Welcome To Atlanta, Casey

Written by Colin on July 30, 2008 – 7:52 am

Welcome to Atlanta, Casey Kotchman.  You’re our new first baseman, and I think you’ll like it here in Atlanta, where the sweet tea flows like water and “Coke” applies to any soft drink.

This is the home of Bobby Cox.  Chipper Jones.  John Smoltz.  John Schuerholz.

This is the home of winning.  This is a team that’s used to winning and may seem a little disoriented after selling at the trade deadline for the first time in many players’ careers.  We’re not used to not making the playoffs – and there’s a hunger for it here.

There’s a lot of young talent on this team, and I think you’ll fit right in. McCann is a great catcher, Francoeur shows flashes of brilliance, Escobar is a promising shortstop (add extra padding to your glove – he has a cannon), and there are tons of outfield prospects heading our way from the minors.

Bobby will always have your back.  He’ll get ejected for you once or twice if he has to.  He’ll never badmouth you to the media, and he’ll always be yelling encouraging things at you from the dugout.

The fans will like you if you’re friendly.  Hitting well helps that process, but frankly, they want another magnetic personality like Francoeur, McCann, Chipper, Smoltzie, or even Escobar.  Play your cards right and you’ll soon have your own special fan section named something like “Kotchman’s Yachtmen” or something.  We promise it’ll rhyme. We like good young players.

Take some time to look at the people who have played for this organization.  Sit down with Smoltz, Glavine, Chipper, and Terry Pendleton, hear about the old times.  Watch the video of the most remembered play by a firstbaseman in Atlanta’s history – and try to always remember to run faster than Sid.

The future is bright here.  Spirits will be a little dampened when you show up today because this group is used to winning – and that Teixeira guy was a fan and clubhouse favorite.  This group is used to seeing wins on that scoreboard and used to being at the top of the division.  We have some young pitching prospects that are dynamite, and we have a core to build around.  Chipper will always lend help if you ask him – he’s a good guy and fun to be around.  And watch out for Tim Hudson – when he gets back from Alabama he’ll probably organize some sort of prank with you in mind.  Oh, and let Jeff Francoeur take you to the Varsity.  Just don’t get any of the season long slump on you.

Settle in.  Walk around Turner Field and take a look at the retired numbers high above left field.  By the time the end of the season is here, optimism for next year will spring eternal.

We’re glad to have you – and we’re looking forward to the next few years.  Casey Kotchman, welcome to Atlanta – where the players play.

Casey Kotchman was acquired for Mark Teixeira last night from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  In 100 games this year, he’s batting .287 with 12 HRs and 54 RBIs.  He has an OBP of .327 and hits a few doubles, but not many triples.  He’s excellent defensively – only two errors this year for a .998 fielding percentage.  Fans, we think you’ll like him.  If you’re at the stadium soon, give him a hearty Atlanta welcome.


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12 Responses to “Welcome To Atlanta, Casey”

  1. By Angels on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Tho we are sad to lose Casey Kotchman….I must say that Teixeira is becoming my favorite…even over Vladimir Guerrero..which is SOMETHING….I thought I'd never say that! Since he's arrived he's already got a batting avg well above Vladi's….amazing.
    So….thank you for such a great guy! : )

  2. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    A definite big welcome to Casey. Being in Atlanta will be a true test of his fielding abilities with some of the throws our infielders have been making over that way lately.

    Sure, he doesn't have all of the power of Tex, but the hating will die down eventually. Everywhere I read, people are complaining about trading Tex for a "no-name" first baseman. He's really only a no-name player to people that don't follow the game very much or don't follow the AL much. He should do just fine here in Atlanta and the premise of keeping him longer term is quite promising to me.

  3. By colin_ake60861 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I remember something of a reaction like this when Schuerholz traded Kevin Millwood to the Phillies for some no-name Johnny Estrada guy. Turns out Estrada did pretty good for us. I would think people would have more faith in a front office that's guided us pretty well over the last few years.

    I like Kotchman – he's a solid guy who will hit for average and that's important. You get enough guys hitting for average on the team, throw in some offensive power from Chipper / McCann / Francoeur (who will get back on track), and we have a good offense once again. The guys in the front office know what they're doing.

  4. By Sheryl on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Great article! I would love for Kotchman to read your welcome! Welcome to Atlanta Kotch! The front office has done a pretty good job for the last decade and Wrenn has been taught by the best! So I for one, will give them the benefit of the doubt…not that I have much doubt! Maybe those "fair weather" Atlanta fans who have been so spoiled the last many years will now understand what most other teams see all the time and not be so "fair weather" anymore and appreciate what we had. Most times you don't know what you had until you lose it!

  5. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Very valid point, Sheryl . . . Atlanta fans are notorious for being fair weather fans . . . but it helps show where the true fans are . . .
    It's time to rebuild folks, it's something that's needed to be done for awhile!

  6. By PapaGLP on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I'm guessing the cleanup spot is McCann's now once he's back from his concussion.

  7. By Sues on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Here's some more thoughts on the Tex deal…looks like the Braves are in rebuilding mode…

    http://runaroundsues.blogspot.com/2008/07/thought...

  8. By JBaldwin on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    There you go punk, I changed my title. Happy now?

    Yes I like getting Kotchman. He's younger, costs a lot less money and we have him for longer.

    I think getting someone to keep around for a while is a good building block.

  9. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    I like your view Sheryl, but I don't think Atlanta fans will change any time soon. They always find a way to poke a hole in a situation, even if the Braves went 162-0 and 11-0 in the post season.

  10. By Akshay982 on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    In case you guys didn't hear: Hudson was advised to have Tommy John surgery, it's in his corner right now and the sooner he gets the surgery, the sooner he recovers. That's two major cogs on our pitching staff this year that have had major elbow surgery.

  11. By Megan on Feb 2, 2009 | Reply

    Very well put guys. Thanks for showcasing this side of the fan's views.

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