Home > Mark Bradley > Archives > 2008 > July > 06 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USEpic could be start of something good
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
You can’t know until later. On June 27, 2004, we couldn’t know that a seven-run eighth inning in Baltimore would be the spark that set a sub-.500 team alight. On May 15, 2001, we couldn’t know that an eighth-inning grand slam by the rookie Marcus Giles (off Mike Hampton, of all people) would rouse a team that had drifted six games behind Philadelphia.
So, in the here and now, no one among Braves was characterizing one elongated victory as anything more than a nice springboard to a West Coast getaway. “We’ll talk about a winning streak after [today’s game in Los Angeles],” Chipper Jones said.
And yet …
A team starved for any sliver of good news left town on the wings of a fairly epic victory. The Braves trotted out a sickly lineup — starters included Gregor Blanco, Omar Infante, Martin Prado, Greg Norton and everyone’s favorite Corky Miller — and proceeded to fall four runs behind. They tied the game in the eighth on Yunel Escobar’s two-out single, and there it stayed for hours, days, years.
Six Braves relievers worked the equivalent of an 11-inning shutout. Every Braves run was driven in by one of the three legitimate hitters among the starting eight, and the runs were well spaced — three in the first three innings, three more in the seventh and eighth, no more until the Braves mustered the winner in the 17th inning on the strength of four (count ‘em) consecutive singles.
The game should have ended two innings earlier. With runners on second and third and one out and the infield draw in, Houston’s Ty Wigginton smashed a liner into the hole between third and short. His reaction time essentially halved by playing so close to the batter, Escobar nonetheless threw himself into the air and flung his glove across his body and caught the darn ball with, as Jones would say later, “the last inch of his glove.”
This wasn’t quite Otis Nixon scaling the wall to thwart Andy Van Slyke, but it was as fine a play as any Braves infielder has made in the last quarter-century. “Walt Weiss relived,” said Jones, recalling the stop made by the shortstop in Game 3 of the 1999 division series against, of all teams, the Astros. “[Escobar’s catch] is one of the most incredible plays I’ve ever seen.”
The incredible used to arrive as a matter of routine around here, but it has lately been in short supply. About the only thing that has beggared belief about the 2008 Braves is the scope of their disabled list, which, if you can believe it, stands to grow by three more names today. (Jeff Bennett hurt himself Saturday, and Infante and Manny Acosta limped off Sunday.) “Never had that happen before,” said Bobby Cox, meaning DL-ing three guys in one procedural swoop.
Injuries will probably scuttle this team, but for the moment hope still floats. The Braves needed five hours and 35 minutes — plus Philadelphia’s 12-inning rain-delayed loss to the Mets — to do it, but they shaved a game off their deficit Sunday, and they could still hit the All-Star break within hailing distance of first place. They’re hanging in, just.
“This team has two faces,” Jones said. “One of the faces is very good. The other is not so pretty — we can be an ugly team. We’ve got to bury that team.”
They do, and the shoveling has to start this week. Or else we’ll recall Escobar’s whirling intervention as just a footnote in a failed season, assuming we recall it at all.
Permalink | Comments (64) | Post your comment | Categories: Braves/MLB
Comments
By gp
July 6, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this
Love your optimism Mark. Wish I shared it
By bobby
July 6, 2008 11:07 PM | Link to this
jeff francoeur 4-4 tonight!! bring him back now!!! perry is a joke and norton is even more of a joke. ill take a slumping jeff anyday over perry! hes got the message! bring him back with infante going down and send down perry and bring up an infielder.
By Pete
July 6, 2008 11:11 PM | Link to this
The Braves never have OVEREACTED to slumps, injuries, slow starts, etc. Sometime the BEST thing to do to correct a problem is…………….NOTHING. Sending Francoeur down to AA in Miss. was proper and prudent. It will turn him around for the 2nd half and it brought them a bright, young new talent in Jason Perry who should be kept on the Braves roster.
By Joebrave
July 6, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
Bobby,You’re a dumb@ss
By BeenWatchingSince1966
July 6, 2008 11:13 PM | Link to this
I’d still trade the hell out of Tex at this point. Even if they make the playoffs this team couldn’t win a 7 game series against a good team if you spotted them 3 and a half wins.
By bobby
July 6, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
are you insane pete??? perry is hitting .150! he is slow and has a terrible arm. not to mention he looks 12. wow get a clue.
By bobby
July 6, 2008 11:18 PM | Link to this
oh realy joebrave you are going to stick with perry and norton. nice move moron.
By Jon
July 6, 2008 11:24 PM | Link to this
Dude, is there really that little to write about? The Braves are the worst road team in the history of sports, and have 40 road games left, more than half their remaining schedule. How many are on the DL as we speak? How many just went on today? Yeah, nice win today, but are you willing to bet the farm that this is the turnaround? My money is on you have nothing else worth writing about.
By GRANT
July 6, 2008 11:48 PM | Link to this
I think that alot of people on here just right just to start some s**. The braves might not be that good ill admit that, but there is a whole other half of baseball to be played. Alot of things can happen with 80+ games to play. If we can stay healthy who knows what might happen. Think positive. Be True Fans not Fair Weather fans.
By Gene
July 6, 2008 11:54 PM | Link to this
It could be the start of something good, but I don’t see a post season unless Ted Turner comes back with his checkbook.
By Robert S
July 6, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
I remember that game last year against either the Mets or Phillies (can’t remember which team) where the Braves furiously came back in the bottom of the ninth to win it with a big hit from Matt Diaz, and I recall everyone saying, “yeah, this is the catalyst that’s gonna put us over the top.”
It put the Braves exactly nowhere. Another third place finish, and a bunch of what-ifs and coulda-woulda-shoulda’s.
Now I read this.
The Braves trotted out their B-Team lineup, including two clowns and a men’s 40-and-over slow pitch softball player disguised as a major league catcher batting .098.
They had runners on first and second with no one out and then proceeded to strike out twice and weakly ground to the pitcher. Nothing new there.
They stranded 21 runners and struck out 17 times against mediocre pitching.
They finally loaded the bases with no one out in the 17th, mainly because their last pitcher standing was running on fumes.
My grandmother could’ve gotten a hit off Byrdak in that situation, and yet, and yet…………….
This is supposedly the “big turnaround” the Braves have been looking for.
At least Chipper Jones is wise enough to know better. Can’t say the same for Mark…….
By legalbuzz
July 6, 2008 11:57 PM | Link to this
Perry did have a big hit Friday. He is close to being ready for the show but not quite yet. A few more weeks in Richmond should do him well. He has some power which is why they brought him up (and they have to be aware of potential options issues with others they brought up).
By robert
July 7, 2008 12:14 AM | Link to this
I’M SOOOOOO OVER THE TEX TRADE TALKS. ARE YOU ####### KIDDING ME? YOU DON’T TRADE AWAY ONE OF YOUR BEST HITTERS AND A GOLD GLOVE CALIBER 1ST BASEMAN!! IF WE TRADE TEX WE HAVE ZERO CHANCE TO PLAY IN OCTOBER, ZERO! YOUR BASICALLY JUST GIVING UP ‘08! NOT SMART!
By Robert S
July 7, 2008 12:46 AM | Link to this
Robert,
If the Braves do trade Tex, they are giving up on 2008, with an eye cocked to next season. If they do trade him, they’re just not simply going to give the guy away. I’d expect they’d get at least one major league ready bat in return, and my guess is that would be Casey Kotchman of the Angels. I don’t see where else they would match up in a potential trade. That might help your hopes of keeping him through the end of this year.
Sure, the Braves would get two draft picks as compensation, but I still think of all the George Lombard’s and the Mike Kelly’s that flamed out.
Better to get proven prospects and an established player rather than hope for unknown quantities.
And come on - do you really think the Braves have a chance to play in October, with all the injuries, poor offense, and also the fact that Jo Jo Reyes, Jair Jurrjens, and Jorge Campillo have never thrown 200 innings in a season?
Even Tex is not good enough to overcome that…….
By James
July 7, 2008 2:37 AM | Link to this
You know, I think all the people that post all this stuff about how bad the Braves are, are the fair weather fans who became “Braves fans” well into the streak of division titles. The season is never over half way through the season and only 6 games out of the lead. Anyone remember ‘91?? Everyone counted us out then too. In baseball you never know what will happen, it is one of the craziest sports about changing quickly. Oh yeah and any person that talks about Bobby being dumb or that we should fire him is an idiot. The man is a legend and has earned the right to manage the Braves until he decides he doesn’t want to anymore. Firing a legend is the worst thing a team can do, ir is one of those things that will bite you for years to come
By The Dust
July 7, 2008 2:56 AM | Link to this
For the third consecutive season the Braves season ended in June. It’s time to realize that Cox can no longer get it done, and perhaps it was all Leo all along. The good ole days of winning 90 plus games and division titles are sadly over.
By True Fan
July 7, 2008 3:18 AM | Link to this
True fans know that there’s nothing wrong with doubting the ability of their team. In fact, true fans know their team better than anyone else. If true fans see reasons to be less than optimistic, then it is quite possible that their team is not quite good enough or worthy of a fan’s suspension of disbelief.
By Bits
July 7, 2008 6:06 AM | Link to this
The Braves problems are a direct result of two ill advised “rent a slugger” trades, namely: J. D. Drew for a half season and Tex for a season and a half. The players sent to St. Louis and Texas were among the best prospects in the organization. Sending Renteria to Detroit produced a starting pitcher and super outfield prospect. Trading Tex now seems an obvious decision even though the player(s) received will be negligible compared to those sent to Texas for him.
By sportsnut4
July 7, 2008 8:36 AM | Link to this
http://www.total-e-sports.blogspot.com
By C R MCCLEARY
July 7, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this
I have been a Braves fan for over 50 years, way back to the 1957 World Series. One of the things I have been most proud of over the years is the way Braves fans treat the players, even when the team is bad. I have never seen a Braves crowd treat a player the way they have been treating Jeff Francour. Come on, Braves fans! Give the guy a break! Getting booed every time you take the field is not helping. He needs the positive support that real Braves fans give our players.
By Luke
July 7, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this
True Fan, do you know fan is short for…fanatic…and you’re trying to tell us that the fans know the most about the players. How about the coaches who spend every day during the season, the scouts, and front office people who work everyday analyzing these players???i hope u were joking when u said the fans know more than anyone else
By LS
July 7, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this
It was a great win but it was just that - one win. Let’s see what happens the rest of the week. Two asides to the game: (1) The umpiring was terrible both for and against us. Is there no recourse? (2) I really like Terry Pendleton, but as the hitting coach, he couldn’t help Andruw Jones last year and he couldn’t help Francour this year. Maybe we need Wellman to come to Atlanta when Jeff comes back.
By Mark Bradley
July 7, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
If I might say a word or two on my behalf: Please note that I didn’t even mention the mother of all jump-starts — 1993, press box fire, Fred McGriff — in today’s submission. I felt it would have been almost a heresy to liken Sunday’s game (or almost any game anytime) to that one.
The longer it goes, the more skeptical I become that this season is going to turn. (Contrary to popular belief, I’m not completely delusional.) But if anything is going to turn it, it would have to be something like a 17-inning victory that featured one of the greatest plays ever made by an Atlanta Brave — wouldn’t it?
By raeatl
July 7, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
One mediocre team finally beats another mediocre team. The Braves are not only a sub .500 team but they show no signs of doing anything to improve.
Yes they are injured, but so are other teams. The problem with the Braves is Bobbie Cox and his refusal the change with the times. Yes he is a hall of fame manager that the players love to play for, and yes, the Brave would never have had the run of 14 straight without him. BUT – there is a reason they have set a record for the most consecutive one-run losses on the road, and is because BC still thinks he can win games 2-1 or 1-0 and refuses to change his offensive approach. And oh by the way – we are the worst fundamental team in baseball.
We no longer have the best pitching staff in history and we cannot depend on holding opponents to 2 or 3 runs a game. We need to generate offense and that has never been BC’s forte. His idea of scoring is hitting a home run. A rally to him is hitting two home runs in one inning. He refuses to run and it makes pitching to us and defending us an opponent’s dream. We never put pressure on anyone’s defense. I went to an American league game the other day (American, not National) and there were 6 hit and runs and 4 stolen bases in the game. In 17 innings last night the Braves attempted ZERO of either. I’m not sure they’ve attempted that many hit and runs all season.
How many times do we get the lead-off runner on base and he is still there when the third out is made? No one can bunt worth a darn (Acosta is going to the DL because he could not put down a decent bunt) and except for Jones and McCann, no one on this team has a clue of what to do at the plate. Everyone is swinging for the fences (oh yea, that’s how BC wants us to score) and it shows with our strikeout numbers. No one hits behind runners anymore and no one switches to “contact” mode with two strikes. The manager of the Fresno State team should be hired as our hitting coach. That team knew how to hit with two stikes.
Let’s get back to basics – “Get them on”, Get them over”, Get them in”. We can get the first one done on an acceptable level but the last two we fail miserably in (and in most cases do not even try). It all starts at the top and BC needs to get the wake-up call or we will continue to be a sub .500 team. Yes we are injured – that is when you need to “think” and try things outside your normal “comfort zone” to excel.
By Coach (Lets Go Braves In 2009)
July 7, 2008 9:35 AM | Link to this
Good morning bloggers ! While optimism may be infectious, I’m immune. The Braves are buried in the standings and it would take a near miracle for them to recover. The Brewers acquisition of C.C. Sabathia just put the wild card hopes of the Braves in real doubt.
Jason Perry is a career minor league player getting his cup of coffee, nothing more. Which gives us some insight into the mind of Frank Wren. If the Braves GM really thought this team had any chance he would have called up Josh Anderson who is playing well for Richmond.
By the way, Josh Anderson is probably the fastest player in Richmond or Atlanta. He has hit .326 in his last ten games and .284 for the season with 19 stolen bases while his defense is outstanding. Lord knows, the Braves don’t need any speed, defense or base running ability !
Yesterdays 17 inning debacle just cost the Braves three more players. Jeff Bennett, Manny Acosta and Omar Infante have hit the D.L.
I guess the only thing left to look forward to is whether or not Mark Tiexiera is traded or the Braves opt to take the two draft picks once he leaves after this season.
By dorothy davis
July 7, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
After the 17 inning win last night, hardly anyone remembers the 3 bad calls from the umpires that would have given the Braves a 9 inning win. Something has to be done about hot tempered umps that can throw a game because of their temper. Bobby was thrown out, almost in an instant, because they were embarrased of their WRONG call. This needs to be addressed.
By Kentavo
July 7, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this
Bradley, you are right about the legit hitters in the lineup. Is management seriously trying to contend with lineups like the one that was trotted out there on Sunday? I really don’t think so. Luckily, Houston was playing most of the game without Berkman and Tejada.
There are five legitimate starting MLB caliber players on the active roster right now: Chip, Kotsay, Tex, McCann and Yunel. (No, I’m not including KJ - he is a defensive liability)
So that leaves the team with basically half a lineup every night with rookies and ragtags.
Can we please get some upgrades for the outfield??????????
By TNJeff
July 7, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this
This team has a proclivity (like that word?) for enticing its fan base to believe the team is going to start playing consistently GOOD baseball. However, I’ve become convinced that the only consistency here is their inconsistency.
Expect to lose the series to them Dodgers - even with Andruw back in their line-up striking out.
By Robert S
July 7, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this
Dorothy,
One of the reasons the Braves have underachieved in the past several years is precisely your argument - it’s always someone else’s fault. Never mind that the raves had runners on first and second in the 2nd inning and could hardly make contact. Never mind all the runners left on base and the strikeouts.
No, it’s the umpires’ fault.
It was Eric Gregg’s fault in 1997 when he had a strike zone as wide as a Mack truck, but please overlook the fact that the Braves’ hitters stood a mile off the plate and never adjusted. Of course, it was Eric’s fault.
That’s the most striking example, as there are dozens of games where someone on the Braves whined about this call or that call or that strike zone. Never mind that Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux got an extra foot off the plate for their strike zones during their prime.
It’s easier to blame an umpire.
Major league players have got to take the hand they’re dealt, and make adjustments.
The Braves are notorious for not doing that.
They’d rather blame someone else instead……
By LivininAL
July 7, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this
So when did MLB start training umpires to posture like a fighting rooster when they miss a call, calls, or several calls? Anyway after the “feel good” high ending this game, it was a WIN, counts the same as a WIN in a rain shortend game.. a WIN .Braves need to find a way to WIN 2 of 3 for the remainder of the season. Long games, short games, 9 inning games great games, or ugly games, they gotta WIN!
By Trainwreck
July 7, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this
First of all, most of you sound like fair weather fans, and if I had to guess, you will be the same people coming on here saying “I told you so all along” if the Braves actually do turn things around… which may be unlikely but still possible
And for all the guys talkin bout Perry batting .150, um… he’s only had 14 AB’s. I’m not saying he’s about to turn into a superstar anytime soon or ever, but to call him a joke after 3 games… if U say so.
And for all those fire Bobby guys… how are those Yankees doing without Mr. Torre @ the helm?
By TNJeff
July 7, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this
I agree Trainwreck - the Braves should’ve hired Torre!
By Mark Bradley
July 7, 2008 11:30 AM | Link to this
If I’m not mistaken, the Braves did hire Joe Torre. And they fired him after three seasons.
By wde
July 7, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this
I’m pretty sure they fired Bobby at one time, too.
By don
July 7, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Footnote in a failed season.
By Tomy Fournier
July 7, 2008 12:22 PM | Link to this
Mr. JAMES…YOU ARE A “MORON” LIKE MR. COX…WE DON’T WIN WITH LEGEN HISTORY…THAT PAST…WE WIN WITH GOOD EXTRATEGYS GAMES AND WITH GOOD DIRECTIONS AND MR “MORON” COX, DON’T KNOW HOW TO DO THAT AND MY BE FORGOT HOW TO DO IT…NOT BUMP,NOT HIT AND RUN,NOT STOLEN BASES, NOT SACRYFY..NO NOTHING…NOTHING TO WIN A GAME AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IN A LOT OF GAME THAT WE ARE LOOSING FOR ONE RUN…WITH GOOD DIRECTIONS…THIS NEVER HAPPEN…NEVER MR. “MORON” JAMES..YOU ARE THE “IDIOT”…YEAAAAA!!!!BECAUSE HE IS A “LEGEND”(WHO SAID THAT???)HE CAN’T BE FIRE…WAOOOOO…BETTER THAN HIM…ARE OUT…MY BE IN OTHER TEAMS…BUT OUT…SEE MR. TORRES AND OTHERS…AND THEY HAVE MORE WORLD SERIES THAN MR. “MORON” COX…OKKKKKKKKK?????IDIOT.
By Milton Jeff
July 7, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this
This should help..but we’ll see what happens. Braves need to put together a few wins in a row and keep going. Bradley..i posted this question on another blog..what is the record of the Braves since the day KJ dropped a 9th inning foul ball to end the game against Philly?
By Trade Frenchy Now!
July 7, 2008 12:25 PM | Link to this
Tomy Fournier needs to learn how to spell and form coherent sentences before ever calling anyone an idiot or a moron.
By LHPin
July 7, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Very good Mr. Bradley - that is correct about Joe Torre. My family is originally from Boston and are die hard Red Sox fans - I however have been a Braves fan for my entire life. Many of the people that have posted here really seem to be “fair weather” fans as someone else had earlier stated. The biggest problem with these attitudes toward the Braves within its fanbase is simply football in the south! Until the fans of baseball in the south show up and actually support their team by spending the money to go to the games consistently, then the team will continue to mirror that inconsistency. Its always easier to just sit back and expect someone else to open up thier wallet to quickly solve all of the Braves problems. I believe true fans understand this logic - look at Boston, New York, and Chicago. The media market that the Braves are in here in Atlanta is one of the softest in the country - Mark Bradley is trying to find the silver lining into things because of the inconsistency of our fan base. Heck, if we can not sell out a playoff game on a saturday night when its only competetion is UGA or GT football like a few years ago, then what the heck will the fanbase do when they feel the season is all but over at the mid point of this season?! Wake up Atlanta! Support your team, show up for the games and due your part as “fans” of the Braves and for the greatest sport in the world.
By LHPin
July 7, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Very good Mr. Bradley - that is correct about Joe Torre. My family is originally from Boston and are die hard Red Sox fans - I however have been a Braves fan for my entire life. Many of the people that have posted here really seem to be “fair weather” fans as someone else had earlier stated. The biggest problem with these attitudes toward the Braves within its fanbase is simply football in the south! Until the fans of baseball in the south show up and actually support their team by spending the money to go to the games consistently, then the team will continue to mirror that inconsistency. Its always easier to just sit back and expect someone else to open up thier wallet to quickly solve all of the Braves problems. I believe true fans understand this logic - look at Boston, New York, and Chicago. The media market that the Braves are in here in Atlanta is one of the softest in the country - Mark Bradley is trying to find the silver lining into things because of the inconsistency of our fan base. Heck, if we can not sell out a playoff game on a saturday night when its only competetion is UGA or GT football like a few years ago, then what the heck will the fanbase do when they feel the season is all but over at the mid point of this season?! Wake up Atlanta! Support your team, show up for the games and due your part as “fans” of the Braves and for the greatest sport in the world.
By Mark Bradley
July 7, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
The Braves were 32-29 on the night of the missed pop. They’re 42-47 now. That would make them 10-18 since.
By TNJeff
July 7, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
Hey Tomy Fournier
What in the wide wide world of sports are you trying to say?
By Mark Bradley
July 7, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
The Braves have just recalled Jeff Francoeur. Feel free to discuss.
By gayle
July 7, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
I know that it is the columnists job to promote provocative topics to generate alot of energy on blogs. And MB has done just that here.
Holding the opposition to no runs for 11 innings is just a little better than being held scoreless yourself for 8.
For all those who are waiting for doves to fly from the Braves’ dugout as the sign of the miraculous turnaround, here is the stark reality of numbers - maybe that will sink in and the columnists can have more productive fodder for their columns like who should be the next manager of this team?
Setting 85 wins as a very optimistic baseline for either winning the east or possibly the wild card (C.C. be damned).
At 42-47, the Braves will have to go 43-30 for the remainder of the season to reach 85 wins. Those who pray for another 83-win season into the World Series like the Cardinals of a few years back need to recall that the Cards were swept 4-0 by the Red Sox.
43-30 is a .590 winning percentage. At this point, only 3 teams in the Major Leagues have that winning percentage; the Rays, the Angels and the Cubs.
So while MB is building his blog and injecting false hope into the Braves nation, you need to ask yourself if by any stretch of the imagination does this team and this manager even remotely resemble any of those 3 teams?
The answer, sad as it might be to accept, is a resounding and definitive no!
The point of all this is to encourage the thought that the Braves for once become sellers at the trade deadline and try to build something for the future, rebuild the roster and prospects rather than hang on for some false hope of a back door entry into the playoffs which would lead to another quick exit in the playoffs.
For those of short memory, let me remind you that the last time the Braves won a post season series was 2001! And after winning the LDS in that year, they promptly lost to the DBacks in the LCS.
Since then, they have lost the LDS in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005.
This is just not a very good team and the sooner that fact is acknowledged, the sooner this team can be rebuilt into one that will truly contend - if the new owners will allow it.
When in doubt, look to the numbers.
By TNJeff
July 7, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this
Hey LHPin
since when is it incombant on the fans to be consistent so the team will play consistent baseball? One thing that has been consistent with the Braves even over the 14 division winning years is that once the postseason begins, the Braves struggle to win for failure to play small ball. Why pay good money to go witness a lackluster, poorly managed team lose in the postseason?
By TNJeff
July 7, 2008 1:23 PM | Link to this
Impressive Gayle
By madduxfan
July 7, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this
Mark,
You shouldn’t need to defend yourself. You’re a great wordsmith and you actually write about the subtleties of the game, unlike the hacks. (Not an indirect slam at other AJC writers; I follow the Padres mostly these days, given that my favorite player pitches for them.)
Also, I truly believe that a game, a season, even a decade can hinge on one key play. Think back to one pitch from Mark Wohlers in 1996 if you think “a decade” is pure hyperbole. I, for one, think that extra-inning loss to the Rockies (with a position player getting the W: I forget the year) changed that entire season. Walt Weiss’ stab with “the animal” (or whatever it is he called that old glove) that Chipper mentioned saved a post-season. And the error that Chipper made the last day of the regular season that made the Braves the away team for the St. Louis series (Ankiel’s swan song as a pitcher) was pivotal.
Those are just a few off the top of my head. This season, I don’t think the Padres have ever recovered from the physical, mental, and emotional toll of losing the 22-inning game to the Rockies. Would you believe that, at the time, the Padres were leading the majors in batting average?
By TNJeff
July 7, 2008 1:28 PM | Link to this
Frenchy’s back - great. Maybe Andruw can teach him how to grin stupidly after striking out and then the offensive transformation of Frenchy to AJ will be complete!
Who will strike out more in the Dodger series - Frenchy or Andruw Jones? My money is on Frenchy because Torre will bench AJ to cut down on his plate appearances.
By Trade Frenchy Now!
July 7, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Frenchy’s head will be too big to grin after striking out or GIDP or any other time, TNJeff. His head might pop if he tried to grin.
By GT
July 7, 2008 2:09 PM | Link to this
This page is such a joke. Only the AJC would trot out these columnists who keep turning out the same lumps of turd. “Yeah, this marks the Braves’ great turnaround of ‘09….” and gasoline will come down to $2/gallon too…
Write something with some intelligence behind it.
By sportsnut4
July 7, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this
The move made by the Braves in Recalling Frenchy has more to do with needing bodies for the Major League Roster than him in specific. I just hope that his swing is fixed cause otherwise the Atlantans will eat him alive.
http://www.total-e-sports.blogspot.com
By rex
July 7, 2008 2:46 PM | Link to this
Has anyone else noticed how once the game is tied going into the 9th or extra innings the braves cannot score runs. Luckily the Astros were terrible otherwise I can’t think of the last time they won a late game. Maybe Frenchy can hit now that he has been humbled. I am still optmistic b/c the other teams in the division are struggling, as long as we dont ever have to play Philly again.
By Milton Jeff
July 7, 2008 2:51 PM | Link to this
Mark, thanks for stat on KJ’s error. 10-18 didnt seem to have that much of an effect..except for that series and the cub series. Anyword now that Jeff is back..keeping him for utility or starting Perry??
By Kramer
July 7, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this
The pessimism is clearly warranted. However, some attention must be paid to our run differential (+28) as well as our team ERA (3.77) and opponents’ batting average (.248). Each of the latter rank 2nd in the NL, and if we shut out the Dodgers tonight we will likely be in first in both categories.
Now my point to these stats is that if three or four one-run games go our way then we are right on the Phillies’ heels with one of the best pitching staffs in the NL as well as one of the top three hitting lineups (in terms of team average).
Once the wins and losses start matching our stats (which should happen) we will easily be a wild card contender if not in the mix for the NL East title.
By James
July 7, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
Wow, I was just called an idiot by someone who can’t spell or make one coherrant point. I can at least say Bobby would be a better manager than you sir because at least they can understand what he is telling them……… When the Braves finally right this ship and get into the playoffs I don’r want to see all these naysayers now talking about how they told us all along that we were going to be there
By madduxfan
July 7, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this
James, I haven’t being paying attention to your argument, but if you’re going to slam “someone who can’t spell,” I suggest you wait more than four words before writing something like “coherrant.” You can’t even get away with calling this one a typo, since there are two mistakes and neither looks accidental. For all I know you’ve got the better of the argument, but your case doesn’t appear coherent when you make gaffes like that.
By Country Boy
July 7, 2008 6:37 PM | Link to this
Dorthy Davis - Thank you for mentioning Bobby being thrown out so quickly by umpires. My take is that Cox is seen as a protector for his players. What I mean is that he does not care if a play is called correctly for incorrectly but that he whines to the ump systematically EVERY time a Brave takes any level of disagreement with a call. I think the umps are tired of his show as it is a sign of support for the player and is probably not a fact laden argument about the play or baseball rules.
By CONNECTICUT BRAVES FAN
July 7, 2008 8:37 PM | Link to this
Keep Chipper, Escobar, McCann, Jarjurrens, Morton , Reyes, Gonzales, Moylan, Blanco. Trade or release all the others. Fire the Manager and all his coaches. Basically start all over again because these bozos are going nowhere.
By JOHNNY HARRIS
July 7, 2008 8:41 PM | Link to this
MR. WREN SENT DOWN JOSH ANDERSON, WHO WAS HITTING .300…KEPT, CORKY,TERRY,NORTON, BLANCO ETC….ANDERSON HAS 20 STOLEN BASES AT RICHMMOND AND A .284 BATTING AVG….WREN AND COX NEED TO GET OUTA THE “WAIT FOR A 3 RUN HOMER” MODE AND GET SPEED…AND TEACH SOMEONE HOW TO BUNT..PENDLETON HASNT….
By Ricky Tabasco
July 8, 2008 12:21 AM | Link to this
Mark,
Doesn’t appear to be much of a turnaround after that “epic” win. But God love ya, you are trying to cheer them on.
By Mark Bradley
July 8, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this
On the contrary, Ricky T. I’m certain the Braves would have gotten no-hit (as opposed to one-hit) Monday night if not for those good vibrations flowing from Sunday’s game.
Yes, I’m kidding.
By Tomy Fournier
July 8, 2008 12:30 PM | Link to this
Thank you Mr. James…but I know you uinderstand what I mind…ANY WAY….TOGETHER IN “COHERENT” WE ARE SUFFERING WITH OUR MEDIOCRE BASEBALL SEASON FROM OUR MEDIOCRE ATLANTA BRAVE(BRAVE OF WHAT)TEAM AND HIS “MORON”MANAGER MR.COX AND ALL HIS “MORONES”COACHES…OKKKKKKKK?????
By Ralph
July 10, 2008 10:46 AM | Link to this
It seem like no one is running the Braves, and least of all managing it. When the present manager keep repeating the same decision over and over again, with the same bad resource. Yes, there are good old boys on the Braves team, like Norton, should be let go, Kotsay is no center fielder, put him in right, Blanco covers more ground, put him in center. Corky, is a waste of time, but I guess they like him on the team, he’s another one of the manager, elite boys, he isn’t hitting his weight,which is around 300. but the Braves keep him because his likeable, they got rid of Pena, because, he wasn’t likeable, and the young catcher in the minors, is better than corky, but the so call experts say he not ready. Grandma Moses is better than Corky Miller. Georgia boy Jeff Francoeur, who got his feels hurt, because he was doing lousy, and couldn’t hit his way out of a wet paper bag, and the Brave finally did something right and send him to the minors. Another person who should have been let go two years age, is Terry Pendleton, he can really mess up a young hitter. The Braves organization, just doesn’t want to face facts, and clean house, they fans have been great and the Braves should give them a winning team, without excuse, game after game, they are 6 games and falling. It may be early, but getting late far. The Braves have to fine the right chemistry, or they’ll finish in fifth place and right now the right chemistry is no where in sight.
By Tomy Fournier
July 10, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this
Mr. Ralph…you are RIGHT…at the end….somebody see the end of the tunnel and this is something, I was writing(in “POST A COMMENT”) on the whole baseball season, about Atlanta baseball team…his Moron manager and his Coach Staff and the sing up of old players…like Mr. Glavine and others “MEDIOCRE” PLAYERS…THEY GOING…NOT WHERE!!!!SORRY FANNNNNNS!!!!