Morning Chop: Atlanta Braves News 3/5
By Jeff Schafer
Strasburg makes spring debut
Phil Gosselin hit a bases-loaded triple to a vacated right field after Williams had ordered a five-man infield with one out and a tie game. The Braves added a fourth run in the inning and won for the first time in eight games this spring.
Mandatory Credit: Daniel Shirey-USA TODAY Sports
“We figured we’d try it,” Williams said of the defensive ploy. “It’s one of our plays in case we need it.”
Gosselin, primarily a second baseman, was up briefly with the Braves last year, going 2 for 6 in four games. He is expected to start this season with Triple-A Gwinnett.
“I wish they would take a defender off all the time,” Gosselin said. “I’d seen it before in college, but I was a little surprised when they did it. The catcher said it was something they had been working on.”
Goodbye Atlanta Braves, Hello Atlanta Surge?
The idea for the Surge comes from veteran Atlanta ad exec Mike McDonald, a self-proclaimed lifelong baseball fan, who wants to bring a second Major League Baseball team to metro Atlanta. And he wants the Surge’s slogan to be the following: “Let’s Turner Lemon into Lemonade!”
The AJC‘s Tim Tucker, who first reported on the proposal last night, writes from behind theAJC‘s paywall:
"He has presented the idea to some local politicos and business folks. He has talked to lawyers about how to challenge MLB. He even wrote a letter to the Tampa Bay Rays, asking if they’d be interested in relocating. The Rays haven’t responded and McDonald has decided he’d prefer the fresh start of an expansion team.[…]McDonald already has a name in mind for the AL team he seeks: the Atlanta Surge, drawn from the city motto Resurgens (Latin for rising again). He envisions the city and county receiving an equity stake in the team in return for use of the venue, and an investor group operating the team with him. He says MLB should waive an expansion fee as a way to settle the damages of the Braves leaving the city limits.He expects people to “take shots” at his plan and says that is fine."
Gattis ready to start for Atlanta Braves
Taking over for a player who went to six All-Star games is not going to be easy. But for Evan Gattis, this must be nothing.
You’ve undoubtedly heard the story by now. Gattis was out of baseball for a while. He traveled the west searching for his purpose in life. It was an incredible journey that eventually led him back to the game, and now, several years after living for a while in a hostel, he’s the starting catcher for the Braves.
He admits that sounds “a little weird.”
“You know when you work hard for a goal, you kind of expect to get there,” he explained last week at spring training. “It’s just here. It doesn’t feel any different. It’s awesome. I love it. I love my job. That part doesn’t really change … just the title.”
Atlanta Braves looking for bands
If your band is a little bit country, a little bit rock ‘n’ roll or even bluegrass or hip-hop, the Atlanta Braves might be interested.
Musical acts – both original and cover bands — are being recruited to perform during home games of the 2014 season. Interested parties should submit their information for review towww.braves.com/bravesband.
Those selected to perform during the season will receive free tickets for their band members to that night’s game and a discount code to pass along to fans.
One group will be named the Braves Band of the Year (chosen by the Braves game entertainment staff) and win a free suite during the opening homestand in April 2015 as well as perform at the opening game.