Laird's stealth tag-up helps Braves clip Nats
ATLANTA On paper, it was a mismatch.
In one corner, a strong-armed right fielder (Jayson Werth) stood roughly 160 feet from home plate, poised for the easy catch, with his feet and hips squarely pointing to the target.
In the other corner, a stout-looking catcher (Gerald Laird) prepared for the race of his life, from third base to home plate and without a running start.
With...
Laird's stealth tag-up helps Braves clip Nats
ATLANTA On paper, it was a mismatch.
In one corner, a strong-armed right fielder (Jayson Werth) stood roughly 160 feet from home plate, poised for the easy catch, with his feet and hips squarely pointing to the target.
In the other corner, a stout-looking catcher (Gerald Laird) prepared for the race of his life, from third base to home plate and without a running start.
With...
Braves beat Nats, end losing streak
Andrelton Simmons hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the seventh inning, then made an eye-popping play to start the ninth as the Atlanta Braves beat the Washington Nationals 3-2 on Monday night and ended their four-game losing streak.
Atlanta beat the Nationals for the eighth straight time dating to last season. The Braves swept three games at Washington earlier this month.
Washington...
Back end of Braves' lineup cleaning up
ATLANTA Since breaking into the majors as a 23-year-old catcher with the Texas Rangers' organization, Gerald Laird has made his living in the back half of lineups. In nearly 2,500 career plate appearances for four separate franchises, only 109 total have come in the Nos. 1-5 spots.
With a bat in his hands, that's his home, the back end.
Now 33, little has changed in terms...
Braves sweep the Nats, begin interleague play
If the Braves were hoping to make a statement with the start of their season, they have. If the Braves were hoping to change minds about their chances in the National League East, they did. The Braves wrapped a road trip Sunday with a sweep of the rival Washington Nationals, Atlanta’s third consecutive sweep and ninth straight win. Heading back to Turner Field for a 2-game set...
Atlanta Braves give Evan Gattis start at 1st base
The unusual journey Evan Gattis traveled to get to the majors with the Atlanta Braves took him to a new destination Friday night: first base.
Thrown into a position he hasn't played since seven games in Class A in 2011, the 26-year-old rookie took some practice grounders before Atlanta's game against the Washington Nationals.
''I knew it was a possibility, for sure...
Three Cuts: Braves power past Phils in opener
ATLANTA Here are three observations from the Braves' Opening Day 7-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies:
1. The Braves' lineup was as good as advertised ... at least in its first appearance.
It's no laughing matter when a team hangs up seven runs in a game where the opponent threw out its best arm. That was the case with Atlanta's lineup, now, of course, featuring...
Three Cuts: Braves power past Phils in opener
ATLANTA Here are three observations from the Braves' Opening Day 7-5 win over the Philadelphia Phillies:
1. The Braves' lineup was as good as advertised ... at least in its first appearance
It's no laughing matter when a team hangs seven runs in a game against the opponent's best arm. That was the case with Atlanta's lineup, now featuring the likes of Justin...
Gattis makes Braves' Opening Day roster
The Legend of Gattis is heading to Atlanta.
Evan Gattis, a 26-year-old prospect who spent four years out of baseball, was told Wednesday morning that he had claimed the final spot on the Braves' bench, answering one of the last remaining questions as the team prepares for Opening Day.
With Brian McCann out with a shoulder injury, Gattis will join Gerald Laird as the team'...
Gattis makes Braves' Opening Day roster
The Legend of Gattis is heading to Atlanta.
Evan Gattis, a 26-year-old prospect who spent four years out of baseball, has claimed the final spot on the Braves' bench, answering one of the last remaining questions as the team prepares for Opening Day.
With Brian McCann out with a shoulder injury, Gattis will backup Gerald Laird, though with Laird nursing a left calf strain and...
MLB Team Previews: Atlanta Braves
Key Additions
SIGNED/RESIGNED: Reed Johnson (OF), Gerald Laird (C), B.J. Upton (CF), Ramiro Pena (INF),
TRADED FOR: Jordan Walden (P), Justin Upton (OF), Chris Johnson (3B),
Key Losses
Eric Hinske (1B), Michael Bourn (OF), Lyle Overbay (1B), David Ross (C), Ben Sheets (P), Chipper Jones (3B), Tommy Hanson (P...
Verlander gives up 3 HRs, one to Laird's brother
LAKELAND, Fla. Justin Verlander knew it was coming and his former teammate didn't disappoint.
In Thursday night's 7-2 exhibition loss to the Houston Astros at Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland, Verlander was cruising along until the fourth inning.
Jose Altuve led off with a single. Then Brandon Laird followed with a home run to right field and the Astros led, 2-1.
If...
MLB Team Previews: Detroit Tigers
Key Additions
SIGNED/RESIGNED: Torii Hunter (OF), Brayan Pena (C), Anibal Sanchez (P)
TRADED FOR: None
Key Losses
Delmon Young (OF), Gerald Laird (C), Ryan Raburn (2B),
Projected Divisional Standing
First in AL Central
Please Comment with your opinions! If you have any questions...
Braves spring training report: Week-1
If spring training seems longer this year, that’s because it is. One week longer, to be exact. For those players who have agreed to represent their home countries in the World Baseball Classic, however, spring is much shorter than usual. For Braves’ shortstop Andrelton Simmons, spring training is already over (at least for now), and he’s playing meaningful baseball one month...
Rock-steady Laird helping Braves in a pinch
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. As a practical matter, Gerald Laird was indirectly responsible for Moneyball, the best-selling book (and Oscar-nominated movie of the same name) chronicling the underdog story of the 2002 Oakland Athletics.
Here's the scoop:
Fifteen years ago and fresh out of high school (southern California), Laird subjectively had more physical upside than future luminaries...
Rock-steady Laird helping Braves in a pinch
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. As a practical matter, Gerald Laird was indirectly responsible for Moneyball, the best-selling book (and Oscar-nominated movie of the same name) chronicling the underdog story of the 2002 Oakland Athletics.
Here's the scoop:
Fifteen years ago and fresh out of high school (southern California), Laird subjectively had more physical upside than future luminaries...
Braves' Laird prepared to step in when needed
Similar to many young baseball fans around the country in the 1990s, Gerald Laird was served a steady diet of Braves baseball and "America's team" promotions in sunny Southern California.
A benefactor of former team owner Ted Turner's national dissemination of the Braves from 1973 to 2007, Laird was sold on his favorite team from thousands of miles away. It was...
Braves' Laird preparing to open season as starter
Gerald Laird is not letting anything interfere with his time getting to know the Braves' pitchers.
Laird says he turned down an invitation to represent Mexico in the World Baseball Classic because he needs to work with Atlanta's pitchers the full spring training. Laird, who played with Detroit last season, even reported for informal workouts with the pitchers this week at...
Tigers sign Gerald Laird’s replacement in Brayan Pena
After losing backup catcher Gerald Laird to free agency, the Tigers shored up the position Monday by signing veteran Brayan Pena to a one-year deal. The ex-Royal Pena (who turns 31 next month) appeared in 68 games for the Royals posting a .236/.262/.321 batting line in 226 plate appearances.
Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski believes the veteran catcher will play a big role...
Brayan Pena Signs With Detroit Tigers, Will Replace Gerald Laird as Backup Catcher
The Detroit Tigers signed catcher Brayan Pena on Monday, filling the roster spot vacated by Gerald Laird earlier this offseason. The deal reportedly will be for one year, though no financial particulars have been announced yet.
Pena, 30, is a switch-hitter — key, since Jim Leyland prefers to give Alex Avila his days off against lefty starters. He hit .236 with two homers and 25...
History says Dombrowski will deal next week
DETROIT Baseballs winter meetings arereturning to the scene of what many Marlins fans believe was a crime.Beginning Monday, thegames general managers, agents, managers and reporters will converge on theGaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, where on Dec. 5, 2007, Tigers GM DaveDombrowski pulled off an eight-player trade that really came down to oneplayer: MiguelCabrera, the 2012...
Laird gets two-year Braves deal
Catcher Gerald Laird will get $3 million for his two-year deal with the Atlanta Braves, and could earn up to $750,000 in performance bonuses if he plays more than expected.
Laird was signed to be Brian McCann's backup after David Ross left for a $6.2 million, two-year deal with Boston. The 33-year-old Laird played for AL champion Detroit this past season, batting .282 with two...
Braves sign catcher Laird to back up McCann
The Atlanta Braves have agreed to a two-year deal with backup catcher Gerald Laird.
The 33-year-old Laird has appeared in the last two World Series. He played for the Detroit Tigers this past season, hitting .282 with two homers and 11 RBIs, and the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011.
The Braves targeted Laird after David Ross, who backed up Brian McCann the past four seasons, signed...
Braves sign Laird for two years
Catcher Gerald Laird signed two-year contract with the Atlanta Braves, according to multiple reports. Laird, 33, batted .282 with two homers in 191 plate appearances with the Detroit Tigers last season, but is a career .244 hitter. He will replace backup catcher David Ross, who signed with the Boston Red Sox.
Atlanta Braves Get Gerald Laird
The Atlanta Braves have agreed to terms with free agent catcher Gerald Laird. Laird, 33, seems a good fit for the Braves, a team in need of a starting catcher for about a month before All-Star Brian McCann returns from shoulder surgery. The veteran catcher just finished up a year with the American League Champion Detroit Tigers and despite the fact that his name conjures images...
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