The Atlanta Hawks signed free-agent forward Joe Smith on Tuesday to address the team’s lack of inside depth. Smith, a 14-year veteran, was the NBA’s No. 1 overall draft pick in 1995. The Hawks are his 10th NBA home.

The 6-foot-10, 225-pound Smith will join center Zaza Pachulia as the top inside backups behind starters Al Horford and Josh Smith for the Hawks, who advanced to the second round of the playoffs last season.

“Joe’s acquisition provides us with a solid complement to our frontcourt,” said Hawks general manager Rick Sund. “Not only does he bring years of experience to our team, but his versatility gives our coaching staff a player who can play multiple positions and an individual who will provide tremendous leadership in the locker room.”

Click here to read the full article – By Associated Press of ESPN.com

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As the Phillies continue to roll, there seems to be even more reason to wonder if the Braves’ hopes of participating in this year’s postseason rest solely on their position in the National League Wild Card standings.

But while discounting Atlanta’s division title hopes, one would be ignoring the significant obstacles the Phillies overcame while winning the NL East title each of the past two seasons.

Standing at 66-58, the Braves currently own the same record the Phillies possessed through the first 124 games in both 2007 and ‘08. The fact that they currently trail the defending World Series champs by seven games shows that the Braves’ hopes of winning the NL East hinge on the completion of a challenging task.


Click here to read the full article – By Mark Bowman of MLB.com

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When the Braves were mulling the possibility of including Yunel Escobar in a trade package for Jake Peavy this past offseason, Chipper Jones said that Escobar had the tools to be considered the National League’s top shortstop.

As he nears the completion of his third Major League season, Escobar has displayed improved offensive skills that have provided more credence to Jones’ claim and also put him in position to be one of the nominees for this year’s Hank Aaron Award.

Jones, Escobar and Brian McCann have been selected as the Braves nominees for this year’s Hank Aaron Award, which is named after the legendary outfielder who established himself as one of the game’s greatest legends while spending the first 21 years of his 23-year playing career with the Braves.

Click here to read the full article – By Mark Bowman of MLB.com

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When Brian McCann drilled his two-run homer off Cole Hamels on Saturday afternoon, there was some reason for the Braves All-Star catcher to feel relieved. It had been more than two months since he previously homered off a left-handed pitcher, and over the past few weeks, McCann was being burdened by regular frustration.


When the Braves play a makeup game against the D-backs at Turner Field on Monday afternoon, they may choose to give McCann a rest. With divisional matchups set over the course of the following six days against the Mets and Marlins, the 25-year-old catcher certainly wouldn’t object to the opportunity to regain some energy.

But at the same time, McCann will have every reason to want to return to action as soon as possible.

Entering Sunday night’s game against the Phillies, McCann had endured a 13-game stretch during which he had hit .156 (7-for-45) with three extra-base hits (one homer and two doubles). Over the course of his previous 50 games, he had hit .245 with a .300 on-base percentage and a .457 slugging percentage.


Click here to read the full article – By Mark Bowman of MLB.com

Phil Niekro 3-Time 20 Game Winner Upcoming Signing – 10/10/2009 Here are the details: Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel When: 10/10/2009 Phone: (908) 258-7228 All Orders and Mail-Order need to be received by: 10/7/2009 Prices: Flats up to 11×14 and Balls – $55 O/S Flats – $65 Caps, Equipment, Bats – $95 Inscriptions – $20
Place a presale order for the Phil Niekro Signing or check out a full list of Upcoming Memorabilia Signings.

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The Atlanta Braves have reportedly come to a record-setting agreement with their top pick in June’s First-Year Player Draft, Vanderbilt left-hander Mike Minor.

According to The Nashville Tennessean, Minor came to terms for a signing bonus of $2.42 million, a record for both a Braves Draft choice and for a national No. 7 pick, topping the $2.2 million Atlanta gave Jeff Francoeur in 2002 and the $2.4 million for which Milwaukee signed Prince Fielder in 2002, when he was the overall seventh pick.

The Braves are saying there is no official agreement yet, but speculation has persisted that the club will hold a news conference later on Thursday to announce the signing.

Click here to read the full article – By Tom Singer of MLB.com

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Roddy White apparently wants Larry Fitzgerald-type money, but there’s a problem: Roddy White isn’t Larry Fitzgerald. Roddy White on his best day is among the NFL’s top five receivers. Larry Fitzgerald on his worst day is the best in the business.

At first the folks in Flowery Branch sort of shrugged at White’s holdout, but now they’re getting irritated. He needs to be in camp for several reasons, and here, in no particular order, they are:

• In years past, some Falcons seeking more money figured, “Arthur Blank will just disregard his lieutenants and pay me what I’m asking.” That’s not happening this time.

• Every day White is away is another day for Matt Ryan to think of Tony Gonzalez as his new default receiver, a status previously afforded White.

• Every day White is away, another of the Falcons’ higher-ups starts to think, “You know, Michael Jenkins and Harry Douglas aren’t bad. We can win with them if need be.”

Click here to read the full article – By Mark Bradley of AJC sports

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It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. This is the mindset the Braves are taking as they enter the season’s final two months with a sense of optimism that wasn’t present when they concluded the first two.

While the Braves were able to keep their heads above water with a .500 record through the end of May, general manager Frank Wren entered June knowing he needed to make changes, and he did so with the acquisition of center fielder Nate McLouth and the promotion of top pitching prospect Tommy Hanson. With these moves, Wren upgraded his lineup, fortified his rotation and provided the framework that has allowed the Braves to enter this week confident that they can find entry into the postseason — even if the Phillies continue their torrid pace.

Click here to read the full article – By Mark Bowman of MLB.com

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