It’s been a big month for Atlanta Braves rookie closer Craig Kimbrell. Just days after setting the Major League record for first half saves by a rookie, Kimbrell learned he would be heading to the All-Star Game.

Kimbrell was added to the roster on Sunday night, replacing San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain, who is ineligible to play after pitching on Sunday. He is the fifth member of the Atlanta Braves to earn an All-Star invite, joining starter Brian McCann and back-ups Chipper Jones, Jair Jurrjens and Johnny Venters.

Kimbrell set the MLB first half record for saves by a rookie with 28, breaking Jonathan Papelbon’s previous record. He hasn’t allowed a run in 14 straight appearances, going 10-for-10 in save opportunities during that span.

He leads all Major League relievers with 70 strikeouts. Kimbrell beat out teammate Tommy Hanson, who was also hoping for a late invite to Tuesday’s All-Star game in Phoenix, Arizona.

 It’s the thing’s childhood dreams are made of.

And on Wednesday, Harrisburg’s Keelin Rasch dream of playing Major League Baseball took one more step in becoming a reality.

The slugging Bulldog was selected at No. 1,256 overall and in the 41st round by the Atlanta Braves Wednesday afternoon.

Rasch, who had been a staple at third base throughout his prep career as long as some stints on the mound was drafted as a catcher. A position the graduated senior says he hasn’t played since he was about 10 years old.

“They say I have the catcher body type,” Rasch said who stands in at 5-foot 11 and 185 pounds. “I have a strong arm so that probably plays a part in it as well.”

Last season, Reid Roper and Kollin Dowdy were both selected by the Atlanta Braves. In Wednesday’s 42nd round of the draft, the Braves took Anna-Jonesboro’s Cody Livesay.

Wednesday was all about Rasch and that lunch-time phone call.

“I really wasn’t expecting it,” he said. “I did get a call from Todd Poe (John A. Logan) assistant coach and was told that I needed to start looking. The next thing I know, I see my name pop up.”

Then the call from Atlanta came.

“They basically said that we’ve drafted you. Congratulations and we’ll be in touch with you later to discuss things further.

“This is just awesome. To see my name on MLB.com and knowing that ever since I can remember I wanted to be a pro ball player is just great. I never expected it to happen this early, but this is the best right now.”

As for Rasch’s plans to now attend JALC he says that decision won’t be made until closer to August.

Rasch added that he’ll take part in a couple of workouts with the Braves’ scouts this summer and then decide if Spring Training will be his next stop.

When her cell phone rang Tuesday afternoon, Barb Mueller didn’t
give a second thought about who it might be.

Until she heard this: “This is Stu from the Atlanta Braves.”

“Tony! Tony, get down here,” Barb Mueller called to her son,
Tony, who was watching the Major League Baseball draft on
television on a different floor of their La Crosse home.

Stu Cann, a scout with the Braves organization, was calling for
Tony Mueller, a standout outfielder/pitcher who had just completed
his junior season at Winona State University.

Cann wanted to know if Mueller, a 20-year-old with seemingly
deer-like speed, would sign if the Braves selected him in the
upcoming 13th round of the First-Year Player Draft.

“I said, ‘If you’re going to take me, I’ll sign,’” Tony told
Cann without hesitation.

Sure enough, a few minutes later Tony Mueller’s name scrolled
across the bottom of the television screen. The Atlanta Braves had
selected the former Logan High School star in the 13th round on
Tuesday afternoon.

The Mueller household was rockin’ and rollin’.

“I just wanted to get a chance at the next level. Dale (his
older brother) never really got a chance after his senior year (at
Butler). I said if I ever got the chance, I would cherish it,” Tony
said. “The thirteenth round, that is pretty high.”

To put it into perspective, Coon Valley, Wis., native Scott
Servais, who spent 11 years in the majors, was taken in the second
round of the 1985 draft by the New York Mets. He opted to attend
Creighton University, and was drafted again, this time by the
Houston Astros, in the third round in 1988.

West Salem High School graduate and former Viterbo University
star Damian Miller was taken in the 20th round of the 1990 draft by
the Minnesota Twins. Miller spent 10 years in the Major
Leagues.

Former Central High School star George Williams was selected in
the 24th round of the 1991 draft and spent six seasons in the
majors with the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres.

Mueller’s not thinking that far ahead. He’s enjoying the
moment.

“It’s my parents 30th wedding anniversary. There is no better
present I could give them,” Tony said. “I can’t say enough for what
they have done for me.”

Mueller said he and his family will sit down with Cann late this
afternoon to discuss terms of a contract. Tony said the “slot
money,” or typical money given to a 13th-round pick is between
$50,000 and $60,000, plus picking up the cost of the last year of
college.

Mueller, a junior at Winona State, will forgo his final year of
college eligibility.

“I am not worried about the money. I just want enough to pay
back my school loans and then start playing,” Tony said. “It’s
never been about the money.”

Mueller, who is coming off some of the best baseball he has ever
played as he earned co-MVP honors at the NCAA Division II Baseball
Championship, said if signs a contract this afternoon, he will be
off to Orlando, Fla., for a physical on Friday.

Then he is likely off to the Braves’ rookie league team in
Danville, Va., to begin preparations for the upcoming season, which
begins June 20. Danville is an Advanced-Rookie level team that
plays in the Appalachian League, which is the same league in which
Miller (Elizabethton) began his career.

“I hope it all goes well (today). All along, he just wanted a
chance,” Barb Mueller said. “He has stayed healthy and so
enthusiastic for baseball. That is his nature.”

Mueller said he had contact with every Major League team, but
the Braves, Twins, Marlins and Blue Jays were the teams that kept
in close contact with him.

 

 

The Rome Braves will honor special guest, former Atlanta Braves manager Bobby Cox in a pregame ceremony on June 18th.

“We are honored to have Bobby come to Rome and let us recognize his accomplishments,” says Rome General Man-ager Michael Dunn. “He is a Hall of Fame manager and the biggest reason for the Braves success over the years.”

Cox spent 29 seasons as a Major League manager with 2,504 wins ranking him fourth all-time.

He won 15 division crowns in his career including 14 straight in Atlanta that led to five pennants and a World Championship in 1995.

He retired from managing last season and currently works as Special Assistant to the General Manager for the Atlanta Braves.

Fans are encouraged to bring congratulatory posters for the game that night. In addition, fans can make posters on the front plaza before the game. Game time is 7 p.m. with pre-game ceremonies beginning at 6:40 p.m.. Gates open at six.

ATLANTA — An emotional Roger McDowell has returned from his two-week suspension and is vowing he won’t repeat the inappropriate comments and crude gestures he made to fans that led to his punishment by Major League Baseball.

McDowell’s eyes were red as he apologized Friday “to anyone who was offended by my actions.” He struggled to remain composed while he talked about his return as the Braves’ pitching coach.

The suspension came after Justin Quinn made McDowell’s actions public.

Quinn, who was attending the April 23 Braves-Giants game in San Francisco with his 9-year-old twin daughters, says he saw McDowell ask three men “Are you guys a homo couple or a threesome?”

McDowell says he has apologized to Quinn’s family and is in sensitivity training.

ATLANTA — Braves pitching coach Roger McDowell was suspended for two weeks without pay Sunday by Major League Baseball for inappropriate comments and gestures he made toward fans before a game in San Francisco.

The suspension is retroactive to Friday, when McDowell was placed on administrative leave by the Braves. He also was fined an undisclosed amount for the April 23 incident.

McDowell will be required to complete sensitivity training and will have to apologize directly to the fans involved, Justin Quinn and his family.

Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement Sunday insensitivity to others “simply cannot and will not be tolerated.”

“I understand that Mr. McDowell is very contrite about his conduct, and hopefully this incident will be used to increase public awareness of the importance of sensitivity to others,” Selig said. “I commend Justin Quinn and his family for bringing this issue to our attention so that it will not happen again in the future.”

Quinn said he was in the stands with his wife and 9-year-old twin daughters before the April 23 game at San Francisco when he noticed McDowell ask three men “Are you guys a homo couple or a threesome?”

Quinn said McDowell made crude sexual gestures with his hips and a bat. Quinn said he shouted, “Hey, there are kids out here.”

According to Quinn, McDowell said kids don’t belong at a baseball park, picked up a bat, walked up to Quinn and asked him, “How much are your teeth worth?”

McDowell issued an apology Thursday and, according to the release from the commissioner’s office, asked last week to apologize directly to Quinn and his family. The apology was being delayed until the investigation was completed.

“I understand the decision made today by the commissioner,” McDowell said in a statement Sunday. “I am embarrassed by my actions and I plan to give a personal apology to Mr. Quinn and his family. I would also like to offer a public and heartfelt apology to the fans of San Francisco, to the Atlanta Braves organization, my family and to Major League Baseball.”

Braves President John Schuerholz said the team supports Selig’s decision.

“We were clearly disappointed in Roger’s remarks and actions, and the Atlanta Braves organization does not tolerate that kind of behavior,” Schuerholz said.

“The Atlanta Braves organization and Roger McDowell deeply regret that this incident occurred and again apologize to all involved, including Mr. Quinn and his family, and the San Francisco Giants and their fans.”

The release from the commissioner’s office said Quinn and his family will be invited to a Giants home game as guests of Major League Baseball. Also, baseball will “reach out” to education programs that promote tolerance and sensitivity.

In a statement released by his attorney, Gloria Allred, Quinn applauded the discipline imposed on McDowell.

“I am pleased to see Major League Baseball imposing discipline on Coach McDowell for his actions,” Quinn said. “I love baseball dearly, and my family and I are now looking forward to getting back to the ballpark for another game.”

Allred said the discipline “demonstrates that Major League Baseball believes that homophobic slurs, sexually lewd conduct and threatening behavior by coaches or any other person employed at a game in the major league will not be tolerated.”

Minor league pitching coordinator Dave Wallace is filling in for McDowell.