Atlanta, GA
Led By Ronald Acuna Jr., Atlanta Braves Are The Class Of The NL East
For the rest of this week, I’ll continue to take a look at the Opening Day true-talent rankings of the 30 MLB clubs on a division-by-division basis. While the rankings are based on actual 2023 batted-ball data, off-season player movement and potential impact of 2024 rookies will be addressed. We looked at the AL East, AL Central and AL West last week. Today, it’s the NL East.
1 – Atlanta Braves – ”Tru” Talent Record = 105-57 – Offensive Rating = 131.7 (1st), Pitching Rating = 93.5 (9th), Defensive Rating = 103.3 (26th) IN: LHP Chris Sale, RHP Reynaldo Lopez, LF Jarred Kelenic, CF Adam Duvall; OUT: 2B Vaughn Grissom, RHP Kyle Wright, RHP Nick Anderson, RHP Michael Soroka, UT Nicky Lopez, RHP Michael Tonkin
The Braves offense was historically loaded last season and has a chance to be just as good or better in 2024. If they can fix Kelenic, cutting his Ks while keeping the thunderous contact, watch out. Ronald Acuna Jr.’s 2023 was even better than advertised – he sharply cut his K rate while absolutely destroying the baseball – he’ll serve as the blueprint for the former Mariner. Their starting pitching projects to improve, with the return of a healthy Max Fried, the addition of the high-upside Sale, and the rejuvenation of Reynaldo Lopez, who has been brilliant this spring. This is a win-now group, hence the return of young starters Bryce Elder and A.J. Smith-Shawver to the minors, at least to begin the season. Everyone crows about the Dodgers, but this bunch is even better on paper.
2 – Philadelphia Phillies – ”Tru” Talent Record = 94-68 – Offensive Rating = 101.5 (12th), Pitching Rating = 88.1 (2nd), Defensive Rating = 97.4 (8th) IN: UT Whit Merrifield, RHP Spencer Turnbull; OUT: 1B Rhys Hoskins, RHP Craig Kimbrel
The Phils kind of get lost behind the mighty Braves, but it must be remembered that this group has ousted their divisional rivals from the postseason in both 2022 and 2023. They are even more status-quo and win-now than the Braves, with comparatively little player turnover this offseason. Their pitching doesn’t get enough ink – when you can pencil in 400+ strong innings from anchor starters Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, that’s a sturdy contending foundation. The closer role is turned over to lefty Jose Alvarado, whose upside is higher than the departed Kimbrel. Like the Braves, the Phils have little time for youngsters and rookies – CF Johan Rojas is about as green as the Phils get, and his combo of elite defense and an improved bat is enticing.
3 – Miami Marlins – ”Tru” Talent Record = 82-80 – Offensive Rating = 95.5 (21th), Pitching Rating = 92.3 (7th), Defensive Rating = 101.9 (21st) IN: SS Tim Anderson, C Christian Bethancourt; OUT: DH Jorge Soler, LHP Matt Moore, RHP David Robertson, UT Joey Wendle, UT Garrett Hampson
I’ve got a bad feeling about this team. They were a good pitching/bad offense team to begin with, and did little to improve their weakness while their strength is being ravaged by injury. Their hospital rotation of Sandy Alcantara, Edward Cabrera, Braxton Garrett and Eury Perez is far better than the healthy one led by Jesus Luzardo, converted reliever A.J. Puk and Trevor Rogers. The offense was better down the stretch last season after the acquisitions of Josh Bell and Jake Burger, but they’ll be hard-pressed to repeat their post-trade rate stats. RF Jesus Sanchez could be poised for a breakthrough campaign, and Tanner Scott is an underrated closer. Besides Perez, youthful contributors could include SS Xavier Edwards and LHP Ryan Weathers. I don’t see the Fish as a playoff contender this time around.
4 – New York Mets – ”Tru” Talent Record = 76-86 – Offensive Rating = 102.0 (11th), Pitching Rating = 101.9 (20th), Defensive Rating = 106.3 (28th) IN: CF Harrison Bader, RF Tyrone Taylor, RHP Luis Severino, RHP Adrian Houser, UT Joey Wendle, LHP Sean Manaea, RHP Michael Tonkin, DH Ji-Man Choi; OUT: RHP Trevor Gott
Interesting group. They were an overpriced, overhyped disaster in the first half of 2023, and then pivoted to an overhaul which they executed quite perfectly. The Mets were the rare team to admit their mistakes and eat the financial cost. They are now loaded with young players who will be part of the next strong Met club – from C Francisco Alvarez, 3Bs Brett Baty and Mark Vientos, and trade deadline acquisitions SS Luisangel Acuna and OFs Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford. The starting pitching depth remains a concern, but the team defense should be greatly improved with Bader in center, and Brandon Nimmo, a second legit CF, in left. The franchise anchors remain SS Francisco Lindor and 1B Pete Alonso, whose contract situation will need to be settled soon, one way or the other. With any semblance of quality starting pitching, the return of closer Edwin Diaz could enable this bunch to sneak into the wild card race.
5 – Washington Nationals – ”Tru” Talent Record = 60-102 – Offensive Rating = 88.2 (28th), Pitching Rating = 117.9 (29th), Defensive Rating = 97.4 (9th) IN: UT Nick Senzel, OF Joey Gallo, OF Jesse Winker; OUT: None
The Nats are also a status-quo group, but their near-term outlook is markedly different from the Braves or Phillies. Their lineup should be a tad more potent with the addition of Gallo and the continued maturation of SS C.J. Abrams, but that could be offset by the return to earth of RF Lane Thomas, whose batted ball metrics don’t come close to supporting his 2023 production. On the pitching side, they’re basically running out the same cast of characters, with Josiah Gray their best hope for a positive breakthrough. There should be some help coming from the minors before too long, as OF James Wood has superstar upside and 3B Brady House and LHP D.J. Herz could be ready to contribute by season’s end. For now, however, the Nationals remain also-rans.
Atlanta, GA
Atlanta City Council to vote on allowing older taxis at airport
ATLANTA – Changes may be coming to the taxi services offered at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.
On Wednesday, the Atlanta City Council’s Transportation Committee voted to approve an amendment to the city’s regulations on taxicabs.
The updated ordinance will allow taxis and rideshare vehicles to operate until they are 10 years old.
Currently, only taxis, limousines, and cars used for rideshare apps that are younger than 7 years old are allowed to operate at the airport – a restriction that many drivers say they can’t afford.
The proposal would also allow taxicabs to use portable wireless devices like cell phones or standalone computers as the taximeter and would repeal a rule saying that taxicab companies must have all their taxis painted the same color.
The change to the ordinance is now moving to the full council for a vote.
Atlanta, GA
'Unacceptable behavior' prompts VA to suspend top cops at Atlanta Medical Center
DECATUR, Ga. – Allegations of “unacceptable behavior” prompted the Veterans Administration to place three top police officers at the Atlanta VA Medical Center on paid suspension.
That behavior includes “allegations of sexual assault and harassment,” according to a statement provided to the FOX 5 I-Team from VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes.
Police Chief Beverly Banks, Deputy Chief of Police Johnnie McCullor and a police major have been removed from duty pending the outcome of an investigation.
But the FOX 5 I-Team learned the VA’s internal affairs office actually investigated some of the same concerns two years ago, yet that person accused of sexual harassment — Deputy Chief McCullor — remained in his position.
Shaneka Jackson is that alleged victim.
“He would be standing behind me a lot and I’m like why is he always in here?” Jackson told the FOX 5 I-Team in her first public comments. “Doesn’t he have anything else to do?”
Atlanta VA Medical Center Deputy Chief of Police Johnne McCullor is suspended with pay while the VA investigates sexual harassment complaints.
A single mom and retired Air Force military police officer, Jackson applied to join the Atlanta VA Police Department in 2021.
But after working months in dispatch waiting for a slot to open for mandatory police academy training, she said she had to resign because the pandemic kept delaying the start of the class.
According to the EEO complaint she would eventually file with the VA, Jackson said Deputy Police Chief McCullor offered to help her get a job with the private security company the Atlanta VA also uses.
But it turned out to be an offer she says in her complaint that she was unaware came with some sexual strings attached.
“I remember one day he asked me to come into his office,” Jackson said. “He just told me I told you it would cost you.”
According to that complaint, the deputy chief exposed himself and encouraged Jackson to take part in a sexual act.
“I’m like whoa, whoa, whoa like this is not something I’m going to do,” Jackson told us. “I got out of his office so quick. All I remember is seeing him adjust his pants back and I got out of there and started crying hysterically.”
Two friends confirmed to EEOC investigators that Jackson shared details with them shortly after the incident.
But Jackson said she didn’t file an official complaint immediately.
“I was fearful at the time because he had a lot of power,” she said.
But then came a misdirected text in January 2022.
The text that Jackson said McCullor used to get her fired.
Thinking she was texting a friend, Jackson says she accidentally sent this to McCullor:
“Snakes only get so far.”
In her complaint, she says McCullor went to her boss and asked that she be fired.
“I told them hey this man has been harassing me for the longest and y’all trying to fire me for him,” Jackson explained.
She was ultimately demoted and transferred. When she failed to show up for work, the private security company fired her. They denied McCullor played any role in the decision.
Only after she was fired in April 2022 did Jackson file her complaint with the EEOC.
And when McCullor met with EEOC investigators, he denied every one of Jackson’s claims.
Some of the denials from Deputy Chief McCullor to EEO investigators.
The VA convinced an administrative judge to dismiss her complaint because it wasn’t filed in a timely manner and most of her allegations happened when she was not a VA employee. Jackson has filed an appeal.
But this is more than a she said/he said story. It’s also what the VA internal affairs investigation said.
A VA Internal Affairs investigation cast doubt on the deputy police chief’s version of his encounters with a subordinate female officer.
In July 2022, the VA’s Office of Senior Security Officer conducted its own investigation into Jackson’s claims.
The FOX 5 I-Team obtained this copy through the Freedom of Information Act.
After interviewing multiple witnesses, “it was repeated throughout interviews that (McCullor) had a romantic interest in Jackson.”
The report said McCullor “admitted to Special Agents that he gave Jackson money, texted her outside of working hours… (because) he wanted to help Jackson as a single parent, a statement investigators find not credible.”
And as far as Jackson’s allegation of McCullor exposing himself, “staff described him as vindictive, condescending, toxic, and as having a reputation as a ‘womanizer’… investigators did draw certain conclusions that would support Jackson’s reports as being accurate and truthful.”
Yet for the next two years, McCullor remained deputy chief, until this month.
In March, the FOX 5 I-Team spotted Deputy Chief McCullor (R) along with Police Chief Banks (L) at a shooting range.
After the FOX 5 I-Team reached out to the VA, the agency announced “immediate action to address the challenges in the Atlanta VA police department.”
That includes sending a national team “to investigate the situation in the Atlanta police department, make recommendations related to these 3 individuals, and identify other changes that might be needed to improve the culture.”
The VA also appointed an acting police chief and deputy chief.
“We are treating these allegations with the utmost seriousness and are moving aggressively to investigate them, and will take swift and appropriate action,” said the VA statement.
The agency did not address our questions asking why it took two years to take those announced actions.
Reached by text, McCullor replied, “no interview or comment.”
Chief Banks did not respond.
Here’s the full statement from VA Press Secretary Terrence Hayes in response to our questions about Jackson’s two-year-old complaint:
Due to employee complaints and allegations of unacceptable behavior in the police department at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, including allegations of sexual assault and harassment, VA has detailed out the Chief of Police, Deputy Chief of Police, and Major (removing them from police duty and suspending authorities) pending the results of an investigation.
VA does not tolerate sexual assault or harassment. We are treating these allegations with the utmost seriousness, are moving to aggressively investigate them, and will take swift and appropriate action.
While this investigation progresses, VA is taking immediate action to address the challenges in the Atlanta VA police department, including:
– Sending in a national team – including VA’s Senior Security Officer – to investigate the situation in the Atlanta police department, make recommendations related to these 3 individuals, and identify other changes that might be needed to improve the culture.
– Immediately appointing a new leadership team in the Atlanta police department. We have appointed the chief of police for the VA Southeast Network (VISN 7) as acting police chief and appointed the deputy chief of police for the Houston VAMC as the acting deputy.
– Evaluating our policies and procedures to ensure that our Atlanta employees are held to the highest possible standards of conduct, in line with VA’s core values – and that when issues arise, they are acted upon and addressed immediately.
Additionally, Kai Mentzer, the Medical Center Director at the Jackson, MS VA Medical Center, will be starting as the new Medical Center Director in Atlanta on June 3, 2024. He – along with other VA leadership – will be focused on optimizing operations and the culture at the VA facility in Atlanta, including within the police department.
As always, we are committed to ensuring a safe, welcoming, and harassment-free environment for Veterans and employees at VA. All VA employees are encouraged to take the White Ribbon VA pledge to never commit, excuse, or stay silent about sexual harassment, sexual assault, or domestic violence against others. We hold our employees to the highest possible standards of ethical action, and we will not tolerate anything less.
We cannot say more at this time, because this is a pending investigation, but we will provide further updates as they become available.
Atlanta, GA
12-year-old with cancer made honorary captain of Atlanta Braves
SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) – Sylvania is celebrating a 12-year-old as a local hero now known by a more famed name Honorary Captain of the Atlanta Braves.
The honor comes after Mike Boswell was diagnosed with a type of bone cancer. He spent 8 months in the hospital at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
He rang the bell in January announcing to the world he won his battle.
Mike hopes his future includes plenty of baseball and his dream job.
“I’d like o be a doctor and help kids that are sick, just like the doctors that helped me,” Mike, said.
Mike says his trust in God and making sure he had a smile on his face.
He will be celebrating 4 months cancer free Thursday with a trip to Tybee for a day camp to kick off the summer.
Copyright 2024 WTOC. All rights reserved.
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