Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

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Major League Baseball 2K7
All-Star Difficulty
HeelFan's Sliders
dkrause's Updated Rosters

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Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Atlanta Looks to Rebound in '07
Bobby Cox's Braves go for 15 of 16


Edgar Renteria & the Jones boys are vital to Atlanta's success in 2007

Atlanta, GA -- In 2006, the Braves' reign atop the National League East ended at 14 straight division titles. Offense was never a problem, but the bullpen posed many for the Bravos over the course of the season. Late in the year, the acquisition of Bob Wickman from Cleveland definitely helped, but it was too little too late.

During the offseason, the front office picked up relievers Rafael Soriano from Seattle and Mike Gonzalez from the Pirates. The addition of these two should improve one of the worst Atlanta 'pens in recent memory, and the starting staff should be more consistent, as well.

The departure of fan-favorite Marcus Giles appears to be a huge blow, but replacements have been deemed more than ready to fill the void of the second baseman. Kelly Johnson and Martin Prado will both see time on the right side of second base, and Pete Orr will fill in occasionally.

When all is said and done, though, it doesn't matter what's on paper. It all depends on how these Braves do on the field. So, without further adieu, here are the 2007 Atlanta Braves.

Lineup

1. Kelly Johnson, 2B
2. Edgar Renteria, SS
3. Chipper Jones, 3B
4. Andruw Jones, CF
5. Brian McCann, C
6. Jeff Francoeur, RF
7. Ryan Langerhans, LF
8. Scott Thorman, 1B

Pitching Rotation

1. Tim Hudson, RHP
2. John Smoltz, RHP
3. Chuck James, LHP
4. Mark Redman, LHP
5. Kyle Davies, RHP

SU - Rafael Soriano, Mike Gonzalez
CL - Bob Wickman

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Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Atlanta Braves' April 2007 Schedule
The Bravos get acquainted with the division in April


Blue denotes home game, all times EST

Atlanta, GA -- The Braves open 2007 with a slew of games against division rivals. On Opening Day, the club travels to the City of Brotherly Love to take on the Phils for three games before heading back to Atlanta for a series against the Mets. The Braves don't get out of the NL East until April 18 when the revamped Cubs come to town to show off everything money can buy.

Projected Record in April: 17-9

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Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Braves Fall on Opening Day
Pat Burrell smacks GW double
Phillies 4, Braves 3


Pat Burrell momentarily silences his critics with his clutch double

Philadelphia, PA -- Despite taking an early 3-0 after the first several innings, the Atlanta Braves found a way to lose on Opening Day to the Philadelphia Phillies. In the first inning, the Bravos put up two runs on an Andruw Jones blast, and things couldn't go better in Philadelphia. Tim Hudson was rolling on the hill, and Chipper later added his first dinger of the young season.

Then, the clouds parted, and God looked down on the Braves and laughed. The 3-0 lead turned into a 3-3 contest after seven innings, and Hudson's efforts meant nothing as he racked up a no decision. Atlanta went scoreless in the eighth inning, and recorded two quick outs in the bottom of the frame. Chase Utley hit a single to left field, and advanced to second on an error by Braves' left fielder Ryan Langerhans. The next batter, Pat Burrell, trotted to the plate and hit the living crap out of the first pitch he saw, doubling Utley to the plate. The Phillies held on in the ninth, and won the ball game 4-3.

WP: Freddy Garcia (1-0) - 8 IP, 10 K, 7 H, 3 ER
LP: Rafael Soriano (0-1) - IP, 2 H, ER
S: Tom Gordon (1)
- Tim Hudson (ATL) - 7 IP, 6 K, 7 H, 3 ER



Kelly Johnson - 2-4, 2B
Chipper Jones - 2-4, HR (1)
Andruw Jones - 1-4, HR (1), 2 RBI



Chase Utley - 2-4
Pat Burrell - 2-4, GW 2B, 3 RBI
Wes Helms - 2-4, 2 2B

Record: 0-1

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Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Braves Bounce Back Against Phillies
Kelly Johnson has great game at the plate for ATL
Phillies 3, Braves 9


Brian McCann (center) and Jeff Francoeur (right) were
en fuego against the Phils; combined 4-9 with 4 RBI

Philadelphia, PA -- Veteran right hander John Smoltz took the hill for the 0-1 Atlanta Braves, and wasn't about to let 27 year old Brett Myers outshine him in this matchup. In fact, it wasn't much competition at all, as Myers was roughed up by the Atlanta batting order, and only lasted five innings before getting yanked by the skipper.

Offense came in bundles in game two of this series, and most of those bundles included leadoff man Kelly Johnson. The second baseman was 3-5 on the afternoon with two doubles, two RBI's, and a stolen base. Bobby Cox commented on the youngster after the game as being one of the best tablesetters he's coached; quite an accomplishment since Cox has seen the likes of Kenny Lofton and Rafael Furcal up close and personal.

WP: John Smoltz (1-0) - 7 IP, 6 H, R
LP: Brett Myers (0-1) - 5 IP, 3 K, 9 H, 4 ER



Kelly Johnson - 3-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI, SB
Brian McCann - 2-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Jeff Francoeur - 2-5, HR (1), 2 RBI



Jimmy Rollins - 2-4, 2B
Ryan Howard - 1-4, HR (1)
Wes Helms - 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI

Record: 1-1

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Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Atlanta Takes Two of Three in Philly
Kelly Johnson finishes double shy of cycle
Phillies 1, Braves 4


Kelly Johnson hit .571 in the series against Philadelphia

Philadelphia, PA -- Words cannot describe how hot Atlanta's leadoff man, Kelly Johnson, has been over the past three games. Three doubles, a triple, and a homerun compliment his .571 season batting average perfectly, and the 24 year old is doing everything in his power to push the Bravos to victory.

Chuck James took the bump against Philadelphia in the rubber match of the series, and pitched particularly well squaring off against Cole Hamels. The two lefties both lasted six innings, but Hamels gave up four earned runs before his departure. Despite the above average performances of the pitchers, it was another lefty that stole the show in this one.

Johnson finished just a double shy of the cycle, but gladly accepts the victory over the Phillies. Chipper Jones also chipped in with a couple of hits, and the third baseman drove in a couple of runs, as well.

WP: Chuck James (1-0) - 6 IP, 3 K, 5 H, ER
LP: Cole Hamels (0-1) - 6 IP, K, 11 H, 4 ER
S: Bob Wickman (1)



Kelly Johnson - 3-5, 3B, HR (1)
Chipper Jones - 2-5, 2 RBI
Matt Diaz - 3-5, 2B



Pat Burrell - 1-4, HR (1)
Wes Helms - 1-3

Record: 2-1

[Aggies7]

Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Good reading so far. Cant wait to see how your bullpen holds up

[aukevin]

Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Man I hope KJ gets going this hot in real life. I'm looking forward to following your Braves dynasty K.

[skitch]

Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Man I hope KJ gets going this hot in real life. I'm looking forward to following your Braves dynasty K.

Seriously! Maybe his HR yesterday will get him going...

Thanks for reading, fellas.

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Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Bravos Beat Mets in 11
Edgar Renteria delivers GW Sacrifice Fly
Braves 1, Mets 0


Mark Redman struck out nine in his eight innings

Atlanta, GA -- Another crafty southpaw, Mark Redman, took the hill for the Braves as Atlanta made their debut at Turner Field in 2007. Opposing him for the Mets was youngster John Maine, a talented righty.

Both pitchers performed well above what was expected, as the game remained scoreless through Maine's seven innings of work and Redman's eight. Neither allowed more than two people in scoring position, and combined to allow only ten hits.

Fast forwarding to the eleventh inning, the Mets went down easily despite Jose Reyes third hit of the game. Brayan Pena pinch hit to leadoff the inning, and delivered with a line drive single to right field. Kelly Johnson followed suit with his second single of the contest, advancing Pena to third base. Edgar Renteria strolled to the dish 2-4 on the day, and Guillermo Mota was anything but confident. On the first pitch, Renteria hit a fly ball to right field that was deep enough to get the run in, and the Bravos took care of business against New York.

WP: Rafael Soriano (1-1) - 3 IP, H, K
LP: Guillermo Mota (0-1) - .1 IP, 2 H, ER
- Mark Redman (ATL) - 8 IP, 9 K, 5 H
- John Maine (NYM) - 7 IP, 7 K, 5 H



Kelly Johnson - 2-5
Edgar Renteria - 2-4, GW RBI
Andruw Jones - 2-4, 2B



Jose Reyes - 3-5, SB
Carlos Beltran - 1-4, SB

Record: 3-1

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Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Braves Edge Metropolitans
Jeff Francoeur plays hero in 4-1 victory
Braves 4, Mets 1


Brian McCann congratulates buddy Jeff Francoeur
after his fourth inning three-run homerun

Atlanta, GA -- The series opener between Atlanta and New York featured just one run total, and even that took eleven innings to come across. In game two, the Mets scored a run after their first two batters.

Despite the fast start, though, Kyle Davies and the Braves put a halt to New York's offense for the rest of the ball game. The Mets scrapped for seven hits in the contest, but couldn't manage any sort of a rally.

In the fourth inning, Jeff Francoeur walked to the plate with two runners on. After quickly falling behind 0-2, the rightfielder teed off on a letter-high fastball that sailed over the left field fence for a three-run homerun. The next batter, Craig Wilson, also went deep, and the Bravos had jumped out to the 4-1 lead that they eventually won by.

WP: Kyle Davies (1-0) - 8 IP, 3 K, 4 H, ER
LP: Oliver Perez (0-1) - 3.2 IP, 3 K, 7 H, 4 ER
S: Mike Gonzalez (1)



Kelly Johnson - 2-4, 3B
Jeff Francoeur - 2-3, HR (2), 3 RBI
Craig Wilson - 1-3, HR (1)



Jose Reyes - 2-4, 2B
Carlos Delgado - 2-4, 2B

Record: 4-1

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Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Atlanta Locks up Andruw & KJ
The 29 year old Jones signs a 3 year contract


Andruw Jones is batting around .300 on the young season

Atlanta, GA -- Not even 24 hours after the Braves defeated the Mets in game two of their three-game set, Atlanta GM John Schuerholz signed two young men to extensions to stay in Georgia.

Andruw Jones was in the final year of his contract, and rumors were flying about the centerfielder testing the free agent waters. Albeit streaky at the plate, Jones is definitely solid with the lumber. The extension signed by Jones is for three years and $25.5 million, which averages $8.5 million per year.

"I could have gotten more from other teams, but I want to end my career here. Atlanta's been good to me, and I can't imagine playing anywhere else."
- Andruw Jones on the new contract

Kelly Johnson, the 24 year old second baseman, also signed a contract extension. The youngster is still batting over .500 on the year, and the front office quickly realized how valuable the kid can be. His current contract expired at the end of the season, but the Braves signed him to a 5 year, $5.35 million deal to stay in Atlanta. The contract guarantees Johnson $1.07 million per year, and the Braves couldn't be happier about the ease of keeping the young guy in town.

"I'm just happy to be playing with the big club. I never thought I'd be playing this much and doing this well, and I'm grateful that the Braves have the upmost confidence in me and what I bring to the table."
- Kelly Johnson on his new deal

[Psyblast]

Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

Alright, I gotta know.

How'd you make the calendar graphic? I might have to steal it.

Nice read.

[skitch]

Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

I went to braves.mlb.com

Clicked on schedule.

Printable Schedule.

Took a screenshot, and copy and pasted it.

[Acid]

Re: Return of the Tomahawk -- Atlanta Braves MLB2K7

I went to braves.mlb.com

Clicked on schedule.

Printable Schedule.

Took a screenshot, and copy and pasted it.

You HTML wizard.

Lookin' good, Kredit. I'm guessing you didn't like the Mariners?