McCann's Shoulder "Feels Great," Starts Stint with G-Braves

The Atlanta Braves' catcher and Duluth-raised Brian McCann went to bat for the Gwinnett Braves Thursday at Coolray Field as part of his rehabilitation.

Atlanta Braves' catcher Brian McCann is working his way back to Turner Field. After playing three games with Class A Rome Braves, McCann started his stint with the Gwinnett Braves at Coolray Field Thursday (May 2). In October of last year, McCann, a Duluth High graduate, underwent surgery on his right shoulder.  While taking practice swings on deck before his first at-bat, a fan shouted to McCann and asked how his shoulder feels. “It feels great,” he shouted back. The G-Braves took on the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Thursday evening. McCann went 1-for-4 with an RBI single in the 4-1 loss. Game two against the RailRiders is Friday night. First pitch is at 7:05pm. Watch the video to see McCann introduced to the crowd and his first at …

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Do You Think Atlanta Braves Will Make 2013 Playoffs?

Chipper Jones is gone, and there are many new faces in the lineup this year. Share your predictions.

The Atlanta Braves have been winners the past two seasons. But the fact is, they have not been to the playoffs either season, although the playoffs once were routine for them. The Braves opened their 2013 season at Turner Field, on Monday, April 1. Gone is team icon Chipper Jones, who retired after the 2012 season. Also, the Braves will be without All Star catcher Brian McCann (Duluth High) for at least the first couple of weeks. Replacing Jones' bat and presence in the lineup will be a large challenge. Also gone is utility player Martin Prado, who was traded to Arizona in the deal that brought outfielder Justin Upton and third baseman Chris Johnson to Atlanta. Another key addition was free agent outfielder B.J. Upton. Also, the Braves …

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Who Will Replace Chipper Jones at Third Base on Atlanta Braves Team?

The Braves make a deal for Justin Upton and others.

Ah, time for some baseball hot stove talk, with help from the Atlanta Braves. Seems the Braves made a big trade Thursday (January 24) that could determine a replacement for retired All Star Chipper Jones. The Braves' signature acquisition Thursday was outfielder Justin Upton from the Arizona Diamondbacks, in exchange for utility player Martin Prado and pitcher Randall Delgado, among others. However, the deal also brought third baseman Chris Johnson to Atlanta, and that's the other interesting part. Johnson, 28, likely will compete with Juan Francisco, who was acquired by Atlanta in 2012, for the spot vacated by Jones, who is gone after 19 seasons. In 2012, Johnson hit .281 with 15 homers. Francisco, 25, hit .234 in 93 games as Jones' …

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Atlanta Braves Won't Return to Gwinnett in 2013

The major league team will take its 'Future Stars' game to Mississippi this year.

Despite a sold-out crowd at Coolray Field last April, the Atlanta Braves won't return to Gwinnett for an encore in 2013. The major league team, which played an exhibition game vs. its "Future Stars" as a warmup for the 2012 season, will do the same in Mississippi this year. On Saturday, March 30, Atlanta will take on its minor-league stars in Pearl, Miss., home of the Class AA Mississippi Braves. In the 2012 game, the Future Stars were managed by former Atlanta manager Bobby Cox. And they gave the big club fits, forcing Atlanta to come from behind for a rain-shortened, 4-3 victory. Gwinnett Braves spokesperson Dave Lezotte said Friday (January 4) that he has been told that the Future Stars game will return to Coolray "in the near future." …

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What Do You Think of the Atlanta Braves' Infield Fly Rule Controversy (Video)

The game-changing decision had an effect on Friday's Wild Card playoff game, and the fans at Turner Field. Share your thoughts.

  Technically, the Atlanta Braves' 2012 season is over. But many fans still are thinking "we wuz robbed," after Friday's 6-3 Wild Card playoff loss to St. Louis at Turner Field. A controversial infield fly ruling by the left-field umpires played a pivotal role in the Cardinals' victory. "Game changing," was how one TV commentator viewed the call (see the attached video). The Huffinton Post reported, with the Braves trailing, 6-3 in the eighth inning and runners on first and second, Andrelton Simmons came to the plate with one away. The shortstop popped up a pitch to left field. Cardinals shortstop Pete Kozma ranged out into left field. Meanwhile, left fielder Matt Holliday charged in toward the ball. With both players in the area, the pop …

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Who is Your Pick to Win the World Series in 2012

Atlanta clinches a playoff spot Tuesday in dramatic style, but can the team carry the momentum through and win the Series?

What a difference a year makes. The Atlanta Braves are in the 2012 baseball playoffs. A year ago, the Braves endured one of the biggest collapses in baseball history, blowing an 8 1/2 game lead in September to miss the playoffs. But not so in 2012. The Braves defeated Miami, 4-3, Tuesday on a walk-off homer by former Gwinnett Braves player Freddie Freeman to clinch a playoff spot. At this point, Atlanta has clinched a spot in a possible wild-card playoff spot. And they still have a chance at the NL East title, as they trail Washington by four games. The 2012 playoff appearance also is special, in that it marks the final postseason appearance for team icon Chipper Jones, who is retiring. Jones is the only remaining player from Atlanta's …

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Former Atlanta Braves Stars To Visit Coolray Field

Murphy, Lopez, Justice and Klesko to appear at All-Star Weekend on June 30-July 1.

  Atlanta Braves greats Dale Murphy, David Justice, Javy Lopez and Ryan Klesko will participate in festivities at Coolray Field for All-Star Weekend, June 30-July 1, according to a Gwinnett Braves news release. Justice and Lopez, members of the 1995 World Series champion team, will appear on June 30. Murphy, the 1982 and '83 NL Most Valuable Player, and Klesko, also from the '95 team, will appear July 1. Justice will meet with fans holding Home Plate Club tickets from 6:00 to 6:30 PM, and both he and Lopez will  throw out ceremonial first pitches prior to the Gwinnett Braves' 7:05 PM game. Justice and Lopez will then sign autographs on the Coolray Field main concourse from 7:00 to 8:30 PM. Murphy will take part in a special “meet and greet…

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Gwinnett Braves Report

Medlen Shipped to Gwinnett; Constanza Starts for Atlanta. Also, it's Winning Wednesday at Coolray Field.

The Gwinnett Braves made some roster changes Tuesday, in conjunction with their struggling parent club Atlanta Braves, according to media reports. Pitcher Kris Medlen was optioned to Gwinnett just before Tuesday's game, and outfielder Jose Constanza was promoted to Atlanta. Constanza started in left field Tuesday as the A-Braves ended an eight-game losing streak. "You've got to try to push the envelope as much as you can," Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Here we are. We've lost eight. Why not?" On Tuesday at Coolray Field, three Gwinnett Braves pitchers combined to allow three hits, and the G-Braves went on to defeat Lehigh Valley, 4-0. Starter Yohan Flande pitched seven innings, striking out five. Relievers Anthony Varvaro and Cory …

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Atlanta Braves Get Rain-Shortened Win at Coolray

Record Coolray Field crowd of 10,568 sees parent club survive Future Stars, 4-3. Rain halts play in seventh.

"We're not pretty," Atlanta Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said of his team before Tuesday's exhibition game at Coolray Field. "We're like hyenas -- they hunt in packs." Not pretty would describe Atlanta's 4-3 victory Tuesday. The parent club, which opens its season Thursday in New York, had to come from behind to lead the Future Stars team of minor leaguers. Then the rain that had been falling intensified in the seventh, forcing play to be called. A record Coolray Field crowd of 10,568 watched the game, which included legendary former Manager Bobby Cox leading the Future Stars. A double by All Star Brian McCann, a Duluth High grad, scored Michael Bourn to put Atlanta ahead 4-3 in the fifth. However, McCann struck out in his previous two …

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Atlanta Braves To Play Exhibition Game at Coolray Field

The April 3 contest will pit the major leaguers against farm-system stars.

  Fans of the Atlanta Braves will be able to watch the big-leaguers and some current minor-league stars at Coolray Field in Lawrenceville on Tuesday, April 3. For the first time at Coolray, fans will be able to watch established Braves stars along with recent Gwinnett Braves alumni like Jason Heyward, Freddie Freeman and Craig Kimbrel as they take on future stars of the Atlanta system, according to a Braves news release. The game is to begin at 7:05 p.m. Season-ticket holders will be able to enter at 3:30 p.m. and will be greeted by former Atlanta Braves. Events for season ticket holders will include an on-field “meet and greet” with Braves players and prospects and a dugout Q&A session with Braves Executive Vice President and General …

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