Rowland's Office

If I were managing the club, this would be the opening day roster:

Pitchers

Hudson, Smoltz, Glavine, Hampton, Jurrjens, Soriano, Moylan, Ohman, Acosta, Resop, Boyer and Bennett (spot starter/long reliever). Aloha, Tyler Yates. Chuckie starts the year in Richmond. If he pitches well and Hampton gets hurt or Jair struggles, the (still) young (for now) lefty gets the call. If Gonzalez returns in June, as reports say he will, and is his old self, this could be the best Atlanta bullpen since 2002, maybe ever.

Position players   

McCann, Pena, Tex, KJ, Yesco, Chipper, Prado, Diaz, Kotsay, Frenchy, Blanco, Josh Anderson and Thorman (until Infante comes back, then you just press someone, Diaz or Pena maybe, into service at first base if need be). I’d like to see how useful Anderson could be as a pinch runner, as the team has virtually no one else who can steal a base. It’ll be interesting to see if KJ and Yesco run a little more this year. Neither is Rickey Henderson, but they might be able to swipe 15 or so each.

As for Pena, I think he’s better defensively and offensively at this stage than Javy. Prado and Blanco have earned spots. That is not a particularly muscular bench. Consequently, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Bravos trade for a veteran power bat to back up first and pinch hit. Thorman, nice chap though he is, looks to be a poor man’s left-handed Dave Kingman. I’m not sure that helps much. We really need someone who can hit a home run late. As CB pointed out, say you’re facing Wagner or Lidge in the 9th and the pitcher is due up with two outs, a runner on first and we’re down a run. Whom do you turn to?

Quibbles, insults, comments and suggestions are welcome, of course.

–CD   

As the home team takes its only day off from the grueling marathon that is spring training, Rowland will assess what’s gone down down in Florida.

Rowland is pleased:

That Hampton might be in the rotation to start the season. If a reasonable facsimile of the pre-2006 Hampton is our No. 4, that’s a solid starting five. Old, yes, but solid. No team in baseball has anything approaching the early 90s Braves staffs, with numerous No. 1 starters all in their prime. So we can feel good about what we have.

That Jair has been solid. Yeah, he got knocked around a bit last time out. But by all accounts, this kid is going to be pretty good. He could make Wren’s first major trade a great one.

Speaking of, Yunel has been insane this spring. Our "utility infielder" with range and an assault rifle on his right shoulder could hit .300 with 15 home runs in the 2 hole. Rowland digs that.

Frenchy is OK after bunting a pitch with his face. Ouch.

Most of the regulars are healthy and swinging well.

Moylan is evidently physically sound and mastering hitters. And we have several other relievers throwing serious gas that doesn’t cost $4 a gallon. Resop is particularly intriguing. Dude throws 99 and has more Ks than IP in March. Yet there must be a reason he’s with his fourth organization in four years. On the other hand, relievers often blossom unexpectedly, so maybe we’ll get lucky with this guy.

Rowland thinks Kelly Johnson is going to have a big year with the stick — 20 HR, .285 – .300 with an OBP above .385. He and Yesco will make a dynamic 1-2 in front of Chipper, Tex and McCann-Frenchy. Translation: home team will score runs.

Jordan Schafer is hitting .300 and generally making a big impression.

Knucksie and Dewsie threw BP. Message to front office: Rowland is available.

So far, it’s been a mostly healthy camp.

Rowland is displeased about:

Even with Hampton looking good, Rowland isn’t quite ready to buy the "starting pitching depth." The average age of our top 4 is about 37, one of them hasn’t pitched in two years. After that, there’s no one who’s had any sustained success in the bigs.

The bench. Our pinch hitting options could be a couple utility infielders with no pop, a backup first baseman, Thorman, with pop but a slow-pitch softball swing, a backup outfielder with no power and a backup catcher with little to no power, or a backup catcher with some power but a swing that’s a couple ticks too slow for the bigs. A quibble, perhaps, but it could be a concern.

A lack of speed. Again, this isn’t likely to be a major concern. But this lineup does not appear to have anyone who will steal 20 bases.

Rowland isn’t necessarily displeased that Tyler Yates might be pitching his way off the team — 7 earned and 6 walks in 5 innings. Yikes. Rowland will be displeased if Tyler is still on the team.

Rowland is wondering about:   

Hampton, of course. If he can make 30 or so decent starts, the home team should be right there come late September.

BMF’s arm. The closer’s health could make or break this season. For that matter, Rowland is curious about the pen in general. Could be outstanding, or shaky.

McCann’s defense. Rowland hasn’t read much about this, but BMac needs to improve his glove work.

When Schafer will be playing center field. As long as Kotsay’s healthy and playing competently, there’s no reason to rush the young Hummer driver. (Rowland’s no fan of Hummers. But, hey, he’s just a kid.) But if Kotsay struggles or his back aches and Schafer rips up the minors, do you bring him up early?

Where Lillibridge will eventually play. It seems unlikely he will be a middle infielder for Atlanta. He doesn’t sound like your prototypical third baseman because he’s not a power hitter. Schafer is ticketed for center field. Should be interesting for Lilli.

Alright. See y’all later. Fred and Lamont’s coming on. That damn Woody kills me.

–CD

An SNL classic

Don’t tell anyone, but Mike Hampton was in midseason — midseason 2005, that is — form Monday, hurling four-plus solid innings against the Cards. He allowed only two hits and one run, striking out three. And no reports of him limping off the field, either. Looks like the rotation is just about set, with Hampton and J-Air following the Big Three.

And yes, I’m aware of what I just wrote. CD’s optimism regarding Hampton is starting to wear off on me.

–CB

The photo of the Aaron jerseys reminds me of a gentleman I used to often see at the yard.

He was a late middle aged to elderly African American chap who wore the full mid-70s No. 44 regalia. I mean the entire uniform, pants and all. I used to see him around the infield concourse at Turner Field routinely. But I didn’t see him last season at all.

Does anyone know anything about this fellow? Has anyone else seen him at games? He was easy to spot. We’d appreciate any info. Thanks.

–CD

I like that song, "I’m feeling alright." When I hear that in a movie preview, I figure it’s gonna be pretty good.

Anyways, I gotta get this done because it’s Friday, and I’m going to be drunk by 5 so I better get my writing out of the way while I can still see all these little letters good.

Down in Florida, the boys are pouring a can of grade-A Georgia Whup Ass on the Phillies today, which is key. You want to get in their heads now. It’s kind of like your little brother or a new kid at school — kick their ass on day one, and then they’re scared of you and won’t mess with you. Psychology is what you call that.

And damn if that Escobar didn’t hit a grand slam today. Hitting over .500. That’ll work. All in all, the team’s looking good, winning games. Winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing. I think Patton said that. 

One thing that bugs me a little bit, though, is how Bobby babies these starting pitchers. First, Smoltz gets to play with his little golfer friend and pitch in pick-up games. Now, he pulls Hudson from his start because it might rain. What the hell is this? Is he gonna melt? I’m telling ya, Bobby’s gotta get control of this team. A good head coach is the boss, not the pitchers. I just ain’t sure about all that.

Good to see McCann and Tex-gimme-more-money finally hit the damn ball. I think that first baseman’s too busy worrying about how much the Steinbrenner boys are gonna pay him next year to concentrate on hitting. He better get after it or Scott Thorman’s gonna take his job. Speaking of, I was sorry to see they sent that Flowers boy down. He sounds like somebody that’s hungry to me.

That Jurrgensen’s still throwing smoke. I like him. It’ll be good to have a big, blond Scandanavian type on the team.

And if Mike Hampton don’t get through spring training without getting hurt, I’m going to come down there and whip him my own self. Groin injury. Hell, I pitched all through little league and high school and fixed cars and worked at the damn potato shed and I never hurt my groin. Rich, spoiled babies. See, that’s why Bobby’s gotta get control of these guys. Keep the attitudes from getting out of hand. Again, that’s what a good head coach does.

I better run. Me and Rhonda — she’s in the picture there with me — went down to AMS last weeked. Son, let me just say it was a PARTY. But damnif I didn’t have to near ’bout lasso Rhonda once she  caught a glimpse of Jimmie Johnson. She had a few sex on the beaches in her, and it was all she wrote. Then she about got in a cat fight with a woman at the next campsite was bad mouthing Bobby Labonte and talking up Jeff Gordon.

Anyways, y’all be good.

– Duane from Forest Park

Rowland took time out from his afternoon ripple — it goes good with “Sanford and Son” reruns — to voice approval of the new banner. “I ain’t looked that good since ‘73,” Rowland said. He offered to send in an autographed photo of him with Redd Foxx to add to the blog, but don’t hold your breath — Rowland makes a lot of promises when he’s sipping the rip’.

(Thanks to Office reader Greg Hinson for designing the sharp new banner. To show our appreciation, we’re sending Greg a jockstrap worn by former Brave Cliff Speck.)

Murph turned 52 today. It’s been 32 years since he debuted as a Brave.

Mariners GM Bill Bavasi. who previously traded Carlos Guillen and Freddy Garcia for scraps, now has nothing to show for Rafael Soriano.

Seattle released Horacio Ramirez today, no surprise considering his 7.16 ERA in 2007. The Braves, meanwhile, have BMF signed at a reasonable price through 2009. Closers don’t ever come this cheaply.

As for Soriano’s elbow, everything appears fine — so far. He threw pain-free Tuesday and should see his first live action within the week.

–CB

Howdy, friends. My bride and I just got home from Branson the other day. Let me tell you, those Mandrell sisters are some kind of TALENTED performers, if you get my drift. Hee, hee. (Don’t tell the Missus I said that.)

Anyhow, I’m finally rested up from our trip and ready to catch up on the hardball goings on down in Orlavistassimmee. Or wherever it is. I still haven’t got an answer to whether the Braves and their families get into Disney World for free. Can anybody help an old fella there? And do they still have that Space Mountain down there? Can the Latino ballplayers go over to that Esscot Center to get a taste of home if they get homesick?

Just wondering.

On to baseball matters. I read where that Mike Hampton up and hurt hisself again. They ought to wrap that fellow in bubble wrap to cart him out to the pitching mound. Bet you dollars to doughnuts he doesn’t make it out of May. I’m not rooting against the young man. No way. Just saying.

I see where Tom Glavine and Javier Lopez are back with the ballclub. Gladdens an old codger’s heart. I wonder if I could make a comeback with the Arlen Insurance Agency Bombers slow-pitch team. What do y’all think? I reckon I can still throw that high arcing spinner up there. 

That young Escobar is really hitting that ball, I see. He looks plenty good to me. I can’t see why some smart aleck with a keyboard called him a utility man. I’ve known plenty of fine fellows from the power company and the water works and the phone company, now. Don’t get me wrong. Nothing against a good utility man. But this Escobar looks like a ball player to this old baseball fan. Is that Escobar kin to old Pueblo, that dude from Panama that give us so much trouble years ago? Just wondering.

What in blue blazes is a simulated game? Is that one of them computer things?

Back in my day you didn’t have all these so-called relief pitchers. A man started pitching a game, dangit, he aimed to finish it. Things have changed, I reckon.

Speaking of, how come nobody calls them blue darters or Texas leaguers any more?

And what become of them funny little carts shaped like a ball cap they used to drive in from the bullpen? I miss those.

What became of old Dusty Baker used to play for the Braves?

Well, y’all enjoy the nice weather. Gotta go take my fish oil pills.

– Doyle Harcavy