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Braves News:
Braves To Honor Hank Aaron By Wearing "715" On Jerseys This Year
In honor of the real MLB all-time home run leader (no asterisk) the Atlanta Braves this season will honor the 40th anniversary of Hank Aaron surpassing Babe Ruth's total home run mark by wearing a "715" patch on the right sleeves of their jerseys. The patch is a rather spiffy looking one and will no doubt increase jersey sales. In their home opener against the Mets on April 8 the Braves will honor the historic home run hit by "Hammerin Hank" which occurred on April 8, 1974.
Freeman, Gattis Headline Early Arrivers At ESPN's Wide World Of Sports Complex
The $100 million dollar man and the legend himself "El Oso Blanco" were the headliners to arrive early at spring training in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. on Monday. The other early arrivers, who enjoyed the gorgeous and warm weather, were Brandon Beachy, Johnny Venters,Ramiro Pena, and newcomer Ryan Doumit who was seen in a picture with Freeman taking hacks in the cages.
Chipper Ready To Play Superhero Again In Case Of Atlanta Snowstorm
If you are stuck out on the road today in Atlanta it may be worth a shot to send good ol Chip a tweet to see if he will come rescue on his four-wheeler.
Top Storylines For Braves Spring Training
Yahoo sports writer Anthony Schreiber breaks down what he believes will be the top headlines in spring training this year for the Braves, such as Gattis taking over for Brian McCann and the Craig Kimbrel saga.
Fangraphs Ranks Sims, Bethancourt In Top 100 Prospects For 2014
In Marc Hulet's ranking of the top 100 prospects in all of baseball he lists Braves prospects Lucas Sims (RHP) at No. 53 and Christian Bethancourt (C) at No. 85. Despite posting a 12-4 record in his second season at Rome (A) along with a 2.62 ERA and a 10.3 SO/9, Sims will not make his spring training debut this year since they don't want to over-do his workload. Opportunity is knocking on Bethancourt's door, who despite being just 21-years old has played six minor league seasons and is currently listed as one of three catchers on the Braves active roster. Although known for his stellar mit, his power numbers also saw improvement last season when he hit 12 home runs in 388 at-bats.
League News:
New York Yankees Introduce Masahiro Tanaka
For the first time the highly touted 25-year old Japanese pitcher put on the Yankee pinstripes Monday afternoon in front of over 200 credentialed media members. Only time will tell if their investment in Tanaka will pay off. He was 24-0 with a 1.27 ERA for the Rakuten Golden Eagles last season.
Three time All Star Roy Oswalt has decided to hang up his cleats after a 13-year career in which he went 163-102 with a 3.36 ERA. His best years were spent with the Houston Astros, who he helped bring to the World Series in 2005.
Nolan Ryan Joins Astros' Front Office
After leaving the Texas Rangers organization after the 2013 season baseball's all-time strikeout leader has now joined his brother in Houston, Ried Ryan (team president), and will serve as an advisor to the front office. Maybe this will interest fans to come back out to the park that has been in a slumber since the departure of the "Killer B's".
Kenley Jansen Reaches $4.3 Million Deal With Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided arbitration with closer Kenley Jansen as they agreed to a one-year, $4.3 million deal after the 26-year old flame-thrower had originally asked for $5.05 million. He posted a 4-3 record with 28 saves and a 1.88 ERA (both career highs) in 2013.
Transition To U.S. Still In Process For Aroldis Chapman
The Reds young fireball closer, who has hit 105 mph on the gun before, is in a world of his own according to ESPN's Eli Saslow.
MLB Still Yet To Ban Home-Plate Collisions
FOX Sports baseball expert Ken Rosenthal believes that the league should take their time with the decision on whether to ban home-plate collisions even with spring training play starting up in exactly two weeks.
