A sad day for a kid that doesn't remember what it was like without this guy

[wilson]

The illustrious Pete Van Wieren is retiring from Atlanta Braves broadcasts after 33 years:

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/10/21/braves_vanwieren_retires.html

For you non-Braves fans itching to restart the tripe about how Braves broadcasters are not that good/overrated/whatever, go be wrong somewhere else.

[Lavabe]

The illustrious Pete Van Wieren is retiring from Atlanta Braves broadcasts after 33 years:

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/2008/10/21/braves_vanwieren_retires.html

For you non-Braves fans itching to restart the tripe about how Braves broadcasters are not that good/overrated/whatever, go be wrong somewhere else.

This is sad, especially with Caray passing this year too, and Sutton having left a little before.

Any discussion who will be taking over?

Cheers,
Lavabe

[EarlJam]

This is sad, especially with Caray passing this year too, and Sutton having left a little before.

Any discussion who will be taking over?

Cheers,
Lavabe

Clearly he couldn't find it to "give" any more without Carey. Man. Lower the Georgia flag to half staff. Seriously. This is sad.

-EJ

[captmojo]

I wish him all the best. The man knew his business.

[Tommac]

I believe that Braves fans may have entered a new era. For the past 5-6 years, Braves owners/management either couldn't or wouldn't retain talent like Maddux, Glavine, Furcal, Drew, Texiera etc. TBS dropped the Braves from their regular broadcast. The Braves quit going after great free agent talent. The injuries piled up. The only bright spot this year was Chipper's chase of 400% and the batting title. I don't really see much hope for the near future with the Braves current ownership.

[wilson]

I don't really see much hope for the near future with the Braves current ownership.

Not so fast, my friend. GM Frank Wren has said that the team plans to increase total payroll next season by about $15 million. Combined with several contracts' expiration, this gives the team about $45 million to spend in the free agent market this offseason. That doesn't go nearly as far as it once did, but it's still a lot of cash.
The team is currently in relatively serious talks about Jake Peavy (who is under contract through 2013) and is considering several other SPs as well, most notably AJ Burnett and Matt Cain.
The Braves will be more competitive (financially and on the field) next season than they have been in at least half a decade.