Catcher’s Blog

This is my review post on the Braves vs. Marlins game from August 28, 2008. The link to all the pictures will be below the review since there are 85 pictures; it would take too long to include all of them in the post. Some are linked in the post, though. Please continue reading if you wish.

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Braves come up with a series win in a very big way. They scored four runs last night and twelve today, with the Pads only scoring a total of five runs in the last two games (eight for the entire series). If we stay hot like that offensively and can get everyone healthy for the second half, we would be in good shape. Too bad I’m not counting on us playing that well the rest of the season. I hope we do, but I won’t hold my breath. Everyone is going to go through some slumps now and then and have bad games, that’s just how it is. Chipper and Mac will probably be out and about in New York tomorrow with the All-Star festivities starting. While I won’t be here to provide coverage for it, I’m sure Lauren of Braves Love will be on top of it like she currently is on most of the goings-on in the Braves world. I hope to hear (and see) good things about the two Braves’ sluggers when I return on Saturday, or hopefully before then if I’m able to get Internet access any this week. I wish Brian and Chipper both good luck in Tuesday’s All-Star game.

With the All-Star break upon us, the trade rumors will now start to fly around a bit more than they currently are as the trade deadline looms near. We will most likely hear a few here and there about random teams wanting some extra help for the long haul of the second half, but writers are saying Teixshy might be the most sought-after player right now with his Gold-Glove caliber defense and his bettering offense. A poll on AJC asks readers their opinion on this matter, if we will or will not trade Teixshy, with 58.93% saying the Braves will indeed trade Teixshy, while 41.07% say they won’t. Personally, I don’t think the Braves will trade their first baseman, especially since we’re not out of the race by any means yet and he’s too good of an all-around player to trade away. Who would play first if we did trade him? Scott Thorman? Yeah, I really don’t want to witness that again.

Also having rumors flying around about being traded is Will Ohman. Ohman has provided the Braves with a sturdy lefty relief pitcher and has been very effective in most situations all season. We could possibly trade him for something as he has trade value, but I’m not sure that we’ll trade anyone with too much effectiveness unless we get someone good in return. But while Ohman is effective in his rolls, we now have Gonzo back to fill in the lefty reliever roll, but Gonzo is our closer with Soriano still out. Although, if I had to make a choice, I would keep Ohman over Ring. Someone is going to go somewhere if Matty, Glavine, and Hampton (it would be a miracle) comes back after the break. But we shall see what happens later this week after the break.

I’m gone now until probably next Sunday. Have a good break and enjoy your time off from the world of baseball. I know I will, even though I’m sure I’ll be ready for it again before I come back.

The Braves have their only off day of Spring Training tomorrow. Jo-Jo Reyes will get the start against Houston on Wednesday, which is a night game at 7:05 PM. The Braves may conduct their next cut afterward, but I’m not exactly sure on this. Just a guess. The game on Thursday night will be on SportSouth at 7:05 PM against Detroit. Friday’s game is at 1:05 PM on FSN against Cleveland.

Hampton did well in his start today going 4.1 innings, giving up only 2 hits, 1 run, 3 walks, with 3 strikeouts. This has to be a confidence booster for not only Hampton, but also the Braves as well.

Posts might be slim the next few days because I’m getting my laptop fixed and most/all of my files are on it. The disc driver stopped reading CD’s, and it’s just over a year old. I’m not sure how long it will take Circuit City to fix this, so I’m using my very, old desktop computer until I get my laptop back. Hopefully, this won’t take forever to fix.

Hampton was removed from the game during his start. Reports are saying that it is a mild, right groin strain and Hampton is listed as day to day.

- Source

Mike Hampton has had yet another setback by straining his right hamstring from a supposed 2-inning start. Wren isn’t sure that Hampton will be able to pitch again in the Mexican Winter League since there are only four weeks remaining. The Braves are hopeful, though, that he’ll be able to pitch again when Spring Training begins.

“Now we just have less of an indication of where Mike is in his comeback,” Braves general manager Frank Wren said. “The good news is that he was ecstatic about how his arm felt and how he commanded his pitches.”

“He would love to pitch again [in the Mexican League],” Wren said. “It’s just a matter of if he has enough time to come back.”

The first three spots are locked in with Smoltz, Hudson, and the recent addition of Glavine to the staff. If Hampton is unable to pitch by Opening Day, there are four other pitchers vying for the two vacant spots, Chuck James, Jeff Bennett, Jair Jurrjens, and Jo-Jo Reyes.

Rest of the article.