Quick Index: Teams | Leagues | Managers | Postseason
You Are Here > smileyleague.org > Posted Messages

Posted Messages                

# Date Sender Subject 7645 Aug 30, 2003   Thomas Austad   Atlanta Braves Preview 7646 Aug 31, 2003   Dennis Van Langen   Get the Tigers Preview Here! 7647 Aug 31, 2003   Michael Tomeo   RE: [SmileyList] Get the Tigers Preview Here! 7648 Aug 31, 2003   Thomas Austad   Re: [SmileyList] Get the Tigers Preview Here! 7649 Aug 31, 2003   Alan Boodman   Re: [SmileyList] Get the Tigers Preview Here! 7650 Aug 31, 2003   Mike Rodriguez   Re: [SmileyList] Get the Tigers Preview Here! 7651 Aug 31, 2003   Andrew Kennedy   OAA 1974 Preview 7652 Sep 1, 2003   Alan Boodman   Week 1 trades 7653 Sep 1, 2003   Alan Boodman   official trade 7654 Sep 1, 2003   Alan Boodman   Approved trade 7655 Sep 2, 2003   Alan Boodman   approved trade 7656 Sep 2, 2003   Alan Boodman   1974 files updated 7657 Sep 2, 2003   Alan Boodman   Player Status page updated 7658 Sep 2, 2003   Ben Lea   White Sox mini-trade-flyer 7659 Sep 2, 2003   Alan Boodman   Billingham on the block 7660 Sep 2, 2003   Chris Colucci   Mets CM 7661 Sep 2, 2003   Alan Boodman   Re: [SmileyList] Mets CM 7662 Sep 2, 2003   Andrew Kennedy   OAA CM Week 1 7663 Sep 2, 2003   Michael Rescigno   Baltimore WK 1 CM 7664 Sep 2, 2003   Thomas Austad   Atlanta CM week 1 7665 Sep 2, 2003   Scott Campbell   Starter Rest Discussion 7666 Sep 3, 2003   Alan Boodman   Re: [SmileyList] Starter Rest Discussion 7667 Sep 3, 2003   Michael Tomeo   boa,sdn managers 7668 Sep 3, 2003   Scott Campbell   Re: [SmileyList] Starter Rest Discussion 7669 Sep 3, 2003   Michael Tomeo   RE: [SmileyList] Starter Rest Discussion 7670 Sep 3, 2003   Ben Lea   Re: [SmileyList] Starter Rest Discussion 7671 Sep 3, 2003   Steve Bivens   Starter Discussion cont. 7672 Sep 3, 2003   Steve Bivens   RE: [SmileyList] Starter Rest Discussion 7673 Sep 3, 2003   Scott Campbell   Re: [SmileyList] Starter Rest Discussion 7674 Sep 3, 2003   Chris Kohlwes   Yankees Trade Flier 7675 Sep 4, 2003   Ben Lea   RE: [SmileyList] Starter Discussion cont. 7676 Sep 5, 2003   Derek Jones   Cards CM 7677 Sep 5, 2003   Alan Boodman   Week 1 CMs 7678 Sep 5, 2003   Michael Tomeo   20 game losers 7679 Sep 6, 2003   Alan Boodman   Week 1 CMs not yet received 7680 Sep 6, 2003   Alan Bosslet   Emailing: chn7401.MGR 7681 Sep 6, 2003   Steve Bivens   Montreal Manager 7682 Sep 7, 2003   Alan Boodman   Week 1 begins 7683 Sep 7, 2003   Mike Rodriguez   KC @ OAK 7684 Sep 7, 2003   Dennis Van Langen   DEA at BAA_004-007 7685 Sep 7, 2003   Alan Boodman   Reds @ Braves 7686 Sep 7, 2003   Thomas Austad   Braves @ Pirates 7687 Sep 7, 2003   Thomas Austad   Braves week 2 CM 7688 Sep 7, 2003   Ben Lea   White Sox @ Twins 7689 Sep 7, 2003   Michael Tomeo   boa@dea 7690 Sep 7, 2003   Scott Campbell   La at Cin 7691 Sep 7, 2003   Scott Campbell   New LA CM for Interval 2 7692 Sep 7, 2003   Chris Colucci   NYN at SDN 7693 Sep 7, 2003   Darren Dawson   pittsburgh @ St. Louis -- April 1-3, 1974 7694 Sep 7, 2003   Andrew Kennedy   Re: [SmileyList] Week 1 OAA-CHA 7695 Sep 7, 2003   Andrew Kennedy   Re: [SmileyList] Week 2 CM OAA 7696 Sep 7, 2003   Andrew Kennedy   Re: [SmileyList] Week 2 CM OAA 7697 Sep 7, 2003   Chris Kohlwes   Yankees week 1 CM 7698 Sep 8, 2003   Chris Colucci   Mets CM 7699 Sep 8, 2003   Bob Mittleman   Emailing: 1974 SFN@LAN01 7700 Sep 8, 2003   Bob Mittleman   Emailing: SFN02.MGR 7701 Sep 8, 2003   Michael Tomeo   sdn@sfn 7702 Sep 9, 2003   Rick Ramacier   Re: [SmileyList] Week 1 begins: MNA@BOA 7703 Sep 10, 2003   Dave Jackson   Milwaukee @ Yankees 7704 Sep 11, 2003   Derek Jones   Cards - Expos results 7705 Sep 12, 2003   Chris Kohlwes   Yankees at Rangers 7706 Sep 12, 2003   Larry Cupp   The eyes of Texas are upon you 7707 Sep 13, 2003   Alan Boodman   Week 1 update and NYA-TEA results 7708 Sep 13, 2003   Alan Bosslet   Emailing: BOX0004 7709 Sep 13, 2003   Michael Tomeo   RE: [SmileyList] Emailing: BOX0004 7710 Sep 13, 2003   Steve Bivens   Montreal at Chicago Week 1 7711 Sep 13, 2003   Dave Jackson   Week 2 CM 7712 Sep 14, 2003   Alan Boodman   FW: CHN-NYN results, with game files 7713 Sep 14, 2003   Michael Rescigno   BAA@MLA WK 1.zip 7714 Sep 14, 2003   Alan Bosslet   Emailing: PAC0001 7715 Sep 14, 2003   Alan Boodman   Week 2 begins 7716 Sep 14, 2003   SmileyList@yahoogroups.com   New file uploaded to SmileyList 7717 Sep 14, 2003   Dennis Van Langen   Attn: Milwaukee Brewers 7718 Sep 14, 2003   Michael Rescigno   Baltimore wk 2 CM 7719 Sep 14, 2003   Thomas Austad   Braves @ Dodgers 7720 Sep 14, 2003   Alan Boodman   Reds @ Expos 7721 Sep 14, 2003   Mike Rodriguez   KC @ MIN 7722 Sep 14, 2003   Thomas Austad   Braves CM week 3 7723 Sep 14, 2003   Dennis Van Langen   Bad news (e-mail); good news (Tigers!) 7724 Sep 14, 2003   SmileyList@yahoogroups.com   New file uploaded to SmileyList 7725 Sep 14, 2003   Ben Lea   White Sox @ Orioles 7726 Sep 14, 2003   Steve Bivens   Montreal at Pittsburgh Week 2 7727 Sep 14, 2003   Michael Tomeo   sdn@cin 7728 Sep 14, 2003   Alan Bosslet   Emailing: chn7402.MGR 7729 Sep 14, 2003   Chris Colucci   Mets at Cubs 7730 Sep 14, 2003   Andrew Kennedy   Re: [SmileyList] Week 2 OAA-TEA 7731 Sep 14, 2003   Rick Ramacier   Re: [SmileyList] Week 2 MNA@OAA 7732 Sep 15, 2003   Alan Boodman   NYN-CHN, game 1 7733 Sep 15, 2003   Alan Boodman   NYN-CHN, games 2 & 3 7734 Sep 14, 2003   Dennis Van Langen   test 7735 Sep 14, 2003   Dennis Van Langen   Re: [SmileyList] White Sox @ Orioles 7736 Sep 15, 2003   Alan Boodman   Fw: White Sox @ Orioles 7737 Sep 15, 2003   Andrew Kennedy   Re: [SmileyList] Week 3 CM OAA 7738 Sep 15, 2003   Andrew Kennedy   Re: [SmileyList] Week 3 FA Wish List 7739 Sep 15, 2003   Chris Colucci   Re: [SmileyList] NYN-CHN, games 2 & 3 7740 Sep 15, 2003   Chris Colucci   Mets Cm 7741 Sep 15, 2003   Scott Campbell   LA at SD 7742 Sep 17, 2003   Michael Rescigno   Baa@bos WK 2.zip 7743 Sep 18, 2003   Derek Jones   Cards-Giants results 7744 Sep 18, 2003   Dennis Van Langen   Lycos Sidesearch 7745 Sep 18, 2003   Alan Boodman   Re: [SmileyList] Lycos Sidesearch

Previous message                 Next message Message #: 7645 Message from: Thomas Austad Sent: Aug 30, 2003 Subject: Atlanta Braves Preview The 1974 SMILEY season is sure to be a better one than 1973 was for the Braves. It would be difficult for it to be much worse, as the Braves lost a league high 103 games. Still, look for teh Braves to be one of the most improved teams already this coming season. A solid starting rotation and much improved bullpen will see to that. The bats may be a little light, but the Braves have added quite a bit of speed to the top of the lineup and should be able to manufacture anough runs to possibly finish near .500, which would be quite an improvement for this club. The Draft: Dave Cash (1st round), Rico Carty (2nd), Tom Burgmeier (3rd), Aurelio Rodriguez (4th), Cecil Upshaw (5th), Nelson Briles (6th), Tom Bradley (7th), Jim Nettles (8th), Dal Maxvill (9th), John Boccabella, Jim Merritt, Mike Ryan, Pat Bourque (all 10th). A position by position breakdown for the 1974 Braves: Catcher: JOhn Ellis returns as the primary catcher, but he may split time at first base to get newcomer Vic Correll some at bats, as well as to get some better defense behind the plate from late round draft picks Boccabella and Ryan. We don't have a guy who is good both offensively and defensively, but the group should get the job done. First Base: Billy Williams returns and will see much of his time at first base. Ellis will get some time there, as well as newcomer Pat Bourque. Rico Carty still has a great stick and will see limited time here as well. Second Base: Dave Cash comes in as a free agent and immdiately solidifies what was a mess a year ago. Cash hits for average and can run, and will be a much needed spark plug at the top of the order. He plays solid defense as well. Shortstop: The Braves were unable to get any help here as they will return Marty Perez as their primary shortstop. He hits better than average for a shortstop, but his defense is, well, terrible. Dal Maxvill was picked up to play defense and help hold onto any late leads for the Braves. Third Base: Ron Santo is gone, but A-Rod is in! OK, maybe he doesn't provide the same pop that Santo gave the lineup, but Ron was getting old, and Rodriguez plays very good defense. That will be more important to the Braves this year with their improved pitching staff. Outfield: Mickey Rivers showed signs of breaking out last season, and will be given a full time role in the outfield. Rivers has wheels and will hit out of teh leadoff spot everyday this season. He hits well enough to get on base and enough to steal alot of bases and score some runs. Hammerin Hank Aaron is back and should provide some punch to the offense once again, but will split time in left field with Billy Williams to save both for a long season. Dave May was acquired via trade and will share time with Rookie Rowland Office in teh outfield. Office plays better defense, but May has a better bat. Starting rotation: The Braves strength that should keep them in most games. Phil Neikro will be back to do what he does every year, pitch alot of innings and win games. Carl Morton also goes deep into ballgames and keeps his team in the game. All eyes are on Buzz Capra though, who was acquired via trade last season. He has shown great stuff and should be the best # 3 starting pitcher in the league. Nelson Briles should do an adequate job as the 4 man, and Tom Bradley will fill in as needed. Bullpen: Clearly the most improved part of the ballclub, last year the bullpen set new standards for inepetitude (if that's a word). Charlie Hough is sure to rebound and have a good season and can pitch often. Tom Burgmeier was a steal in teh draft in teh 3rd round, proding durability from teh left side, which the Braves had none of last season. Charlie Williams has shown signs of being consistantly dependable, as has youngster Max Leon. Looking Back: 1973 was not a complete loss for the Braves. As they see some of the older stars fade, newcomers emerge. It was clearly a rebuilding year for the Braves, and many newcomers saw some valuable playing time that should pay of in '74 and beyond. The Braves pitching staff was bad, and the offense had to settle for trying to wait on a well timed home run. Luckily, Hank Aaron showed he still had the Hammer, having another great season hitting .301 with a league leading 47 home runs. Phil Nekro pitched well, but it didn't show in his won-loss record as the Braves had a hard time winning any games. Saying Goodbye: most significantly, Ron Santo has moved on to another team via free agency. Ron provided solid defense and some great seasons with the bat for the Braves. The Braves lost many players from last season, none as big as Santo though. We are in the process of "out with the old, in with the new", and it's sure to continue with aging superstars Hank Aaron and Billy Williams careers winding down. Outlook: The days of trying outslug their opponants are gone for Atlanta. This years squad provides speed and pitching, so expect to see alot of low scoring games. The Braves defense may be their own worst enemy, as they still lack quality defense atsome key spots such as shortstop, catcher, and first base. If the D can hold together and not cost too many runs, the Braves could finish near teh .500 mark riding their strong starting rotation and deep bullpen. _______________________________________ Sent via the Warp Drive WebMail system.

Quick Index: Teams | Leagues | Managers | Postseason