What’ll happen to Jordan Schafer this season?

Would you like popcorn shrimp with that?

I think he contributes to the big club. What y’all say? Does he play well at Buford and get traded? Does he end up waiting tables at the Mall of Georgia Red Lobster? Will he join the Tea Party and go on the lecture circuit?

–CD

Berryhill: Keith Lockhart next manager

I overheard him talking to a friend at the Popeye’s off Ponce.

Javy: Eddie Perez next manager

In an interview on the Atlanta Baseball talk site — blog? I’m not sure — Javy says he thinks Eddie will be the next skipper. Says he heard it from someone who knows.

I don’t doubt Javy, but I doubt him on this. I like Eddie a lot. I just don’t think he has the resume yet.

–CD

Braves prospect pitching no-hitter

Venezuelan lefty Jose Ortegano has a no-no through five against a heavily favored Dominican Republic team in the Caribbean World Series, now playing on the MLB Network.

And now it’s gone. Rowland is a jinx.

–CB

Braves still in on Damon?

DOB tweets: Don’t know if Braves or Tigers are willing to give Damon the second year that Boras wants. If one team does, that’s probably where he lands.

Then there’s this from Bill Shanks: Braves assistant general manager Bruce Manno would not rule out the team pursuing free agent outfielder Johnny Damon saying Tuesday, “Never say never.”

Would you go two years on Damon? If the price is right, I say yes.

–CB

Hockey fans, prepare to bid adieu to the Thrashers

Judging by their attendance, not many people will miss the Thrashers. Blame ownership, which has done a lousy job building a brand. Today Thrashers management announced they’re going to trade the team’s only star, Ilya Kovalchuk.

The Flames were a loss — they drew better than the Hawks and were routinely competitive. But the Thrashers have always seemed minor league, on and off the ice. I wouldn’t be surprised to see them move to Kansas City, Las Vegas or Quebec City within the next five years.

–CB

The two biggest reasons for optimism

1. Philly’s bullpen. Ruben Amaro Jr. has proven himself quite adept as a GM, acquiring Cliff Lee and Roy Halladay without completely gutting the farm system. But I’m surprised he’s done nothing to address the Phillies’ woeful ‘pen. Signing Danys Baez and Jose Contreras won’t help, as neither is a legit closing option. And with Brad Lidge as closer, you need options. Ryan Madson had a crack at he job last season but proved unreliable. Lidge has righted himself before, but if he can’t do it again the Phils could be in trouble.

2. Jason Heyward. If the Jay Hey Kid has the season Bill James projects, the Braves will boast a potent offense. He’s got the talent, and he’s got the right manager. Yes, Jordan Schafer struggled, but he’s not nearly as gifted as Heyward.

–CB

Skip screwed again

And the winner of the Ford C. Frick Award is … Jon Miller. Did the Hall voters ever listen to a game broadcast by Skip, Pete and Ernie?

–CB

The five most unfairly demonized Atlanta Braves

Don’t worry, Tex and Just Disabled aren’t on this list. They deserve every boo they receive.

These guys don’t (in no particular order):

1. Lonnie Smith. The ‘91 Braves wouldn’t have made the postseason without Lonnie. When Otis hit bottom, Lonnie was there, and in the that year’s World Series he clubbed three homers. Then came Game 7. Yes, Lonnie fucked up royal, but he always played hard and was routinely clutch. Remember his game-saving grand slam in the ‘92 World Series?
2. Nick Esasky. He became symbolic of the pre-Schuerholz Braves, appearing in only nine games after signing a big contract prior to the 1990 season. The Braves had been after him for years, and their timing appeared ideal, as Esasky had just concluded a breakout season, driving in 108 runs for the ‘88 Red Sox. Then vertigo struck, and the pride of Marietta would never play again. I had a brief bout of vertigo a few years back, and it’s bloody awful. I could barely stand, let alone dig in against Dwight Gooden or Jose Rijo. A healthy Esasky might have been the difference in 1991, as he would’ve been a big improvement over his replacement, Sid Bream.
3. Charlie Leibrandt. There’s no shame in getting beat by Kirby Puckett. Leibrandt might have been the Game 6 loser, but Braves fans are advised to remember the 30 games he won in ‘91 and ‘92 — not to mention the 423 innings pitched. GM Bobby did manager Bobby a big favor when he traded Gerald Perry to JS’ Royals for Leibrandt.
4. Chuck Tanner. Braves fans view him as something of a buffoon, and his bold proclamations about parades down Peachtree were pretty laughable in light of the team’s lack of talent. Despite a rotation who’s “ace” lost 18 games with a 4.88 ERA, the ‘86 Braves were just three games behind the division leaders on July 9th. It was all downhill from there, but can you blame Tanner for not winning more?
5. Bobby Cox and Tom Glavine (tie). They are more lauded than stigmatized, but a significant minority of Braves fans have no use for either. Bobby has his flaws, and Glavine was a bit too cozy with Don Fehr, but more than any others they defined the glory years.

–CB

A stat that won’t be repeated

The 1979 Houston Astros finished 1.5 games behind the division champion Cincinnati Reds, winning 89 games — a Herculean effort when you consider their puny offensive output. Bill Virdon’s Astros hit just 49 HR’s; Jose Cruz led the team with 9 HR’s. His 72 RBI also paced the Astros, and Cruz was the only starter to finish with a slugging percentage above .400. Houston didn’t hit for average, either, batting just .256 as a team — 8th in the NL. They had some speed, but were unsuccessful in 95 of 285 steal attempts.

J.R. Richard and Joe Niekro deserve the lion’s share of credit for keeping the ‘Stros in contention.

–CB