Braves

By TrueBlueBravesFan

June 8, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

DOB. I would love to know the stat of stikeouts with runners in scoring position. Also like to know how the bravos walks per 9 compares with the league average. And if you know it the number of outs recorded on first pitches by braves batters.

By Tony Almeida

June 8, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, I’m goin to the game tomorrow night, tell Bobby to stick his head out of the dugout, I have something to say to him.

By desertdawg

June 8, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

That was one horrific homestand, but 7 out is not far. If we can get some help in the pen, we will be fine. If we even go 5-5 we are only 4 out. Maybe the road will help. I still believe we will win the divison, but Im a homer. The Braves always reel off a 25-5 mark in mid summer so as long as we can snif 1st at the break we will be ok.

By geauxbraves2000

June 8, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

Good read DOB, thank you. What is the mindset of this team right now. I know the offense at times can be lethargic, but is it because of the late inning pitching woes? I know no player would admit it, but do you see any type of “why bother” attitude because of those woes?

By ssiscribe

June 8, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this

Haven’t been here recently, between stuff at work and the downright rude stuff some folks have been writing about each other on here. Can’t we all just get along? How was the sports biz seminar, DOB? These days, you gotta know business, medicine and, alas, crime, to cover sports. It ain’t all between the lines.

Braves absolutely have to get going right now, against a Houston team that’s lost (I believe) 22 of its past 32, and the somewhat-surging-but-still-stuck-in-Miami Marlins coming up in the next week. After that, folks, it’s straight into the AL East, five series against that division (I know, there’s Baltimore and Tampa Bay in there, but there’s also Boston, Toronto and the Yanks), followed by St. Louis and Cincy, the top two teams in the NL Central. That takes us to the All-Star break, which is followed by a damn tough road trip (San Diego, St. Louis and Philly). Best to get some momentum rolling … now.

A 2-8 homestand isn’t what any of us expected, but the hole only is seven games. The Mets and Phillies are gonna be there all year long. Time to put a winning streak together and get back up near the front.

DOB, you’re dead on point: Braves gotta go get somebody. It’s gonna cost then, as well. In response to the blog the other day, certainly (as you said) the Fish won’t trade D-Train for Salty straight up. But there’s plenty of depth at the middle infield spots throughout the organization. McCann is, in my opinion, becoming a franchise cornerstore and is therefore not going anywhere, so if you can move Salty and some prospects for Willis, then you do it and see if it gets you over the hump. For what it’s worth, I think the Braves could lock him up long-term.

Consider this: From 1991-96, the Braves had at least three bonafide, lock-down, No. 1-caliber starting pitchers (and some years, it was four). Starting in 1997, the Braves really haven’t had three absolute bad boys to run out there, and that’s what you need in a playoff series. Not coincidentally, that’s why the Braves won four flags and a World Series from 1991-96, and one flag and no Series since.

OK, time to get some work done. Guess the Braves will be caught up in all the NBA finals hype in Miami next week. Maybe the excitement of being in the same city (or in this weekend’s case, the same state … albeit a BIG state) as a championship series will somehow add some spark to what’s been a pretty stale team of late.

Or, maybe the Braves will just play good baseball, go 5-2 or 6-1 on the trip and get hot at the right time.

Later.

By Chop Chop

June 8, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

DOB, are you sure you’re not confusing Ryan Church with Nick Johnson? Church only has 4 homers this season and is hitting .215. He also plays the outfield, not first base.

Any folks that think the Braves need Pierre need to think again.

As far as the numbers for Giles, LaRoche, Chipper and Francoeur being a little better than we might think, those numbers aren’t winning games for the Braves. Chipper and Giles’ numbers aren’t terrible, but they’re not up to their career averages. Anyone who thought LaRoche was going to hit .230 all year and strike out every other at-bat was just wrong. He’s never done that for a season in the minors or the bigs and it just isn’t going to happen. Francoeur has to hit .300 for his low OBP percentage not to be a drag on the team. Since he doesn’t walk much, he could probably get his OBP to .330 if he’s hitting .300.

DOB, I’m with you on that video of McCann yesterday. He might have been taking it easy, but he jogged down to first like my dad. Dad uses a cane, by the way. Hopefully, he’ll be back soon.

By Sir Painful Truth

June 8, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

Atlanta has a baseball team this year?

By DieHardFan

June 8, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

No matter how far out we are , we always end up in the same position every year. do not panic until the last out of the last game is made.

By Chop Chop

June 8, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

Almeida, Bobby won’t fall for that trick. He knows Bauer’s been itching to use that high-caliber sniper rifle (SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!) since he swam back home from China with Audrey, Chloe and President Gardner on his back.

By Rutuger

June 8, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this

This is quite a depressing season, and if this is indeed the end, then it’s been one hell of a stretch.

Of course, we sucked up until that late-June game in Baltimore in ‘04 when we came back from eight runs down to win, then torched everybody we played until September, when we leveled off and then of course transformed into the postseason (shudder) Braves.

Maybe a year off from the playoffs is just what this team needs to recapture the hunger we had in the 90s.

By Tony Almeida

June 8, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

In that case, I’ll just boo them all night, make them feel like their in Atlanta.

By Head Coach

June 8, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the update David. Honestly , I cant be positive about this team right now , so I’m gonna shut my mouth , sit on my hands and hope against hope that this team pulls off a miracle turn around.

By Andy

June 8, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this

Until McCann comes back, the braves oughta be giving Pena all the catching duties, get him that experience to make him attractive to any interested trade parties. Anythings better than Pratt. The wise backup catching veteran role is overrated in my mind. We need all the offense we can muster, and Pratts .200 something average isn’t enough to justify regular playing time, maybe not even backup playing time. BETEMIT TO THE OUTFIELD!!!

By David O'Brien

June 8, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop, thanks for the correction. Have no idea why I wrote Church. I was comparing first basemen, and the numbers I gave are right _ for Johnson, the freakin’ first baseman. Just pretend it said Johnson and go with it. The stats were right. I’ll have ‘em fix it.

By Hot Sauce

June 8, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

You guys need to stop worrying about our offensive production and starting pitching so much. We will win the division so long as we get a CLOSER. I like Reitsma, he’s a good guy but not a closer. Go Braves!!!!!

By David O'Brien

June 8, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this

I’m with you on Betemit to OF/1B and an occasional game at 3B/SS and even 2B, but primarily LF and 1B. Of course, there’s the small matter of getting him out there and letting him take some fly balls in the outfield and some grounders at first base….

The fact they’ve done neither tells me they’re not as gung-ho about the seemingly obvious solution as we are. Dammit (wink).

By Ron Roberts

June 8, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

DOB, ya hit the nail squarely on the head when you said….

“…it shows how we’re all guilty of allowing initial impressions or subjective opinions about someone or something to become cemented in our minds, notwithstanding recent history that might contradict said opinions. OK, that was a long way of saying we get an idea in our brains and won’t be swayed by actual reality, once it’s established….”

I’d thrown out the LaRoche stats, but the Giles and Chipper stats were equally striking. My only disagreement might be what Chipper’s done lately with runners in scoring position (RISP). What did he do with RISP during the homestand? How many runners did he leave on the bases? It may just be perception, but it sure seemed like he was up a lot in clutch situations during that 2-8 stretch - and seemed like he left ‘em stranded, too.

Any chance you could dig those stats up? RISP during the homestand, and runners he LOB’d, too… just wondering what those stats shake down to be.

I share a commonality w/the Braves on my fantasy team…. I have no closer or bullpen to speak of, and I, too, need to address it in a trade soon. haha.

By doug

June 8, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

Houston would be a tricky place to try to learn left field at. although all he has to do is look up as the ball flies over his head and into the stands. that’s a slam on the field there, not our pitchers by the way.

By Tony Almeida

June 8, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this

Yeah, the Crawford Boxes suck. That’s how Chris Burke beat us in the division series. That’s a regular fly ball in almost every other park. Biggio’s not on roids, he just loves hitting regular flyballs to left.

By doug

June 8, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this

ron, you can check the stats for the last 7 days on atlantabraves.com. chipper hit .174 with 1 rbi in the last 7 games.

By Patrick

June 8, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

I agree that Betemit should play in left. I had no idea until last night but Langerhans has more strikeouts than Andruw and even Francoeur!

By Chris

June 8, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

DOB, has there been any thought to possibly letting Chipper play some games at 1B while Betemit gets in some time at 3B? I know Chipper probably isn’t too high on the idea of making a position change again, but I feel like that would be the best for the team, to have both of their bats in the lineup. Since Betemit is better defensively than Chipper at 3B, it seems logical to me to give that a shot. Plus, a move to 1B could add a little time to Chipper’s career and possibly prevent some of the types of injuries he has dealt with recently.

By troy

June 8, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

there is a lot of b-ball to be played.it is way to early to speculate but they don’t need to get to many games back and expect just to turn it after the all-star break.The GM needs to make a move or two. It’s obvious the pen needs help. Starting pitching would help to.The Mets have a solid team and I don’t expect them to fade. But until them or anyone else beats us for the division title I’m still a believer we are the team to beat. Have you heard of any possible trade possibilities? Just curious.

By Austin

June 8, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

DOB I know you are a Braves fan sp how frustrating has this season been to you?

By Austin

June 8, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

so*

By TennesseePaul

June 8, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

All I can do is hope. Hope Thomson finds his form again. Hope the Braves stop striking out. Hope for a sweep of the Astros. Hope for a 19 game win streak. Hope, that for once, Francoeur says he want’s to help his team by getting hits AND getting on base, so that when the guys behind him come up, they can knock him in. Share the wealth Jeff. It’s a team effort. Get ‘em on, Get ‘em over, get ‘em in. Do that every inning and you got your self 8 to 9 runs a game. It’s hard to lose those, even with our bullpen.

By Tony Almeida

June 8, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB, tell Chipper i want an autographed bat, or I’m gonna heckle him so bad he’s gonna cry like a little girl.

By eware

June 8, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

I wouldn’t mind seeing Jorge Sosa as a closer. He seems “crazy” enough to get the job done. They gots ta be a little crazy, right?

I’m with Ron Roberts on the Chipper RISP stats. I’m sure it doesn’t look very good. Might be wrong though.

I have a feeling we’re not going to see Langerhans and Betemit on the roster by the end of the year. Thoughts?

DOB, if we trade for relief pitches, who of the group right now do you see still in the bullpen?

By eware

June 8, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this

*I might be wrong, not DOB.

Just wanted to clarify, cause DOB does a great job.

By Chris

June 8, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

I’ve always agreed that Sosa would be a good closer. I would say the problem is, Who do you replace him with in the rotation? But given what he’s done there this year, it might not be too difficult to fill his shoes. The problem would be, If you move him to the pen and it doesn’t work out, can you then switch him back to the rotation? That’s where it gets tricky.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

commentary - journalists on this blog are now being challenged to provide their journalistic credentials. journalist bob once talked with mickey mantle and has published a book entitled “al gebra” about terrorism in the fifth grade . that is a pretty good recommendation for bob. how about journalist jimmy smith? what are his credentials to do journalism? jimmy smith was born in the back seat of a greyhound bus, rollin’ down highway 41. jimmy smith was born a ramblin’ journalist. journalist was educated at a local university and then began a career in another field - not a turnip field - and not left field. journalist was drawn to journalism as a young man reading columns from the old journalist - who was only slightly old at the time. then, jimmy smith discovered the dob blog. it was a natural to do some journalism for dob while he was suffering difficulties that affected both dob and his horse. journalist jimmy smith has been here ever since. now, hk, that is some good toe stuff you have written. are you seeking to be a journalist, too? now, scribe … scribe, it would be good if we could all get along but there appears to be, as hk would say, some fungus between the toes of a certain blogger. now, giddy … yes, journalist is giddy with excitement that adam laroche now has a cheering section of his own. it consists of a sign and a two-man “adam’s army”. quite a spectacle to behold. it is said that they take naps between at-bats. last night, the army had to be reminded to stand when adam came to the plate. it is a fitting army for adam laroche. now, chipper jones … some bloggers feel that journalist jimmy smith has been unnecessarily hard on chipper jones of late - and it is true that jimmy smith has been somewhat critical - but jimmy smith would like to set the record straight about chipper’s toes … dob has confirmed nice toes. journalist will never, never forget that piece of journalism from dob. selah.

By metsmanintheatl

June 8, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

NICE HOMESTAND ATL..now u r going to take this show on the road…na na na na na na hey hey hey goodbye-yi!!!the gnats and bream are closer to you than you are to us…GO METROS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By hk

June 8, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

… thank you no, jimmy … most appreciative, but I’m an engineer … yours as a journalist is a world of proof sheets, mine of spreadsheets … thought I got a glimpse of a crimson faced guy in the stands last night with the sign ‘Adam’s Apple’ … fits, could catch on …

By TJ

June 8, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

DOB, Do you think that Betemit not getting any work at the other positions might be due to him being traded soon? Or maybe he’s going to replace a certain infielder who is about to be traded?

By KneeJerk

June 8, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

Tony, you seem like a stand up guy. You say you will heckle Chipper and give Bobby some advice. OK everyone, what he really wants to say is “I’m going to the game in Houston”. OK Tony, we know now. Now go heckle our team.

By Craig

June 8, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

The Braves need to bring another force in the middle of that lineup. Chipper is no longer the Chipper that won the MVP in ’99. I guess he’s getting old. At the rate he’s going he’ll end the season hitting about .290 and hitting maybe 18-22 homeruns…which isn’t bad. Its just not the .315 30-35 home runs and 100+ RBI he used to put up from ’97-’03. He’s no longer a number 3 hitter, but unfortunately he’s the best the Braves have to offer.

By Submariner

June 8, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this

DOB, What do you think about the theory that the Braves won’t make any significant moves to help the team until the sale of the team is finalized? I have been wondering that maybe JS has orders to not make changes until the sale is final.

By David O'Brien

June 8, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

I don’t think status of sale is going to stop John from making a move, not at all.

Ron, agree on Chipper, hitting just .224 with RISP, well below his career average (I’d have to add up by hand the ones during the homestand, and I’m not going to do that).

A. Jones hitting mediocre .260 with RISP, again.

Some folks fail to notice that if you get 61 and 73 at-bats with RISP, like Francoeur and A. Jones, which is FAR more than anyone else on the team, well, it goes without saying you’re going to have the most RBIs even if you don’t hit nearly as high with RISP as say, LaRoche, who has a .340 average in 50 at-bats (17-for-50) with RISP, with a .660 slugging pecentage.

Frenchy is 17-for-61 (.269) with a .426 slugging percentage with RISP, Andruw is 19-for-73 (.260) with a .452 slugging percentage with RISP, for those who care (I know, I know, there’s a couple of folks who think RISP just doesn’t matter, for some reason. Oh, well).

McCann feels much better today, by the way. He could be in lineup tomorrow night, depending how he feels tomorrow.

By Tim

June 8, 2006 06:27 PM | Link to this

For those of you who keep up with it, Ex-Brave and local Atlanta infielder Nick Green was called up to the Yankees from AAA yesterday.

By paluka

June 8, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

I agree that Chipper is no longer the power hitter he once was, but he is still a good hitter. If the Braves were to somehow pull off the trade with Minnesota and get Shannon Stewart, Luis Castillo and Joe Nathan, then maybe Stewart could hit 3rd and Chipper down to number 5 to give Andruw some kind of protection. If I’m the opposition I’d rather face LaRoach than Chipper. If there is no trade (which there probably wont) than I think Renteria would be better placed in the 5 hole than the 2 hole.

By Chico Escuela

June 8, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

Ryan Langerhans has more strikeouts than both Andruw & Francoeur?

He has 4 homeruns to show for all the whiffing?

Time for a serious upgrade in leftfield !

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

Submariner, DBF (I’m old). The sale of the Braves won’t be final until the owners approve it at their meeting in August. So that is most likely not a factor as DOB said. However, with 15 teams having better records than the Braves, the meaningful deal pickings might be slim, imho. This Plankowner and Blue Nose appreciates what you do.

By Submariner

June 8, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this

Stinky Jones and DOB- Thanks! I’m a Fast Boater for life! SSN-722 and SSN-723.

By TennesseePaul

June 8, 2006 06:56 PM | Link to this

paluka: Chipper isn’t moving down in the order. Andruw is hitting 4th to protect Chipper. The protection for Andruw was McCann before he got injured. It should stay that way.
It should be that McCann catches 4 pitchers and then rests. And honestly, now that HoRam is pitching like a machine, I’d make Pratt HoRam’s special catcher. That’d give McCann a day off frequently enough and hopefully keep HoRam on top of his game. No offense to McCann’s handling of any of the pitchers, but right now we got a hot one… no need to jinx it up by changing the catcher around. Besides, doesn’t Cox like righty/lefty match ups?

By 3Pitch

June 8, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

Bryan Pena has been impressive both at the plate and behind it. Let’s hope the Braves do the gutsy thing and keep him on the team.

Also, it makes no sense that Phil Stockman has not been called up given this teams woefull bullpen so far this season. No trade for a relief pitcher should be made with out trying him out first.

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this

Tennessee Paul, I still hold my breath during Horam’s starts. I’m pleased with what he’s done lately, but he’s not yet a machine imho. As for Pena, I’m not sure. Maybe next year he’s butter.

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this

Submariner, there is no slack in fast attack.

By Drew

June 8, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this

This is getting a bit ridiculous. the braves are perennial favorites but it has always come down to the second half of the season….it always does. by the break they’re either .500 or sub-.500 but by october theyre atop the division. Whats p** me off though is complete lack of emotion from this team from top to bottom. i’ve played baseball for 15 years now and i’m a firm believer in the whole “speak softly, carry a big stick” bullcrap, however the braves are speaking too softly of at all and carrying a twig right now. Case in point I was at the UGA vs. FSU game the other day and in the 5th inning with UGA down 6-0, Mr. Personable himself Joey Side hit a 3-run bomb. After watching him cross homeplate with a gut clinching yell and a stomp on the dish with such emotion, I was positive that was the turning point in the regional series…UGA came back but evenutally lost the game and went on to win the thing. If i saw Chipper Jones do that, I’d think it’d be the end of the world. Heaven forbid you let emotions run a little high and your professional demeaner dwindle when the game you love takes over every muscle in your body and enables you to rise to the occasion. Try not to act dead Braves you’re sure as hell not the San Francisco Giants.

By Woogidy

June 8, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

Stats don’t lie, but they don’t tell the whole story either. Example, Langerhans stats tell of his terrible plate discipline, but don’t tell how many runs he has saved with his glove.

By TennesseePaul

June 8, 2006 08:03 PM | Link to this

Langerhans Season RISP:

AB H 2B HR RBI BB SO OBP SLG AVG

35 13 1 1 11 10 8 .511 .486 .371

not too shabby.

By Bob, journalist

June 8, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this

Head Coach, it is a very good day! Now it will be even better if Thompson can terrorize the Astros.

They say that good pitching beats good hitting … but I’m not so sure that it’s relevant when poor pitching is besting your team’s hitters.

It seems to me that Tennessee Paul has the answer to our woes … “It’s a team game … Get ‘em on, Get ‘em over, get ‘em in.” From my perspective, those who understand and take ownership of that approach should play … and those who don’t should sit!

We certainly have the players to compete … at each and every position … but, do we have the team? The verdict may be still out … but, based on the evidence at hand, it doesn’t seem very promising.

I think I agree with Coach when I say that underachieving is unacceptable … Fu Manchus and T-shirts aren’t the answer … responsibility must be laid at the door of the manager and coaches … together with an ultimatum to fix the machine.

Jimmy, terrorism wasn’t a widespread problem in the 5th grade during the 1970s … but I like the title … Mr X was a lot like Mr. Keen as he solved the mysteries of the equation, the polynomial, and summations.

By Bobbymahlon

June 8, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this

DOB- Please tell me why the Braves are so reluctent to call up S Thorman while he is hot. He is hitting for average along with 14 dingers. He also threw a man out at home last night. We have had good luck in the past with callups like him. We cannot continue to go with four hitters in the lineup hitting below 260 along with a lot of stikeouts. Now that Jurries is back lets keep and eye on him for another callup.

By Bob, journalist

June 8, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this

David O’B, I’m certainly one who wants McCann in the lineup … and I’m glad that he feels better.

However, I hasven’t seen any indication that he’s had any significant activity from the “crouch” position. One would think that he’s already passed the test in that regard … or they wouldn’t consider playing him, regardless of how he felt.

What’s your read on this?

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this

the astros have outdone the braves! yes! did you see the little sign that proclaims them “nl wild card champions”? someone must tell the people of houston that there is no such championship. of course, they did win the pennant.

By ILL-logical

June 8, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this

I am going to call for the question: Is the goal this year to get to the playoffs;win the division;or, win a world championship?

The answer should determine what moves should be made and why. and, this is the key,it will answer the question that has bugged me for the last couple of years: just what are the Braves really trying to accomplish with (this team)/

By Ray

June 8, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this

DOB

I have not seen anyone suggestion Pierre or Johnson as salvation trades. They both are avg to awful relative to other options(in the minors and or via trade).

I agree with you this situation is bad and the run is over without some eye popping trades and line up changes.

This team needs Willis (Thomson has to go), 2 substantial pen additions (good luck there) and a big vet bat in LF.

Sosa to the pen for long relief or trade.

Once McCann is back and healthy this line would be worth a try:

Renteria (rally starter) Giles (stats are deceiving does not start rallys esp early) Chipper McCann (smartest hitter on club) AJ (looks unbalanced at the plate, fly out machine now) Diaz/Langerhans (we need a big trade here) Frenchie (he can move up when he stops swing at 1st pitch) LaRoche/Jordan/TBD Pitcher

By elbravo x

June 8, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

14 years of winning is great. You guys not understanding this, sad. Useless eliminated, not out!

By elbravo x

June 8, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this

pull out the white flags!

By tbo

June 8, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this

Typical Braves this year. They just blew a bases-loaded no out scoring opportunity and then Thompson throws a “meatball” for a 3-run homer. Thompson and Braves suck out loud.

But don’t worry now. Reeksma is in there. BC makes me sick.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this

reitsma is bringing it tonight. stuff looks really good. that first walk could just as easily have been a chopper to chipper. the second one was just a fluke. go get the next batter, chris.

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

Put Reitsma on the DL for “Inability to Pitch”.

By tbo

June 8, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

Reeksma has to have pictures of BC or either BC has lost his mind. What a joke of a team.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 10:10 PM | Link to this

sutton is discussing reitsma’s “out pitch”. what “out pitch”? there were better options out of the pen - why bobby?

By tbo

June 8, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this

Why not pull the fool when he walked the first two hitters? Tell me what you are doing BC? PLEASE. I don’t understand.

By Ipfreely

June 8, 2006 10:15 PM | Link to this

That Damn John Thomson and Reitsma blew it again,now 6-2 in favor of the Astrors.Thomson has got to go.trade him for anything we can get for him or release him now.chuck james would be better than Thomson.

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this

How do you like me now, uh, Jimmy the Journalist? 3RBI and soom good “D” from me?

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this

chipper is having a good game in houston. next baby may be named, minute maid. does francoeur ever take a first pitch?

By tbo

June 8, 2006 10:20 PM | Link to this

Now we are only behind by the 2 runs that the goon Reeksma gave up.

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

Low blow about the kids, Jimmy. But you’d know all about that.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

stinky, can you pitch in relief?

By jon

June 8, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

Our bullpen sucks…I will continue to watch the braves because of my love for them, but its all I can do…I promise that! This is horrible!

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this

Not in your game, Cheeser.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this

low blow about the kids? doesn’t he name his kids for ballparks? stinky isn’t uh, very smart either. name fits.

By Woogidy

June 8, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this

Interesting game tonight, Can you get 2 losses in one game? Give one to John Thomson, and one to Reeksma. Anyone else realize Chipper is out there playing by himself tonight.

By TennesseePaul

June 8, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

Lance Frickin’ Berkman.

Really miss McCann. He would have knocked all those runners in.
Stoked to see Francoeur getting hits and working the count. Keep it up Jeff.

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

Germalist, you’re making fun of his kid’s name, however indirectly. Lampoon Chipper all you want. Keep cheap shots on kids to yourself.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this

it is good that the “army” was not there to see adam’s misfortune.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 10:41 PM | Link to this

calling yourself stinky tonight, huh? same garbage. same intellect, or lack thereof.

By TennesseePaul

June 8, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this

Just saw this… Reitsma comes in for Damage Control. It’s like a fire man working the water spicket. The fire is blazing away and he turns the nob to the right. “What?” Reitsma, we want to put the fire out… He sure is a great guy.

I sure hope we trade him, release him, or shoot him. Until then if Cox wants Reitsma’s kids to grow up with love and respect for their farther, he should never call on him again… We need to remove him so that Cox can’t use him anymore. I wanna make sure his family can still respect him.

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this

You call your cheesey attempts to be cute “intellect”? Chipper’s on his game tonight, why aren’t you. Oh, wait, this is your game.

By brian

June 8, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this

I preach patience more than anyone but this is getting rediculous. 1. Reitsma. The old saying comes to mind, “You fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice twice, shame on me. So what does it mean when Reitsma’s brought same for over 3 seasons?

1. The Strikeouts They keep piling up and up. Seems like every we can’t score is because guys K with runners on.

2. We have to make a move. We can’t afford to wait any longer. Who cares if we overpay. Like DOB said last week, we’ve won enough to give a little.

3. Rotation. Chuck James needs to be in and Thomson obviously has to go.

By brian

June 8, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this

oh yeah and Yates has to go too

By TennesseePaul

June 8, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this

Giles’ on base percentage is starting to look real good. He’ll have to hit .337 from here on out to make it to .300 on the year. That’s a tall order. But if he does, he’ll be filling in perfectly for Furcal. This would be the very same path Furcal took last year, except Giles would end up with a better average.

leave it to the Braves to make a struggling pitcher look brilliant.

By TennesseePaul

June 8, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

I just don’t get this. How is it we removed Kolb from important situations last year. How is we removed all struggling pitchers from important roles over the past 15 years, but Reitsma gets run out there like a champion? We’d still be playing. We’d still have a chance. But no… Reitsma make sure to crush all hope.
He sure is a great guy.

I know Warner can’t be happy. It can’t be helping the value of the team. I’d imagine a winning team sells for more than a losing team. I know, it’s tax free, but couldn’t they obtain more tax free money and stock for a winning team?

By TrueBlueBravesFan

June 8, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

Well at least were not losing by one run anymore

By Todd A

June 8, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this

It’s beginning to look like this season is a lost cause.A tweak here and there won’t do it.This team needs an over-haul.Time for the Braves to become sellers rather than buyers.Frenchy and McCann should be the only two guys that are untouchable.Time for some bold moves by Schuerholz for a change.

By Ipfreely

June 8, 2006 11:01 PM | Link to this

We only have three starters that we can rely on,smolts,Hudson and Ramirez,after that we got no other descent startrs,thomson ain’t nothing and neither is Sosa,its is seriously time to get the Dtrain and get him now.it is time to ditch thomson and Sosa.

By Woogidy

June 8, 2006 11:01 PM | Link to this

Todd, add Andruw to your list. He is the heart and soul of this team, On the field and at the plate.

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

Todd A, you are right, unfortunately. I would keep Betemit, though.

By Michael A.

June 8, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this

DOB, very impressive.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this

journalist would like to match wits with you but you are at a disadvantage. do you consider yourself, half wit, dim wit, or nit wit? think about it and let us know.

By Eric C.

June 8, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this

I’ve followed the Braves closely for 25 seasons, and am as disgusted with the team as I’ve ever been. Chipper and Andruw need to show more leadership. It’s time to develop some sense of urgency or the Braves will find themselves in a hole that not even the 93 team could get out of.

By BravesRDone

June 8, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this

Sad to see, but it looks like the corporation has finally sunk the Braves. Keep tightening those purse strings you no good Yankees sons o’ beaaaches. Where is Ted when ya need him?

By A. Nobody

June 8, 2006 11:12 PM | Link to this

It’s just plain disheartening to even watch the Braves anymore. They just aren’t playing as a unit, a team. No focus, no defineable (is that a real word?) goal. Where is the leadership???

By Antonio McNugget

June 8, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this

4 run Reitsma it is. You are never safe.

what would the Braves record be if Mr Reitsma had unfortunatly been hit with a truck before the season, rather than him being the preverbial truck that hit the Braves in the balls?

I volunteer to pay half of his salary if they release him tommorow. Addition by subtraction.

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

Germalist Cheeser, I am at a disadvantage because I am discoursing with a gutless twit, namely you. Why not say something cute now?

By Eric C.

June 8, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

I love Giles, but he is not your typical lead-off man. We need someone with a little more speed who can put pressure on the pitchers and defense…Giles improving OBP is great, but we need more speed once on base. If Furcal was still with the Braves, he would be the lead-off hitter and not Giles.

By Jimbo

June 8, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

DOB…great stats on Giles and The Roach. Maybe they do have some trade value afterall.

By Antonio McNugget

June 8, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

DOB, lets compare Kolb v Reitsma stats w/ the Braves. Can anyone be worse than Chris Reitsma is this year????????

By Todd A

June 8, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

Andruw will be a free agent soon.Not sure I would give superstar $$$ for a career .268 hitter.Andruw had a career season last year,and still hit only .207 with RISP.He would yield quite a return in a trade though.

By Jimbo

June 8, 2006 11:20 PM | Link to this

Does anyone think the kids at Richmond, Mississippi or where ever could possibly do any worse then Reeks and Oscar? Do something JS.

By SLBReb

June 8, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this

Bobby & John must enjoy making things interesting. Kolb was putrid and Bobby would put him in. Reseitma is putrid and Bobby puts him in. They could not get an out if their life depended on it. There are T-ball pitchers with better stuff than these gents.

By A. Nobody

June 8, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this

Stinky, you’re coming off sounding like a playground bully. It’s really tiresome to everybody else.

By Todd A

June 8, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this

Eric C

I’ve been saying the same thing about Chipper and Andruw the last 6-7 seasons.If they haven’t developed leadership qualities by now,it ain’t going to happen.

By CBD

June 8, 2006 11:33 PM | Link to this

I think Bobby must enjoy this loosing craziness. True, once upon a time he was great, but right now he is the worst in the majors. WHY, WHY, WHY, did he leave in Thompson to hit with the bases loaded?? I only get to see the Braves when they play on TBS and I must say I am glad I do not to get suffer with every game, because I would for sure have to be in anger management classes right now. Bobby is making me crazy, I say keep the players and drop him.

By JJMB

June 8, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this

yeah, yankee sob corporations. Ted Turner was born in PA, so he is a yankee too. A total goofball yankee to boot.

Where is General Lee? Oh yeah he surrendered to the sob yankees. Where is Arthur Blank? Another sob yankee….. Jew to boot. Bernie Marcus? ….ditto

By Antonio McNugget

June 8, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

Todd A May be the leader for most ridiculous thing of the week.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 8, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this

well, journalist can find something else to do. that’s what you want, right?

just kidding, journalist is not intimidated by your attacks. that was the lady who let you run her off. too bad you ruined it for her. bad manners, vulgarities, and personal attacks get tiresome to everyone after a time. maybe you should have someone check your toe alignment.

By JJMB

June 8, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this

oops, Ted was born in ohio. They’re all the same.

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

A. Nobody, it takes two to tango.

By A. Nobody

June 8, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

Hm. Now Stinky is going to beat up on A Nobody! LOL I rest my case! LOL!

By Stinky Jones

June 8, 2006 11:55 PM | Link to this

Mr. Smith, Nobody ran anybody off. The “Lady” was an advocate ignoring posts she didn’t care for. And I suggest you go look in the mirror and decide if you need calibration yourself.

By Reality Bites

June 8, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this

The Braves Suck. ‘Nuff said.

By Help Wanted: Bullpen Relief

June 9, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this

Reality, you said it. This is the saddest Bfaves team I’ve seen in about 15 years. Where’s the heart? Where’s the soul? Where’s the leadership? I was holding out hope until recently when they Braves couldn’t beat Arizona to save their lives. Yet the Mets are walking all over Arizona. I hate to say it y’all, but the Braves are not in the same class as the Mets. Not this year anyway. It kills me to say it, but the Mets may have finally bought a winner.

By DaleMurphyJr.

June 9, 2006 12:04 AM | Link to this

Now I’m not normally the jealous type, but I sure do like Houston’s bullpen. If we go trolling for a shut-down closer…Lidge, Qualls, Wheeler or Backe (yeah I know he’s hurt) sure would look good in Reitsma’s spot. Brad Ausmus is 37 years old and is gonna break down at some point…hint, hint..So what’s Salty hitting these days?

By Buckhead

June 9, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this

No heart, no soul, no motivation, no hustle … but mostly NO BULLPEN! Why spend $80 million on a team and not invest in a bullpen? A setup man and a closer is all that seperate the Braves from the Mets this year.

By gotigers72

June 9, 2006 12:11 AM | Link to this

It is ridiculous to think that we can still wait until the trading deadline to do something and expect to remain in the race. The Mets are up 5-0 over the D-Backs tonight. If that holds up, we’ll be 8 games back. IMO if we don’t make some changes now, we’ll be 20 out by the trading deadline. They played another lousy game tonight. Bad pitching and not enough runs scored to win most games. I thought Bobby should have pinch hit for Pratt and Thomson when we had the bases loaded, 0 outs, and a 2-1 lead. After all, he had to take Thomson out in the next half inning anyway.

Reitsma should not be used in any situation except mop up duty now. His ERA is closer to 8 than it is 7 now. He needs to be traded or released. It’s obvious that until he gets in new surroundings, he is not going to improve. Phil Stockman pitched 2 more innings tonight at Richmond, giving up 1 hit, no runs, struck out 2 more. He has now given up 10 hits, 3 runs and struck out 51 in 37 innings this year. He’s 26 years old, 6’8”, 250 lbs. How can they not give this guy a shot with the bullpen being as miserable as it is. TEN FREAKIN” HITS in 37 innings. I thought he should have been brought up instead of Tyler Yates.

Chuck James had another good outing tonight. He should replace either Thomson or Sosa in the rotation. If we are not going to win the division this year, and it doesn’t look good right now, we should give youngsters like Stockman and James a head start on next year so we’ll have a chance to start a new streak. I know LaRoche is playing better, but I just can’t forget that lousy, loafing play he made earlier agasinst Washington. The 1st baseman at Richmond, Scott Thorman, has a .314 average, 14 homers and over 40 RBIs, and I’ve read has a decent glove. 24 years old. Another youngster that should be given a chance. Package LaRoche, Thomson, and Reitsma and try to get a leadoff hitter that can play left field, move Giles to 5.6.or 7 in the order and see how that works out.

By Die Hard

June 9, 2006 12:14 AM | Link to this

I agree with the recent posts. The Braves need some relief pitching (and another starter with an ERA below 4.00 wouldn’t hurt). They’re scoring runs—most of the time anyway. It’s just that their losing with softball-esque scores. 10-8, 14-7, 8-4, etc. Four runs should be enough on most nights. But the offense has to go out and score closer to 10 to give the team a chance at winning. You’ll burn an offense out putting that much pressure on them all the time. Get a bullpen, JS!

By Stinky Jones

June 9, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this

Buckhead, Mike Hampton and his $15 million salary is why our closer and setup man are not on the roster. That bad move is what has ended the streak.

By Chuckster

June 9, 2006 12:20 AM | Link to this

You guys clamoring for bullpen help are on the right track, but I think you’re overlooking some glaring problems if you just blame it all on the bullpen. Heaven forbid that Bobby Cox actually manufacture a run here or there. In the last ten games — a stretch during which the Braves couldn’t have beat the Royals — how many of their runs came via the long ball? My guess is that it was roughly 80 percent. If you’re always waiting on the long ball, you’re always going to be playing tight ballgames because you never put together that big inning. And the Braves don’t have a bullpen that can hold a close game. Those two factors are why the Braves will be 8 games out after the Mets beat Arizona tonight.

By Homer

June 9, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this

Jimmy

I agree with Stinky, you’re just annoying. Take your 3rd person posts and go entertain yourself… it’s getting old.

By Todd A

June 9, 2006 12:22 AM | Link to this

Bring back Joe Boever the saver,Charlie Kerfeld,and Joe Hesketh for the bullpen.

By Marc

June 9, 2006 12:29 AM | Link to this

This team is done. Brianb Jordan should have been cut, why was he ever included on this team. Reeksma should never pitch for the Braves again. What is JS doing, why can’t Bobby adapt. This team is failing at every level. DOB I want to hear a sound argument as to why this team even has a remote chance to win the division. They are playing awful, being managed awful, and I think this is the first year that JS really did not put the team together well. As usual he did nothing to upgrade the bullpen, he did nothing to address the departure of Franco, or in the leadoff spot. This team seems like they have thrown in the towel. Every night it is the same thing, one error, one bad inning. How about 13 strikeouts, against a struggling pitcher, I mean come on, can’t these guys make adjustments. They need to replace Thomson in the rotation with Chuck James, and, make a deal for a starter to get Sosa out of the rotation. At this rate I don’t think anyone should act like the Braves should make a deal to get back in it. we are 8 games out, pretty soon maybe it would be better to trade Hudson, Giles, and Renteria. For the first time in a long time the Braves may become sellers instead of buyers. Nice work.

By Tony Almeida

June 9, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this

We got eliminated by the Stros last year because our bullpen sucked.

Did John Scherholtz do anything to improve that over the winter??

NOOOO

Will he do something now??

NOOOOO

get a real GM who is worried about the team and not about selling his book.

By Todd A

June 9, 2006 12:39 AM | Link to this

Marc, Nice job.You hit the nail on the head with that post.I don’t see how you can basically stand pat in the off-season after you’ve been elimianted in the 1st round of the play-offs 4 consecutive years.Furcal was the catalyst for this team.Renteria was a nice addition,but we already had a #2 hitter.Estrada was expendable.But we got two rag arms in return.Everyone knew the Mets were loading up.Yet Schuerholz did practically nothing.Inexplicable imo.

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 12:51 AM | Link to this

Stinky Jones: The Mike Hampton deal didn’t prevent us from getting a closer, the market for closers did that.

Hampton is on the DL, the insurance on his contract covers a portion of it so he isn’t the reason we don’t have a closer. Smoltz and Chipper both took pay cuts. So they aren’t the reason. Andruw told Boras to stay out of the contract business, and he took a below market contract for the Braves. Renteria is being paid by Boston.
The truth is, we have about 5 or 6 million to spend. This is key. The budget is set at some where close to 80 million. Our team, right now is costing about 75 million to field. We have 7 starters that can pitch this year, a ton of catchers (Brayan Pena’s skill right now raises his value tremendously), and a few bench players. And then there are a few players we could dump (Reitsma, Yates, etc.) if we had to add some “change” to the pile in a trade.
JS is in a pretty good position to make an impact trade… He’ll have the ability to take on a 10 million dollar one year contract because he’d only have to pay for half the year. Plus, with the trading chips he’ll be able to knock off some of that contract in the trade. There is no reason he shouldn’t be able to fix this team with one or two really amazing pieces. Trading for expensive middle relief seems a little crazy though. I’d say go for either a left fielder or first baseman as well as a closer. If no closer, then get a really big bat and a solid late innings type of pitcher.
I’d imagine the trade would have to be for a good veteran guy, or from a team not in “rebuilding mode”, which sort of rules out the Rays and Marlins. JS likes the post season experience as well.

There are a lot of potentials trade posibilites. The first order of business should be the release of Reitsma. I don’t understand why he is still in uniform. And even though I’m not happy with Yates… If we had release Reitsma and pulled up Yates, it still would have been an improvement.

By Buckhead

June 9, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this

JS doesn’t believe in a bullpen. He never has. Look at the teams we’ve had over the past 15 years. The bullpens have always been a Frankenstein creation: They’ve just been pieced together with reject parts. The years we had a reliable closer (John Smoltz), we lacked the starting pitching to turn a lead over to him in the playoffs. If JS believed in strong bullpens, the Braves would have World Series Flags hanging for 1991 and 1996, and they would have advanced further in the playoffs the last 5 or 6 years.

By David O'Brien

June 9, 2006 01:23 AM | Link to this

Ray, trust me, I didn’t make up the Pierre and N. Johnson suggestions. Several folks here in recent weeks have suggested those two would help the Braves. Hey, I’m just telling you what I read here….

McNugget, I’d have to say no, no one can be worse than he’s been this season.

Schuerholz will make a move, and before mid-July, if not much sooner. I just have a gut feeling.

In the meantime, ain’t it grand? (no, Dave, it’s not. it’s a damn long way from being grand).

Berkman is a helluva hitter, considering he races cars on the side (does the man look like Tony Stewart, or what?)

By ronald

June 9, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this

The truth is that there are more holes than can be filled. 1. Thomson is no good. He can’t regain his form because he never had any form to regain. You can say he’s good all you want but saying it doesn’t make it so. He’s not even Charlie Leibrant.

1. There is no true leadoff hitter on this team. Giles is a #2 hitter. Our #2 hitter should be put into the leadoff spot tomorrow night and not moved until he stops hitting.

2. Sosa may win 2 out of every ten games. There’s not much that can be done to correct that since we do not have a pitching coach who can makes a nickel’s worth of difference with any pitcher.

3. We have a platoon situation on first base. LaRoche will swing at anything between the ground and the top of his shoes. He occasionally hits a long homerun which, unfortunately, gets everyone’s hopes up that he’s going to be some kind of stud. Trade him while you can still get a washed up minor leaguer for him. Jordan is washed up. Didn’t we have some rookie who played first base and tore the cover off the ball in spring training? For some reason Bobby just has to have Brian Jordan in a braves uniform.

4. Langerhans had his career season last year. He strikes out way too much. We go for two weeks at a time not knowing whether he can hit or not.

5. Why is Reitsma still in a Braves uniform?

6. There are few pitchers besides Ray in the bullpen. If he stays around the others much longer he’ll turn into a turd and you can’t polish a turd.

7. The two “aces” in the starting rotation are more than a little unreliable. I often see Hudson pitch and ask myself “why was it so imperative that we lock him into a long term contract last year?” Smoltz has obviously seen his better day though I will always admire his heart.

8. Fredi Gonzalez, how many rallies is he going to kill by sending a guy who has no chance of scoring? The paper said the throw from Berkman arrived just ahead of Franquer. In reality he was out from me to you.

9. Is Terry Pendleton doing anything to earn whatever the heck he’s being paid? I loved him as a Brave. However, he is not doing much to help this team in hitting.

10. Roger McDowell, what scrap heap did they uncover to find him? He was coaching in the minor leagues. His pitching staffs were far from setting the woods on fire. If we were going to hire a minor league coach looks like we would have had one better in our own farm system. Get rid of him now.

Yes, there are far too many holes to be filled. It might be nice to get Willis from the Marlins but that alone will not fix this team. Oh well, at least our hearts are not going to be broken in October this year.

By ronald

June 9, 2006 01:34 AM | Link to this

Oh yea, I almost forgot. The biggest hole on this team is ownership. This message is for Time Warner. Please sell the Braves to someone who cares about them. Sell them to someone in Atlanta, someone with a face, not some corperation who is only looking for a tax break.

By Stinky Jones

June 9, 2006 01:39 AM | Link to this

Tennessee Paul, I know about the insurance for Hampton, but has JS ever came out and said exactly how much the insurance was worth. I think he’s never came clean about it because it might be embarassing.

Hampton’s got 2 or 3 years left on his contract. That means we’re stuck paying this guy 40 or 50 mill over 3 years or so. Tell me that wouldn’t get a closer.

Assuming Hamptons contract only made things more convoluted. Schuerholz may have been budgeting his total contract at 8 mill/ year over x years, but the reality is it was wasted money.

By teoa

June 9, 2006 01:45 AM | Link to this

Not sure why we’re celebrating LaDouche’s “hot” month of hitting .290 with 23 rbis. When it takes a career month to make all the sucking average out to .250, that does not make for a major league first baseman in my opinion. By the way, why don’t we subract the two 5-run errors that his supremely overrated defense led to, and call it 13 rbis? Not good. Some people here seem to have a real routing interest in building up Mr. LaDouche. I have a routing interest in the Braves, and I know that LaDouche is a liability. Even if he was a real .290 hitter, I saw all I needed to see about his heart in the playoffs last year. If you can’t count on somebody to give good effort in the playoffs, when can he be counted on? Never. (And please don’t trot out the “sick” excuse…hundreds of professional athletes have played sick in important games and none of them that I have ever seen gave such a poor effort as LaDouche.) If any other teams are fooled by a decent month nearly as much as some of the opinions on this blog, then by all means, trade him before everyone wakes up to the fact that this guy is not a major leauge first baseman — not even close.

Also, I realize most years Bobby Cox has been allowed to keep a couple of “mascots” on the active roster — players that aren’t good enough to play for any other team, yet Bobby ignorantly insists that they not only waste roster spots, but also prove to the world just how much they suck on a regular basis. Of course this years mascots are Reitsma and Jordan — honestly, would any other team in baseball keep the worst closer in baseball history and an old out of position outfielder that hasn’t been able to play for 5 years?

It is well past time that Scheurholtz tells Bobby that this team does not afford him the luxury of wasting roster spots. I’m sure there are at least 10 guys in the minors that would be a huge improvement, not to mention trades. They’re getting absolutely nothing out of Jordan (whose job is to hit lefties — he has 5 hits against lefties…five!) and I’m absolutely convinced this Braves team would be 10 games better right now without Reitsma. If you add up all the blown saves, the demoralizing hang-over effect that carries over to other games after his teammates have played 8 great innings only to watch him throw it all away in a matter of minutes, and the games like today in which yet another disaster prevented an opportunity for a come back…yep, 10 games. Of course, you would expect a “great” manager like Bobby Cox to know better than to continually put a pitcher with a 7+ ERA in winnable games, but unfortunately, Bobby does not know better. And he’s not going to learn. Scheurholtz has to take away Bobby’s mascots before he runs this team completely in the ground.

By Stinky Jones

June 9, 2006 01:48 AM | Link to this

Buckhead, there is a definite pattern with the Braves’ lack of bullpen success. I think it has to do with the pitching philosophy that Leo had. Everything was down and away with him, which was good to a point.
But I don’t think Leo knew too many other tricks, or else he might have helped the front office go after a true closer at some point.

By teoa

June 9, 2006 01:56 AM | Link to this

Oh, and it is really unbelievable that some people here are attacking Smoltz. The guy pitches well enough to win in 90-95% of his starts. He plays for a horrible team, what do you all want from him? Curt Schilling has a 3.81 ERA and he is 9-2 and will be an All-Star, and if he continues to maintain that type of winning percentage, expect to hear his name in the Cy Young picture. Smoltz has been better. Even playing for this horrible Braves team, he would be 8-4 if he had any sort of bullpen behind him at all. And in spite of all this, he continues to risk his career, eating up innings, pitching on 3-days rest for a bunch of losers…when he could easily pull a Pedro Martinez and go to a big spending team with a lot of offense, throw 5 innings a week and rack up wins. If anyone is not smart enough to realize that you are lucky to have John Smoltz on your team, I would recommend that you try another sport because you obviously know nothing about baseball.

By Sondra

June 9, 2006 02:02 AM | Link to this

Greetings to you all. I did a blog on the terence article a couple of days ago.My first time here.NOW!!!!If BC continues to run Reekma out nite after nite ALL of rest of the Bullpen that’s not pitching shoukd bee sent down to “AAA”“AA”“A”and replaced by A Lerew,S Mullen,F Nunez,D Smith,B Digby and R Basner.These are your Farm system pitchers who’s era is about or above Reeksma’s!!!!That would really make it interesting(smile)NO SERIOUSLY,I DO THINK THE REPLACEMENTS SHOULD BE: WILL STARTUP,ARTHUR SANTOS,RICARDO RODRIDGUEZ AND PHIL STOCKMAN.ALL HAVE BETTER ERA’S,W-L RECORDS AND OBA THAN 7 YES 7 OF OUR BULLPEN UP HERE IN THE MAJORS!!!!!!Now to Chipper;He looks like he’s either not seeing well(needs glasses) or Lost as to what he’s doing out there.Has anyone else looked at him well when he’s at the plate?????I really think something is wrong with him right now(Any insight on this DOB???)A BIG CHANGE MUST COME NOW!!!!NOT NEXT WEEK,ALL-STAR BREAK AUG 1st.BUT NOW!!!!!!!

By teoa

June 9, 2006 02:06 AM | Link to this

Stinky, are you serious? Call me crazy, but I would guess Leo didn’t make enough money to personally pay for great closers. And somehow I doubt he ever discouraged ownership from giving him good pitchers to work with. Do you really think he told Sheurholtz, “Now, John, I’ve coached up six Cy Young winners, but please, don’t ever get me a Mariano Rivera to work with because I just can’t coach closers. Go ahead, save your cash. Spend it on…Time Warner stock, I hear they’re really doing a lot to keep its value up.” (hint, hint — the reason the bullpen sucks is because corporate ownership doesn’t think it’s worth spending money on.)

Stinky, you might want to try thinking about what you write before you write it next time. Nice try though…better effort than you get out of LaDouche in the playoffs.

By Rob

June 9, 2006 02:08 AM | Link to this

Don’t know about all this conjecture, but it’s getting darn painful to watch.

Seems the rather lax Spring is carrying over much longer into this season. With the youngsters, new faces, maybe Spring should have been a tad more urgent. Sure injuries hurt, but this team has it’s head in the sand more days than not.

By HEAD COACH

June 9, 2006 02:42 AM | Link to this

O my , We might be in 4th place looking up at the Washington Nationals by the time we get out of Houston. This hurts……..bad.

By The Grinch

June 9, 2006 06:36 AM | Link to this

Check out Reitsma’s versatility, everyone! He can suck in the sixth inning, too!

By BiggEE

June 9, 2006 07:14 AM | Link to this

I agree with ya about LaDouche he has to go and put Betemit there or Chipper.I think I can pitch better than Reeksma too.Why does Cox keep using him.I personally look for him to be released before the weekend is out.Thursday was his last chance.I also think Diaz should play more in left field he was 19 for 26 and then on the bench for 3 straight games.Why?I

By Carroll

June 9, 2006 07:26 AM | Link to this

Here’s an interesting trade rumour I heard on another site from someone supposedly in the know:

“Also, I was dropping off my dry cleaning and the clerk says she heard a rumor from Lance Cormier’s wife that the Braves are going to trade her husband, Anthony Lerew, and two low-level pitching prospects to the Cubs for Greg Maddux and Scott Williamson, but the Braves are demanding that the Cubs take Reitsma.”

PLEASE GOD let this trade happen!! DOB, any thoughts?

By billy

June 9, 2006 08:09 AM | Link to this

I dont think Thopson pitched that bad. As far as the decsion to not pinch hit him in the sixth is a tough one. Up to that point the he was pitching a halfway decent game. With that in mind he hits well with that in mind i dont mind keeping Thompson in where I do find a problem is not pinch hitting for Pratt. Even the braves no he is not on this team for his offence and in that situation you need to get betiment up there. With our offence we should be able to post four runs a game. Offence is not the problem. We score runs on most nights. The only problem i see is the bullpen. As much as I love loyalty from bobby reitsma has to go. But that alone wont solve our problems. Although we all like to see ken ray close the situation in the sixth was a meant for him. He is not a closer but more of a setup man and holder type IMO.

On another note. we all know the braves are in serious trouble but to write them off right now would be asinine. Give them three more weeks I think before you can throw in the towel.

By Pantherssuck

June 9, 2006 08:53 AM | Link to this

Carroll,

That’s a good one! Yeah, I also heard a rumor from Chipper’s ex-wife’s brother’s taxidermist’s doctor, who happened to perform a colonoscopy on George Brett that the Braves will trade Reitsma and LaRoche to the Cardinals for Albert Pujols and Chris Carpenter in an even-up swap. Seems the Crads are sick an tired of Pujols’ inconsistencies at the plate and his penchant for lollygagging on the field.

By jokurone

June 9, 2006 08:57 AM | Link to this

This team can’t hit their way out of a wet paper bag..bases loaded no outs.. why not squeeze? we need some out of the box thinking (no pun intended)at this point do the least expected!! we need runs not strikeouts. is JS still alive or in a coma somewhere..It is time for him to speakup and at least give us some encouragement that they are trying to address the situation. or are they? standing pat ain’t going to cut it this year!!!

By Mike

June 9, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this

Every fan wants to be the GM at this time of year, so here goes my thoughts to improve:

Giles, Langerhans & Lerew to the Brewers for Rickie Weeks, Derrick Turnbow and Matt Wise.

Giles, Betemit and Rameriz to the Marlins for Dontrelle Willis, Dan Uggla and prospect Robert Andino.

However, my first move would to fire Terry Pendleton as our “swing & miss” coach.

By KneeJerk

June 9, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this

I know our bullpen stinks, but when you campare our bullpen stats to those of the Richmond/Mississippi bullpens, remember that the Atlanta bullpen is facing major league hitters.

By Big Ed

June 9, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this

I agree that while stats may not lie, they don’t display the entire truth. While Francoeur, LaRoche and Langerhans have been productive statistically, they all either hit homeruns or strikeout. Plus, by adding a leadoff guy who can get on base in front of Renteria, that provides a 1st and 3rd situation for C. Jones and A. Jones with no outs. The Braves also need to find a place for Betemit, like 1B because LaRoche is not playing the position like he used to defensively.

By Blake

June 9, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this

Latest rumor has Crawford to Angels for Escobar. Come on, we can do better than that and we should. Also good point Big Ed., even though LaSuck and Langerhans are noy to bad just looking at the stats. In general they are very unproductive .250 hitters if that is possible. 101K’s in 349 AB’s. That is over one per game for each. Not good. LaSuck can stay as an 7 or 8 hitter but Langerhans needs to be replaced (I hate to say it).

By brewerfaninATL

June 9, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

Mike,

Lay off the crack, dude! Weeks is going to be star VERY soon, Turnbow is one of the elite closers in the NL, and Wise is one of the top set-up men in ALL of baseball. Giles does not and will not have the same upside as Weeks, Lerew may or may not be a good pitcher one day and where the hell does Langerhans fit in on our team? We have Lee, Jenkins, and Clark starting, with Gross and Corey Hart on the bench and have a slew of AAA outfielders chomping at the bit for major league action. No offense, but this proposal is ludicrous!

By Mark I.

June 9, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Dave, why do the Braves show such blind loyalty to a guy like Reitsma? He has proven to be incompetent as major league pitcher this year and he has only had one decent month while a Brave. I just don’t even understand why he is still on the team. At some point, they should cut their losses.

By Blake

June 9, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

brewerfan,

While I think you have a biased opinion on how good your players actually are. I agree that this deal would never be considered.

By Smitty

June 9, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this

DOB and the Rest of this Blog:

The Braves have two major problems, one huge and one small.

Small- The Braves pitchers in the pen are not strkie out guys. They are all ground ball pitchers. They can’t get the big K when we really need it.

Huge- With these ptichers getting ground balls, we don’t have the infielder to make plays on them. Chipper looks helpless at third, Renteria is really Rent-an-error, Marcs Giles is our best infielder, but makes huge mental errors, and Adam is good, but overratted. Brian Jordan shouldn’t be on the team, much less in the infield.

This is the worst infiled sense 1990.

I propose we bring up Tony Pena and move Renteria to left or first (Seeing as how Betemit isn’t going to get to move.)

If we move him to left or first then we can trade LaRoche or Langerhans with Pena for some pitching.

By ssiscribe

June 9, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

ON THE HIGHWAY TO HELL, OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE 2006 BRAVES SEASON — For the first time in a regular season since, well, my junior year in high school, my finger’s starting to search for the panic button.

I’m not pushing it yet, but I’m getting tempted. I see the sky growing angry, the uneasy feeling in my stomach is getting stronger and I’m starting to feel dread and worry like never before in this decade and a half run of brilliance.

Meaningless games in early September? It’s been a long time, gang, but it just might be coming up over the bend if something isn’t done — and soon — to save this season.

I’m tired of staying up every night, then dragging myself out of bed at 5:30 every morning, only to tell my two toddlers that no, we have to put an L on the schedule on the fridge because the Braves lost again last night.

Going into last night, I felt like the Braves needed a 5-2 or 6-1 road swing, for the reasons I stated in my earlier note at the start of this blog. The schedule is about to get damn tough, folks. This is the time to make it happen, to get hot.

I worried about last night’s game. Pettitte ties this club up in knots, while Thomson had stunk his previous four starts. One bad inning from Thomson, coupled with a blown opportunity with the bases loaded and no outs. Can’t score, hang breaking balls to sluggers, pour gas on the fire with a guy who I’m starting to wonder shouldn’t be sent somewhere (anywhere) just to give him a fresh start, and you have a game that, honestly, I thought the Braves would lose, but could’ve, should’ve, would’ve won.

Could’ve. Should’ve. Would’ve. Every year, the three words we hope will define the season is World Series champs.

Could’ve. Should’ve. Would’ve. Three words that, to this point, define a season that is starting to slip away right before our eyes.

By Sane Jane

June 9, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

How is it that Billy screws up common words AND our players (“Thopson”? “Thompson”?(!) “Betiment”?) but then nails “asinine” on the first try?

Dude, you spell like LaRoche swings - 3 strikeouts, and one 3-run bomb!

By RICATLFAN

June 9, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

Hey DOB…enjoy the blog. Been a Braves fan since day one, in Atlanta that is. Saw them play the first game in Fulton. Call me a homer but a realist as well. That said I have some ideas to see what the blog thinks. It is time that John and Bobby give up the platoon thing at 1st base. Jordan is simply not a 1st baseman in any sense of the word. It is too important defensively unless the platooner is an offensive jugernaut which Jordan for a brief period was but now isn’t and isn’t good enough defensively either. So someone with the Braves must start to see the light there. I wouldn’t play Betemit there either for the same defensive reason I wouldn’t play Jordan there. Jordan would now best serve the Braves in a PH role with an occassional start. I would leave the platoon thing in the dust. LaRouche will be fine long term.

Now this much is certain, and I am not sure how much has been mentioned recently as I don’t read the whole blog, but the Braves are going to make a big trade and soon. My guess is Brayan Pena, Langerhans, and either Sosa or Thomson will be dealt to the Marlins for Willis. Salty will possibly be dangled but with Pena playing well he could be attractive trade bait. Atlanta could then have Salty called up if needed should an injury occur to either Pratt or McCann. Regardless of who is involved I feel the Braves will deal a position player such as Langerhans in order to move Betemit into the starting lineup in this case left field.

Living in Richmond I read daily about the Braves AAA. We have a mayor up here who likes to play hardball. Given that the Braves are one of the few organizations that actually own their own farm teams they are growing very tired of the non-commital attitude coming from the city. We can’t provide a plan to the Braves for a new site downtown or elsewhere within the timeframe stipulated by the Braves. The Braves have given Richmond notice on numerous occasions that a firm plan is needed. Mike Plant is ready to talk to Richmond one more time and that is it. The Diamond is one of the very worst ball parks now in baseball and the product on the field is very poor. Attendance has decline from an average of almost 8,000 to about half that now. The Braves are losing over 0ne mil a year and no viable stadium option on the horizon. The mayor simply doesn’t care if they stay or go. The Nationals have indicated in print and tv that they would love to put a team here so if the Braves go the Nationals will come. The picture to me is clear the Braves are leaving Richmond. I hate it but it is time. I have to believe that the Braves have talked to several cities about relocating. Any rumor you have heard DOB?

By ssiscribe

June 9, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this

Should read “Every year, the three words we hope will define the season ARE World Series champs.”

I’m so frustrated, I can’t even write a correct sentence anymore (of course, there are those who say that about me everyday, ha ha)!

By eware

June 9, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

Naysayers! Chipper is still a phenomenal third baseman. Did anyone see his plays last night? Outstanding.

Renteria a bad shortstop? What?! Seriously, get a grip.

B.J. needs to focus on his other business ventures. Bring up Thorman! Give him a shot.

Its really paying off that Bobby kept all this “veteran leadership” on the team, isn’t it? Where have you gone Julio Franco?

By Stinky Jones

June 9, 2006 10:37 AM | Link to this

RICATLFAN, Lets say the Nationals get Richmond. What are the chances the new team name will be either the Confederates or the Grey Coats?

By Sammy Kershaw

June 9, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

Stinky Jones may be the worst poster in the history of this Blog. I beleive we should bring this to a vote. Please take your bitter baffoon jibber jabber somewhere else.

By Stinky Jones

June 9, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this

Sammy, I apologize for offending you.

By RICATLFAN

June 9, 2006 10:46 AM | Link to this

I know Bobby was playing the percentages given who was coming up but why leave Reitsma in the game after the sacrifice and the flyout. Reitsma walks two then gets two outs. You were playing with fire as it was so why not go to another pitcher for the final out. I know that you never know especially with this bullpen but Reitsma giving up that single was the ball game.

Look I don’t like LaRoche’s long swing either and yes he strikes out a lot. The reality is that most power hitting first basemen do strike out a lot. But Laroche is simply a great defensive player and that makes the strikeouts easier to take. The Braves won’t be trading Adam, they won’t be platooning as much either and they won’t move Bteemit over there or anyone else. Adam will stay there the rest of this year or maybe longer depending on contracts etc.

By Todd A

June 9, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

Renteria’s defense leaves alot to be desired.I hold my breath on hard hit balls to short.He’s not Andres Thomas bad,but he’s not the caliber of defensive shortstops the Braves like to employ.Red Sox knew what they were doing imo.

By Blake

June 9, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this

Todd,

That is the dumbest comment I have ever seen. I’ll take Edgar and his 8 errors all day. Maybe, we could get that great high caliber defensive shortstop of the past back Furcal who has 13 errors for $13 million.

By Yelling Last Night

June 9, 2006 10:56 AM | Link to this

I’ve determined I can’t change my post name until the Bravos can win a series again.

Can someone tell me why Todd Pratt is in the lineup over Pena? Bobby’s always had the 2nd catcher that gets to play once every 5 days to let the starter get much deserved rest, and they’ve always been a week hitter for average but could give some occasional pop. But Pratt has nothing left at the plate. God I hope McCann can come back healthy soon.

Remember last year when we started with Jordan and Mondesi as our outfielders. Was it about this time that Mondesi was gone and Jordan was on the bench. I see a minor leaguer coming up soon to help @ 1st and the outfield.

And why does Bobby continue to send Reitsma out there at all? It’s been proven that he can only pitch in July, so if we can hide him in the bullpen until then, so be it. Otherwise maybe he should go to the minors until July.

Aw man, this team is just too painful to watch right now.

By RICATLFAN

June 9, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

The Braves hitting is not the problem. Their team average (around 268) is as high as it has been during most of the past 14 seasons. Yes they have had bad outings and hung some tough loses on Sosa in San Diego and Smoltz several times but by and large the offense is not the long term problem. It simply comes down to pitching and in particular you must have your starters get to the 7th inning. The braves will continue to lose unless they can find a way to stop handing it over to the bullpen for 3-4 innings and being down to boot.

By Todd A

June 9, 2006 11:05 AM | Link to this

brewerfaninatl, We don’t want any more Brewers’ closers in Atlanta.Been there done that with Kolb.Btw,would someone get Turnbow some pants that fit?He looks like a rap artist on the mound.

By Todd A

June 9, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this

Blake,

Furcal made more errors because he had greater range and had more chances than Edgar.Lots of balls he just can’t get his glove on.He’s adequate at ss.Nothing more.

By ssiscribe

June 9, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

RIC: Couldn’t agree more about the offense. Even with Giles hitting leadoff, this lineup is fine (remember, Giles will be hot for three weeks, then struggle for two). Get McCann healthy, put him in the five hole (no, Thrashers fans, not THAT five hole), drop LaRoche to seventh and you’re fine.

The trouble is playing from behind so much, and the fact the entire bullpen has been, as a whole, horrible. Kenny Ray and Chad Paronto get a pass, but nobody else does. When McBride starts getting guys out again, when Villarreal stops giving up bombs, things will improve (or when management makes a deal).

Yelling: You must’ve been in my house last night, because there was plenty of yelling. My wife finally told me to turn on the NBA finals so I could calm down. I don’t get fired up too much anymore, but last night pushed me over the top. You’re right on point about Pena; he deserves to stay in the majors. I know Bobby wants a veteran guy back there, especially knowing Mac could turn the ankle and land right back on the DL, but Pratt just isn’t getting it done.

Mondesi was released in late May, I believe, and Jordan was benched in early July for Frenchy, if I recall correctly.

Todd: Bro, I’m not going to pile on. Edgar’s not Ozzie Smith in the field, but he’s not bad. And, what he might lack at times in the field, he more than makes up for at the plate.

But I give you credit for this: You dropped an Andres Thomas reference on us! That’s awesome, dude!! All you folks complaining about Giles, two words: Damasco Garcia.

Out.

By Todd A

June 9, 2006 11:21 AM | Link to this

ssiscribe,

Point well taken lol.

By RICATLFAN

June 9, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

Forget the physical errors, Renteria is simply a great SS, Chipper is a great 3rd, Giles is a great 2nd LaRoche is a great 1st. McCann is a great C when he returns. Hey baseball geniuses go ahead and figure out a better infield at this point in the season. Put Betemit in LF with Andrew and Francouer and the Braves with any pitching help via trade can make a big run. MOst of you quasi GM’s think that major overhauls are needed every other game. Truth is a simple tweak, lucky break, or trade is all that is needed in most cases. Hey it is like a lawnmower that won’t start after constant pulls. You can cuss it all you want and it may finally start and you swear you are going to get a new one until you realize that maybe I will try a new sparkplug next time and bingo it is your new favorite lawn mower and one you never wanted to get rid of anyway. My point…the Braves are the lawnmower and the trade or moving Betemit into the starting lineup is the spark. Get it? OK great!!!

Saw Skynyrd in Richmond last week….man can those guys still play. The new and old ones. Never seen on this blog where DOB has ever seen them recently but if you get the chance they are great.

By RICATLFAN

June 9, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

the sky is falling, the sky is falling, the sky is falling…………when you are up to your a* in alligators it is hard to remember that the initial objective was to drain the swamp.(seen on sign in Braves bullpen)

By Voice of Reason

June 9, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this

DOB - I hope your gut feeling that JS will do something sooner than later pans out. I had a gut feeling after last night’s game, too. Unfortunately, it resulted in me losing my dinner.

I’m not gonna play fantasy GM and start throwing out trade ideas, but I will say that the Bravos have to do something to jump start this team. This is as bad a malaise as I have witnessed in many, many years of watching my home team. (I’ve been watching since my Dad worked a ticket booth at old AFCS in 1970.) What makes this worse than the suck years of, well, every year except 1982, is that they aren’t playing to their potential. They simply appear to be going through the motions.

JS, please do something to breathe some life into this 25 man coma!

By MGL

June 9, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

I think this is a good team the way it is, with a few possible pitching adjustments. For all of you Willy B lovers (I like the guy also) in games that he has played more than one AB, his numbers are worse than any regular position player at .250 AVE and .307 OBP. When he pinch hits, he is .370 AVE and .413 OBP. Suggestion, use him in more pinch hit situations.

My concern is that this team is in a mental funk and cannot seem to come out of it. SO’s are a serious problem. Almost everyone seems to think that they are a power hitter and therefore SO’s are ok. We are just about worst in the league in SO’s, even against no-name pitchers. That is a mental error that can be corrected. Same with errors. After 61 games, we have 43 errors, half 2005 full year total. 30 of these are infield, and 9 are Chipper (he had 5 total last year) this too is mental. The number of unearned runs charged is higher at 34 than any team in the league except the Reds at 35. This is essentially the same team as last year’s second half, and performing very poorly.

On the pitching side, I’d love to see D-train, but we could better manage the resources we have. With Davies recovering and James stretching out, we have 7 potential starters. Rotate them in and out according to performance and use the last two for long relief. When a starter gets in trouble, pull him for a long reliever. For the rest of the pen, Unfortunately Reitsma costs so much I cannot imagine anyone interested in him. Might as well use him for mop-up and see if he can regain some confidence, the poor guy is a wreck. For the others, keep them on a short leash and rotate with Richmond pitchers Stockman Cormier, and Startup until they find a team that works.

Overall and most importantly, get the morale up. I’d much rather hear that these guys were challenging each other to cut offensive strikeouts, increase OPB, and eliminate errors than who can have the wildest stupid moustache!! Oh, one more thing, it would be nice to see the team demonstrate more interest in the game while in the dugout. Hang on the rail and cheer the guys on rather than polishing the pine and shooting the breeze.

By Stinky Jones

June 9, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Voice of Reason, I have a hard time believeing that the 2006 Braves are as bad as the 1977 or 1988 Braves. They’re bad, but not that sad. But you’re right, they are underacheiving.

By Carroll

June 9, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

Raisins: you’re 100% right about them going through the motions. That’s what sickens me worse than anything else. And we see examples of it every day. Like yesterday, LaRoche couldn’t get back to the pine soon enough in that one at-bat where he started heading back to the dugout on ball 3 (he thought it was strike 3). Man HOW many embarrassing mental errors can one guy make?

And then there’s Chipper hanging on the railing of the dugout like it’s all he can do just to keep his eyes open. These guys just suck…at least attitudinally….and, like I said, that’s what makes it tougher on us fans. I could deal with them physically sucking (a la the Andres Thomas days), but when it’s obvious that they just don’t care, that’s maddening.

By SR

June 9, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

Worst bullpen this team has ever been saddled with.

Worst bench this team has ever been saddled with.

Cox is brain dead but his hands are tied by the pathetic group of slackers he has been given this year.

Stop torturing us by sending out Reitsma, Villareal and the other gas cans.

Stop torturing us by sending out Brian Jordan.

If Diaz keeps hitting, stop torturing us with the ever mediocre Ryan Langerhans.

Stop torturing us with the over the hill Todd Pratt.

Stop torturing us period. Make some damn moves and get rid of the dead weight that has infected this bunch of losers!!!! I’m done.

By Carroll

June 9, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

Raisins: I say we should get D-Train and then try to offload the overrated and overpaid Hudson in a deal to a desperate team at the deadline. We could prolly get an entire bullpen in return for him. Then we could afford to keep Willis who may prove to be the TRUE legitimate number one starter that we thought we were getting with Huddsy. And Willis would prolly spark fan interest more.

By Antonio McNugget

June 9, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

Todd A, you have redeemed yourself with the Brewers closer and Furcal comments. I was thinking the same thing.

Simply cant get burned by another Brewers closer, and Furcal gets to so many more balls than anyone in the league he more than makes up for the errors easy. Renteria is a good SS but he simply doesnt get to the balls Furcal did.

I actually like Edgar on the team quite a bit. I think he is an excellent player, but the question is Would you rather have Giles batting behind Furcal at the top of the order or Renteria batting behind Giles at the top.

By Stinky Jones

June 9, 2006 12:29 PM | Link to this

DOB, has Bobby Cox lost this team? Lots of posts about the team sleepwalking. I also remember a “no comment” from Chipper late last season regarding a BC managerial decision. Any thoughts?

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure that’s the question Antonio. I’d much rather have Renteria than Furcal, no matter how you cut it. Renteria is solid at his position, he isn’t the greatest whiz ever, but he’s good. He makes fewer errors, which is nice. But when he comes to the plate, he makes even fewer errors than Furcal. He knows how to hit in every situation. Something a lot of the boys on this team could stand to learn. I’d much rather have Renteria batting second than Furcal leading off. Let’s not forget that last year, during the first half, Furcal was doing about as well as Giles is right now.

I think a trade for left field is what we need. We have Thorman, whom we could play or trade. If we can find a fast outfielder that gets on base, we would improve the club offensively enough, or, if anyone knows of a highly athletic super fast first basemen, I can’t think of any though. All we’d need after that is some relief in the pen. Addition by subtraction. Remove Reitsma, and we have ourselves some close, winnable games. As long as Reitsma is in the pen, Cox is going to call him, in hopes of building confidence, but it’s hurting the team. Hurting Reitsma. Hurting the fan base. Hurting the value of the club. Hurting in every way possible.
It hurts. It hurts. It hurts.

By Voice of Reason, not a journalist

June 9, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

Stinky, (I won’t ask why,) I didn’t say they were as bad as the ‘77 or ‘88 teams, and that was my point. They really aren’t as bad as they are playing. That, my friends, is why they are so @#$%^&* maddening.

Carroll, while he absolutely needs to find some consistency, Huddy is not a bust. I rarely go to games anymore because I rarely venture inside the perimeter, but the last game I attended, Huddy pitched and was masterful - nasty stuff. Again, the inconsistency is what drives me up a wall. I’d like to see D-Train and Huddy and Smoltz. Add Davies and James (at some point) and you have a potentially solid rotation.

Again, if they are gonna suck, just suck. Don’t tease me with a hot streak here and there just to let me down. Geez, this get within 2 games then drop back to 7 crap is killin’ me.

I think the mental funk is symptomatic of complacent fans. Spark the team, spark the fans, ignite the team, ignite the fans… you get my point. The cycle works both ways. I prefer it on an upward trend.

By David O'Brien

June 9, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

Has Cox “lost” the team? No. Absolutely not. And I base that on multiple interviews every day in the clubhouse, rather than “lots of posts about the team sleepwalking.”

Nothing to do with sleepwalking, lot to do with terrible bullpen, injured catcher who was leading the NL in hitting when he went down, and terrible inconsistency from middle/back of rotation, along with less-than-No. 1 performance from the two “No. 1” starters.

Did I mention terrible bullpen?

Pantherssuck, glad you answered that silly trade rumor crap about the player’s wife-told-the-clerk-at-the-dry-cleaner before I could answer it, because I would’ve answered it like you did.

But it makes sense, right, the player’s wife tells the clerk at the dry cleaner EVERYTHING, you know? Sure. Makes sense to me. Run with it.

I was at the butcher shop this morning, and he said a player’s wife told the candlestick maker, who told the butcher, that the Braves would trade Cormier and Pena to the Marlins for Willis, and are trying to get Marlins to also throw in Cabrera. Sounds good to me. Let’s roll with it.

By jc

June 9, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

Cox is braindead when it comes to using his players. Why are Jorden and Pratt playing when you have better players on the bench. The bullpen is a mess. I mean who can you trust from that group of gas. Frencour and Giles are always either trying to hit a homer or show off their swing. Either way it has piled up a lot of strikeouts. Hey Cox, try pulling your pitchers out quicker than letting them dig a bigger hole like Restima does everytime out. I am out. Rack him.

By Stinky Jones

June 9, 2006 12:53 PM | Link to this

DOB, Maya Klupa.

By Mark I.

June 9, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

DOB, Have you heard anything on Reitsma? paying him to perform the way he has? Any chance they may send him his walking papers and eat his contract? Please say yes. It would be the best money they have spent in the last year.

By jc

June 9, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

The one important missing link has been discussed this year ragarding the starting pitching problems. Roger McDowell is over his head. I mean Leo would have straightened this group out by now. McDowell is sleep walking just like the rest of the ball club. I can not watch this group take games off. This is horrible. How can you trade Estrada for two of the lousiest gases around. I mean we got nothing for trading Estrada. Send Francoeur and Langerham back to the minors to learn the strike zone. Francoeur seem over his head.

I am out.

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

The Braves gave Tom Martin a total of 2.1 innings last year. For some reason Reitsma is getting 100 times that is is pitching just as effectively. There has to be a team that’s at least willing to pay the league minimum for the guy in exchange for another Obermueller type of cast off we can chuck down to Blauser in Mississippi. Something has to be done. It’s getting hard to get out of bed in the morning knowing that Reitsma is still shuffling around in the pen.

By Antonio McNugget

June 9, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul, I think you missed my point. You are saying you would rather have Giles leading off with Edgar behind him than Furcal leading off with Giles behind. The answer is get a freaking leadoff hitter and keep Edgar but apparantly JS is to busy signing books and talking about his success to do anything about his trainwreck

By JC

June 9, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

Restima may be part of the problem. How about Francouer, Langerham, Giles, Jorden, Chipper and Pratt striking out with the game on the line. And how about John Schourtz getting nothing in return for Estrada. Cox seem to not care when the games begin. He just watches from the dugout and does nothing to get these guys going. He needs to get on them. We have no leader in this team.

By Zerevon

June 9, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this

Cox is not braindead and he knows what he is doing, his record speaks for itself. The Braves and Bobby Cox will be back soon so will McCann and the teams fire. I am not giving up on the Braves not until they are eliminated (mathematicaly). I never did and I never will, you shoudn’t either. Yes we are going thru hard times now, I rather us go thru now than later in the season..! I love the Braves..

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

Yes. I would. At this time last year, Furcal was just as effective as Giles is now. Furcal was hitting something like .224 last year at this time. And Furcal wasn’t much to draw a walk. Even in Giles’ struggles, he’s drawing walks. He has a good OBP. He isn’t as fast as furcal. But he gets on. And besides, a batter is only assured of leading off once in a game.
But at any rate, I’m not as dissapointed with the leadoff spot as I am with the bullpen. We could use a lead off hitter, but I think Giles is going to be fine there if we don’t get one.

By paluka

June 9, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this

Why do some of these idiots continue to bash Bobby Cox? Has he not won 14 cosecutive division titles? And how can he be compared to Joe Torre ( as some in the medis do)? Torre has whatever money he needs to spend. I’d sure like to see him manage in a place with limited funds. Cox is a great manager and all the players love playing for him. Granted he is sometimes a little too loyal/patient with players but for the most part he is one of the best ever

By geauxbraves2000

June 9, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

I know if I did my job with the same consistency that Reitsma does his job that I would be fired. I feel bad for him, I truly do, for he probably is a great person, but he just doesn’t have what it takes anymore out there on the mound anymore and it just time to move on. Maybe different scenery would help him, I don’t know, but I do know it’s just time for the Braves to let him go.

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

There are only two things I really miss about Furcal: His arm, and his speed.
Wait, there are three things I miss… the power arm, the fast running and the good ‘ol times he and I used to have cruising with the young ladies and piles of cash late at night with a trunk load of booze. Raffy, we’re going to have to take you in for under age drinking… uh, well the thing about that is, I’m actually 24, not 19. Oh man, the laughs…

By glembo

June 9, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

DOB, do you think sliding over that bat is affecting Andruw again?

By Antonio McNugget

June 9, 2006 01:25 PM | Link to this

Agree to disagree. You failed to mention Furcal batted well over 350 2nd half of season. got to get somebody on base or you cant drive them in. Renteria may as well bat leadoff, hes doing it now anyway except when he gets up there is 1 out.

DOB all seriousness is it feaseable for the Braves to just cut Reitsma and can you see anything like this happening. Reminds me alot of the Mondesi issue last year not quite the same but similar.

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this

Antonio, I can’t easily compare Giles’ second half of 2006 with Furcal’s second half of 2005. So far, Giles is on a better pace than Furcal, if that holds true, he could very well surpass Furcal’s second half of last year. But I won’t know that until the end of the season. But I do know that Giles has a higher career batting average, OBP, doubles, homers, and everything but steals and strike outs.

By paluka

June 9, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this

DOB: Any more news or thoughts on the Giles to Minnesota rumor. I was thinking that MInn also want to rid themselves of Kyle Lohse. I know he is not great but an even up swap for John Thomson might be good for both. I believe their slaries are very comparable.

By Voice of Reason, not a journalist

June 9, 2006 01:36 PM | Link to this

Funny, the team started playing with the intensity of a damp sponge about the time that Jeff Boreborg and his monotone analysis found increased airtime. I know it’s pure coincidence, I just wanted to pile on Boreborg. Man he’s awful!

By Smitty

June 9, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this

I heard a cold was going around the clubhouse and Renteria couldn’t even catch that!

He is more like Jeff Blauser than Belliard. I have no clue how he ever won a gold glove. His arm is average, at best. I think we should move him to first either now or in the spring and let Betemitt have a shot.

The left side of the Braves infield is one of the worst in baseball. Those two can hit, but are terrible in the filed.

Chipper can make a great play now and again, but most of the time he looks like he is playing not to get hurt.

By caroline lady

June 9, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

jimmy, stop it. you’re embarrassing yourself.

By Tomahawkin

June 9, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

WTF Is up with the attitude on this team, Chipper or Andruw need to step it up and call out some of these guys who ain’t pulling their weight

All those strikeouts last nite were pathetic to watch, and better yet we face a guy tonite who many on this team have never seen before, This team is notorious for making struggling rookie and second year pitchers look like Sandy Koufax

This Team STINKS!

By Bob, journalist

June 9, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

Stinky Jones, your 12:29 PM post regarding Chipper’s “No Comment” is encouraging … I don’t remember it but while “asking players to comment on managerial decisions” may be popular to some … “No Comment” only suggests that Larry had taken his smart pills that day … any other comment would have been … uh, inane.

Of more significance might be the question … “Who was the one that asked Chipper for his opinion?”.

By paluka

June 9, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

How can we get Scott Linebrink fro SD and Mike Gallo fron Houston?

By Carroll

June 9, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

DOB and panthers: it’s just fodder for discussion. Jeez. Give me a break. It’s the closest thing we have right now to something to hope for.

By Tomahawkin

June 9, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

I used to back up Chipper’s Defense, but after watching him not even attempt to go after that ball that Biggio hit down the line last nite, I think he is starting to remind me of Roger Dorn…

Oh Yea What the F******* was up with sending Francoeur on that fly ball last nite, I knew he was going to be out just watching how long it took him to get in full stride…

By Chop Chop

June 9, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul…

Furcal’s 162-game average for Ks and BBs: (94 and 63)

His career high for strikeouts was 114 in 2002, which is 34 more than his next highest season total.

Giles’ 162-game average for Ks and BBs: (102 and 64)

His career high for strikeouts was 108 in 2005, which is 28 more than his next highest season total.

DOB talks about perception in this blog and perception certainly clouds our judgment of a guy like Furcal. Furcal is perceived by most of us as a guy who was a hacker at the plate, but I’m starting to think that we thought of him that way because he was hitting leadoff. Giles is striking out a lot (and walking a lot), but we notice the strikeouts a lot more in the leadoff spot than we would, say, in the second or sixth spot. That’s mainly because, when Giles strikes out to lead off a game, we roll our eyes and say, “Here we go again.” We did the same for Furcal.

By Tomahawkin

June 9, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this

Carroll, What It is…Are you about as tired of watching these complacent overpaid primadonnas as I?

Especially Reeksma…

By Tomahawkin

June 9, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

Ronald, no offense, but I’d hardly call Langerhans season last year a “career year” The dude hit a third of his homers in one game. I like his Defense but until he learns to go to left field more often, he will remain the hitter he is now…

By Todd

June 9, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

It seems to me that a bullpen overhaul would be awfully hard to pull off in mid-season - but with an effective closer, I wonder if just that alone would be enough of a psychological boost to the middle relievers and the rest of the team that it would make the difference. Something’s gotta give - watching Reitsma last night, holy cow that was painful.

Someone mentioned Salty for Lidge a while back in this blog - while that would be awesome, I doubt they’re in the mindset to start selling off parts; they just got the Rocket back for major $, so I don’t think they’re throwing in the towel. Nathan seems like a more likely (and more attractive) possibility, but the Twins certainly don’t need a catcher right now so we’d probably hold on to Salty in any deal with them.

By Amber

June 9, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

ssiscribe said: I’m tired of staying up every night, then dragging myself out of bed at 5:30 every morning, only to tell my two toddlers that no, we have to put an L on the schedule on the fridge because the Braves lost again last night.

Oh, good, I’m not the only one keeping track of this dismal excuse for a season with a fridge schedule.

As far as letting Thomson hit with the bases loaded - it was that or let the bullpen get their hands on a 2-1 game. Rock… or hard place?

I swear I get a migraine every evening because I look forward to the Braves games then quickly realize I should have been dreading them all along.

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop… Thanks.. I don’t have the stats in front of me, so I took a stab at it. But whatever, I don’t think Giles will be like this all season. I think this because he is either going to get on a serious role, or he is going to be traded and it won’t matter any more. But either way, I like Renteria on the team. I hope these young guys start talking to him about how to hit. Him and McCann’s Pop.

By caroline lady

June 9, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

Bob, You are right, of course. It is always smarter to take the high road.

The account I read of that incident seemed to convey a sense of exasperation to me. I cannot tell you who wrote the article or asked the question.

These days, the body language of several Braves seems to be rather mopey. IMO, the Manager should to do something about that.

But, I don’t know that any manager can salvage this season. And I wonder if the team feels that way too.

By geauxbraves2000

June 9, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

As far as salvaging the season goes, just do something with the bullpen, anything, send two or three down, call two or three up, make a trade, make a trade, do something. I can hardly blame the position players, why bother scoring 5 runs a game when the staff is going to give up 6? Management, show this team that you care and do something already before it’s too late.

By David

June 9, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this

The Braves are probably right about now regretting letting Tommy “Terrific” Glavine get away to the New York Mets. Last I heard is that Tommy is leading the majors with 9 wins, which is absolutely astounding for a 40-year old pitcher. Tommy has apparently discovered the fountain of youth, as he is pitching better than he ever has and will continue to do so until he breaks Cy Young’s win total of 511 wins! Just kidding, of course!!! But realistically speaking, Tommy will certainly finish with over 300 wins in his career which should catepault him into the Hall of Fame, which is where is deserves to end up with the illustrious career that he has most meticulously carved out for himself. Good for him! I just didn’t realize how good Tom Glavine was when he helped the Braves win their lone world series in ‘95. At that time, The Braves had 2 hall of famers in their starting rotation (Maddox and Glavine), with a possible third in John Smoltz in one of their patented famous pitching rotations in the 90’s. My favorite Braves pitching rotation of all times was the GAS rotation of Glavine, Avery and Smoltz—-but that being said, when you think of the Braves winning 14 straight division titles, all 14 of those clubs revolved around “outstanding” starting pitching; and this year is no different as the Braves will catch the Mets in the second half of the season en route to their unprecedented 15th straight divisional title. WOW! Great Stuff!

By Kman

June 9, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

DOB: I see where you wrote that Bobby hasn’t “lost” the team yet which is good to hear, but have the players had a closed door meeting yet? Just curious. Also, it was very disappointing to see LaRoche in his last AB give up on what he thought (and me) was strike three and start walking to the dugout only to be called back by the ump and then swing meekly at a terrible pitch for the real K. Seems like he had already assumed he would strike out. Just p** me off.

By KneeJerk

June 9, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

I would have also let Thomson hit in that situation. Thomson had not been a disaster to that point in the game. There was no need to take him out and he does handle the bat pretty well. It’s easy to second-guess after the fact, but I would have done the same as our HOF manager in that spot.

By Chop Chop

June 9, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this

The Braves haven’t had an outstanding starting rotation since 2002. Glavine and Millwood each won 18 that year. Maddux added 16. Of those three, Millwood had the highest ERA (3.24). That team also had Smoltz (55 saves) and three set-up guys (Remlinger, Hammond and Holmes) with ERAs under two. The team ERA was 3.13, which obviously led the NL and the majors.

Incidentally, that was the year that Glavine was destroyed in two starts against the Giants in the Division Series and many Braves fans became fed up with the postseason failures, carried over their lingering dislike of Glavine’s hard-line union stance during the ‘94 strike, used him as a scapegoat and gave up on him. He signed as a free agent with the Mets for more money and suddenly became a “traitor.”

By Jim

June 9, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this

If one were to put together an All Star Team from just the NL East — Here is my take:

1B: 1. Howard, 2. Delgado, 3. Johnson

2B: 1. Utley, 2. Vidro, 3. Uggla

3B: 1. Wright, 2. Cabrera, 3. Jones

SS: 1. Renteria (offense), 2. Roland (all around), 3. Reyes (speed and defense) this position is almost a toss up

C: 1. McCann, 2. LoDuca 3. Schneider

LF: 1. Soriano, 2. Burrell, 3. (pick-em) Langerhans (for his defense)

CF: 1. A. Jones, 2. Beltran, 3. Rowand

RF: 1. Abreu, 2. Francouer, 3. Nady

SP: 1. Pedro, 2. Glavine, 3. Myers,

RP: 1. Gordon, 2. Ray (on performance), 3. Wagner

By Chop Chop

June 9, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

The point of my last post is that Braves fans want postseason success. The Braves haven’t had much of that for a long time. In fact, Braves fans expect failure in the postseason. Failure in the regular season is sure (as we’ve seen so far) to cause people to lose their minds. In other words, it’s crunch time for Cox and Schuerholz in this town.

By Stinky Jones

June 9, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop, The hardline union stance may have been the thing which put the Braves over the top in 1995. Glavine still had gas in the tank with a strike shortened season that year.

By DanK

June 9, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

The Braves right now don’t put pressure on the other teams. On offense, they don’t walk, steal bases or manufacture runs enough; on the contrary, they strike-out at an alarming rate (ie…last night). Also, opposing teams know the pen is weak. Another way of saying this is that the game doesn’t get short in the late innings when a shut-down guy(s)come-in in the 8th or 9th.

I trust the Braves know this and will work to address it. These were the issues after last year, and basically have yet to be addressed. Time for Plan B. They have plenty of young and inexpensive talent with which to make a move, they just don’t have the right mix, in my opinion.

With their recent performance, they may well have played themselves out of contention this year. Here in NY, the Mets look very solid; and right now I would argue they are the best team in the NL, not just the NL East. But they are always looking over their shoulder at the Braves, and there is too much talent and pride on this team to fade away. What they need now is an A**-KICKING from Bobby to wake them up!!

By Metropolitan Man

June 10, 2006 07:52 AM | Link to this

Do you guys understand how much pressure those baby braves are in. Last year there no pressure just to fill in. This year someone needs to fill in for them. With the exception of Mcann, the braves are the Marlins with a payroll, that is the only difference. The sad thing is you guys are destined for the cellar. The bullseye on your back is getting smaller and smaller because no team is no longer taking you serious. You have been a joke for the past 14 years and now the laughter is getting louder and louder. You have choked on the grand stage long enough. Go back into oblivion and hope you finish better than KC.

By David

June 10, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

The Braves appear to be in trouble. They cannot snap themselves out of the rut they are in! They have been losing regularly as though they are trying to lose 100 games this season. Its unfortunate for the Braves that they have given away so much talent to other teams over the years. Where do you think the Braves would be in the standings right now if they had former Braves, Jermaine Dye (last year’s MVP in the world series); Gary Sheffield (having another all-star year for the Yankees); Tom Glavine (leading the majors this year with 9 wins); and Greg Maddox (the surgeon general who is a certain Hall-of-Famer) on their current roster? The Braves would probably be 10-15 games ahead of the Mets—but the Braves have been so foolish over the last 5-10 years—letting go Hall-of-Fame talent and keeping a roster littered with more holes than a slice of swiss cheese; while picking up recycled veterans like Mike Remingher (REM) who they picked up off the scrap heap, who has not only run out of gas—but is running on fumes. If the Braves are to ever rise up from the ashes of being the laughing stock of the league, they will have to at least play a decent brand of baseball to be considered as much as a single A minor league team. They are more than pitiful right now, they are downright hopeless. I am going to burn my season tickets and never step another foot in Turner Field again.

By ByeByeBraves

June 12, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Sorry DanK, hate to break it to you but the Mets are no longer looking over their shoulder at the (not so) braves.Hell, you guys are so far back that they would probably break their necks trying to look back for you. I hope you the Braves and thet overrated division streak (that netted ONE WS) enjoy your trip into obscurity.

By ByeByeBraves

June 12, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this

Sorry DanK, hate to break it to you but the Mets are no longer looking over their shoulder at the (not so) braves.Hell, you guys are so far back that they would probably break their necks trying to look back for you. I hope you the Braves and thet overrated division streak (that netted ONE WS) enjoy your trip into obscurity.

By ByeByeBraves

June 12, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this

Sorry DanK, hate to break it to you but the Mets are no longer looking over their shoulder at the (not so) braves.Hell, you guys are so far back that they would probably break their necks trying to look back for you. I hope you the Braves and thet overrated division streak (that netted ONE WS) enjoy your trip into obscurity.

By HK

June 12, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this

Turnaround? You should just concentrate on your hold on third place. You had a good run…14 years…(only one ring but that don’t seem to bother Atlanta)…now sit down.