Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves’ News 11/28
Aug 6, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher
Craig Kimbrel(left) hugs catcher
Brian McCann(right) after beating the Washington Nationals 2-1 at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Morning Chop: A Summary of Braves’ News
Thanksgiving Editorial Note: Happy Thanksgiving! First off, I know I speak for everyone at Tomahawk Take when I wish each and every one of you a joyous Thanksgiving! We hope that wherever you are, with family, traveling, or even working, you’ll have a blessed day and be thankful. We’re thankful every day for the avid Atlanta Braves’ fans who regularly visit Tomahawk Take and read our opinions and thoughts. Without each of you, the things we do would mean nothing.
Kimbrel, wife lend support to Curing Kids Cancer
[Editorial Note: Many have wondered who would step up and take a leadership role with the Hudson’s and McCann’s moving. No worries! At least off the field, you can see that there are others willing to step up and work hard in the community as well. It won’t stop at the Kimbrel’s either. :)]
ATLANTA — A little more than an hour before the Braves were scheduled to begin a game at Turner Field in August, Craig Kimbrel visited a group of cancer-stricken children he had invited to the stadium.
As he began to address the kids and their families who were seated at picnic benches located on the right-field concourse, the often stone-faced Braves closer found himself fighting back the tears that developed after as he looked at the group and saw a young boy who had lost vision in one eye.
Just a year earlier, while visiting children at an Atlanta-area hospital, Kimbrel had seen this same young boy going through his initial treatments after being with cancer.
“Seeing all of them and thinking about all that they have gone through, it kind of is emotional,” Kimbrel said. “When I was talking to them, I was thinking about it the whole time. That is really the reason I got choked up. It doesn’t hurt to show how you feel sometimes because they feel the same way and it’s good for them to know everybody else cares for them as much as well.”
Wednesday Reads: Help Pick the Hall of Fame Ballot, Selig’s Influence
If you’re already a bit sick of being cooped up with family for the holiday (I went through it already Sunday and Monday), entertain yourself with some MLB links from around the web.
Deadspin Buys Hall Of Fame Vote, Will Turn It Over To Deadspin Readers – Deadspin.com
The Hall of Fame balloting process has been a joke for awhile, but now it really is. Deadspin bought the vote of a BBWAA voter and is letting their readers pick their ballot. It’ll be interesting to see how this develops and how the “professionals” will react to it.
Every player eligible for the Hall of Fame deserves respect – SportsonEarth.com
Related to the Hall of Fame shenanigans above is this great piece on the onslaught of new players eligible for the HOF and how the limited balloting process makes them kind of pushed aside. The list of guys is huge, so the analysis of why they shouldn’t be completely overlooked and dismiss is great and kind of necessary.
Updated 2014 Fantasy Catcher Rankings: Brian McCann Moves to the top spot
published some of my thoughts about Brian McCann signing with the Yankees on Sunday, and today, I publish my updated 2014 fantasy catcher rankings. I moved McCann to the top spot in my catcher rankings mainly due to the fact that moving to Yankee Stadium with the short porch in right field, gives him the possibility of approaching, or even exceeding, 30 home runs in 2014.
Not only is McCann moving to Yankee Stadium, but he moving to the American League affords him the chance to DH about 15-20 games per season, which keeps his power bat in the lineup and allows him to rest at the same time. We could see him play 140+ game for the first time since 2010 next season.
Look, I was not happy when McCann decided he was the unwritten rule police, and I wrote about that on these pages last summer, but when a left handed power hitting catcher moves to a hitters park that benefits lefty power hitters, you have to stop and take notice.
Here is a comparison of the dimensions of Yankee Stadium and Turner Field:
Let’s focus on the difference in the dimensions in right field between McCann’s old home ball park, Turner Field, and his new home ball park, Yankee Stadium. That is a huge difference.
Tim Hudson is inviting you to AU’s Plainsmen Park Friday night (With Video)
AUBURN, AL (WTVM) –
News Leader 9 sat down with Tim Hudson, to talk about the Hudson Family Foundation’s Home Run Derby Friday night at Auburn University Plainsman Park. Hudson also spoke about his time with the Atlanta Braves, and starting a new chapter in his professional career with the San Francisco Giants.
Pitcher Tim Hudson, the king of strikeouts, is hoping to hit it out of Plainsman park Friday night, Nov. 29.
“I’m excited about Friday night, got a home run derby here at Plainsman Park at Auburn University, and it is obviously for a good cause,” said Hudson.
Hudson is asking Alabama and Auburn fans to pack the park before Saturday’s Iron Bowl to help raise money for his families foundation, focused on helping Alabama and Georgia families in need. Gates open at 4:30, and for a small donation you can see Hudson, Craig Kimbrell, Brian Fletcher, and other baseball greats swing for the fences.
“It’s two dollars at the door donation to get in, and we will have raffles throughout the stadium. You can give as much or as little, it’s up to you. Just come out and see some great guys hit some home runs, or not hit home runs, and see what our foundation is all about,” said Hudson.