May 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The offensive eruption that carried the Braves to a sweep at Colorado was reduced to a fizzle Monday night at Wrigley Field, which made a couple of mistakes by Tommy Hanson especially costly. Bryan LaHair and Ian Stewart hit consecutive homers off Hanson in the fourth inning and the Chicago Cubs went on to beat the Braves 5-1 to open a three-game series on a night fog rolled in and Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez was thrown out. "I felt good," said Hanson (3-3), who left trailing g 2-1 after six innings. "Obviously wasn't good enough. The back-to-back homers didn't help the cause, and that was all they needed.""
April 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson started a postseason game in 2010, so he didn't bite when someone asked if pitching opening day Thursday against the New York Mets would be comparable to a playoff start. "I don't think so, to be honest with you," he said. He's also been a top-rated prospect, an up-and-comer who once dominated the Arizona Fall League, a kid who was the talk of baseball at the outset of his rookie season in 2009, and a pitcher who was so good in last season's first half (10-4, 2.44 ERA) that folks around baseball agreed he deserved to be on the All-Star team, though he wasn't selected."
April 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson's spring training was a wreck (literally) at the beginning, but impressive in the middle and satisfying at the end. On Saturday the right-hander was named the Braves' opening day starter. "I'm real excited — it's a huge honor," said Hanson, who was told by manager Fredi Gonzalez on Saturday morning, a few hours before his final Grapefruit League start against Detroit. "I wasn't really expecting it, so when I found out I was really excited and I'm definitely looking forward to it. It's a pretty big deal." He allowed five hits and two runs in six innings of a rain-shortened 2-1 loss to the Tigers, and was pleased with the progress of the sinker he's worked on and threw"
March 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
While the Braves still haven't announced their opening day starter, signs now point to Tommy Hanson as the man who could get the assignment. Manager Fredi Gonzalez rearranged the rotation order after the Braves' day off Monday, and Hanson will make his last spring-training start Saturday against Detroit. That would put him on pace –on regular four days' rest — to start the April 5 season opener against the Mets in New York."
March 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Chipper Jones and Dr. Marvin Royster convened Monday for another knee surgery on the Braves third baseman, who had a successful arthroscopic procedure for torn meniscus and hopes to be back for the April 13 home opener against Milwaukee. "So far, so good," Jones said in a text message to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. "A little groggy." It was the sixth knee surgery for Jones, who announced last week he would retire after the 2012 season, his 19th in the majors. The future Hall of Famer, who'll be 40 next month, has played his entire career with the Braves and is the only switch-hitter in major league history with at least a .300 average and 450 home runs."
March 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
While other Braves enjoy a day off Monday, Tommy Hanson will pitch five innings in a minor league game at the team's Wide World of Sports spring training complex. It's the only off day on the Braves' Grapefruit League schedule, but it's also Hanson's regular day to pitch and the Braves wanted to keep him and the rest of their starters on schedule. Hanson allowed one hit, one unearned run and one walk in four innings Wednesday against Washington, only his second official start of spring. He missed the first 10 days of camp recovering from a concussion and was rained out in the second inning of his first start."
March 5
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
While their top pitching prospects got pounded at Lakeland on Sunday, one of the Braves' best starting pitchers took another step toward returning. Tommy Hanson threw five minutes of batting practice at the Braves' training site in Lake Buena Vista, the first time he faced hitters since a Feb. 20 one-car accident left Hanson with a Grade 1 concussion. Braves officials said Hanson looked and felt good during the session. He'll do the same thing Tuesday, then increase his workload if all goes as planned."
February 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson's early spring training has been all about dealing with and answering questions about a concussion, and it's clear the Braves pitcher is getting tired of it. Fortunately for Hanson, things could soon be back to normal. After getting a good report when he took the ImPact concussion test for a second time since his Feb. 19 car accident, he ramped up his running and throwing Monday morning before going to a doctor in the afternoon for what he hoped would be a final clearance."
February 26
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson has missed six days of workouts since suffering a concussion in a one-car accident Monday, but the big right-hander believes he'll be ready to go by Opening Day. "It'll only be a week off," said Hanson, who could suit up as soon as Monday, though not for full activities. "I was throwing 50-pitch bullpens before I came down here [to spring training], so I don't' think a week off is going to set me back too much. "After I start throwing for a couple of days, I think I'll be back where I would have been last week. Most of the time at the end of spring training, that last week is kind of extra anyway. So I don't think it'll be a problem. I feel like I'll be ready.""
February 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
As Tommy Hanson's car careened down an embankment and across a field Monday morning, the Braves pitcher wasn't thinking about his career or his life being in danger. "I was just trying to get the car to stop," said Hanson, who wasn't sure what caused the blowout of his right-front tire that he said sent him barreling off a curve on a road near the Braves' spring-training site. "I couldn't get it to stop. I don't know if it was because the tires were flat, or just that I was in a car in a bunch of soft sand and dirt. But I went for a while, probably 90 feet.""
February 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson and the Braves got a scare Monday morning when the pitcher drove off the road in a one-car accident that left him with a possible concussion. The Braves were awaiting test results. The incident occurred at about 7 a.m., three hours before the Braves' first spring-training workout for pitchers and catchers at ESPN's Wide World of Sports on the edge of Disney World outside Orlando. Hanson told Braves officials that he blew a tire while rounding a curve near the team training site. He had his car towed and made it to camp in time for a 9:30 a.m. team meeting, before a 10 a.m. practice for pitchers and catchers. He didn't work out. "I heard at about 7:40," Braves manager Fredi"
February 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The first time Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson faces Braves hitters at spring training this month, they might not recognize him. Gone is the distinctive pause in the right-hander's throwing motion, the unusual hitch that perhaps contributed to a shoulder injury that wiped out much of the second half of his promising 2011 season. "Some of the fatigue that he had, some of the back issues and shoulder issues, we wanted to see if we could make some adjustments and do some delivery work that would take that stress off," said pitching coach Roger McDowell, who worked with Hanson to modify his delivery."
February 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
columnist David O'Brien
"
When a reporter mentioned this week that Jason Heyward had dropped about 20 pounds during the offseason and asked Chipper Jones if he'd noticed a difference in Heyward's physique and how it affected his swing, Jones smiled and pretty much scoffed. For the record, the nearly 6-foot-5 right fielder has gone from an imposing, chiseled 256 pounds to a chiseled, imposing 235. In terms to which some of our readers may better relate, Heyward's gone from D-1 defensive end to D-1 tight end."
September 27
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson did not throw a bullpen as planned on Monday because he is still experiencing some lingering soreness in his scapula, behind his troublesome pitching shoulder. So the Braves will ditch any plans to pitch Hanson in the final regular season game on Wednesday if they have managed to clinch a wildcard spot by then. And at this point, Hanson is doubtful to pitch in a potential Division Series game for the Braves. Jair Jurrjens, on the other hand, still has a chance. He is scheduled to make a second start in the Instructional League in Florida on Thursday, going 70 pitches or four or five innings. If all goes well, the Braves might consider him for a potential Game 3 or 4 start on"
September 20
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens took steps Monday toward returning to the Braves' rotation, but time remains their biggest obstacle. The Braves indicate a decent chance that Hanson (shoulder) could return in time to make a regular-season start and be a rotation candidate for the division series, provided they hold on to win the wild card and make the postseason. Jurrjens (knee) probably wouldn't be an option unless the Braves advanced beyond the first round of the postseason. Hanson threw two simulated innings in the team's Instructional League at Orlando, after throwing three bullpen sessions last week in Atlanta. "Tommy threw great today," Braves manager Fred Gonzalez said. "Third-four"
September 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson threw his third and final bullpen of the week and now plans to head down to Orlando to make a start in the Braves' instructional league as he continues his comeback attempt. The Braves are holding out hope he could give them another option in the postseason rotation but need to get him in a game before the season ends to find out if he's ready."
September 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson threw his third and final bullpen of the week and now plans to head down to Orlando to make a start in the Braves' instructional league as he continues his comeback attempt. The Braves are holding out hope he could give them another option in the postseason rotation but need to get him in a game before the season ends to find out if he's ready."
September 14
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
There's a chance Jair Jurrjens has worked his last inning of 2011, and that doesn't augur well for a team that stands to play beyond the 162nd game. But the Braves can win the Division Series without Jurrjens if — and this is a mammoth "if" — Tommy Hanson is OK. A team doesn't need four starters in Round 1. Figure Tim Hudson starts Games 1 and 4, Hanson (assuming he's healthy) works Games 2 and 5, and Derek Lowe or Brandon Beachy or Mike Minor gets Game 3. The Braves can win with that rotation."
September 6
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Braves don't know if they'll get Tommy Hanson or Jair Jurrjens back in their starting rotation before or during the postseason, but developments Sunday and Monday at least gave them some hope. Jurrjens flew to Colorado over the weekend for a second opinion on his injured right knee from Dr. Richard Steadman, who concurred with the original diagnosis of a bone bruise and no other structural damage. However, Jurrjens said he was advised not to throw off a mound for another two weeks, which would make it difficult for the right-hander to prepare and show he's ready for the first round of the playoffs that starts Oct. 1. "He's going to try a different brace and continue his rehab and try"
August 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson had another MRI on his sore shoulder Friday, after which he and Braves heard words no pitcher wants to hear: tear in the rotator cuff. The Braves, however, said the specific type of injury that Hanson has – a small undersurface rotator cuff tear – usually doesn't require surgery, and general manager Frank Wren said the team remained hopeful that Hanson "can return in the next few weeks." But with just 30 games left in the regular season, it's uncertain if there's enough time left for Hanson to make it back even if he has no further setbacks. He's been on the disabled list nearly three weeks and hasn't pitched since Aug. 6."
August 15
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
After holding out hope that sore-shouldered pitcher Tommy Hanson would be ready following a cortisone shot and four extra days' rest, the Braves reconsidered Sunday and placed him on the disabled list. Hanson was DL'd for right-shoulder tendinitis for the second time in two months. He came back strong from a June DL stint, and the Braves hope he will again beginning with a planned Aug. 22 start against the Cubs in Chicago. "I think it's just the right thing to do, give him a little extra time," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "He hasn't even thrown a bullpen yet, so we're going to take our time." Prospect Randall Delgado will be recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to make a spot start in"
August 11
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
An MRI examination of pitcher Tommy Hanson's sore shoulder showed no structural damage, and the Braves hope he can avoid another stint on the disabled list and start Tuesday against San Francisco. After being checked by doctors Tuesday in Atlanta, he was diagnosed with tendinitis and given a cortisone injection in his pitching shoulder for the second time in two months. Hanson got an injection in June for another bout with tendinitis that landed him on the 15-day DL. "He took a shot and hopefully that calms everything down," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Right now, we're still hoping for Tuesday." If he isn't ready to pitch Tuesday, Gonzalez said the rotation could be shuffled again"
August 10
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson left the team and returned to Atlanta to have his sore shoulder examined Tuesday, a move manager Fredi Gonzalez characterized as precautionary. "They'll do the whole workup on him and see what's there, see if there's a problem," Gonzalez said. "No matter how the evaluation goes, we're going to go ahead and bump him back." Hanson, who was scheduled to start Friday against the Chicago Cubs, is now penciled in to start Tuesday against San Francisco, pending the outcome of the exam. Mike Minor will move up a day to start Friday and still be on regular rest because of Thursday's off day in the schedule. Hanson allowed seven runs in 3-1/3 innings Saturday at New York"
August 9
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
If Tommy Hanson's shoulder is bothering him, the Braves want to know. Gonzalez said he and pitching coaching Roger McDowell would talk with Hanson and determine whether the right-hander needs to skip a start or have his scheduled turn Friday moved back. Hanson gave up seven runs in 3-1/3 innings Saturday at New York and fell to 1-3 with an 8.10 ERA in five starts since the All-Star break, after going 10-4 with a 2.44 ERA before the break. After Saturday's game, Hanson declined to discuss whether he was having any should problems. The right-hander had a 15-day DL stint in June for rotator-cuff tendinitis in the shoulder."
August 8
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Braves have no immediate plans to skip Tommy Hanson's next scheduled start after he gave up four home runs in a seven-run outing and showed some signs that his right shoulder might be bothering him again. Hanson stopped short of saying he was feeling any discomfort similar to the tendinitis that put him on the disabled list in June. But he didn't deny it either. When asked if his shoulder was bothering him again, Hanson said he wasn't going to make excuses and then later said: "I don't even want to talk about it, to be honest with you." The Braves have an off day Thursday and would have had the option to bring Mike Minor back on regular rest Friday in Hanson's spot against the Cubs."
July 12
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Choosing Phillies ace Roy Halladay over Jair Jurrjens as the National League All-Star starter was not something that rankled Braves All-Stars, as all of them including Jurrjens acknowledged Halladay worthy of the honor bestowed upon him Monday by Giants manager Bruice Bochy. But not selecting Tommy Hanson to the All-Star team? That's something Bochy, the NL manager, would have a hard time explaining to the Braves. "I know everybody's saying Tommy should be here, too," Jurrjens, said during All-Star media day Monday. "In my heart, and with a lot of people around the league, we know that Tommy deserves to be here. But stuff happens. Sometimes you scratch your head and just let it go.""
June 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson's second bullpen session Sunday was better than the first two days earlier, and the Braves right-hander was excited about returning from the DL to start Tuesday. He missed two starts recovering from rotator-cuff tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. "It feels good," Hanson said. "Just getting back my game. It's been a couple of weeks. I just want to get back out there and hopefully pick up where I left off." He's 8-4 with a 2.48 ERA that is the third-lowest among NL starters behind teammate Jair Jurrjens (2.07) and Phillies ace Roy Halladay (2.40). Hanson is coming back without making a minor-league rehab start. After resting nearly a week, he's thrown two flat-ground sessions"
June 25
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson was to throw a side session in the bullpen just before Friday's game at San Diego, his first time throwing from the mound since going on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. He is scheduled to start Tuesday at Seattle, the first day Hanson is eligible to come off the DL. He had no discomfort the day after a flat-ground throwing session Wednesday, and went into Friday's session confident. "Everything's good," said Hanson (8-4), whose 2.48 ERA ranked second in the league before Friday, behind teammate Jair Jurrjens' 2.11. "I don't think there's going to be any problems. I think it's fine. It was just inflammation and it went down. I don't think it's going to come"
June 24
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson was encouraged enough by three consecutive days of catch that the Braves sent left-hander Mike Minor back to Triple-A Gwinnett and penciled Hanson in to start Tuesday in Seattle. Hanson has missed two starts while on the disabled list nursing shoulder tendinitis. A cortisone shot and rest have helped, and Hanson said his shoulder felt good after 50 long tosses and 25 pitches on flat ground Wednesday. "Felt really good," Hanson said. "All my pitches actually felt really good too. So hopefully I can stay right there." Hanson plans to throw a bullpen session on Friday in San Diego and if need be another light one on Sunday. But the way things are proceeding, he expects to get"
June 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson was encouraged enough by three consecutive days of catch that the Braves sent left-hander Mike Minor back to Triple-A Gwinnett and penciled Hanson in to start Tuesday in Seattle. Hanson has missed two starts while on the disabled list nursing shoulder tendinitis. A cortisone shot and rest have helped, and Hanson said his shoulder felt good after 50 long tosses and 25 pitches on flat ground Wednesday. "Felt really good," Hanson said. "All my pitches actually felt really good too. So hopefully I can stay right there." Hanson plans to throw a bullpen session on Friday in San Diego and if need be another light one on Sunday. But the way things are proceeding, he expects to get"
June 18
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Coming off one of his most dominant starts, Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson had his three-game winning streak put on pause Friday when he went on the 15-day disabled list with shoulder tendinitis. An MRI of his right shoulder showed no structural damage, but he has inflammation of the posterior rotator cuff and agreed with Braves officials it should be taken care of than continuing to pitch through discomfort. "It's been bothering me probably, like, the last three starts," said Hanson, who went 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA and .123 opponents' average in his past three starts, including a career-high 14 strikeouts in seven innings Sunday at Houston. "Just in-between starts and getting loose. Once I get"
June 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The last thing the injury-riddled Braves needed was a health issue with one of their young aces. They got it Thursday. Tommy Hanson was scratched from his scheduled Friday start due to tendinitis in his pitching shoulder. Prospect Randall Delgado will arrive from Double-A Mississippi to make his major league debut with a start Friday against the Texas Rangers at Turner Field. Hanson (8-4) had a career-high 14 strikeouts in seven innings Sunday at Houston, becoming the first pitcher in franchise history to record that many strikeouts in seven innings or fewer. He had a 1.42 ERA and .123 opponents' average in three June starts, all wins. "He's going to miss a start," manager Fredi Gonzalez"
June 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The Braves hope they're finally seeing the return of Dan Uggla, and the Astros are happy they won't see Tommy Hanson again anytime soon. Uggla hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Hanson had a career-high 14 strikeouts in seven innings of a 4-1 win against Houston on Sunday, as the Braves equaled a season-high six-game winning streak. Brian McCann added a two-run homer for the Braves, who are 7-2 on a 10-game trip and go for a four-game sweep of the Astros on Monday night. "We gave him a little cushion early, and then Mac added on to that," Uggla said. "Tommy took care of the rest." Hanson (8-4) allowed three hits, one run and two walks while collecting the most strikeouts by a"
April 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
A long Braves trip that began with alarming, excruciating losses against the Dodgers in Los Angeles, ended with two blowout wins in San Diego after a sweep of the World Series champion Giants in San Francisco. In the end, this 10-day, 10-game tour of California proved rejuvenating for the Bravos. "Yeah, I think right now we have a lot of confidence as a team," said pitcher Tommy Hanson, who had 10 strikeouts in seven innings during a 7-0 win against the Padres on Wednesday afternoon that gave the Braves a series win and capped a 6-4 trip. "Obviously, L.A. we wish had been better. But these last two series have been great. So hopefully we'll go into this off day [Thursday], get a short"
April 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
After two punchless weekend performances against Philadelphia, the Braves rediscovered their offense Tuesday night against Florida and finally gave Tommy Hanson some support. Too bad so few were there to see it. Jason Heyward and Brian McCann hit long home runs, and Hanson pitched seven strong innings in a 5-0 series-opening win over the Marlins at Turner Field before the smallest crowd (13,865) in the ballpark's 14-season history. Chipper Jones had two RBIs to raise his career total to 1,499 and help Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez win his first regular-season game against Florida since the Marlins fired him in June. "We did a little bit of everything tonight," Jones said. "We hit the long"
April 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson had to figure Saturday was not his day, when the best part of his outing came with hail falling, just moments before umpires halted his first start of 2011 after 3 2/3 innings. Hanson had two strikes on Jayson Werth and was the closest to getting him out he'd been all day. Hanson had given up two doubles to Werth, including one to start the decisive three-run third inning in Hanson's loss, 6-3 to the Nationals. "White hail, I'm sure he couldn't see the ball, and it was blowing in his face," Hanson said. "He kept stepping out. I was good. I could have kept pitching." As it was reliever, Cristhian Martinez had to finish the Werth at-bat 55 minutes later after the weather delay,"
March 21
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson's next scheduled start Monday against the Mets has been pushed back two days because of back soreness, but Hanson said it was minor. He'll still be on schedule to make his first start of the season Saturday, April 2 against the Nationals. "My back has been iffy so I'm just going to pitch Wednesday," Hanson said. "Just get a couple extra days." He said he'd felt some stiffness in his back but by Sunday afternoon, it felt fine. Two off days in the next two weeks - Tuesday and then on April 1 in Washington - gave him some built-in flexibility anyway, so he'll take his extra time now. Instead of making his originally-scheduled spring training start Monday against the Mets in Port"
March 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson retired the last 10 batters he faced and gave up only two hits and one run in five innings of the Braves' 4-3 win against the Boston Red Sox at Champion Stadium. After Marco Scutaro homered on the second pitch of the game, Hanson set down 15 of the next 16 batters, a streak interrupted only by Ryan Kalish's second-inning single. Hanson doesn't buy into the stuff about spring training being too long for starting pitchers. "For me, the more times I go out there, the better," said the right-hander, who has a 1.29 ERA in 14 innings, allowing nine hits and one walk with nine strikeouts. " I feel like I'm pretty close right now. Obviously I still have some stuff to work on, but I"
March 2
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson went five consecutive starts last year while allowing at most an earned run in at least six innings and couldn't win. He managed only two wins in 16 starts after the All-Star break last year despite a 2.51 ERA. So to pitch two scoreless innings in spring training game Tuesday and come away with a win, 3-0 over the Astros? Hey, it's spring training rules….and Hanson is due. The hard-throwing right hander showed the same aggressiveness he used to dominate the second half last year and set the tone for his spring with a solid debut. Hanson threw 18 of his 25 pitches for strikes. He allowed two hits, but one was after Freddie Freeman failed to cover first base for an infield hit."
February 1
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Don't let the overgrown offseason beard fool you. Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson has been working hard this offseason, taking advantage of some new resources available to him. Hanson spent the winter in Southern California working out at the Boras Sports Training Institute with a team of trainers. Hanson changed agents last summer to Boras and said at the time, it was about more than money, but access to Boras' staff of trainers, nutritionists and a sports psychologist. Hanson went to California for a week with the intention of getting familiar with a new workout program and coming back to Atlanta, where he's now makes his permanent home and where his family has moved from Redlands, CA."
September 13
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Tommy Hanson has had his share of hard luck this season. His 9-11 record next to a 3.54 ERA is pretty good indication. Here's an even better one: Six times this season, he's left a game in position to win and watched the bullpen blow his lead. That's second-most in the majors behind Florida's Josh Johnson, whose Marlins have blown seven of his leads. It happened to Hanson again on Saturday night after he pitched seven innings, allowing only two runs and left Jonny Venters with a 3-2 lead. A Martin Prado error prolonged the eighth inning as the Cardinals tied it 3-3 on a groundout off Peter Moylan. The Braves went on to win in extra innings, not that Hanson places a lot of blame on the"
July 29
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson signed with agent Scott Boras last week, making him the third of five starters in the Braves rotation who are clients of baseball's mega-agent, along with Derek Lowe and Jair Jurrjens. Such a move can be viewed by fans as a sign that Hanson will be difficult to sign long-term, and Boras has a reputation for being dogged in seeking top dollar for his clients. "I think that's everyone's general opinion of him, but after you sit down and talk to him, I don't think that's the case at all," Hanson said. "He's going to be there to tell you what he thinks is the best decision for you to make and it's up to you whether you want to make that decision or not." Hanson is"
July 3
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
After being roughed up in back-to-back outings against the White Sox and Tigers, Tommy Hanson takes the mound against the Marlins Saturday looking to re-group. It starts, Hanson said, with a change in attitude. He wants to get back to being the aggressive pitcher who didn't worry about an inch here or there in the strike zone. "I think I was trying to make perfect pitches," Hanson said of allowing nine and six runs in 3 2/3 innings each in his past two starts. "I was trying to put certain pitches in tiny little spots, and by doing that I wasn't really throwing the pitch. Maybe it made it a little flatter. Instead of just being aggressive and if I throw it over the plate, I throw it over"
June 28
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
For the second time in six days, Braves pitcher Tommy Hanson failed to make it out of the fourth inning and put his team in a hole so deep there was little chance of climbing out. Considering he's one of their top starting pitchers, this could be a problem. Hanson was charged with six runs, five earned, in 3-2/3 innings of Sunday's 10-4 loss against Detroit on Sunday at Turner Field, only the second loss for the Braves in their past 18 home games. Hanson has allowed 21 hits and 15 runs, 14 earned, in 7-1/3 innings of his past two starts, losses to the Chicago White Sox and Tigers."
June 23
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
The last time pitcher Tommy Hanson got whacked around like he was Tuesday night, the Braves overcame it with a remarkable seven-run, ninth-inning rally capped by Brooks Conrad's walk-off grand slam. In Tuesday's 9-6 loss against the Chicago White Sox, Conrad was involved in another highly improbable play: A bouncing grounder went down the front of his jersey while he was playing third base in the fourth inning. That potential third-out grounder turned into a single, and two batters later Carlos Quentin blasted Hanson's first-pitch, belt-high fastball for a three-run homer and a 9-3 lead. "Just ridiculous," said Conrad, standing shirtless in the clubhouse, a red mark visible on the right"
June 17
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
"
Roll Tommy Hanson out of bed, and he's ready to beat another American League East team, or so it would seem. The trick came in handy Wednesday night as Hanson dominated the Tampa Bay Rays in a 6-2 win to move to 4-0 in his young career in interleague play, all against the AL East. Hanson cooled off a Rays lineup that had scored 10 runs the night before by pitching seven shutout innings in one of his best outings of the season. "I know if I'm commanding my pitches and my stuff is working, on any day, I could go out and compete with anybody," Hanson said. "I think this was more so one of those days where all of my pitches were working. I felt like I could throw them in any count, in any spot"