MLB’s Franchise 4 unveiling includes 6 players from Alabama
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: The Atlanta Braves franchise 4 are Hank Aaron, Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux and Warren Spahn. When this contest first arrived, we had a few folks on our site guess who would be the Braves franchise 4 and these four names came up a lot. You could probably change out one or two names, but these four are the most fitting.
"Six players with baseball roots in Alabama were on the Franchise Four lists announced on Tuesday night in Cincinnati before Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game.The online polling for the Franchise Four asked fans to select “the four most impactful players who best represent the history of each franchise.”Among those who earned election were four Alabama natives – Hank Aaron, Willie Mays,Willie McCovey and Billy Williams – and two college stars from the state – Luis Gonzalez and Frank Thomas.Aaron, who grew up in Mobile, was on the Atlanta Braves’ Franchise Four, along with Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux and Warren Spahn."
Braves’ Miller enjoys All-Star experience, even if he didn’t take the field
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Shelby Miller was selected to his first All-Star game this season, but never touched the field on Tuesday evening. The 24-year-old is in his third season as a professional MLB pitcher (in 2012 he appeared in six games) and first season with the Braves. He’s having a terrific season through the break as he’s 5-5 with a 2.38 ERA and 1.152 WHIP.
"The Braves pitcher’s day ended on the bullpen bench, watching as the National League fell 6-3 to the American League and MVP Mike Trout on Monday night.Never taking the field, though, didn’t dampen his experience.“It’s been awesome, obviously,” Miller said. “You dream about these kinds of moments as a kid, to make it to the MLB and to be an All-Star and stuff like that is pretty special.”"
Maybin living up to deal — with Braves
Tomahawk Take Editor’s Note: Cameron Maybin has been a great surprise for the Braves in 2015. He currently holds a .289/.356/.418 slash line in 2015. Though Maybin isn’t considered a power hitter, he already has eight home runs through the break and his career high is nine. Another career high statistic Maybin is getting closer to is RBIs. His career high so far is 45 in 2012, but already has 44 in 2015.
"Atlanta wasn’t crazy about getting Maybin — age 28, but an eight-year veteran — in that trade on the eve of the 2015 regular season. Although quite pleased to be rid of Melvin Upton Jr., his huge contract and spectacular underachievement, Atlanta understandably went nuts over the trade of All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel to San Diego in exchange for Maybin, pitching prospect Matt Wisler and high-paid, forever-injured Carlos Quentin, the latter of whom was quickly and wisely designated for assignment by the Braves.Halfway through the season, Atlanta’s gone nuts for Maybin. Again, with good reason.“He’s a guy who’s maturing, and he’s healthy,” said Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez, who also was Maybin’s manager when both were with the Marlins. “He’s grown up in the big leagues, so the stuff that everybody wanted to see, the five tools, they’re coming now. Some people want it at 21, 22. Some people develop that a little later in their career.”"