"Fans"

The fun news is that Wren talks to the media more than JS…but it leaves him open for more abuse. MANY are true baseball fans, but most of the radio hosts (and callers) just like to talk…with viewpoints that yield the most fervent response. I hear so many wanting to sign all these people and spend all this money…thinking nothing about the amount the team actually has to spend.

Wren has to plan for 2009 and beyond, not just next year. He makes plans and goes after players, remembering Tommy Hanson and the hotshot RF will be ready in a year or two…unlike many fans. Callers and hosts emotionally demand action…”someone must be signed as a response to the Mets signing KRod!” Then they jump sides and say “why did they give all that money to him? He has a history of injuries!” They want it both ways, but that’s not the real world.

These “fans” want a championship every year. No team wins every year. Even the 13 straight division championships, unprecedented, unmatched in any sport, wasn’t enough. The Yankees spend twice as much, and they have the same problems.

People are quick to forget about injuries. Even when players get hurt and still play, “fans” are mad because they don’t have a better year, when in fact they play hurt all year.

The Braves are finally getting their ducks in a row. Many were hoping to see earlier moves, but the season doesn’t start for 2-1/2 months. Lowe could well turn out to be better than the two the Yankees paid much more for. So the Braves have three new starters, plus last year’s Rookie Pitcher of the Year, and perhaps this year’s Rookie Pitcher of the Year. AND Hudson comes back in August, in time for the pennant race. That’s without old man Glavine. Smoltz wasn’t coming back until June at best. He may never be able to pitch again.

Now the Braves just have to sign an outfielder and they should be set. Diaz comes back, plus the league-leading pinch-hitter Norton. Both are .300 hitters. Hopefully they can sign reliever Ohman to put in the bullpen with Soriano and Ramirez, both who were out most of last year. The Braves should be competing for first place most of next season.

The Yankees have proved over the past few seasons that a World Series can’t be bought! If everyone has an average season, here’s today’s Braves batting order…

2B K Johnson…280, 20 HR

SS Escobar…300

3B Chipper…330, 25 HR

C McCann…300, 25 HR

1B Kotchman…280, 20 HR

LF Diaz…300

RF Francoeur…270, 20 HR

CF Anderson…270

Now if Tech football can be as good next season…we’ll see. They sure looked ugly in the bowl game!

Top 50 Announcer Rankings: Jon Miller does ESPN baseball with Joe Morgan…sounds just like Vin Scully. Can’t believe Scully is what, 80 and still doing games. Musburger should be higher and Morgan ranked lower. I like Madden as well. Milo was who I grew up listening to. It won’t be the same next year without Skip and Pete. I like Chip, because he uses a lot of the old time baseball phrases, like can of corn. Saw John ‘Boog’ Scambi announcing a football bowl game.

My new boss is a guy I’ve worked with all 22 years, and he knows I do good work. We just had lunch today. Unfortunately, his first official duty was announcing a wage freeze for this year, but at least we all have jobs.