Mark Bradley

By Sweet and Sour Sauce Package from McDonalds

September 25, 2008 7:29 AM | Link to this

FIRST!!!

OH and there must be something about these bravos’s huh…?

By charlie

September 25, 2008 8:14 AM | Link to this

Lets say Jeff F had hit like a professional instead of a minors prospect

By Terry Moore is a racist idiot

September 25, 2008 8:15 AM | Link to this

Given all those circumstances and if the Braves manage to win just half of their one run losses they win the division.

By No team was ever more overrated than Avondale in the 70s

September 25, 2008 8:20 AM | Link to this

Boy, you’re right Mark, I can’t wait til next year when nothing bad — i.e., errors, injuries — will happen. And no over-the-hill 40-something player, who seemingly is just sopping up an extra couple of fat major league paychecks, will perform according to his age.

By T-Bone

September 25, 2008 8:34 AM | Link to this

Maybe I join Mark Bradley as the eternal Braves optimist, but maybe the Braves aren’t as bad off going into 09 as we thought. I mean, how many 1-run games can you lose? You win half of them and we’re right there with the Mets and the Phils. Take away half the injuries—you pick—and maybe we’re on top of the division. If those had happened, then you keep Tex, you’re probably in the post-season and you’ve got a fighting chance.

But, if pigs had wings …

Mr. Wren needs to find a pitching ace and a couple of real hitters in the off-season. Maybe the cupboard isn’t as bare as we think.

By Emily Posted

September 25, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

I agree witht the above “Avondale” pundit. If Smoltz, Glavine or Hampton is on the roster next year, it’s a sign the Braves have conceded reality. Might want to put C. Jones on that list also.

By Lifer

September 25, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this

Anyone remember Tim Hudson?

By Lifer

September 25, 2008 9:36 AM | Link to this

Anyone remember Tim Hudson?

By AndyW

September 25, 2008 9:37 AM | Link to this

Ahhh, memories of Spring Training…

Yunel E. was a sure fire Hall-of-Famer Teixeria was going to actually improve on his torrid 2007 pace Kotsay was going to make everyone forget about Andruw The starting five were going to turn the clock back to 1997 and be absolutely dominant Francoeur had finally gotten his bat under control

This whole season was a house of cards from day one.

Blow it up, build around McCann, Johnson & JJ, hope to be competitive in 3 years.

By PaulDawg

September 25, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Emily Posted- get rid of the NL batting champ? Be real.

But I do agree with AndyW, except Chipper and Yunel are part of the core- Yunel for potential, Chipper as the single veteran leader.

Jeff F has about half of 2009 to prove that he is a keeper, or he’s gone.

By bobby

September 25, 2008 9:58 AM | Link to this

To say that Kelly Johnson’s dropped ball was in any way the cause of the Braves terrible season is idiotic. Sure, they had an uncommon amount of injuries but they were just a bad team. Starting at the top with Bobby Cox, no idea how to play fundamental baseball, poor defense, no power, inconsistent hitting. They are just a poor team and the only real surprise is that finished ahead of the Nationals.

By Harry J.

September 25, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

Yeah I was at the game in Philly last night. It was horrible, those Phils lost!

Braves did a fine job.

By bill

September 25, 2008 10:02 AM | Link to this

The answer is no Mark.Expect more seasons like this one with the current ownership in place.

By Kelley

September 25, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

I agree w/ PaulDawg, you must keep Chipper and Yunel. Just have a really good back up for Chipper, you know he’s not gonna play 162 games.

Get rid of Kelly Johnson. Dropping that pop up was inexcusable.

I continue to love Gonzo.

I hope Wren dazzles me in the off season. I am setting my sights REAL big, (Sabathia), but just hope he gets at least two young good starters.

Must be tough to be a Mets fan right now….and now they face the Marlins, the team they couldn’t beat last year to win the division.

If only the Braves could have played the Mets all season they would be going to the playoffs, the Mets just can’t beat the Braves.

By John

September 25, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

The Braves were doomed from the start with the aged pitching and rent-a-bats. The writers at AJC need to give ownership hell about this and keep the pressure on all winter. Each day you should ask Frank Wren whether he has yet picked up three quality sttarters, a closer,some middle relief, and some outfield power. Please give them no rest!!!

By Raleigh Dog

September 25, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Maybe? With a wish and a stick, you’ve got a stick and nothing else. Silly waste of time with the “if.” Every team has injuries and problems. Every one. If they only won every game they played, they’d be in first place. That’s as ridiculous as saying if they only won half of the one run games they lost. Absurd. Problem is they did lose those games. No ifs about it. This is the kind of fantasy that will lead the Braves’ fans to believe they can win next year. It ain’t gonna happen. There will be new injuries and new surprises for a mediocre team.

By ctc

September 25, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Not to be the one who said “I told you so”, but I was telling everyone before the season even started that the Braves chances were not good. Let’s face it, first and foremost, pitching wins championships, and I was telling everyone the Braves simply have too many older guys or guys with a history of ailments on the staff to go a full seasons without many, if not most, being on the IR for extended periods of time. Ok, but what about the young guys on the farm. Once again, I was telling everyone that over the years the Braves have traded away quite a lot of their young talent in the farm system, so there is not a lot to pull up from the farm. Going into next season I am sorry, I love these guys, but if the Braves want a chance to get this train back on the track, it is time to let history be history and let Smoltz and Galvine go. Also, as much as I would love to see Mike get his groove back, it is time to let Mr Hampton try a comeback with another team. The Braves have to pull together a pitching staff that can put in some consistent innings game in and game out throughout the year. This is the fundamental foundation of any baseball organization upon which everything else must build on.

By Mike Lum

September 25, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this

Well put, Mark. Especially the one run thing. There will be lots of free agent money to spend this off-season, too. People forget the Braves didn’t win all those divisions with top dollar free agents.

Remember, no MLB team has gone to the playoffs more than 2 straight years. No reason the Braves can’t be right in the hunt next year. Heck, some media pundits had predicted they were the NL team to beat this year!

By Mark Bradley

September 25, 2008 10:20 AM | Link to this

“House of cards” — good description, AndyW.

By doc

September 25, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

there were too many if’s before the season and as you have innumerated there are still too many if’s. they were depending on too many players to deliver that had never been in that position before (ss, lf, “4th” starter, rebuilt bullpen and closer) or too many players either on the cusp of injury or recovering from significant injuries (cf, #1,2,3 starters and chipper). the house of cards that you continue to dwell on were IF’s.

if you have bought into the IF’s as you did to even suggest this team was going to be in a position to be in the post season at the beginning of the season much less than in june as you did you bought the party line hook, line and sinker you have only yourself to blame for your delusion. if i may say so myself you were blinded by the light mr bradley and this is only an article to say you werent wrong, sorry you were. this team was flawed from the beginning and based on the nostalgic notion that they were representative of the braves of the 90’s rather than the poorly constructed teams of the 80’s that were in the race as long as memorial day.

By Bug Killer

September 25, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

This season has proven, without a doubt, that Booby Cox is the most overrated manager in baseball history.

All of the one run, crunch-time losses point to a break-down at the managerial position, not in talent.

Just like all of those losses to inferior talented teams in October.

Booby Cox is an absolute fraud, and anyone who can’t see that, can’t see that an actually decent manager would have gotten at least 2 more World Series wins out of those 14 years, is a sycophantic moron.

And stop saying it was all a crapshoot. You want to know what a crapsshoot actually is?

A crapshoot is Joe Torre winning 4 World Series in 12 years in the playoffs.

THAT’S a crapshoot.

Booby Cox winning one World Series in 14 years is an indictment of just how bad he screwed all of those Octobers up for his baseball team.

This team will never get anywhere until Booby Cox has picked his last booger in the dugout.

By Gary

September 25, 2008 11:23 AM | Link to this

Isn’t there some rubber room we can toss the Bobby Cox haters so we don’t have to read their ridiculous rants on the blogs. How anyone can blame this season on Bobby is beyond me and constantly bringing up 1 WS win in 14 years as an indictment is absurd. The bottom line is he got them to the post season 14 years in a row. Name another manager or head coach that ever did that anywhere in any sport. C’mon… I’m waiting… still waiting… Yeah, I thought so Bug Killer, you’re just an obnoxious idiot.

By kenlevy_99

September 25, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

And Let’s say that we had Albert Pujols at First Base; and

Let’s say that we had Matt Holliday in Left Field; and

Let’s say that we had Adam Dunn in Right Field; and

Let’s say that we had Grady Sizemore in Center Field; and

Let’s say that we had Ian Kinsler at Second Base; and

Let’s say that we had Brandon Webb, Cliff Lee, and Johan Santana in the Starting Rotation; and

Let’s say that we had Francisco Rodriquez, Jose Valverde, and Jonathan Papelbon in the Bullpen

Or more to the point

Let’s say that Francoeur hit at least .290 with 30hrs, that Smoltz won 18, that Glavine won 12, that we didn’t trade Tex and that Tex had typical Tex year, that Kelly was consistent the whole year, that Soriano and Moylan weren’t injured and each had carreer years, that Kotsay hadn’t been traded, that Matt Diaz hadn’t got hurt, that Yunel stayed healthy. etc. etc.

or what if JFK hadn’t gone to Dallas, or FDR would have destroyed the concentration camps early on, or Truman wouldn’t have dropped the Bomb or the Gulf of Tonkin had never happened?

We could play this game forever. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. The point is what happened happened. Your Let says and what ifs are merely fantasy or wishful thinking. Not one of your best columns.

By GTA

September 25, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

Blaine Boyer was pretty darn good up till the end of June, you know, when they started overusing him.

By kenlevy_99

September 25, 2008 11:24 AM | Link to this

And Let’s say that we had Albert Pujols at First Base; and

Let’s say that we had Matt Holliday in Left Field; and

Let’s say that we had Adam Dunn in Right Field; and

Let’s say that we had Grady Sizemore in Center Field; and

Let’s say that we had Ian Kinsler at Second Base; and

Let’s say that we had Brandon Webb, Cliff Lee, and Johan Santana in the Starting Rotation; and

Let’s say that we had Francisco Rodriquez, Jose Valverde, and Jonathan Papelbon in the Bullpen

Or more to the point

Let’s say that Francoeur hit at least .290 with 30hrs, that Smoltz won 18, that Glavine won 12, that we didn’t trade Tex and that Tex had typical Tex year, that Kelly was consistent the whole year, that Soriano and Moylan weren’t injured and each had carreer years, that Kotsay hadn’t been traded, that Matt Diaz hadn’t got hurt, that Yunel stayed healthy. etc. etc.

or what if JFK hadn’t gone to Dallas, or FDR would have destroyed the concentration camps early on, or Truman wouldn’t have dropped the Bomb or the Gulf of Tonkin had never happened?

We could play this game forever. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. The point is what happened happened. Your Let says and what ifs are merely fantasy or wishful thinking. Not one of your best columns.

By fieldofdreams

September 25, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

For God’s sake, man, give it a rest. This team has no pitching, and no outfield, I think even you - addicted Braves junkie - will agree that these are integral pieces of a baseball franchise’s puzzle. Not only that, these guys lack championship mettle; that’s why they run off and hide when the pennant is still up for grabs, then tease us by playing spoiler in September. And, lest we forget, the the awful sword of Damocles that Boras and Texeira held over us until August poisoned the year for all of Braves nation. How can anyone try to rationalize this dreadful season as opportunity lost?

By Rick Long

September 25, 2008 11:34 AM | Link to this

You know the old saying: If ifs and buts were candy and nuts what a wonderful Christmas we would all have!

I have posted several times on this subject earlier this year. The 14 year run is over and the team is in need of major rebuilding. Unfortunately, the rebuilding (and hopefully eventual recovery) process was delayed by short-sighted, naive and at times just plain stupid management decisions. A sampling includes the following:

(1) Failure to recognize the age of the core which made the team great (particularly the pitching) and the need to re-tool and deluding themselves into thinking the team could remain “competitive” by adding a band aid here and there (the best example was trading 4 prospects to acquire a rental mercenary—Texiera-who would not put them over the top and made it clear he would test the free agent market—which of course meant that, as a Boras client, he would not resign with Atlanta); (2) Failing to seriously try to trade Andruw Jones at the trade deadline in 2006 and getting nothing in return for him at a time when he still had value (he became a 5 and 10 player a week or so after that deadline and made it clear beforehand that he would not approve a trade from Atlanta prior to becoming a free agent at the end of 2007—which meant that as another Boras cleint, he was not resigning with Atlanta and also that they would get nothing in return for him since they were afraid he might accept arbitration if offered); and (3) Continung to think that Bobby Cox (and perhaps his coaches as well given that management has already announced that they are all coming back next year) is some sort of deity. I am not saying he is a terrible manager, but he is without question one of the poorest strategical managers in history. This was bad enough when he had a team with tremendous talent, but is even more of a problem now with less (I also think that Cox’s age and his “we can still win this thing” blind-eyed optimism played a large role in the management philosophy to try to “keep the boat afloat”)

I also keep hearing about how the Braves have a lot of money to spend this winter. Hopefully, they will actually spend it and spend it better than they have during the past several years.

By Bug Killer

September 25, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Is there some wall we could line up people like Gary with a blindfold and a cigarette?

Because they’re obviously too stupid to live and in love with the absolute mediocrity visited on this team by Booby Cox throughout the years.

Here’s a list for you Gary:

Phil Garner (twice), Bruce Bochey, and Dusty Baker (twice) .

Who are they? Some of the “who’s who” of managers who supposedly aren’t as good as Booby Cox who’ve sent that idiot packing out of the playoffs.

I mean, Bruce Bochey, for the love of God!

By 22oz

September 25, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

Francouer gets a free pass again i see.

If the golden child had actually gotten some hits with the bases loaded.

If a .230 hitter wasn’t batting 6th in the lineup.(Although thats more on Cox).

By Young

September 25, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Let’s say all Braves’ pitchers strikeout every batter. Let’s say all Braves’ hitters get a walk or hit with every at bat. Can the Braves finish higher than seventh place in the East division? Hell no, hell no, hell no, hell no and oh! hell no!!!

By GilGarrido

September 25, 2008 11:48 AM | Link to this

If there is one thing the past decade should have taught us it is that Chipper Jones is not a leader. At his best he was a complementary player, he could never carry a team on his back. That was when he was at his best; now he’s unreliable physically and can’t be counted on. He batted 3d in the line-up, had a hight batting average, but still had abysmal rbi stats. He aint what one would call clutch. Nuff said.

By richbrave

September 25, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

lET’S SAY jf WAS ALLOWED TO SLASH LIKE A MANIAC AND GET ANOTHER 100 rbi SEASON.

By Puff Granddaddy

September 25, 2008 11:59 AM | Link to this

Let’s face it. Bobby Cox can be the Braves manager for life if he wants. Even into his 70’s. He has snowed enough people into thinking he is a solid manager when actually everything he does is “by the book.” A third grader could make the same kind of game decisions.

It helps his cause to have newspaper columnists and beat writers so intimidated by him that they never question a single move.

I agree with the posters who say if he managed in New York, Boston or Philadelphia—with the same record—he’d be long gone.

By neilmarlowe

September 25, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

Glavine and/or Smoltz coming back is nonsense. The team must be rebuilt without counting on these two. Spend money for one more pitcher and another quality outfielder.

By Curtis

September 25, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

I have to lay most of the blame on Francoeur. Has any player in big league history had more opportunities to drive in runs, and failed more miserably?

Sure the Braves had injuries, as do all major league clubs. Some are better equipped to deal with them.

But again, the bottom line…that would have gotten the bad relievers and the banjo-hitting journeymen off the hook, is Francoeur hit a buck-something with men on base. He hit into an incredible number of double plays in key situations…and if it wasn’t a DP, it was a strikeout.

If almost any other major league outfielder had been in his slot in the batting order, the Braves would have won 10 more games. If a really good outfielder had been in that slot, the Braves would have won 20 more. And the pennant. It’s that simple. The opportunities were there. Good hitters ahead of him in the lineup, getting on base constantly. And left stranded.

By don

September 25, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

How about, let’s say, we still had Wainwright (11-3 for Cardinals), Hqarrison (9-3 for Rangers), and Marquis (11-9 for the Cubs). Injuries are bad. However, mindless quick fixes that don’t work by general managers have a far worse and longer lasting result.

By Irene

September 25, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this

All these WHAT IFS!!!! If Wren DID do all these trades—no more Smoltz,no more Glavine, no more Hampton, no more Chipper, no more Jeff, no more Gonzo, no more Mac, no more Kelly. What if all the people that kenlevy_99 said did become Braves, then why not just change the name of the team to whatever. It sure wouldn’t need to stay the Braves BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT BE THE BRAVES. Why not just wait AND SEE if Smoltz, Glavine, & Hampton CAN PITCH in spring training. If they can’t then that would be fine. What if ALL OF YOU were pitchers that had to have some kind of surgery on your elbow or shoulder, or even a hand or leg & had to wait to spring training to see if you would be able to play again. If you were the same age as, and You still loved the game & really wanted to pitch, would you REALLY want your team to give up on you & let you go, if you really wanted to stay with that team? I THINK NOT!!!! Wren has already made two stupid mistakes by letting Kotsay & Tex go. Let’s hope he DOES NOT MAKE ANY MORE BY LETTING SMOLTZ, GLAVINE, HAMPTON, & CHIPPER go till he sees what their arms will let them do.Many more gone & it won’t BE THE BRAVES.

By Bravedawg

September 25, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this

I hate how Blaine Boyer is getting a bad rap for the entire season. The fact is that for the first half of the season (and even a little after the all-star break) he was one of our best relievers. It’s clear that he’s worn down at this point, yet we keep throwing him out there night after night (although Bobby has slowed that in the last couple of weeks). But again, it’s clear that it’s a sign of the number of appearances and IP than his actual talent. If you’re going to knock him for his performance from late-July to the end of the season, fine. He’s been dreadful. But don’t say Boyer didn’t get anyone out, when more accurately, he got most guys out until late-July.

By Curtis

September 25, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

The good news is, the 2008 season will soon be history, and surely better times are ahead. If there’s any justice, names like Jo-Jo Reyes, Royce Ring, Chris Resop, Elmer Dessens and Corky Miller will soon find their place in the dustbin of Braves history…along with the miserable late 80’s crew of Charlie Kerfeld, Marty Clary, Tommy Gregg, Jim Vatcher, etc.

Had you forgotten them? Sorry for bringing up bad memories.

By John

September 25, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

Let’s say that baseball games were only 6 innings, the Mets would lead the division by 11.5…

Or let’s say games last 8 innings, the Mets would still be leading the division by 2 or 3…

What we should realize is you can’t have 40% of your starting rotation well over 40 years old and then call yourself unlucky when they go down with injuries…

By larry spillers

September 25, 2008 12:29 PM | Link to this

CHIPPER JONES IS NO LEADER, AND CERTAINLY NOT ONE TO FOLLOW. HE’S NEVER THERE WHEN THE BRAVES NEED HIM. HE WON,T PLAY WITH A HANG-NAIL. CHIPPER REALLY STARTED TO FEEL BAD ONCE HE GOT THE BATTING TITLE LEAD. LET’S FACE IT HIS” TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL ATTITUDE” IS BAD FOR THE OTHER PLAYERS. THE JOKES ARE ALWAYS ON THE OTHER PLAYERS. BOBBY COX HAS BEEN A GOOD MANAGER, BUT HE IS GETTING SENILE. HE PITHCHED BLAINE BOYER INTO THE GROUND. BLAINE WAS USED IN TWO 9-3 BALL GAMES AFTER HAVING BEEN PITCHED THE TWO DAYS PREVIOUSLY. JEFF FRANCOER CAN’T HIT MAJOR LEAGUE PITCHING. HE’S BEEN THE HOLE IN THE LINEUP FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS. KELLEY JOHNSON IS A STREAKY HITTER WHO CAN,T FIELD HIS POSITION AT SECOND BASE.

By Joe

September 25, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

No. The Braves just need better players and less injuries if that was the case then they would definitely be in contention of winning the division or winning the wild card.

By DNK

September 25, 2008 1:11 PM | Link to this

Lets say there is no economic crunch…

By RON

September 25, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Im a die hard fan,and always will be win or loose.However lets see whats in store for our team next year.With new ownership you never know.Its not the payroll.Look at the marlins.Remember all the injuries that the Braves had this year.No team in any major sports will over come that.We have a good team and if they all are healthy next year,we will be in the hunt.Just go out and support our team.GO BRAVES

By RON

September 25, 2008 1:31 PM | Link to this

Im a die hard fan,and always will be win or loose.However lets see whats in store for our team next year.With new ownership you never know.Its not the payroll.Look at the marlins.Remember all the injuries that the Braves had this year.No team in any major sports will over come that.We have a good team and if they all are healthy next year,we will be in the hunt.Just go out and support our team.GO BRAVES

By Titothebear

September 25, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

You are such a douchebag! At the beginning of the year, you said the Braves were going to be legit contenders and possibly win the World Series. YOU said that! Most observers on here and elsewhere said the Braves were going to regret having to rely on an aging staff and thought they may compete for awhile but would finish third.

All of a sudden, Braves players started falling like flies and you copped out by saying “what if…what if…” Naturally, the wishy-washy moron you are, said the Braves were dead.

Now, at the end of a brutal season, you say the Braves never really had a chance at the beginning. HA…you just verified to me and everyone else on here that you are certifiable coward! Have you ever admitted that you were wrong…ever? I bet you haven’t. Congratulations on taking over the “douchebag” crown from Terence Moore! I never thought that could be possible!

By Ted

September 25, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

Do they really pay Mark Bradley for waste of time articles? That sounded like my five year old son…Let’s say the AJC employeed professionals, then maybe it would be a respected newspaper of a major city!

Yes. Heck yes.

By Tami

September 25, 2008 1:40 PM | Link to this

I’m with Charlie! What has happened to Francoeur??!!! Watched the game last night, I was so proud of the Bravos for not lying down but rather relishing in their role of the spoiler. But…Francoeur couldn’t hit the right side of a barn! All of what Mark said PLUS the lack of hitting by Francoeur, and the team as a whole midseason with RISP (or lack of it) - this all contributed to the team’s playoff hope demise. Boy…they sure are playing great now! And, it’s thanks to the youngsters and Hampton. With Hudson not coming back until late next season, perhaps the Braves should try to sign Hampton to at least a 2-year deal. However, I’m salivating over the possibilities of the 2009 season right now with our youngsters!

By Mark Biles

September 25, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

As Milo Hamilton used to say, “If your aunt Minnie had a mustache she’d be your uncle Fred.”

By Navigator

September 25, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

NO ABSOLUTELY NOT. Three old pitchers who fell quickly and ended their year. Let’s get to the point, Cox doesn’t know pitching, and never did. He can’t look at the minors and find any, and when he gets some here, he can’t develop them. When he lost his pitching coach a few years ago, pitching improvement stopped. Cox tried to cover his weakness with the old guys and it didn’t work. Now we’re suppose to believe next year will have better pitching. Give me a break!! Go ahead Braves and do what the Rays did, get rid of the old guy and let him find a veteran team to coach (or retire). We need someone to run the team with a record of developing pitching. They have a good nucleus of young and talented players in the field, now get someone to develop the pitching.

By fansince66

September 25, 2008 1:51 PM | Link to this

Bullpen to choose from next year, Acosta,Smoltz, Moylan, Ohman (please sign him back) Soriano, Gonzo, Boyer, Bennett, Carlyle, sounds good to me. Now sign a stud in left field, Hampton (but don’t break the bank), a stud pitcher, put Anderson in center and lead off and we should be good to go.

By TOMY fOURNIER

September 25, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

LET’S SAY…”MR. MORON COX” WAS NOT THE MANAGER……”WILL BE SOMETHING BETTER AND DIFERENCE…YEAAAAHHHH!!!!…FIRST PLACE AND WINING THE WORLD SERIES…FOR SURE!!!!MAYBE IN 2010….+…WAO…BY 2008..THE WORST.

By kashi

September 25, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

MENTIONING KELLY JOHNSON’S DROP BALL WITH OTHER BRAVES PROBLEM IN THIS SEASON IS JUST PLAIN -IDIOTIC. IF BOYER HADN’T ISSUED TWO WALK IN THAT INNING, THE 9TH INNING WOULD BEEN OVER AND WE OWN THE GAME. PLEASE STOP BLAMING ONLY ON KELLY FOR THAT DROP BALL. NO BODY APPRECIATE THE CONTRIBUTION KELLY MAKES TO THIS TEAM. HERE IS A GOOD ONE..HOW ABOUT KELLY’S PINCH HIT GLAND SLAM AGAINST METS THAT HELPED TO SWEEP, HUH MR. BRADLEY?

By McFann ;Ô;

September 25, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

“No more Mac”? Irene, you’re delusional!

By Larry A

September 25, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

No, and HECK no. This team had so many holes, there is no way this was a playoff team unless it got really lucky and no one got hurt. You are talking about a 20 game swing - are you nuts?? Are you smoking the same stuff as when you wrote the other day the Falcons appear to be on the right path (as if that could be discerned by 3 games).

I generally like Bobby Cox but this year has been a real black mark on his record. He has really handled the pitching staff poorly - extremely poorly. I lost track of the number of games in which is he brought Ohman in to face one batter and then pulled him in the inane lefty right switch - in middle innings or tie games. Such is fine on occasion but he did it routinely early/mid season. So the bullpen has jelly arms now.

Like Kyle Davies, Cox has destroyed JoJo Reyes. His success in the minors was to good to be this bad in the majors - he is afraid to throw strikes because they get pounded, yet he is afraid to throw any balls or Cox blasts him for not throwing strikes. Charlie Morton is next if they don’t get a pitching coach who can protect young pitchers. Parr may actually not become a headcase because he does not have any control problems but who knows what Cox will do to destroy his confidence.

The Braves had too many CFs - Kotsay, Blanco, Anderson (end of season). Yes Blanco has played well and gets on base, but he is not a left fielder - not enough bat. Brandon Jones seems like a decent player but not enough power - maybe it will come. Diaz had a non-season (unfortunately).

Francoeur was a bust but I think he will be back next year since he has learned what pre-steroids players knew - too much muscle kills the fast twitch response and you can’t hit worth a crud.

This has not been a single player failure, the organization needs to let go of the past stars and start looking for the future ones. Smoltz had a great ride, may play some more but to believe he will pitch a full season was, and is insane. Glavine same thing. To believe Hampton could pitch a month is pretty optimistic (even though he has now done it). And Chipper, God bless him, can’t play everyday in the field (as much as he wants to).

McDowell needs to stand up for his men and protect them from the manager. If he does not, his success will be short lived.

By jp

September 25, 2008 3:14 PM | Link to this

Let’s say my aunt had balls….that wouldn’t make her my uncle

By Dudeman

September 25, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this

“If”, and “Let’s Say” are discussed only among those who aren’t close to being good enough. Think Pittsburgh, Seattle, Kansas City, and yes Braves fans, Atlanta. Who cares “what if”.

The true mark of a losing team: “If”, “If”, “If”!!!

“Let’s Say” the Braves braintrust stops giving deals to 40+ pitchers and mediocre Corky Millers and starts investing in true young talent. And please, no 1 or 2 top free agent signings that blow the budget (Sabathia and an another oft-injured Sheets). Too many other holes to fill.

By Mark Bradley

September 25, 2008 3:47 PM | Link to this

The Braves gambled this year on age, which is rarely the best of bets, and it turned out even worse than anyone could have dreamed. But let me point that, six months ago, three esteemed national writers — Gerry Fraley, Jayson Stark and Peter Gammons — thought this team was good enough to win the NL East if not the World Series.

I didn’t think they’d win the Series. I did, however, think they’d win the East. Now I’m reasonably sure they’ll finish next-to-last. Stuff happens.

By monty

September 25, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

Say they could bunt and play small ball. Say, Texiera stays and Chipper didn’t lose his power stroke along with McCann, say Francoeur learnd how to work a count. Say Eunell doesn’r get hurt, Moylan, or Smoltz. Say the Braves had anyone who could hit more than 5 HR’s after the break. Just too many “says.”

By Doug

September 25, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this

lets say Bobby Cox benched Frenchy and given Brandon Jones a shot insread of journeyman Norton.

By Tomas

September 25, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this

Mark, this team definitely had a big potencial. Hudson, Smoltz, Hampton, Glavine and Jurrjens, definitely would have work if they’d have stayed healthy. Only 2 of those 5 pitchers are healthy, and one of them just came back. The bulpen I thought was very, very good, spent a large part of the season without Gonzo, Moylan, Acosta, and Soriano. If they had stayed healthy, Bobby would have not overused Boyer, and be forced to bring Dessens in a game. Frenchy’s down season was impossible of predicting, after his best season in 2007. Texeira was awful at the start of the season, but that has been the trend his has shown in his career.

They had a good chance at the start of the season, but that chance was lost when they lost Smoltz, Glavine, Soriano, Moylan, and Hudson for the season.

By Mike

September 25, 2008 4:26 PM | Link to this

I won’t be a part of throwing the bullpen (Boyer) under the bus. I can’t think of anyone who could do any better pitching every day for eight months. The starters have to go more than two innings a game.

By Emily Posted

September 25, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this

Let’s say Glavine stayed healthy — he’d win about 8 games. (See Maddux, G.) The dude’s been done for years.

By Jon in D'ville

September 25, 2008 4:32 PM | Link to this

Well, many teams can look good on paper,a nd play horrible. While other teams can look horrible on paper and play good. the braves were an aged team. They were going to rely on experience vs. talent. The gamble failed. It is time for them to rebuild and i mean really rebuild. Not the fill in a player here for a year crud. No team can get consistancy that way. Look at the Rays… Do they look good on paper? Uhmm. not really, not compared to let’s say the Yankees who are (what??) not in the play offs? There is more to baseball than just fielding a team of all stars. The braves once knew that, they had a great farm system and relied on it. Current management now relies on trades and free agents. That (I think) has proven not to work. Look at the Raiders for years… lot’s of big names and lots of losses.

By john

September 25, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this

Maybe next year the Braves will not ensure their future on 40 year old arms, and pay the price for pitching. Forget about having a left field by committee and a wish and a prayer in right field.

By coach k

September 25, 2008 4:57 PM | Link to this

THERE IS ONLY ONE CONSTANT FOR ALL THESE YRS OF MEDOCRITY..BOBBY COX HE HAS NO IDEA, PROBABLY GOOD GUY ,JUST CAN’T MANAGE, SO WHEN HE RETURNS UNLESS EVERYONE ON THE TEAM HAS THEIR BEST CAREER NUMBERS OF THIER LIFE,,GOT NO SHOT.

By Ray

September 25, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

How can any of you say Smoltz coming back is nonsense? If he says he is healthy after throwing in the coming weeks and months ( he has never given less than honest appraisals of his status) I’d pencil him into the starting line-up or closer role immediately. Glavine, in my opinion, was not dependably effective as a 3rd starter last year, even before he got hurt. He isn’t worth another 5 or 6 million.

People seem to forget that even at 41, Smoltz was near the top of the league in ERA before he went down, and looking unquestionably Smoltz-like with his location and velocity. He is, far and away, THE pitcher I would want on the mound if we needed to win a one game playoff.

And the post season? No one better.

Next years line-up should be:

I believe that next year could be very fruitful if we pick of a pitcher the calibur (Or at least near calibur) of Sheets or Sabathia, and one outfielder who can launch the ball into the upper deck 30 times.

By PR Fan

September 25, 2008 5:28 PM | Link to this

The post reminds me of Kevin Costner’s speech in “Bull Durham” about the difference between a successful career in the majors and the minors — a few base hits here and there. That’s baseball. The difference may seem “minor,” but it’s actually quite major. The point being: This wasn’t a Major League team this season. And management better take steps to make them better next season. That’s WAY too many “what if’s” for my taste.

By Titothebear

September 25, 2008 5:38 PM | Link to this

Mr. Bradley,

Let’s say you had half a brain…you might be smarter than a dungbeetle.

Let’s say you weren’t so wishy-washy as a sports writer…you may not be considered a no-talent hack.

Let’s say you would just admit you were wrong with your predictions…you might be taken more seriously on this board.

Let’s say you actually had gonads…you might be considered a man.

Alas, you are NONE of the above. Are you running neck-and-neck with Terence Moore as pea-brained coward of the year?

YES, Heck YES!!!

By Arthur

September 25, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

The Braves were never and would never have been in this race. They were dependent on 40 year olds. Baseball is a young man’s game. We need two front line starters and two additional power hitters. I admire cy Glavine and Cy Smoltz but that was yesterday. I would only give Hampton, Glavine, or Smoltz a contract if they agreed to one year for one or two million dollars. Mr Wren needs to make some bold moves.

Arthur

By Im Not aBravesFan

September 25, 2008 6:04 PM | Link to this

So with 4 games left and 18 games out of it, you decide to write an article with a bunch of “what ifs”? Send this article to all the fans of the MLB teams who didn’t make it and they can copy your article word for word and just change the names of the players. Try writing about the teams with injuries who made past the All-Star break. I’m going out right now and by an AJC so I can wipe my anus.

By varoadrunner

September 25, 2008 6:32 PM | Link to this

They could have easily won the division with just a little luck and half the injuries. Mark or whomever…. My questions are: - Will Mike Hampton be a Brave in 2009? - Is Escobar hurt of is it a disciplinary move? - Do the Braves really think Frenchy will rebound in 09?

Although this is an interesting question (if they could have won) I’m thinking about next year. This year is shot and what could have been - DIDN’T!

By Mark Bradley

September 25, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this

I can’t imagine Hampton will be back. The Braves are hoping (praying, actually) Francoeur starts to hit again. So far as I know, Escobar has a tender hamstring.

Actually, there’s a great quote from Dan Jenkins’ great book, “Semi-Tough”: “What could have happened, did.”

By AdirondackDave

September 25, 2008 6:58 PM | Link to this

Hey, let’s talk about something more interesting… Puhols went 3-3 today and is at .353. I’m thinking he’s going to make us sweat that batting title this weekend.

By Nelson

September 25, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

From Charlie: Lets say Jeff F. had hit like a professional instead of a minors prospect. And now from me: Let’s say that Bobby moved Prado to Second base and Kelly to the outfield instead of playing the slumping and dull Jeff F. every day!. Send him back to the minors, not for a couple of days but for a whole year and see if he becomes a real ball-player.

By randy

September 25, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this

The Braves won’t finish fourth again next year. The Nationals are going to be improved and could finish third or better. Is it time for cellar-dwellers again?

By Najeh Davenpoop

September 25, 2008 8:38 PM | Link to this

I hate to tell you this but this article is irrelevant. The Braves f-cked up this year before it even started by sinking so much money into old people and giving up so many prospects for Teixeira. You can say what you want about what would have happened if players stayed healthy (particularly the 40 somethings) but the lack of depth and the over-reliance on old players was and has been an issue for this team for a few years now and they finally paid the price for doing nothing about it.

By ThinkTank

September 25, 2008 8:47 PM | Link to this

Let’s say Vance Wilson (backup C) hadn’t developed Plantar Fascitis before his first scheduled game.

Let’s say Gary Sheffield hadn’t been the usual distraction.

Let’s say only one of two primary relievers — Joel Zumaya or Fernando Rodney, take your pick — hadn’t been injured and had returned prior to July.

Let’s say Todd Jones hadn’t become the Dan Kolb of relievers.

Let’s say Dane Sardinha (Primary backup C) had actually gotten a hit. Ok, actually more than 6 hits.

Let’s say Bonderman didn’t miss most of the season with a blood clot.

Let’s say they hadn’t surrendered and traded Pudge Rodriguez.

Let’s say Dontrelle Willis had actually gotten somebody out.

Let’s say Jaques Jones hadn’t decided to watch “The Art of Hitting” By Jeff Francour.

Let’s say they’d been only moderately, as opposed to immoderately, unlucky. Given the way the WhiteSox are stumbling to the finish, would these Tigers have been in the fight for first place?

Only the Shadow knows.
And he hate’s what if games.

By vic

September 25, 2008 8:53 PM | Link to this

Titothebear and Gary: Get the sh@# out of your mouth and get off Mark’s a@@.

The Braves will not win next year. Why? Bobby Cox !! Bet on it and this time next year I will remind you.

Keep up the good work Mark.

By Bama

September 25, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this

Put the blame where the blame belongs. Frank Wren and Bobby Cox.

By Tom Long

September 25, 2008 9:14 PM | Link to this

It was that dropped pop-up. Kelly’s been on a tear in September, but the dropped pop-up let the air out of the team. Strange, as Shakespeare had it, “for the want of a mail, a kingdom’s lost.”

By nelson

September 25, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this

see this is all we have left to do…sit here and think what could of been….

By Tokyo Tom

September 25, 2008 11:30 PM | Link to this

No Team is right- no team was ever more overated than Avondale in the 70’s- except maybe USC this year

The great thing about baseball- it starts at the tail end of winter & finishes in the middle of fall, 162 games to see what adversity can hand to a team and how that team responds. During the 90’s the Braves had very little misfortune- it seemed like this year was payback time.

As for BC during that stretch- I seem to recall that the only postseaons where they got beat by a lessor team was in 97 (thank you Eric Gregg and Chipper getting thrown out when overrunning 2nd base 3 times) and i think in 98 to the Padres (who got spanked by the Yankees in the Series). Every other postseason they lost to teams at least as equal if not better- again, was it BC’s fault that Otis Nixon stopped at 3rd in 1991? that they were spent making up a 12 game deficit and winning 104 games just to make the postseason in 1993? Couls they have really beaten the 1999 Yankees who won 110 games that season?

I’m not saying that maybe it isn’t time for Bobby to stay on the farm- just that you can’t pin the lack of WS wins on just him

By ThinkTank

September 26, 2008 12:22 AM | Link to this

By Tokyo Tom

1992-2000 & ‘02-95 the braves faced teams in the postseason who won fewer games. Only in ‘91 and ‘01 did the braves have the lesser record. So 12/14 series, the braves had the superior record.

I guess the definition of which teams were lessor is debateable.

By ThinkTank

September 26, 2008 12:26 AM | Link to this

1992-2000 & ‘02-95 the braves faced teams in the postseason who won fewer games. Only in ‘91 and ‘01 did the braves have the lesser record. So 12/14 series, the braves had the superior record.

I guess the definition of which teams were lessor is debateable.

By tonyb

September 26, 2008 3:36 AM | Link to this

We’ve been waiting on Hampton to repair a long time and it is time to throw the towel in on him.Hampton was a great athlete and pitcher and could hit the ball, but those days are behind him. We need to move on. I agree we need to verify if Smoltz and Glavine have anything in Spring Training but we need to rely on some young arms.Francoeur psyche needs help he just needs to go somewhere and meditate he has all the tools his situation is mental if he can somehow tap into the majic he had as a rookie I think he will be ok…

By TheAntiMe

September 26, 2008 4:18 AM | Link to this

It is mathematically possible. Let’s say, Mark, that I quote the great Ernie Johnson Sr.:

“If your Aunt Mabel had a mustache she’d be your Uncle Frank.”

By Mitchell

September 26, 2008 5:35 AM | Link to this

The answer is yes, but it still could have been yes if in spite of all the injuries they had played half as tough and competetive during the season as they have the last two weeks.

Of course, this is still the regular season but the regular season as we knew it stopped mattering more than a month ago.

And yet I still have to blame Kelly Johnson. He squandered every ounce of momentum and potential and hope in one drop of a ball. That was the worst thing I’ve ever seen.

I think we’ve all been feeling for the last two years or so that the Braves have not been playing up to their abilities but are still at times relatively competent and occasionally skilled, but if there was any doubt that it was all teetering on a razor’s edge of total collapse, that was it.

That was the end of the end.

Sorry Kelly. Your wife’s hot. You got that going for you.

By The Fight Realtor

September 26, 2008 5:57 AM | Link to this

That is a whole lot of “ifs”

By george

September 26, 2008 6:55 AM | Link to this

let’s get someone from tampa bay in at the manager/gm level. bobby and john spent too long with a big budget orientation and did it wonderfully. unless ted buys the team back let’s get somebody in who is atturned to the new reality.

11

By Paul From Richmond

September 26, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

The problem is attitude. This group sleepwalked through April getting swept by the Nationals. They set the tone then. Dabbling in baseball rather than being excited about it. Then they spent the year with a 9-5 attitude.

No leadership. (Did you ever hear of a Braves Team Meeting? Me neither)

No fire. No Hustle. (with only a few exceptions) I don’t mind losing if it is a good ball game with some battling. But the wait and see - maybe we will hit a home run philosophy was painful to watch.

By Philliesuk

September 26, 2008 8:59 AM | Link to this

Spin it however you want, but the only way to make us contenders next year is to sign Sabathia and a #2 starter. There are obviously other problems that must be fixed, but the #1 and #2 starters are essential.

By Rick Long

September 26, 2008 9:33 AM | Link to this

Mark:

Although I stated in my earlier post that the team needs major re-building, I am in favor of bringing Hampton back ON A ONE YEAR INCENTIVE LADEN DEAL, rather than signing only PERHAPS marginally better veterans such as Derek Lowe, Jon Garland, etc. to expensive multi-year deals.

By Stuart

September 26, 2008 10:28 AM | Link to this

The braves may have made a run. I dont think the braves had enough pitching, but this month shows the cabinets are not as bare as some, including myself, thought. This offseason is the most important offseason in years. If the braves can get a break or two and spend wisely, the bravos will be set up for years.

Go Bravos

By JimA

September 26, 2008 10:36 AM | Link to this

The season changed when KJ dropped that easy pop fly against the Phils… You could see all hope drained from that point forward… We wenet from 3 game out of 1st to 6 in that singel series - and never recovered.

By Mike B

September 26, 2008 11:29 AM | Link to this

To JimA,I don’t mean to be rude, but I bet you never wore a jock strap for over 25 baseball games in a given year. One play did not change the season! Momentum can make a difference in college football as they only play 12 games and a lot more emotion involved. 162 games. That’s one thing that’s great about MLB, if you have a bad game, you only have to wait one day to make up for it. The Phillies are better than the Braves right now for one reason that has another point. Pitching. The other point and the reason their pitching is better against the Braves is because the Braves have too many LH hitters to go up against the Phillies LH pitching. I like Kotchman, but because he’s lefthanded (they already have enough LH hitters), and because the Braves need more power from this position, he needs to be traded. Obviously, they also need another RH power hitter in the OF. How about VG from the Angels? Then you could give Francouer another chance - doesn’t matter who plays LF and RF also could keep Anderson in CF. Johnson needs to remain at 2B - just too much potential to be way above average hitter for 2b. Prado also needs to stay to rest Johnson against particular LH pitchers and to also rest Chipper at 3rd. Yes, Chipper needs to stay and he is a leader (maybe better hitting coach than Pendleton) despite what some nut said in a previous post. Escobar and obviously McCann would fill out the line-up. Someone tell me who we could get at 1B, but he needs to hit from the right side or both (Maybe we can get Tex back Ha!)

Also, would it hurt anything to move the fence in about 10ft in the RF power alley. Why 390?

Looking ahead to 2009, even if the Braves get VG, Francouer hits 290 with 25 homers, Chipper plays in 150 games, and no one goes on the DL, it won’t matter if we don’t get some pitching!

By Boo Boo

September 26, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

With Tex still on the club, rather than Kotchman, they might only be 9 games out, simply because Tex was going to get his RBI. A few one run losses might have been wins. That is the only realistic “what if.”

How about, what if the Braves could have beaten the Washington Nationals 9 out of 18 games? How about, what if the Braves could have beaten the Cincinnatti Reds 4 of 6 games, or won 4 of 9 from the Milwaukee Brewers, or won 1 of 6 from the Chicago Cubs? How about, what if they could beat the Phillies more than 4 of 19 games?

How about, what if Tim Hudson could have pitched the whole season, instead of worrying about 40-year old pitchers being considered quality starters?

What if that “Obama style change” hadn’t come over the Braves. Instead of getting players capable of winning, they scheduled the equivalent of cow milking contests and parachuters landing on the field in clown suits as why we should go to the park. That’s change you can count on, change from Schuerholz and Turner and TBS and Carey and 14 Division Championships, bringing back a laughing stock to Atlanta. Change that is good for the one promoting change is not always the change the people want to see.

By Jerry

September 26, 2008 12:47 PM | Link to this

This team will go nowhere until the real needed change is made. GET RID OF BOBBY COX!

He has lost his touch for the game, if he ever had it to begin with. He doesnt understand small-ball or how to manage a bullpen. He cant win in the playoffs, he cant turn players around. Bobby and Pendelton need to go. They are collectively holding this team back.

By Mike B

September 26, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

Boo Boo, did you have to mention Captain Rhetoric? NObama is a huge facade, and the biggest farce since the belief of human induced global warming. It’s really scary to think where the U.S. is headed with Socialism. If that’s what everyone wants, then no one better than smooth talking, anti-American (wife and preacher included), Nobama to lead us to the end. Maybe the government will someday own the Braves and then we can call our congressmen to request line-up changes.I gotta go puke.

By Doug in Tucson

September 26, 2008 12:59 PM | Link to this

The truth is this is a old club, they run poorly other than say Josh Anderson. The pitching staff is worn out, alot of tired arms and for many surgery with 50-50 chances of comming back. Give Hampton credit..he is a “Man”, didn’t give up and battled like crazy to be part of this organization. I respect and admire Hampton, he surely didn’t need the pain, media & fan snipes and money wasn’t his motivation. I want to say Thanks Mike…I’d buy you a coffee any day sir! I like Casey Kotchman as a player but why is it the Braves management never gave thought to putting Chipper at first base and save his legs some? I wonder if any team ever reads the comments from the Fans who so badly want their favorite teams to succeed?

For what it’s worth (I know Baseball)lets hope with the $40-50 miliion (or more if deadwood is released) the Braves find a couple pitchers first and foremost.Not a couple 35 year olds with a couple good years left but someone worth a longer contract. The hitting while erratic at times is not the most urgent need the Braves face.

By warren

September 26, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this

the players that the braves need to hold on to and set up in their rotation. the first one is kelly johnson, why not put him in left field. he played that in the minors. he would be a huge upgrade to a position that has hurt the braves for many years. can you tell me the last time the braves had a player in left field that had 16 homeruns? and set prado as your full time second baseman. id say he has more than proven himself as a steady second baseman. we know he can hit, and im sure he cant be any worse than kelly was at second. resign infante, hes a super sub, and he can fill in at pretty much any position. you got mccann behind the plate and the corners are covered with chipper and kotchman. lets try to give frenchy a chance in the off season to see if he can get back to his old self. pick up a free agent for the outfield weither it be center field, we will have to see if jordan is ready to play at the major league level. put campillo in the rotation along with j.j. i hate to say it, but resign hampton to a insentive laced contract. just a one year. the guy owes the breaves and we stuck with him all this time and maybe we can get one solid season out of him. then the big question will be if the braves even have a shot to sign a c.c. sabathia (yanks and mets will sign him) so look at other possiblilities, like second tier starting pitchers. derek lowe is available. the braves have alot of money to spend, it just all depends on how they spend. free agents should be 2 starting pitchers, and a power hitting outfielder. at this point if they dont make these decisions wisely, its gonna be another lost season. i mean aj burnett is also a free agent. you get hudson back late next year, and i like what i saw out of gonzo since coming back. the bullpen needs work, maybe a trade or two is the way to go for a better reliever, possibly smoltz as a middle man if he comes back. then you might have glavine too, but these are maybes and you need to be sure of what you have going in to the 2009 season. get rid of blaine boyer. gives up a run everytime out. and trade jo jo reyes, he needs a change of scenery. im a die hard braves fan. go braves for 2009!!!

By jgon

September 26, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

Let’s say we have to learn how to advance a runner on base with a good out or learn how to bunt. That alone would have put more runs on the score. Nothing new its been going on for years. choke

By Philliesuk

September 26, 2008 6:54 PM | Link to this

Here’s what we need: 1. speed 2. power 3. pitching

Not in that order, necessarily.

By BRIBRI3618

September 27, 2008 12:28 AM | Link to this

I have to say that I dont think I have ever been more disapointed by a teams performance than I have this year. I was so sick of seeing this team have leads in games and because of such a SORRY and I do mean terrible bullpen you end up losing that game. Everytime this team had a lead in a game I knew it was only a matter of time before the bullpen would blow it bigtime!! You can say anything you want about being over worked, well these guys are paid LOTS OF MONEY to pitch one inning, two at the most on any given night and how they choose to do that is up to them, if they throw strikes then they wont be out there long, but the Braves bullpen likes to walk people, thats why they are overworked. I think we need a whole new group in the bullpen that throw strikes. On the batting front they need to stop striking out so much, that was the terrible thing about the offense just make some productive outs instead of striking yourself out of every inning.

By gayle

September 27, 2008 12:37 AM | Link to this

Who cares? As long as this teams clings to it’s past glories and keeps that relic in the dugout, such conversations are completely pointless.

By Braves fan

September 27, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

It was a tough season for us for sure with the injuries and all. I hope that next year is better. Here’s one thing that I found on the internet that was fun though to remember days of old battingstanceguy dot com does a great video on the braves.

By richbrave

September 27, 2008 3:23 PM | Link to this

FA PITCHING, PITCHING, and with the #7 pick, the best OF or 1B prospect because I don’t think any phenom left-handed arms are going to fall that far in this year’s draft.

By BarneyStrickland

September 27, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

To “Avondale was the most overrated teams of the 70’s” …. You sound like a sissy from some JV in Dekalb county that never got over getting whupped by the Blue Devils…….. Chump !! As for the Bravos, both Glavine and Smoltz will be back on the cheap for at least 2 more additional seasons and buy us time to transition to life without them and Chipper. Go Braves and lay off Bobby Cox even if he still beats his wife !!

By Gary Cann

September 29, 2008 9:17 AM | Link to this

Mark,

I know you are “close” to the Braves players, but on the last day of the season, John Smoltz, recovering from shoulder surgery, was playing in a very competitive golf tournament. I know he can’t play ball, but it makes me wonder why he wasn’t sitting besides his team mates, cheering them on and spreading his knowledge rather than already in the off season mode.

All season long the Braves took on the “professional” attitude, while the Rays were playing their hearts out with spirit and dedication. When something went wrong, the fed on the emotion and changed it. The Braves just took it all in stride.

Smoltz’s golf tournament while the season was still in swing is an example of a lack of fire in the gut to commit to winning.