The Braves sent Tyler Pastornicky back to Gwinnett to give Brian McCann a roster spot for the Braves for Monday’s game against the Reds. While the Braves are excited to have McCann’s bat and game calling back with the big league club, this leaves fans to wonder about Evan Gattis.

Evan Gattis won the NL Rookie of the Month Award for April, after leading all rookies in home runs (6), RBIs (16), and slugging percentage (.566) for that month. The 26-year-old had performed much better than anyone had thought coming into the season, thus minimizing the loss of Brian McCann. Gattis will not not be the full-time catcher when McCann returns, but his role will still be prominent with the Braves. » Continue reading “Evan Gattis’ Role When Brian McCann Returns”

Don Sutton said on a Braves Radio Network broadcast that he was convinced that Chipper studied theater in the off season. I on the other hand, think it was a mandatory team activity- kind of a Banding People Together team building activity. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go check it out!) If you look at this young season in the musical drama terms, it is shaping up as a rock opera.

Noun 1. Albums of rock music that aspired to the status of art; first appeared in the 1960s.[Wordnet].

Rock operas, concept albums, song cycles and oratorios all differ from a conventional rock album, which usually includes songs that are unrelated to each other in terms of storyline. The rock opera style sometimes overlaps with concept albums, song cycles and oratorios. More recent developments include metal opera and rap opera (sometimes also called hip-hopera). The category a particular work falls into is, to some extent, defined by the intent and self-definition of the work by its creator, as long as the creator’s interpretation does not stray too far from the accepted definition of what constitutes a rock opera. The formal distinction may be that the rock opera tells a coherent (if sometimes sketchy) story, often with first-person lyrics sung by characters; while a concept album or song cycle sets a mood or maintains a theme. Some albums share characteristics of more than one category. Opera consists of individual singers acting out a specific character within a drama. The same is also true of a legitimate rock opera. If a work consists of singers who sing a story, but do not act it out, it is not a rock opera, and should not in the traditional sense, be categorized as such.

Not seeing the correlation? Atlanta is using a collaboration well beyond five part harmony, a variety of instruments, a coherent (if sometimes sketchy) story mostly sketchy, and most importantly, individual singers giving a dramactic performance, not merely singing the lyrics. » Continue reading “Braves Banding Together”

In another theatrical Braves comeback, Eric Hinske played the hero with an 11th inning game winning home run. You may wonder why » Continue reading “BRAVES at ROCKIES: FUN FOR ALL AGES”

Earlier today I said that when it comes to the Braves and Phillies throw out what you think you know. My head is about to explode, so please try to follow the runaway train that resides inside my head. Here goes… » Continue reading “Braves/Phillies…What Did You Expect?”

Lets cross our fingers that the weather will hold out just in time for the Braves to turn this series around after last night’s 6-1 loss against the Mets. The forecast for the weather is not so agreeable, but the starter forecast is looking up. » Continue reading “Forecast for Tonight … Rain … Oh Yea and Randall Delgado and Johan Santana”

If I had told you a month ago that the Braves had all but one loss to the Mets, you would have had me committed. Are the Mets better than everyone thought, or are the Braves worse? Yes and no on both counts.

The Mets are playing as well as they can with the talent they have, but their downfall is their depth. Ten games in the season, they are not affected, but I am reserving judgement until » Continue reading “BIZARRO WORLD: Braves vs Mets Edition”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Braves are making progress.  They scored two runs in yesterday’s loss to the Mets.  Martin Prado hit a two run shot to account for all the scoring, and Jason Heyward was on base three of four at bats.  Knuckle-baller RA Dickey still has the majority of the Braves baffled though.  I must say personally, as an Arkansas Alumni, the best moment of the game was Razorback Eric Hinske’s pinch hit.  Although, no runs scored, he kept the game alive, and we Arkansas fans are looking for anything to make us proud this week!

Let’s hope the third times a charm and hop the Easter Bunny leaves a win in the Braves basket today!  Happy Easter!

 

 

 

 

Thursday night I was fortunate enough to be the guest of Dan Schlossberg and Chris Mascaro on Braves Banter.  This episode is a bit longer than as I served as the opening act for Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez.  Listen to our thoughts on the upcoming Atlanta Braves season. You can catch Braves Banter every Thursday at 7:00 PM ET.

2012 Atlanta Braves Preview

The National League East

Atlanta Braves
Miami Marlins
New York Mets
Philadelphia Phillies
Washington Nationals

Predictions

1. Phillies
2. Braves (Have one of the two new Wild Card Spots)
3. Marlins
4. Nationals
5. Mets

Brief Divisional Overview:

With the Marlins doing some rebranding, don’t sit on them to be quiet, especially with what they did in the off season. Their new stadium, mascot, uniforms, and Ozzie Guillen as their manager, they might be a sight to see. » Continue reading “A Look Into the Crystal Ball”

You may very well be taking up too much space if you are not living on the edge, but I am completely fine with being greedy with with said space at this point in the season.  The Braves, however do not seem to agree with me.  Apparently, they want to give fans their money’s worth with free baseball, and also allow their opponents opportunities to stay in the game.  Let’s not forget, I think this may all be part of the WellStar Cardiac Care sponsorship.  They pay for ads, Atlanta makes sure there is a steady need for cardiac testing.  (Brilliant promo- if it is not already!) » Continue reading “If You’re not Living on the Edge…”