House That Hank Built
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Atlanta Braves investigation weekend update

By Fred Owens

ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 27: Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz is shown before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field on September 27, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - SEPTEMBER 27: Atlanta Braves President John Schuerholz is shown before the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field on September 27, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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LMC is listening too

In an article for the Macon Telegraph, Bill shanks gives details on who was interviewed in a sort of timeline. I wrote earlier that John Coppolella spoke with MLB investigators in New York during the last week in the season regarding possible under the table arrangements to encourage Drew Waters to sign. Coppolella and Waters’ agent both denied those accusations.

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We know now investigators interviewed him at his house of September 30. Two days later investigators presented the allegations to Hart and Schuerholz and Coppolella was asked to resign.

Other revelations from Shanks”:

  • Gordon Blakeley, Billy Ryan, Dave Trembley, Chad McDonald and Brian Bridges were also questioned
  • Liberty Media had a lawyer present during every interview
  • MLB investigators are surprised at the number of incidents and received “Numerous calls, from agents, scouts and other teams .  .  .”
  • Coppolella was offered a financial buyout of severance but said no.
  • Coppolella apparently lawyered up so we’ll really see the mud flying in a lawsuit starts
  • Hart, McGuirk and Manfred played golf the week before the news broke.

That’s a Wrap . . . for now

It’s not surprising that MLB is interviewing every scout present and past that might be involved. What is eye-opening is numerous complaints quoted.  This is really sad.

I understand the buyout offer to mean that they would pay him a lump sum as if he were fired, even though he technically resigned. That is not standard procedure in any career field that I know of and baseball insiders to Shanks the same thing; unheard of.

I doubt anything other than a golf game happened between Hart, McGuirk and Manfred. Manfred’s a lawyer and it would seem unethical to talk about an investigation before one formally starts.

Next: I don't know. . .

Had they been given any kind of notice, surely they would have started adjusting before the investigators walked in. Particularly when LMC’s lawyers know about it.

I’m as tired of presenting this kind of news as you are of reading it. We will continue to provide highlights – lowlights in this case – and link you to sources for the detail.

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