Home > Furman Bisher > Archives > 2008 > April > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USA Braves opener to forget
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This was awful. I’ve been watching Opening Days — and Nights — since Harry Truman was president, from Class B to major league, and I’ve seen great ones and I’ve seen mediocre ones, but I’ve never seen one as awful as Opening Night on April Fools eve in Atlanta. They just don’t get any uglier.
A 45,269-person welcoming committee gave Tom Glavine a good, warm homecoming squeeze, and the left-handed prodigal gave them five good innings in return. One of his typical workdays, not a pitch over 84 mph, and most where he aimed them. He left with the Braves holding a 4-2 lead, and with that impeccable bullpen behind him, what was there to fear?
There had been some great defensive moments. Mark Kotsay’s throw that cut down Jack Wilson at the plate, a line-drive bullet to Brian McCann, followed by our David O’Brien’s exclamation, “Let’s see Andruw Jones do that. His throw hits the mound!” If there’s anything I like, it’s press-box fervor for the home team — kept within bounds, of course.
The Pirates had one defensive highlight of their own, and it involved the same Jack Wilson. He speared a hot shot that Mark Teixeira drove into the hole near third, to Wilson’s right. Wilson made a dramatic stab and flipped the ball over his shoulder to second baseman Freddy Sanchez, whose relay nailed Teixeira at first. It was acrobatic stuff. And, you might say, the game then became a circus. Bring on the clowns.
One of the Braves’ purported strengths is the bullpen, carefully selected after a spring of many rehearsals. After Glavine took his leave, the surviving candidates paraded across the grassy stage, one by one, mainly without distinction, except for the Australian Peter Moylan and the Dominican Rafael Soriano. Now, you should understand that the Braves consider themselves well-stocked in this phase of the game. This was a game cut away in the pattern as one might project over the season. Starter goes five, or six, or seven innings, Bobby Cox turns to the bullpen and the game is in its hands. Works most every time, or is supposed to.
This time it didn’t. As it turned out, one of the most functional tours was put in by one of the Braves’ projected bullpenners, who unfortunately now pitches for the Pirates. Tyler Yates gave manager John Russell a 14-pitch inning without a hit. Yates may still be around town awhile. He and his wife are building a home in Roswell, now victims of the wiles of the game.
Now, when Russell dug deeper into his bullpen, results were just as disastrous as the Braves’. The Pirates were cruising along with a five-run lead when their game-saving delegates lost connection with the plate in the ninth inning. Russell, it seemed, went for the wrong closer first, and when Damaso Marte ran into trouble, the designated closer, Matt Capps — who comes from Douglasville — arrived too late, and between them, they virtually gifted the Braves with five runs, and the score was tied 9-9. It would get worse as one of the longest and most dis-rememerable (courtesy of the Clemens vocabulary) Opening Night games of all time dragged on. Cox was finally down to his seventh and last of the bullpen cast, and Blaine Boyer, gasping for his life on the roster, was slugged for three runs and wore the horse-collar. The Braves almost made it back in their half of the 12th, but by that time, bloodied and surly, they were ready for nighty-night, having lost 12-11.
Now, there are some things that should be said here. In the first place, the Braves were victims of some thoughtless scheduling. Out of training camp in Florida on Thursday night, two exhibition games with Cleveland on Friday and Saturday at Turner Field, then on a plane to Washington to be the Nationals’ chosen home-opening date, then on another plane back home to open with the Pirates, and not a lot of them had any idea where home would be.
Not fair, really. But, as they say in golf, you play it as it lies. Sorry to be harsh, but they have 160 games left for all the wounds to heal.
Permalink | Comments (31) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
Comments
By Stephen
April 1, 2008 9:25 PM | Link to this
Great blog.
By Greg
April 1, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
There have been precious few good bullpen performances this week.
I’m more concerned with the propensity of the Braves to make poor baserunning decisions and fielding errors. Sort those out and the bullpen will recede as a problem.
By Dadgum
April 1, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
Furman…first you have bad reasoning. It was an honor, sir, to be the “chosen” team for the Nats home opener at the new digs. Unless you think it a slap upside the noggin to be the visitor when the Pres throws out the first pitch and the entire nation is watching. Given the fact we see so little of “our ” Bravos on TV I will take it.
Secondly, I feel sure that the scheduling gods were on our side. I mean really, who here really thought we would go 0-2 against the worst the NL has to offer this side of the Marlins. Not me and I feel certain not you probably not even DOB.
The Braves now need to dig deep. They showed chemistry and fortitude. Losses aside they really played well for the most part. However if they are 0-5 after the Mets series then we have a BIG issue. That issue will be Bobby Cox. That monster will be a big issue. Not only on this blog but in the national media as well. This will be even a bigger issue than DOB can defend. It starts at the top and my guess is that we better not fester with obscurioty too long if we wish to retain our manager. I mean folks seriously how do you manage to score 11 runs against the Pirates and not win. Seriously. Oh and did anyone notice the Nats went up and b*** slapped the Phils? I know it is early but please will Bobby quit micro-managing and please put Kelly Johnson on the bench. PLEASE!!!! He is not a 2nd baseman. Prado is your answer there. Enough said.
By rupert
April 1, 2008 10:43 PM | Link to this
not to be a jerk but glav hit 87 on the radar gun on tv a few times
By Lou Vales
April 1, 2008 11:35 PM | Link to this
Dear Dadgum, You’re right the Marlins are pitiful and the Braves have had at their disposal 3 starters that will end up in Cooperstown, BUT the WOEBEGONE FLORIDA MARLINS have won more World Championships in last 12 years than Braves have won in the last 50!!!
By Cooper
April 1, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
Well said.
The pen and the bench are not ready for a playoff run.
Wren & Cox should revisit some of their choices and also look to make a trade or two before things get too ugly.
Granted if Tex actually starts hitting we should not see too many games like last night but he can’t pitch so the pen needs to step up.
By ScottBravesfan
April 2, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this
Cooper,
You are an idiot. It’s two games in and you are ready to bail on the bullpen? Please. The bullpen was fine last year and it’s even better this year. Gonzo will be back in june and it’s only going to improve.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2008)
April 2, 2008 1:48 AM | Link to this
Harry Truman, holy buckets! I am out of my league.
As the Braves home opening game, yes it was ugly. But, I have seen much worse.
Take for instance the July 4th 1985 nineteen inning, six hour marathon that ended after three in the morning with the Mets winning 16-13.
I was there to see it all. The rain just would not stop and when it finally did, the unbelievable started.
If Sutter had just done his job in the ninth, but alas, it wasn’t to be.
Twice the game was tied in extra innings and who can forget Rick Camp’s dramatic pinch hit HR in the eighteenth inning.
Camp then proceeded to cough up five runs in the top of the nineteenth inning, effectively ending the game even though the Braves did score twice more in the bottom of the inning.
Terry Harper had himself the best day of his career, going five for ten with a HR and four RBI.
Keith Hernandez hit for the cycle and Gary Carter caught the whole game.
Then last but not least, the decision to set of the fireworks at almost four in the morning which was fine with me, but apparently more than a few sleeping Atlanta residents thought World War three had broken out and blitzed the 911 system.
I ended up sleeping in my car out in the parking lot until later on that morning and then driving the hundred miles back home to Columbus.
For sure it was one of the most memorable games in the history of the Braves, if only they had one it !
By Whatev
April 2, 2008 3:54 AM | Link to this
Johnson > Prado
You’re simply wrong Dadgum.
By Pfunkatl
April 2, 2008 4:05 AM | Link to this
SIR, I have MET Harry Truman, and you, my good man, are NO HARRY TRUMAN!
By Pfunkatl
April 2, 2008 4:08 AM | Link to this
ok…well he WAS in his nineties, and they kinda trotted him out to give a modified “stump speech” to us, as grade-schoolers…but he didn’t seem to give a DAYUM about sports, and he was quite grumpy when asked questions. God Speed on making it into your GRUMPY 90’s:)
By Pfunkatl
April 2, 2008 4:15 AM | Link to this
give the Bravos a LIL break…we DID send down Thorman…I LOVE the excitement of the first two games. We need to get our BUTTS whipped at LEAST a couple times before we give UP on our boys, don’t you think? I LOVE this team, maybe a Resop or a Ring won’t pan out, or MAYBE EVEN they will figure out our side-arming 90+ Moylan, but over-all I TRULY THINK we got it covered…I look at us getting 95 or so wins.
By Workinlkeadawg
April 2, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Atlanta stunk so bad in the 70-80’s. That’s the reason Cox kept his job after 2000. No other team in the league would have kept a skipper who got every player possible, and still won only 1 WS. I hope TP is the new skipper next yr.
By MP
April 2, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this
Terry Pendleton for manager? You have to be kidding! It will be Brian Snitker.
By John
April 2, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Any one else notice Pedro got injured last night?? Surprise Surprise!
GOOOO BRAVOS!
By TampaBrave
April 2, 2008 8:35 AM | Link to this
Here’s a prediction. KJ will lose more games with his glove than he wins with his bat. If I were BC, I would rotate Prado and Johnson in a lefty/righty scenario.
By Big Dawg
April 2, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
TP is not even a good hitting coach and you want him as next Mgr.? He has been turn down by 2 or 3 teams already, took his name out after knowing he wouldn’t get it. Its time for Cox to spent more time with his grand kids.
By Workinlkeadawg
April 2, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
It’s all or nothing as far as I’m concerned. If you don’t think Chipper will want out of Atl your wrong. I hope the Braves win the WS if not this HAS to be Bobby’s last yr.
By poorbrave
April 2, 2008 9:03 AM | Link to this
Hoss has told his hunting buddies he wants only to be a Brave. He’s not a turncoat Glavine, he will stay if they want him. If not see u-later.
By George G.
April 2, 2008 9:57 AM | Link to this
Great COLUMN
By richbrave
April 2, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
FURMAN:
Thanks for a little sanity and equilibrium. 160 to GO BRAVES.
By ScottBravesfan
April 2, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Cooper,
You are an idiot. It’s two games in and you are ready to bail on the bullpen? Please. The bullpen was fine last year and it’s even better this year. Gonzo will be back in june and it’s only going to improve.
By widmarc
April 2, 2008 5:37 PM | Link to this
Well I kinda figure since the 2008 braves are not in sync with the 1958 braves remember them? Milwaukee Braves, they might win 58 games Ok fans it’s only my opinion don’t go throwing me out of turner field just my opinion. Smoltz 12-18, Hudson 11-15, Glavine 9-15,Hampton, 7-6, James 12-9 51 right. they don’t beat the Phillies a single series why ? I don’t know, they just won’t. If I say If the Braves could take three series away from the Marlins and the Nationals we would be out on top of things however in the past the Braves have not beaten those supposed weaker teams and have not always done all that well with the Mets. I hope i’m wrong, baseball is a strange game and does not always come out in favor of any team that is supposed to win a easy series or a season we’ll see by Sept 29 when the last game is played in Houston or maybe by Sept 4 when they play a 4 game series with the Nats. Should Chipper, Teixeria, Francoeur and McCann, gets hits in most of their games at the needed time it’s doubtful the 1955 Yankees or Gaints could beat them the 2008 Braves have the power to get it done, Will they, I say Will they is the question. I have loved the Braves since 1955 when I begin to follow baseball when I was in the 7th grade down in ole Valley, Ala. those days it was the Atlanta Crackers and Chuck Tanner was in the outfield. He later went on to play for Milwaukee. It’s just a game with 9 people aganist one. well we could have willie Miranda and the O’Brien brothers, Eddie Jost and Steve Bilko trying to bat 120 boy those were the days. Who knows the Phils and Mets might collapse the 4th week of the season and the Braves could sail to an easy division win. Then again D.B. Cooper might still be living in the deep forest of Washinton State living on tree bark.
Widmarc clark
By justin
April 2, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this
It amazes me how stupid some baseball fans are.
I know this is Georgia and we do care a tad more about football than baseball, but come on. An 0-2 start in baseball is not like an 0-2 start in football. We have 160 games to sort it out. Everybody wins 60 and loses 60, it’s what you do with the other 42 that matter.
Also, whoever said Johnson should be benched is stupid. Prado does not have the bat or the glove that Kelly has. Kelly will get to more balls than Prado. You rarely lose games because of fielding errors. You are more likely to lose because you can’t score runs. Prado is a lifetime bencher, hate to burst your bubble.
On a side note, I still don’t get the Yates trade. Maybe it’s cause we could get the most for him, but he was great most of the year last year, and we replace with a bunch of guys we don’t know anything about.
By justin
April 2, 2008 6:46 PM | Link to this
Oh and nice blog. I was at the game and it was an all time worst for me. Not only did my Braves lose, but my hometown boy Matt Capps pitched awful. He did get kinda screwed by Jason Bay though.
By stanley sisson
April 3, 2008 6:26 AM | Link to this
TERRY PENDLETON WILL BE OUR NEXT MANAGER.
By richbrave
April 4, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this
FURMAN BISHER:
Ditto the opener in Richmond. The headline in the Times-Dispatch reads “DREARY DEFEAT.” There is no joy in Mudville…..
By SHA
April 4, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
Seems the bullpen can get it done when it means landing a spot on the roster or when the outcome doesn’t matter (Grapefruit League). Now when the pressure is really on and when outcomes should matter the most, these guys just can’t get it done. What’s new. We get quality innings from the starters to take the pressure off the bullpen and what do they do. They make it worse on themselves by sending these games into extra innings. Extra work for everyone, plus the demoralizing effect of continually coming up short. We’re setting the stage for the year by being unable to pull out these one run games. I am disappointed in this pen. They need to get their s**t together and quick. Somebody please step forward and act you can pitch…like you did your homework on the opposing players and know what to do. Or did you even study or plan for these games? Probably just figured showing up was all they had to do? Act like professionals! You’re embarrassing to this city.
By richbrave
April 4, 2008 10:50 PM | Link to this
Yeah Furman me too. Washington Senators vs. ???Cleveland???. Anyway, 1951 was my first. He&&, you probably remember Sammy Baugh’s FIRST game not his last like myself.
By richbrave
April 6, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this
Speaking of forgetting Mr. Bisher let’s remind everyone of that “BEACH” patch on this year;s player uniform. When a man devotes his life’s work to you, its a mark of distinction to wear his name on your sleeve as a badge of honor. It speaks volumes about the class of an organization willing to do so. Hats off to the Atlanta organization for remembering. One fan in Richmond certainly does and thanks you for doing so.
By stanley sisson
April 13, 2008 8:39 AM | Link to this
TERRY PENDLETON WILL BE OUR NEXT MANAGER.