Home > Furman Bisher > Archives > 2008 > July > 08 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USBraves need the break — and so do fans
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So help me, but this is the gol-dangedest Braves season I’ve ever sat in on. And I’ve seen them all since Bobby Bragan bottle-fed the weanling franchise in 1966. Nobody cared too much about how well they played. Just put on the uniform and call them major league. Winning right off wasn’t urgent in those days. “Atlanta Braves,” what a mellow ring it had to it!
Twenty-five years trudged by before they finally got a nip of Fall ecstasy. They didn’t win their first World Series, but, fa, la, la, there would be more down the road. They did finally win one, and the search goes on for another. It won’t be this year. That became more apparent with each passing day of spring training, and has become moreso of late. Spring training was mislabeled. It developed into a form of spring sickbay, and the casualties multiplied, as did the losses, with every turn of the calendar.
It was easy to flow along, banking on all that pitching gold. Look at them, John Smoltz and Tom Glavine. Nearly every time you see their names, Hall of Fame is required attachment. And Mike Hampton would be back — at last. Added up, the three of them had won 648 major league games. At the stage of this season, Smoltz and Glavine have won five collectively. Hampton has yet to deliver an official pitch, and he has company on the disabled roster. Smoltz is through for the year.
Little help has been mined out of the farm system. The lineup is being filled out with other teams’ backups, and in most cases, rejects. Corky Miller, the backup catcher with a lifetime batting average of .196, was dropped by the Red Sox. Ruben Gotay was cut by the Mets. Greg Norton was released by Seattle. Omar Infante came in a trade with the Cubs, who had picked him up in a trade with the Tigers. After Jorge Campillo was dropped by the Mariners, he has been able to make a place for himself as an accidental starter. The bullpen has been inhabited in part by pitchers traded away by other clubs, Royce Ring and Jeff Ridgway mainly because they’re left-handed. And the pitcher with the most stylish earned run average, Buddy Carlyle, still can’t work his way out of long relief.
Peter Moylan, the semi-submarine righthander from Down Under, found out in spring training that he, too, was in need of elbow surgery. There went the lowest earned run average on the ‘07 staff. He becomes another non-working part of the team’s travel entourage. In the nearly three years that Hampton has been a road guest of the Braves, his travel expenses might have been enough to afford another worthy reliever.
You have been kept thoroughly informed, I’d suppose, on the trials and tribulations of Jeff Francoeur, which have consumed more newsprint than the war in Iraq. Sadly, this blundersome case has reflected glowingly on neither party. That Francoeur chose to find relief for his hitting wounds on a minor league staff than in his own clubhouse is another reflection. No, it wasn’t handled with major league cunning on either part, making the point that it never should have become the front-page bluster that it did.
This is a ball team in a state of disarray, pure and simple. Bobby Cox is not having his best year, and at times, appears to be in a state of resignation. Such a team as this will do that to a man who is accustomed to being out front and on top of his game. The All-Star Game holiday couldn’t come at a better time.
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Comments
By Braves Lover
July 8, 2008 4:34 PM | Link to this
Finally a writer who says the emperor has no clothes. “Disarray” is the perfect term for this team and this season. Unfortunately no end is in sight.
By Robert S
July 8, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
Furman, you’ve got it absolutely right - disarray, pure and simple. That’s what this year’s model is.
It’s not so much a team as it is a collection of has-beens and wannabes, with a sprinkling of true talent here and there.
You nailed it on all the retreads this team is composed of, and yet the Braves may be giving another retread an opportunity, if the rumor of Julian Tavarez coming to the Braves is true.
This team is reminding me more and more of the late 80’s ball clubs that carried numerous retreads like Graig Nettles and Gary Roenicke and Darrell Evans. Only this time it’s Corky Miller, Greg Norton, Ruben Gotay and Jason Perry, who is a very old 28 and has bounced around on AAA buses for Toronto, Oakland, and Detroit.
This team is in dire need of a new, fresh approach to playing the game, and continuing to trot out AAA lineups night after night and praying the old veterans stay healthy (didn’t work) is old hat.
The only way to a new, fresh approach is to start with a new, fresh front office and manager. What we have now ain’t workin’, folks……….
By D'Andre Williams
July 8, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
www.forum.braveselite.com
The Braves really need more than a break right now.
www.blog.braveselite.com
By Peerless Mama
July 8, 2008 5:51 PM | Link to this
SIGN OR TRADE TEX.
If you can’t sign him…….TRADE HIM.
By Matthew
July 8, 2008 6:05 PM | Link to this
If the Braves won half their 1 run games they would be in first. They need a speedy base stealer to bethe catalyst for this offense. I remember the days of Otis Nixon, Deion Sanders, and Marquise Grissom, they could manufacture that one run needed and/or put pressure on teh pitcher. Now they are a slow plodding team who get way too many double plays turned on them.
Speed also never goes in a slump. That is what Skip and Don used to say back in the day.
By Raleigh Brave
July 8, 2008 6:26 PM | Link to this
No Leo. No Schuerholz. No Glavine or Smoltz. No fire. No fun. No heart. No talent. Nuff said.
By fieldofdreams
July 8, 2008 7:10 PM | Link to this
At this point it’s almost trite to add that Wren (over his head) totally screwed this year; losing to rebuild makes sense, but wasting a year on expensive has-beens (Glavine), rent-a-Braves (Kotsay), and disinterested mercenaries (Texeira) defeats the purpose. Cnn-SI reports that several teams are itching for Tex; here’s hoping we scratch the interest into (at least) one more can’t miss young gun, like Jurrgens.
By Varoadrunner
July 8, 2008 8:04 PM | Link to this
FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS OFR .096
That’s Corky Miller. Every fifth day or so we have to watch that .096 drift lower and lower, stranding more baserunners than a Francoeur over a full season.
The team we could field: Tex (and resign him) KJ Escobar (give him time) Chipper (he’s still chipper) Frenchy (god I hope he finds the end of his bat) Then it gets tough - LF?? Diaz took an enormous step back this year. Blanco? He’s still a AAA player but has been doing an OK job. Trade for a LF with a bat. Then we have CF - Bring up Shafer and let’s see if he is everything we are being told he is.
Pitchers - Hudson, Campillo and JJJ. We can only hope Smoltz returns and is effective, but my money is on the old man retiring and waiting for five years and entering the HOF with his buddy Glavine. BTW, what happens with Hampton next year? lol
So where are we at pitching? Seems that Morton, Reyes, James, etc are not going to help us achieve the success of their recent past.
Morton and Reyes might become #2’s or 3’s. The question is when can we CONSISTENTLY depend on them to go out and givce us a quality start?
I, for one, am rooting on them.
RESIGN TEX and give us the most potent 3 - 4 combo in years.
By who cares
July 8, 2008 8:06 PM | Link to this
Wren pulls off deal of the summer. Steals another over the hill pitcher with a 7.50 era to help get the braves back in the race. You have got to be kidding me. Wren is a disgrace. Maybe braves should take some advice from the Mets.Their manager wins division in 2006, has a sub .500 record in June, and he is gone, so is the hitting coach. Wonder if Wren has the balls or the authority to do the same with Cox and TP. Please get rid of Tex, and cry baby Chipper while we can still get something for them. Forgot, Chipper will be on DL next week with bruised ego, and hopefully Frenchy will join him.
By bruce
July 8, 2008 10:13 PM | Link to this
Mr. Bisher: Damn you are a first class discourager with this one. Congratulations. I guess you are entitled with all your history. I’m a fan so I’ll keep watching and maybe be more cautious about reading what you write.
By Murphy
July 8, 2008 10:57 PM | Link to this
Good column. All the truth. All of it.
By Clay
July 9, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this
Nail on the head, Mr. Bisher.
Hey, Bruce. Don’t be cautious of what you read, be cautious of what you’re seeing on the field. Things can change. The Red Sox are a great example of how things can be changed for the better.
By mark
July 9, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this
The Braves Problems start at the very top….we need ownership that likes Baseball in Atlanta…
By Trainwreck
July 9, 2008 10:15 AM | Link to this
Who Cares you should be the GM. I mean, why didn’t we all think of trading Chipper? I think that trading the top hitter in the NL is def. a sure fire way to show the fans that you are trying to win. Bravo
By Bravissimo
July 9, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
Nobody likes a cry-baby Jeff. Management doesn’t, your team mates don’t, and the fans don’t. I predict you won’t be an Atlanta Brave as long as you may have thought.
By Milton Jeff
July 9, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
Way to sum it up Bisher!! This team does look lost and are searching in all the wrong places. Players are players..they wouldn’t be playing major league ball if they were not good. Its starts w/ the front office down to the managers. Cox, McDowell, & TP all need to be re-examined at the end of this year. Up till the 5th inning of last nights game, the Braves had 1 HIT in 14 innings?? Doesn’t seem right.
By RRR
July 9, 2008 10:35 AM | Link to this
Geesh this is a depressing blog. I suppose you touched a nerve Furman…with the truth.
By Bravissimo
July 9, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
This team has been mended so often it looks like a patchwork quilt. Time for the fire sale. Everybody except Chipper, McCann, Escobar. Reyes and Jurrjens should be put on the block, and that includes cry-baby Francoeur. With the cash that will be freed up by the likely departure of Smoltz Glavine and Hampton it should be possible to start rebuilding with a group of healthy, young hungry talent. Could Chipper serve as a player/coach. He seems to be a more positive influence that TP. As an after-thought, I hope to see the day when Smoltz is pitching coach. He has reinvented himself so often that he should ideal to guide a dirverse group of pitchers.
By matt
July 9, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
People need to stop freaking out about signing Tavarez. The only reason he was picked up was to do things like last night. Come in when a game is firmly in hand (win or loss) and eat innings.
He’s not coming in to be a starter or set up man.
Besides, with all the problems they are only 5 back, with patsies on their schedule coming up soon (padres anyone).
Give it to the end of the month and see what happes
By Bravissimo
July 9, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
If you believe that Frank Wren makes his major decisions without the advise and consent of JS I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I would be willing to sall you cheap.
By Scott Hornibrook
July 9, 2008 10:54 AM | Link to this
Furman - I was born and raised in Atlanta and have been reading your columns since I was a child (I’m 54 years old now). I just wanted to thank you for all these decades, you are a true Atlanta treasure. I look forward to your columns for many years to come !
By Lide
July 9, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this
The common thread of the above e-mails is how injury ridden the first half has been and yet the Braves sit 5 back.. Is anyone overly impressed with the Mets or Phils.. Not me.. I expect Franceour to hit .330 with risp the second half and see the braves make a run. Not a World Series team but in this so-so division they have a chance. There are 12 or so mlb teams that can’t say that.. So shut up be a true fan and enjoy the ride.. It might not end well but at least there is a ride to jump on
By Kelley
July 9, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
Would someone please tell Jeff Franceour to learn when to let it go? I saw him interviewed before the game last night and he said he was glad to be back but felt like he should have been there the whole time. Really Frenchy? Hitting 2 for 20 with bases loaded and you think that is OK? Anyone else think that if he was maybe 8 for 20 with bases loaded we’d be less than 5 out right now?
I can take losing due to injuries but I can’t take over indulged athletes complaining about being sent down when they clearly deserved to be, even from the Golden Boy from Norcross. Bottom line: Ted Turner needs to come back. As long as a few players eat up the payroll, the Braves will never see a WS again. Hudson needs to start earning his money too, he has yet to step up and become the ace on this team. Mike Hampton needs to park cars or sell beer in the stands to pay back all the money he has flat out stolen from this organization-what a joke.
By Steve
July 9, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this
I love the Braves but the Braves are old and battered. Old arms except for Reyes and Huddie. Bullpen issues remain. Watching Chipper mature has been fun and i hate it when fans make it personal.It’s time to retire Smoltz and Glav and should be a reminder of how special the 90’s were here. Tex won’t stay no matter how much $$ we give him, write the check and release Hampton.Francouer will never be the same. It’s like the cheating spouse and the “weekend retreat” with the wife to reconnect. It’s never the same after being jilted! He’ll probably leave too. The game evolves and so do organizations. Most fans didn’t live through the 70’s or 80’s so they have no clue how lean things used to be.
By Phil
July 9, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Bisher for telling it like it is, something that Mark Bradley refuses to do. He thinks Bobby Cox is the greatest manager in the history of baseball and is still doing a wonderful job this year. Cox needs to retire and move aside after this season. The Mets would not tolerate mediocrity so they removed Willie Randolph. Why should we? Frank Wren needs to do his job and get Cox out of here. It’s time for a new beginning in Atlanta, sitting home during the playoffs is not fun.
By Phil
July 9, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Bisher for telling it like it is, something that Mark Bradley refuses to do. He thinks Bobby Cox is the greatest manager in the history of baseball and is still doing a wonderful job this year. Cox needs to retire and move aside after this season. The Mets would not tolerate mediocrity so they removed Willie Randolph. Why should we? Frank Wren needs to do his job and get Cox out of here. It’s time for a new beginning in Atlanta, sitting home during the playoffs is not fun.
By Phil
July 9, 2008 12:28 PM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Bisher for telling it like it is, something that Mark Bradley refuses to do. He thinks Bobby Cox is the greatest manager in the history of baseball and is still doing a wonderful job this year. Cox needs to retire and move aside after this season. The Mets would not tolerate mediocrity so they removed Willie Randolph. Why should we? Frank Wren needs to do his job and get Cox out of here. It’s time for a new beginning in Atlanta, sitting home during the playoffs is not fun.
By Phil
July 9, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. Bisher for telling it like it is, something that Mark Bradley refuses to do. He thinks Bobby Cox is the greatest manager in the history of baseball and is still doing a wonderful job this year. Cox needs to retire and move aside after this season. The Mets would not tolerate mediocrity so they removed Willie Randolph. Why should we? Frank Wren needs to do his job and get Cox out of here. It’s time for a new beginning in Atlanta, sitting home during the playoffs is not fun.
By Brad
July 9, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
I personally think the Braves have done well this year considering the injuries and Frenchy’s slump. Yeah, our back-ups that are filling in are well below average but we still have a great team ERA and any line-up with Chipper, Tex, and McCann is formidable. They have been running into tough pitching lately and as we all know, good pitching beats good-hitting every time. Finally, I have noticed that the breaks always seem to go the other way. Umps are blowing calls and the other teams always seems to get a bloop hit at the wrong time! Cut them some slack and let’s see how the second half goes.
By Phil
July 9, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
Before someone berates me, I only hit “Post” once!
By Jerome
July 9, 2008 12:35 PM | Link to this
HAVE YOU GIVEN UP ALREADY?
I know this season hasn’t panned nearly as well as I had hoped, but they are not in the basement yet. With all the injuries and struggling of key players, they’re still hanging in there. I know that the postseason may be a long shot but they are nowhere near out of it yet. By the way, anyone who suggested trading Chipper Jones had got to be retarded. Why on earth would the Braves traded their best player over the last decade?
By Tony
July 9, 2008 12:36 PM | Link to this
fieldofdreams: All of your points are salient except Jair. He’s the most consistent pitcher we have on staff and you want to trade him? No way. Sign him long-term and work around Huddy, JJ and possibly Reyes or Morton. Sign a credible pitching veteran (doesn’t have to be CC Sabathia-like), and shore up an outfield spot (i.e trade “Bulging Disc Kotsay—I have the same problem, and I honestly don’t know how he plays with that pain). I’d keep Blanco until he shows he doesn’t belong in the lineup. And for pete’s sake, trade KJ. He’s the most overrated player that Bobby loves. Tex is gone, trade him before July 31.
By Bill in VA
July 9, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this
Best piece in a long time, Mr. Bisher. I enjoy reading your observations. I usually agree with them. Frankly I’m a bit ashamed of Francouer’s pouting! I started watching the Braves on a 7” B & W screen in ‘49. Now those were the really bad years in Boston! Sorry to see the R-Braves leaving Richmond. I get over there several times a year to see the kids there.
Keep hoping for the second half run and it may still be a fun year. That’s what baseball is!
By Gene
July 9, 2008 2:54 PM | Link to this
I agree with the assessment that the Braves are fielding a number of players who belong in the minor leagues. While I can’t help but like Francoeur, what could he expect. I was disappointed with his attitude and think that he might end up elsewhere. Two games in the minors certainly won’t fix his problem. I don’t know why people are bashing Tex. He is a good baseball player, and I hope he stays in a Braves’ uniform. Overall, I think that the Braves will play some pretty good baseball before the year is out, but it will be a long time before we have post season in Atlanta.
By Bravo
July 9, 2008 4:01 PM | Link to this
Malone’s Tax-write off company: “Give me Liberty or Give Me Death Company” is giving me, a Brave’s fan a dose of death! McKirk is no help either and NEVER was. It starts at the top, and the top is ROTTEN!
By Lovett
July 9, 2008 4:17 PM | Link to this
Look we didnt have any of these problems until Ted Turner sold the Braves. We used to take pennants for granted and now I just wish we could win a pennant or maybe make the playoffs. Liberty Media Group needs to step up to the plate, write some checks and get some youthful talent in the Ballpark. Everybody loves legends but the only player doing anything legendary is Chipper and how long until the wheels fall off of him!!
By Lovett
July 9, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Look we didnt have any of these problems until Ted Turner sold the Braves. We used to take pennants for granted and now I just wish we could win a pennant or maybe make the playoffs. Liberty Media Group needs to step up to the plate, write some checks and get some youthful talent in the Ballpark. Everybody loves legends but the only player doing anything legendary is Chipper and how long until the wheels fall off of him!!
By Lovett
July 9, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
Look we didnt have any of these problems until Ted Turner sold the Braves. We used to take pennants for granted and now I just wish we could win a pennant or maybe make the playoffs. Liberty Media Group needs to step up to the plate, write some checks and get some youthful talent in the Ballpark. Everybody loves legends but the only player doing anything legendary is Chipper and how long until the wheels fall off of him!!
By Matt
July 9, 2008 5:57 PM | Link to this
To everyone screaming for more pitching:
The Braves have the 2nd-best Team E.R.A. in the National League! Pitching is not our problem. Yes, most of our original starting staff has been injured, but our pitchers are still doing a fine job. Our problem is a lack of run support for said pitchers. You could a Nolan Ryan or Sandy Koufax out there every night, but if you don’t score runs, you won’t win. If Teixeira is to be traded, he should be traded for an affordable bat (preferably a left fielder) and another good-hitting prospect.
By RYan
July 9, 2008 6:56 PM | Link to this
who the hell would be the first baseman if we got rid of tex? if everyone wants a left fielder for tex… we have no backup at first
By RJD
July 9, 2008 9:08 PM | Link to this
Just for speculation….Here’s the Bravess problem: They have no African-Americans on their team. It’s plain and simple! I am not a racist of any sort. I am white actually. I grew up in GA. And if anyone knows a bit about Atlanta, they’d know there is a huge African American population in the city; much greater than any other. I watch games today and continually notice how small the braves crowds are these days. Hmmm..I wonder why?
By RJD
July 9, 2008 9:22 PM | Link to this
I’ve read alot of these postings and some a hitting it right, but a lot are not. Look folks, it’s quite simple they need the “attitude” again. The “eye of teh tiger”. They need speed, ie: african american players. They play in Atlanta for Pete’s sake!
This is not Bobby’s fault at all, whatsoever. It’s the company that now owns them and Fran Wren (a moron). They should have gotten a younger and more durable starter this year. I love Glavine, but it’s not the 90’s anymore. I do better management of the Braves on my MLB playstation game than this guy.
I miss the good old days of Otis Nixon, Ron Gant, David Justice. Without a doubt, these guys were not hall of fame marque players. But for sure, they brought character and heart to the team and to the city of ATL. What the heck are they thinking these days?
By RRR
July 9, 2008 11:49 PM | Link to this
Frankly, this is getting real old. We are about to get one-hit for the second time in three games. And NO, Lowe is not all that. That said, I’ve come to one conclusion: we do NOT have an owner who cares. In fact, we have a faceless owner. Listen, I’ve been a Braves guy since the ‘60’s: when Clete Boyer was traded to the Braves, I’ve been a faithful fan. And, for the last few years, I’ve paid $160/yr to see the games since they’re not on free TV any longer. But now? Well, not that I matter, but this is pathetic. I will not pay for this any longer. Frankly, I’d prefer the way I did it in the ‘80’s: read the box score, and hope that some of our prospects look like they’ll bring a brighter future. BUT, I refuse to pay to see this team as it’s currently constructed. And, perhaps my few dollars will eventually make a difference. At the break, I am canceling my DTV MLB package for Braves BB. I’ll simply read the boxes, hope for the best, but know that it AIN’T happening the way the team is currently constructed. Burman point’s out the proplems. The truth really does hurt. Perhaps, eventually, we’ll get somehow who cares about the Braves enough to pay again. ATL, is NOT, a mid-market city after all….. See ya…and, good luck. GO Chipper!!!!!
By RRR
July 10, 2008 12:04 AM | Link to this
typo btw: I meant that we need some owner that actually cares about the Braves. Somehow, someway. The way it’s going now, we may as well be the KC Royals…constantly complaining about their mid-market status. The Braves? Well, ATL is NOT a mid market city. It’s a huge arse city, and it deserves a winner, not a beggar. The Atlanta Braves need a real owner who actually cares about the team, and not just the bottom line. IF it’s only the bottom line that matters…well, don’t buy tix. YOU, after all, know how it works. ‘nuff said
By Ben
July 10, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this
You couldn’t have hit the nail more on the head. This team is an embarrassment to watch and the ownership should be ashamed of themselves. If only they could keep Chipper, McCann, Gonzalez and drop the rest. We might do better off with just those 3.
By BeachGaBulldog
July 10, 2008 1:36 AM | Link to this
I have been following the Braves since 1969, and THIS IS the most f* up season of all. Once again, we lose a one run game to the Dodgers. Huddy gets no run support. We get 1 or 2 runs a few games, then get 9, then back to the lack of support again. I realize that there have been plenty of teams who aren’t hitting collectively, but they usually snap out of it. We haven’t been hitting this whole season. I AM SICK OF IT! Furman, you are 100% correct that this is a screwed up team. I’ve never liked Cox anyway, and was hoping he wouldn’t sign on for 2009. This season is cooked.
By Furman Bisher
July 10, 2008 1:49 AM | Link to this
BeachGaBulldog, 1969 was the last time I could sneeze without pooping on myself! I just dropped my bedpan. Can somebody roll me over?
By hop
July 10, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
the braves owners live in denver and could care less about this team. ted turner sold this team to time-warner and it has not been the same since.
as always the only writer worth his salt at the ajc is mr. bisher.,the rest do not have a clue.
frank wren has been sattled with farm system that is in total disaray.
i hate to say it but the braves most reload and start with rebuilding the wooful farm system.
frenchy has NO class and he will NEVER be as good as mccann.
bobby needs to retire and so does the greats of the 90’s glavine and smoltz.
chipper is having a great year,but he is aging and has many nagging injuries.
it is time to clean house trade the ones who have value and become again a young and hungry team.
By rob
July 10, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
Thump…. the bandwagon jumping has begun, a few weeks ago when you swept the mets the city was ready to throw the World Series parade!. this town does not know how to support a team, you can only support winners!!!!!!
when they win 5 in a row you will all jump back on the bandwagon, then they will lose 3 and you will all jump off, you should all buy bungee cords!!!! to save your knees!!!
Lets go METS!!!
By Tsu Yuan Nieh
July 10, 2008 9:07 AM | Link to this
I feel it is about time for the management to clear the head and thinking about rebuilding for the future. At least they have a decent young starting pitching so far this season, I really live JoJo Reyes’ improvement and his ability to listen and learn. Charles Morton has very good stuff just need to improve his command and learn how to win the ball game and listen to pitchers like Smoltz or Glavine will help him a lot. If Chuck James can learn how to keep his pitch down and learn a third pitch, he should be a solid starter as well. The core line-up with Chipper in is still very solid, Jeff, Brian, Johnson and Yunel and improve more and more each year and Braves’ fielder prospects are speedy and contact hitters which will be very exciting to watch.
I say trade the big names like Texiera and Hudson for good prospects and it is a very good thing the Hampton will be gone next year. Developing prospects and young hitters should be the task they should concentrate on now.
By LivininAL
July 10, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this
Francour can say what he wants…but his actions show that he thinks a lot more about JEFF than the Braves..Tex says says the WE stuff,wheil biding time to leave.. Mr Bisher, you got this one right on target!
By GeneAL
July 10, 2008 11:25 AM | Link to this
I really like what Bobby and Sch did over the years. But, it’s time for a new start in ATL. I can’t see how braves can make the playoffs in the next few years with what we got. I believe the real problem is inability to spend some dough to get real talents. Our infield is better than a lot of teams, but our outfield SUCKs. We need real bats in the outfield!
By Kashi
July 10, 2008 2:16 PM | Link to this
I agree we do not have anyone in roster who has a good record. Bobby has no choice but to fill line up with players who was let go or ejected from other teams (Gotay, Norton, Corky) and relievers(Rigway, Travious, others). Why no one is talking about Terry Pendalton? Who is our hitting coach? Terry has been terrible. He can NOT improve the way batters are swinging. He might say what about chipper above .400 average? I have watched this team many years and hitting has been always a problem in this club house. We have been survied due to the fact that luck was on our side and pitching has been great. Compare the run scored with other teams since 2000. We are in the last place..ahem!
By bravesfan88
July 10, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
Everybody here sounds like they have given up on the Braves..yes this season has been a huge disappointment, but baseball is baseball win or lose. And anyone who says they are a Braves fan and wants Chipper traded should put their Mets hat on and move back to NY
By tony v.
July 10, 2008 6:23 PM | Link to this
With the way the Braves outfield is in disarray, we should go after Barry Bonds. Pencil him in between Chipper and Tex and our lineup would have the best 3-4-5 hitters in baseball. I know he would be a liability in the outfield but right now we would all trade that for his bat. Plus think of all the people that would show up at the ballpark to watch just him, therefore increasing revenues for the owners which is what they want. I would trade his baggage for wins any day of the week. BTW, I can’t stand Bonds but if he was in a Braves uniform I would be rooting for him!
By duh
July 10, 2008 6:41 PM | Link to this
the truth is you can’t take everyones castoffs and expect to win. They were all cut for reasons. Penny pinching teams who are bottom feeders can’t win consistently. The Twins do it by developing and trading for players NOT by checking the waiver wire. Cut Hampton and stop wasting your time. Instead of trading for Sabithia or Haren or anyone else in the off season we threw 9 mil to a 42 year old guy to save money. Just how much do you save when he doesn’t pitch? Remember how Millwood was too expensive, or J.D. Drew or Sheff, or Justice and Grissom, not to mention a slew of middle relievers. Within 2 years everyone of those guys were replaced by MORE expensive guys that we usually had to trade good prospects to get. If you save 5 mil this year and it cause you to spend 10 next you didn’t save anything. Either step and bring in Major League starters, not castoffs, or just gut the team and start over. Treading water gets you no where.
By country boy
July 10, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
Great article and thoughts Mr. Bisher. Some bloggers blame ownership but several “small market” teams do better than the Braves ( Minnesota, Brewers this year ) and Many large market teams ( NY both, Dodgers ) flounder. Furman is right that Braves bring in thrown away players. Maybe GM Wren is over his head and has no new ideas. Cox needs to retire. He steered the ship when we had the horses but is subpar when given inferior or even equal talent. I may be incorrect but wasn’t Bobby the former GM of the Braves in the late 80’s then pushed to the Mgr. position - soon to be removed from the club ???? Shurholtz? moves ( Pendleton, Belliard, Bream ) and the sudden accention of young pitchers ( Smoltz, Glavine, Avery ) started our run. Point is Cox has mainly ridden the crest of a great big wave.
By bravo
July 10, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this
Fire that worthless McGuirk and free up his air grabbing salary for some prospects! What have you done for me lately Terry… as usual NOTHING. It does start at the top. He is at best a bottom mid-level poor “manager” who is a waste of the Braves salary! He snakes out of the president position when he sees the Braves are going to be shakey and does NOTHING to help. He ia a hider! You’ll NEVER see these owners (McGuirk a wannabee) when the chips are down (like now). When they start winning they’ll (the Libery writeoff experts) be there in droves. Ted Turner was there.. during the bad times(and they were for years) and good. He was a REAL OWNER! Start with the top and I’ll be converted… Liberty and McGuirk are playing the ATL like chumps!
By double deuce
July 11, 2008 2:48 AM | Link to this
I think the Braves are suffering from an identity crisis. Are we the team that won 14 straight division championships or are we rebuilding? Actually, we are both and that’s the problem. Face it, we operate with a small market budget so it’s time to do what successful small market teams do. Trade your aging stars for younger talent and build an organization. Trade Tex while you can and restock the minor league system. Trade Huddy while he has peak value and trade Jeff while he can bring new talent also. You can’t recapture the 90’s, the Smoltz’s, Glavine’s and Jones’ only come along so often. Those days are gone and until we stop trying to recapture that glory with the same players ten years later we will be a very mediocre baseball team. Time to change with the times, not get stuck in time.
By mart
July 11, 2008 8:31 AM | Link to this
Until the Braves settle on a legitimate owner, it’ll be all downhill… .
By David
July 11, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this
Folks, we’ve got to remember that this is a business. The Atlanta Braves and Liberty Media are in the business to make money. Boy did they win this year. They sold the fans, ticketholders, and media outlets that this team was great. They learned over these past few years that Braves fans (practically the whole Southeast) will continue to believe this is a team worth watching.
As many of you have pointed out, this team is a bunch of dinosaurs and AAA players.
By DirtyDawg
July 11, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this
Whataya mean this is a team in disarray? How can you call a bunch of guys that are so loyal to one another that they all have joined in on a ‘sympathy slump’ to support their buddy Jeff Francoeur. I can say that without fear of being banished, can’t I? Seems like all of a sudden you can’t criticize the ‘The Natural’. What’s that all about? I mean, it’s the price of getting to play a kids game for big bucks…if you ain’t ‘cuttin’ the mustard’ then you’ve got to expect criticism, and if you can’t take the criticism then go on and sign with Clemson - they won’t criticize you, they’ll just take your scholarship back.
By the way, if you haven’t seen this weeks edition of SI, they’ve got a piece in there that says Atlanta fans are getting less for their money (the price attending pro-sports games), compared to the local cost-of-living index, than any other pro-sports fans/city in the country - wanna bet the Braves are right at the top of the list?
By Matt
July 11, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this
RJD
Get the heck out of here with that racial nonsense. If you want to discuss that crap, go call Al Sharpton.
By Ryan-O
July 11, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
RJD,
If you want to see African Americans play, go watch the Hawks. The least of the Braves problem is ethnicity. Your comments are completely ignorant and we are all a bit dumber for having read them.
By Skeezix
July 11, 2008 2:03 PM | Link to this
The Braves as an organization are in disarray at every level-including the corporate management of this franchise. They are losing fans by providing a second rate product, but also in other ways. Many of us long time fans in North Carolina, who are dependent on TV to watch the games, have been abandoned. Our cable company has added Peachtree TV (you have to pay an upgraded price, and like a fool I did) but Peachtree doesn’t work 90% of the time. I wrote Braves management , but they came across as clueless, accepted no responsibility and just referred me back to the cable company. Meanwhile, the true baseball fans among us in this area (and their children and grandchildren) have been watching a lot of Reds/White Sox/Cubs/Red Sox games on TV. I see a bleak future for the Braves in this market.
By RRR
July 11, 2008 3:31 PM | Link to this
This is very depressing. And Chipper’s comments only confirm the pessism…and his comments are pretty spot on:
Link…which I hope works.: Braves sinking
By RRR
July 12, 2008 12:00 AM | Link to this
Hey, this is actual progress now: …we may be getting shut out now, but, we DO have four hits, and, ESPN isn’t cutting in talking about perfect games. Baby steps, ya know?
:-(
By TNJeff
July 12, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this
RRR thanks for the link on Braves sinking
I was wrong in thinking the Braves would win 1 game to the lowly & slumping Padres.
Of course it’s not the Braves hitting but the great pitching of the Padres like the Dodgers - someone ask the homer announcers why every team the Braves play becomes a pitching dominant force until we leave town
By wardenerd
July 12, 2008 2:20 AM | Link to this
The truth is that during the streak of division wins except for a couple of years we won because the other teams self destructed. This was particukarly evident during our poor playoff showings . Other than 96 and 99 we could not beat anybody outside of our division. When asked after 2000 what we needed to win the division the answer was the mets and phillies and florida had to play with mediocrity allowing us to think we wee better than we were. Where is Bobby’s genius now? Oh yeah he lost it to Jim Leyritz in 1996.
By IceDavid77
July 12, 2008 10:40 AM | Link to this
I have to agree with the comment that it starts with ownership. This team has been backsliding since the year 2000. They have tended to let more good players go than what they have brought in, but I still think the infield is solid the outfield is weak, but if they alleviate themselves of Smoltz, Glavine and Hampton’s contracts then they would have 40 million dollars a season freed up to sign Texiera and at least 1 solid outfielder to go with a couple a good starting pitchers and then they would be on top of the division again. If ownership is tight then they will not sign anybody trade Texiera for prospects that may or may not pan out and return to those years in the 80’s where a last place finish was much more common.
By Chris
July 12, 2008 9:38 PM | Link to this
It amazes me at how easy many so-called Braves fans forget the 14 straight division titles, 1 World Series and the pennants we won from 1991-2005. The last two years have been brutal certainly but during the years we were winning people were still moaning and b*** about how bad the Braves were then even when they were winning 95-100 games per year and it was a given they’d make the playoffs. WE TOOK THOSE YEARS FOR GRANTED AND IT IS PAINFULLY OBVIOUS WITH HOW THE CITY HAS TURNED ON THE TEAM NOW IT IS STRUGGLING these past three seasons. Stop the moaning and b*** and support the team. I lived in Atlanta during the 1970s when we were grateful for 50 wins with those teams. Bobby Cox is not perfect but he’s done a hell of a job with what he’s been dealt this year. The problems are at the TOP with the decisions Wren is making and the lack of $$ Liberty Media is willing to release to sign PLAYERS, not whiners and not a bunch of kids who have played AA and AAA ball the last few years. We need young players such as those in Tampa Bay this year who are thirsty and hungry to win again and things will return to what we’ve come to expect the last 14 years here. Even if that happens there will be still be fans who will not be content with the Braves. We’re lucky to be just 7 or 8 out at the break the way this team has played. It could be 17. We were 9 out in 1991 and got to within a game of winning the World Series. If history should tell us anything about baseball, things change and change quickly over the course of a season. Look at the unbelievalbe miracle run Colorado made last year in September. I still believe the Braves can play good baseball this year and make a run at the playoffs if they can get their decision making people pulling the right triggers. I agree with the posts that say get the retreads out and bring in fresh talent but don’t throw the towel in on the season halfway in. If we’re in this state by September then strike the match and have the fire sale and start over in 2009.
By no-it-all
July 13, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
The “owner” is John Malone and his flunkey inept punk-boy is Terry McGuirk. We’ve been duped!
By NO MORE BOBBY
July 13, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this
THANK YOU for not sugarcoating the situation with this years team.
By ManOfTeal
July 16, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this
I lived in Atlanta for Blah, Blah, Blah years and I saw the Braves when Blah, Blah, Blah was on the team…..no one cares just shut up. Your team sucks…..deal with it.
Go Marlins!!!!
By bill
July 17, 2008 1:08 AM | Link to this
Booby should have been fired at the end of the 1996 Season.
By bill
July 17, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
Booby should have been fired at the end of the 1996 Season.
By bill
July 17, 2008 1:10 AM | Link to this
Booby should have been fired at the end of the 1996 Season.
By bill
July 17, 2008 1:12 AM | Link to this
Booby should have been fired at the end of the 1996 Season.
By Mike
July 17, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this
The only way to fix this franchise is to bring back the chief! Chief Noc-a-homa was exiled and needs to be brought back to save this team! We have not been the same since his teepee was removed in the name of “more seating” Bring back the chief!!!!!!!
By Lawdog
July 19, 2008 5:05 PM | Link to this
This team has accidentally been re-built with great work by Jair Jurjjens, Jorge Campillo, Jose Reyes and Charlie Morton. There are times when replacing a pitching staff of Smoltz, Glavine, even Hampton takes more than one down year.
Yet this club could stage a huge comeback over the next two months that would rival 1991. The East can be won.
Okay, I’m on board with trade Tex if you cannot sign him. But let’s get behind this club and stop playing the blame game. Hey, Jeff Francoeur was not out there trying to do anything but his best. In a year or so, you’ll be glad he’s still patrolling right field with that dynamite defense and better than average offense.
Trading Tex seems like a good option if we can obtain a hard-hitting left fielder and a pitcher or two, maybe even a young first baseman. And isn’t it time to give Jordan Schaffer a taste of the Bigs? Seattle has a couple of kids that appear ready for the Bigs in Mike Wilson and Marshall Hubbard (a hitting first baseman). Work on it, Mr. Wren.
By bruce
July 30, 2008 1:25 AM | Link to this
I think the Braves just broke instead of getting a break…
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August 13, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
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