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Braves Notebook -- The Augusta Chronicle/Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- February/March 2002
03.29.02 Augusta Chronicle
Barring a setback in his recovery from hemorrhoid surgery, Marcus Giles
will be the Braves' opening day second baseman. While the Braves played
the Indians at Chain 'O Lakes Park in their final Grapefruit League game
before breaking camp Thursday, Giles played in a minor-league game on a
back field at Disney. "I'm a little nervous, but I'm going to play today
like it's a regular game," Giles said before the game. "But if I feel anything
at all, I won't go on the trip (to Atlanta)." Giles, who underwent surgery
eight days ago, emerged from the game feeling confident he'll be in Monday's
lineup. He played five innings without experiencing any pain and trainers
have cleared him to play this weekend in Atlanta. The plan is for Giles
to play in the two exhibition games at Turner Field over the weekend as
a final warmup, then doctors will evaluate him Monday morning.
"I'm going to be ready for opening day unless something freaky happens,"
Giles said.
03.28.02 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Giles may make opener: Second baseman Marcus Giles will play in a minor
league game today, increasing the likelihood that he will be ready to open
the season. "I don't think I'll have to go on the disabled list," said
Giles, who had hemorrhoid surgery last Thursday. "I feel fine. I just have
to be careful. Sliding is still out for right now." If Giles doesn't have
a setback, he will likely play in at least one of the two exhibition games
this weekend in Atlanta.
03.27.02 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Giles cleared for workouts: Second baseman Marcus Giles, who had hemorrhoid
surgery last Thursday, could be ready to open the season. Giles had a checkup
Tuesday and was cleared to begin full workouts. "Opening day is still a
possibility," Braves team physician Joe Chandler said. "It all depends
on how he responds to the increased activity."
03.26.02 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Giles takes swings: Second baseman Marcus Giles took batting practice
Monday for the first time since he had hemorrhoid surgery on Thursday.
Giles will go in for a checkup today, and he may be able to play when the
Braves return to Atlanta for their final exhibitions games Friday and
Saturday.
03.25.02 Augusta Chronicle
GILES OPTIMISTIC: Second baseman Marcus Giles plans to start
swinging a bat today, four days after hemorrhoid surgery. He remains optimistic
that he'll be ready by opening day. "I feel confident about it," Giles
said. "But I'm not going to be stupid. If I'm told my wound hasn't healed
and I'm a high risk for an infection, I'm not going to play."
03.24.02 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Giles' status uncertain: The Braves will likely learn in the next few
days whether second baseman Marcus Giles will be ready when the season
opens. Giles had hemorrhoid surgery on Thursday and returns to see the
doctor on Tuesday. "I don't know anything yet," Giles said. "We'll have
to decide then if I'll be on the DL or if I'll be back [by opening day]."
If Giles has to go on the disabled list, manager Bobby Cox is likely to
pick either Mark DeRosa or Keith Lockhart to start at second base against
Philadelphia on April 1.
03.22.02 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Giles sidelined: Second baseman Marcus Giles underwent hemorrhoid surgery
Thursday and is expected to be out of the Braves lineup for about a week.
"I don't know if he'll be ready for opening day or not," Cox said. Giles
has played in 11 games this spring. He is batting .226 with two home runs.
03.17.02 Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Hair-raising times: Marcus Giles, who was 2-for-3 against the Expos,
may need a smaller cap. He doesn't have much hair anymore. Giles has the
Wes Helms look, courtesy of the Braves first baseman. Helms, the team's
resident barber, gave Giles a buzz cut. The second baseman said it was
the one and only time he will let Helms do it this year. "It's just for
spring training," Giles said.
02.27.02 Augusta Chronicle
Giles is taking today off to marry his longtime girlfriend, Tracy Sonn,
at Disney's chapel. Both sides of the family are expected to attend, along
with nine or 10 of Giles' teammates, including Tim Spooneybarger and Billy
Sylvester. Not surprisingly, Giles had some trouble concentrating during
batting practice Wednesday and when his final swing produced a line
drive, he moaned, "One good ball out of 40 swings." "Wedding bell stress,"
Keith Lockhart suggested.
02.27.02 MLB.com
Giles excused: While Bobby Cox contended that Ralph Houk probably wouldn't
have excused him while he was playing for the Yankees, the Braves skipper
is allowing Marcus Giles to get married on Thursday to Tracy Sonn. The
wedding will take place at Disney's Wedding Pavilion. Cox said that he
was probably going to start Mark DeRosa in Giles' place at second base
on Thursday. Giles will be back for Friday's game against the Marlins.
02.24.02 Augusta Chronicle
Shortstop Wilson Betemit is the organization's top prospect, but it's
unlikely he's going to win a job this spring. The team is committed to
second baseman Marcus Giles, which would seem to eliminate Betemit forcing
shortstop Rafael Furcal to second base, at least for now.
02.21.02 Associated Press
Braves second baseman Marcus Giles, who said he was going to marry
his high school sweetheart, Tracy Sonn, on March 19, Atlanta's only off-day
of the spring, has changed his mind and moved up the date. Giles said Thursday
he will get married instead on Feb. 28. That's the same day the Braves
open their spring schedule against the University of Georgia. "I guess
I'll miss it," he said. Giles said the ceremony will be "small, quiet and
sweet." Several teammates plan to attend, including Damian Moss, Wes Helms,
Mark DeRosa, Jason Marquis and Tim Spooneybarger. Also on hand will be
brother Brian, an outfielder with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and his parents
as well as his bride-to-be's parents. "We'll have dinner and some cake,"
said Giles, adding that he would have a full-fledged reception after the
season in his hometown of San Diego.
02.19.02 Augusta Chronicle
Second baseman Marcus Giles will be busy on March 19, the club's only
day off this spring. He plans to marry his high school sweetheart, Tracy
Sonn, in Sarasota, Fla., though the couple's honeymoon will be delayed
until after the season. Giles plans to rejoin the Braves for a night game
the next day against the Indians.
02.16.02 Augusta Chronicle
EARLY BIRDS: Position players don't have to report until Tuesday, but
second baseman Marcus Giles has been here for several days working on his
hitting. Why did he arrive so early?
"I was bored at home," he said. "I had to get out of the house."