Bob Horner passes away at age 68

Bob Horner passed away yesterday at age 68.   Horner is my favorite all-time baseball player.  He resonated with me when I started watching the Braves, and I watched a ton of games back in the day.  I did a look back at him on the blog in 2016 and you can see it here.  As players of our youth age, we expect these things but it's still not fun knowing they are gone.  It's a sad day for me.

I even had a customer Bob Horner figure made.

One of my favorite cards of his.

2022 Topps Braves Team Set (Blister)

Topps 2022:  Jorge Soler is only a 1X All-Star but he'll be forever known to Braves fans as one of the keys to Atlanta's run to the Championship in 2021.  He capped it off with a great World Series and the World Series MVP award.

The Braves run to the 2021 World Series title was so much fun and unexpected.  So many great stories and great years for players.

Freddie Freeman needs no introduction and led the league in runs while batting .300.

Max Fried and Charlie Morton led the Braves with 14 wins each in 2021.  Fried won game 6 of the World Series to clinch the title.  These blister packs were on Wal-Mart shelves at the time, and I couldn't resist.  I picked up the Angels, Braves and Red Sox who I'll show off tomorrow.

Pederson, Duvall and Rosario were part of the patch work outfield after Ronald Acuna went down and wow, did they deliver time and time again in the regular season and in the playoffs.

Smyly and Ynoa were key contributors to the starting lineup during the regular season.  There are 17 total cards in these blister team sets.

Ian Anderson won 9 games during the regular season and game three of the 2021 World Series.

Dansby Swanson and Austin Riley were huge parts of the offense.  What a year and it's so fun to relive some of those memories.  And a perfect time to look back as we start the 2025 season today in ernest.  Enjoy Opening Day!

2023 Atlanta Braves Playoff Preview

The 2023 Atlanta Braves were historically good.  They tied the record for home runs in a season by a team which is crazy.  They also have maybe the greatest non-Ohtani player in the league in Ronald Acuna who really is a game changer.  That said their entire lineup can make you suffer.  It's fun to see the talent they can send against pitchers every game.  The issue going into the playoffs will be the starting pitching.  Bryce Elder has struggled of late, Max Fried is dealing with a blister, and Spencer Strider has had some mixed results lately.  Who knows what happens when the playoffs start but even with the pitching questions Atlanta is clearly the favorite.  As a fan that scares me but I'm hoping this team can follow through with the expectations. GO BRAVES!

 

2021 Christmas Goodies

 I hope everyone had a great Christmas.  Ours, like many others, is spread out as we can catch up with the kids and grandsons.  Ours was fun as always .  While I love giving presents at the holiday there's fun in receiving them as well.  I really enjoy hearing the thought process the givers put into the gift and the joy they get from it.

Jumping into the Star Wars High Republic book series.  I'd also been eyeballing that Braves book for some time.  Yes, yes that is season two of the classic Fame TV series.  Yes I already own the movie and season one.  The Headbanger's Ball was such a favorite of mine as a teen when it hit so I'm pretty happy to get the shirt.  Gift certificates always work and the Scooby socks go with the Scooby shirt...

...the Scooby shirt was part of the pajamas the family got from Mrs. Claus which is an annual tradition.  Yep I got the same Marvel shirt twice.  Love they they know me so well and it'll be easy to find one to exchange it for at the store. That tube at the top holds some Star Wars art that'll go up at work. 

Slowly filling out my AC/DC music collection.  Hot Tamales good!  As are Target gift cards.  We don't have one close but I always enjoy going to Targets.

Love that Black Panther shirt.  Really cool colors and art.  The Star Wars puzzle will keep me busy for a while.  I hope you all had a blessed Christmas.  I'm thankful for family and getting to spend it together. 

Atlanta Braves - WORLD CHAMPIONS!

 

"I can't believe what I just saw!"  I know the Atlanta Braves were good.  The best team the latter part of the season.  But I didn't know.  Or maybe I was too scared to think it.  Still hard to believe Atlanta is the World Champion but the Braves did it.  World Series Champions after beating the Houston Astros six game to two.  Wow this feels good. After watching them struggle much of the year how could you see this coming.  Good on Braves management for going for it at the trade deadline, after Acuna's season ending injury, when it would have been easy to say it isn't worth it.  I was always worried about the pitching even though it really put up good numbers all year.  Solid starting pitching and a really good bullpen that shutdown Houston in some critical games.  It really was a team effort.  I think the bullpen as a group could have been given the MVP.  Just saying.

As a Braves' fan this is special.  It's been so long.  The 1995 Championship was amazing.  That team had been built up for five years and kept falling short.  This team, while winning four straight division titles, it still wouldn't have surprised anyone if they had lost in the playoffs.  The team is full of great stories, fun players and great manager.  I'm really enjoying this and it will take some time to come down from the high.  Now I just need to pick me up some swag...you never know if this will happen again.  www.fanati...

And this guy.  Can't say enough about Freddie Freeman.  He's a special player and means so much to the Braves and to Atlanta.  A guy who suffered through some lean years but was the leader this team needed as it ascended to a perennial contender.  It is so nice to see him hoist the World Series trophy.  He deserves that opportunity.  That can be said about many players but Freddie Freeman truly deserves to be amongst them.  A good player, leader, beloved by Atlanta fans and by all accounts a good person.  Congratulations Freddie Freeman.

Hank Aaron Passes Away

 Hank Aaron passed away yesterday.  While I never got to see him play he's always been that guy I've been amazed by.  He was so consistently good year in and year out.  His stats blow you away.  Someone mentioned he was baseball royalty and I think's that's exactly how to look at him.  You hear nothing but glowing things about him whether it was as a person, player or friend.  He'll truly be missed in baseball, sports and the world.  

Turner Field circa 2007.  

Atlanta Braves Season Ends in Game 7 Loss

 

Atlanta lost the National League Championship Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers in seven games.  This one really hurt.  They were up 2-0 and 3-1 in this series.  I know LA is the better team but the Braves were so close.  Even though they gave up an amazing 16 dingers to the Dodgers the Braves pitching still did really well.  Hit with injuries the starting staff was Max Fried and whoever else they could throw out there and the starters did really well.  That said they only pitched 29 innings leaving a lot to the bullpen.  And the Dodgers offense was just too much.  And the Braves' horrible base running made coaches across the sport curl up in a ball and cry.  Some excellent games though and it was fun to watch even with one eye open most of the time.

Los Angeles won this series and deserve their shot in the World Series against Tampa Bay.  They had better pitching, great defense and a crazy number of homeruns.  It'll be fun to see if this Dodgers group can get their first title in their third World Series appearance.  And who doesn't want to see more of Dustin May's hair?  I'll root for the Rays to get their first World Series title but won't feel too bad if Clayton Kershaw and this group take it all.  Well I might feel OK with it in about six months. 

2019 Atlanta Braves Quick Look

The Atlanta Braves were the surprise team in the National League if not all of the majors as they won 90 games and the N.L. East in 2018.  This offseason should have been one of excitement but outside of the signing of Josh Donaldson the team has made few changes.  Mike Foltynewicz, the #1 starter, is hurt and the team is opening the season with Julio Teheran and two rookies as the starters for the first three games.  This isn't a good sign.  It seemed like pitching was an obvious need and when Gio Gonzalez can go to the Yankees for only $3M I don't understand how the Braves didn't try to pick up an additional starter.  Defense and the superb offense led by Ronald Acuna Jr and Freddie Freeman will have to carry the team unless I'm missing something.  I'm a bit more comfortable with the bullpen but again it seems there were arms to be had on the free agent market.  I like Donaldson but it seems the money spent on adding him to an already excellent offense might have been better served helping the rotation and bullpen.  

This team is good but the division got much better when you look at what Philly and the Mets did.  I think Atlanta has the talent to win it all this year but I think the division schedule will be tougher.  Don't get me wrong.  I'm excited but like many true fans, until I see them doing well, it is easy to think the worst.  Great season in 2018 and I'm hoping to see even better things this year...no matter how much I fret.

Dale Murphy Autograph - St. Louis Card Show

I had a great time at the one card show I attend every year this last Saturday.  I was so excited because I was able to get Dale Murphy's autograph on this Edward Vela sketch card.  I was first in line and was so excited I was a bit tongue tied but still managed to get out how much fun it was growing up watching him play and how big a fan I was.  For the record I was wearing a Dale Murphy t-shirt.  I haven't gotten an autograph in 30 years but there is no way I was going to miss out on this. 

Murph was a huge part of the Braves teams of the eighties.  Murph was so dominant for a time and a two-time MVP.  The World Series starts tonight so it seemed a good post for today even if Murphy never was able to appear in one. 

The card show is put on by After the Game, Inc.  The shows are of course St. Louis sports heavy to include signers but they do a good job of bringing folks from other teams in as well.  Over the next couple of weeks I'll start posting my finds from the show which included singles and a few boxes of cards. 

Atlanta Braves vs Los Angeles Dodgers (NLDS)

I would rather the Braves have home field advantage against the Los Angeles Dodgers but I still think they have a good shot in the NLDS series.  The Braves were actually better on the road and luckily they won't see Clayton Kershaw until game two.  It'll be interesting if the Atlanta pitchers can solve them and how does manager Brian Snitker handle this team in his first take at managing the Braves in the playoffs.   

My big concern is Atlanta isn't good against good teams. Luckily the NL East was bad this year but in the playoffs there won't be any Miami Marlins or Philadelphia Phillies teams to beat up on.  Still Atlanta is a good team with a bunch of offensive weapons.  You don't luck in to 90 wins.  This team has such exciting young talent and I'm hoping they'll keep it going in the playoffs.  This season has been such fun watching these young guys produce.  If the offense keeps hitting and the pitching can step up I think they can compete with anyone they match up against.  Go Bravos!

A Night Out at the Ballpark: Braves @ Cards in St. Louis (29 Jun 18)

Was able to get out to my first baseball game of the year and see my Braves beat the Cardinals 5-1 Friday night.  The game was at Busch Stadium. It was a thousand degrees but I made sure I hydrated and survived.  Busch Stadium is a great place to see a game.  Our seats were in right field and other than staring into the sun for the first 2 1/2 innings I was really pleased.  As is normally the case with my buddy whom I attended he wanted to head over to Ballpark Village in the fifth inning.  I did not complain.  Ballpark Village is a great venue with plenty of restaurants and bars, not to mention a hundred giant screen TVs.  It makes for a relaxing way to enjoy the game amongst a sea of baseball fans either doing the same as us or who bypassed the stadium altogether.  It really is a wonderful compliment to an already nice stadium.    

  The game saw Atlanta win 5-1 with rookie Johan Camargo hitting a key two-run double in the 8th inning.  The Braves also got six shutout innings from inconsistent Julio Teheran which nice to see.  This was a great game to watch as St. Louis was held in check and it just seemed like Atlanta's offense would break through against the Cardinals who are struggling somewhat this year.  I really enjoyed being at the ballpark.  From watching the game, to the stadium and friends I couldn't ask for much more.  Truly a good time.  It's exciting to see Atlanta be relevant in July and who woulda thunk they'd have the best record in the National League?  They have such great young talent and I'm really hoping they can strike while the iron is hot.  They need bullpen help and I'd love to see them pick up a quality starter but I'm not sure what the front office is ready to do.  Can't wait to see how this plays out.  

2018 Atlanta Braves Preview

Ronald Acuna

The Atlanta Braves enter the season with hope, maybe not for this season, but for future years.  The Braves won 72 games last year and will probably be around that number come the 2018 season’s end.  Freddie Freeman once again leads this team in star power while 2017 All-Star Ender Inciarte anchors centerfield.  Nick Markakis is steady if not flashy and the catcher position is manned well with veterans Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki.  Shortstop Dansby Swanson hasn’t corrected his issues at the plate and 3B isn’t a known quantity yet.  Outfield mega prospect Ronald Acuna is expected to be called up after a short stint in the minors and much is expected out of second year player Ozzie Albies who batted .286 in 217 at bats last year.  The Braves are at least a year away until the offense is expected to really click.  Hopefully the young players will gain experience this year and be ready next year to take it to the next level.  My thinking is the Braves are still a few players, whether they are players in their minor league system, or external from having a good offense.  I think 2020 is a better expectation for seeing that jump in production.

Pitching last year was bad with starter R.A Dickey leading the way with a 4.26 ERA among starters and the closer, Jim Johnson, had 22 saves ending up with a horrible 5.56 ERA.  Still the bullpen had some good pieces with Sam Freeman and Arodys Vizcaino having sub three ERA’s while the latter is slated to take over the closer position this year.  It is believed he could be a shutdown closer in future and did notch 14 saves to go along with 10 K’s per nine innings last season.  Jose Ramirez is also back after posting a solid 68 innings of work.  The starters will really need to step up for the pitching staff to make any type of positive jump.  If it doesn’t the team will again look like a contender for the National League East basement. 

The team is rebuilding and enough said.  We as fans don’t like it but I don’t think spending a ton of money would have fixed this team.  Right now we have to hope that the young talent can make some strides and look towards a season in the near future in which we can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Go Bravos!

Matt Adams Excels - Freddie Freeman to Third Base?

Matt Adams

In May the Atlanta Braves traded for Matt Adams giving up a low level prospect.  Adams is filling in for Freddie Freeman while he is on the disabled list.  All indications were that Adams would be traded at the deadline once Freeman was available to return.  Adams has outperformed his past numbers putting up a .299/.354/.634 stat line in 34 games for the Braves.  You couldn’t ask for much more.  That said, this team is still not that good and will celebrate if they can hold on to second place in the division but they aren’t even looking like a .500 team yet.  I would think they’ll still be in “sell” mode come the trading deadline adding players who can provide help at need positions.     

But there are now rumors that Freddie Freeman may move to third base to allow Adams to stay in Atlanta and in the starting lineup.  This is where I get worried.  While Adams’ play is a big surprise, moving Freddie Freeman to third base seems like a huge risk.  He is a stud  on a long term contract and the face of the franchise.  Moving him to a position that is more difficult defensively makes me worry that any struggles he may have in the field would bleed over to his appearances at the plate.  He played the position in high school but that was some time ago. 

Atlanta really needs to think this through.  Is Matt Adams really the Braves have seen in limited time

Freddie Freeman

or is he the guy St. Louis traded away due to a .271/.315/.453 stat line while striking out every 4.3 plate appearances in 486 games with St. Louis?  It obviously puts the Braves in a bind.  You don’t want to get rid of a guy playing this well but I think they need to look at the possible consequence.  I have nothing against Matt Adams but I’d rather have Freeman at first and hitting well and use Adams as a nice trade chip.  There are plenty of needs on this team so there is no reason to keep him if he won’t start.  For now I’ll hope he keeps hitting and Atlanta can find a team needing a 1B or DH come the trade deadline. 

 

 

 

2017 Atlanta Braves Preview

Freddie Freeman

The Atlanta Braves had a bad year in 2016.  They finished 68-93, fifth in the National League East.  That said they finished the second half of the season with a winning record of 37-35.  The trade for Matt Kemp seemed to give the Braves a much needed boost and the Braves have continued to retool during the offseason.  While I wouldn’t say they will contend this year it should be better year overall.

The starting staff added R.A. Dickey, Bartolo Colon, and Jaime Garcia to go along with Julio Teheran and probably Mike Foltynewicz.  Dickey and Colon should eat up innings and if we’re lucky will get Atlanta 12 wins each.  Garcia’s career numbers are good but he always seems to disappoint in the end.  I live near St. Louis and the Cardinal fans do nothing but laugh when this comes up.  Hoping for the best, he is another guy that can get ya 10 -12 wins.  With a little support Julio Teheran should get around 15 wins while Foltynewicz is a bit more of a wild card.  I don’t mind this starting staff.  It won’t wow you per se but it has more upside than what we saw last year.  Dickey and Colon are on one year deals so no huge loss if they struggle but who doesn’t like Bartolo Colon or the knuckleball?  Bullpen hasn’t changed much.  While Jim Johnson resigned to handle the closer duties, all hopes are that Arodys Vizcaino will eventually earn that job from him. 

Bartolo Colon

At catcher the club will go with Tyler Flowers and Kurt Suzuki.  I think Atlanta is happy to go with a defensive minded replacement for now until a better option is available.  Stud first baseman Freddie Freeman returns anchoring the lineup as well as the right side of the infield.  Brandon Phillips was traded for after free agent pickup Sean Rodriguez was injured in the offseason.  I like this move.  Very aggressive even if it is for a veteran on the downside on his career.  Shortstop will again be manned by Dansby Swanson who has everyone excited with his potential.  Adonis Garcia will be at third.  His batting is below average and his defense isn’t great.  They are stuck with him until another option is obtainable. 

Ender Inciarte

The outfield returns Ender Inciarte who has been great in the field and had a very good second half of the season at the plate.  Matt Kemp will man left and I’m hoping he can hit something close to what he did after he was acquired last year.  Light hitting Nick Markakis will be in right.  He at least can get on base at a decent clip and stays healthy but he won’t really wow you otherwise.

Dansby Swanson

Atlanta did a good job in the offseason at least giving themselves a decent team to put out on the field.  Both the offense and pitching should be respectable.  Depth is still an issue so injuries could put a major hurt on them if they pop up.  No one will be expecting them to make a playoff run this year but I do think 70-75 wins is attainable assuming the pitching staff stays healthy and a few things go right for them.  No matter what happens Atlanta should be trending up.  They still have talent in the minors and a new ballpark which should provide more revenue and make them a destination worth looking at for future free agents.   That is the fun part about spring training.  We all still have hope.  And check out this funny five tool Bartolo Colon video hyping his coming to Atlanta. 

Brandon Phillips

      

Atlanta Braves Sign Ender Inciarte to 5 yr Extension

The Atlanta Braves signed outfielder Ender Inciarte to a five-year $30 million dollar contract extension through 2021.  Inciarte was a part of the Shelby Miller deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks which also brought them Dansby Swanson.  I think this is a great deal for Atlanta.  Inciarte can play centerfield very well, has above average speed and showed he can hit last year -   .291/.351/.381 with 16 stolen bases.  He doesn’t come with much power but his value will come at the top of the order and with his defense.  What I like best is this could solidify the leadoff spot which is critical in any lineup.  You want that guy that can get on for the big guns behind him in the lineup like Freddie Freeman and hopefully Swanson.   

The Braves have overhauled their pitching staff this offseason picking up R.A Dickey, Bartolo Colon and Jaime Garcia to go along with Julio Teheran.  These are all short term pickups but who knows.  One or two of them have above average years and things are looking up as Atlanta debuts in their new stadium.  They finished 2016 on high note winning 12 out of their last 14.  Hopefully the offense can improve and we’ll have a much improved team this upcoming season. 

Atlanta Braves Fire Manager Fredi Gonzalez

The Atlanta Braves fired Fredi Gonzalez Tuesday after the Braves started the season 9-28 already 13.5 games out of first place.  It was no secret this team would not be that good but this is not even close to what Atlanta had in mind.  It isn't Gonzalez's fault but I get why the team wanted to do something instead of just standing pat.  The timing of the firing is bad as they were in the middle of a road trip.  I'm thinking they may have been able to wait six more games and fire him after the team returned to Atlanta.  But the leadership thought it was time so they did what they had to.  To add injury to insult Gonzalez received an e-mail Monday night confirming his Tuesday flight back to Atlanta.  This was BEFORE he was notified he was fired.  That is a fail by Atlanta management.  Still the only surprise here was the timing. Gonzalez was 434-413 as the Braves' manager and I think he did a good job overall getting the Braves to the playoffs two times.  I've heard nothing but things about Fredi during his tenure with Atlanta.  Hopefully he'll find a good landing spot.  I think he deserves it.  Hopefully Atlanta doesn't go cheap and can bring in somebody of quality to turn things around.  I'd hate to see them go cheap now and waste an opportunity as they move into a new stadium next year.  As a fan I have hope.  There is always hope.