Atlanta Braves Morning Chop for SAT 9/13

It was a 2-1 victory by the Texas Rangers over the Braves in Arlington last night.  Despite the early Houdini-esque tendencies of Jason Heyward.  Despite the 10 base-runners.  Despite the best efforts (again) on starter Alex Wood.

• For the second day in a row, every relevant rival won their game
• However, the Braves actually played a game as well – and lost it – thus putting themselves a full three games out of the playoff picture with 15 to play – and 1.5 behind Milwaukee.

It seems that many twitter users were trying to outdo one another on how best to describe the fail that this Atlanta Braves team has been:

Nonetheless, here are the numbers:

As for me? I’m going to take a load of trash to the dump right now. Have a great day, everybody!

Atlanta Braves’ catcher Christian Bethancourt impresses with more than just defense

Questions about the catcher have been answered

DAVID O’BRIEN / ALBANY HERALD

ARLINGTON, Texas — Atlanta Braves players and coaches never questioned rookie catcher Christian Bethancourt’s vast defensive skills, which they saw on display in spring training for several years. But until this season, there were some who wondered whether he would ever hit big-league pitching, or how much he was driven to reach his potential.

Those questions have been answered, as far as his teammates and Braves officials are concerned

Jul 18, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves catcher Christian Bethancourt (25). Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

Bethancourt, 23, has only 65 plate appearances and one extra-base hit in the majors this season. But has batted .272, and his 17 hits include more than his share in key situations, like a two-out, run-scoring single off Stephen Strasburg for the game-winning RBI in Wednesday’s 6-2 Braves win at Nationals Park. …

“With two strikes, he and Strasburg (were battling),” Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman said. “Before he got that two-out hit, he was getting 95-, 96-, 97-mph heaters on the outside corner, and he was just flicking his wrist and just fouling pitches off till he got one he was able to hit.

“His approach has come a long way in the last couple of years and he’s very, very calm, cool and collected up at the plate and doesn’t let anything get to him. And he’s starting to show that when he gets chances.” …

“I like what I see. I love what I see,” veteran Braves backup catcher Gerald Laird said. “I think the kid’s got a really big future. I mean, defensively, catching-wise, he’s the real deal. I still think there’s going to be some growing pains with his offense. Everybody goes through it, especially with a young hitter. But you see the power, you see the swing.

“I honestly think the kid’s got a chance to be a really good player on both sides of the ball, offensively and defensively. But if you look at him, you can tell he’s got a chance to be a (special) defensive catcher, with his arm and the way he blocks balls, and the way he receives. He’s learning now how to call a game. It’s going to take some time because he’s got to learn the hitters. But for me, I think the whole package is there.”

Attorney says she filed an SEC complaint against Cobb for Atlanta Braves dealings

TONY REHAGEN / ATLANTA MAGAZINE

Cobb Commission Chairman Tim Lee must feel like he’s sitting in a dunking booth. During the Public Comment portion of the bi-monthly Board of Commissioners meetings, it has become almost customary for citizens disgruntled with Lee’s handling of the new Braves stadium to take their best shot at the chairman.

This week’s contestant was Susan McCoy, an East Cobb personal injury attorney. “I have this notion, reflected in the laws of Georgia and the laws of the United States, that the government is to work for the people and by the people,” she said from the podium. “The government is not for a billionaire [team owner] by a chairman who has backroom dealings, in private, without the approval of the public.” She claimed she has gone through 600 pages of “secret” documents not released to the citizens or the media.

By now, Lee is practiced in retaliation. When McCoy was cut off after the allotted five minutes, the chairman snapped back: “I’d like to get a transcript of your testimony and I’d love to meet with you and point out about thirty inaccuracies in your testimony.”

McCoy later told reporters that she has filed a complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regarding the plan to issue nearly $400 million in bonds to help build the stadium. The SEC does not comment on investigations and Cobb director of communications, Robert Quigley says that, as far as he knows, the Commission has yet to see a complaint.

Meanwhile, the Commission did approve, by a 3-0 vote with two commissioners absent, a contract with Atlanta-based Heery International architecture and engineering firm to oversee the stadium construction. Heery worked in the same capacity during the building of Centennial Olympic Stadium and its transition to Turner Field. According to the 21-page agreement, Heery will report to the County Manager and ensure that all obligations are being met by the construction company—all for a fee that shall not exceed $1.5 million, which will come out of the county’s contribution.