In the first 9 months of 2015 the Braves had a $9 million increase in operating profit over the same period in 2014. Revenue fell but expenses fell more.
The payroll number is set by McGuirk alone. His team manages the Braves to break even. He sees Braves again becoming a top 10 payroll team with major bumps in payroll starting January 1, 2017. No plans to be like the Dodgers with a huge payroll. “The Dodgers operating theory is unsustainable. That’s what new owners do” (make mistakes). “We don’t like to lose - period.” He’s never been in a better partnership than the one he has with Liberty. No, he doesn’t know how long Liberty will hold onto the team.
The Braves own 90 acres for future expansion. The team flattened the construction site. The Battery will have 550 apartments, a 9 story office building with a major tenant under contract (Comcast), a 260 room Omni hotel, and 20 restaurants. “We are going to be here for 30 years.” The mixed use component could produce $30 million per year in revenue, not including parking, sponsorships, advertising. The Cumberland commissioner has approved $1 billion in new building permits in the area. “We’re going to be able to spend more money on the ball team than people ever dreamed of.”
Opening night will be the most important MLB event in 2017. The Braves can pick their date – probably a weekend. Possibly the Sunday night national game on ESPN. “Parking will not be a problem…with 8000 – 10000 spaces.” (Turner Field has 8500 spaces).
Ticket sales – the Braves first started selling the higher-priced tickets. Turner Field has 400 premium seats. SunTrust will have 4000, and most have been sold. There will be plenty of relatively inexpensive seats, comparable to Turner Field.
ROB: I saw that interview in the Atl BC as well. That was really good stuff. I don't think they will trade Teheran or Freeman. Hopefully we don't have to hear about that much longer. Simmons is probably the greatest SS we have seen (since or before Ozzie). However, due to his inability to hit or run very well, I don't think they are losing as much value as many fans think.
I saw a tweet today where Fredi was on MLB radio saying Olivera would play both LF and 3B. I hope not. My biggest complaint with Fredi is he gets carried away with this mixing and matching nonsense. Put Olivera in one spot and let him get comfortable there.
ME: At Gwinnett Olivera had a strong arm but slung the ball from three quarters, making me fearful of wild throws. I chalked that up to poor mechanics/poor coaching from playing in Cuba. Andrelton might can get away with that, but not many others. The hard ground balls were eating him up at third. At second base he probably had more time to react, and make up for slow reaction with quickness and speed. I’m with you, leave him in one spot.
All last year the fans complained that Markakis wasn’t hitting many home runs. Now the same fans complain when someone on Twitter starts a rumor he might be traded. Jeff Schultz just adds fuel to the fire.
REID (on GT/Tenn): Tech lucky to have won. Some good things, shots that couldn't be made last year were made this year. Jacobs looked good, as well as Mitchell at times. However, two uncontested layups were missed badly, and Jorgensen was no help at all. Should not have been in the game at the end. I think he played the last 5 min when he definitely should not have been in the game. Tech was favored by 4 and won by 2. A W is a W !!!!
Last year Tech had trouble making shots (3's, 2's, and 1's). Last night, I saw shots falling. However, they did miss 5 consecutive free throws near the end. Jorgensen couldn't shoot last year, and he couldn't make a basket last night. Missed 2 free throws near the end. He's so short on defense, they were shooting over him easily. Still can't understand why he was in the game at the end.
ME: I listened to a little of the game on the way home. Seemed like a case of GT only playing to the level of the opponent, swapping baskets instead of playing to the best of their own ability. All these players have been in games where they dominated their opponent. Seems like it’s those times when they play hard and go for the jugular. Then they get in real competitive games and they play more timidly. It’s the Jordans and Kobes who go out and dominate that win championships. Seems to be lacking during the current GT coach’s regime. As usual I say this knowing just a tiny bit of information.
I just hope those shots will keep falling when they’re playing ACC games. Last week I watched a short video of a team shooting nothing but threes. You don’t know if it was late in the game or what, but the team kept missing threes, getting the rebound, and passing out for another three pointer. They’d rather take an off-balance, contested three that pass inside to and open man inside the arc. Shots weren’t even coming close – some were hitting off the top of the backboard. After almost ten misses the other team finally got the rebound. With so many teams it seems like that’s what basketball has become. All guys practice is their dunks.
MONDAY: worked until six. When I left the office I called Ceil. She was out running errands. I swung by Perimeter Mall on the way home to drop off an employment application for Anna at Madewell, a clothing store she frequents. Also stopped by three Goodwill’s, Wendy’s for a snack, the library, and the bank. At the library I was just going to renew the Ken Follett book but someone had placed a hold on it, so I had to turn it in. Instead I checked out three more books, including a Johnny Carson biography. Didn’t get home until eight.
Sunday after church Ceil suggested we use a Pollo Tropical “two can eat for $9.99” coupon. I wasn’t crazy about the idea so I counter offered El Porton, where we could also eat for ten bucks. She took me up on my offer but added we should take Matthew as well. So much for a ten dollar meal. Then Monday night I arrive home at eight. I had grabbed a snack at Wendy’s so I wasn’t starving. I noticed no supper on the stove. Then I noticed two bags – Ceil had cashed in the Pollo Tropical coupon. I passed on the chicken but tasted the rice and black beans. Nothing to write home about.
At least three people here at work are coughing coughing coughing.
The UGA Health Center’s Student Health Advisory Committee launched a mental health campaign to provide students with free resources to help deal with stress. Their survey showed students felt stressed, anxious, tired, unmotivated, overwhelmed, unfocused, and unhappy. Sounds like adults, huh? The committee conducted a free yoga session on the lawn. Doesn’t prayer help combat all those issues?
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