Rowland's Office

The money grubbers who run companies that are supposed to make movies are nothing if not cautious. They’d rather make a movie about a 30-year-old TV show, or a fourth or fifth sequel, than take a chance with something genuinely original.

So the Office, too, will resurrect a feature that debuted last season. As the ballclub readies for a Friday matinee at Wrigley, herewith a list of Bravos who have also been Little Bears, listed more or less in order of significance as Braves. Most of these guys weren’t particularly significant as Braves.

Greg Maddux

Gary Matthews

Jeff Blauser

Dusty Baker

Kent Mercker

Bruce Sutter

Paul Assenmacher

Eddie "Buddy J." Solomon (Didn’t know he’d been a Little Bear, but he was there in 1975.)

Mark DeRosa

Michael Tucker

Randall Simon

Dwight Smith

Donnie Moore

Terry Mulholland

Kenny Lofton

Henry Blanco, Mike Bielecki, Damon Berryhill, Jason Marquis, Juan Cruz, Jose Hernandez, Antonio Alfonseca, Rey Sanchez, Jody-Jody Davis, Ken Henderson, Ted Abernathy, Daryle Ward, Kevin Coffman, Jerome Walton and Kevin Blankenship.

I’m sure we’ve ommitted someone. Let us know if you think of any more.

–CD

Our namesake didn’t have much of a career, but he played alongside some of the best players of his era. Presenting, a positition-by-position look at Rowland’s most talented teammates (from the Braves, Expos and Yankees):

C: Gary Carter (no contest here)

1B: Orlando Cepeda (although Don Mattingly certainly merited consideration)

2B: Willie Randolph (not much competition, unless you think Rodney Scott is worthy; actually, Felix Millan is)

SS: Chris Speier (by a hair over Roy Smalley)

3B: Graig Nettles (over Horner and Larry Parrish)

OF: Hank, Andre Dawson, Dave Winfield (Murph doesn’t make the cut over two HOF’ers and a third who had a better overall career. Other worthy candidates: Dusty Baker, Ralph Garr, Tim Raines, Ellis Valentine, Lou Piniella and Otis Nixon, who played briefly for the Yanks in ‘83)

DH: Don Baylor (although you could make a strong argument for Darrell Evans, Rico Carty or almost any of the other “backups” listed above)

SP: Phil Niekro, Ron Guidry, Steve Rogers, Bill Lee, Bill Gullickson (or Charlie Lea, or Scott Sanderson … fifth starter du jour)

Middle relief: Dave Righetti from the left, Gene Garber from the right

Closer: Rich Gossage

–CB

Lots to love in today’s game. Huddy has a nice rebound. McCann gets his first big hit in what seems like a long time, knocking in as many runs with one swing, 3, as he had in his past 11 games.  Biggest inning of the season. Series win against a fist-place club. Momentum heading into an off day. Wickman continued his clean work since returning from the DL. Now if Davies can just pitch a decent game Friday.

BMF gave up a meaningless home run in the 8th to Fielder. That ended a streak of 16-plus scoreless innings and 10-plus hitless innings. The league is hitting .103 against the dude. 

–CD

We could use him. In his latest blog entry, DOB reports that Braves pinch-hitters are batting .218, with a feeble .237 slugging percentage in 80 AB’s. That’s Damaso Garcia territory. Orr and Woodward give you nothing. Wilson gave us nothing. And Salty has to be used judiciously, as he’s the only other catcher on the roster.

But as needs go, a better bench pales in comparison to starting pitching. Still, it would be nice to pick up a Mike Deveraux or Luis Polonia-type.

–CB

Pete reports that Smoltzie feels fine and won’t miss his next start (Sunday against the Cubbies) — credit Edward Munch.

–CB

No one likes to think of games as "must wins" this early in the season. But the cold truth is that each time Hudson or Smoltz pitches, it’s virtually a must win.

In a troubling trend, the Bravos are just 3-4 in the duo’s past seven starts. During that stretch, our boys are 5-10 overall. For the season, the Bravos are playing at a blistering .696 pace — 16-7 –  when our two aces toe the slab, and at an icy .448 — 13-16 — when they don’t. For some perspective, a .696 clip equals 113 wins in a season, .448 leaves you with 73 wins.

Simply put, we have to win most times Huddy or Smoltzie pitch. Hudson goes tonight. We need this game. We’re five behind the Mutts and a game behind Arizona in the wild card chase.   

–CD

Smoltzie may be injured, and the Braves are now five games back, but consider this: the local nine have eight more wins than the Yankees, who have lost 13 out of 18. That should feel much better than it does, but at least it’s something positive on this potentially devastating night. 

–CB

At Richmond:

Yunel is hitting a robust .335, with 25 RBI and a .842 OPS. If Chipper goes on the DL, expect Escobar to get the call, and hopefully some starts. I’m not sure Prado is a major league hitter, and I know Woodward and Orr aren’t. Better to give Yunel a chance, or play Harris at third and Diaz in left.

Also, Dan Smith was called up from Double-A. 

At Mississippi:

Brandon Jones’ average has slipped a little, but his power production remains robust (8 HR, 31 RBI). Matt Harrison and Jo-Jo Reyes have also struggled of late; their ERA’s are 3.60 and 3.96, respectively. Brent Lillibridge has been disappointing; even though he’s hitting .271, with 13 steals, he’s struck out 58 times, committed 13 errors and been caught stealing seven times. However, fellow SS Diory Hernandez has impressed, batting .339.

Nothing good to report from Myrtle Beach:

Elvis Andrus is hitting a soft .238, with 13 errors. Eric Campbell has been even worse, checking in with a .192 average.

Thomas Hanson has been lights out at Rome: 54 IP, 35 HA, 15 BB, 63 K’s, 2.00 ERA. 

Did you ever think Lance Cormier would be viewed as a potential savior? His first start of the season, next Tuesday against the Marlins, will be closely watched. If he can’t improve on Redman, Davies and Carlyle, we’re toast. He’s pitched well in the minors, throwing 6-1/3 scoreless innings in his last appearance at Richmond.

Speaking of Cormiers’, might it be time to call up Rheal (1-0 with a 1.17 ERA in Triple A)? I love having two lefties in the ‘pen; I also love the idea of not having Chad Paronto or Buddy Carlyle trot to the mound.

–CB

The Braves were 27-24 after losing 12-5 to the Dodgers. A reminder that it’s a long season, and with our uncertainty in the rotation, we still don’t know what to expect from this team.

The good news? John Thomson is no longer a Brave. He gave up seven hits and five earned to the Bums in 1-1/3 IP last May 29th.

–CB