the innings, but I wouldn’t bet on either, especially the strikeouts.

Dickey hasn’t K’d more than 126 each of the last two seasons, even after start totals of 33, then 29.

As far as the innings are concerned, it’s tough to say. While he has pitched at least 169.2 innings each of the last seven seasons, there is a lot of competition to make the Braves’ rotation this year.

This could mean a few different scenarios playing out this season:

• Dickey spends the whole year in the Braves’ rotation (gets to 116.1 IP).
• Dickey gets traded at some point this season (then gets to 116.1 IP with another team).
• Dickey loses his starting spot, then moves to the bullpen.

If Dickey is better than expected, or the guys who are close to a call-up are worse than expected, he could see himself reaching both of these milestones in Braves’ uniform because the Braves will most likely exercise their club option on him after this season.

 

Braves begin new ballpark chapter at SunTrust Park with 5-2 win (April 14, 2017)

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2017, April 14, Atlanta Braves, Bobby Cox, Chipper Jones, Dale Murphy, Hank Aaron, Jimmie Carter, John Smoltz, Phil Niekro, Tom Glavine

It was a great day in Atlanta Braves history. Once again, a new stadium.

Chipper Jones sat in the Atlanta Braves dugout Friday afternoon, a few hours ahead of the Braves’ first regular-season home game at their new stadium, SunTrust Park, the future Hall of Famer fielded a question about what fans might be saying as they entered the ballpark for the first time.

“I would venture a guess the word mumbled the most — maybe not even mumbled — would be ‘Wow,'” the Braves’ icon said.

“I mean, look at that video board. Look at the LED lights, the incredible green grass, this incredibly orange clay. They watch how balls fly out of here and they see the skyline and everything, and they say, ‘Wow.’ I said it. Everybody else is going to say it. …This is very impressive.”

In addition to Jones, Braves legends Hank Aaron, Bobby Cox, Tom Glavine, Dale Murphy, Phil Niekro, John Smoltz were present. They were honored as theirs and other retired numbers were unveiled. Aaron threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Cox. A prominent fan, former President Jimmy Carter, also was in attendance.

And the Braves beat San Diego 5-2.

 

Some fun Opening Day facts about the Braves (April 3, 2017)

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2017, April 3, Atlanta Braves, Greg Maddux, John Smolts, Phil Niekro, Tie Game, Tom Glavine, Tony Cloninger

I love opening day. There is nothing like it.

Here are some fun facts!

• Going back all the way to 1876 when they were the the Boston Red Stockings, the Braves have a total record of 78-62-1 on Opening Day.
• Their first Opening Day game, according to Baseball Almanac, was against the Hartford Dark Blues (old time baseball names are weird) which they lost 3-2
• Tie games are rare in baseball these days, but that didn’t stop the Braves from playing the Phillies to a 2-2 tie on Opening Day 1950
• The Braves pitcher with the most Opening Day starts in the franchise’s history is Phil Niekro with 8. Greg Maddux came in a close second with 7.
• Speaking of Maddux, between 1990-2003…the only pitchers to make Opening Day starts for the Braves were Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux, and John Smoltz to the surprise of exactly no one. Who was the pitcher who broke the streak? Russ Ortiz
• Julio Teheran is about to make his 4th consecutive Opening Day start for the Braves. The other two pitchers for the franchise since it moved to Atlanta to accomplish the same feat? Rick Mahler (1985-1988) and Greg Maddux (1993-1996)
• The Braves played an insane Opening Day game in their game in Atlanta where Tony Cloninger pitched 13 innings (!) while striking out 12 batters and future skipper of the Evil Empire Joe Torre drove in the Braves only two runs on a pair of solo shots. It is worth noting that the Braves lost the game despite Cloninger going 13 innings which had to feel…..not great assuming he had any feeling left in his body after that start.

Source: Some fun Opening Day facts about the Braves – Talking Chop

SunTrust Park will have grass on its field this week (March 2, 2017)

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2017, Atlanta Braves, Grass, Opening Day

So, one of the things that you need the most in order to play baseball in a ballpark is a grassy playing surface. It’s kinda imperative, wouldn’t you say?

Anyways, with Opening Day looming — and a dress rehearsal coming at the end of the month, no less — the AJC is reporting that SunTrust Park will finally have its sod placed down at some point this week.

Good timing!

CF Ender Inciarte, Atlanta Braves agree to five-year extension

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2017, Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, December 23, Ender Inciarte

Now here is some great news on the re-building front. The Atlanta Braves have reached agreement on a five-year extension for center fielder Ender Inciarte worth $30.525 million, according to multiple reports.

The deal, first reported by FanRag Sports, also includes an option for a sixth year.

Inciarte, the National League Gold Glove winner at his position, hit .291 with three home runs, 85 runs, 29 RBIs and 16 stolen bases last season. He had a .341 batting average and scored 59 runs after the All-Star break.

The Braves acquired the 26-year-old Inciarte prior to last season as part of the five-player trade that sent Shelby Miller and minor-leaguer Gabe Speier to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Inciarte, shortstop prospect Dansby Swanson and pitching prospect Aaron Blair.

Ender Inciarte

 

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

Andruw Jones, John Schuerholz elected to Atlanta Braves Hall of Fame

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2016, 2017, Andrus Jones, Atlanta Braves, August 19, John Schuerholz

The Atlanta Braves have announced two new inductees to the Braves Hall of Fame.

“Now that I got the induction, I can officially say that I am retired,” Jones said, per Kevin McAlpin of 680 The Fan. “[I] will try to focus on helping the youth.”

Jones, 38, spent 12 years with the Braves, hitting .263 with 368 home runs and 1,117 RBI. He spent 17 years in the big leagues in total—including stints with the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox—finishing his career with a .254 batting average, 434 home runs and 1,289 RBI.

Schuerholz, meanwhile, was the team’s general manager during its 14 consecutive NL East titles in the ’90s and 2000s. He became the team’s president in 2007 and has now been in baseball for 51 years and with the Braves for 26 years.