AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > April > 17 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USUnderdogs? That’d be us
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sitting here eating a chicken parm sandwich in my hotel room, listening to “Essential Dean Martin” and getting ready to catch the infamous No. 7 train at Grand Central Station for the lovely ride to Shea and the start of the most eagerly anticipated Braves April series since … well, I don’t know, probably since last April.
But anyway, it’s pretty big. It would be real big, if Smoltz was facing Pedro (or Smoltz was facing anybody in the series), and if Chipper and Renteria weren’t hurt and out of the lineup. But it’s still pretty big. Sort of. If for not other reason than the Braves can see what they’re up against down the line, provided the Braves can stay in the race long enough to get their own ship righted and healthy, which I’ll assume they will do (get healthy and stay in it, that is).
The Metropolitans and their long-suffering faithful are geeked up, and so are the tabloids. Back page screaming banner headline today isn’t about the Yanks, but the Mets: “Bring ‘Em On!”
The “em” would be the Braves, of course.
But if their fans believe now’s the time to finally end the Braves’ divisional dominance, well, the Mets’ players and manager know that talking the talk is one thing, but walking the walk….
“I always feel good going into each series, no matter who it is,” Mets manager Willie Randolph told reporters after his team improved to 9-2 with a rout of the Brewers on Sunday. “But feeling good playing the Braves doesn’t mean a whole lot. You want to win the series. You can feel good going in, and not feel too good going out.”
But frankly, folks, the Braves simply must be considered heavy underdogs against the Mets, at least in this week’s series with the Mets at full strength and surging, and the Braves’ lineup without two key components and the bullpen perhaps showing signs of the heavy early workload.
Meanwhile, their first two starters for the Braves in the series are Jorge Sosa and Kyle Davies, who’ve been shaky to say the least, and Tim Hudson (9.20 ERA) will go against the rejuvenated Tom Glavine in the finale. Whew. If the Bravos can win this series somehow, it’d be huge for their confidence and, more importantly, would remind the Mets and their faithful that it doesn’t really matter what kind of shape the teams are in, the Braves seem to always have the upper hand, or at least most of the time.
Here’s one to keep any eye on right away: Sosa tonight, coming off two bad outings in his first two starts, will face nemesis Carlos Delgado, who kills the Braves in general, but no one worse than Sosa, both before and since he joined the Braves. Delgado is an absurd 12-for-25 with six homers off Sosa. SIX HOMERS!
That’s not amore.
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Marc Spoor
April 17, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
DOB, what was your opinion of COx taking Thomson out. The guy was throwing a 1 hitter. First off, why was Cox even asking how his guy was? Thomson had only thrown 74 pitches, leave him alone, if he asks to come out fine, otherwise let him take the ball and finish the game. Plus when Thomson said he felt good not great, fine good is good enough, maybe he wan’t feeling great because he had already thrown 6 innings. I just think in a key game, before going into the series against the Mets, it was a must win. Especially at home, with a three run lead, going into the seventh, and with a guy on the mound tossing a one hitter. These kind of losses are deestating, like the finale at San Francisco. If we have those two games the Braves are 8-5, and only 2 games back. Now the Braves are 4 out, facing the hottest team in baseball, if we loose 2 out of 3 or get swept, the Braves are looking at a very long road to catch the Muts.
What do you think DOB? Is Thomson not 100 percent? Should Cox have left him alone? Or should Thomson have wanted to finish his gem, and just taken the ball?
By JorgeSosa
April 17, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
¿Pedro Delgado ahora está en Nueva York? Pienso que me estoy sintiendo enfermo.
By Ace
April 17, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this
Muy bien. Cuando Jorge Sosa juega por los bravos estoy enfermo tambien.
How long will Bobby stick with Sosa and Davies in the rotation if current trends hold?
By TennesseePaul
April 17, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this
Good to have you back DOB. Glad to hear you’re enjoying yourself in the seventh level of hell. You mentioned the infamous No. 7 train and I was expected to read a Rocker-esque knock on purple haired people and single teenage moms and non-english speaking people. Better cool the jets, people might read the race card in there somewhere.
By Jeremy
April 17, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this
This series means absolutely NOTHING for the Braves. No Chipper or Edgar. No Smoltz. The pitching matchup tonight greatly favors the Mets, so if they don’t win tonight, right them off now. By the way, what’s all this talk about the Mets being the team to beat. Hey folks, it’s April 17! That means I finished my taxes, not “Oh my god, the Mets are the best team in baseball!” They are 9-2 against the lowly Nationals, young Marlins, and unproven Brewers. Also, they’ve played exactly THREE games away from Shea. C’mon people…IT’S APRIL AND THIS MEANS NOTHING!!!
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 17, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
Well, it looks like Bobby is in postseason form. A starter is on a roll and still looking sharp and Bobby takes him out because “its time”. I get so tired of just because he has pitched six innings hes done. Of course, the bullpen comes in and ruins a great performance. But, a good sign that there has been three good starts in a row.
By MEB
April 17, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
Isn’t it cool to be having such a big time series and it’s only April. Speaking of which we get them at home at the end of the month and it looks like it’s going to be a sell out. You be careful DOB there at beautiful Shea.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 17, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
Couldn’t have said it any better, Jeremy!
By Ryder
April 17, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
I remember back in 96 when the Phillies swept a four game series in Atlanta in May and everyone began saying “the sky is falling” and everyone picked Philly to win it all. That comes to show you what predictions actually mean.
In other words, Jeremy’s speaking the absolute truth: RELAX! I really don’t care if they get swept even. Get back to me about this in September.
By Chop Chop
April 17, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this
Jeremy, the Braves play the Mets nine times in the next nineteen games. The Mets look like they are the biggest threat to the Braves’ division title streak in a long time, so these games are big. You can say “No Chipper, No Edgar, No Smoltz” all you want, but every game against the top contender in your division means something.
By Choppin Bob
April 17, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
Jeremy, This series does mean something. Its 3 games. It means if we stack up right now against the Muts. Yeah yeah yeah we haven’t played crappy teams like they have, but players still have to play. How do you think we got 14 straight championships? Its not from guys like Chipper, Andruw, & Smoltzie saying, “Awe, its only the 3rd week, we’ll see.” They play hard from game 1-162, and Bobby Cox reminds them of that. If we finish 1 game out 1st, then 1 of these 3 games mean SOMETHING. And as far as being the team to beat, the Braves and the Mets are the best in the East. Divisional titles don’t get awarded until the end of the year, so we have to beat someone, and thats the Mets.
By TennesseePaul
April 17, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
I agree Chop Chop. It can’t mean nothing. If we lose the division by 3 games, then we are free to pick any three loses/Mets wins that would make up for it. Most likely those will be in April when the Mets are on fire and the Braves are pulling pitchers throwing one hit shut outs.
But in any case, the Braves see the Mets 18 or 19 times this season. That means half of them are in the next 21 days. That is big. Very big. We have to make the most of it while we can. We don’t get another chance at a head-to-head match up for 2 to 3 months after that. This is when you play to keep it as close as possible. If we lose these 9 games, we’re out by 15 games. That’s a massive deficit. In the NL East, that would be hard to make up. The Phillies are the only other challenging team, and they don’t show to challenge to hard. The Nationals and Marlins will role over for just about anyone. So our victories against those teams are a wash against the victories the Mets make. Our shot is taking the Mets head-to-head.
Falling behind now is just the same as giving up 5 runs in the second and having to come back (i.e. just like the first 10 games of the season). It isn’t the way to win.
By Bob
April 17, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
I always enjoy and respect what DOB has to say and he appears to be at the top of his game today … hope the Braves are … well done!
hk’s Bear Bryant’ syndrome comment in the previous Blog remind’s me that Bama fans, plus a bunch of other folks, thought the Bear was a god that could walk on water … actually, he was just an experienced, caring coach that loved Coke and knew where all the rocks were! Don’t underestimate the Braves’ chances in this series … we’ll miss Chipper and Edgar … but, we still have Bobby … who, like the Bear, can show the boys where to step.
Besides, we’re America’s Team, axcept in NY … which still belongs to the British, … and. Atlanta is still the Land of the Free … and home of the Braves!
By Sir Stealth
April 17, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this
This series really is overhyped. The Braves cannot be “buried” this early in the season. The schedule has completely favored the Mets and not the Braves so far. The Braves had that wet, goofy west coast start, while the Mets beat up on the Marlins, Nats, and Brewers. The Mets rotation comes up Pedro, the Braves have Sosa. The Braves are also going through injury problems and the first series is at Shea.
Yesterday’s loss was painful, and I’m not trying to make excuses ahead of what could be a disappointing series, but the fact remains, if the Braves get healthy and sort out their issues, then they will be fine regardless of what happens. Even if it does turn out that the Mets don’t collapse this year and are hard to catch, the Braves should still certainly win the wild card, with the Marlins and Nationals again helping us out while teams in the Central beat up on each other. It would obviously suck a lot to break the streak, but it could also be a quirky mixup that changes our luck in the playoffs. I know I wouldn’t be missing a beat talking about our “15 straight playoff appearances” if we won a title.
That being said, I think the Braves surprise everyone by taking 2 or 3 this series and end up crusing to win the division. ESPN and everyone else better get all their feel good Amazin’ Mets stories out’ve the way now because they’ll soon have to fish back out all that’s already been said about how Bobby kept the ship on course through all the injuries and hystria and pulled off another great job.
By Sir Stealth
April 17, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this
This series really is overhyped. The Braves cannot be “buried” this early in the season. The schedule has completely favored the Mets and not the Braves so far. The Braves had that wet, goofy west coast start, while the Mets beat up on the Marlins, Nats, and Brewers. The Mets rotation comes up Pedro, the Braves have Sosa. The Braves are also going through injury problems and the first series is at Shea.
Yesterday’s loss was painful, and I’m not trying to make excuses ahead of what could be a disappointing series, but the fact remains, if the Braves get healthy and sort out their issues, then they will be fine regardless of what happens. Even if it does turn out that the Mets don’t collapse this year and are hard to catch, the Braves should still certainly win the wild card, with the Marlins and Nationals again helping us out while teams in the Central beat up on each other. It would obviously suck a lot to break the streak, but it could also be a quirky mixup that changes our luck in the playoffs. I know I wouldn’t be missing a beat talking about our “15 straight playoff appearances” if we won a title.
That being said, I think the Braves surprise everyone by taking 2 or 3 this series and end up crusing to win the division. ESPN and everyone else better get all their feel good Amazin’ Mets stories out’ve the way now because they’ll soon have to fish back out all that’s already been said about how Bobby kept the ship on course through all the injuries and hystria and pulled off another great job.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
journalist jimmy smith has learned in exclusive pre-game interview that jorge sosa intends to tip-toe through mets lineup. if delgado hits like usual against sosa bobby will call in a toe truck and pull sosa from the game. famous alfred hitchcock (related to billy) said braves pitchers have been successful over time because “they like to put their toe in the cold water of fear.” regardless, big toe tonight is in shoe of pedro martinez. bobby dews spotted earlier outside mets clubhouse dressed as vagrant. special shoes in brown paper bag (maybe more than shoes). if switch is successful, toe alignment issues will doom martinez tonight. bobby dews very convincing in new role.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 17, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
Let’s remember that the Devil Rays were in 2nd at the end of May 2 years ago. You see where they finished.
By Dave
April 17, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
You don’t want to go 2-7 or 1-8 against the Mets and fall in a big hole so early. It takes it’s toll on a club to constantly battle uphill as the Braves did that one season out in the Western conference. Winning 1 of 3 in this series would be enough for now and then take a series later this month. Yeah, it is early but MAN, you don’t want to be 10 games out in April. Ouch!
By Tomahawkin
April 17, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this
Without Chipper and Renteria our weak a-s-s lineup scares no one
Bobby Please move LaRoche to 7th in the order, and move Betemit up to the top…your lineup cards are killing me, I dunno if its April or October by the number of flops we’ve had so far…
Oh yeah, Without Chipper, and With LaRoche behind him expect the Mutt pitchers to pitch around Andruw all series, Mr Randolph is not going to let A. Jones beat them at the plate…so we’re gonna need some protection, and Hope we get a couple of guyss bats going in the series because we are going to need it wit our inconsistant pitching staff
By Chop Chop
April 17, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this
This is in response to Ryder’s post a little while ago:
In ‘96, the Braves had Smoltz (who won 24 games, struck out 276 and won the Cy that year), Maddux and Glavine in the rotation. They also had a dominant (well, except when Leyritz was at the plate and he throws him his third-best pitch…mutha**!!!…ugh…anyway) closer in Mark Wohlers, who saved 39 games and struck out 100 in 77 innings. That was also a good hitting Braves team (McGriff, Lopez, Chipper, Klesko, Grissom). I think most Braves fans (certainly me) believe that team should’ve won a second straight World Series.
Think this team is that good?
In other words, the Mets are going to have to help the Braves out this year. They’ll have to do like every other challenger has done (except the ‘94 Expos, who never got the chance) over the length of this run: Choke.
By Sir Stealth
April 17, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this
There is gonna be a LOT or pressure on Huddy to come through against Glavine head to head this series. For a long time it seemed to be the right thing to let Tommy and Maddux go, but I feel a lot of restlessness seeing those guys on their games this season while Hudson, who we are paying plenty, struggles. One game probably shouldn’t prove anything, but I think a lot of Braves fans will really want to see Hudson prove that he should be on the team right now instead of one of the guys that was a hero for the organization for such a long time. If we win one game, its gotta be that game.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this
jimmy smith had to cry a little bit after reading stirring post from bob about land of the free and home of the braves. bob is very patriotic american baseball fan. much like jimmy smith. this (ny) is pressure filled environment for jimmy smith because game can turn on a toe. will anyone step on pedro’s toe? if so, will fight begin? if fight begins will chipper come out of dugout? if chipper comes out will he pull muscle? will fans call him larry? much to cover tonight. much to report on this blog. stay tuned for updates from journalist jimmy smith. hard-hitting commentary, too. bonus during this series, exclusive interview with willie randolph. p.s., bobby may not tell where not to step, but can say where not to sit in dugout to avoid sticky mess on uniform. no further explanation needed. baseball soon.
By Sir Stealth
April 17, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this
And speaking of players that its gonna suck watching play for the other team, I miss Julio.
By geauxbraves2000
April 17, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this
I do agree that the Mets have played against teams that aren’t really supposed to do anything, but all the winning they are doing, no matter who it is against, will give them confidence. A team with confidence is a hard team to beat.
By BDinNYC
April 17, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this
DOB, if you need any tips on where to go or where to get a good bite to eat (don’t waste your time w/ sammies in the room — too much great food out there!), just let me know and I’ll send some tips your way. Will be at Shea tomorrow night to watch Davies (hopefully) throw 7 strong and notch win #2 of the season. This seriers, as with every Mets series, is huge for us. We certainly need to avoid a sweep but if we can win two, that’s a big victory. Not only are the Mets fans total headcases but their players can be too. Everyone knows that it’s not simply about the team with the most talent that wins the game; if we can get into their heads early on with two wins and shake their confidence, we will help set the table for another strong season against our biggest division rival.
It is horrible timing to have ER and CJ out but that is this game. We have to be able to muster a win with the lineup we have - so much of the regular season is played with stop-gap players during important games. That’s, obviously, what made last year such a stand out as our rookie stop-gaps stepped up big time.
DOB, any update on ER’s condition? He was playing SO well…
Finally, since you’re a music lover with good taste. I highly recommend the new Raconteurs CD. It’s the new Jack White-Brendan Benson project. Swanky 70s rock. The title track, Broken Boy Soldier, is right outta Led Zeppelin’s playbook. The CD officially releases in a month but early copies but one came my way. Outstanding stuff! Maybe I should bring a copy to the game tomorrow night and have it passed up to you in the press boxes? A little show of appreciation for your hard work covering our dear Bravos.
By TheSouthernJackAss
April 17, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this
This s** is going to be funny!!!….Mets sweeping the Atlanta Gimps!!!….GO JIMMY SMITH!!!….
By Bob
April 17, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this
jimmy,
Here, here … your “Noah” training is showing!
Making early predictions of how well this edition of the Braves will do is dangerous, Tom Dewey would tell you that, but we’re better than most believe, even without Larry, and it’s simply amazin’ how well the underdog Braves have done against the Mets during this run … maybe it’s payback for what they did to us years ago.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this
southerneasterbunny has priorities mis-placed. while jimmy smith cannot say (like dob) he is not a fan - jimmy smith tries to remain objective in reporting. journalist is optimistic of braves victory. jimmy smith is not a mets fan. journalist reports willie randolph’s favorite food is welsh rabbit. involves toast and cheese, not bunny like seb. breathe easy, seb.
By Bub_a_regular_braves_fan
April 17, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this
The sky is falling, the sky is falling. The Mets are playing 0.818 ball! Which means they’ll win 133 games this year…That means we can only lose 28 games to still win the division…and we’ve already lost 7. If we lose 22 more, its all over! Oh wait. It’s just the third week of the season…Nevermind.
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this
I hope Chipper and Edgar are back before too long. As it has been mentioned, we play the Mets 9 times in the next what, 3 weeks? They ALL mean something, and we can’t afford to be shorthanded playing the biggest threat in the division. I don’t care if it is the first sersies of the year…I don’t want to and we can’t afford to lose to the Muts.
Regards, Jason
By ELRIII
April 17, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this
So what if we lose the division this year? The Mets would have to win 13 more in a row to catch us.
At least the Mets are there to make it fun this year. They haven’t been around for several years. Welcome back to the race, NY.
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 06:10 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop, have to take issue that our “challengers” have choked year after year. The Giants in 93, who won 103 games and still couldn’t beat us, the Mets in ‘99 and ‘00, and some others were very good teams. To our credit, we stood toe-to-toe and beat them.
This series, the odds are SO stacked against us, in every way. Bad pitching matchups, injuries, and we generally just aren’t playing well. 1 win would be okay, 2 or 3 a real victory. Regardless, it’s early and plenty of time to make up for a bad start. Every game counts, but history says, we can make up lost ground if we have to.
Tomahawkin’ makes a good point about pitching around AJ this series. Tonight and tomorrow, at least, almost have to leave lefty LaRoche in the 5-spot, I would think; he does need to make the righties pay if they pitch around AJ. Might make sense to change that against Glavine and put Frency in the 5 hole.
By Jeremy
April 17, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this
Of course this series could end meaning SOMETHING if say, the Braves win the division by a game. But, it should mean NOTHING to the Muts and their legions of fans because: a) No Chipper b) No Edgar c) Either Orr or Pena will be in the lineup d) Smoltz isn’t even pitching this series e) Pedro against Sosa tonight…would we ever see that in the playoffs?
The Mets starting pitching will not hold up. Maybe Pedro will - and that’s a maybe. We all know that Glavine is over the hill. He’s given up 3 runs in 3 games…against the Marlins, Nationals, and Brewers. He’s also been pitching out of trouble. In 18 innings, he’s given up 17 hits. Steve Trachsel? Are you kidding me? Steve Trachsel against the Braves is like Bobby Dews pitching batting practice. This Bannister kid has looked good but will it last? And Zambrano is decent but would be the Braves 6th starter. Just keep in mind that the Braves starters have been as bad as the Mets starters have been good. Chances are, neither trend will last.
One more thing: Xavier Nady is hitting .366 and Frenchy is barely at .200. Those 2 RF’s stats will flip around in a hurry. I just want to know what the Mets record would be if they played the schedule the Braves just played. And with their 2 & 3 hitters & 3rd starter injured. They’d be LUCKY to be 6-7!
By Penn
April 17, 2006 06:27 PM | Link to this
I’ll tell you how important this series is. If the Braves sweep the series the Mets lead will be cut to ONE game and the Braves will be on their way to another division title.
If the Mets sweep their lead will be SEVEN games and they will be on their way to ending Atlanta’s dominance of the NL East. It will take a miracle to overcome a seven game deficit.
And you folks are saying it is not important. How could it be any more important? GEEEZZZ Stop whistling in the dark as you pass by this graveyard and start saying your prayers. You can bet your last peso that the spirit in the Braves clubhouse will be lower than a snake’s belly if they get swept. It will be bad enough if they lose 2 out of 3.
Try realism, sometimes it can soften the hurt.
By Del
April 17, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this
My observations on the games we have played thus far:
Thus far Giles looks like anything but a leadoff type. Maybe a #7 or #8.
Thus far Sosa looks like excellant trade bait or bullpen fodder. Anything but a starter this year. He did himself a great dis-service this year reporting so badly out of shape!
Thus far Orr’s contributions do not compare to last year. Don’t we have better utility material in the minors?
Thus far Thomson should be the #2 starter and for sure he should be removed from the trade bait list.
Thus far LaRoche is on target to set a season strikeout record. Great glove, but at what a price!
Thus far we haven’t gotten Diaz enough at bats. It is obvious he will get very little playing time in the OF. First base smells like a good possibility, for we need his big bat in the lineup.
By Jeremy
April 17, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this
Penn, you are an idiot. On behalf of everyone on this blog, I’m just gonna come out and call you a feakin idiot! The season lasts FIVE MORE MONTHS!!! That’s 2 games they need to make up a month and win the division. I’m a 17-year old who hates math and even I can figure that out!
By Miles
April 17, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this
Penn, a 7 game deficit in april is nothing….if it were late auguest THEN I would be concerned, but we’re still only 2 weeks into the season. The Astros started off 15-30 last season and were left for dead, they ended up playing in the world series. Sure the mets look good now, but anyone who thinks that they will win 140 games with Bannister and Zambrano winning 15+ games apiece with a sub 4.00 ERA just doesnt know much about the game of baseball.
By Penn
April 17, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this
Seventeen years old are you Jeremy? Has anyone told you lately that you are a foul mouthed little sob? If you were my grandson I’d teach you a lesson or two about how to act like you at least have a streak of decency in you. Nasty little bast&&d.
Now run along and crawl back under that rock from whence you came.
By TennesseePaul
April 17, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this
Giles is in the top 10 in walks in the Majors and has a great OBP. I’d much rather have him leadoff. I think he’s doing a good job.
He is in a rut right now though. I hope he breaks out of it today. If he’s in the leadoff role today I bet he will. Just keep Orr out of the 1 hole.
Putting Orr in the bottom of the line up just makes more since to me. If he actually does get on base, it would be in front of the pitcher. He’ll be able to execute the sacrifice bunt, steal, or something, on the base paths that will help the team. More so than McCann or LaRoche would anyway. I like McCann, but he isn’t close to as fast as Orr.
All of this of course is only while Chipper and Edgar are out. As I posted in the other blog, and my thoughts haven’t changed in the last 2 to 3 hours, I’d be happy to see the following:
1. Giles
2. Betemit
3. Langerhans
4. Andruw
5. Francoeur
6. McCann
7. Orr
8. LaRoche
With the 7 and 8 hole possibly switched…
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this
Giles OBP is a pretty respectable .361 even though he’s slumping.
Marcus has always been a free swinger, and now he’s being asked to look for walks. He’s done a pretty good job of that, but maybe it’s affected his b.a. a little.
If he doesn’t hit leadoff, who does? I don’t see Betemit as a leadoff hitter (and where does he even play when Chipper and ER come back?); Lanagerhans MIGHT make sense, but right now looks pretty good at 3.
As to the Mets, if they maintain a .294 team era. and a .298 team batting average for a full year, God Bless ‘em and give ‘em the title. We’ll see.
By Penn
April 17, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this
I am fully aware of the fact that we are only 14-15 games into the season.
I am also aware that a one game deficit is a heck of a lot better than trailing 7 games and I don’t care when it is.
I am even more concerned by the fact that the emotional impact of getting swept would be monumenmtal. They are already a little shaky by the failiure of their starters and then yesterday’s loss of that heartbreaker.
I repeat, “THIS THREE GAME SERIES IS VERY IMPORTANT.”
Now I’ll run off and watch it on ESPN.
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this
Penn, not getting involved in your spat with the young man (I’ve learned my lesson about doing that); but really, I’m sure we ALL, including the players and coaches, would rather win than lose these games. Just don’t see the logic in saying the season is lost if we lose a couple (or even three). Clearly, it’s not.
By Penn
April 17, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this
MBATL, I never said the season was lost. I never said the Braves couldn’t win even if they get swept.
What I said was that this series IS IMPORTANT. And too many posters have been saying it was not important. That is nuts. A one game deficit is a heck of a lot easier to overcome than 7. And their morale would be sky high even if they can win 2 out of 3.
I love the Braves. What I don’t like is being called an idiot by a 17 year old fool.
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this
Hear ya’, Penn. Didn’t mean to put words in your mouth. Go Braves!
By steve_97060
April 17, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this
In the last several games Andruw is dropping his right shoulder and totally collapsing his back side, no wonder he keeps hitting weak fly outs.. Laroche is striking out a very impressive pace…
By Young Jeezy
April 17, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this
I really don’t think I can take even one more inning of Chip Caray. Can we PLEASE send him back to Chicago or wherever he came from? Please. This guy is terrible. Yeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh.
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this
Young Jeezy, on the flip side, I think Joe Simpson is the best we have. Manages to share a lot of info without sounding like he’s trying out for a game show job.
By TennesseePaul
April 17, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this
So, one more inning until Sosa just completely implodes…
Prove me wrong fatboy!
By Bob
April 17, 2006 07:41 PM | Link to this
Jeremy,
Don’t hate math son, it’s what enables us to have the Internet, enjoy these Bolgs, and solve the mysteries of the Universe.
I have trouble with math too … keep forgetting the integral of “e to the x”, that is until I remember that it’s the same as its derivative … pie are not square, cornbread is! Remember those things and you’ll do just fine.
Consider yourself fortunate; Common Sense ain’t so common and, at 17, you seem to have more that some folks have at 71!
The point is that most of these bloggers, Penn included, share one thing in common … they want their Braves to win! If you’ll use your mind’s eye and your 3rd ear to see and hear what they’re really saying … instead of paying too much attention to the words, you’ll realize that most are really saying the same thing; they just express things differently.
It’s sometimes easy to think that some of these folks use their digits to count to ten, but there’s alot of truth and wisdom in what’s being said … you just have to look for it.
The biggest difference between the old and new Brave fan is that some can still remember when moral victories had more meaning than real ones.
It’s good to see someone like you step up to the plate with the courage to express your convictions … but don’t be too quick to convict Penn until the evidence is all in … I’ve read a lot of what he’s said and what’s “between the lines” is worthy of considering.
By TennesseePaul
April 17, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this
Someone please! Line one off of Pedro’s toe.
By TennesseePaul
April 17, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this
There it is… Giles snapped the ohfer.
By eric the elder
April 17, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this
I can’t tell you how much I hate this lineup. Orr doesn’t even deserve to be on the club, much less leading off. Get Giles back up there and bat Betemit second.
Man, do we need the left side of our infield back!
By Gray
April 17, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know why the Braves/Mets game is on both ESPN and Turner South tonight? I thought that ESPN games were blacked out in our area.
By Steve
April 17, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww man!
By eric the elder
April 17, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this
First base was open, so why not pitch around Delgado? Don’t let the big guy beat you, especially if he has always owned you.
By Steve
April 17, 2006 08:03 PM | Link to this
1-2 pitch in Delgado’s happy zone too,,,,
By Klesko
April 17, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this
Is that our DOB on the ESPN telecast???? Strange coincidance that there is a Dave O’brien leading the ESPN telecast….
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this
spitball! spitball! pedro is throwing spitball! of course with orr and laroche it does not matter. things looking ugly right now. will bobby call toe truck and take out sosa or will he let lead grow? is mcdowell at ballpark? maybe he could talk with sosa?
By David O'Brien
April 17, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this
BYinNYC, got a second before I start writing this gamer, now that the dye’s been cast by Jorge (“I’m Not As Good As My Record Last Year Might Indicate”) Sosa.
He’s unraveling.
Heard great stuff about that Raconteurs CD. Can’t wait to hear it.
Only ate sandwich in room because it was straight from LaGuardia to hotel, then time to do a little work and catch train to Shea. Not enough time to get a real lunch. But this was a good piazz/hoagie shop. Good sammy
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this
The fat lady is warming up folks…
By David O'Brien
April 17, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this
And no, that’s not me on ESPN. Dave O’B (that one) and me worked together a few years when I was covering Marlins and he was their TV/radio voice. Imagine the confusion when I’d stay in the team hotel.
OK, just wanted to set that record straight. Oh, and he also used to be a Braves TV guy, before he went to Marlins, then on to ESPN.
By Klesko
April 17, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Dave, I thought that was a heck of a coincidence…Just wanted to say thanks for the excellent job you do with your coverage of the Braves, you were one of my only sources for stuff while I was deployed for the last year, just got back 4 weeks 3 weeks ago.
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this
Eric The Elder,
I completely agree about Orr. I don’t even think he should be in the lineup. I think the Braves would be better off defensively if Betemit was at 3rd and Pena, Jr was at SS. They couldn’t be a whole heck of a lot worse off offensively either.
Man, we are going to be 6 games out of 1st after tonight. 6 freakin games. I know some say it’s early, it’s April, blah, blah, blah. These games are big. You don’t want to give NY even more confidence than they already have. They may just run off and hide.
Jason
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this
dob confirms pitcher unraveling before eyes of pitching coach and manager. yet, nothing is done. easy out orr and laroche. laroche may connect and if he does, goodbye. more likely he will not connect. 20 strikeouts says much. glove remarkably good, though. maybe laroche should take glove to plate. journalist reports bobby dews unsuccessful in slipping bad shoe to pedro. can bobby dews play left side of infield? is that pete orr or pete van wieren at 3B and leadoff?
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this
Could get ugly! Betemit is just too big to be a SS nowadays. I am not down on Betemit at all…he has been great when given the chance to play, but I just feel he should be at 3rd and Pena at SS.
Braves should have freakin pinch hit for Sosa with 2 on…should have known he wouldn’t get out of the 5th…man, the guy has eaten to many cupcakes in the last 6 months.
By Steve
April 17, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this
OK, Sosa is HORRIBLE, he has nothing.
By Carroll
April 17, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this
Send Sosa back to Tampa. Or just throw him on ebay and start the bidding at like a buck fifty.
Can Diaz play 3rd base? Orr is KILLING us! It’s very sad to me because I thought he might be something special….just another dud I guess.
By Bob
April 17, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this
jimmy, Roger tried to talk to Sosa, but the his only responses were “I don’t understand what you’re saying … all sounds like Greek to me”, “Who is the Delgado guy, anyway?”, “Braves bin berry berry good to me”, and “Where did you say I was going?”.
Maybe Roger would have better luck teaching him how to throw the spitball … or just have him watch Pedro.
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this
Great job, Chuck!
By eric the elder
April 17, 2006 08:43 PM | Link to this
Agree, Jason. As the leadoff, Orr whiffed 3 times on Sunday, 2 more times tonight and a foul popup. Six ABs without hitting a fair ball. And he dropped a popup. We need to get him out there, but what do you want to bet he’ll be right there again tomorrow?
Right about Sosa, Carroll. Didn’t Chuckie James pitch himself into the rotation with that 5th inning mess he got Sosa out of?
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this
Frenchy missed that one by a foot and a half!!
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this
laroche broke his lucky bat. good! same results with a new bat, though. should he be batting so high in the lineup? notice that willie took the bat out of betemit’s hands to pitch to sosa. what a waste. sosa bats and doesn’t record another out. why is betemit not at third and pena playing ss? the idea of bringing him up was his great defense at ss. so, instead we see orr at third and betemit juggled around again. james looked good. how many innings will bobby pitch him? will we see brian jordan? the left side looks horrible.
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this
Elder,
I agree…Orr will most likely be right back there tomorrow. Has anyone on our staff heard the phrase “waste one”? I am not talking about Davies who seems to waste quite a few, but man we give up a lot of hits on 0-2 and 1-2. Even more so than in the past.
Jason
By Steve
April 17, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this
Here comes Betemit, Jordan and Orr for the Hat Trick…….Hopefully we can et to Pedro and get that Sanchez in the game he’s a chucker…..Im feeling a 2 HR nite by Andruw…Maybe 1 by Frenchy..Our Wagner killer (Chipper) is out as we all know….So we need to get it going NOW!!!!
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this
Know I’ll get blasted but:
Come on, jimmy; the left side looks bad because we’ve lost Chipper Jones and Edgar Renteria. Orr hit .300 last year, hasn’t gotten untracked yet; but Pena is the answer in Shea stadium with (I think?) no major league at bats?
In the 3rd inning, to put another man on for David Wright? If it was October, maybe, but probably not even then. Make your pitch, take the consequences. Play the game. It’s April, for goodness sake.
Steve, as to Franceour bunting: only guessing… Frenchy was 0-3 with 2 K’s against Pedro last year. Maybe just trying to find a way to get on base, leading off the inning. If he gets it 10 feet to the right side, he’s on base. Bobby gets blasted for not being more creative… well he took a shot there, I guess.
Sosa… well, that’s tough to defend. A problem. On the positive side, he DID throw strikes for a change, but about all I can say good about him tonight.
It’s the 7th inning, in April. We’ve put 3 on the board against Pedro, are still in the game. The naysaying and second-guessing just kill me… so take your shots, guys.
By elbravo
April 17, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this
it is over! the mets win the east, the pennant and the world series! oh, it is april, i forget it is their 13th game and no injuries. i am proud of today’s game even if we loose.
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this
elbravo… Ha!
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 09:01 PM | Link to this
classic from braves announcer:
“bobby’s got to go to his bench and he hasn’t got much bench to go to … here’s brian jordan.”
By TennesseePaul
April 17, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this
Orr almost hit the toe! Nice shot Orr!
By Steve
April 17, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this
If only that wouldve caught the foot….or anywhere for that matter….CMON GILLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By eric the elder
April 17, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this
How ironic. Pete Orr drives Pedro out of the game.
By Jeremy
April 17, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this
I’m out from the so-called rock old man Penn. Teach me a lesson? Try not calling 17-year old’s (THE FUTURE OF AMERICA BABY!) sob’s, fools and whatever else you botched up there. So who in there right mind says a 7-game deficit in April would need a miracle? (YOU!) Now you say you’re a really really old dude. Is it possible you have alzheimer’s? (Sorry, I hate spelling too. I’m at that age where the whole concept of school isn’t much fun.) You said up there, “If the Mets sweep their lead will be SEVEN games and they will be on their way to ending Atlanta’s dominance of the NL East. It will take a miracle to overcome a seven game deficit.” That’s the most ludacris statement made on this blog since DOB started talking about his country music (which we really need to put a halt too)! You just can’t be mentally sane and say that the Braves would need a miracle to win the division if they get swept. You’ve probobly watched a lot of baseball in your day. So comment on the great DOB’s blog accordingly. I’m gonna go watch “24” now so antagonize all you want until the morning.
By the way, trade Sosa, insert James. Sosa has looked a lot less than impressive in 3 starts this year.
By TennesseePaul
April 17, 2006 09:06 PM | Link to this
Orr is so freaking fast!
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 09:06 PM | Link to this
MBATL,
You make some good points. I do think that Pena at SS and Betemit at 3rd is a better option. As I stated in a previous post, we would be better defensively and not much worse offensively…based on what Orr has done so far. Of course, Orr did just almost take Pedro’s head off on that single.
I just don’t buy this “it’s only April” argument. A loss is a loss…losing a game in the standings to a division rival is losing a game to a division rival. Doesn’t matter to me if it is in April, September, or October. They all count. I am not being argumentative, just stating my thoughts on a couple of the items you mentioned.
Jason
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this
jimmy smith often finds agreement with mbatl, but not always. mbatl is a loyal fan. that said, the left side might look better with the kid at ss since he is the defensive palyer he is. he’s been compared to belliard - great glove, light bat. perhaps orr will score (he’s on second now) and make us all feel better.
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this
I know HoRam had a bullpen session the other day at about 50-60%, but am not sure of his status. How is he doing? When is he due to come off of the DL? I can’t imagine JT going back to the bullpen after the way he has pitched in his two starts…Sosa has to be the odd man out, right?
Jason
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this
jimmy, no more arguments with MBATL except about baseball. Just think that if Pena was in, facing Pedro in his ML debut (hitting), the same people would be calling BC out for that.
Jason, I DO think the games matter and do want to win them… suspect that BC would prefer to win too! But to say “based on what Orr has done”, when the option is a guy who’s never faced ML pitching, much less Pedro… just doesn’t make sense to me except in hindsight, which is easy.
It’s all good… I said my piece (for now). Go Braves!
By Steve
April 17, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this
ATL needs to get it done in the 8th….Andruw HR….Frenchy HR…
By Miles
April 17, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this
MBATL….Pena is a better defensive SS than Bettemit. His bat may suck but we need a player with better range than Bettemit in the middle of the infield. Besides, Bettemit can then replace ORR at 3B.
By Gray
April 17, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this
I take it no one know’s why the Atlanta feed is getting both ESPN and Turner South.
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this
MBATL,
I agree that Bobby probably wants to win as well! My point regarding Pena was that it was looking like Orr was going to have his 6th strikeout in 2 games and even if Pena went 0-4 with 4 Ks, we would be better off because Betemit is better at 3rd than Orr and Pena is (from what I hear) better than Betemit at SS.
Andruw was so close!!! It is over now folks. 6 games out with Davies on the hill tomorrow. I know people will get upset, but man, this lineup could knock Davies around often & early tomorrow.
Jason
By Steve
April 17, 2006 09:21 PM | Link to this
No idea…Damn Andruw just missed it….I guess it’s up to Frenchy to tie it..
By eric the elder
April 17, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this
Jeremy, I don’t want to get in the middle of your spat with Penn, with whom I disagree. But, in fairness, you did call him an idiot, a freakin’ idiot. If you can’t take it, you really shouldn’t dish it out. I note, too that “the whole concept of school isn’t much fun” for you, and you claim to be the future of America. I hope you can understand why an old guy like me (who does not have Alzheimer’s) plans to scroll past all future Jeremy posts.
By Carroll
April 17, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this
My GAWD won’t these ESPN announcers ever shut up about the Mets? I mean, I’m as down on the Braves as anyone right now, but come freaking on! It’s the first game of the first series of the first month of the season….AND they had their best pitcher against our worst, and we’re without 2 of our best players. Yeah…they should be REAL proud of themselves for eeking this one out!
By TennesseePaul
April 17, 2006 09:29 PM | Link to this
This pen is great. What sucks is Sosa. Since Leo was so good with him, maybe we can trade him to the Orioles for something, bats and balls, maybe an extra base. Anything! What a drag. Davies, I hope, will come out tomorrow and school Sosa on what it means to pitch in the big leagues.
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 09:29 PM | Link to this
Miles, JasoninMaine… all the other Pena fans out there: yeah, maybe. But maybe we’d be b*** that Cox didn’t put his best lineup out there. Maybe if we’d have started Pratt instead of McCann he’d have won the game for us. Maybe. Hindsight. I just don’t think you start a kid for the first time in this environment, and you sure don’t assume that he’d have performed perfectly. But, I’m out of gas on it… reply if you want, but guess we’ve about shared out thoughts on it. (oh, except that most of this blog was ready to send Franceour to the minors less than a week ago (I only wanted to sit him for a day, the day that he broke out of his slump, of course)).
Gray, I always get both feeds when the Braves are on ESPN… the blackout thing with baseball seems to have gone away years ago. Don’t know.
By elbravo
April 17, 2006 09:31 PM | Link to this
billy the “over paid” kid wins it for the mets. the mets win the pennant, the mets win the pennant, and in the same day i send off my taxes. uh?
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this
toe injury! too late and wrong player. diaz takes one on the toe for team.
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this
MBATL,
Agreed…it would have been a tough environment against a tough pitcher. Man, imagine Pratt hitting a 2-run homer!!
Jason
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this
No magic this year folks…the Mets have finally spent enough to buy a pennant. Good night.
By J-dogg
April 17, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this
This game tonight sucked. It pains me to say it but the Mets are a much better team than we are. There pen is kights out, good starters and unbelievable lineup. Davies has no shot at that lineup, lets hope the bats can do something off zomboro. Where 5 down and counting, well be luckey to win one f*** game this seris. Wild card or bust.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this
bob, as possibly our only actuary (while there are many, many journalists) will you please explain if the braves lose the pennant by one, two, or three games … will it matter if the games were lost in april or in august? journalist does not understand how games played later mean more than games played today if all games count. will braves be allowed “extra” games later to erase deficit? the season is long but you play to win them all. new subject: what a thrill it is to watch andruw jones play baseball. he is very special. a franchise great player. baby seal was very excited when andruw hit that last drive to the wall. he needs some help in the lineup. can’t do it all by himself (though it seems he did for a time last year).
By Miles
April 17, 2006 09:56 PM | Link to this
can all the bandwagon fans PLEASE jump off RIGHT NOW. I cant deal with all of your crap comments after every friggin loss. We just had our worst starter go up against their ace and we still only lost by 1 run. Note to Cox: PUT JAMES IN THE ROTATION!!!!
By Adam
April 17, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this
Hey you have to look at the positives in this game. Our bullpen was great pitching to a stacked lineup. We managed to score 3 runs off of Pedro without two of our best bats in Chipper and Renteria. And Chuck James probably just earned himself a spot in the rotation once Horacio comes back. I just can’t believe the way that some of you are acting saying that its over and making a huge deal out of a slow start, we always start slow and last time I checked we’ve won 14 straight division titles. Some of these comments are proving people right when they say that Atlanta has bad fans.
By Bob
April 17, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this
Jeremy, Forget what I said about your common sense … looks like I jumped to conclusions … one of the very things that I was trying to caution you against … I apologize!
Fame is fleeting son, and I’m sure you don’t want to look back on your life one day, only to find that this is the moment for which you’re best remembered.
Most of us think that participating on the DOB Blog is a priviledge, regardless of how badly we might sometimes abuse it … not as an entitlement; inspite of what you might of learned in school.
Well, the Braves just suffered another tough loss … too bad it wasn’t Pedro’s toes you on which you chose to step!
By Miles
April 17, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this
can all the bandwagon fans PLEASE jump off RIGHT NOW. I cant deal with all of your crap comments after every friggin loss. We just had our worst starter go up against their ace and we still only lost by 1 run. Note to Cox: PUT JAMES IN THE ROTATION!!!!
By J-dogg
April 17, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this
James belongs in the rotation, sosa belongs on a independent team far away form Atlanta. Orr has no buisness leading off or playing third, we really need to get chip and er healthy. Rotation should be: Smolzy, Thompson, Duddy, James and Davies(though hes really not ready), sosa sucks and shouldnt even be in the pen.
By Sir Stealth
April 17, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this
I disagree with people saying that Orr should not be playing in favor of Pena, but I do think its kind’ve strange that Betemit is at short with Orr at third, and not the other way around. Can Pete Orr not play short? - it seems like he would have better range, Willy has looked a step slow out there. Meanwhile, Pete has exactly looked smooth at the corner. Bad performance while leading off aside, I think it makes a lot more sense to have him in there. As has been said, the guy hit about .300 last year and has the kind of speed that we could really use out there. He’s had a bad few games but Pena has never done at any level what Orr has in the majors.
Life sure seems unfair when Chipper and Renteria go down but LaDouche gets to maintain pristine health all the way to the season strikeouts record. I won’t give the usual gut reaction and say he’s not as good a fielder as everyone says just because he has missed some plays lately, but it does make his LaK’s that much harder to take. Count me as one who would absolutely like to see WillyB move to first once the lineup is healthy. Whatever happened to the days of Crime Dog and the Big Cat? I remember 50,000 chanting Sid in Fulton County Stadium - could have lived without the days of Rico Brogna, Robert Fick, and this LaClown turning first base for the Braves into Rafael Belliard type at least his D is good position.
By MGL
April 17, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this
Looks to me like the guys did a great job tonight!! The Met’s best against Sosa, and we come away with a one run loss. Would a win have been better? Sure, but we did not get wiped out. There are about 18 more games against the Muts, and we saw the best they have, and we certainly did not field our best. Number 15 here we come!!!
By Ron Roberts
April 17, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this
Unlike the gloomy glums, I’m actually encouraged by what I saw tonight.
I saw a vastly undermanned squad not only not give in to a hotter, more-loaded and less banged up squad on the road, but they hung with them.
Give me Edgar and Chipper and we silence that crowd.
The guy who should have Sosa’s spot in the rotation pitched tonight, and it ain’t Sosa. Welcome to the bigs, Chuck James.
Folks, who cares how big a lead the Mets take right now; we’ve played 1 game against ‘em and have nearly 20 still to play against ‘em and over 145 games to go, still.
The Mets aren’t better than we are, on paper. Let’s get Chuck in the rotation, let him, Thomson, Smoltz, Hudson (get your ACT together, dude…) and Davies in their proper places and see what the Mets have for a five-man roatation to put up against that for the long haul. Their lineup isn’t all that big a deal, either, compared to ours. We can (and will) outpitch them in the long haul, and our bats are just as lethal, if not moreso, and deeper on top of that.
It’s one game…one series (of six, total, I believe) and we’re battered and bruuised right now.
Call me in August when these series will matter. I’m alright if we leave with one win here. We leave no worse than five back with six more to play within a matter of weeks (with Chipper and Edgar coming back to bolster the lineup).
Even then… it’s too early to call this race - for either team.
By TheSouthernMilitantJackAss
April 17, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this
Game #1 of the sweep is in the books - good thing it really doesn’t matter, huh boys??…stupid Braves fans!!!…GO CELLAR DWELLERS!!!…
By Marc
April 17, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this
I’m going to try not to be to harsh about this loss. But there are a few things that are really annoying me. First off, are the Braves coaches coaching. Does Roger Mcdowell even present during the games. Delgado owns Sosa, batting about 500 with 6 homeruns before the game. So here we are in the in the 3rd inning 2 outs 1 on, 2 strikes on Delgado, with the Braves up 2 to 1. 1st base is open. Throw the guy 3 balls in the dirt if he doesn’t strike out, big deal you have 1st and 2nd and two outs, a force at every base. Does Mcdowell visit the mound, did anyone talk to Sosa in the dugout about situational pitching. Hanging slider, homerun, ballgame. That pitch cost us the game. Sosa is worthless, out of shape, and he can’t even go five innings, what is the point. Put James in there the guy pitched 4 shutout innings.
Second, Pedro was far from dominating. his fastball never reached 90, and he was hitable. Still Laroach, Franceur, Giles, these guys swing at everything, K, K ,K. Not only do they swing, but they look like they are trying to hit the ball back to Atlanta. Again, coaching, TP and BC should recognize Pedro isn’t throwing overly hard, the hitters should have gone up there patient, laying off the crap in the dirt, until he had to bring that 88 mph fastball. Andruw was the only one patient enough to wait for the fastball results are, a homerun and nearly another. I realize the Braves are missing Chipper and Renteria, but you can’t use injuries as an excuse, ahould the season stop till these guys get back, a team has to play through injuries other guys have to step it up. Right now that isn’t happening, yesterday’s game was winable and so was tonight’s. This whole it’s early excuse, son’t worry is buls*. These games mean just as much now as later. THe Braves are 5 games back, when was the last time, slow start or not, the Braves wer 5 games back after 13 games. I will say, that I know I am not a coach, or a player, I don’t know more than the coaches, but I know baseball and I watch closely. These players should know these things, this team is loosing close games, not by bad luck or coincidence. They are loosing these games from bad decisions by the coaches, and bad plays from the players. If this team was just getting blown out every night fine, but this team should have about 4 more wins. I hope Bobby, Terry, and Roger get it together, as well as the players. They need to turn this around now. This game was ours and now this team is in trouble. 2 more losses and the Braves are 7 games out, say it again 7 games out. Let’s win these next two and stay within striking distance.
By eric the elder
April 17, 2006 10:20 PM | Link to this
On the final out, Delgado pumped his fist and the fans went berserk. I expected to see a pile-up in the middle of the infield, as though they had won the 7th game of the World Series. This shows how desperately Mets fans want to believe that they can finally untrack the Braves, after all these many, many years. But I agree with everyone from Carroll on down that they put up the very best they have to offer against our worst pitcher and a battered lineup. I wonder whether they are aware of that and could have some nagging doubts about what will happen when they have to play the real Braves.
a doubt
By Miles
April 17, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this
In 1991 we were 39-40 and 9.5 games behind the Dodgers. We still won the division.
In 1992 we were 20-27 and, I want to say, seven games out. We still won the division, and rather easily.
In 1993 we were 10 games behind the Giants in early August. We still won the division.
In 2001 we were 27-26 and eight games back of the Phillies. We won the division that year, too.
In 2004 we were 32-38 and 6.5 games behind the Marlins. Still another division title, and by a big, fat 10 game margin.
In 2005 we were 5.5 behind the Nats in early July. You guessed it, another NL East flag.
I guess im the only who has followed this team for the past 14 years.
By MBATL
April 17, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this
Thanks Miles. Knew those numbers were out there, but was too lazy to go find them.
This team does appear to be “challenged” in some areas, and I don’t want to assume we’ll be able to crawl out of a deficit again, but until proven otherwise, I’ll keep a least some faith that we’ll figure it out - sure not ready to give up the ghost in April.
By GAW
April 17, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this
Okay,now we can put the Betemit at shortstop,why do we need Renteria Blogs, to rest.It’s something I wondered about and as usual JS and BC had figured out long ago. Betemit was doing great at third,but he doesn’t have the range at short. I was beating a dead horse about Francouer bunting and now he has faked a bunt a few games ago and actually bunted today. I think it helps him get a look at a few more pitches. I did some research trying to see whether Mickey Mantle bunted much. [I think it shows how much I think of this kid to make this comparison] I didn’t have much luck but I found out a few things. Mantle did bunt, usually from the left side. He would drag bunt and run to first in 3.1 seconds. DOB,do you know any of the times for the Braves ,home to first.Another thing I learned was that Mantle was under 5’11’,which would make him one of the smaller Braves, I believe. So it is not all about steroids for power,it can be natural ability.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this
dob article headline: “franco happy as mr. met” is it so bad for julio franco in new york that he is now mr. met? once proud player must resent wearing big ball head and tights around stadium. does franco wear big ball head all game? what if needed to pinch hit? dob must explain.
By TheSouthernMilitantJackAss
April 17, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this
So where is DOB with his report on cheap CDs and cut-rate sandwich joints??…what a joke…damn jimmy smith is a credit to that….by the way Chumper and Rentarear were not in the lineup tonite, but neither was Beltran!!!…get a big wooden crate……..toss in Jordan, Sosa, Ramirez, and 5 or 6 other bums and trade ‘em for some bats and balls!……..pathetic, sloppy, no-heart play……..Roger McDowell, does he attend the games??……never see him……….Terry Pendleton, is he still employed by the Braves??………..since Leo Mazzone had little, to no effect on Braves pitchers, why did they replace him??………..Devine, not so devine huh boys??………..well, that’s what happens when you send boys to do a man’s job!!………am I rambling??…….oh by the way, Ron Roberts,……I squeeze out farts that make better sense than some of the comments that you make in these blogs!!……you uneducated flunky!!…………..last, but not least, it looks like PaidToe Martinez had all his toes, even the crusty, gnarly, fungus toe, all pointed in the right direction for the 200th. time tonite!!!…GO JACKASS!!!…
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this
Ron,
I have to respectfully disagree with you on the Braves lineup being as potent and deeper than the Mets…not if we are talking about 2006. Pitching staff…maybe, but not yet. I believe the Mets are actually leading MLB in team ERA. But, I do agree that over the long haul, our pitching should be better. But, not the offense.
Jason
By GAW
April 17, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this
Hey Jackass ,did the mets just clinch in april.
By GAW
April 17, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this
I am waiting .I know it’s hard to type with one finger.
By TheSouthernMilitantJackAss
April 17, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this
Shouldn’t be too damn hard to type “GAW” with that 1 finger huh GAW??…Screw you and the damn Mets!!!…if you assume that I’m a Mets fan then you are a first rate southern moron……I just love to rile you nasty Braves fans……get a life life Beeeyatch!!!……..now go clinch your a$$ hole!!!…
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 11:01 PM | Link to this
jimmy smith respectfully disagrees with southerneasterbunny. dob is still hero of dob blog. cheese sandwich report always important to readers. seb still does not like rr, huh? bunny sounds grumpy. go to bed, your mets won the game. secret weapon tomorrow - davies will change nothing in approach for first inning. mets almost sure to expect something different considering first five batters scored last time. davies will fool mets with this approach - or maybe not. journalist reports wes obermueller is now released. wes was all that remained from capellan and admiral zumwalt trade for kolb.
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this
Anyone else alarmed about Davies’ statements that he isn’t going to change a thing in is approach in the first inning…no matter how bad? He says it is badluck and asks how many times a pitcher will let up 3 homeruns in an inning? I would say quite a bit when the pitcher is throwing nothing but 90 MPH belt high fastballs down the middle to all-star quality hitters.
Jason
By journalist jimmy smith
April 17, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this
jimmy smith learns on radio that ajc has a pulitzer prize winner! crafty ol’ dob. didn’t tell his blog family. many congratulations to fine jounalist. now dob can afford more than cheese sandwich in big city. more news coming over radio … uh oh, winner was not dob. what a shame. maybe next year. hey, maybe jimmy smith next year.
By Fab
April 17, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
I see your logic, but the Braves had better be careful. Only 10% of teams that have been 5 out five games or nore at the end of April.
Actually, I think that the Mets stack up pretty will with the Braves, especially if X. Nady keep hitting the way he has, and Brian Bannister keeps pitching the way he has.
Not sure how you think their offense isn’t as good as ours…. Reyes, Lo Doca, Beltran, Delgado, Wright, Floyd, Nady (he’s been playing REAL well so far….) if he keeps it up their offense will be explosive, regardless of who bats 8th.
By Penn
April 17, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this
Hey Klesko, are you the Klesko I know? The one who is now settling in up in the great northwest? If so I hope Easter dinner turned out OK.
FYI, Penn is my middle name.
Jeremy, when you grow up drop by again sometime.
Braves now 5 behind. They will be only 3 behind if they win the next two. Let’s keep hoping.
Can Sosa make it as a starter? I don’t think so. I’d like to see Chuck James get a shot. Couldn’t be any worse.
By Tomahawkin
April 17, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this
Aggghhhh Nady is just the next Benny Agbayani….
There is still around 149 games left, I’m not concerned at all at least til late June
Bobby WTF Is up with Orr starting and leading off 4 that matter
If it wasn’t 4 Andruw’s 2 rbi’s that pathetic lineup would have scrapped 1 run against the Mutts. A better offense tonight and we would have won…
By May 1st I’d like to see Chucky in the rotation and Sosa as closer, I’d think he be a better one inning guy, especially if Reeksma keeps struggling, He’s due to blow another one, and I think it will be in this series…
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 11:46 PM | Link to this
From the game recap on ESPN;
The new-look Mets already have a five-game lead in the division over Atlanta and Philadelphia, making them the first team in big league history to build a cushion that big after 12 games, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
So, we don’t know how a team will recover from being this far out this early…it has never happened before.
Also, the Mets were without Beltran and Floyed left early, so they didn’t have their full lineup for the entire game either. Now, I am not saying that we can’t win the division, but I do feel the Mets are the biggest threat yet and this is the first year that I have been actually worried.
Jason
By Penn
April 17, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
I love my Braves and have for a very long time. How about almost 60 years including the time when Eddie Mathews was converted to a third baseman by Dixie Walker who was managing the Crackers, affiliates of the Boston Braves back then.
I also watched Warren Spahn beat Cincinnatti in old Crosley Field back in 1960. What a great pitcher that guy was.
I have been watching this game a long time and I appreciate real talent and I can tell you that Delgado brings something to the Mutts that they have not seen in a long time, a hitting first baseman who can also field his position. He’s a first rate player.
Lo Duca is no slouch behind the plate either and their trade of Cameron for Nady is turning out to have been a steal. You can never figure those.
Billy Wagner is probably the best closer in all of baseball. He throws some nasty stuff.
Having said all that we all have plenty to worry about this year. The Mutts may in fact have one of the top teams in all of baseball as much as I hate saying that.
Now I’m still pulling for and supporting my Braves through thick or thin.
By JasonInMaine
April 17, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this
Sorry for the typo..meant Floyd.
Man, Maddux looks like his old self early on. And Bonds looks plain old.
Jasonq
By GAW
April 17, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this
Dear Mr. Jackass, I had to walk the dog, so it took a while to get back to you. Nobody else would respond to my posts so I decided to pick on you. I am not a southern moron I am a yankeee moron from the great NW. I wanted some response and knew you were an easy touch. Grampas Against W
By Miles
April 17, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this
Jason, quit getting your panties into a twist. Every post by you seems to be negative, 5 games aint much to overcome. The Braves can get swept and I still wouldnt be concerned. Why?? Its friggin APRIL!!!! The Mets are not going to win 140 games and Bannister and Zambrano arent going to continue to pitch like all-stars.
Now I saw a lot of positives out of today’s game. I think this bullpen is going to be pretty damn good with Villareal and Cormier leading the way. Dont forget about Macay Mcbride who is finally coming off the DL and will be back with the team at the end of the week.
Chuck James looks like the real deal. He has veteran like composure and can (gasp) throw STRIKES. Just the ability to pitch consistently within the strike zone makes him an upgrade over Jorge Sosa. He will make a nice addition to the rotation.
Chipper will be back in the lineup by this weekend and Renteria will hopeefully be healthy by next week. We have the makings of a very good ballclub and I am confident that we overtake the Mets by July at the latest.
By Fab
April 17, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this
The first paragraph should say …out 5 games or more at the end of April have made the playoffs.
…stacks up pretty well….
By TennesseePaul
April 17, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this
In the words of Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories: It’s Chuck James B!tch!. That kid is going to be a star. He already is, the problem is, Cox won’t let him shine as bright as he could.
Is there anyway we could leave Sosa on a train in NY? Just kind of… forget about him and let him ride the train endlessly around the city.
Has Jorge even made it to through 5 innings this year? That guy will never get his ERA below 8.00. What a drag. Every team needs a stopper, and he is proving to be very capable of stopping winning streaks.
By Bob
April 18, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this
With so many people always jumping on and off the bandwagon, it’s surptising that we don’t have more injuries than we do …
I’d usually rather lose by large margins like we often did in the pre-streak era than suffer a tough, one run loss with opportunities to win … but, tonight was different. Never liked losing but I like our chances to repeat better now than I did before the start of the game.
A few days back, our favorite Ugandian journalist asked what I thought our chances are of making it 15 in a row … I’ll give him my best estimate at the end of the season. But, ponder this: If we had been in just a 2 team Division over the entire 14 year peoriod and we had been 3 to 1 favorites every year; the odds against having the streak would have still been about 100 to 1! What we’re witnessing is far more remarkable than that … by far the most untouchable record in baseball history, excluding of course, the strikeout totals some unnamed Braves player might reach.
So, if you’re giving thought to jumpin, stick around and be part of the greatest run in history.
You bloggers are doing great tonight … some really good stuff … so I’m turning in early, leaving the world’s problems in your capable hands.
Have fun guys!
By Tomahawkin
April 18, 2006 12:12 AM | Link to this
Tenn Paul I like dat statement about James
He’s of the baddest muddafuggas of all time. I’m one of the richest and best lookin muddafuggas you ever did see…….Hold my drink, b-!+-ch.
By teoa
April 18, 2006 12:15 AM | Link to this
Sosa, just hurry up and go on pregnancy leave already!!!!!!!!!!!
By 17goingon18
April 18, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this
Penn Every game counts,I agree with your reason but not you dirty mouth. I will say a prayer for you tonight. I forgive you please forgive me.
By Bob
April 18, 2006 12:19 AM | Link to this
Penn,
And we all thought Penn was just a pen name.
It’s good to see you’re back to being your old self!
Great last post! I imagine mama has spanked Jeremy and sent him to bed before now, but maybe he’ll see that in the morning; together with your earlier invitation.
By geechee
April 18, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this
To all of you that have told me that Greg Maddux was washed up and I did not know what I was talking about. He is now 3-0 with an ERA under 1.5. He went 8 innings tonight and could have gone 9 and completely dominated the Dodgers. He threw 85 piches in the 8 innings with a 2-1 strikes to balls ratio. Meanwhile the Braves are 5 games out.
By TheSouthernDontGiveAshitJackAss
April 18, 2006 12:26 AM | Link to this
So how many of you pinky-petered rednecks have kids by your sisters???….GAW…you’re a freakin’ genius, never saw such intelligent, informed comments as those puked out by you…man you’re one of a kind…keep up the good work…another “journalist” in the making!!!…GO YANKS!!!…
By Bob
April 18, 2006 12:30 AM | Link to this
Penn, sometimes when I seen Chipper’s play at 3rd, I’ve been reminded of Eddie when he was under Dixie’s care … uncanny … at other times, he bings back memories of a great World Series play; maybe the best Eddie ever made. Miss them both, Dixie and Eddie!
By Penn
April 18, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this
Bob, I deplore the ugly stuff but that doesn’t mean I don’t know how to use it. For anyone to call me ugly names is inviting a fight. I’d much rather not get involved in that garbage. It accomplishes nothing for anyone.
I think I know Klesko real well. We will see if he responds. That will be fun.
By teoa
April 18, 2006 12:33 AM | Link to this
The disturbing thing about tonight’s game is that the Braves could have traded out starting pitchers and still lost this game. If Pedro went 6+ for the Braves and came out with a 1 run lead, his chances at number 200 would have disappeared before the 7th was over.
I wouldn’t praise the bullpen based on this game, as some of you have. James will soon be in the rotation, so the pen will immediately get worse with Fat Assosa added to the mix. Besides, it’s much easier for relievers to pitch well when the team is losing — no pressure that way. The Braves have had a major choke-job from the pen EVERY SINGLE TIME the starters have left with a lead — leading the majors in blown saves. All things being equal, it’s going to be tough for the Braves to overcome the infinitely superior Mets pen. Those guys dominated for 2 1/3. I predict you’re not going to see anything like that from Braves relievers in a tight game all year unless they make a trade.
And finally…LaDouche!!!! I don’t care if he manages to luck into 20 HRs and 60 RBIs. 90 percent of his at-bats are simply exruciating to watch! (Not to mention the fact that he “forgets” to hustle in playoff games.) It’s really unfortunate that the two worst players on the team play the same position. If anyone besides Jordan was the backup, I’d say get him out immediately. Still holding out some hope for a Jurries call-up or some PT for Betemit at first.
And, by the way, I wouldn’t read too much into Jurries’ slow start in Richmond…probably a little hard to get up for those games when you just hit .450 in spring training, but somehow managed to get beat out (according to Bobby Cox) by Brian “should have retired 5 years ago” Jordan.
By Bob
April 18, 2006 12:43 AM | Link to this
Penn, no explanation required! you just beat me to the punch … personally, I could probably make a sailor blush but I think you know how I feel about the unnecessary use of hard language; especially in front of ladies and Jimmy’s baby seal … I’ve mentioned it before.
If you hadn’t mentioned it, I was going to explain to Jeremy and/or 17goingon18 that you were just trying to use language that they could understand.
By Tomahawkin
April 18, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this
Roachy’s Aight I just want him to hit seventh or eighth in da order.I’m starting to see that treand of starting him inside and finish him off down and away…if he doesn’t make the adjustment to go the other way, it will be a long season 4 him…
20 Homers out a guy who makes around 500K ain’t bad…So that’s why I really don’t bash LaRoche. Atleast he’s not being overpaid by 16 million like Blow-tran
By teoa
April 18, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this
Just noticed the unusually harsh criticism of Fat AsSosa from both Bobby and Andruw…
Could this mean he’s going to be on a short leash now? Maybe even replaced by James in the rotation for his next start? Please?
I would be much more willing to be patient with him if he just looked like he was in shape to play — he doesn’t. Let him give birth in Richmond, then he can try again. Or maybe he’s got enough stammina for an inning or two out of the pen…I don’t know.
By mark
April 18, 2006 12:58 AM | Link to this
4-3 lose , All in all it was a very competitive game. One thing is very clear : Cox is running this team as if he is still trying to figure out who is going to play. The jury is still out due to injury , inconsistent play and developing pitching. Two more weeks and we will see if this team can get it in gear. Betemit was lost at ss , he just wasnt prepared to play the position and Renteria’s injury has exposed a glaring lack of depth. Better luck tomorrow.
By Brian
April 18, 2006 01:24 AM | Link to this
Hate to say it, but the game (now tonight) on 4/18 is now a must win game for the Braves. Everyone can say it is April but after the start to the season both teams have had, this series will set the stage for the next few months. Braves needed 2 out of 3 and they absolutely cannot be swept.
I have said it many times before. Chuck James is a stud and needs to be a starter. Hopefully McBride will recover soon and take that bullpen slot.
No way the Braves trade Thomson for a bullpen guy now. He is too valuable as a starter. Look for Jurries, Betemit, or another prospect to be dealt or a big trade like Giles for a top young closer. His contract is up at the end of the year and Betemit could always play 2B when Chipper returns. Look for the Braves to move Giles to Oakland for Street, or to Detroit in one of two packages - for F. Rodney and a top prospect, or for one of their two top pitching prospects straight up (Verlander or Zumya) - those guys blew the Braves (and Bobby Cox) away this spring and had them salivating big time.
By TennesseePaul
April 18, 2006 01:43 AM | Link to this
Braves catcher Brian McCann called for a fastball. Jorge Sosa delivered a slider
He just made a huge mistake to a guy that hits him hard, Braves manager Bobby Cox said
[Martinez] just made a mistake, Jones said about his home run. He made less mistakes than our pitcher and that’s why they came out on top.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see an annoucement in the next few days saying James has the rotation spot. Cox is missing a lefty in the rotation anyway. It is a little risky, in theory having two rookies in the rotation. But it can’t be any worse than having Sosa in the rotation. The guy is good for only one inning. Put him in the pen, let him toss that scoreless inning in relief and bring James into the rotation and let him toss for multiple innings. We’re bound to do better. This team likes the stories. Ken Ray — great story. Moylan — what a story. Braves win 15th title and second WS with two dominate young guys anchoring the rotation further proving that the streak will continue further into the future — incredible story. Sosa chissles his fat ERA down to earth by pitching only one inning in a game from here on out — not that impressive of a story, but it could up his trade a little more if he can prove he can at least be a reliever.
By Tomahawkin
April 18, 2006 01:47 AM | Link to this
There is no way I want to see Giles gone, he is one of the few who has decent speed
If the Rangers fall out of the A.L. West Race early I want to see CoCo Cordero for Horacio or Sosa, although I’d hate to see one of them go
Where the he!! is Kevin Grybowski these dayz, I’ve seen a couple of Ranger games but I have not seen him on the tube
BTW You weren’t the only one Carroll who was tired of Rick SUCKCliffe and those ESPN Commentators slobbering all over the Mutts a-s-s-es all game. It bout made me lose my cool, so some of you people NEED to Lay off CHIP and DON, I actually enjoy Listening to them and have 4 years…By the way I know they have to read these Blogs…
By Marc
April 18, 2006 02:44 AM | Link to this
I have to say that I have been very critical of the team so far. But it is important to point out, that are weaknesses are directly the result of the budget being dropped every year. JS only has a limited amount of money to work with. When Turner was the owner, he could go out and get Greg Maddux, Fred Mcgriff, Galaraga, Neagle, Brian Jordan(younger, Lofton and so on. He could afford to keep Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz together, and resign the hitters. For the last several years, he has had to let guys like Furcal, Sheffield, Maddux, Glavine, Farnsworth and so on, walk. Doesn’t everyone think that with the class of JS and BC, with the winning tradition the Braves have had, that if they had the unlimited budget they had under Turner, the likes of which the Mets, Yankees and Red Sox have, that we would have kept Furcal, Maddux, Glavine, Drew or Sheffield. JS surely would have signed Wagner, a country boy, if he could have offered him 4 years at 10 million. Don’t you think he would have gone after a top notch set up guy, and a first baseman. It is remarkable that JS has kept the division titles going. JS has to rely on trading certain prospects, and earmarking others to take over positions for a few years, because he doesn’t have to pay them much. He has to go after saavy trades where ateam will pick up part of asalary, a la Renteria. Or getting Hudson before he signs a big deal. Which by the way, was a great move. Nobody can say that was a bad move he picked up a potential ace. The Mets look good, but it’s early. Pedro may not hold up, Glavine has had rough years lately, and the rest of their rotation is questionable. The Braves under BC and JS always have a chance, so lets get the team healthy and rolling and see what happens.
Next year should be exciting, with a rotation of Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, Chuck James, and Davies, and all of our hitters back. Maybe the new owner will open up the wallet and allow JS to go out and fill whatever holes need to be filled. The future still looks bright and this season is far from over. Go Braves.
By Christopher
April 18, 2006 02:58 AM | Link to this
I have to say I think it’s funny that you call the Braves underdogs. 14 years in a row underdogs do not make. I write a MET blog on mlb called RADIOMANS KORNER with a regular BRAVES WATCH post. The fact is while the WIZARD OF WINS ( Bobby Cox) is managing the Braves, they are the front runners untill they are dethroned. While I do expect the METS to be the ones to dethrone them, It is still only April 17, 2006. Us Met fans know that it is truly a marathon and not a sprint. RadioMan out, Braves to be out in a few months.
By Marc
April 18, 2006 03:09 AM | Link to this
Since I am the only one up, I will say it. Christopher beat it. Stay on your own loser Mets blog, you will have plenty to talk about for next year, when you are trying to figure out how to stop the Braves from winning their 16th division title. Must be painfull to do a watch post of the team that destroys the Muts every year. Join the Braves blog the air of a winner just smells better.
By geechee
April 18, 2006 05:52 AM | Link to this
Christopher, as a lifelong Braves fan, I’d like to apologize for the above post.
By jerry
April 18, 2006 07:48 AM | Link to this
Pretenders no more.There is not a pitcher on this staff that Jeter,E-Rod,Giambi,Posada,Sheffield,etc.,could not just pound the living hell out of.
By geechee
April 18, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this
jerry are you a yankees fan? If so, you need to learn that the guy’s name is A-Rod not E-Rod.
By Ron Roberts
April 18, 2006 08:13 AM | Link to this
Here’s why I think the Braves’ offense (with Chip and Renteria) matches up fine with the Mets.
Cliff Floyd’s numbers continue to diminish in this, his 14th season.
Carlos Beltran’s been a bust.
David Wright’s numbers right now match up with vintage Chipper. I still htink Chipper has that in him.
Xavier Nady??
Delgado’s a lot like Andruw… power hitting but up-and-down batting average. I’ll give him the advantage on average, but Andruw’s got him on power.
Jose Valentin could be the COUP of the offseason for the Mets, I think. But I think his numbers are the kind Langerhans will put up, too.
Renteria over Reyes - ANY day.
Don’t get me wrong, the Mets ARE stacked offensively, but from 1 through 8, the Braves are coming with weapons, too, guys. Giles is a near-.300 career hitter, as is Renteria and Chipper. Andruw’s got the stick, Langerhans is looking like a potent hitter from LF, Francouer’s gonna be a star (obviously), McCann’s been more than capable of swinging the stick…our backups (Wilson Betemit in particular, Diaz and Brian Jordan, as well) make us deeper than most contenders, I think.
That’s why I don’t look at the Mets’ lineup with sheer awe from where we stand. That’s all.
By JOHN B.
April 18, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this
The Mets are not that good! They the Braves 4-3 with Pedro pitching against Jorge Sosa! And the Braves were without Chipper and Renteria…a huge part of the offense. The Braves do not need to worry too much. The Mets’ other 9 wins came against the MARLINS, NATIONALS and BREWERS!!! Not exactly top teams!
I’ll say this, the Mets should be worried. They should have beaten up on the Braves last night. But they got away with a 4-3 victory with Chipper and Renteria missing. Andruw almost tied the game. The Mets should be worried!
Sosa needs to go to the bullpen. Of course, with Ramirez hurt (and not picthing any better anyway), who the hell would take the 5th rotation spot? James is dominant for up to 2 innings so he needs to be in the bullpen. I had a bad feeling Sosa was just a fluke last year. But I wanted to believe he had turned the corner and become a decent starter.
The other starting 4 look OK. Hudson did OK his last start. Thomson and Smoltz have looked great. And I think Davies will be fine. But the Braves need a 5th starter.
By Kenny
April 18, 2006 08:16 AM | Link to this
Don’t get me wrong. I like this Braves team. But anybody who thinks they can keep up with the Mets or even the Phillies this year is probably in for a disappointment. Willie Randolph is no Bobby V. or Larry Bowa. Brian Jordan is no Julio Franco. And LaRoche can’t hit lefties and too streaky against righties. Tom Glavine is Tom Glavine again. We had no off season, thanks to Time Warner, and the Mets had a fantastic off season. David Wright is sturdier than Chipper. Our young players are going to make a lot of mistakes that cost us games (Langerhans on Sunday). Reitsma is no Billy Wagner. The only real reliable super star we have is Andruw. Smoltz is the greatest but I worry about his health. If he or Andruw goes down, we are completely sunk. Sosa, Davies, Ramirez and Hudson are not going to carry us to the playoffs. We could be ten games out before long. Still, I do like the team, but champions they aren’t. Future champions maybe—with a new owner and some new starting pitchers. I blame Time Warner and the scheduler. How is that the Mets get all these home games against the Natsy Patsies so early and the Braves have to start with 16 of 23 on the road?
By Penn
April 18, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this
{{{How is that the Mets get all these home games against the Natsy Patsies so early and the Braves have to start with 16 of 23 on the road?}}}
This is possible when baseball wants a new champion in this division. And Wilpon cooperated by putting together a good team, an expensive but good team. The Mutts are likely even better than the Yanks this year and at about $80 million less. Steinbrenner must be an unhappy camper these days.
This NL East schedule can be demoralizing and it will be if the Mutts win the next two.
Another thing, Atlanta is not liked by the national press. You only have to listen to national network announcers to see that. Makes me mad but nothing I can do about it.
By Harry Doyle
April 18, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this
What frustrated me the most last night was watching Sosa get yanked after throwing 60 pitches while Pedro was still going at 90 pitches. Then later in the game we had to watch Brian Jordan get another 88 mph fastball thrown right by him. What do you do with Sosa though, he’s too erratic to come out of the pen and he can’t pitch deep enough to start.
When HoRam comes back, I would love to try him as the setup man and just tell him, “Let it absolutely fly, without giving up ANY walks.” The guy has great stuff and I would like to see him go balls to the wall with him knowing he only has one inning.
By MontgomeryDoug
April 18, 2006 09:00 AM | Link to this
sosa is a two pitch picher. better suited for bullpen. chuck james has been impressive, but when he had to go three against the phils he got lit up in his third inning? might take him a while to build up his stamina to be an effective starter and go deeper into games. in the meantime does the bullpen get better putting sosa out there in long relief? i think maybe because the only time bobby uses the long guy is when our starters are getting lit up anyways in a throw away game. we haven’t had a solid long guy since mike bieleki.
By Ron Roberts
April 18, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
The only thing about last night that truly aggravated me was that everybody in the ballpark, and everbody watching the game had been told - ad nauseum - about Delgado’s prowess against Sosa, and yet McDowell and Cox let him pitch to him anyhow in a close game!!! We’re up 3-2 early in the game, the Mets have a runner on and 2 outs… why pitch to Delgado?
I know it goes against the grain (God forbid) to put a tying runner in scoring position, but Delgado hits nearly .500 against Sosa and half of those hits are HOMERS!!!
By Carroll
April 18, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
We have the advantage over the Mets at every position except for maybe 1st base. And if Bobby would give Jurries a chance there, maybe he could mitigate that gap a little bit at 1st base (LaRoche is just plain bad). The Mets also have a better pen on paper, but we know how that goes. Once we get our injuured players back, we should beat them 7 times out of every ten.
By Ken
April 18, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
It is not quite panic time, yet. Everybody knows the Mets can’t win 9 out of every 11 games for the rest of the year. You also know Delgado will miss many games with some sort of ailment, it is just a matter of time. We all know Pedro will wear out in August like always. We just gotta hope the hole we are digging is not too deep to climb out. Renteria should be back in a few days. Chipper, I don’t know about. Hopefully, he will be an effective player when he returns. But when your knees go, the rest of body follows most of the time. As for the pitching (or lack thereof), Smoltz will be fine. Thomson has been very good, except for leaving with a one-hitter. What was that about? Hudson will get whatever kinks there are out. I believe Sosa had his career year in 2005, he needs to go. Unfortunately Davies is having his career year now. A 90-mph fastball going straight is not going to cut it. The bullpen, except a couple of games on the west coast (and,oh yeah, Ken Ray’s masterful performance Sunday) has been as good as anybody else’s. Go Braves!!!!!!
By Carroll
April 18, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
And I would agree with you guys about the Mets having an easy schedule but I know that if the Braves played the same schedule, we’d probably struggle just as much as we have….it’s not like we’ve been playing the ChiSox, Yanks or BoreSox to this point.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
I think Sutcliffe brought up a good point last night. Chuck James is probably set to take Sosa’s spot in the rotation.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this
Honestly, I didn’t see a dominating performance by the Mets last night. We could have won that game.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 18, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this
journalist reports best cheese sandwich in area of shea stadium can be found at grill beside park. white bread, american cheese, toasted on grill. pickle spear. chips. many famed journalists eat here. grab cheetos and root beer for walk to stadium. climb stairs to press box and drop cheetos on ground. security always
By Jason C
April 18, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this
All we need is to keep the dang game close. In my opinion, a mediocre starting pitcher can come in, give up 3 or 4 earned runs over 6 or 7 innings and leave with a win in place. Sosa is barely mediocre. He is for whatever reason not the same pitcher as he was last year. Look at Russ Ortiz in 2004. He won 20+ games but was always pitching in and out of trouble. He’d have at least one or two base runners every inning and was always pitching behind in the count. The next year, 05, what happens. He did the enevitable and imploded. I predict the same for sosa. He is not even as good as Russ Ortiz was. Ortiz at least stepped up and pitched his absolute best when we needed him to and gave us a ton of innings. Sosa goes 5 with 4 or 5 earned runs. He is a liability more than an adequate starter. A hendrence more than a help.
By ernesto
April 18, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this
I was at the game last night, and I have to say two things about the Met’s fans - they are geeked! They stand for every two strike count, they cheer way louder than they do at the Ted. The other thing is they are Geeks! Twice they busted out in “Yankees Suck” cheers. I mean you’re in a game with a division rival, Delgado’s gone yard and Nady’s looking like the splendid freakin’ splinter and they’re busting out with Yankees Suck! Bunch of idiots! On the 7 train back a couple of guys behind me were saying that they’ve pretty much won the East b/c there’s no ocmpetition and they were debating how they stacked up against St. Louisn in the NLCS. It’s April 17th!
All that being said, they Mets look good. Sosa did show flashes of brilliance last night, maybe that’s something to build on. I’ve got to agree with wheover said “Where the hell was Roger” when Jorge was facing a guy who’s owned him wiht first base open, but then again, I’ve been thinking Roger must have really uncomfortable shoes all year long. It’d be easier to scrape paint off the bench than Roger.
Go Davies! Go Bravos!
By geauxbraves2000
April 18, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this
Okay, another April is upon us and another slow start for the Braves, but isn’t this the same pattern every year? A few years ago the Phillies had a 5 game lead on the Braves, and in just a couple of weeks the Braves caught up and took a 5 game lead on them. The Braves are a good team. Even the bullpen (except for the Padre’s game and that was just one guy) has looked pretty good. The offense is scoring runs and we all know the starting pitching will come around. Maybe they are not a team full of all stars, but they are a team full of talent.
By journalist jimmy smith
April 18, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
journalist has one more thought for bloggers. cheese sandwich difficult for older journalist wearing dentures. famed atl sportswriter found with teeth in lap removing embedded cheese. takes glory off reputation just a little. excess cheese left on desk in press box. coverage of sports can be hazardous for innocent journalist who comes upon discarded cheese. now music, journalist is learning about hip-hop by reading best hip-hop coverage in america in ajc. journalist is considering taking street name. “little j” under consideration along with “daddy seal”. journalist will recommend new cd soon. now, baseball. davies must be stopper.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
I know what everyone will say but I saw some encouraging signs last night considering we were missing two of our (and the league’s) best offensive players and a pitcher on the mound who at best is average. I bet you the Mets didn’t walk out of Shea feeling like they have began the process of dethroning the champs. Pedro was not exactly dominating last night. Folks, we will be fine. Believe me!
By ernesto
April 18, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this
One more thing, maybe it looked different on tv than live but WB shouldn’t be at shortstop. He’s got the range of a rubberband.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this
He shouldn’t be, but Bobby really doesn’t have much of a choice right now.
By David O'Brien
April 18, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this
Back page of Daily News today has full page photo of Pedro walking off field holding up arms with the headline “Who’s the Boss!” (Someone might have suggested a question mark rather than exclamation mark, but hey, it works for their readers).
Oh, guess we should point out here, for the 17-year-old video-game punks who are reading the blog when they should be in school or busting pimples: The Daily News is a newspaper, an information source like your parents probably read. We know your attention span is limited to split-second video clips and fake-violence geek games on XBox or whatever, so just wanted to provide some background on subjects that occasionally come up here.
Oh, and the country music I like is the hard, old country, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams and couple of new guys, Shooter Jennings and Hank’s grandson, who’d both kick your teeth in for criticizing their art form. Sorry if the garbage bands you probably listen to, the Blink-182s or whatever other no-talent flavor-of-the-month groups might catch your fancy (or do you like the bubble-gum pop?) don’t come up here, but we try to cultivate a more sophisticated audience, son.
Maybe you and the SJA, or SAH, or whatever we want to call him, can hook up and exchange pointless conversation and bile. Oh, and speaking of the SAH, the CDs ain’t cheap, buddy.
Off to get myself a cut-rate sandwich (whatever that is).
By David O'Brien
April 18, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
Have to concur on Petey Orr, by the way. After hitting .300 as a rookie and playing decent _ not great, but decent _ defense, I was expecting a lot more in his second season. The last two days, he’s been completely overmatched. He’s obviously not an every-day player, and he’s getting exposed.
But unless the Braves make a move and drop someone from the 40-man, they can’t add Yunel Escobar. Personally, I’d find a way to make that happen and get the Cuban stud up here.
By metsmanintheatl
April 18, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this
face it ATL your time has come/all good things must come to an end….cardinals are not looking that great and western division is weak so you could rally for wild card…GO METS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By LeTwan Anthony
April 18, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
LeTwan reads today’s blog with great interest. Some bloggers say we didn’t have our best team out there and that we’ll take care of the Mets later when Chipper and Edgar return. LeTwan thinks our best team is not yet assembled. Why is Sosa starting? Why is Jordan first off the bench? LaRoche has 20 strikeouts. Why is he Bobby’s 5-hitter? The glove is very good but he is not helping Andruw see a pitch. Just look at how good Andruw is and how good he could likely be with some protection in the order.
LeTwan will be told he is a second-guesser -Not a true fan - Off the bandwagon. LeTwan will be reminded it is early and Bobby is the best manager in baseball trying to get by without the left side of his infield. LeTwan will be told Bobby has 14 division titles. Still, LeTwan wonders if a younger player might have hit that sub-90 fastball that jordan fanned last night. LeTwan wonders if putting the ball in play might have advanced a runner or scored a run when LaRoche whiffed so many times. LeTwan concedes that by putting the ball in play LaRoche invites the double play - but good things can happen when contact is made. LeTwan notes Giles and Francoeur combine for 27 more strikeouts and Orr has 8 in only 18 at-bats. TP, where are you?
By LeTwan Anthony
April 18, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this
LeTwan can think of several candidates to drop from the roster so Escobar can come up. If he will improve the team right now, what is JS waiting for?
By The Captin
April 18, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this
DOB, what is it going to take for Bobby to boot Sosa from the rotation and put James in there? They can’t afford to leave him in there and try and work himself out of this funk. (Well, it’s not a funk. The guy was a total fluke last year) Any chance they’ll put James in for Sosa’s next scheduled start?
By JOHN B.
April 18, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
metsmanintheatl,
DOn’t get ahead of yourself. It’s April 18th. There’s still 150 games to play. And the Mets DID NOT dominate last night. They barely beat a Braves team without Chipper and Renteria that had JORGE SOSA pitching! If not for swirling winds, Andruw would have tied the game in the 8th on the long fly ball caught against the wall. So I would not say the Mets have overtaken the Braves just yet. There is still a lot of season left.
Now, I will agree with you that all good things do come to an end. However, I’m not convinced it has reached that point. The Mets have beaten up on the Marlins, Nationals and Brewers at home! While the Braves have had to play against tough playoff contenders like the Giants, Dodgers and Padres on the road.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
LaTwan, I basically agree. WHy is LaRoche hitting 5th instead of Francoeur or McCann. I don’t get it.
By journalist james smith
April 18, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this
dob, when in nyc insist upon real cheese on “cheese” sandwich. cheese substitute very much in use in nyc. that’s why sandwich is called “cut-rate” - not real cheese - not even food product. dob eat much of this and will have to have some roughage in diet to get back regular. journalist can say that in blog? now baseball, is bobby dews still missing?
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this
I agree, John B. The Mets didn’t exactly dominate last night.
By LeTwan Anthony
April 18, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this
Robert, how about Betemit at five? Hitting .313.
By Bob
April 18, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
geechee,
Christopher’s post should remind us of at least two two things (1) you never know who’s watching, and (2) you can find class and professionalism everywhere, even in NYC.
Marc reminds us that 3:00 AM is too late for any of us to be up!
No offense to anyone intented, … it’s just that some of this reminds me of the old “Benny - Allen” squabbles and if we can’t laugh at ourselves we can rest assured that somebody will do it for us.
In our defense, it’s far more difficult to be good winners than good losers … though neither is easy, winning is more fun, especially 14 years in a row!
The Mets have been good for Baseball! You had to admire, respect and just stand in awe of Casey, Yogi, Tom Seaver … and love the old Mets, even in that one amazin’ year that they beat us.
We have our own “Casey” … just wish we could see him more often and hear more from him.
The dynamic of the Blog is new and, as with this young Braves team, in a state of flux; it’s strong and powerfull but like Jeff and Andruw, it may take longer than we expect to reach its true potential.
Oops, Mama cautins me … “Sam Clemmens maybe … Mark Twain, you’ll never be!” so I guess I’d better shut up before she gets out the Castor Oil for my “hoof in mouth”.
For younger Bloggers; Castor Oil, Vicks, Mustard Plasters and ST37 were about all we had to cure what ailed us … much better “drugs” than what you have today.
Get high on life, kids … it’s just a game.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
Definitely, LaTwan. I could live with Betemit in the 5 hole.
By eric the elder
April 18, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this
LeTwan and Robert, what do you thin of this? When Chipper returns, how about leaving Langerhans in the 3-hole and batting Chipper 5th. That would maintain the lefty-righty sequence, Langy is doing well batting 3rd, and Andruw would see better pitches than he has been getting with LaWhiff providing “protection.”
I think a Renteria, Langy, Andruw, Chipper, Francoeur sequence could be formidible.
By Mr. Met
April 18, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this
14 straight Division titles, the team to beat, the division goes through Atlanta, blah blah blah. Don’t get me wrong, I know its only April and yes the Mets only beat up on the lowly Nats and Brewers and Marlins, but if I’m not mistaken that is what the so called experts said they would do. Beat the teams they are suppose to beat and then flex their muscle on the teams they have to beat. So if the Braves plan on doing that “its July, now lets play” stuff they do every year, I suggest they dont wait until July this year cause it might be too late. Understand something Braves fans…Its a brave…or should I say Its a Mets new world.
By TheSouthernJackAss
April 18, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this
DOB…You can just call me “Sir”! Or Mr. Jackass!…You overstate your importance by far!…As for what’s cheap, well that’s a subjective opinion…I think you’re cheap, probably an only child, and most likely still a virgin. A spoiled brat with a one-track mind, nothing imaginative or original, just my opinion. Opinions are the components of blogs, you know, like “your” blog, where you come out insulting people that you don’t know right out of the gate. You know nothing about their levels of education, or social and financial positions, but you assume everyone is beneath you. You’re a weak a$$ hole, nothing more, buddy!…So go off in a corner somewhere and compose your next journalist jewel for your 2 or 3 fans that come in here everyday to suck up to you, and in the meantime, enjoy those cheap CDs and that bologna & cheese sandwich…I don’t understand why a man of your elevated cultural status just doesn’t scroll on past the ol’ SJA???…You really shouldn’t be wasting your valuable time with drivel like that…You should be getting your rest…Watching baseball games for a living is a pretty challenging and intense job!!!…Freakin’ Bum!!!…GO BONDS!!!…
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this
Eric, I agree with that lineup. I think that could help Andruw and Francoeur. I think LaRoche could be moved down to 8th until he learns to quit striking out.
By JOHN B.
April 18, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this
Robert(Justice Is The Best) AND Eric, That would be a good lineup to try. LaRoche has been horrible. Francoeur has been hitting well since his 2 for 34 start so he deserves to hit ahead of LaRoche. Personally I still think Cox should give Jurries a chance. Bench or trade LaRoche. Jurries could not do any worse.
By Jeremy
April 18, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this
OOOOOO…I feel special that the great, legendary, sophosticated DOB talked directly to ME in his blog. I can die in peace now! Although it would’ve been better to speak directly to the God himself, Guy Cartright!
By Jeremy
April 18, 2006 12:06 PM | Link to this
NOT! I’ll go spend some time on Blink 182’s blog.
By Bob
April 18, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this
DOB, some things are worthy of being repeated!
“… Oh, guess we should point out here, for the 17-year-old video-game punks who are reading the blog when they should be in school or busting pimples: The Daily News is a newspaper, an information source like your parents probably read. We know your attention span is limited to split-second video clips and fake-violence geek games on XBox or whatever, so just wanted to provide some background on subjects that occasionally come up here.
Oh, and the country music I like is the hard, old country, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams and couple of new guys, Shooter Jennings and Hank’s grandson, who’d both kick your teeth in for criticizing their art form. Sorry if the garbage bands you probably listen to, the Blink-182s or whatever other no-talent flavor-of-the-month groups might catch your fancy (or do you like the bubble-gum pop?) don’t come up here, but we try to cultivate a more sophisticated audience, son.
…”
When I said words to the effect that .. many of us express ourselves differently while really saying the same thing … I didn’t expect to see such eloquent supporting evidence to come so soon!
After all, there’s not a lot of difference between the Opry and Grand Opera … Gilbert and Sullivan taught us that.
Perhaps we need to put Deportment back on Report Cards … but, mama says that the parents should share at least some of the blame … even if there’s no available barn behind which they can go.
Jimmy’s mentioned Bobby Dews’ absence more than once … what’s the news?
By David O'Brien
April 18, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this
Good stuff, SAH.
Just FYI, one of three kids, 42 years old, very middle-class background, worked at a meatpacking plant for a while while in college, and never once overstated my importance. I’m afraid that’s just your envy talking to you there, ol’ buddy.
And I don’t need to scroll through, because I can read fast. Sorry, can’t help you there. It’s intuitive, I guess.
Now, to the real bloggers: Agreed on Roachy _ 20 K just entirely too many for guy supposed to protect Andruw. Fortunately, Andruw finds a way to get his knocks and RBIs anyway _ he’s gotten to point where rarely misses a mistake pitch.
Don’t know about Sosa’s rotation spot, but wouldn’t surprise me at all if he’s dropped. Just don’t think it’ll be before Horacio returns, because right now Braves don’t have enough depth in bullpen to pull James out of there. With the lack of innings from starters, James has been a godsend, eating innings and getting outs.
Hey, to be clear here: I don’t at all think Braves are falling too far behind. As chronicled by one our astute bloggers earlier today or last night, Braves have habit of falling 5-8 games back, starting slow in April, etc., and always have found a way, for decade and a half, to close the gap.
(Whether they would’ve caught Montreal in the strike year is another subject; I personally don’t think they would’ve caught that bunch led by Moises Alou, etc.)
By Jason C
April 18, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this
DOB- Shooter Jennings is awsome! I love his country/rock style. I do however like a lot of the new rock stuff, but not blink 182.
I think Orr will be another life time backup… Just like Nick Green. We should have traded him earlier.
WB looks a lot better at 3B than SS. God i wish they’d bring up that cuban kid.
LaRoche is getting old quick. Everything about him pi**es me off! He strikes out like twice a game! I would literally take any 1B prospect in our system over him. And to think he was compared to John Olerude. He is a younger Robert Fick with… more strikeouts? didnt think that was possible.
I would probably take anyone in the rotation besides Sosa right now as well. Its as if he doesnt try. Who comes into the season 20 lbs heavier after coming off a career year and does absolutly nothing to try to stay in shape? I cant gain 20 lbs in a year, much less 3 months. And he throws two freakin pitches. Come on…! Russ Ortiz all over.. except we have him during his complete bust year.
I think one good move… either a descent starter or a closer, would stabilize our team and put us back on track.
By David O'Brien
April 18, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this
Jason, I absolutely love rock, old and new. It’s my favorite form of music. Just that some can’t allow themselves to listen to other stuff, to even try it. From Led Zep and Doors and Van Morrison, to Replacements and Smiths and Husker Du, to Calexico and Wilco and Built To Spill, I’m a complete fan of rock, my man.
By Real Blogger
April 18, 2006 12:46 PM | Link to this
DOB didn’t deny that he is still a virgin tho!…..Did you FAH???…
By Bob
April 18, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this
As an Evelyn Woods dropout with failing eyesight, I can’t speed read but it’s still easier to accept and understand the rantings and misguided behaviour of a 17 year old kid than it is from those who should have already “been there and done that”.
Don’t confuse vulgarity with wit. If the ridicule and character assinations of what seem to be some pretty good folks, inculding it’s host, is intended to corrupt this site and drive folks away in disgust, it may well succeed … what a shame.
By TennesseePaul
April 18, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
Tomahawkin: Grabowski is in the Minors in the Pirates orginization. He hasn’t amounted to much since he was traded. He was going down hill just before he was traded, so at least we got something for him.
This year isn’t over yet. And I’d like to point out an interesting little factoid. last year the Dodgers had a “stacked” team. At the beginning of the year they had bats all over the place and started out the season 12 and 2. They finished the season with 71 wins. The fell to the injury bug and it crippled that team.
As for the Mets this year. They are good and they’re not as injury prone as those Dodgers were. But, they do have a catcher who has built a career on the first half of the season. Delgado is getting older every year and his back up is father time Franco. Though Delgado will be the most consistant bat on the team. Always good for about 30 homers, 100 RBI’s and a .300 average. Beltran was a Contract-Year player and it’s showing. Nady is having a great start, but nothing in his career suggests he’ll be able to continue at this pace. And Wright is young, but very talented. But the pitching. Even if Pedro’s toe holds up, Pedro won’t be able to pitch to the level he did in the late 90’s. Glavine is shining and could be a solid guy this year. But the rest of that rotation is benefiting from an easy April schedule and a good offense. Once Trachsel, Zambrano and Bannister start pitching to teams that can play, they will start losing games.
Lined up, Smoltz and Hudson have the edge on Glavine and Pedro, slightly. They both have the injury history and potential to crap out, but also the potential to dominate. It’s the last 3 in the rotation that will matter. As soon as Sosa is out of that rotation it will line up real well.
Thomson, James and Davies is stronger than Trachsel, Bannister and Zambrano. Thomson being the scale tipper.
I don’t think it will hurt too much to move James into the Rotation. The pen wouldn’t have that long reliever, but at the same time, it wouldn’t need to. I have a feeling James could last longer than Sosa and keep the game close. Besides, honestly he couldn’t be any worse! That alone would be enough for me to make the switch.
For some reason Pena was brought up instead of Yunal. DOB, do you know why? Are they just seasoning Yunal more or what? Pena, to me, is just another Rafeal Belliard. He’s a scrapper, as Cox would put it. I’d like to have a star, not a scrapper. Betemit is on our bench kicking @ss, why not also have Yunal on the bench takin’ names? Talk about depth! The one major quality Orr has is, he is by far the fastest guy on the roster. That’s good for pinch running situations. But again, if you have guys that can hit .300 and smack homers and doubles, you don’t need to run as hard.
By Jason C
April 18, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this
No kidding… a little suprising as well.
I was stuck on country for a while and didnt really listen to much else until I went and met me a girl and whose music intrigued me. She listened to classic rock, 80’s, 90’s, the new grunge/emo, and that screaming stuff. Dont like that much but evrything else I love! Funny how the ladies change your perpective on things.
By GAW
April 18, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this
I went down to Dob’s website
To take my fair share of abuse
I was accosted by some JA
Really made me feel pretty ill. Apologies to Jagger/ Richards
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this
DOB, how does Bobby really feel about this team.
By Rutuger
April 18, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this
“I look at it as bad luck,” said the right-hander from Stockbridge. “How many times are three of the first five guys going to homer?”
“Bad luck,” Kyle Davies? A leadoff homer is bad luck. Then immediately after, a double. Sure, okay, first-inning jitters. Then another homer? Alarming… another hit—hmmm, this is a problem… And then another home run, ALL BEFORE YOU HAVE RECORDED ONE SINGLE OUT IN THE GAME??? That’s the precise definition of what luck IS NOT!!!
We can not and will not have a fighting chance with minor leaguers starting for us against the league’s most powerful teams. The Sosa experient is done, the guy had his shining run last year but it’s now clear he is trash.
Sutcliffe said it best on ESPN last night during the game—this isn’t just a couple of bad outings or a little bit of bad luck—this is NOT Atlanta Braves pitching. It’s humiliating. PITCH LIKE A MAN, give our offense a chance, and we will put those hideous 200-lb women and children on the train back home to their daily midnight meal of pizza and french fries.
By hk
April 18, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this
Bob,
… did Evelyn Woods in the early 70’s, huge help on the net, very grateful …
… on blog maturity, have been lurking Free Republic since ‘97, it took 3-4 years to settle down, but it did … 20-50k hits/day, in my ‘trusted info’ category … thing is, getting mad and having a place to vent is healthy, I believe … personnaly, I get mad more times a day than I used to, but get over it quicker too … think as time goes by you begin to realize what you’re really mad about, that helps alot …
… getting excited again about tonight, down 6 vs down 4 at games end … as jimmy said, Davies has got to be the stopper, huge for him if he can do it .. another adventure, to be sure ..
hk
…
By Jason C
April 18, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this
I miss Rocker! Just the way he and Chipper were hated was enought to keep me watching.
By Tomahawkin
April 18, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this
Where the He!! are all Dese Mutts fans coming from? I didn’t hear from their sorry a-s-ses last year when they were picked to finish 1st and ended being ESPN’s national bust
You Mutt fans talk all da sh-!+ you want,You better enjoy it while you can because come August you can’t been seen, because you guys throw on your Yankee Garbage!
Same goes for those turds Rick SUCKCliffe and Steve Phillips at ESPN
150 games left mutt fans… remember 1999?
Go Braves!
By BO
April 18, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this
Kenny, the Braves are one of the Natsy Patsies the Mets play early. Everything else you said is true, The Braves are not the Braves of the Past. BOB thanks for being a voice of reason( God Bless you). Its Better for Kids to go to baseball games and blog than out doing drugs ETC. DOB you have the best job in the world other than being a player so don’t knock others opinion. Maybe new owner will get Braves back on track, other wise pray….Penn wash your mouth because I otherwise like your blogs.
By Brian
April 18, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB -
If Escobar is called up where will he play - SS or 3B? Or will he play 2B and Giles will be dealt (or Betemit). I only can see the Braves calling up Escobar and adding him to the 40 man roster if they see him playing everyday. I do not see them calling him up to be a utility IF.
What is the timetable on McBride? I think when he returns, James is in the starting rotation, if not before.
Big game tonight. Go Braves!
By Bob
April 18, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
hk,
My tour with Evelyn was in ‘65 or ‘66 … and the “drop out” wasn’t totally accurate; just poetic license for effect … but, hopefully I’m allowed a small lie or two, now and then.
I don’t get mad very often; except at myself, but I am easily disappointed. I think that you would’ve liked my Father … a country boy with only a formal high school education but had an honorary doctorate … the strongest language I ever heard him use was “doggone” … I saw him really bust his thumb with a hammer once, it brought blood, but he just winced and shouted “Goodness”!
Well, sincere apologies to all! Some of my last few posts may have been somewhat excessive and offensive … but they were just my way of saying “doggone”!!
You’re right and Jimmy right about Davies and tonight’s game. Jimmy might be a Smith but there’s nothing common about that young man, especially his sense and love of the game. Besides, he’ll usually take the time to say howdy to folks and brighten their day; even when his baby seal is keeping him busy … says a lot about a man.
Enjoy the game … let’s hope that our young and talented Mr. Davies can spot his pitches better, without “aiming” the ball, tonight.
By ernesto
April 18, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this
Davies will be huge tonight! We’re due for a big game.
The Mets will hit balls right to WB so he can reach them, and Adam will remember he’s supposed to make contact with the ball.
Big Bravos win tonight! Man, it’s rough up here in enemy territory, stupid ebullient Mets fans!
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
THe Mets will fall apart. Their starting pitching is not as good as it looks.
By LeTwan Anthony
April 18, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this
eric, LeTwan thinks Chipper will bat three for as long as he chooses - just as he will play third base for the balance of his time here. It will now be a long, long, time with the contract changes. LeTwan watched Hank Aaron move to first, and Eddie Mathews, and Dale Murphy (ouch!), and Bob Horner. Tell LeTwan why Chipper shouldn’t do the same if we have 3B prospects who can play and help this team and nothing better than LaRoche at 1B. LeTwan thinks there must be a hole in Jurries’ game/character/makeup that keeps the 27-year old on the farm after he tore up the spring. Brian Jordan beat him out! Put Chipper on the right side and lose some glove - but (unbelievably) pick up some speed, and gain a far better bat than LaRoche. Pie of the day is again sweet potato. LeTwan has a weakness for sweet potato pie.
By Voice of Reason
April 18, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this
I try to live by the rule “If you don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything.” To that end, I’ve been absent from the blog lately. These past 3 weeks have been somewhat painful for a Braves fan who truly loves, loves, the team as much as I do. To see Huddy and Sosa stink up the joint, and to see LaRoche doing his best Rob Deer (3881 career AB, 230 HR, 1409 K)impression, well, I’ll just say nothing. And I won’t even mention the name “Brian Jordan..,” oops…
DOB, since the Braves have now released Wes Obermueller freeing a 40-man roster spot, is that an indication that Escobar could be arriving soon?
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this
LaTwan, sweet potatoe is also my weakness. The only reason Jordan is on the team is because of Bobby’s insane “need” for a veteran on the bench. Jurries should be on the team. I also don’t think that Chipper not going to 1st has anything to do with Chipper but with Bobby wanting LaRoche.
By Voice of Reason
April 18, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this
I strongly suspect that the same incriminating pictures that Keith Lockhart used to hold against Bobby were passed off to LaRoche, (who must share some of them with Jordan.) It’s the only logical explanation…
By Jason C
April 18, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this
LaRoche could be another Mark Teixiera or Albert Pujols if he only would cut down on strikeouts, not swing at bad pitches, take a few pitches, learn how to hit left handers, learn how to hit right handers, and jump to the moon naked with a Chevy Suburban tied to his neck while eating a corndog! James Jurries for firstbase!
By Bob
April 18, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
Ernesto,
Your 3 digit IQ is showing … ebullient … nice word, well used
LeTwan,
Too much strain on Chipper’s toes at first … you may be right about Juries; maybe a touch of attitude but, whatever it might be, we could sure use him … I’d bet that he’ll get his chance soon … somewhere … awesome Spring!.
The only thing that I like better than a really good sweet tater pie is is a good buttermilk pie. Baseball and Pie … goodness!!
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
April 18, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
I don’t dislike LaRoche but he has no business hitting 5th.
By Voice of Reason
April 18, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
Useful (hey, could be…) pie information:
Hall Of Fame Manager Pie Traynor managed the Pirates from 1920-1937.
Al “Pie” Piechota pitched for the Boston Braves from 1940-1941.
Last but not least, Jack “Peach Pie” O’Connor, who played for numerous teams from 1887-1910, then managed the St. Louis Cardinals to a 47-107 record in 1910. That pie was done after that…
By LeTwan Anthony
April 18, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this
LeTwan thanks Raisins for the pie information, Of course, any discussion of pie is useful. Peach Pie O’Connor was a fried pie.
By hk
April 18, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this
Bob,
… my dad was a gentle man, mining engineer (Lafayette) … ‘doggone it’ and ‘ouch’ were his main exclamations … my sons are alot like him … every other generation, I guess …
… think Vince Lombardy did us a great dis-service when he taught ‘winning isn’t everything, it’s the only thing’ … my dad always said that it isn’t whether you win or lose, but how you play the game … folks today mostly believe Vince …
… baseball is the one team game left with some dignity, sportsmanship, continuity … all this posturing and ‘me’ stuff in the others wears me out …
hk
By metsmanintheatl
April 18, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this
would have to admit a must game for you tonite and you got dude who looked like throwing bp in first inning last time out…GOODBYE!!!!…zam gets it done!!
By Ron Roberts
April 18, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this
LaRoche was nothing BUT business hitting 5th tonight.
By metsmanintheatl
April 19, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
got your middle game///glav takes over-rated huddy and you leave town with your tail between your legs….FIVE GAMES DOWN…GOT METROPOLITANS!!!!!!!!