A Very Good Weekend
Braves Worries
The Braves started 2011 on a hot streak. They looked like they were going to be the team to beat. Now, they find themselves just 1.5 games ahead of the Mets who are in last place in the NL East.
Winning x2
The Braves got off the losing side of the ball and back to the winning side by taking the doubleheader from the Mets on Saturday helped by the return of Jair Jurrjens and Hinske finally hitting the ball.
Braves Feeling Chipper
The Braves played well versus the Phillies and Cliff Lee. In fact, they played so well that Lee exited the game in the 4th inning giving up 6 runs. Lee had been struggling, for him anyway, with a lot of 3-2 counts and getting his pitch count a lot higher up than usual. The Braves came roaring back thanks to an outstanding hit and muffed play near the outfield wall. Lee left the game shortly thereafter. The Braves went on to win the game but not before Larry “Chipper” Jones got his 2500th career hit in front of an enthusiastic home crowd in Atlanta that included former Braves skipper Bobby Cox. It was quite a night at the Ted for the Braves and their fans and most are looking forward to even more. Chipper is three doubles shy of 500, three RBIs shy of 1,500 and 30 extra-base hits shy of 1,000. Only 33 players in history have accumulated 1,000 extra-base hits, and only 34 players have scored at least 1,500 runs (Jones has 1,507) and collected at least 1,500 RBIs. Chipper became the 93rd player in history with 2,500 hits, and the ninth switch-hitter to reach the milestone. The Braves have two more games this weekend with the Phillies facing Roy Oswalt Saturday and the struggling Cole Hamels on Sunday. Chipper may yet add even more to his career numbers stats over the weekend and if the Braves win the next two, the team and fans will have a lot to feel chipper about indeed.
The Atlanta Braves are feeling quite chipper these days. Both happy and also happy for the Chipper. The Braves beat their arch rival Phillies and Cliff Lee on Friday night at home and Chipper Jones got his 2500th career hit.
Now That Was A Great Opening Day
Ready For Opening Day
Braves To Retire Cox’s Number and Updates
The Atlanta Braves will retire former skipper Bobby Cox’s No. 6 jersey number and also induct him into the Braves Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place on August 12. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will take place that afternoon at a luncheon and the number will be retired that evening in an on-field ceremony before the game versus the Cubs. Cox will be eighth member of the Braves organization to have his number retired. Previous members are Hank Aaron (44), Eddie Mathews (41), Warren Spahn (21), Phil Niekro (35), Dale Murphy (3), Greg Maddux (31) and Tom Glavine (47). Bobby Cox retired in October 2010 with 2,504 wins, the fourth-most in Major League history. The 69-year-old skipper spent 25 of his 29 managerial seasons with the Braves. While serving as the club’s general manager from 1986-90, he reshaped the Minor League system that has yielded benefits for the past 20 years. This year is the 20th anniversary of Cox leading the 1991 team to the first of 14 consecutive division titles and to within one victory of winning a World Series against the Twins. Under his direction, the Braves won five National League pennants and one World Series (1995). Updates – The Braves are looking to move Kawakami and the bulk of his owed 6.67 million to another team. The team is looking as of right now that it will go with a two-closer rotation with both Venters and Kimbrel sharing the work load. Chipper Jones continues to have a very hot spring and is thrilled with his progress to this point as are the Braves. He has a .420 batting average this spring so far. Hudson, Hanson, Beachy and Lowe are all carrying spring training ERAs of less than 2. The Braves are 14-9 in spring training so far. They have 8 games left in spring training being off today, Tuesday March 22.
Luis Salazar and Braves Updates
In an update on Braves minor league manager, Luis Salazar, who was hit with a foul ball last week, had to have his left eye removed on Wednesday. The good news though is that Salazar should be released from the hospital any time and it is hoped he will be back to managing in about four to six weeks. Doctors at Orlando Regional Medical Center had been trying to hold out hope for a few days that Salazar’s left eye could be saved, but on Wednesday it became apparent that was not the case. The doctors then performed surgery to remove the left eye. Doctors are very happy that Salazar did not suffer any brain damage as a result of his injuries. Salazar has reportedly kept his spirits high during the past week enduring several surgeries over the course of his hospital stay. He has said that he is ready to get back to managing as soon as possible. Doctors hope to be able to release him from the hospital by today at the latest. He will return to the hospital next week for a check up. Salazar may return to the Braves’ spring training complex as early as next week to watch some of the games. Salazar hopes to be back managing the Braves’ minor league team, the Lynchburg Hillcats, in about four to six weeks. In other Braves news, Derek Lowe, coming off an outstanding showing in spring training will be the opening day starter versus the Nationals on March 31. This is Lowe’s third consecutive opening day start for the Braves. Jason Heyward has missed 4 straight spring training games due to back soreness. It is hoped that he may return to the lineup Thursday night versus the Nationals. The Braves remain on top of the Grapefruit League spring standings with a record of 12 and 6. Tim Hudson is scheduled to go for the Braves on Thursday night versus the Nationals.
Braves News and Notes – 3/14/11
Right-handed pitcher Erik Cordier and left-handed pitchers Lee Hyde and Jose Ortegano were optioned to Gwinnett (AAA). Right-handed pitcher Randall Delgado was optioned to Mississippi (AA).
The 10 players who were re-assigned to minor league camp include right-handed pitchers Michael Broadway, Jay Sborz, Julio Teheran and Arodys Vizcaino, left-handed pitcher Brett Oberholtzer, catchers Christian Bethancourt, Braeden Schlehuber and Jesus Sucre, infielder Tyler Pastornicky and outfielder Mycal Jones. The Braves now have 46 active players remaining in its Major League camp.
Minor league manager Luis Salazar has undergone multiple surgeries on both Wednesday and Thursday last week for the injuries he suffered after being hit with a ball fouled into the dugout by catcher Brian McCann. Word has it that he has not suffered brain damage as was once feared. He looks to have an extended recovery period and will most likely not be ready to manage when the season starts.
Chipper Jones continues to look good in spring training moving between playing third base and DH and getting rest as well. He has performed well in the field and at the plate. Chipper had 2 hits, 2 runs and an RBI in Sunday’s game vs the Astros.
Derek Lowe continues to impress in spring training throwing scoreless inning after scoreless inning. The sinker is working really well and he looks to be in fine shape come opening day.
The 5th rotation spot continues to be up for grabs as Brandon Beachy and Mike Minor go back and forth on having good outings and bad ones. This decision is sure to be a difficult one for Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.
Wilkin Ramirez continues to make his case to become the 4th outfielder for the Braves during the regular season. Ramirez went 2 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs against Houston’s split squad. He has made a good impression in spring training, displaying power and speed while batting .421 (8-for-19) with a triple, home run, five RBIs and three stolen bases.
There are 17 days until Opening Day and the Braves are doing very well in spring training. Let’s hope it continues once the regular season begins.
Braves Minor League Manager Salazar Recovering
The staff at ESPN’s Wide World of Sports complex were first on seen to offer treatment to the badly injured Salazar. He was then transported to Orlando Regional Medical Center where later he started to show some signs of consciousness and was breathing on his own. Salazar was struck as he stood near the padded top railing in the dugout by the McCann line drive foul. The ball is said to have hit the left side of his face near his eye. He fell immediately to the dugout floor after being struck. Braves catcher Brian McCann was visibly shaken and even though he went back to the plate after a long delay to finish his at bat, he swung half-heartedly at the ball and struck out and then immediately removed himself from the game. Most of the Braves team and management felt as though they were not at all present for the rest of the game. There was some consideration to stopping the game at one point. Braves general manager Frank Wren said that he did not remember anything about the game itself. Not who pitched, not what happened, nothing. He said that his and the team’s focus was entirely on Salazar, his condition and his family. Salazar was reported to have multiple facial fractures and that he would need to undergo more tests to determine the extent of the damage and the course of treatment. Braves fans wish Salazar a complete recovery.
The Braves faced a very scary moment in yesterday’s spring training game when Minor League Manager Luis Salazar was struck in the face in the dugout by a Brian McCann line drive foul ball. Salazar immediately fell to the dugout floor face first unconscious his face covered in blood. Many in the dugout thought that he was dead at that moment. Fortunately, that was not the case.
Deborah Horton
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