Moving to a new location
AJC blogs are moving to a new technical platform. So check out Terence Moore’s new blog home and bookmark it.
Home > Terence Moore > Archives > 2008 > March > 31 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves can do better than this
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
They were jilted lovers.
That’s all.
So this wasn’t surprising on Monday night at Turner Field: With future Hall of Famer Tom Glavine returning to the Braves after pitching five seasons for the dreaded New York Mets, he made an instant transformation among those in the Braves Nation from baseball Judas to the most blessed person who ever lived.
It was unofficially Thomas Michael Glavine Appreciation Night for what otherwise was the Braves’ home opener. That’s because Glavine received more hugs and cheers than anybody from the frequently lively crowd whenever his name was mentioned. He rose to the occasion. Just one of the two runs that the Pittsburgh Pirates scored off his 42-year-old left arm was earned during his five innings. Still, his efforts weren’t enough to keep the Braves from watching their 4-2 lead become a 9-4 deficit before they scrambled to tie the game with five runs in the ninth.
The Braves’ middle infielders have to do better than this. Errors by second baseman Kelly Johnson and shortstop Yunel Escobar produced runs for the Pirates on routine plays. The Braves’ bullpen also has to do better than this. After Peter Moylan watched the Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman blast one of his pitches into the Washington night for the game-winner Sunday, a series of Braves relievers were pounded by the Pirates for seven runs.
There was Glavine, though, among the reasons why the Braves were supposed to rise higher than everybody thought. In other words, nobody was supposed to know the Braves were going to rise higher until it was too late. That’s why, depending on how you look at it, this is exactly what the post-division-streaking Braves don’t need: Early believers, at least when it comes to those away from the choppers and the chanters. Let’s just say this team can’t do what it was preparing to do, which was hide in the large shadows of the Philadelphia Phillies and the Mets before sprinting to the National League East championship.
Suddenly, the Braves are getting lots of unsolicited love from everywhere.
At least three prominent talking heads at ESPN say the Braves will go from finishing third in the division the past two seasons to capturing it. Fox Sports baseball insider Ken Rosenthal also picks the Braves.
The same goes for our David O’Brien, along with me, by the way.
This can’t be good, can it? “You know, at first we thought it would have been better for us to sneak up there, and if people wanted to talk about us some and give us a few compliments, we’d take it,” Braves right fielder Jeff Francoeur said. “We feel like we’ve got a great team.”
Well, it’s a good team. It was only a decent one last season after a slew of pitching issues for a franchise that was immune to such things during its record 14 consecutive division titles. As a result, to complement the Braves’ impressive collection of returning sluggers and exceptional manager Bobby Cox, management strengthened that pitching in several ways, starting with going back to the future for Glavine.
Victories aren’t as important in Glavine’s world now as innings, and given his latest outing, he looks poised for his normal 200-plus at season’s end. He’s joined in the Braves starting rotation by the efficient Tim Hudson, off to a splendid start after his debut in Washington on Sunday night. Then you have the esteemed John Smoltz, the healthy Mike Hampton and the promising Jair Jurrjens. The bullpen remains a scary work in progress (see those late-inning collapses), but it has potential and flame-throwing Rafael Soriano as a closer.
Nothing has happened to shake the confidence of those believers.
“When you look at our clubhouse, and when you talk to our guys, you got a sense as we started rising in the opinion polls that our guys were feeding on that a little bit,” said Frank Wren, the Braves general manager, already making nice strides in his first year on the job. “(Braves players) were used to this for so many years that they were accustomed to being the top dog. So, we liked it early in spring training to be under the radar, but the more attention we got, the more they seemed to thrive on it. So I guess we like it both ways.”
Those believers would like the Braves a lot better if they start fielding and relieving as well as they can.
Which is better than this.
Permalink | Comments (45) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
Comments
By Apaul404
April 1, 2008 7:52 AM | Link to this
I seems maybe the infielders need to put some extra hours in.
By Bigdogdaddy
April 1, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
What an exciting game! I like how the Braves never gave up. Nice to see a team play hard when it counts. No worries. 160 games left.
All will be fine!
By leo
April 1, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
headline: Glavine betrayed by bullpen. What goes around comes around.
By steve
April 1, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this
no worries!!! Besides, were playing BASEBALL!! Chop, Chop!!
By jeff
April 1, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this
Two games, two one-run losses: I see a trend developing. It’s not a new trend, either. Since 1991 the bullpen has plagued and now haunts these Braves. Hampton will be gone within a month; if Smoltz can’t go this is going to get ugly.
By Workinlkeadawg
April 1, 2008 8:38 AM | Link to this
Terrance I hate to say it buy it’s time for Pendleton to take over. Bobby is a HOF and great manager but a team this goog needs new management ala TP.
By scott boras
April 1, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
braves score 11 runs with TEX going o 0 for 6 with 5 lob!! we have a serious offense. well be fine! it does bite losing 2 strght one run games to start.. believe!!
By justinstud
April 1, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this
Nothing at all can be concluded from 2 games. The defense is a bit flat, and the bullpen could stand to improve location of pitches, but that stuff will happen. This team has too many good ballplayers on it to be a bad club. That’s just the law of averages. And if you will look, the Braves sometimes start the season slowly…It will pick up. Go Braves.
By newskip
April 1, 2008 8:44 AM | Link to this
Let’s be serious, they aren’t going to do anything until they get a new manager.
By BN
April 1, 2008 8:51 AM | Link to this
Atlanta sent one of the best relievers to Pittsburgh last week…What chart was looked at for this move? Sorrry 3 might be to high for this group..
By bullpen
April 1, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Its going to be another long season of watching the bullpen blow games in atlanta. Getting gonzalez back will help, but maybe it would be a good idea to go after a guy like fuentes.
By Erin
April 1, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
Kelly Johnson still looks scared to death out there. He needs to shape up and fast and make those routine plays. There was another play earlier in the game that was technically an error, but one a Major League 2nd baseman should have made. As for the relievers…I’m not going to panic just yet, but if the Braves are ever going to win the East, they have to start winning these close games.
And Leo, get over it already, would you?
By LivininAL
April 1, 2008 9:04 AM | Link to this
Nothing at all can be concluded from 2 games. The defense is a bit flat, and the bullpen could stand to improve location of pitches…….Well I came to a conclusion after 162 games of the same problem last yr.
By Big Dawg
April 1, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
Makes you wonder what they were doing in spring training? Every year its the same song and dance. Same BS. Same problems in Bullpen? Everyone saying its to Early to worry, don’t these games count just as much as the ones at end of season? I hate to say it because I love the Braves but maybe its time for Bobby to hang it up. Enough said.
By TheCutMan
April 1, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
My main concerns two games in:
1) Francouer. Has the extra weight and muscle tied him up, reduced his free motion at the plate and speed in the field? He’s not been cutting off gap hits and holding guys to one base as yet.
2) Kelly Johnson. Nagging injury and/or fatique from spring training has followed him into the regular season. “Hands of Stone” was fighter Roberto Duran’s monniker. Is it now KJ’s?
3) The bullpen. Some exceptions but most arms look as if they’ve already worked 100+ innings into late August.
All the above after only two games into the season? All the above….
By willdave
April 1, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Mr. Moore, I think it’s entirely too early to start getting down on the Braves. This is just the start of another very long baseball season, one that will not end until the stores start stocking for Christmas again. The Braves were very competitive in their two losses so far. They will have plenty of time to make up those two losses and compete with the Phillies and the Mets. Let’s not get down on the team so early.
By Dadgum
April 1, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Yunel Escobar will make 25-30 errors this year. The Braves know it in advance so no big deal. Young SS with huge talent level and besides catcher it is the toughest position to play.
Now 2nd base is another story. I have never been sold on Kelly Johnson at 2nd when you have better defensive players on the bench. Namely Martin Prado. He can hit too. Kelly is a good hitter no question but I play guys at 2nd for defense first and offense second. You have just the opposite in Kelly and I think that somewhere along the way the Braves will make a change there. I would play Prado at 2nd and have Kelly’s bat coming off the bench. Just my two cents.
By LJ Parent
April 1, 2008 9:23 AM | Link to this
This team looks like it’s sleep walking. I am afraid they lack a team leader, someone who will throw a few things, or even break a few things in the clubhouse after such lackluster play. They appear dreadfully laid back, like a team that has been reading their own press clippings. Tex may be a hitter, but he doesn’t scoop many out of the dirt at first. Can you trust Escobar in big moments, defensively; even the Braves brass wonders about that. Acosta looked like a deer caught in someone’s headlights out there Monday night. They’ll get it straightened out, I feel; but I would feel better if they had someone in the clubhouse who would get in somebody’s face,and raise hell. Chipper is way too laid back to be that guy. I think Bobby Cox is the person with the most fight in the entire clubhouse. And, oh yes, I hope the Braves don’t give up on Blaine Boyer. He is a drop and drive pitcher, a la Tom Seaver, and once he “gets it”, he could be something special!
By StAvery
April 1, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
If I was a starting pitcher I would never want to play for the Braves. You have to either pitch an entire game or have a 5 run leave when you leave otherwise your going to get a no decision or loss. I think there needs to be a category for pitchers where if they come out of the game after 5 or more innings and they are winning, they get a pitchers win, compared to a team win. Braves pitchers would own that category. Tim Hudson last year would have had 23 pitchers wins vs. 16 team wins!!
By Terence Moore
April 1, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this
Willdave is exactly right. It’s too early for Braves fans to panic.
As I wrote in today’s column, their bullpen has the potential to be very good. But as former Georgia basketball coach Hugh Durham used to say, “Potential means you ain’t done it yet.”
We’ll see.
As for the middle infielders, Yunel Escobar has shown signs of doing just fine on the difficult play while sometimes booting the routine ones. Sort of the opposite of Edgar Renteria.
Kelly Johnson, well, don’t forget that he’s a convereted outfielder playing second base. He works hard on his defense every day with Braves coach Glenn Hubbard, so Johnson has the potential (there’s that word again) to get it right.
Again, well see.
By Jacobs
April 1, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this
Lets not count the Braves out after two loses just yet. A true Braves fan can remember they swept the Phillies last year to begin the season. They have starting pitching this year and a whole bunch of offense. Just keep watching!
By LD
April 1, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this
LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT BRAVE FANS. YOU ALL SAID YOU HAD A "DEEP " BULLPEN.DID YOU MEAN YOU HAD A BULLPEN WHICH WILL BE HIT DEEP OR WHAT ? GO METS!By DirtyDawg
April 1, 2008 10:09 AM | Link to this
TheCutMan is right-on…Francouer has gotten some bad advice. This ‘muscle’ he added has slowed both his bat and his feet - as if his bat wasn’t slow enough already. He needs to get some cardio-vascular work in…get his weight down and his reactions up. Of course, that won’t matter if he keeps making poor decisions at the plate…and I thought Andrew couldn’t lay off an off-speed, off-the-plate, curve-ball.
As for Kelly Johnson…I’m sorry but I’m not surprised. While everybody was talking it up about how he had done such a good job at second last year…and the only thing he needed to do was to improve on balls hit to his backhand…I was watching and remembering a guy that simply couldn’t make plays that a major-league second baseman should make. He has no range - to either his right or his left…he still can’t move his feet, or otherwise set himself to make the throw to second to start the double-play. Don’t wish the young man any bad luck, but the best thing for the Braves right now is for him to miss a week or two and show everybody what a good defensive player looks like.
Now don’t get me started on the routine throws from Escobar and Chipper to first - those are just inexcusable - Kelly’s problems are that his mind/body just isn’t set up for the infield - or at least that side of the infield.
By bravedawg
April 1, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this
The reason why Atlanta is always criticized for its fans is for many people that write on this blog. Sure we would love for the Braves to be 2-0, but it is only the second game of the season, with 160 more to go, don’t forget the phillies had a horrible April last year, in last place I believe and they won the division. Personally, I don’t mind a little sluggish start if it means we are hot in June and July, two months in the past several years where we have slumped. Everyone relax and quit jumping on and off the band wagon. I like this team a whole lot, and yes theY will take some lumps from time to time, but once they click (and they will click) we are going to be extremely tough to stop. GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!
By dostadawg2
April 1, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Cox over coached again. He kept putting relievers in until he found one to give Pittsburgh hope. But the new Peachtree Street TV broadcast was a “hoot”. Worse case of producing I have ever seen, but my kids and I could not stop laughing throughout the broadcast, especially at the stadium interviewer and the “Gator” camera man who had a beer poured on him by a fan. Go DAWGS
By Chrissy
April 1, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
The Braves are notorious for always performing the unthinkable & unbelievable plays. This is what I love about the Braves…they always keep you guessing. Eh, a downfall?? maybe, but they always rise to the occasion and keep it exciting. Don’t count them out just yet! I see a division title this year and I can clearly see the 2008 flag hanging under the 755 club. It will look great! This is only the beginning.
By cityofdecatur
April 1, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this
Never give up never surrender. I was at game and it may be a wild ride till they settle into the season. But they will be ok. My son and I got our moneys worth for opening nite. Though those last 2 home runs came too close to our seats (don’t mind Braves Homers but vistors balls aint for me) No panic till after the all star break. Fan = short for fanatic critic = short for one who offers criticism. I am a fan the critics for criticism sake are not fans. My Braves good or bad are still my Brave. Groom Terry to replace Bobby when and if Bobby wants to retire. Still would like a chance at post season every year than once a decade. even if we only have one WS ring since the good times started.
By submariner
April 1, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
They’ve never liked playing in the cold wet temps. I was at the Sunday game in DC and they looked a bit flat in the cold and it was COLD. They’ll be fine.
By Varoadrunner
April 1, 2008 10:50 AM | Link to this
Well - Mr Moore writes a column without racial overtones. In fact, I must agree with him on most points. I disagree that wins aren’t important to Glavine at this point in his career. The man is a winner and wants to win. Simply pitching 200+ innings is a goal but nothing if he isn’t winning and he knows that. Glavine wants his team (emphasis on HIS team again) to win.
But again, keep it up Terrance, you can do it. It’s 2008 and time for the “new Terrance” to write about sports and not race. Good for you. As for the Braves, it is early and as much as I hate to see the Braves lose, it seems that our opener in Washington had many positives and of all losses, in DC, a new stadium, the teams best hits a game ending “fairy tale” home run on their opening night -That night was good for baseball. But mainly it was Hudson. He was perfect except for a allowing a couple early runs and then perfection. An awful lot to build on for a season. Go Huddy.
Last night - totally different - Glaving only goes 5 innings and fought all night to keep them in check. All-in-all he battled like the Glaving of old but I hope he can go 7 or 8 next time out.
Infielders - Chipper lookoed very good at the plate and in the field. Escobar made dazzling plays and then hesitated and made the throw that should have been scooped up by Tex, but one play and he has problems???? Escobar will be fine. Johnson on the other hand, as some of the other bloggers have noted, leaves me wondering if he should be at second since we have natural second basemen on the team. In my opinion, Johnson in not the second baseman we need. We need a steady, confident second baseman. I wonder if Bobby took him out last night because of his defense.
“Stuff” like we witnessed last night only makes for good fodder from the mut’s fans like LD. Hold on LD, it’s a long season and the Braves didn’t choke last year like the mets - we just weren’t good enough. You guys CHOKED - short and simple.
Love to all
By KneeJerk
April 1, 2008 11:01 AM | Link to this
Calling for Bobby’s head after 2 games? Saying Pendleton should take over after ZERO managerial experience on any level? It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt.
By tyoung44
April 1, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this
Wake up Braves MGT. When your team scores 9 runs, I be danged - your team should win the danged game! Get pitching help! Now, or have a looonnnnng disappointing season….
By woody
April 1, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
Pirates win?? Yea!! maybe this is the start of the Braves 15 seasons of sub 500 baseball.
Lets Go BUCS!!!
By jeff
April 1, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
The Mutt / Met collapse of ‘07 proves the existence of a Supreme and loving Being.
By Beach Dawg
April 1, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
SOB (Same Old Braves) — No Bull in the Pen !!!!
By john
April 1, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Absolutely Horrible! All the errors - all the pitchers. All bad. Saying it is early and that we should relax is misleading. It is early for all teams and I’ve seen some play sharp, crisp baseball already. I was one of the few that did not want the traitor Glavine added - and he was awful also. The 1st 2 weeks of baseball are crucial - not the last 2. Teams find themselves behind by double digits after 2 weeks and never recover. We need to be VERY, VERY careful or this will be the Braves.
By Hassell3
April 1, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
The Pirates must have played thier starting line-up all spring training, they really came out ready to play. Don’t panic, the braves will get it together. It’s a long stretch of a season!
By john
April 1, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Absolutely Horrible! All the errors - all the pitchers. All bad. Saying it is early and that we should relax is misleading. It is early for all teams and I’ve seen some play sharp, crisp baseball already. I was one of the few that did not want the traitor Glavine added - and he was awful also. The 1st 2 weeks of baseball are crucial - not the last 2. Teams find themselves behind by double digits after 2 weeks and never recover. We need to be VERY, VERY careful or this will be the Braves.
By TN Jeff
April 1, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this
I agree Beach Dawg - SOB
In addition to no bull in the pen, the Braves only have 1 clutch hitter - Chipper. Extra innings means waiting for him to bat hoping for a homer. Frenchy hits a no pressure one last night but once the tying run gets on base, choke time for Braves. Has TEX ever hit a meaningful late inning extra base hit? What’s the Braves record in extra innings during the non-playoff years here lately?
By TN Jeff
April 1, 2008 12:20 PM | Link to this
Watching faces in Braves dugout & Chipper the only one looking ticked. Teams take on the personality of their coach/manager. No urgency defines Cox - Digging the hole again so we can fight back to finish 3rd.
By TN Jeff
April 1, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
can’t fire the Hall of fame manager - why does the pitching coach continue to get a pass? What does he do anyway since Cox makes all the decisions?
By by johnny
April 1, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
I’m going to try closing my eyes and praying when a ball is hit in the infield.
By Lou
April 1, 2008 12:37 PM | Link to this
I know that Escobar and Jones were charged with errors on poor throws to first, BUT, if you watch the replays, I know a lot of other first baseman could have made scoops of those balls in the dirt. Not easy, but I have seen other first baseman make those” dig outs” at least once or twice a game. I am a little disappointed in Texeira that he couldn’t scoop at least one of ‘em.The announcers didn’t say anything but I think they were trying to protect Mark.
By Workinlkeadawg
April 1, 2008 12:40 PM | Link to this
Hey Kneejerk- The Braves yr after yr are picked to win the division. Why? Because we have the most talented lineup in the East. Pendleton is higly respected by the players and is obviously being groomed for the managerial role.If the Braves keep Cox until late June, it’ll be because of the players. IMO Pendletons the next skipper if somebody else doesn’t grab him.
By Susan
April 1, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this
Cox forgot its the real thing. Leaving Acosta in for those 4 runs is unexcusable. Thats the one problem I have with Cox. He will let a pitcher stay in until its out of control, then make the change. Cox needs to stay focused on the team, not the player. Im really sick of this player manager, if they dont have it then take them out.
By mike
April 1, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
it is time for bobby to hang it up give terry his shot it is time