Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > May > 22 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMets are a major league mess
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Working with half a pitching staff, the Braves awoke Thursday two games ahead of the Mets. This tells us much about the Braves, and it tells us more about the Mets. It tells us the Mets are done.
For 2 1/4 seasons the Mets have acted as if they’re the National League’s best team, but the cold truth is that they haven’t been anything special since 2006. They fell to historic pieces last fall — 12 losses in their final 17 games — and this year, when they are supposed to prove that collapse was an epic fluke, they’ve proved only that they’re both overheated and undermanaged.
It takes a special sort of club to thrive in New York, and the Mets aren’t it. They have a fractious clubhouse — last week closer Billy Wagner railed at teammates for their lack of accountability — and a manager who once seemed nobly stoic but who has been revealed as serially maladroit.
Willie Randolph couldn’t arrest his team’s slide last September, and over the weekend he was quoted by The Record of Hackensack, N.J., as wondering whether the criticism of him was racially based. He has since sought to distance himself from those sentiments, telling reporters before Wednesday’s loss at Turner Field, “I shouldn’t have said what I said. It was a mistake.”
And here, not for the first or even the hundredth time, we see why the Braves remain the gold standard of communal harmony. They don’t throw 25 players together without consideration for compatibility. (Remember when Sports Illustrated hailed Mets GM Omar Minaya as a “Mixmaster”?) The manager never creates problems; he defuses them. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in 30 years of hanging around clubhouses, it’s that mood absolutely matters.
I don’t know if the Braves will win the NL East. They can’t possibly hold up over 162 games with such a short pitching staff. (Can they?) But there’s a chance the Braves will get healthy. There seems little chance that the Mets will get serene.
Permalink | Comments (135) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
Comments
By jmart1951
May 22, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this
I was at both games Tuesday. I commented to a friend at the first game that I had never seen a professional baseball team so lethargic. The Mets seem to be going through the motions. Perhaps Church’s shots at Escobar Tuesday were an effort to inflame a situation to the point that it energized the Mets. That’s desparation.
By Drew
May 22, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Honestly, I think that Willie Randolph will be the first NL manager to go this season. Prediction: Mets are 10 games under .500 at the All-star break.
Nice to see Frenchy finally heat up. Maybe he’ll be the new Larry Jones against the NL East once Chipper hangs ‘em up.
By geekboy
May 22, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
The Mets are so messed up that they were able to convert All-World Ace Johan Santana into a mere mortal. His numbers are no better than Ervin Santana’s!
I saw a stat the other day that said Reyes is batting .250 since July of last year … that is part of their prob.
Let’s hope the underperforming Mets keep it up for a couple more months.
By hop
May 22, 2008 9:56 AM | Link to this
METS ARE TOTAL MESS! THEY HAVE VIRTUALLY NO LEADERSHIP IN THE CLUBHOUSE AND THE FIELD AND A GM WHO HAS SPENT A TON OF MONEY HAS LITTLE TO SHOW FOR IT!
By Braves stink
May 22, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
Too bad for the Braves they have to play games on the road, where they flat out stink. The Mets will without a doubt finish ahead of the Braves as long as they are led by Bobby Cox and have a clubhouse full of major league bores like Chipper, Glavine and Smolts. Can’t wait to see Tex as a Met next year.
By rlinaug
May 22, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
I’d always kind of liked Randolph—even when he played on those Yankee teams that I hated, I always kind of liked him—until he brought up race. Last year, his team closed the season by losing a bigger lead in a shorter amount of time than any team major league history. This year, they’re underperforming, badly, and have a fractious clubhouse. Yet he wants to say, “Is it racial? Huh? It smells a little bit. … I don’t know how to put my finger on it, but I think there’s something there.”
In truth, race probably played a role when the Mets hired him. But it will have nothing to do with it when the Mets fire him.
By Jon
May 22, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this
The Mets look so dreary it’s not even any fun to beat them anymore.
By Let's Go (nowhere) Mets!
May 22, 2008 10:01 AM | Link to this
Hey Met fans: are you still out there? We Braves’ fans sure do miss your arrogant remarks on our Braves blogs. Awwwah, what’s the matter? Can’t take the fact that your team stinks? Well take a good whiff (sorry if I just offended Carlos Delgado). Watch out for the Nats, Mets fans.
By Scott Hornibrook
May 22, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BOBBY COX ! THE BEST MANAGER IN BASEBALL…!
By Timothy
May 22, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Willie Randolph has proven in the last couple of seasons that he can manage through the good times where everything is clicking on all cylinders with the NY Mets. Now it is time to see if he can right the ship through these times when there is a skip in the engine. I believe that he can if given enough time. He has the talent on the team, but what can he do with a team with the injuries and lackadiscal (sp) effort that his team is putting forward.
This is not about race…this is, however, about giving the man enough time to right the ship. Randolph is a good manager, but he needs to prove it in this time of turmoil.
That being said…I am still an ATL Braves fan and am wondering who will take over the team when Bobby Cox, the greatest manager in MLB, retires (at the end of this season?). If Randolph is available, maybe he should be consider. Just a thought.
By Lee in S. GA
May 22, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
I actually feel like the Mets could drop as much as 4th place within the division by season’s end. The Marlins are a much improved younger team that now has a taste for winning. This will be the team that presents the most problems to the Braves. I do worry a little about the starting pitching for the Braves during the 2nd half of the season. The bullpen seems a little up-in-the-air with the uncertainly of who stays…..and who goes…..when Smoltz, Gonzo and Soriano will come back.
By Charles
May 22, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
I bet resident Mets cheerleader/Fox sportscaster Tim McCarver is crying in his Grapenuts cereal this morning.
By Jim
May 22, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this
Hey “Braves stink “. Go ahead and overpay for Tex next year, we don’t care. The Muts have a long history of overpaid busts (remember Mo Vaughn?, Bobby Bonilla?) We’ll plug somebody else into first base and still kick your a*******es. Need I remind you that Tex hasn’t even hit very well yet this season and we’re still kicking your Butts!
By Barry
May 22, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this
I’ve been saying all spring that the Mets are D.O.A. Rick Sutcliffe had the nerve to say last night on national television that the Mets were still the team to beat.
Please. Is he drinking again?
They’re old and they just aren’t that good. I’m not impressed with their line-up or their bullpen. Outside of Santana, who showed that he’s vunerable last season with the Twins, their starters are weak AT BEST. Pedro is done. Pelfrey needs to be in Triple-A.
Who else is in their rotation?
EXACTLY.
If I were Billy Wagner, I’d be angry too.
Sutcliffe is dead wrong. The Braves are the class of the NL East. I don’t say that because I’m a Braves fan. I say that because it’s a fact. Look at the numbers the Braves are putting up as a team and they speak volumes about how good this team is. They’re tops in the NL in ERA, batting average, slugging, on-base percentage, runs allowed, homers allowed, etc. They are complete. They are balanced. I think they need more speed, but outside of that, they’re a good team. They aren’t Boston, but they can hold their own.
So they’ve lost alot of road games and one-run games. So what? The gods of baseball have frowned upon the Braves in the early going. What are they, 1-12 in one-run games? That’s a fluke. That’s just weird.
As far as the Mets are concerned, I feel Randolf will still be the manager when the Braves face them again in August, but I doubt he’ll be preparing for the post-season. If they can’t beat the Phils, Marlins or Braves, how will they survive in this division?
That’s why I said in March they were D.O.A. and I’ve seen nothing after 45 games that will make me change my tune.
By Marty McFly
May 22, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
I reccommend we send Hank Aaron to petition is friend Bud Selig to let the Braves play all their remaining games at home.
By REAL TALK
May 22, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Hey “Braves Stink”, Why don’t you move back home up North. The mets are a Joke and always have been. The Mets are still the red headed step child in your own city. METS STINK! There team Motto is “There’s always next year” Go Home Yankee! Go Braves.
By Mets are Flushing
May 22, 2008 10:37 AM | Link to this
Let’s take a look at the Mets:
Besides Yoo-Hoo Santana and John Maine, they have nothing in the way of starting pitching (Ollie “The Faucet” Pereez runs either hot or cold). At catcher, furure Hall of Famer Brian Schneider, first base Carload Delgado, second base, Luis Castoff; at short, the talented but underachieving “Jose, Jose, Jose, Jose” Reyes; at third, David Wright (this guy’s the real deal!); in right Ryan (dirty slide and medicore) Church; in center, the highly overpaid Carlos Belchtran; and in right Moises “I just hurt myself again” Alou. Small wonder these clowns will be battling the Nats for 4th in 2008.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
One more thing …
Mark Bradley says the Braves have half a pitching staff. I’ll give that to you, but history has shown that the Braves can go to the farm and pull a few guys up and find at least one winner.
Not to mention, the Braves might be able to acquire a hired gun when teams start off-loading after the break.
Come on, baby! We’ll be there!
By Coach (Braves in 2008 to the playoffs)
May 22, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this
Mark Bradley, Ditto. You sir are right on the money. The Mets are dead meat and they know it.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this
Hey BRAVES STINK …
It’s Smoltz. Remember the correct spelling. You’ll be seeing it in Cooperstown in a few years.
At least our players don’t pee on their hands.
Yes, Moises Alou said in an interview a few years ago that he peed on his hands to make them tough. No kidding. Look it up.
That’s just wrong.
He needs to pee on some of his teammates. Maybe they’ll get tough, too.
By Jim
May 22, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this
“Mets are Flushing”….that was good stuff…had me rolling.
By Braves Stink
May 22, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
I would move back north, but I’m too busy taking your jobs and taking down your girls. Fish in a barrel against you southern clowns. Braves stink, only thing Bobby Cox has ever performed well at is domestic assault and DUI.
By Jim
May 22, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
And please note that the Braves “half a pitching staff” is leading the NL in ERA…..that’s called pitching depth folks.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this
Jim …
Funny stuff. Gonna get me in trouble at work. I’m giggling in my cube, and my job isn’t that funny.
By Jim
May 22, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
“Braves Stink”…take all the McDonalds jobs and ugly fat chicks you want (most likely they are yankees too, anyway). I’m quite happy at my high paying job and with my beautiful wife.
Yankees are so stupid.
By Frank Santopadre
May 22, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
As a longtime Mets fan (30 years) and Braves hater, I wanted to disagree with this article.
But it’s 100% true. What can I say? Nice work and accurate reporting, Mr. B.
Our team is made up of under-achieving malcontents and our overmatched manager simply can’t hold a candle to Bobby Cox (and that’s the more polite expression. I’m sure you all know the other one).
Frank
By Bowie
May 22, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
Mark, I see your point and agree to some degree. Remember its still early… anything can and does happen. The Braves are Hot right now, but we still have some problems that need fixing. Go Braves!
By STRETCH
May 22, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this
Barry, i agree with ya on that! I was wondering what all the hype was about when the Mets signed Santana.
The guy won like what 15 games, but lost 12?…very average season last year. Pedro is probably done and El Duque…wheres he at?
They lost Glavine, an experienced pitcher, and Alou is done for awhile.
The Braves are looking really good, i remember watching a spring game and saying to myself that this team has a lot of depth and balance. This team reminds me a lot of that 1995 team, that year they one it all.
And i see now, why they stocked up on pitching during the offseason…its paying off bigtime!
Both Tex and Frenchy are looking better lately. Kotsay has been a blessing. That lineup is one of the best in the NL right now!
Plus Smoltz, Soriano and Gonzo’s coming back to that bullpen(which is full of underrated guys) and going along with JJ, Hudson, Glavine, Campillo, Bennett, Jo Jo Reyes.
I really do believe this team is going to hit its stride and stay in the running for the NL East or atleast the Wild Card for the rest of the season.
Folks, if you werent excited before….NOW is a good time!
By MB
May 22, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Braves Stink,
You’re taking our jobs? You have more than one….can’t pay the bills, huh? Which girls are taking? You have pulled nothing since you’ve been here….as usual lot of talk and no action from a Mets jagoff.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
Braves Stink …
I was born in Albany, GA and I’m doing quite well living and working in Philly.
Southern clowns …
This southern clown is moving to Boston in a few weeks for more money. I guess I did purty good wit my book lernin’.
We may walk slow and we make talk slow, but we don’t think slow. I brew a pot of sweet tea everyday and I still do everything with a southern accent.
And I wear my Braves jersey in PHILLY because I remember where I came from.
Now get back to work, dude. They need more TP in the men’s room.
By CJ10
May 22, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
haha, hey “braves stink” you can always tell when a Met is ruffled and knows his team is facing really bad times… You guys turn personal and your posts have nothing to even do with baseball. BTW, what’s up with pitching to Chipper? Haven’t you idiots up there learned yet? Hurry up and build that new park so Chipper can own that place too… How’s that big payroll workin out for ya? If I were a Met fan, I’d be p** too… You guys have the worst GM and coach in all of baseball… I like how Delgado and Castillo took yall knuckleheads to the bank… What an organization. Santana will get his share today… hahaha. I love this… Go back to your own boards where your own fans are slamming your team.. That should tell you something..,lol. WOW! Go Braves! ps… If everyone weren’t so racist against yalls coach, i think yall wouldve swept us. what a joke. good luck man… hahahahaha
By Frank S
May 22, 2008 11:07 AM | Link to this
As a longtime Mets fan and Braves hater, I wanted to disagree with this article. But I can’t dispute a word of it because it’s 100% true.
Nice work, Mr. B. And accurate reporting.
Our team is made up of under-achieving malcontents and our skipper can’t carry Bobby Cox’ you-know-what.
Guilty as charged.
By KRAM
May 22, 2008 11:08 AM | Link to this
OF COURSE YOU MEAN BOBBY COX THE BEST REGULAR SESON MANAGER IN MLB WHEN THE METS DUMP WILLIE,I PRAY THE BRAVES GET HIM.WILLIE THOUGHT HE HAD A HARD TIME GETTING A JOB MANAGING BEFOR HE GOT THE METS JOB ? WAIT TILL HE BACK ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE THIS TIME. IT IS ABOUT RACE,THE PENNENT RACE, WILLIE STINKS.PLEASE RETIRE CHIPPER
By ChampDawg
May 22, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Cox using Bennett and Acosta in last nights game while up by 8 runs in the 8th clearly shows he doesn’t know squat about bullpen decisions. These games against the A’s and Muts and reason for the Braves to get over-confident. Unless Francoeur and Tex start and stay consistent at the plate and the pitching staff gets some help, the Marlins and Phils are simply much better teams… Braves finsih 3rd in the East. Been my prediction all along.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this
Well said, Frank.
Hey, I own it when the Braves suck. (See, The Dale Murphy Years and 2006: The End of an Empire)
By Braves Stink
May 22, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this
Couldn’t wait to get out of Albany, huh Barry. Don’t blame you - place stinks almost as much as the Braves. Braves stink
By Marcus
May 22, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
Too bad for the Braves they have to play games on the road, where they flat out stink. The Mets will without a doubt finish ahead of the Braves as long as they are led by Bobby Cox and have a clubhouse full of major league bores like Chipper, Glavine and Smolts. Can’t wait to see Tex as a Met next year.
1) The Mets will without a doubt go nowhere. 2) As compared to the boring Braves, the excitement in the NY clubhouse is building — which player will punch which teammate first? 3) Tex will be in NY next year — in the American League.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
ChampDawg …
I would expect as much from a Bulldogs fan.
By James
May 22, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Barry:
Funny post! Had me thinking of “OfficeSpace.”
I do not care how much the job paid, I would never wnat to live in the North.
By James
May 22, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Barry:
Funny post! Had me thinking of “OfficeSpace”.
I do not care how much the job paid, I would never want to live in the North.
By James
May 22, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this
Barry:
Funny post! Had me thinking of “OfficeSpace”.
I do not care how much the job paid, I would never want to live in the North.
By George
May 22, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
To all of the Bobby Cox critics out there: Do you think it is possible that the key reason the Braves have had such a compatible clubhouse over these many years could be the leadership? ie: Bobby Cox….
By Jim
May 22, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
“Champdawg”….. Marlins and Phillies are much better teams? I don’t agree. The Braves pitching staff leads the NL in ERA and is high in most other categories. The hitting leads the NL in batting average and is high in a lot of the other important categories. We have three very good pitchers about to come off the DL with the probability at least a couple of them will be effective. All we need is some late clutch hitting and to get more innings out of the starters and we will be fine…Both those things are looking better now. This will cure the raod blues.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this
BRAVES STINK …
I tell you what stinks.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
They’re giving the Mets a new ballpark? They need to give them some heart.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this
Did you hear about the Mets jerseys at Wal-Mart?
They were recalled because they were a choking hazard.
By James
May 22, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
I think with Bobby finally batting Escobar leadoff, the Braves have turned the corner. Frankly, if the Braves play the way they are capable of playing, the only team in the NL that worries me is the D-Backs, but you have to consider that the play in a division where three of the teams are already 10 games under .500! I think the D-Backs’ record against everyone else is 8-12.
Hudson, Glavine and Jurjenns are a great starting three. Then you have Reyes who looks better each time out. Plus, you have Carlyle, Bennett, or Campillo to round out the rotation.
The two keys for the Braves to do well are this: They have to get healthy, and stay that way. John Smoltz as the closer in the playoffs, with Gonzalez pitching the 8th sounds great. Plus, Tex and Francoeur have to start hitting. If this happens, the Braves are a legit World Series contender, no doubt about it.
One other thing: concerning ESPN—I turned that “network” off a long time ago. They are a joke. You can learn more about baseball on QVC listening to Cal Ripken, Jr. tell stroies whiles he’s selling autographed balls.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
“One other thing: concerning ESPN—I turned that “network” off a long time ago. They are a joke. You can learn more about baseball on QVC listening to Cal Ripken, Jr. tell stroies whiles he’s selling autographed balls.”
FUNNY! Good stuff!
By Barry
May 22, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
How many Mets players does it take to do the laundry?
One.
However, if there is any folding to do, then all twenty-five show up.
By Barry
May 22, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this
Queens, NY. (AP) - A seven-year old boy was at the center of a courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over whom should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulation requiring that family unity be maintained to the highest degree possible.
The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried and said that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.
After two recesses to check legal references and confer with the child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the New York Mets, whom the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.
By NS @ Kennesaw
May 22, 2008 11:56 AM | Link to this
I’m a long time Braves fan and will always be.
I say, let’s now fool around with someone else problem. Let’s focus on our approach to each team, to each pitch.
Make sure to continues our great defense and our batters continue to WORK THE PITCH regardless of who is the opposing pitcher. This way, the Bravo ensures themselves of a better chance of being on top of NL East and plays deep in to late October
GO BRAVES !!!!
By Barry
May 22, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this
Four baseball fans, each from a major league city, are climbing a mountain.
On the way to the top, each is arguing about how loyal they are to their team and what they would do for their team.
As the climb progresses, the odds increase. Upon reaching the top, the Boston fan shouts, “This is for the Sox,” and hurls himself off the top.
Next the Indians fan yells, “I love Cleveland, this is for the Indians,” and hurls himself off the mountain.
Suddenly the Braves fan yells “This is for everyone,” and pushes the Mets fan off.
By MT Braves Fan
May 22, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Hey “Braves Stink,” don’t you ever get tired of being a second-tier little girl? I mean, your lame, under-achieving, over-priced, laughably poor excuse of a baseball team will never be more than a back-page story in that cesspool city they call home! Then, you come on here, and can’t even talk intelligently about baseball? This is a baseball blog, moron, and those three “bores” and manager you mentioned: Every one a first-ballot HOF-er. So go back to your Mutts blog and whine about your racist GM and your bunch of supposed superstars, we’ve got little or no use for you on here.
By Braves 4 Life
May 22, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this
They should name the new Mets stadium, “Larry Wayne Jones Field”. (the house that Chipper built)
By GLEP
May 22, 2008 12:11 PM | Link to this
Wished you had waited till they got out of town b4 u wrote them off. Don’t count your chickens b4 they hatch is a wise old saying.If Santanna pulls one out today the Braves will only be ahead by a game;and neither has caught Florida yet. Also don’t kick a man while he’s down. It was just days ago when we came home following another disasterous road trip with our tails between our legs. Full of wonder,what went wrong? Go Braves but don’t forget what’s working for you when you return to the road.
By Mark Bradley
May 22, 2008 12:15 PM | Link to this
For all the stories about how the battlin’ A’s of the ’70s and the Martin-Munson-Jackson Yankees of that same decade won while hating one another, I’m of the opinion that nothing undoes a team faster than a bad clubhouse dynamic. Baseball teams are together for 7 1/2 months, longer if they reach the postseason. That’s a lot of time to spend in a fairly closed environment. And if you dread coming to work, it will (I believe) eventually show.
By Jim
May 22, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Honestly Mark - who gives a $@#% about the Mets and their troubles? Haven’t you learned your lesson about casting teams out yet? The Braves and their writers need to worry about the Braves and how to win on the road. Saying that a team is out of the race 1/3 of the way through the season is just plain out p** poor journalism. Geeze, reading this garbage, one would think you are actually a mets beat writer.
By James
May 22, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
I agree. Your comments make me think back to 2001: The Braves were playing uninspired, barely .500 baseball. I think you even wrote a column wondering aloud if the Braves’ run was over! Then they traded Rocker, immediately moved into first place, and hung on. Any time at any job, having coworkers you do not get along with, negatively affects your performance. The Braves have always seemed to have a laid-back clubhouse which, obviously, has benefitted them.
By fieldofdreams
May 22, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
Randolph’s comments about race are the last noteworthy thing Willie will do as Manager; there has never been a duck lamer than he is now. As for the Braves, I’m glad they have some momentum, but I doubt they can sustain it when they face the better NL teams, particularly on the road. I love ‘em but I’m not going to get too excited about a team that’s all of three games over .500.
By Braves stink
May 22, 2008 12:39 PM | Link to this
Braves are dropping a huge crap on the Mutts and the rest of the NL right now. If they keep things going this way, they will be playing in late October while both new york teams are sitting in their holmes in that dump of a city watching the Braves win it all!!!
By fieldofdreams
May 22, 2008 12:49 PM | Link to this
Hey folks, if you were hiking in the woods and saw a rattler, would you avoid it, or try to pick it up? I personally would avoid it, which is what I recommend you do with the nasty, self-loathing Met “fan” who has slithered onto our blog.
By referee
May 22, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
Barry take a break,enough. You’re not funny.
By Murphy
May 22, 2008 12:55 PM | Link to this
Keep those jokes coming Barry. Too funny.
By Matthew
May 22, 2008 12:56 PM | Link to this
Where are all those Mets fans that were talking all that smack at the beginningof teh year? You know, the ones who were breaking the teams down on paper comparing them player by player to show how superior the Mets were. Too bad games are played on teh feild and not on paper. The Mets might have better “players” per position on papaer but the Braves have a better team.
Those who object to the Bobby Cox and the Braves cool demeanor, well that is a good thing. It keeps them from gripping when things go bad and from getting overconfident when things go good. The Mets were overconfident and that caused things to start going south. When things went bad for them they started gripping, like they are now, and are unable to pull it back together.
By 75transam
May 22, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this
Stop arry— Stop
I gotta pee. that was the funniest jokes I’ve ever heard.
Keep them coming!!
By James
May 22, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
LOL at Murphy and Referee’s totally opposite back-to-back comments. I agree with Murphy: keep the jokes coming, Barry!
One other thing about the A’s and Yankees of the 70s: They did have lots of (paid-for) talent. Also, each team’s respective owner put so much pressure on them (as well as the media in NY), maybe that was the catalyst that caused the teams to come together at playoff time. A la Major League. However, both teams would go on to years of mediocre baseball not too long after their postseason glory.
By James
May 22, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this
Well,I have to go for a while…heh heh, it’s time for my lunch hour!
By LEO
May 22, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
I’m 56 and have been a Mets fan since spring training 1962. This is the worst team money can buy. They are lazy, but worse they are boring. I had more fun watching Ray Sadecki pitch in front of 5,000 at Shea in 67.
By Scoots
May 22, 2008 1:32 PM | Link to this
Teams will eventually learn that assembling a bunch of high-caliber ‘mercenaries’ does not make a good team. The Mets have failed to produce a great team, even though they’ve been able to afford the best free agents baseball has had to offer.
The Yankees were great in the late 90’s to about 2001 - they didn’t do it with high-caliber free agents. They did it with farm-system guys and veteran players. Since then, they’ve continually failed in the playoffs with the Giambis, Sheffields, A-Rods, etc.
Same thing with the Tigers - on paper, they should be great. They have 7 all-stars in their lineup, yet they are in last place in their division.
The Braves long run has featured stars that came up through the farm system and guys that have played together for several years - Good Chemistry. Bobby Cox is as classy a manager as there is out there, and the front office seems to choose character guys, and gets rid of players who don’t create good chemistry (Kenny Lofton for example).
Although Atlanta has missed the playoffs for a couple years now, they are poised for more success down the road with young stars like Franc the Tank, B-Mac, J.J. If we can hold on to these guys, plus Hudson and Teixera for the long run, this is a great core of players to build a team around year after year. And the longer they play together, the better they’ll play together.
The Mets are doomed - they have no fire, and I don’t know that Willie will last the year. Let’s kick them while they’re down, and get the sweep.
By Rob
May 22, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
I see all the BRAVES fans are jumping on the bandwagon again, just a few weeks ago you all were digging the hole to bury the team. Now, you win 3 games and you think you have won the NL east again.
Lets just put it at what its worth, this is the best and most competitive division in baseball right now, Lets enjoy the games until Sept and then we can spew. Right now, all 6 teams could win this division!!!!
By old gold
May 22, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
Great article. The Omar Minaya myth continues.
By Bob Sacamano
May 22, 2008 1:41 PM | Link to this
The problem with the Mets clubhouse is that they fill over half their team with spanish-speaking players who refuse to speak to reporters in english.
The thing is, they can all speak english, they just pretend they can’t to get out of being accountable to the press and their fans.
That’s what made Billy Wagner angry.
By dp
May 22, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
3 wins and braves fans are getting so antsy… everybody relax, take a chill pill, both teams have basically the same record so that should say alot on about your Braves considering how bad the Mets are playing… and Braves fans are cheering about that?
By Gary
May 22, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this
I watched the Braves and Mets last night and was shocked at the play of the Mets. The fielding was sloppy and most acted like they would rather be someplace else. Even their manager looked like he would rather be somewhere else. Absolutely no energy from anyone in a Mets uniform. I agree with you, that team is toast.
By SICEM
May 22, 2008 1:52 PM | Link to this
I just wanted to commend Frank RE: his 11:07 post. At least we know there are some yankees that arent smart alec punks ie. Braves stink and Metropolitan man. The truth hurts dont it boy’s ?! LOL! LOL! GO BRAVES! Here comes another 14 in a row!
By MetsSuck
May 22, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Braves Stink Only Job your taken are blow jobs
By CC
May 22, 2008 2:02 PM | Link to this
Bradley and comments about team chemistry are dead on. Watch the Brave’s dugout — they genuinely enjoy being around each other. Buddies all — or close enough.
And while we’re at it on this theme — this attitude thing is what Coach Smith is all about concerning the Falcons. Jettison the jerks and you can actually get some meaningful work done. Which is not to say they’ll storm the league this year, but at least I don’t expect them to roll their eyes every couple weeks over juvenile imbecilic tongue blather.
In the clubhouse you have two choices:
Go Braves! Go Falcons! Heck —- Go Hawks!!
And yes, Barry - keep ‘em coming. lolololololololol
By Atowna
May 22, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this
Guys we need to get off the Mets because it’s wrong to pick on the mentally challenged. I say that we need to focus on a real team in Arizona. It’s not even fun beating these overated lames that they call the mets, they are so 2nd rate. The only thing funnier than Barry’s jokes (and the mets)are the comments over on metsblog.com.
By braves in california
May 22, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this
I think is time for the braves fans to go to a met’s forum and harass them. what’s a good website to go anyone??. So far, the most stupid comment is done by sacamano.
By Mr. Know-it-all
May 22, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
Relax. Its too soon to put a toe tag on the 2008 Mets. They’re listless and unimpressive, which we all like, but the season is still young and if they’re still in a funk in the dog days we can dance on their grave at that point.
By the way, whatever happened to Brad McCann?
By Chop
May 22, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
Barry, dude you funny as crap. Don’t let referee p** all over your jokes like Alou would.
BravesStink, Typical northern albino skinned high school dropout. Go back to Harlem and protest with Al Sharpton you moron.
By Bravesfan79
May 22, 2008 2:39 PM | Link to this
“Braves finish 3rd” Another great prediction by CHUMPDAWG!
Hey CHUMPDAWG, since College Football is clearly your favorite sport (and you have the brains…errr lack of…to prove it), maybe you should focus your efforts into making your sport relevant again!
Its clear when you talk about baseball….your talking out your a$$!!
By tom
May 22, 2008 2:58 PM | Link to this
Was that Willie Randolph or Terrance Moore?
By BA
May 22, 2008 3:28 PM | Link to this
I love the way Bradley writes his article (looks like it took Captain Obvious about sixteen minutes to drum up this particular gem) then reposts something completely unrelated to what his bloggers are talking about.
By RRchemo
May 22, 2008 3:53 PM | Link to this
Hey Braves Stink do you actually think that you are going to sign Tex; No way; the Yanks need a 1st Baseman and are not paying half of their payroll to someone who hasn’t played regularly for the last 2 years (Did you say Vote for Pedro (Martinez)). Go look sinking back to the bottom of the NL East; you reign lasted about a year.
By AL
May 22, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this
Hey Braves stink…You’re a freaking idiot. The Braves have 3 Future Hall of Famers on the field with Maddox in SD who will go in as a Brave. Bobby Cox being one of them you idiot. The Braves organization is one of the best in baseball top 5 at least! ahead of the damn Mets by far. How many The Mets are a hapless bunch of losers and the worst part is they know it but keep trying to pose as even a contender. The Braves have improved in some area every year the past 15 they are ALWAYS contenders. Learn something about baseball before you write on a blog and prove how stupid you are
By Atowna
May 22, 2008 4:09 PM | Link to this
We need to go over on Metsblog.com and just kill them, return the favor because we are kind.
By R. E.
May 22, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
The Mets well the whole of N.Y has always been put off by the South and it just seems poetic justice that the Mets and Yankees have fell apart at the same time like it is some sort of wierd play. Those two have tried to solve their woes the same way, throwing money at it by buying the best available free agent. Buckle down because this means they both will go after Tex whole hog, you know the Yanks payroll aproaches a quarter of a billion dollars, the age of baseball has gone to he double hockey sticks, they won’t post if I say what I should. The Braves have done amazing things with the resources available. The Braves management deserves a lot! of credit, this is not said because I think they are so much better than the rest , but because its true.
By Matt
May 22, 2008 4:38 PM | Link to this
Lets all relax a little. There are 118 games left and plenty of baseball to be played. Enjoy your 4 game winning streak, and remember, you’re back on the road in a week.
By alan from Atlanta GA.
May 22, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this
This has been great fun to read. As a former new yorker, who followed the mets since 1962. Moved to boston where I still followed the mets. I always hated the red sox because I’m a national league fan. when the cable company back in the mid ’80s took the mets channel off. I began following the braves on tbs. i moved to atl in 1993. [best move we ever made, love it down here] I still follow the braves. I’m an old brooklyn dodger fan and remember the braves in both boston and Milwaukee Now it’s go braves, mets suck. I haven’t seen a team play so poorly with as little heart as they do. After BC retires, whenever, freddy gonzolaz or terry pendleton should be considered. GO BRAVES
By not so fast bravos
May 22, 2008 5:48 PM | Link to this
Ok, the mets suck right now. I wouldn’t get too excited about your 2 game lead in May though. Plently of baseball left to play. And don’t forget who has finished ahead of who for the last 2 years.
By Toasty Joe
May 22, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Yes, the relationship between John Rocker and Brian Jordan was a model of harmony.
By Toasty Joe
May 22, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
Yes, the relationship between John Rocker and Brian Jordan was a model of harmony.
By Toasty Joe
May 22, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
Yes, the relationship between John Rocker and his African-American teammates (in particular Brian Jordan) was a model of peace and harmony.
By countryboy
May 22, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
Barry….. you RULE !!!
Wallmart jersey joke was giggles. Not much back from our arrogant Braves stink jerk.
By Craig
May 22, 2008 6:35 PM | Link to this
I agree with all of your blog comments, however I question the timing. I would post all that stuff tomorrow when the Mets are gone. Why give them bulletin board material to wake them up. Besides, going back to last May, the Braves are under .500 themselves, so I’m not casting stones.
By Braves Stink
May 22, 2008 8:12 PM | Link to this
Best thing that ever happened to this town was when we burnt it down. I hope you guys make the playoffs so I can buy tickets game day and boo. If all you people actually went to games, you may crack the top 10 in attendance. Too bad for the Braves you need more than future HOFers to win a WS. This is not a pro sports town, quit pretending.
By Jin
May 22, 2008 8:44 PM | Link to this
Ryan Church is not a dirty ballplayer, IMHO. Stupid, OK. He runs into walls and players. (Escobar and Church are on my fantasy team…two guys wiped out in one play).
Does anyone else thing Francoeur could be the next Austin Kearns?
By Mike
May 22, 2008 9:16 PM | Link to this
It must be hard to be a writer in a city where the fans don’t care about the baseball team at all. Go to writing about the sacred almighty at least there is a fan base there as obnoxious and hick like it may be.
By joe
May 22, 2008 9:21 PM | Link to this
I am going to laugh so hard when the Mets are in the playoffs and the dirty redneck Braves are on the golf course…way to declare a team with as much upside as the Mets ‘done’ in May…don’t count your chickens, rednecks
By Chris
May 22, 2008 9:33 PM | Link to this
Hey joe, too bad you just got swept by those dirty redneck Braves. Way to cheer for a team that’s about as useful as a prostitute with no holes.
Braves Stink, how’d you like that southern a** kicking you and your team just got? Have fun getting passed by the Nationals for last place.
By old fart
May 22, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this
I gave up on my Braves when Smoltz went down. And tonight the Braves just swept the Mets. Who’d a thunk it?
Now I’m eating crow and loving it.
Maybe … just maybe … Bobby and the Braves can make it to the post season.
Momma … slice me another piece of crow.
By Hick
May 22, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
Ahh, you small town writers always love to bite when you smell the blood in NY, right?
You can love the Braves’ gay harmony all you want, but you know that you would rather be working for a NY paper than this piece of trash place.
By Steve
May 23, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this
As a met fan I Hate to say it your right these retards that are posting comments above cant understand the sheer importatance of developing players like the braves do and not trading them for yesterdays stars like the mets do. This team is a death trap to all players who go there johan will be a 500 pitcher by the end of this year and be on the dl next year ,this win now crap will never stop. Mets fan like myself are jelous of players like chipper and smoltz .these met fans that have posted comment on this site would change there trash talk if they fund out chipper was comming over to the mets just like they did 5 years ago when Glavine came over
By Metsfan2451
May 23, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
You guys need to shut the f*** up… Especially this Bradley guy saying the Mets are done… IS he out of his f*** mind??? You may have us down and maybe a bit divided, but we’re not done, by any stretch of the imagination….
By LAMetsFan
May 23, 2008 1:01 AM | Link to this
Nothing against the Braves, who always field an impressive team, but…seriously, what? It’s still May, right? I’m not looking at the wrong calendar or something?
The Mets may very well end up a sorry team by the end of the season, and the Braves may very well make it all the way to the World Series. But, honestly, it’s just plain idiotic and stupid for a journalist to say the Mets are done in the middle of May. It’s enough to make me question why this guy even has a job.
I respect Braves fans enough that the true fans wouldn’t feed off of this guy’s garbage talk. I mean, I know you’re a homer and whatnot, but don’t toss your credibility down the drain just to appease the few weak-minded Braves fan out there - most of your fans are much too intelligent to fall for that anyway - let’s talk realistically here and say the Mets are in trouble and the Braves are hitting their stride…and both of these facts could mean everything or nothing in a few months.
By LAMetsFan
May 23, 2008 1:19 AM | Link to this
And also - this goes for the Met trash talkers on this board as well as the Braves trash talkers: get a life and just enjoy the game! Anyone who thinks that this series is the end all be all of the season needs to think again - and the same would be true if the Mets swept the Braves next time around. I like healthy competition, but leave the anger at the doorstep and keep it civil. I’ve got nothing but respect for the Braves and (most) of their fans and I hope, as a Mets fan, the competition will be alive all the way through September.
By Mike Vick
May 23, 2008 2:42 AM | Link to this
Amazing, all 12 hillbilly Braves fans showed up in one blog. Typical of frontrunners- chirping in May, half empty stands in September. I know it’s tough coming from a place that doesn’t matter, trying to compete in some small way (NL East standing in May) with the big boys form up north. Keep chipping away at that stone on your shoulders, us Yanks will continue to enjoy civilized l