Chipper Jones has stepped forward after hitting his 372nd home run against the Dodgers to claim his mark in the Atlanta Braves history book, moving past Dale Murphy, to be the Braves All-Time Home Run Hitter. Since coming off the disabled list on June 13, Chipper Jones has proven to be a consistent offensive threat who was desperately seeking to regain his patented power stroke. Jones, with his second two-homer performance of the season, catapulted the Braves to a resounding 8-6 win over the Dodgers.
Chipper Jones moved into first on Atlanta’s all-time list with a pair of homers on Thursday. (Mark J. Terrill/AP)
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In asking Jones what it meant to him in setting the record, he said “It’s extra special, but it wasn’t exactly the pitchers’ duel that we were expecting. … You just knew when it came down to the bullpens it was going to come down to one swing of the bat.”
Unfortunately for the Dodgers, Jones wouldn’t wait nearly as long to raise this season’s homer total to 15. The veteran third baseman directed right-handed reliever Chin-hui Tsao’s first pitch of the eighth inning over the right-center-field wall to mark the first time since July 5, 2000, that he homered from both sides of the plate in a game.
In passing Murph’s previous record, Jones said, “Murph was the first guy I met when I walked in the clubhouse in Atlanta after I got drafted. He’s still the man in Atlanta. Every time he walks in that stadium or walks into that clubhouse, he commands respect. He’s a two-time MVP and everybody loves him. When you think of people who are identified with the Braves, you think of Hank and you think of Murph.”
“Just to be in the same breath as those guys, Hank, Murph and Eddie Mathews, it’s a tremendous honor,” Jones said. “I’ve been very blessed. I’ll shoot for some more numbers.”
Written by Braves.net on July 6th, 2007 with 2 comments.
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Phillies - 6, Braves – 4
There are those that may say that Redman hasn’t had his day, even after his 5 starts, but then the stats from each game say something quite different with his ERA rising to 10.62 after Tuesday’s loss to the Phillies. It was hoped that Redman would provide some consistence at the backend of the starting rotation. As he was sent back after the first three innings, it was hard to see that consistency after the early three run lead was quickly lost to the Phillies. It was difficult to see Chipper Jones’ first of two homers quickly lost with a four-run inning the Phillies were able to grab off of Redman.
Brave’s manager, Bobby Cox, indicated that he would have to consider removing Redman from the starting rotation, but his immediate thoughts are more focused on having an able-bodied catcher ready to finish out the series.
Written by Braves.net on May 2nd, 2007 with no comments.
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At this year’s Winter FanFest, which will be held at Turner Field on Saturday, Feb. 3, at 10 a.m ET., Braves fans will once again have an opportunity to acquire autographs and enjoy many of Turner Field’s amenities.
Written by Hawk on January 16th, 2007 with no comments.
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Braves and Pirates still stuck on Atlanta first baseman
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
By Dejan Kovacevic, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Pirates are, by all accounts, casting a wide net in their search for a left-handed power bat, particularly in light of an apparent stalemate in the attempt to land Atlanta Braves first baseman Adam LaRoche.
And yet, anytime the subject of the coveted bat is raised with a team official, the name that invariably pops up is that of … LaRoche.
To be sure, the Pirates have not given up.
According to sources on each side, general manager Dave Littlefield has remained in touch with John Schuerholz, his Atlanta counterpart. And the essence of their discussions, those familiar with them say, is this: A deal can get done if the Pirates give up closer Mike Gonzalez and another major-league player.
Who might that player be?
The Braves have asked for center fielder Chris Duffy, but the Pirates flatly refused on the ground that they believe they have no adequate replacement for the near future. Andrew McCutchen, the organization’s top prospect, will open next season with Class AA Altoona.
The Braves also have asked for starting pitching. It is not clear which of the Pirates’ four young starters — Zach Duke, Ian Snell, Paul Maholm or Tom Gorzelanny — they sought, but it likely was Maholm. It probably does not matter, anyway, given that the Pirates have displayed a clear distaste for moving any of those starters in one-on-one deals, much less a two-for-one.
Those two rejections would seem to quash any chance of acquiring LaRoche, 27, who had 32 home runs and 90 RBIs last season. But the Pirates’ continued insistence — behind the scenes — that a deal can get done suggests otherwise.
It would appear that the most likely compromise is for Littlefield to throw in another reliever, given that the bullpen is the Pirates’ only area of depth and that Atlanta has a general desire to add pitching. But no names have leaked to support this notion and, on the Braves’ end, there continues to be little — or no — urgency displayed involving a LaRoche trade.
At the same time, as became evident last week, the Pirates no longer are keeping their sights squarely on LaRoche.
Their secondary target, a team official confirmed, is Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman Chad Tracy, who would be moved to first base if acquired. Tracy, 26, has hit 55 home runs in his first three seasons of Major League Baseball. That includes 20 last season, when he batted .281 with 80 RBIs. Arizona has a highly regarded prospect, Alberto Callaspo, ready to take third base.
The Diamondbacks are interested in Gonzalez, but they, too, are seeking more.
The names of other potential power bats are scarce for now, perhaps because the Pirates realize LaRoche and Tracy are their best bets and are aiming high. Another young, left-handed hitter on the trading block is Washington Nationals outfielder Ryan Church, but the Pirates do not seem confident that he could emerge into the middle-of-the-order type they want.
This much is becoming clearer by the day: The pressure is on Littlefield from ownership not only to acquire this power bat before the season, but also to have the player fit into the age and experience level of most of the Pirates’ roster.
If that pressure holds up, that makes it highly unlikely — or a last resort, at best — that the Pirates would further pursue outfielder Trot Nixon, 32, the lone free agent remaining of any significance. Or that they would enter into serious talks with teams shopping other older players such as Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Geoff Jenkins, 32, and Chicago Cubs outfielder Jacque Jones, 31.
Written by Hawk on January 16th, 2007 with no comments.
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How much will the Braves need to spend to keep Andruw Jones past 2007? Has the club considered moving Chipper Jones to first base and trading Adam LaRoche? Beat reporter Mark Bowman answers these questions and more in his latest mailbag.
Written by Hawk on January 15th, 2007 with no comments.
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Braves clips for Jan. 12
Written by Hawk on January 12th, 2007 with no comments.
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Gregor Blanco is a .272 career Minor League hitter, but you’d never know it looking at his winter ball stats. Blanco batted .317 in 55 games for the Tiburones de la Guiaira before joining the Tigres de Aragua for the Dominican Winter League playoffs.
Written by Hawk on January 12th, 2007 with no comments.
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The last time Chipper Jones could look across the diamond and see a legitimate 30-home-run threat, it was his 2000 MVP season and his first baseman was Andres Galarraga. In 2007, Jones will be looking across to Adam LaRoche, who hit 32 last season.
Written by Hawk on January 10th, 2007 with no comments.
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By Mark Bowman / MLB.com
January 4, 2007
ATLANTA — Before attempting to avenge last year’s frustrations, the Braves will complete a 32-game exhibition season schedule that will conclude with two games at Turner Field against the White Sox.This year’s exhibition schedule will begin on Feb. 28, with a game against Georgia Tech. The Grapefruit League will begin the next day with the first of three straight home games against the Dodgers, Pirates and Astros.
Like they have every year since 1998, the Braves will once again use Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex as their Spring Training headquarters. In addition to the exhibition game against Georgia Tech, they’ll play each of their 15 Grapefruit League home games at the spacious and comfortable complex.
When tickets go on sale on Saturday at 10 a.m. ET, fans can purchase tickets to each scheduled Florida home game at braves.com. Tickets for the games against the White Sox at Turner Field, scheduled for March 30 and 31, will go on sale at a later date.
Highlighting the home portion of this year’s Grapefruit League schedule is a March 8 afternoon game against the Yankees. The defending World Series champion Cardinals will come to Disney for a two-game series on March 16 and 17.
The March 16 game against the Cardinals and the March 27 contest against the defending American League champion Tigers will begin at 7:05 p.m. ET. All other home games are scheduled for 1:05 p.m.
The Braves will travel to Jupiter to face the Cardinals in a two-game series on March 10 and 11. On March 15, they’ll travel to Tampa to face the Yankees in a night game at Legends Field.
The Marlins are the only NL East rival that isn’t part of this year’s Grapefruit League schedule. The Braves will play the Nationals four times and the Phillies just once (March 23 at Clearwater). They’ll play the Mets at home on March 22, and in Port St. Lucie on March 28.
Many familiar and popular faces return to the Braves this year. Mike Hampton will be looking to come back from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery and strengthen a rotation that will once again be led by John Smoltz and Tim Hudson.
Both Chipper Jones and Andruw Jones head a lineup that will once again include All-Stars Brian McCann and Edgar Renteria. Jeff Francoeur will be looking to prepare for a season that he hopes proves to be more consistent than his sophomore campaign in 2006.
Written by Hawk on January 8th, 2007 with no comments.
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Have the Braves given up on trade talks? Will this be Bobby Cox’s last season? Can Chipper Jones win another MVP Award? Who will be the Braves’ leadoff hitter? Beat reporter Mark Bowman answers these questions and more in his latest Braves mailbag.
Written by Hawk on January 8th, 2007 with no comments.
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