Around The Big Leagues

The Atlanta Braves' offensive woes in May have grown from a frustration to concern as the club experienced more uneven play in the month of June. Grant McAuley breaks down the recent trends for the club and the rest of MLB, which is also producing decidedly different results in 2024. While the bats have been searching for answers, Max Fried, Chris Sale and the Braves rotation continue to give the club a chance to win with solid pitching. How long can the pitching staff keep up its current level of production? When will the Atlanta lineup find its footing? Those are the questions the Braves are hoping to answer sooner than later. Meanwhile, MLB's gambling issues could be growing after a recent suspension and some abhorrent behavior some players continue to be subjected to. Can the league walk the fine line of keeping gambling out of the game while simultaneously courting the ad revenue the industry could provide the sport? Special guest Anthony Castrovince joins the show to discuss the addition of Negro Lea

The Atlanta Braves fought their way through a challenging May, so will June once again be the month this club puts it all together? That's been the case each of the last two seasons. Grant McAuley discusses all the Braves news of the past week and looks ahead to the three-city road trip which begins on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox. Chris Sale, Max Fried and the rest of the starting rotation have done more than their fair share this season, even with the fifth spot still unsettled. Can they continue to post up while the offense gets back on track? Could young arms like Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep and others step into that final spot? With Ronald Acuña Jr. out for the remainder of 2024, who will step into the leadoff role and how will Brian Snitker balance the rest of his lineup as they try to shake off a collective cold spell? You'll also hear from Braves GM Alex Anthopoulos, who appeared on 92-9 The Game on Friday to chat with Carl Dukes and Mike Bell. Where does the Atlanta executive stand

The Atlanta Braves suffered another major injury blow, this one eerily reminiscent of a place they've been before. For the second time in three years, star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. suffered a torn ACL and is done for the season. Grant McAuley discusses the challenges this latest injury present for both Acuña and the club and shares the reaction of several of his Braves teammates. Austin Riley, Sean Murphy, Michael Harris II and Adam Duvall all weigh in on the unfortunate news while manager Brian Snitker talks about where his club goes from here without their dynamic leadoff hitter. You'll also hear from Braves color analyst C.J. Nitkowski of Bally Sports, who provides some insights on where the Braves stand at the Memorial Day checkpoint -- in an interview recorded prior to the Acuña injury. Plus, Geoff Ponts of Baseball America helps size up the Atlanta minor league system and some of the top arms who could make an impact in the big leagues or a big trade later this summer. From The Diamond airs liv

The month of May has once again been a bit unkind to the Atlanta Braves, who seem like they are winning games in spite of their offense at the moment. Of course, the pitching staff has been pitching in more than its fair share to make it happen. Grant McAuley discussed the latest Braves news from the week that was, including some encouraging signs for Matt Olson at the plate, but a discouraging injury update for Austin Riley that seems to have the third baseman in limbo as far as a return. You'll hear Riley's comments from Saturday as he described the ailment that has him stuck on the bench for the time being. Meanwhile, Travis d'Arnaud also had a brush with injury but appears to have emerged unscathed while Sean Murphy's return to could be getting closer with an upcoming rehab assignment. Ronald Acuña Jr. is among those still searching for consistency and results, so did a day off help speed that process up? You'll also hear from Atlanta reliever Jesse Chavez, who shares some insight on the inner workings

The Atlanta Braves bounced back from a tough road trip to win a pair of series but are still not clicking on all cylinders. Grant McAuley discusses the latest headlines and biggest stories from the week that was in Braves baseball, including big contributions from Chris Sale and Max Fried that highlighted a terrific run from the starting rotation. There were also some signs of life from some of Atlanta's biggest hitters, as Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson each left the yard over the weekend against the New York Mets. Can those two and a couple of other big bats get going as the weather heats up? Can any of them keep up with the torrid pace of Marcell Ozuna? You'll also hear from Braves outfielders Adam Duvall and Jarred Kelenic, who discuss forming their partnership in left field, the early seasons highs and lows and much more. Atlanta third baseman Austin Riley shares his thoughts on how the club overcomes the down times in the season and comes out better for going through those. Brad Rowland of Hammer Te

Where has the powerful Atlanta Braves offense gone? The past couple of weeks have produced very different results than anyone has been accustomed to. How soon can they turn things around? Grant McAuley discusses the week that was for the Braves and the power outage that has spread through the batting order and proven costly in some one-run losses on the recently completed 1-5 road trip. Meanwhile, Atlanta's pitching is carrying the team for now, but a key reliever landed on the IL this week. How will the Braves bullpen adjust to at least a couple of weeks without Pierce Johnson? Speaking of adjustments, Eno Sarris of The Athletic and host of the Rates & Barrels podcast joins the show to discuss the factors that have led to Ronald Acuña's slow start and how soon we can expect an adjustment that could get the former MVP back on track. In our trip around the big leagues, the Marlins reminded the baseball world just who they are and what they're about with an early May trade, Nike was finally forced to make ne

The Atlanta Braves put the finishing touches on a memorable nine-game stay at Truist Park with a walk-off win to take a series from the Cleveland Guardians on Sunday. Grant McAuley looks back at the week that was and the homestand at large as the Atlanta Braves once again hold the best record in MLB after topping Cleveland to finish a 7-2 run at home. You'll hear about how the starting rotation may be primed for big things even without Spencer Strider, how that affects the bullpen, and why Atlanta offense could get even better as the weather heat ups. Guardians managers Stephen Vogt joins the show to discuss his team's strong start, hsi memories of the 2021 World Series run with Atlanta, realizing his dream to manage in the major leagues and the journey it took to get there. With the Miami Marlins facing more questions than answers to start the 2024, Craig Mish of Sports Grid and the Miami Herald joins the show to talk about the disappointing follow-up after a season of such promise a year ago. From The D

The Atlanta Braves put together a six-game win streak to grab the best record in MLB. They'll look to keep those winning ways going in a nine-game home stand. Grant McAuley hits the headlines for the Braves, including a pair of injury updates for two more All-Stars. Ozzie Albies landed on the IL with a fractured toe, but could be back sooner than later. Meanwhile, you'll hear from Spencer Strider on his season-ending surgery, how his elbow injury progressed, the long road of rehab ahead, and his thoughts on the state of the game when it comes to pitching injuries. Gaurav Vedak of Baseball Prospectus stops by to talk Braves majors and minors and share some of the new tools available at Baseball Prospectus. All of that and more on this edition of the show. From The Diamond will air live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta on Sundays from 5-7 pm ET. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

With two weeks worth of games under their collective belts, the Atlanta Braves are sitting atop the NL East. Their biggest offensive contributor? None other that designated hitter Marcell Ozuna. Grant McAuley covered the big stories for this week in Braves baseball, including Ozuna's red-hot start and clutch hitting down in Miami, the loss of Spencer Strider, who underwent season-ending elbow surgery, how Atlanta will approach filling the void in rotation, and what the rest of the rotation needs to do in order to stabilize the pitching staff. You'll also hear from several Braves who'll share their thoughts on Travis d'Arnaud's value to the team and impact on their winning ways. Former Braves great Dale Murphy joins the show to tell the story of two iconic Nike posters from the 1980s -- Power Alley and Stickball. You'll hear the backstory of the creative process, the photo shoots, the tricks that made the posters an unforgettable part of Braves nostalgia, and even some abandoned plans for a baseball apparel

The Atlanta Braves swept away the defending National League Champion Arizona Diamondbacks over the weekend, but were dealt a serious injury blow as Spencer Strider's season appears to be over. Grant McAuley discusses the ramifications of the Strider news and sizes up where the Braves can turn to fill those rather large shoes in rotation. Meanwhile, the Braves offense has done some big things, including a few key comebacks on the young season, and they were at it against Arizona. Marcell Ozuna, Jarred Kelenic and others are off to hot starts, but everyone seems to be finding ways to contribute. On Monday, April 8, the Braves will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Hank Aaron's record-breaking 715th home run. Grant McAuley talked to several of Aaron's teammates in advance of that big night at Truist Park. You'll hear from Tom House, the man who caught No. 715, as well as Ralph Garr, Ron Reed and Marty Perez on this edition of From The Diamond. Aaron's friends share their memories from that history making nig

The Atlanta Braves got the 2024 season started by taking 2-of-3 from the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Grant McAuley covers the events of Opening Weekend as the Braves offense come to life and help secure the series, which could be an indication of more to come from the deepest lineup in MLB. Also discussed, the injury status of Sean Murphy, the important work by the bullpen -including the ageless Jesse Chavez coming to the rescue in Game 2, some ups and downs for Atlanta's top three starting pitchers, why Michael Harris II is primed for greatness, and some encouraging contributions from Jarred Kelenic and Adam Duvall. Maria Martin of 11 Alive in Atlanta stops by to discuss the state of the Braves and their championship goals, reflect on the magic that was October of 2021, and why Ronald Acuña Jr.'s article for The Players Tribune is just another way he's demonstrating his star power. For our trip around the big leagues, we'll delve into a rather heated debate on sliding etiquette between th

The Atlanta Braves had an eventful week, welcoming back star right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and reuniting with a familiar face. Grant McAuley returns for the fourth and final installment of the Braves Spring Training Specials. On tap for this episode, the return to action for Acuña and Atlanta's re-signing of outfielder Adam Duvall. How will his arrival impact the roster and Jarred Kelenic's playing time? With Opening Day just two weeks away, you'll hear from Atlanta third baseman Austin Riley on his expectations for 2024 and we'll check in with Braves TV voice Brandon Gaudin to take stock of the Braves as the regular season approaches. All of that and a visit with former infielder Charlie Culberson, who is in camp with the Braves to try his hand on the mound and find a second career after 11 seasons in the big leagues. From The Diamond will air live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta on Sundays from 5-7 pm ET beginning March 31st. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show

As Spring Training rolls on for the Atlanta Braves, they dealt with an injury scare to MVP Ronald Acuña Jr. that had the club and fans holding their breath. After a positive update on the state of Acuña's knee, all involved can once again focus on getting ready for Opening Day. Grant McAuley covers the headlines and news from Braves camp as the club turn the calendar to the month of March. Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution joins the show from Florida to update the Acuña story and much more. When the club first reported to camp in mid-February, it was reliever A.J. Minter who said it's "World Series or bust" for the Braves in 2024. Grant catches up with the veteran lefty to discuss that, how Minter overcame challenge in 2023, the reloaded bullpen and more in a conversation from Braves camp. From The Diamond will air live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta on Sundays from 5-7 pm ET beginning March 31st. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great

Sizing up the early spring stories for the Atlanta Braves as they began exhibition play this week. Grant McAuley discusses a potential lineup combination that could help a pair of Braves make a greater impact. We also hear from reliever Tyler Matzek, who is on the road back from Tommy John surgery and eager to get back in the mix and help Atlanta get back to the World Series. In a conversation from Spring Training, Alex Anthopoulos shares his thoughts on the winter addition, the postseason expectations, and much more. Meanwhile, MLB is instituting some rules changes for 2024, though it may not be as far-reaching as those from a year ago. Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com explains the updated polices and some we could see in the near future. From The Diamond will air live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta on Sundays from 5-7 pm ET beginning March 31st. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more great Braves coverage is available at FromTheDiamond.com.

The Atlanta Braves reported to Spring Training with one goal in mind. It's "World Series or bust" for this team. Grant McAuley returns from North Port, Fla., to discuss the sky-high expectations the club has set for 2024. Spencer Strider, Max Fried, Austin Riley, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, A.J. Minter and Alex Anthopoulos share their thoughts on the championship expectations they've set. Braves manager Brian Snitker sat down to discuss his early impressions of the club, their World Series goal, new additions Chris Sale and Jarred Kelenic, and much more in a special interview. We'll also cover the current state of MLB's revamped uniforms, the backlash Nike is facing, and what if anything can be done to address the quality control issues all 30 teams are facing as Stephen J. Nesbitt of The Athletic joins the show. From The Diamond will air live on 92-9 The Game in Atlanta on Sundays from 5-7 pm ET beginning March 31st. You can also subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Every episode of the show and more

We are taking out 2023 and preparing for a brand new year of From The Diamond with a super-sized finale. Grant McAuley reacts to the Atlanta Braves' latest trade of the winter, a deal that brings over left-hander Chris Sale in exchange for Vaughn Grissom. You'll hear how Sale fits into the club's plans as well as Alex Anthopoulos' comments on the deal. With that trade covered, then it's time to look back at some of the biggest stories and guests on From The Diamond from the 2023 season. You'll hear from a great lineup of guests as we reflect on the best stories and moments from the year in Braves baseball. We're covering it all, from new uniforms to new rules, from an MVP and a record number of All-Stars to a retired number and much more. Tom Glavine, John Smoltz and Jeff Francoeur discussed the Bally Sports players' only broadcast. Dale Murphy share his All-Star memories and the all-around greatness of Ronald Acuña Jr. Ron Gant recounts the night in 1993 when Atlanta Fulton County Stadium caught fire and

It's a special holiday bonus edition of From The Diamond! Grant McAuley discusses a busy start to the week for the Atlanta Braves, who added to their broadcast team, celebrated the birthday of superstar right fielder Ronald Acuña Jr., and cut loose a veteran player recently acquired in trade. Brand new Bally Sports analyst C.J. Nitkowski joins the show to discuss joining the Braves television broadcast, his time in the Texas Rangers booth, a nearly two decade playing career that took him all over the world, making the transition from player to broadcaster, and just how big of an impact his time in Atlanta in 2004 had on his life and career. Be sure to subscribe to From The Diamond wherever you get your podcasts. Please leave a rating and a review to help the show grow and find more information at FromTheDiamond.com.

As the winter continues to tick by, the Atlanta Braves continue to swing trades and slowly assemble their 40-man roster. Grant McAuley discusses the latest deals, a handful of trades designed to move around the money the club took on when it acquired Jarred Kelenic from the Seattle Mariners, and the continued search and need for one more proven starting pitcher. You'll also hear from Kelenic, who spoke to the Atlanta media for the first time this week. He talked about his ups and downs over the course of 2023 and his three-year stint in Seattle, what he learned from the broken foot he suffered last season, and how much he looks forward to getting started with the Braves. Meanwhile, the Shohei Ohtani sweepstakes ended where it began, with the mega-star staying in southern California and signing a record contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers after a six-year stay in Anaheim. Longtime Angels broadcaster Victor Rojas joins the show to discuss the ins and outs of Ohtani's deal, the decision points for both he a

The annual MLB Winter Meetings are in the books and the Atlanta Braves were among the busiest teams in Nashville. Grant McAuley recaps the meetings which began with a bang on Sunday as the Braves pulled off a 5-player trade with the Seattle Mariners which brought Jarred Kelenic to Atlanta. We'll dive into that deal and the second trade it spawned and also hear from Alex Anthopoulos on some of the other wants and needs for his club this winter. Anthopoulos spoke on a variety of topics and shared his view of the rampant speculation attached to his club this time of year, good, bad and indifferent. You'll also hear an exclusive interview with Braves manager Brian Snitker, who shares his thoughts on the Kelenic deal, Atlanta's revamped bullpen, other moves to come, some upcoming additions to the coaching staff and more. The Winter Meetings also brought a pair of aspiring broadcasters to Nashville as the baseball world gathered. Chris and Stefan Caray, the identical twin sons of former Braves voice Chip Caray s

The Atlanta Braves have made some moves, but their biggest needs and wants have yet to be supplied by their winter shopping. Grant McAuley returns to discuss a very busy few weeks in November as Atlanta trimmed its roster and made a flurry of moves while preparing for what could be much more to come this offseason. From the trades of Kyle Wright and Michael Soroka which led the acquisition of bullpen pieces headlined by Aaron Bummer, to another free-agent signing in hard-throwing Reynaldo Lopez, to the pursuit of some big name free agent pitchers that did not materialize, Alex Anthopoulos has maintained a busy schedule and a high profile this winter. Could he go back to the familiar well and swing a trade to supply his team with the rotation reinforcements needed to help the club in 2024 and beyond? What will the Braves do about their left field vacancy? We'll tackle all of that and answer your questions about the Braves' winter moves on an all new episode of the show! Make sure to connect with From The