Atlanta Braves News: The Morning Chop, Sign LHP Rex Brothers, Hank Aaron’s Birthday
By Jeff Schafer
Stars come together to honor Hank Aaron
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: What could be better for the city of Atlanta then to win the Super Bowl on February 5th — Hank Aaron’s birthday!
Atlanta Braves legend, Hammering Hank Aaron, will turn 83-years-young on Sunday — the same day as the Falcons take on the Patriots in Super Bowl 51.
On Friday evening, 800-plus guest showed up at the Delta Flight Museum to help celebrate his birthday as well as benefiting the Chasing the Dream Foundation that Aaron and his wife created back in 1994.
"Stars from all walks of life came together on Friday night to honor braves legend, Hank Aaron.“That’s what this evening means to me, to see the outpour of love from all these people,” Aaron told Channel 2’s Justin Wilfon.The event raised money for Aaron’s Chasing the Dream Foundation, just two days before his 83rd birthday –the same day the Falcons will chase their own dream.“I’m pulling for them 100 percent. And I think they have an excellent chance of winning. I’d be disappointed if they didn’t win,” said Aaron."
Braves have new radio home in Middle Georgia
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The Atlanta Braves will have a new radio home in Middle Georgia for the 2017 season and beyond. The game broadcasts will now be on Middle Georgia’s ESPN 93.1 FM in Macon and 99.5 FM in Warner Robins. More outlets are never a bad thing! As the Braves move into their new home in the SunTrust Park and with many top prospects in the minor league organization, the Braves are on a rise with excitement level. This new radio station will just help that excitement expand.
"The stations are part of the Macon Radio Alliance group, owned by Chris Murray. Talk show host and Telegraph sports columnist Bill Shanks is also an owner of the two sports radio stations."
"Middle Georgia’s ESPN is the home of The Bill Shanks Show, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary in March. It airs each week day from 3-7 p.m. The Midday Sports Zone, with Russ Brown and Telegraph sports editor Daniel Shirley, provides additional local content from 11 a.m.-1 p.m.Shanks will provide extensive coverage in March from spring training and then additional coverage is planned during the regular season from SunTrust Park. The stations will air 10 weekend spring training games, starting Feb. 25 as the Braves play the Toronto Blue Jays. The Braves’ first regular-season game is April 3 at New York against the Mets."
Next: Braves Reveal New Ball Caps For 2017
Braves To Sign Rex Brothers
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Remember the name Rex Brothers? From 2011 to 2013, Brothers was one of the best bullpen arms in the league…and he was pitching at Coors Field in Colorado! In 2013, he held a 1.74 ERA in 72 appearances walking 36 and striking out 76. In that same year, he closed 19 games for the Rockies.
After a disappointing 2015, he was traded to the Cubs during the offseason. In the 2016 Spring Training, he pitched in three games, gave up three hits, walked three and struck out four over 2 2/3 innings. Also, he threw four wild pitches in one inning. On March 10, 2016 he was cut by the Cubs and wasn’t picked up by any other organization for the season.
Maybe time away from the game is what he needed and will spark something in his game. Even though he didn’t get an invite to ST, we can add another lefty name to the mix for the Braves bullpen.
"The Braves have agreed to a minor-league deal with lefty Rex Brothers, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (via Twitter). Brothers will not receive an invitation to MLB camp.Brothers, 29, was picked up by the Cubs last winter. But he didn’t even make it through Spring Training before he was cut loose. Brothers struggled badly with his control while with the Chicago club, culminating with four wild pitches in a single spring frame. The veteran southpaw never ended up joining another organization, which rated as a surprise given his rather lengthy MLB track record.Now, Brothers will seek to earn his way back to the majors in Atlanta after a full season of rest. The big question is whether he can stay in the zone. He has declined in that regard in each successive season, landing at just 40.5% in 2015. Reflecting that difficulty, Brothers owns a 5.00 ERA in 66 2/3 innings since the start of the 2014 season, with 8.1 K/9 against 6.3 BB/9"