23 Nov
Well, this sucks
So, it appears that the cancer, which was gone or hiding, has come back. I guess I spoke too soon. Next week, I will be checking into the hospital for chemotherapy. My doctor is very optimistic that this will take care of things.
Sorry for being a bummer on Thanksgiving Week.
Hang in there, Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:26 amMac, my wife and I are still praying for you. Keep at it. You are loved.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:29 amWarm feelings, posi-thoughts & lotsa love your way.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:32 amMy thoughts are with you, Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:36 amBest of wishes Mac, I’ve been through a lot of surgeries and treatments since May myself, so I can sympathize. If you need anything, please let me know.
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:54 amMac and FBF,
My thoughts are with you. I’m pulling for you every step of the way. Let’s get everybody well in time for next season.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:03 amI concur with the title of this thread.
Hope everything goes well.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:16 amAll the best for a speedy recovery, Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:30 amBest wishes, Mac. Hang in there.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:40 amWhat everybody else said… Thoughts are with you, best of luck, all that jazz. One of my best friends has gone through 3 surgeries for Breast Cancer, done a 4th surgery to remove other things with new increased C-risk, and is finally starting radiation in early December. Cancer sucks.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:41 amIllegitimus non carborundum, Mac. (Don’t let the bastard wear you down.)
Prayers your way.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:53 amMac,
I ask for God to look over you and your medical treatment force.
You have done well to maintain such a good attitude (well, actually you are plenty snarky, but only in a fun way and no more than you used to be anyway).
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:08 pmRumor is Red Sox will eat half of Lowell’s salary in a deal. What about Lowell at half price (6.25 m)? (Not that I figured they could move him without doing something like that).
At third he probably is worse than Chipper and his home road splits make me wonder if he has been a little overly fond of Fenway. But, he has an OPS of 835 through 3 years of play in AL East seeing Halladay, Sabathia, etc. And his hitting against righthanders is excellent.
He might start the year at first and, mid season, if Chipper went down for 20 days, you might be able to bring up Freeman and you might be able to platoon Lowell out some when Chiper got back.
How “shot” is Lowell’s hip?
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:13 pmGood luck, Mac. Best of wishes.
November 23rd, 2009 at 12:33 pmFrom one of the many lurkers, hang in there, Mac. Our thoughts are with you.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:00 pmTalk about bad things happening to good people. Hang in there, Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:11 pmBest of luck, Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:36 pm#13
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:45 pmI like the best-case scenario. Still, it strikes me as a gamble & I’d guess that Wren is done gambling on these types of players.
Best wishes, Mac. Let’s get rid of all the bad stuff this time, and we’ll have something extra special to be thankful for. God speed and Roll Tide!
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:46 pmsorry Mac, prayers sent
According to Bowman, good possibility Schafer could be traded
November 23rd, 2009 at 1:53 pmGood luck Mac. Best wishes. Hope you don’t mind them coming from an Auburn grad:) Just for you: Roll Tide Roll!
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:06 pmBest wishes, Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:25 pmYou’ve made a difference in my life.
Mac – I echo everyone’s sentiments and will have you in my prayers.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm20 – Eh?
No trade can be judged only by what one side gives up, but if the Braves are not getting a good haul for Schafer, that would be a mistake.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:30 pmGood luck, Mac. Best wishes.
20,
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:31 pmNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Mac, wishing you all the best. Prayers sent as well.
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:51 pmMac, sorry to hear that news. Our prayers are with you. I do hope this won’t mean a delay in the Who’s Worse competition. (I know I don’t post often enough for the good folk here to understand my attempts at humor.)
November 23rd, 2009 at 2:58 pmGood luck to you, Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:07 pmI’m sorry to hear it, Mac. Good luck.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:16 pmGood luck mac
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:27 pmGood thoughts sent your way.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:29 pmGood luck, Mac. Wishing you all the best.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:44 pmVery sorry to read that. Hang in there, Mac. Vibes sent.
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:52 pmBest of luck from France, Mac. My people might be a little bit trigger happy with the white flag, but we’ll never surrender to cancer. Hopefully you’ll recover quickly!
November 23rd, 2009 at 3:59 pmPulling for Bama the next two weeks just for you Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:01 pmMac,
Beat cancer like Frenchy beats air with a baseball bat.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:01 pmGet well Mac. Our thoughts and prayers are for your speedy recovery.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:17 pmTake care, Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:19 pmAccording to K-Ros, Dye’s agent has told the Braves and others that he is open to playing 1st base. Sounds to me like he really wants to come back to Atlanta, or is it that the 1B FA crop is that thin?
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:22 pmAbsolutely sucks, Mac. Hang in there. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:28 pmFBF,
I think Dye is just looking at the obvious. He is having trouble playing the outfield. As a DH he has the wrong platoon split (prefer lefty ALL OTHER THINGS EQUAL because about 70% of pitchers are righty). And half of the teams don’t have a DH.
On ajc.com somebody commented on how was that (putting Dye at First) different from moving Chipper (and / or McCann). It wasn’t worth a reply there.
Chipper has fielded infield ground balls and hot shots for years. He has worked around a base having to get his foot positioned for force plays and his glove positioned for tag plays. He has made lots of throws from 40 to 130 feet in length. Those throws almost have to come in a circle no more than 2% bigger than the throwing distance. It is VASTLY different.
I think Braves ought to pay Hubbard his winter bonus and offer fielding school for Dye, gratis. Then, we get first look and first foot in the door. But until I KNEW he could play at least passable first base, it would not sway me.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:32 pmI think he has played a total of 5 innings in at 1B between minors and big league. I’d like to think that he could, I played several positions in High School, and 1B was far the easiest. Would you take a flyer on him for 1 year?
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:35 pmPrayers sent, Mac. Really hate to hear that.
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:05 pm#42 – all depends on the cost.
November 23rd, 2009 at 5:19 pmbest of wishes mac
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:25 pmBest wishes Mac.
I haven’t been here at all this November, so I guess this was discussed already, but….am I crazy for thinking Mark DeRosa isn’t really a big offensive upgrade over Garret Anderson? DeRosa just seems like an expensive utility player who wouldn’t improve this team’s terrible offense significantly (especially if LaRoche leaves).
November 23rd, 2009 at 6:49 pm46, offensive upgrade no but defensive yes…. Prayin for ya Mac. You make the bad stretches that us braves fans go thru bearable…
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:00 pm@46
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:43 pmthe braves were 6th in the nl in runs scored. they werent awful, but they could have been beter.
@46
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:43 pmthe braves were 6th in the nl in runs scored. they werent awful, but they could have been beter.
Awful news, good luck Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:50 pmMac, I’m sorry to hear that, me and my wife will be praying for you. Keep a positive attitude and don’t give up. Keep your faith, it will give you strength. You have an opportunity to br truely thankful this Thanksgiving. Yours truely, Rick and Marizza Gladney
November 23rd, 2009 at 7:58 pmAdd my name to the list of people praying for Mac. And in his honor, a little Elvis Costello.
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:33 pmgood luck mac
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:34 pmI’ll keep praying for you, Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 8:41 pmGood Luck.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:18 pmOh wow, Mac, I’m sorry to hear it. Best wishes for you, always.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:35 pmmac, best of luck. god bless. youre the best.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:39 pmGood vibes and all that, Mac.
November 23rd, 2009 at 9:52 pmScouting Report: Julio Teheran | Scouting the Sally
November 23rd, 2009 at 10:56 pmMac–You will be in our prayers. Best of luck on a speedy recovery.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:14 pmHang in there, Mac. I’m confident you’ll finally be able to put this behind you. Chemo is rough, but you can do it.
November 23rd, 2009 at 11:56 pmHow about Dan Hawkins throwing his son under the bus?
November 24th, 2009 at 12:00 amLongtime reader, very rare poster here. Mac, my sincerest hopes that you beat this thing flat. Hang in there through the chemo.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:09 amAttack it right back, Mac. Stay strong.
Get better by October when we’re celebrating a championship.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:23 amBest of luck Mac.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:38 amI’m coming late to the well-wishing party, but with no less sincerity…. Best of luck.
November 24th, 2009 at 8:48 amKeep pounding and get well soon.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:39 amPrayers are with you, Mac. We love you here. If you need anything, we’d love to help somehow.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:51 amGeez, that’s some seriously crushing news. Kick its ass in round 2, man.
November 24th, 2009 at 11:30 amso, olney thinks we could be in the running for miguel cabrera. i dont see how it works because the tigers are looking to shed payroll. if they would take lowe, it would be like we would get cabrera for 6/81 million (13.5 mil/year). would you guys do a schafer + lowe for cabrera deal?
November 24th, 2009 at 12:30 pmI seriously doubt they have any interest in Lowe. And Freeman would have to be a part of any deal with them, I’m sure.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:33 pmyes, i dont see them having interest in lowe either. i just dont know what olney was thinking. i mean, unless the tigers took lowe’s contract, there’s no way we could afford cabrera. i guess i dont know what olney is thinking a lot of times.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:54 pmIt would have to be a deal with Lowe/Vazquez ( to even out salary concerns )plus Schafer/Medlin and maybe Kimbrel or Redmond. I think If I were Wren, I would have to give it considerable thought. We would have the RH impact bat we needed, he can play 1B and spell Chipper at 3rd…..Just my 2 cents, I’ll sit back and wait for the criticizm of my post!
November 24th, 2009 at 12:57 pmI think they’d be more likely to chip in some money—even the sort of money we still owe Lowe—and take a younger pitcher.
The thing is, if they don’t chip in money, I don’t think we should have to give up much more than Freeman in a deal. Cabrera is awesome, but he’s not worth a whole lot more than what he’s paid.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:59 pmolney thinks we could be in the running for miguel cabrera
Olney also believes in productive outs. I don’t think so.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:06 pmMy family’s wishes for a speedy recovery.
November 24th, 2009 at 2:01 pmBraves just signed Juan Abreu, RH reliver
November 24th, 2009 at 2:34 pmfrom the Royals
Signing Abreu from the Royals–role reversal….
November 24th, 2009 at 3:16 pmTake that, Dayton Moore!
November 24th, 2009 at 3:22 pmJuan Abreu Minor League Statistics & History – Baseball-Reference.com.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:26 pmMac, longtime reader here although I post very rarely. My prayers are with you. Be well.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:31 pmFYI – Matt Pouliot projects us signing Aubrey Huff to play 1st base for a year ($3.5M) and Mike Cameron ($8M, 1 year).
He has LaRoche going to the O’s for 3 years and $21M.
November 24th, 2009 at 3:31 pmMac, stay strong brother. Someone has to hold this crazy blogosphere accountable!
November 24th, 2009 at 3:47 pmI’d do Cabrerra for Freeman + Schafer. I imagine *somebody* would take Lowe off our hands for nothing in a seperate deal.
McLouth
Prado
Chipper
Cabrerra
McCann
Escobar
Heyward
Diaz
That looks mighty tasty.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:17 pmBest wishes Mac…God will be with you!!!Be positive!!!
November 24th, 2009 at 4:25 pmMac,
November 24th, 2009 at 4:33 pmLet me add to the comments & best wishes here. You are in my prayers. Thanks for keeping your sense of humor through some tough times (yeah, I mean the Francoeur era, as well as all the health stuff).
Hang tough Mac. Best wishes from Tar Heel Country.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:35 pm82,
He also predicts the Braves giving Jose Valverde a 3 year, $30 million contract. Which is not only a move reserved for stupid and lazy teams (the Braves are neither), it runs completely contrary to the philosophy of the FO. When have the Braves ever paid inflated market rate for a FA closer?
I used to like Pouliot’s work, but I’m becoming increasingly annoyed by his foolishness.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:43 pm84—I’d only want to give up both of those guys if the Tigers were sending some serious cash (at least $30 million) along with Miggy. But, man, that lineup does look awesome.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:46 pmwas aubrey huff hurt last yr? last 4 months BA of 09 season
.189, .141, .246, .143
no chance we pay a closer $10 mil, We’d offer Wagner 1/$5 Id think
November 24th, 2009 at 5:49 pmEchoing all the other sentiments- Best wishes Mac.
Did anyone notice that Huston Street and Jeremy Affeldt got a vote for MVP when neither Javy nor Jurrjens got one? I know that doesn’t mean squat, but still.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:59 pmA 5-year 9-7-5-3-1 regression indicates Cabrera is worth ~5 wins. Of course, he’s entering his age 27 season, so that’s likely to increase as he enters his peak years towards the middle of the contract, I would think. Call him a 5.5 win player and his trade value is ~$28 million. I’d guess any additional ceiling and the advantage of consolidating wins is equaled by the inherent risk and his alleged off-field issues. Then there’s the Tigers’ need to shed payroll.
I think 2 B prospects (Freeman, Spruill. For example) is probably all I’d part with for Cabrera.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:01 pmJust to remind you, Cabrera showed up drunk for the 161st game of a pennant race that the Tigers lost.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:03 pmimagine what a sober Cabrera might do for 161 games
November 24th, 2009 at 6:21 pmI’m pretty confident he is neither the first nor the last ballplayer that will do it. I hear the Mick liked to have one or two the night before as well.
November 24th, 2009 at 6:37 pmdont most clubhouses have beer on ice at all times? Ive heard this before and Ive also heard that Bobby had this removed from the Braves clubhouse at all times. Guarantee you Furcal has probably been toasted a few times before a game
November 24th, 2009 at 6:54 pmSo I guess Juan Abreu is the next Eric O’Flaherty. A scrap heap reliever that we’re all extremely skeptical of until he has a fluky good season.
November 24th, 2009 at 7:07 pmid rather us take flyers on 25 yr olds with decent K numbers than some of these other guys
November 24th, 2009 at 7:15 pmWho cares… the mick played every game of his career either drunk or with a hang over. IF he can mash who cares if he is drunk at the plate
November 24th, 2009 at 7:56 pmSure, if you can perform while hungover or drunk. But Cabrera went 0-4 with a strikeout and a GIDP.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:02 pmI don’t think Lowe gets traded for anything of value. He’s going to be a straight salary dump.
The real addition will be at the expense of prospects. I fear we’d have to gut the top of our farm system for Cabrera.
November 24th, 2009 at 9:17 pm0-4 and only one double play. That makes him 90x’s better than Francoeur, even when hung over
November 24th, 2009 at 9:49 pmNice Freeman article
http://bit.ly/8HDyJa
November 25th, 2009 at 12:38 amHmmm…a Jon K sighting.
Miggy Cabrera and Keystone Light, anyone?
November 25th, 2009 at 2:52 amApparently, the Mick (according to Jim Bouton) pinch hit once while hung over and hit a home run. But I don’t think it was a World Series or pennant race game and he didn’t expect to play having just come off an injury. And, of course, LT was known to knock the crap out of QBs while high on coke. Still, it’s probably not a good idea to go to work drunk in the next to last game of the season.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:06 amthats funny, Parrish……i just pictured a bunch of millionaire ballplayers sitting around working on a case of luke-warm Keystone Lite…………because anyone who’d drink that stuff HAS to be too cheap to spring for a bag of ice.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:08 amThank you, Mac, for Braves Journal. Your blog adds value to my life daily.
May your Thanksgiving be joyous and bountiful, Braves Journal peeps. God bless us each and every one.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:18 amSure, if you can perform while hungover or drunk. But Cabrera went 0-4 with a strikeout and a GIDP.
Well thank goodness he only did it the one time then.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:25 amBest wishes Mac.
November 25th, 2009 at 11:39 amA little late, (business has me on the road) but all the best, Mac. Get well soon.
November 25th, 2009 at 12:27 pmOh look it’s the Drunk Cabrera debate again! NOT getting into it this time.
November 25th, 2009 at 12:40 pmThe Cabrera rumor has been shot down. Hopefully that will spare us from further debates about his drinking problem.
November 25th, 2009 at 12:54 pmPeanut shot down the Dye talks also, which can only mean we are interested in both Dye and Cabrera
November 25th, 2009 at 1:43 pmI hate it when people can’t hold their booze.
Before I run off to the suburbs for turkey & such, I wanna wish everyone a great holiday and I wanna wish good health to those who can use it these days. We’re all rooting for you.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:46 pmFuck you, cancer
November 25th, 2009 at 2:14 pmHappy Thanksgiving, you all!
November 25th, 2009 at 2:31 pmDude.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:18 pm@115 – comment of the thread by far. Well done.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:26 pmWhite Sox signed Andruw Jones.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:29 pmWell there goes my theory that Wren would pick him up for a bench OF bat to hold things until Heyward could come up.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:50 pmDo we think Andruw’s another case of a baseball age?
November 25th, 2009 at 6:41 pmMaybe, but I’ve always assumed that the record-keeping in Curacao, as a Dutch colony, is pretty good.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:42 pmAll the best, Mac. Be well.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:58 pmGod bless you and yours, Mr. Thomason. My prayers are with you.
November 25th, 2009 at 8:13 pmsansho!
November 25th, 2009 at 8:25 pmGlad to see sansho back… even if for just a quick message.
November 25th, 2009 at 8:40 pmHey Mac, I was digging through the duffle bagle from my last hospital stay. I somehow got an XL “Cancer Sucks” t-shirt….never one and its seen my through mine, wanna give it a shot? I’ll even go rub so dirt from the “Larry Wayne Jones Jr” ball field on it……
November 25th, 2009 at 9:28 pmShould have said “Never Wore It” not “never one”
November 25th, 2009 at 9:29 pmSansho, glad to see your post. Hope all is well.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:48 pmHa. Let me think about it.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:54 pm116 – Was that really necessary?
Better to find the Muppets version of Bohemian Rhapsody on YouTube.
Here — MT
November 25th, 2009 at 10:13 pmMac – One more reason why you’re the best. Hope it makes everyone smile.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:21 pm@131: It was absolutely necessary.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:41 pmHey folks — thanks for the welcome. Good to see the familiar names! Hell of a day to come check on the Journal — timing is not my strong suit, I guess. Happy Thanksgiving to Mac and all Braves Journal mavens!
November 25th, 2009 at 10:59 pmI want to wish everbody out there a Happy Thanksgiving with a special greeting (and get well soon) to Mac….
November 25th, 2009 at 11:03 pmUbubba, or anyone else, I have about a 4 hour drive to the inlaws, I need some music to listen to. ANYTHING but country and gagnsta rap…any suggestions…I’m a huge REM and Tom Waits fan…so, take that for what its worth
November 25th, 2009 at 11:44 pm“Swordfishtrombones”? But you probably knew that already. Waits’ “Heart Attack & Vine” is a fave, too.
Or a trip down memory lane with REM’s “And I Feel Fine,” which is a 2-CD set of their “early years” 1982-87 or so. Some of the live stuff on CD2is really great.
I often use the the holidaze to re-discover old stuff. Last year, it was Hendrix; this year… No idea.
Happy driving
Happy driving
November 26th, 2009 at 12:57 amI’d check out some jangly guitar-pop, some Matthew Sweet, Sloan, Posies, Material Issue, that kind of thing. Pure pleasure.
November 26th, 2009 at 1:11 amHappy Thanksgiving, all.
November 26th, 2009 at 10:10 amsansho!
Where ya been, dude? Good to have you back.
Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! Got a houseful of UT fans and it’s after 12:00 so I’m opening the bar.
November 26th, 2009 at 12:13 pm