Time for another team preview, our third in a series of 30.  Time to see who the hat wants to see today…

The last of the Divisions makes their debut.

Atlanta Braves – Team Preview

The Braves, they of the long division winning streak, have finally tasted some humility in recent years, due to the churning of a productive farm system and the result of the increasingly tight restrictions of their budget, which once allowed them to spend freely.

However, the Braves still have some talent on the team, also thanks to the farm system, but many of the pieces that make up the Braves are aging and might not hold up for much longer.  You'll see what I mean in a moment.

Starting Rotation

• John Smoltz (RHP) – Still dominant at his age, Smoltz’s stuff hasn’t dimmed much, but he has begun to break down a bit, missing time last season due to injury.  Still, he’s a quality staff ace and one who will serve as a stopper when needed.
• Tom Glavine (LHP) – Glavine returns for a farewell tour with the Braves this season.  While he has proven that he can at least be an innings sponge, I’m not sure how much he has left.  It may have been better for him to just retire.
• Tim Hudson (RHP) – Hudson remains a potential top of the rotation starter and will likely rise to the role of staff ace once Smoltz finally retires.  Though Hudson should be the Number two man, expect the Braves to separate him and Smoltz with Glavine.
• Chuck James (LHP) – James too is another player I’m not high on.  He’s got enough stuff to be a middle of the rotation starter, but he has faded badly during the last month of season.  He’s very homer prone and his control isn’t great.  I’m also not sure he can last a whole season.  So call me skeptical when it comes to how successful I think James will be.
• Mike Hampton (LHP) – On the other hand, I’m a lot more confident in James than I am in the one time ace of the Houston Astros, who has been an out and out disaster for the Braves.  This is supposed to be the season Hampton will actually contribute.  As a fifth starter, the Braves aren’t risking much, as they have an assortment of young starters they can plug in here if Hampton fails or gets hurt.

Bullpen

• Rafael Soriano (Closer) – Soriano is one of the biggest steals that the Braves have made in recent memory.  A lights out reliever that should succeed in the closer’s role, he was acquired for Horatio Ramirez, who has been disastrous for the Mariners.  He should take the next step to eliteness this season.
• Mike Gonzalez (Setup Man) – A solid reliever who could also close if necessary, Gonzalez will likely setup Soriano, depending on whether or not he’s ready.  I’m assuming he is.
• Peter Moylan (RHP) – A dependable reliever, this Aussie is an amazing story, having been virtually signed off of the Australian World Baseball Classic team last March.  He’s since made good on the opportunity.
• Will Ohman (LHP) – Ohman is a more than adequate replacement for Ron Mahay, as he’s an effective lefty specialist. 
• Royce Ring (LHP) – Ring finally got his shot in the majors with San Diego, but was dealt to the Braves in the Wil Ledezma deal. Ring has decent stuff, enough to be a solid middle reliever, but his big issue has been control. 
• Manny Acosta (RHP) - Called up late in the year, Acosta was rather good and should see time with the Braves this season.
• Buddy Carlyle (RHP) – Carlyle was an adequate fifth starter for a bit, but it looks like he’ll be moved back into the swingman role for Atlanta, which may suit him better anyway, as he was figured out late last season.

Starting Lineup

1. Kelly Johnson (2B) – The only real choice here for a leadoff man, Johnson has the potential to be an All-Star second baseman after the Braves shrewdly moved him back to the infield after playing left.  Johnson has decent hands moderate pop for a second baseman, though he isn’t quite as fast of disciplined as your stereotypical leadoff man.  Still, he’s a solid bet to improve and I’m willing to be that he’ll break out this year.
2. Yunel Escobar (SS) – The starting job is all his now after Escobar was impressive filling in for Edgar Renteria last year.  I doubt he’ll hit .326 again, but if he lives up to his minor league numbers, what the Braves will be getting is .294/.367/.411 out of the second spot in the lineup, which still isn’t nothing to sneeze at.  Still, I wonder if maybe shortstop prospect Brent Lillibridge might be the better bet long term. 
3. Mark Teixeira (1B) – Teixeira offers a lot of power, but also is a disciplined enough hitter to hit for a high average and get on base.  He’s a Gold Glove defender at first base and is one of the better players in the game.  He adds a major power threat to this Braves lineup, but to be quite honest, he is a mercenary player, as he is likely going to walk after this season for a bank breaking contract.  Atlanta has said they would try to extend him, but Teixeira is one of Scott Boras’ most devoted clients.  Which means, in the long run, Atlanta will likely only get a pair of draft picks for him.
4. Chipper Jones (3B) – Still a formidable offensive presence in the middle of the lineup, you do have to start looking for Jones’ replacement if you’re the Braves, as Jones is older and will only be good for able 130 games or so.  Still, getting that level of power production for 130 games is nothing to sneeze at and for the most part, he’s still able to handle the hot corner well.    
5. Jeff Francoeur (RF) – Probably a bit overrated, Francoeur is an excellent right fielder that carries a lot of thunder in his bat.  He has also been very prone to striking out and needs to improve on his walk total.  He has improved a bit in the past few years, so it might not be surprising to see if he takes that next step from a masher to an all around offensive force.
6. Brian McCann (C) – Possibly the best young backstop in the National League, McCann is a solid defensive player that is respected by his pitchers and calls a good game.  He also has excellent power numbers and is a solid fit here in the sixth spot, especially when you consider the heavy hitters ahead of him.  While the dip in homers is a concern, McCann does get a bit of a pass because he got hurt, which may have affected him.
7. Matt Diaz (LF) – Not a bad left fielder, as he has nice pop in his bat, is decent defensively and can be a solid contributor until Brandon Jones is ready.  I like him a lot and though Tampa and Kansas City gave up on him too quickly a while back.  He’s a bit of a free swinger, but he’ll likely see his walk totals increase this year because of the pitcher and the next guy on the list.
8. Mark Kotsay (CF) – The Braves are gambling that Kotsay can at least contribute something to the team this year, as Kotsay looked done last year.  Really, I’m not sure what the Braves can expect out of him, as his power looks gone, he no longer looks like he’ll handle the rigors of centerfield everyday anymore and there is no guarantee that he’ll be able to stay upright for most of the season.  Honestly, the Braves should have just offered arbitration to Andruw Jones, hoped he accepted, and just gutted out the season with a big salary.

Bench

• Brayan Pena (C) – A decent backup catcher, Pena doesn’t have much of a bat, but he’s a solid glove that can be relied on in a pinch.
• Omar Infante (UTIL) – A solid utilityman, Infante can adequately play nearly every position except catcher.  His bat is decent and he'd be a adequate stopgap in case of injury. 
• Josh Anderson (OF) – Anderson will likely be the main backup for the Braves outfielders and could see time in center if Kotsay is unable to stand up to the rigors of the position.  Anderson is merely a fourth outfielder, but he could be a decent one, as he has a decent approach at the plate and a little bit of pop.
• Martin Prado (INF) – Prado will likely serve as the other infield backup.  He’s okay, but not stellar.

Minor League Notables

• Jair Jurrjens (RHP) – Acquired from the Tigers in the Edgar Renteria deal, Jurrjens was solid in his major league debut and works with a low 90's fastball and a decent curve and changeup.  However, he's also been overworked in his career, so he could be injury prone later.  Still, he wouldn't be bad as a fifth starter for the Braves. 
• Jojo Reyes (LHP) - Another young lefty, Reyes has enough stuff to become a good 4th starter or so.  He could also see time later in the year.

• Brandon Jones (LF) - Jones has a lot of power and is eventually going to succeed Matt Diaz in left, sooner rather than later.

Final Analysis

The Braves  do have enough talent to keep things interesting in the National League East, but overall I think the aging rotation and the Braves essentially punting away two lineup spots will eventually cost them.  Sorry Braves fans, but you won't be winning the division again for a little while.

Final Standings - 3rd Place, National League East

After a much needed day off, it's back to the previews.

Let's see where the Hat wants to go today...

It's back to the National League for everyone.

Atlanta Braves

The Bravos finally fell from grace last season as the neglect of the bullpen, plus the combustion of the starting rotation, cost them the chance to extend their dominance over the National League East for another year.  However, the team isn’t hopeless, as there are some promising acquisitions by John Schurholz, plus players that stepped up as the season went downhill, that could result in a Braves team that could surpass expectations.

Starting Rotation

1. John Smoltz (RHP) – The resident ace is back for another go around with the Braves, as they wisely picked up his affordable option to keep him in Atlanta.  Smoltz is older now and he’s lost a bit of his edge as far as his stuff goes, but he is still very much a dominant pitcher, even at the age of 39.  Smoltz will head up the rotation once again and should rack up about 15 wins or so, depending on the bullpen. 
2. Tim Hudson (RHP) – Hudson was brutal last season, as lefties murdered him throughout the year.  Despite a winning record, Hudson hasn’t been the ace that he was back when he was with Oakland.  He should be a solid starter again, raking up wins in the double digits and at ERA in the low 4’s, but this isn’t what the Braves signed up for when they traded for him back in 2005. 
3. Mike Hampton (LHP) – Hampton hasn’t lived up to the gaudy contract given to him by the Rockies, but he hasn’t been bat either for the Braves.  He missed last season thanks to Tommy John surgery, but reports are promising that he can at least contribute to the Braves this season as a middle of the rotation guy.
4. Chuck James (LHP) – James was electric when he moved from the pen to the rotation, going 11-4 with a 3.93 ERA after the move.  With a full season now available, James should give the Braves some solid production as the number four guy.
5. Oscar Villareal (RHP) – Villareal was effective in four starts last season and deserves a shot to be a starter.  If he should falter, well, the Braves have got Kyle Davies to fall back on, though he shouldn’t be a liability as the fifth starter.  However, Villareal might not be long in Atlanta, as they view him as expendable.

Bullpen

• Bob Wickman (Closer) – Wickman lead the American League with 45 saves in 2005 and posted a 1.04 ERA in 26 innings after being traded to the Braves last season.  He’s averaged 30 saves over the past three seasons.  However, he is 37 and showed signs of vulnerability last season.  Wickman has been able to last this long because of the movement that he gets on his sinker and slider, though he was far more hittable in Cleveland, where he had a 4.18 ERA.  I don’t know.  It’s tough to project how long Wickman will last.   Pitchers tend to age more gracefully in the NL, where the DH is non-existent.  I think he’ll be solid, but unspectacular, this year.
• Mike Gonzalez (Setup Man) – Atlanta also wanted a setup man that could spot close if necessary, so they pulled the trigger on the deal that sent lefty Mike Gonzalez to them in exchange for Adam LaRoche.  Gonzalez adds depth to the Atlanta pen and is actually a better option to close than Wickman, as Gonzalez has a far better fastball and slider than he does.  The only problem is health, but the only way to prove that a reliever is durable is to toss him out there and see what happens. 
• Rafael Soriano (RHP) – Soriano, when healthy, is a dominant reliever.  In 2006 he posted a 2.25 ERA in 60 innings.  He was also sidelined at one point with shoulder soreness.  His season was cut short last year when he was struck by a line drive in the head in late August.  Soriano is viewed as a closer in waiting, thanks to his mid-90’s fastball and hard slider, but again, bad luck seems to follow him whenever he gets a crack at the job.  Though Gonzalez is the setup man, Soriano will provide great 7th inning relief for the Braves and should provide a spirited challenge for Gonzalez next season when the role of closer is up for grabs.
• Kyle Davies (RHP) – An terribly inconsistent pitcher, Davies will likely be moved into the bullpen in order to allow Oscar Villareal a chance to be the starter.  Davies could get an opportunity if one of the starters gets hurt or if Villareal flames out, but I do think that Davies meeds some time to work out some kinks in his performance before he starts again. 
• Joey Devine (RHP) – I think the Braves rushed Devine to the majors and he paid heavy for it every since.  However, during his September callup, Devine showed that dominance that made him a First Round pick, racking up a ERA of zero over 8 appearances.  Devine will likely make the big club, but he’s no longer viewed now as the closer of the future.
• Macay McBride (LHP) – A solid lefty reliever that can last an inning only, but he’s also not a lefty specialist, as he can strikeout both right and left handed bats.
• Chad Paronto (RHP) – This right hander finally returned to the majors this year and was solid.  He completes the bullpen.

Projected Lineup

1. Edgar Renteria (SS) – With the lack of a leadoff hitter, Renteria will probably fill that role for the Braves.  Renteria experienced a rebirth upon returning to the national league, returning to All-Star form an improving his fielding, committing less errors than he did in Boston (possibly due to the fact he didn’t have those crazy fans after his head.)   He has lost some of the range that he had back in his Cardinal days, but he’s serviceable enough to where his defense doesn’t kill you.  With two years left on a deal mostly paid for by the Red Sox, Renteria should stay in Atlanta for the remaining two years left, in order to give the kids a chance to grow.
2. Kelly Johnson (2B) – The writing for Marcus Giles may have been on the wall as soon as last May, as the Braves asked Johnson to begin learning second base before he underwent TJ.  Johnson is athletic, having been a shortstop, and has decent range for the position.  The question is whether or not he’ll be able to hit.  He’s got decent plate discipline, and the Braves envision him on being their leadoff man.  I’d hold off on that until Johnson proves himself.
3. Chipper Jones (3B) – With LaRoche gone, the onus is now on Jones and, well, Jones to help power the lineup.  Chipper is still very powerful and can be a threat in the lineup, but injuries are beginning to take their toll, as he missed time last season.  He should be good for another .300/25 HR/110 RBI season.  He should also be good for another 15 games on the DL.
4. Andruw Jones (CF) – Likely Jones’ last season with the Braves, due to free agency and the increasing payroll restrictions on the club.  Jones still brings a solid presence in center, despite the questions about his conditioning and his decreasing range, but that bat is still potent and dangerous in the middle of this Braves lineup.  The strikeouts will always be a problem, but Jones will continue to be a run producer for years to come.
5. Brian McCann (C) – With LaRoche gone, McCann moves into the role of run producer.  He overachieved last year with the batting average, as he never hit above .290 in the minors.  Still, it could be because the guy is still young and he’s still developing as a hitter (it happens.)  It’s more likely he’ll hit .290 with 20 or so homers and 100 RBI’s, depending on his lineup spot.  That’s still solid in any case and is more nitpicking on my part.  The biggest critique of McCann is his lack of an arm.  He threw out a Mike Piazza-esque 22% of baserunners last season.  Keep in mind he’s still quite young and needs time to grow, but to continue the Piazza comparisons, he was never really at throwing out runners and it never improved as he got older.
6. Jeff Francouer (RF) – Francouer put up another strong season, playing big as a defender and hitting for powering, hitting 29 dingers and driving in 103.  The biggest criticism is that Francouer has poor plate discipline and as a results racks up several strikeouts.  However, he seems to be getting a little more patient and he hits well in the clutch.  His athleticism has also lead to the belief that he might be able to handle centerfield.
7. Ryan Langerhans (LF) – It appears that Langerhans will be the starting left fielder, though Craig Wilson will see some time against left handed pitchers.  Langerhans was rather disappointing last season, with a drop in batting average and power being the most noticeable differences.  Still, he’s solid defensively and with regular playing time, he could again be a solid option in the back of the lineup.
8. Scott Thorman (1B) – The Braves really aren’t completely confident in Thorman's ability to serve as their starting first baseman, as seen by the signing of Craig Wilson.  Thorman doesn’t’ have the punch needed to keep the position and may only be keeping the spot warm for Jared Saltalamacchia. 

Bench

• Brayan Pena (C) – An okay catcher, Pena will likely continue to warm the bench unless injury (always a possibility with a catcher) crops up.  Pena is exactly what you want in a backup.  A decent defender whose bat won’t kill you.
• Craig Wilson (1B/OF) – Wilson will platoon at first base with Scott Thorton, who will be replacing the departed Andy LaRoche.  Wilson has great righthanded power, but gets murdered by lefties.  
• Willy Aybar (IF) – Aybar has a solid glove and hits relatively well enough that he wont’ be the death of you if he has to fill in for a extended period of time. 
• Chris Woodward (UTIL) – Woodward’s value is that he can play almost the entire infield, plus the outfield corners.  The bat is another story.
• Matt Diaz (LF/RF) – A total unknown so far, but he looks like he’ll make the team. He could be a bust.  Could be a valuable bat off the bench.

   

Farm System

The Braves do have some talent in the low minors, but for now, the system lacks talent that can help out now, as the 2005 promotions cleaned out much of the talent from the upper levels.  True, it’s possible some of the arms may surprise, but these are some of the few prospects that the Braves can work with in the meantime.

• Jarrod Saltalamacchia (C) – Salty, as he’ll be called here (as I don’t want to spell that name again) is a solid hitter who experienced a series of injuries last season that kept him from producing as he did in 2005.  With some time to recover, Salty is primed for a rebound year.  The only question is whether or not he’ll remain as a catcher.  Salty’s name was tossed about in trade proposals this past off-season.  It’s more likely that Salty will be converted to first base this year, since LaRoche is gone and since Salty’s injury troubles make it more sensible to keep him in a less stressful position.
• Brent Lillibridge (SS) – Lillibridge was the prospect acquired in the deal that sent Mike Gonzalez to the Braves.  He’s a very good defender with great range, hands and is on target when he makes the throw.  He’s got a high walk rate, a solid bat that can hit for average and for some good doubles power and is a huge threat on the bases.  He projects very similar to Rafael Furcal and if he continues to improve, he’ll make the big club as soon as next year, allowing the Braves to slide Renteria over to second.
• Matt Harrison (LHP) – Harrison is tall and has power stuff, as his fastball sits in the mid 90’s and he’s got a plus curve and changeup.  Harrison still need some work, but he could be a factor late in the season.

In Conclusion

The Braves are better, this season, as the offense is mostly there and the bullpen and rotation are much improved.  But, with the Mets’ strong lineup and bullpen, plus the much improved Phillies, who should compete for a Wild Card spot, I think the highest the Braves will finished is in third.

Final Result:                Third in National League East

Rumor has it around baseball that Mets pitcher Tom Glavine and Dodgers pitcher Greg Maddux are seriously considering reuniting with John Smoltz in Atlanta for one last ride in 2007. 

Apparently, Glavine was so desperate to reunite with one of his former running mates from Atlanta that he tried to convince the Mets to make a trade for Greg Maddux last year.  Obviously, it didn’t work, as Maddux was traded to the Dodgers only recently, but since then, the two pitchers have been debating one returning to Atlanta for what Gotham Baseball Magazine calls 'one last roundup'.

Apparently, the Braves’ brass has discussed the matter amongst themselves and are interested in reuniting the Holy Trinity of Braves pitching for one last run.  And their reasoning is a good one.  The NL East is very winnable next season.  The Mets had everything click for them this year, and they didn't advance.  Washington is a mess and Philadelphia is still maybe a year away from getting all their ducks in a row.  The Braves lost many of their valuable pieces from 2005's pennant winning team thanks to injuries and down years.  And with only the Marlins appearing to be a threat down the road, the Braves figure that if they were to reunited the three members of the best rotation in baseball for most of the 1990's, a rotation of Smoltz, Glavine, Maddux, Tim Hudson, and one of the other Braves’ starters could be enough to push the team over the top next season.  It would also be a public relations bonanza, as the Braves have been losing fan interest in recent years from a lack of interest (Hey, getting knocked out of the first round gets old sometime!  Ask Yankee Fans.)

Sounds good, right?

Don't believe it. 

A reunion isn’t possible. 

Of the two, only Maddux would be able to be signed, if possible.  With only the Dodgers and possibly Maddux's old team, the Chicago Cubs, interested in the ageless starter, the Braves could possibly contact Scott Boras and offer a one year deal that was similar to what he was being paid with Chicago, a more than fair offer at his age and possibly more than the Dodgers may want to give him. 

Glavine would be a harder sell.  With the Mets’ rotation in shambles and Pedro Martinez out till late next year, Glavine has gone from a possible luxury to a necessity for the Mets if they want to continue to contand, as only Victor Zambrano, John Maine and a combination of Brian Bannister, Mike Pelfrey or Philip Humber are available from within the organization.  Plus, the Braves can’t afford to offer more than possibly $8 million, as the Braves have become increasingly budget conscious over the years, most notably with their attempts to move Andruw Jones during the trade deadline.

So, as much as it would make good writing, bringing back the Big Three in Atlanta is an impossibility, which is too bad.  I would have liked to have seen the three of them together one last time.

Friday Morning Closer

Here is my five-pitch outing for the day:

The Gonzo Situation

Many people give Mark Cuban hell for speaking his mind.

In my mind, Diamondback Ken Kendrick should get more criticisms for violating one of the cardinal rules in baseball.

Don’t #### off your franchise player.

Luis Gonzalez is still awaiting a personal apology from Kendrick, after the managing general partner inadvertently linked the star left fielder to su####ions of past steroids use during a conversation last week with Arizona Republic columnist E.J. Montini.  Kendrick addressed the team as a whole back in Phoenix before Thursday’s game against the visiting Giants, telling the group he was sorry for any embarrassment his words may have caused.  But Gonzalez has since indicated he would have preferred an explanation and apology to his face.  Gonzalez’s former agent, Jeff Moorad, doesn’t escape the scrutiny either, especially now that Moorad is a general partner in charge of baseball operations for the club.

In my opinion, the Arizona ownership needs to kiss as much #### as possible to please Gonzo. 

The long-term impact of this could be fan backlash against ownership, which would hurt ticket sales and other revenues that are in or around the ballpark.  Gonzalez is enormously popular and has the support of the fans, especially when Gonzalez could have easily left the team instead of staying in Arizona.  And with Gonzalez in his walk year, this could be a factor in Gonzalez’s decision on whether or not to re-up and retire with the team. 

And not only would this result in further fan backlash, but it would hurt the Diamondbacks both on and off the field.  First, Gonzalez still has a potent bat and offense is one of the things that is keeping the Snake sin contention.  Second, a ownership group that has little respect for it’s players hurts their reputation in the free agent market, causing some players to look elsewhere when they are looking for a home.  And that’s not a good thing for a team that needs pitching.

Just one more thing to lay on the feet of Jason Grimsley.

Matsui Could Be Back…Key Word Is Could.

Kaz Matsui, who was dealt earlier from the New York Mets to the Colorado Rockies, then sent to the Colorado Springs Sky Sox, has thus far played in six games for the Triple-A Sky Sox hitting .364 with eight hits in 22 at-bats, including a double, with four runs scored, and he drove in his first run with a single in Sunday's 8-1 loss to Tucson.  While his offensive numbers are impressive, his deense has been less than impressive, as he has also committed three errors.

Many in the Rockies organization attribute this to Matsui’s limited playing time and his transition to second base.  Also helping his cause has been Matsui’s new determination to return to the Major Leagues and live up to the great fanfare that came when Matsui arrived to New York from the Seibu Lions of the Japanese Pacific League, where he was an all-star seven times and compiled a lifetime batting average of .309.

The pressure should also be off of him now that he’s in the relatively easy going clubhouse of the Rockies, but more importantly, the media circus that surrounded is arrival to New York and chronicled his failures will also be history.  With that #### off his back (a #### roughly the size of King Kong), Matsui should loosen up and could do very well.  Still, all of this is hypothetical. Matsui needs to do most of the work on his own.  If he’s successful, Ma tsui would easily rank as one of the best mid-season pickups by any team due to the fact that he cost virtually nothing.  And that would be important in possibly him extracting a long term contract team from the Rockies.

It Still Counts!!!

Apparently, winning the All-Star Game will still be worth something.  The owners and the players agreed Tuesday to extent the agreement that the World Series Home Field Advantage will again go to the league that wins. 

Am I down with this?

Sure am.

While I do think home field advantage should be granted to the team with the best record, I do like this experiment of making the All-Star game more interesting.  Things have gotten better now that there is actually something on the line in the All-Star game.  I see no reason why to change it, so let’s keep it going.

John Smoltz Available?

John Smoltz's recent comments were blown out of proportion perhaps, but the possibility remains that the Braves, out of the race and in need of bolstering a farm system that lacks great talent at the very top, could trade their veteran starting pitching this summer.  He makes $6MM this year and has an $8MM club option for next year, a very club friendly deal.  He’s also 39, but has post-season experience and electric stuff.  With that in mind, Smoltz is a very attractive option for a contender.

As a side benefit, the Braves also have other options available at the starter.  If they deal Smoltz, they would still have Tim Hudson and Mike Hampton, and Kyle Davies, Chuck James, and Anthony Lerew or Jorge Sosa or Horacio Ramirez.  It would still be a very competitive rotation, though there are intangibles with Hampton’s Tommy John surgery at this stage of his career and depending on a bunch of youngsters.  But at the very least, the Braves have nothing to lose.

If Smotlz were traded, the contenders that I could see getting him would be the Tigers, Rangers, and Red Sox, all of whom have deep farm systems to make a deal if necessary.  But the fact that complicates matters is that Smoltz, along with Chipper Jones, is the Braves and has been the one lasting thread that’s lasted through the ages.  And if the Braves were to trade him, it would probably mark the end of an era.  And though Smoltz said he’d try to return to Atlanta to finish his career if he was traded, in today’s free agent market, it’s not a guarantee.

One place that he will not end up is the Mets, despite Tom Glavine’s wishes.  The fact of the matter remains that the Mets used up most of their valuable trade chips in the off-season in the deals that brought Carlos Delgado, the bullpen, Paul Lo Duca and Xavier Nady to New York.  At this point, the Mets are going to need what few prospects they have in order to groom new heirs to the throne.  Plus, really, do you think that the Braves would trade Smoltz within the division?

I didn’t think so either.

The End Of Tiger Stadium

Tiger Stadium will be demolished to make way for homes and stores under a plan that will save parts of the historic baseball venue.  A portion of the field, including the diamond, will be kept as a Little League diamond along with part of the stadium.  The decision to demolish the stadium follows years of intense efforts to find a developer who would refurbish it or convert it to other uses. It has been largely vacant since the Detroit Tigers moved out in 1999 in favor of the new downtown Comerica Park. 

It’s sad to see another one of the classic baseball stadiums go.  Hell, Tiger Stadium is probably one of the most beloved stadiums by the fans.  It was second to last stadium to put in lights for nighttime baseball, home of Babe Rut’s 700^th career home run, the stadium where Lou Gehrig finally ended his consecutive game streak, ending it at 2,130, and home of the 1941, 1951, and 1971 All-Star Games.  Tiger Stadium was also in several films, Raging Bull and 61* being the most notable.

What’s happened in our culture, where we decide that a part of our history is no longer worth keeping around in favor of installing more housing and more commercialization.  What’s happened in our culture where places of our youth, places of our history, places of ourselves are deemed to be an obsolete, because the structure sits on prime land.

More important, what’s happened to us?

Can anyone tell me?

Email is on the side.  I’m suddenly feeling very down…

All Time Stupidest Sports Injuries

With Mariano Rivera causing back spasms while putting on his shoes last week, I decided to do a special feature.  The First and Second Team of the All-Time Stupidest Sports Injuries.

First Team

Starting Lineup

·          Catcher: Mickey Tettleton (Detroit Tigers) – Went on the DL with athlete’s foot…caused by tying his shoes too tight.

·          First Base: George Brett (Kansas City Royals) – Broke his toe on a chair at home while running for the kitchen to the TV to watch Bill Buckner hit.

·          Second Base:  Jeff Kent (San Francisco Giants) – Claimed he hurt his wrist while washing his truck.  Rumor has it that he was injured doing motorcycle stunts instead.

·          Shortstop: Clint Barmes (Colorado Rockies) – Barmes had a strong Rookie of the Year campaign until he broke his collarbone…carrying deer meat.

·          Third Base: Wade Boggs (Boston Red Sox) – Hurt himself…while putting on his cowboy boots.

·          Outfield:  Vince Colman (St. Louis Cardinals) – Missed the entire 1985 World Series…after being run over by Busch Stadium’s tarp machine.

·          Outfield: Ken Griffey, Jr. (Seattle Mariners) – No stranger to injury, Griffey once missed a game after suffering a pinched testicle from his protective cup.

·          Outfield: Rickey Henderson (Toronto Blue Jays) – Missed several games because of frostbite…in August…caused by falling asleep on an ice pack.

·          Designated Hitter:  Glen Allen Hill (Toronto Blue Jays) – One of the most painful, Hill went on the DL after suffering cuts caused by crashing through a glass table while dreaming that he was being attacked by spiders.

Bench

·          Bench: Oddibe McDowell (Texas Rangers) – Sliced open his hand at a Texas welcome home luncheon while buttering a roll.

·          Bench: Kevin Mitchell (New York Mets) – Taken out by a microwaved donut.  I have no idea how this happened.

·          Bench: Terry Harper (Atlanta Braves) – Separated his shoulder while waving a teammate home and subsequently high fiving him.

·          Bench:  Sammy Sosa (Chicago Cubs) – Missed a game after throwing out his back…while sneezing.

·          Bench: Jose Cardenal (Chicago Cubs) – Missed a game in 1974 because he couldn’t blink. 

Starting Rotation

·          John Smoltz (Atlanta Braves) – Once burned his chest while ironing a shirt…while he was still wearing it.

·          Nolan Ryan (Houston Astros) – Missed a start after being bitten on his hand…by a coyote.

·          Jake Peavy (San Diego Padres) – Fractured a rib after he jumped into a celebratory pile after the Padres clinched the division.

·          Carlos Perez (Montreal Expos) – Broke his nose in a car accident…while trying to pass the team bus.

·          Adam Eaton (San Diego Padres) – Stabbed himself in the stomach while tearing off the wrapper on a DVD.

The Bullpen

·          Swingman: Dwight Gooden (New York Mets) – Missed a start when Vince Coleman accidentally took him out with a golf club in the clubhouse.

·          Middle reliever: Steve Sparks (Milwaukee Brewers) – Dislocated his shoulder…while attempting to tear a phone book in half.

·          Middle Reliever:  Mark Smith (Baltimore Orioles) – Injured his hand…while sticking it into an air conditioner to see why it wasn't working.

·          Middle reliever: Charlie Hough (Texas Rangers) – Once broking his pinky…while pinking shaking.

·          Middle reliever: Ricky Bones (Florida Marlins) – Missed time in 2000 after injuring himself…while changing channels on the clubhouse TV.

·          Setup Man: Greg Harris (Texas Rangers) - suffered a strained elbow flipping sunflower seeds while sitting in the bullpen

·          Closer: Jason Isringhausen (Oakland Athletics) – Broke his hand while punching a trashcan, just weeks after stabbing himself in the leg trying to open a package.

Manager - Roger Craig (San Francisco Giants)

Cut his hand…while undoing a bra strap.  Awesome.

The Second Team