Braves

By Dave knockahomer

June 9, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this

Great but sorrowful stats! No matter what anyone says, the regular guys have got to feel demoralized! I am talking about the starting lineup. What the (*)#(8y good does it do to get any runs, even when you can, and watch them go down the drain but a pitiful excuse of a professional bullpen. The latter would have trouble making a high school team. I truly feel for the starting 8….they have got to be down, down, down.
And pray, PRAY, that stupid Cox doesn’t bring McCann back toooooo soon. I wouldn’t be surprised if he were in there tonight but for goodness sake, don’t ruin a guy and his future by being stupid. Have been a supporter of the Braves since the eighties and I will continue to support them but unless water freezes in hell, this team will do good finish third. We just can’t seem to get it going….. But we have had 14 great years and one BIG ring! Should have had at least 2 more than that but for Cox’s inepitude at managing in the post season and for choices that make any kid scream!
This is my last blog for this year. Can’t say I will even bother reading them anyone. Tis sad to see my team play so badly but I can understand. Work your butt off and then watch the bullpen screw it all up over and over and over. The starters can’t go nine innings…barely can go six. And Smoltz, no matter what he thinks, can’t do it all. He has been a horse! But if he lasts after mid August I will be surprised. And Dave, get with it…..it is WORLD CUP TIME, big guy! Watch the Germany game and they are beatable unless they get their main guy healed and back in the game. Name is Barkin or something like that….but Monday it will be USA time. GO USA!!!!!!!!! take care y’all….see ya next spring training. Can read or post anymore….hurts too much.

By RRR

June 9, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

This season is beginning to really hurt. With the bullpen as it is we do NOT have a shot, and may find it hard to even stay around .500. Who would have thought that coming in this year. Reeksma is now officially even worse than Kolb was last year. Someone needs to have a good talk with him and suggest he goes down to the minors to work out his issues. He is NOT going to get them worked out here, since he shouldn’t even be given the ball any longer. The DBack’s brought over for Estrada have been a huge disappointment. Any word on whether they were implicated and/or friendly with Grimsley? Something surely needs to be done, and even if it takes bringing up Stockman and Startup, the alternative is NOT working, so why not? It can’t get any worse. btw: Ireland didn’t make it this year…so root for England and the USA. ;)

By Austin

June 9, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

Bring Back Rocker I’m telling you DOB. And DOB will Reitsma be in a Braves uniform at the end of the season?

By Patrick

June 9, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this

Bravo DOB!!!

I couldn’t have said that any better myself. You perfectly wrote to the public what is going through every Braves fans’ mind right now.

Nice job-

By Voice of Reason, not a journalist

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

I never thought anyone could make me miss Dan Kolb. Actually, I don’t, but Reitsma is sure trying to make him look good by comparison. Will we soon be trading in our favorite adjecive - Kolbian - for Reitsmatic?

By Kevin

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

DOB Great Blog! Now what to do, who would take either Reistma, Sosa or Thomson? The trade rumors the last few days are encouraging I guess from the standpoint that something has to be done. Giles/LaRoche should also be on the “notice” list. Betemit needs to play and I know Cox is loyal to veterans but I think BJ and Pratt need to go, let Pena be the back up. Call up the kids from Triple A and give them a shot. If we could get Willis and Nathan, the middle relief still needs to addressed from either inside the organization or another trade. Also someone needs to question the coaching from Roger and Terry, great people but I do not see a great deal of adjustments. If Stewart is traded to the Braves this could be the second half lineup Stewart—LF Renteria—SS C. Jones—3rd A.Jones—CF—do we have a shot at resigning him long term this time??He has Yankee all over him with Damon to right McCann—C Betimit—2nd Francouer—RF LARoche/Jurries—1st

Smoltz/Hudson—most erratic of all—Willis-Davies/Ramirez/James Setup—Ray Closer—Nathan

Now to stay close enough for the wild card and for goodness sakes play better at home

By fnreitsma

June 9, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

you were talking about Ballack. And he’s gonna be back for their next game. Germany’s defense is suspect…but they can put balls in the back of the net.

However, the team to really watch is Holland. this might be the year the Red Sox of international soccer put it all together.

oh yeah…reitsma is still terrible.

By The Mad Hungarian

June 9, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this

Auugh, if I ever hear another dumb redneck say “bring back Rocker…” That mouth-breather was so miserable in low-A last year he was cut after a week. Let it go, Austin. Go to your happy place and forget that waste of space ever existed. Please. For us.

By Austin

June 9, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this

Rocker was the most dominant closer the Braves have had in the past year years besides Smoltz. I would rather have Rocker in his prime and his 2.50 career ERA as a Braves and his 223 K’s and lets not mention he saved 64 out of 76 oppurtunties in not even 3 full years and I am not a redneck

By Austin

June 9, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

Most dominant closer in the past ten years*

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Impressive DOB. You put in words what I hope Cox has on his desk. Now, if you really wanna help… cut the phone line between the Dugout and the Bullpen.
These guys out there are just depressing the hell out of me.

By Wes

June 9, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

So I hear Jason Grimsley is available? And in fine shape, I imagine…

By Mitch

June 9, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

As I was doing some laundry today, it was like a peace washed over me - no pun intended - that whispered, “This is the year it ends.” I’m a dyed-in-the-wool Braves fan who will still watch/listen to every game this year, but I’m beginning to become the slightest bit OK with the idea we won’t hang another banner come September. I swear, if these freakin’ kids pull this season out of the crap heap, I’ll never doubt anything again. Can it be done? Yes! We were worse off in August ‘93 than we are now and it’s only June 9. But, it ain’t gonna be done with this assortment. Call someone up. Trade somebody. Heck, take some bats and balls for an arm (Kerry Ligtenberg, anyone?). Do something. Screw you, Time Warner.

By Chop Chop

June 9, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this

DOB…

The horror…the horror…

The cumulative toll that the bullpen’s treachery has taken on this team is stunning…and soul-crushing.

As Captain Willard said, “Oh man, the &$*@ piled up so fast (in Vietnam) you needed wings to stay above it.”

Looks like the Braves need some Red Bull.

By Kieran (Long Island Braves Fan)

June 9, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

“The immortal Rick White” hahahaha well done

By CrimeDog

June 9, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

Who is the worst offender? Reisma with his terrible stats or the man WHO KEEPS PUTTING HIM IN!!! My 9 year old son groans when they put him and HE’S NINE. Bobby they are going to take away your manager of the year award soon.

By Bobby Cox

June 9, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Hee-HAW!

By ssiscribe

June 9, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Speaking of the World Cup, the tournament ends on July 9, the same day the first half of the to-this-point torturous Braves season concludes.

I’ll say two things with confidence: 1. Brazil will lift that little gold trophy on July 9. 2. We’ll know by then if the Braves have a realistic shot at another division title.

Eight games out on July 9 wouldn’t be great, but given what the schedule holds between now and then — especially starting next weekend — and the way this bunch is playing, and eight games might look really good by July 9. The time to go, as I’ve said all week, is now, boys.

For all the problems with the pen, I think one we tend to overlook is the impact Boyer and Foster would’ve made if healthy. Not saying either one would be pitching the ninth, but both those guys could’ve locked down the seventh and eighth.

I continue to applaud Reitsma for the way he’s handling this. It’s gotta be tough on him. But, bottom line, is I think his time as a useful member of the Braves is finished. He needs a fresh start. Totally defeated look on his face in the sixth last night.

Oh, DOB, no Ireland in the tournament. Hope you didn’t have them going far on your pool sheet.

From the coast, I’m toast. Later.

By Dr. Jay

June 9, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

World Cup…BFD. Soccer blows worse than Reitsma on the mound with the bases loaded…

By Rick

June 9, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

BRING BACK ROCKER!! This team sure needs a spark. You can see it in there faces now, why go out and work hard to get runs only to lose anyway.

By Phat Bat Boy

June 9, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

I thought the Braves were supposed to have a great clubhouse. Great leaders. Veteran spokespeople like Chipper & Smoltz.

Where are these leaders? Are they having players-only meetings? Are they waiting for Cox to say something magical? Waiting for Scherholtz to finish wrapping pennies to acquire another player?

It feels like we are going under for the third time while the Mets are winning against the same teams that beat us up at home. While the streak was never destined to last forever, it feels like we are going down without even fighting. YUCK! YUCK! YUCK!

By BirdMahn

June 9, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

My question is why does Bobby keep putting Remlinger in against lefties in crucial situations? He fails almost every time! My dog evens groans when Bobby this! It’s all there in black & white, Remlinger does better against righties, NOT lefties.

By The Mad Hungarian

June 9, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

Does anyone who wants Rocker back remember how well he did once we got rid of him? Do you remember his pathetic comeback attempts since then, particularly his comic attempt with the Long Island Ducks last year? Come on. He is a joke.

By John

June 9, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this

The problem is not money,Time Warner has lots of money,the problem is that Time Warner don’t give a s** about the Braves and could care less whether they win or not and guess what it is gonna get worse when liberty media becomes the new owner.Too bad Arthur Blank couldn’t be the owner,lets all pray the deal with Liberty media falls apart and Blank can become new owner.It probably won’t happen but it would be nice.The Braves need to get rid of JS and BC after this year. We need to get dtrian right now and add Nathan to our bullpen and release Thomson and send Reitsma to the minors.call up Stockman or Statup and bring on Chuck James.

By Mark I.

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

Allright, I know how bad Reitsma is. I didn’t need the stats to prove it. The big question is, what are the Braves going to do about it? Are they going to keep him on the team? Just let pitch in blowouts? They can’t do this to the team and fanbase by continually throwing games away by letting him pitch. Any word on what their intentions may be?

By dannyc

June 9, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

Cox needs to figure out that loyalty to some of his present players is crappola. Shake things up!!! Sit Giles, Laroche and some others, and let someone else give it a try. It’s hard to watch these highly paid guys not do their jobs. Trade some big name guy and maybe the others will take a hint.

By Johannes

June 9, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

DOB, nicely put. The bullpen and 3=5 of the rotation is a big disaster right now, and we’re not scoring runs either when we need them (bases full with no outs…. sigh).

And yes, I’m sitting here in one of the cities hosting soccer games, Nuremberg, and boy the folks went crazy. I even watched the inaugural soccer game, imagine that!!!

DOB, what is up with James Jurries being called up? And where is Dontrelle Willis? Any rumors?

By bretjz

June 9, 2006 05:32 PM | Link to this

It’s pretty easy to come up with all these great ideas about what the Braves can do and should do, but listening to all of you would make the Braves the bottom of NL East. Thomson should stay, he did great last year and he has been good this year until the past month. He started the year with a 1.59 ERA but did not get any run support. I support Thomson and any move Cox makes, he has done it in the past and he will continue to do it in the future as long as he doesn’t listen to the normal dumb a** fan who knows nothing

By uga4ever

June 9, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

knowing Shuerholtz…. in the next few weeks, we are going to see a major move. In order to get some more “quality” bullpen help, and another “solid” starter, we are going to have to part ways with one of our young talents. Our farm system is deep in position players, so I am not worried about giving up a Langerhans, Orr, Laroche, K. Johnson, even Giles. Anyways, in the next few weeks, some of these players will be gone. Schuerholtz won’t let it happen the entire season. BTW, good column DOB. When are you going to replace Schultz or T. Moore.

By tbo

June 9, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this

I guess I’ll add my two cents in again. Crime dog is right. Why does BC keep putting Reeksma in? It defies all logic. Remember the definition of insanity? Doing the same things over and over and expecting different results. BC is to blame for most of this tailspin. He is senile and should be gone.

By Eric Webb

June 9, 2006 05:52 PM | Link to this

DOB Has hit the nail on the head again. “You get what you pay for” how true how true. Excellent article.

By Hal

June 9, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

For years ive have had nothing but Admiration for the team of JS and BC But i think its time managment took some heat for this years collapse ! The Braves bullpen last year was horrible with the exception of a 6 week strech and when Farnsworth came over …they adressed this how? By losing the one reliver(Farnsworth)who was succesful and bringing in a 40 something guy who was released last year and two guys from Arizona who had not done a thing in the last two years Secondly there evaluation of the 18 rookies last year was flawed ! It dident seem to anyone that Frenchys propensity to swing at every pitch no matter its proximity to the plate was a big deal last year .I suggest its a much bigger deal then anyone though .Now everyones adopted this insane hitting strategy or lack really of any hitting strategy .Pendeltons supose to be a hitting coach ,to me its like we dont have a hitting coach or we dont have coachable hitters pick one of the above Fundementals have gone out the window with this bunch they cant win close games because they cannot exicute the most basic of fundementals from regular players not being able to get down a simple bunt to overthrowing cutoff men on almost every play The Solution is not on this roster if trades arent made and soon the runs over in my humble opion

By HEAD COACH

June 9, 2006 05:59 PM | Link to this

David , great job as always , those are eye opening stats to say the least. This whole Reitsma and Cox soap opera obviously has the team completely demoralized to the point of being shellshocked. I’m going to say it again and point the blame directly at Bobby Cox and his mismanagement of certain above mentioned cannon fodder pitcher. The really sad part of all this is , Cox is ruining this kids confidence and career , but then again he did the same thing with Mark Wohlers. Cox’s misplaced loyalty too his players is digging us deeper and deeper into the bottom of the division and its sad to watch such a talented team being fed to the wolves. It truly is an Apocalyptic meltdown.

By tim- braves lifer

June 9, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

dob you hit the nail on the head again. How long does it usully take for bc to realize what doesn’t work? Why not try the kids from aaa (stockman and startup) they can’t be any worse.

By Beeg Boy

June 9, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this

This season is very similar to 1990 when we had Joe Hesketh, Charley Kerfeld and the like manning the pen. Bobby probably aggravated his knees that season running to and from the mound. We should have fixed this problem in the offseason if it meant letting Betemit have his shot at short and saving the 6 million from Renteria’s salary. Do not crucify me just yet, Renteria is a solid ballplayer but either give Betemit a shot or trade him for a reliever. Schuerholz needs to cut back on this book signing tour and start making some moves to either get us back in the race or start dumping veterans to acquire younger talent. Sitting on the fence is making me pop a few more zantacs and I am sure Bobby is wishing he was at home on the tractor.

By Bob, journalist

June 9, 2006 06:12 PM | Link to this

David O’B, I didn’t really like yesterday’s lead title “Stats Don’t Lie” because of my natural bias against relying too heavily on such things, but “truth is truth” and today’s lead is loaded with good stuff.

John Rocker appears to have self destructed long ago and anyone seriously considering him as a currently viable option, regardless of any lingering “image baggage” be might bring … is probably named Rocker.

However, his natural abilities, as a dominating type of pitcher, before he became damaged goods, would appear to me to be obvious. We knew that he was destined to be a closer … the first time he came into a game.

Though his publically proclaimed views were certainly controversial, especially those regarding the streets of New York … I would imagine that they reflected those of many that are not overly concerned with “Political Correctness”, red neck or no.

Long before his infamous media interview meltdown, Rocker’s extreme self-confidence and overt concern for his own selfimportance reared its ugly head and suggested that he was not really a “team” player headed for self destruction. At the same time, I suspect that his may be common traits among many who perform well in the spotlight.

From Rocker to Maddog … I’ll accept the assertion that Roger is having a positive impact on the pitching staff but I’m beginning to agree with those who want to bring back Greg Maddux … but not as a pitcher or role model. We need someone to work with our guys, pitchers and hitters alike, who really understands and preaches the art of pitching … as well as the mechanics.

Of course, the same might be said with regard to getting qualified folks to preach, if not teach, the “art” of any one of many aspects of the game … like baseball fundamentals and playing as a team. It’s one thing to boost the confidence of accomplished players when the’re down … another to offer the same support when they’re lost and searching for answers.

While it’s to second guess managers and coaches, it’s also folly. At the same time, it’s certainly prudent to hold them responsible and accountable for the overall attitude and performance of the team; relative to reasonable expections.

Trades may well be the answer, but it appears far more likely that underacheivement rather than inadequate talent is the primary problem.

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this

Fascinating article out there: Subtract Reitsma’s totals from the rest of the current relievers and the bullpen ERA drops to 3.59.
That alone should be enough to remove Reitsma from the pen, or at least from any game that we still have a chance to win… which is every single game until he comes in.

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 06:27 PM | Link to this

If the Mets are able to dump Kaz Matsui, then the Braves certainly should be able to relieve themselves of Reitsma, or Jordan, or anyone, for that matter.

By uga4ever

June 9, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

knowing Shuerholtz…. in the next few weeks, we are going to see a major move. In order to get some more “quality” bullpen help, and another “solid” starter, we are going to have to part ways with one of our young talents. Our farm system is deep in position players, so I am not worried about giving up a Langerhans, Orr, Laroche, K. Johnson, even Giles. Anyways, in the next few weeks, some of these players will be gone. Schuerholtz won’t let it happen the entire season. BTW, good column DOB. When are you going to replace Schultz or T. Moore.

By SC-Brave

June 9, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

Call up James Jurries. He has led the Braves minor league teams in home runs for the past two years and Brian Jordan is terrible. Staying at 1B, take Laroche out of the 5 hole. He is not a power guy or a consistent hitter and should be batting 7 or 8.

By hk

June 9, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this

bob,

… I see you’re in good form this evening :))

… you probably saw this, but check, in the previous blog, the 1:50pm post, then your post at 1:54pm, then the post at 2:41pm …

By Tfournier

June 9, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

Please…Out Mr. Cox; enough is enough…What more we have to wait to see good baseball..how Mr Cox let Thomson go to the batting with the bases loaded with three or more pint-hitter…Please, how we can win a game.

By Dan

June 9, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this

At the beginning of the season i thought the braves just needed a REAL lead off hitter, (a REAL lead-off hitter-Left fielder. Now i think they need a WHOLE NEW ROSTER.

Reitsma makes me hit my head on the wall as soon as i see him warming up at the pen.

Francoeur 2005 stats are in the past. Francoeur is not ready for the Major Leagues.

By Bob, journalist

June 9, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this

Hi HK, me see, hear and speak no evil!

I do note a couple of “foe paws” in my previous post … “he was not really a “team” player and was headed for self destruction” and “While it’s fun to second guess managers and coaches, it’s also folly.

I know that it’s off subject but, regardless of what some folks might think, “parasites” aren’t two things at which to look.

Later …

By time for the truth

June 9, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this

Reitsma is a joke and has been almost always - he’s had a couple of shortish spells when he was OK. Most of the pitchers are poor or dire now. Smoltz is starting to show his age - not his fault. Not too many of the team are truly earning their places consistently. Some are in there because Cox picks his faves way too often or has no options because of his poor signings. Cox is past it now - has been for quite a while. it was insane to give him another extension. Its time to get rid of the deadwood and this new pitching coach is pathetic.

Dump Cox ASAP - though sadly it wont be this season probably. His achievments will always be overshadowed by the fact that he is pathetic in the close season and cant motivate a team when it really counts!!

Its time to completely rebuild, but the likes of Chipper will hold the team back because of his wages - although it was the club that gave him that ludicrous contract.

Some of these new younger players are over rated or have been found out as being weaker than they seemed for one season.

I’d trade Andruw Jones immediately for someone … a younger “big name” or two - he’s way too fat and complacent and he’s a much too streaky hitter. Maximise those options now. I’d trade Chipper too - but no one will take him with that contract.

There’s no star power left at the Braves - just a few ageing names now and little strength in depth. Tye club looks like its slowly going into a long period of oblivion after all the years of hard earned regular season success. And what the hell is Jordan doing back again?

By tbo

June 9, 2006 07:35 PM | Link to this

Well said. Ditch the dodo. Bobby Cox.

By Tony Almeida

June 9, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

The Mets continue to wheel and deal and improve their club, while John Schuerholtz continues to sit there with his thumb up his a$$.

By Greg

June 9, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

I’d like to see John Thomson moved into a relief role. He’s at his best in his first 30 pitches. After that, he get beaten like it’s his job. Give him a shot at closing, see if he can stay sharp for one or two innings. Maybe he’ll succeed, maybe he’ll fail, but given what we’ve got…

By teoa

June 9, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this

Villarreal may be the first pitcher in history to be sent down at 7-0.

By Voice of Reason, not a journalist

June 9, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this

“The Mets continue to wheel and deal and improve their club…”

Wha..? Improve their club? With Eli Marrero? He’s hitting .217 with 4 HR’s and 10 RBI in 30 games so far for Colorado. And he’s 32… he ain’t gettin’ any better. If that’s how the Mets want to improve their club, go ahead… please… please.

By Rob S.

June 9, 2006 08:03 PM | Link to this

Reitsma needs to see the sports psychiatrist who fixed Smoltz up in ‘91. It’d be a start anyway. I hope he gets it figured out. I like the guy despite his struggles…I really hate to see him go out like this.

By ncscoots

June 9, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this

there is no easy answer to the bullpen woes. Hey, Braves aren’t the only team with sucky bullpens. “Established” middle-relief pitchers are usually more marginal pitchers anyway (not quite good enough to start or close), so it’s not as if we can just go out and pick up three lights-out, gas-throwing strikeout kings, from ANYBODY! But we could likely find some serviceable arms that at least would stop the hemmorhaging (and the horror…oh, man, DOB can just crack me up!). But we likely will also have to bring up at lesat one or two kids from the minors, which means we’re relying even more on (relatively) inexperienced players. That has its own set of consequences, and we fans may just have to live with that.

By MBATL

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

Well said, ncscoots. There’s no easy fix. I wouldn’t be opposed to giving up Giles for the RIGHT DEAL (Nathan?), but beyond that, we’re gonna have to give up prospects, not Reitsma, Orr, Jordan, LaRoche, to get quality.

By Rob S.

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

Oh, and a note to John Schuerholz. Whoever you get to close the door must be able to adequately enter to “Wild Thing” like Rick Vaughn in the Major League movies. If your closer can fill that role, then you know he’s a damned closer. ;) Chris Reitsma definitely can’t.

By Robert(Justice Is the Best)

June 9, 2006 08:13 PM | Link to this

Well, as far as the deal the Mets made all I can say is who cares. Who says Marrero will do anything for them. What did he really do when he was here. Now, the Mets could have acquired him to make another deal and in that case it could be a very wise move. Now, to the situation at hand. This ballclub. Half this team seems very disinterested and the other half has all this passion that they don’t know what to do with it. The “veterans” on this team seem very disinterested. Chipper and Andruw act like they just are showing up to go through the motions. Francoeur, McCann, and Langerhans have all this enthusiasm but its not shared. Its time the veterans (Chipper, Andruw, Smoltz, Hudson, and Giles) have a closed door players only meeting. Some crap needs to get aired out. Some butts need to be chewed. Some youngsters need a fire lit up under their behinds and those same youngsters need to challenge the veterans to be role models for them. DOB, has any such meeting taken place yet? Next, those same veterans need to march into Bobby Cox’s office and demand some action and common sense be used. First, Reitsma must go. He can’t be on this team any longer. He is a cancer. He may be the best guy in the world but his performance has killed the confidence of this team. Chipper, Andruw, and Smoltz need to become the veteran presence they are supposed to be. They need to follow the example Justice, Gant, and Pendelton set for them. I remember in either the ‘92 or ‘93 season the Braves were going through a stretch similar to this one and Justice, Gant, Glavine, Lemke, and Blauser called a players only meeting. (It may have ‘95 actually.) I remember Pete Van Wieren saying that some rather harsh things were said and grievances were aired. But, you know what, this team caught fire and produced the only WS ring they have. (It was ‘95.) The same has to happen now. The fire of the “Baby Braves” has to be brideled and they used. The biggest problem with this team is that horrific bullpen. This is the worst bullpen in baseball history. I honestly believe that all of the issues with this team stem from the pen. JS needs to get off his butt and make some deals. Reitsma, Yates, and Remlinger must go. We have a plethora of talent in the minors. Use some of that talent and get some pitching (starting and relievers) and another bat in here immediatedly. I love Langerhans but he is prime trade bait. Same goes for LaRoche. I have criticized him as much as anyone but he is a good player but trading him could bring in some real help. Bobby’s loyalty should be commended but its misguided at this time. Jordan is a good guy but he has to go. There is not one single rational reason for Todd Pratt to be on this team instead of Brayan Pena. This kid is good. He was good when he was here last year. Don’t forget that at one time he and McCann were the two catchers and we seemed to be okay. The time to act is now. If they don’t want to win, then tell the fans that and start rebuilding. This is crap that is on the field right now. Fact is this team is a very good team that is not playing like it. I don’t want to hear how Francoeur and Chipper are killing the team and Renteria isn’t that good. That is stupid. Take those guys off this team right now and we are the Royals. So, be thankful for what you got. DOB, what is going on in that front office?

By ncscoots

June 9, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this

MBATL, I don’t think the Braves are interested in WB at second every day, so I don’t think Giles is part of any trade package. And unless somebody in the organization is REALLY sold on Scott Thorman as a long-term answer, LaRoche is going anywhere either (he’s too inexpensive to replace with another major leaguer). Plus, I’m not a big fan of dealing solid, everyday players for pitchers who aren’t starters. Not even for closers (though I do think Joe Nathan would fit this ballclub like a glove).

By Beachcomber

June 9, 2006 08:19 PM | Link to this

Add one more name to folks sucking the life out of the Braves - Todd Pratt. His failure to even touch the ball in last night’s 5th with the baes loaded and no outs completely swung the game around. The man is totally helpless with a bat. As soon as McCann is sound - bye bye Todd. Pena is more than an adaqute back-up.

By Woogidy

June 9, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

Boy, Have I missed that for a couple of weeks. (McCann’s AB). Good to see him back.

By ncscoots

June 9, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this

talk about sucking the life out…a two-run homer in the first on the road, and your pitcher immediately gives up two solo dingers in the bottom half? Oh, man…

By Kieran (Long Island Braves Fan)

June 9, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

The Braves are getting NO production from Left feild. Langerhans is hitting .249 with 4 homeruns and 16 RBI coming into tonight. Thats a complete joke! 16 RBI? We are talking about a corner outfeilder, not a Utility Shortstop. The braves gotta stop hanging close to “nice guys” and starting sticking with players who produce. Ryan Langerhans may have a heart of gold but he is a 4th Outfeilder at best, not a starting left feilder on a team that is trying to defend 14 straight divison titles. They better start acting and start acting fast or they are going to find themselves looking up at the Nationals!

By Bob, journalist

June 9, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

Time for the Truth,

I agree that it is and “tbo” seems to think your post is “well said” … but I’m not too sure about your version.

The biggest problem is that I don’t understand what you’re saying … like “Most of the pitchers are poor or dire now.” What does that mean?

Or “Smoltz is starting to show his age - not his fault”? I don’t know what that means either … though I agree that he looks older than many do at 39 … probably because of his lack of hair … could have something to do with wearing a cap much of the time for all these years.

Or, “this new pitching coach is pathetic”? What qualified critique suggesting anything negative about his performance have you heard or seen? That is, he may well be pathetic … but, what is the basis of your assertion?

Also, what do you mean about Bobby Cox when you say “he is pathetic in the close season”? During the last 14 years, we’ve have a few “close” seasons where the Division was in doubt … but, we won all of those.

With regard to Andruw, what do you mean when you say that “he’s way too fat and complacent”? Given the way this game has started, it may be that you meant Jorge.

There’re obviously problems that need to be addressed but your statement that “The club looks like its slowly going into a long period of oblivion” is so strong that, without any supporting foundation, it’s humorous … and we need good humor just now.

By Woogidy

June 9, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

DOB, What do you think the chances are the Braves take a run at Alfonso Soriano?

By ncscoots

June 9, 2006 08:58 PM | Link to this

folks, as a favor to me, could we please not Beat on Reitsma in the blog anymore? I don’t think there’s anyone left in the Braves blogging universe who hasn’t weighed in on the guy for his shortcomings, and to keep doing it is, to me, unseemly. Chalk it up to my upbringing as a genteel Southerner if you wish.

By David O'Brien

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

Woogidy, chances for run at Soriano probably not much better than as the chances that “time for the truth” will be nominated for best blogger of the day. That would be zero for the latter.

By David O'Brien

June 9, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this

typo there. meant to say simply “better than” and not better than as, which makes no sense. sort of like most of the post i was referring to.

By David

June 9, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this

Soriano hahahahaha he would be a cancer to this team.

By Voice of Reason, not a journalist

June 9, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

RJITB - glad to see you back. Thanks for making sense….

By MBATL

June 9, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

Just for the sake of conversation, I bet the Yanks would look at Soriano and another player, maybe Cano, for Andruw Jones and Giles. I’m not advocating it, just thinking out loud. Enough foolishness, I guess…

nscoots, agree on all; I certainly don’t hate Reitsma, and never trash him here or elsewhere, but the fact is we need some help in the ‘pen. And I’d hate to lose Giles… I like him a lot … but again, got to do something, it seems, and that might be a position we could replace.

I think the Braves (mgt) were counting on Reitsma, Devine, and maybe Villareal, Boyer, McBride to be the heart of the bullpen; none has worked out very well. I don’t want us to panic, but like DOB pointed out, right now we’ve got no bullpen. And it’s hard to win without a bullpen.

By journalistWooleyBooger

June 9, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this

The Braves were able to win their string of division titles “in spite” of Bobby Cox over the years…but looks like this year’s bunch won’t be able to do that!

By ernesto

June 9, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this

Well, on the upside, thanks to Sosa, Thomson and Reitsma we’re not losing those one run games anymore

By Woogidy

June 9, 2006 09:33 PM | Link to this

explain David. a cancer? how come?

By ELH

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

Bobby Cox must be asleep. He left Sosa in the game too long. His performance is as poor as the bullpen’s.

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this

After tonights loss, we will have a negative run differential. That’s depressing. Just depressing. This isn’t Braves baseball.

By tbo

June 9, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

Another mindless Cox decision.

By Kevin

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

Sosa needs to go the pen and be middle relief, Thomson needs to be moved. As good as Ramirez has pitched, he might be the only one who we can get something good in return. Howry for Chicago looks decent better than what we have now, the most upsetting aspect of all of this is the Manager and GM not making moves with either the players they have or bringing in new players. We need to have some one step up to the plate and hold players accountable, Smoltz, Chipper?? Giles. All I know is that we just seem lifeless

By tbo

June 9, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this

journalistWooleyBooger you are so right.

By krath

June 9, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this

When the Met lead gets to double digits, you can p* on the fire and call in the dogs cause the Mets are for real this year. They aren’t gonna roll over and play dead.

The bullpen stinks. The starting pitching stinks half the time. Situational hitting is lacking. And the strikeouts….. is TP still saying he doesn’t want to take away the hitters aggressiveness at the plate? You can’t score when you don’t put the ball in play half the time.

And if JS doesn’t make some moves in the next week or two, he may as well not make any moves. If he waits ‘till July, the Braves will be 15 games out! July will be Waaaay too late to make moves.

I know the Braves have pulled the rabbit out of the hat before and won the division, but that was when everyone else in the division were pretenders. Does anyone think the Mets are going to swoon? They may have some rough spots this year but they aint gonna fold.

It’s now or never guys!

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this

I’m watching game day. Did Pranto just walk a guy who was willing to make an out with a bunt? Is the walk a better choice in that situation?? Is this what we do now?

By Woogidy

June 9, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this

My gray hair has now all fallen out. I have an ulcer.

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this

krath: At this rate, by July we will be 25 games out and in last place, behind the Marlins.

By RRR

June 9, 2006 09:53 PM | Link to this

DOB: how about answering the questions about what the mgmt may be doing. Also, I am sure a players meeting must have taken place by now. Any info concerning that? > ps: GREAT post Robert/justice.

By jon

June 9, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this

I’m so sick of this crap. Bobby please for the love of God give some other guys chances. Betemit and Startup needs some time to play. This is nonsense!!!!! Put Betemet anywhere and it’s an instant upgrade!!!!! Please do something to get the wheels turning….we can’t sit back ANY LONGER! I can’t bear to watch this…it’s killing me! Almost as bad as McCann batting behind LaRoche out of all people!

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this

I think I could handle losing if we had a lot of rookies up. I mean, then at least I could enjoy getting to know the team, seeing their strengths and weaknesses, and basically just growing with them.
The way it is now, I can’t take it. We have great players out there that aren’t doing anything. It’s almost as if they’ve given up as soon as the ump yells “play ball.” No passion. If there is, it doesn’t show.

By TennesseePaul

June 9, 2006 09:56 PM | Link to this

Here comes Villarreal. The runners are his, so he’ll let them score. Then he’ll get an out.

By Kevin

June 9, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this

We need a complete overhaul in the pen. We use 3 pitchers in this inning alone? I know Cox is trying to manage but we need people who can pitch an inning, not one or two batters—getting up everyday and warming up and then pitching one inning builds up over time. How much are we missing Leo’s throwing program? Not a knock on Roger but the results speak for themselves

By journalist jimmy smith

June 9, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this

perhaps you saw bobby cox reading journalist jimmy smith’s scathing note this inning. journalist took out all frustrations on bobby cox but now feels badly. bobby cox looks as frustrated as anyone.

By tbo

June 9, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this

Next genius move by BC will be to bring in either Remlinger or Reeksma. I know what we need—-we need Pete Orr to pinch hit. That’s all we need BC.

By A. Nobody

June 9, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this

The bullpen has blown 12 saves. If those games had not been blown, that would put us 4 or 5 ahead of the Mets, yes?

Seeing Lamb bustin’ his butt getting down the first base line should show our guys something. I’ve watched the Braves sorta run/jog/trot, always slowing to a stop upon reaching the base, nobody seems to be really TRYING. I just don’t get it, I guess.

By Todd A

June 9, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this

Anyone associated with this Braves team should be embarrassed.If the players aren’t going to give maximum effort,the fans need to start finding another hobby when this train wreck comes back to Turner Field.

By Kevin

June 9, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this

Cox nevers call out his players and the past with the Braves this might have been okay—look at the leaders of previous clubs. Now he needs to call some people out, if not publicly then send a message by sitting some people down—LaRoche, is number one on the list, some mentioned joggers, he is a prime example—and please do not use the medication excuse—I teach for a living and people are always making excuses for their short comings—someone please take responsibilty for their poor play

By Sonny

June 9, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this

The wheels are coming off in Houston!!! Sosa and Thomson have no business in anyone’s rotation, much less the Braves. As always, the bullpen comes in to salvage the wreck and the ship sinks further because they’re just as bad.

John S REALLY REALLY put together a steaming pile of turd of pitching this year. Remember last year when Thompson was absolutely horrendous after his finger injury, he’s picked right back up from last year. Sosa, as most predicted, was a one year wonder. Smoltz and Hudson are the not aces they once were. The bullpen, as Dave said, you pay for what you get, but counting on Reitsma this year as our closer after only pitching ONE GOOD MONTH EVER for the Braves was one of JS’s worst decisions as a GM.

How bad does it sting to see Glaving pitch light’s out for the Mets. Ouch!!!

By Todd A

June 9, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this

Exactly,Kevin.Unfortunately,Cox is nothing more than a cheerleader.He let LaRoche pinch hit the very next day after he made that lackadasical(sp?)play against Washington.Bobby’s been great over the long haul,especially when he’s had the dominant starting pitching.But this team is a horse of a different color.These guys need a good @$$ chewing.A guy like Jim Leyland would get maximum effort from this bunch.Either that,or they would ride the pine.

By brian

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

Not to be a pessimist, but this is not early in the season. This is 1/3 into the season, and we are close to going double digits down. We have no bullpen, no leadoff hitter, suspect starting pitching, and no production out of left field. Not to be one to panic, but it is now or never for the Braves. Stay the course will not work this year.

Wish/Dream list 1. Closer/Bullpen - agree with the post that Ray would be a great set up man. Stockman and Startup should be called up. McBride situational lefty. Trade for either Todd Jones (expensive but would cost very little in terms of prospects, Detroit would love to unload him and give the job to Rodney. Nathan would be a better option as closer but would cost more in prospects. The Sosa/Giles for Nathan/Stewart trade makes a lot of sense.

1. Leadoff/LF - Crawford would be my dream addition but would cost a top pitching prospect and probably another top prospect. He would really jump start our offense. Stewart is a poor man’s option but would be an upgrade. Not many other leadoff hitter’s out there. DOB had a great post on Pierre - he would not be an upgrade. Alfonso is not for Atlanta.

2. SP - Least of my worries as Smoltz and Hudson will be fine. Ramirez will be solid. James will be a great #2 pitcher and Davies is a star in the making. Once James gets promoted then we will just need Sosa or Thomson as a 5th starter until Davies returns. Willis is intriging. I would much prefer to spend top notch prospects on Crawford than Willis and sign Glavine next year until another prospect can take over, but if Crawford doesn’t pan out, Willis would be perfect as a Brave. Imagine a rotation of Smoltz, Willis, Hudson, James and Davies.

Without being desparate and overpaying, the Braves need to do something now. Something to save the season and at the same time set the Braves up for a great run for the future.

By Todd A

June 9, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

And just think,we have the Red Sox,Yankees,Cardinals,and Reds coming up on the schedule in a few weeks.Yikes.

By Michael

June 9, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this

On the Cox Show before the first pitch on 96 Rock, Bobby was asked about Reitsma and he said they’re working on it, that it’s about “location”. That’s it, location. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR BC TO ADMIT THAT REITSMA HAS NO BUSINESS PITCHING IN THE MAJORS RIGHT NOW!!! Damn, loyalty is one thing, but this is insanity.

By Robert

June 9, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this

It’s time for Terry Pendleton to go and for management tp get on the players. Chipper acts so disinterested. Its a shame he’s a veteran and with no attitude or desire to lead this team. I have almost waived the white flag for this season. I wateched the top of the 7th inning and instead of trying to get base runners on base they are trying to hit homeruns with one swing. Terry Pendleton doesn’t teach plate discipline unlike other hitting coaches. the art of hitting is not swinging at the first pitch is the strike zone when your down by 5 runs. A couple of singles would be nice instead of striking out. I guess Bobby Cox won’t tell Terry that his service is no longer needed. If I see one more 0 - 2 count where you missed pitches so bad and you know the pitcher is going to throw it off the plate and you try to hit the next ball to Europe, like Frency did tonight I am going to puke. These players are playing for their stats and not as a team. Disenchanted Braves fan.

By TrueBlueBravesFan

June 9, 2006 10:30 PM | Link to this

I’ve been a Braves Fan since 1970 (Since I was old enough to know what baseball was. I have never in all 36 years known a time as a Braves fan when I have felt this pessimistic about the team. This team looks like a team of zombies. No hustle, no pitching, and really nothing that leads me to believe that nothing short of a major shakeup can fix it.

By Michael

June 9, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this

Notice how every team that is slumping comes out of that slump real quick when they face the Braves.

Nationals, Houston, etc…

Amazing how bad we are right now.

By eric the elder

June 9, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

I want to exercise my prerogative as a blogger and change my mind. When this team came out of spring training, I was terribly disappointed by some of decisions about who should be on the roster, and I said so. I got hammered.

As early as April, I and a few others were saying that this just wasn’t a very good team. We were scoffed at as whiners and reminded that it was early. In May, I and a few others stuck with the belief that the team wasn’t “very good,” and still we were ridiculed.

Now it is well into June, and I have changed my mind about this not being a “very good” team. Simply put, this is an awful team. DOB and others have done an excellent job of crunching the numbers, and there are a lot of really good posts above this one that speak to the poor mental makeup, the lack of passion, etc. I said a few days ago that the team is committing the greatest sin of all, that of boring the fans to death. Well, I’m not a masochist, and so I’m gone. I’ll check back from time to time to see what changes, if any, are made, but I seriously doubt that anything can be done to salvage this mess.

By brian

June 9, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

The Braves in one season have gone from fun to watch with great chemistry to this. They need to watch videos of some of their games last year. Or watch the Fred mcGriff instructional hitting video

By tbo

June 9, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

Cox needs to go. Pendleton needs to go.

By Woogidy

June 9, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this

On top of all this, my fantasy team sucks too!

By Robert

June 9, 2006 10:50 PM | Link to this

Oh poor team why don’t you go out and party all night and come to the ballpark with no zest and desire. I guess that’s okay because the game is on Fox tomorrow for the nation to see. They will get a chance to show the world just how bad they stink. Come on guys if you played with some emotion you might win a game. You should be so disguted with your performance that the dug out and locker room should need some remodeling. I know they can go back and play MLB 06 The Show because they are not showing it on the field. JS and BC let’s clean house and find some scrappy ball player with vigor.

By Robert

June 9, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this

Braves you made the Arizona and now you are trying to make Houston look good when in reality they aren’t. Look what Mets are doing to Arizona.

By Jim

June 9, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

Giles - .240 LaRoche - .250 Francour - .249 Langerhans - .246

See a trend? Without Renteria and an occasional home run from Andruw, we’d be in last place.

Oh and another rookie pitcher looks like Nolan Ryan in his prime when he faces the swing-happy, strike out braves. We can’t hit against anyone anymore.

By Robert

June 9, 2006 11:00 PM | Link to this

When Sosa made it into the 5th inning there should have been a danger Will Robinson uneasiness in BC head. When he got into trouble the bullpen phone should have been ringing. We seem to be a batter short and then the big inning occurs.

By Robert

June 9, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this

Do we lead the majors in STRIKEOUTS. TP salary must be based on the number of whiffs. His philosopy is not working with this team. Oh yes it is we can’t make contact.

Now SOSA continues to make the same mistakes during every start. How much longer will he be in the rotation. How about being released or sent to Richmond.

By Nashville Nelly

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

Man, I hate to admit it but I don’t think the Braves have a “turn around” in them this year. Those blankity blank Mets look like they are for real this year. I don’t see them choking like in the past. It seems like whoever they trade for comes there and plays above their heads. This Eli trade looks like no big deal, but they rid themselves of that bum Matsui and Eli will feel like he’s got a new lease on life. So life for us Braves fans is looking a little more grim. What the heck, it was bound to end sometime, right?

By Rob

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

Who’s worried?

Everybody but the Atlanta dugout it seems.

All the suggestions and trade scenarios are great for December, but this ain’t hot stove. It’s fire. I’ve given every benefit of every doubt to Laroche, but after seeing him head to the dugout without only a 2 strike count is enough for me. Sorry about whatever disorder he has, but his head is not in the game at all. Period. Any lefthander hitter who swings for the downs on every pitch will find a nut every once in a while, just like the blind squirrel. Marcus Giles has no biz in the leadoff hole, and how anyone else can’t see it is beyond me. Talk about swinging for the downs? Geez what a selfish ball player, and no matter how much anyone says his defense has improved, when’s the last time you saw him charge a grounder? Ask Mark Prior. I’m not in charge, yet if I were Marci would be sitting next to me on the pine. From the armchair scout, here’s a quick fix for the ills of the Braves, without the same ole suggestions for the bullpen which may just be beyond repair considering the budget. Sosa and Thompson to the bullpen with a fresh script for Lexapro to JT. Chuck James into the rotation with a starter by committee for the fifth spot. It can’t be any worse than bullpen by committee until Davies is ready. Of course you know, as I do a trade of some sort is imminent. Villareal to Richmond to learn how to pitch. That’s all he needs. Knowledge. Feller was right. Leading off .. Langerhans & Diaz in a leftfield platoon. Don’t even bother with the typical leadoff role. It’s been out the window for years. Renteria is fine. Wilson Betemit, or Betamint if you watch ESPN at second base. Giles on the pine and pinch hitting. He’d swing the same, and have the same approach no matter. McCann to fifth. With Betemit to follow. Frenchy moves to 7th. Laroche bats 8th, and God help him find a consistent swing. He may never see a strike, but with Adam it really don’t matter. Put a 3 sacker mitt in Salty’s hand right now, and mid July make the call. Laroche to lefty PH role, and Salty in the line up. Sorry Brian. It’s been real.

By A. Nobody

June 9, 2006 11:20 PM | Link to this

There is no joy in Mudville.

By gb

June 9, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this

does any know if ADD is contagious? just wondering after watching giles let a runner beat his throw on a one hopper.

By Sonny

June 9, 2006 11:43 PM | Link to this

Their worst bullpen ever?

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/sports/braves/stories/0610bullpen.html

By Penn

June 9, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this

From my viewpoint down here in Florida it appears someone has hidden the Braves’ supply of steroids.

Say it ain’t so Joe.

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

Team with marginal talent that plays uninspired and undisciplined = train wreck!!!This debacle started from day one in a lax spring training,and an idle off season by the Hall of Fame GM.But wait.Schuerholz doesn’t make mistakes.Just ask him.

By Miles

June 10, 2006 12:16 AM | Link to this

oh well…there’s always next year. Its going to take 1 massive deal to fix this team. Bad pitching, mediocre hitting and awful defense means we’ll be lucky to win 80+ games.

By Mike R

June 10, 2006 12:20 AM | Link to this

Time Warner has achieved it’s goal. They have attempted the last 4 seasons to turn the Braves into the Cubs and now they have done it. We have the best GM and Manager in baseball and they are being wasted. Only Kansas City and Tamba Bay have worse ownership.

With the market we are in, there is no excuse for a payroll of less than 95 - 100 million. I am a Contoller for a large MFG firm and I can assure you that Corporate ownership is not what we want.

We really must have private ownership that is committed to winning. Since baseball still is sheltered from anti-trust laws, Bud Selig should not allow any team to be sold to any Corporate ownership.

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 12:24 AM | Link to this

Sonny,

I’ve seen some bad bullpens in my years of watching the Braves since the mid 70’s as a youth.The 1990 pen that consisted of such household names as Joe Boever,Jeff Parrott,Charlie kerfeld,and Joe Hesketh was so bad that Mark Bradley dubbed them the Ghastly Boys,a parody on the Red’s trio of Dibble,Meyers,and Charlton called the Nasty Boys that championship season.I thought that Braves pen would be forever unequaled in futility until I’ve had the misfortune of experiencing this sad collection of stiffs.You know you’ve got a bad bullpen when you are singing the blues about losing John Foster for the season.

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this

We can win a WS with an 80 million $ payroll.Just have to make some hard decisions,and be fiscally smart.Are the Braves getting their money’s worth out of the higher salaried veterans on the team?

By BO

June 10, 2006 12:49 AM | Link to this

Turn out the lights the party’s over. the Great John and Bobby have done nothing to improve this team since last year except ET.They both should be accountable.

By teoa

June 10, 2006 12:52 AM | Link to this

Add Sosa to the list of Braves that should be traded, cut, released, shipped to Japan, whatever — immediately. The list also includes, of course, Reitsma and Jordan, but also LaDouche (whose lackadasical approach has now infected even hyper-active Marcus Giles), and coaches Terry Pendleton and Roger McDowell. A case could be made that every single player on the Braves team is underachieving (with the possible exception of John Smoltz), and that has to reflect upon the coaching staff at some point. Since “the great” Bobby Cox is untouchable, a shake-up is needed elsewhere. The fact that this team has been so bad at baseball fundamentals as well as the almost unprecedented problem of poor effort also suggests a coaching change is necessary. Pendleton is obviously not getting the job done with these hitters, who are virtually all a strikeout waiting to happen now — even the previously good contact hitters. And the pitching staff during Leo’s run would have been afraid to be as bad as these guys…coincidence? I think not. I don’t care if Leo hurt their feelings or not, he got results. As I’ve said before, the fact that he was allowed to walk for 0.5 mil is as clear of a statement that corporate ownership doesn’t care about results (i.e. wins) as has ever been made.

In the meantime while figuring out how to dump all the dead weight, move McCann back to the 5-spot immediately. LaDouche will continue to pad his stats with meaningless hits like he did in the 9th inning today so the LaDouche Fan Club will have “evidence” to counter the arguments of everyone who knows that he sucks, but he’s never going to come through when you need him (unless you are the other team and you need a 5-run inning.) In fact, drop him to 8th — Langer is among the league leaders for hitting with RISP, so let’s get him a few more ABs with runners on. Also, I’m willing to give Yates a few more chances. Tonight was the first time I’ve seen him — the guy has great stuff. I know he has been horrible so far, but a little patience may be justified when dealing with that kind of talent.

If Scheurholtz does all of these things, there is still hope…for a third place finish. Do these guys suck or do these guys suck?

By GM4 a Nite

June 10, 2006 01:16 AM | Link to this

I wonder if someone would be willing to take Sosa if we just offered them Sosa and cash. we don’t even want anything in return: Just take Sosa away. — far, far away.

By Tommy Lasorda

June 10, 2006 01:20 AM | Link to this

I think it’s time for Bobby Cox to take a nice, comfy job in the front office.

I enjoy what the Dodgers have done for me. I show up at public appearances, I represent the team, I remind people about all the good times.

And because I don’t have to be at the ballpark in the afternoon preping for the game, I get to hit all the Italian joints in town early enough for the senior-citizen discouts.

Bobby, think about it.

By Buckhead

June 10, 2006 01:25 AM | Link to this

What the heck is Tommy Lasorda doing reading this blog at 1 a.m.?

BTW, Tommy, I loved it when Fletch punched you in the face.

But pushing Bobby into a front office job might not be such a bad idea. The Braves need a fire lit under them right now, and it ain’t commin’ from BC.

Personally, I’d hire Lou Penella. I’ve never thought he was the greatest manager, but he’d certainly light a fire under them right now. And, honestly, can you really do worse that Bobby has done lately?

By journalistWooleyBooger

June 10, 2006 01:29 AM | Link to this

The only thing that will get the attention of Braves management, and possibly spark the major shakeup needed to field a decent team in the future, is a multitude of empty seats at Turner Field!

By Idaho Fan

June 10, 2006 01:34 AM | Link to this

Are you serious? Lou P.? PA-Lease!

There is a guy out there that could fix this mess, and I’ve heard he’s available:

Bobby Valentine—he’s your man.

OK, seriously now, there is a guy out there that could fix this team. He’s a real players kind of guy and has a history of succeeding everywhere. People love him. Wonderful manager:

Art Howe. He’s the man.

HA! HA! I’m sorry. It’s just that as bad as the Braves have been lately, it eases the pain a little bit to think about some of the horrible Mets teams, players, and managers.

BTW: I can fix our firstbase problem too: Mo Vaughn. Ha, ha, ha!

Oh yeah, and maybe we could get Robby Alomar to bat leadoff for us too. Ha, ha, ha!

$20 million a season for Kaz Matsui—Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha …

By Satchmo

June 10, 2006 01:46 AM | Link to this

Dear Teoa:

Are you related to the Smoltz family? His wife,perhaps?

You seem to have an awfully high opinion of a guy who is 4-4.

Don’t give me that blown saves bit either. The bullpen has blown a few but the team has rescued him from a couple of potential losses as well.

By Sharon

June 10, 2006 01:48 AM | Link to this

The Braves are pathetic. The pitching stinks.The hitters are undisciplined.Terry Pendleton may have been a good hitter, but his coaching sucks.I have seen better at bats in a little league game. Giles is just plain awful.Trade him please. We can’t get any worse.Chipper just looks like he’s going through the motions.We need some pitchers, not these clowns we have. Giles needs to be moved from the lineup to the bench or another team. He isn’t alone.Francouer looks awful in the batter’s box. Terrific, tomorrow we’ll be on national tv. The secret’s out folks, the Braves suck.

By Marc

June 10, 2006 01:50 AM | Link to this

This team is playing some of the worst baseball I have ever seen. Why don’t we bring back Zane Smith, Rick Mahler, Rafael Ramirez, Glen hubbard, Albert Hall, and Jim Presley, and Claudel Wasgington. Maybe then we would win 70 games. I mean come on, Chipper should stop talking about the errors and bad innings. Hey Chipper how about scoring more runs against a horrible pitcher. Maybe don’t strike out 12 times. JS did a horrible job constructing this team, in my opinion it was arrogant. We won before with no bullpen, and no hitting. This team is terrible, why should the team buy, if they wait any longer they are going to be out of the race. Nice going. Let’s make a move, or just start selling the parts off, and look toward next year. This sucks.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 02:15 AM | Link to this

A couple of observations from FRiday night’s loss:

What good is naming Ray the closer when we can’t get the game to th 9th with a lead?

Giles, The Roach and Langerhans all must go. I hope I never see them again in a Braves uni again. I would much rather we were playing against them.

Two big signs this team isn’t trying. Giles loafing play on Lowell’s easy grounder to second. McCann calls for a pitchout to a right handed hitter and Soso sends the ball to the backstop. Either these guys aren’t in the game or they don’t care.

Frenchy looks like a clown. Will someone please teach him something about hitting or bench him.

Four of our eight regular starters would be ideal 8th place hitters.

One player who shows some fire, Pena, gets sent out.

JS should make any kind of deal just to make a deal. It doesn’t have to be a blockbuster just send a message. We can’t wait 2 or 3 weeks for the big deal to come down. Our ship is taking on water right now.

By Blake

June 10, 2006 02:50 AM | Link to this

In the coming weeks we all may have to face the reality that the Atlanta Braves could be SELLERS in this years trade market.

By BiggEE

June 10, 2006 05:03 AM | Link to this

While I agree on most of whats been said.Sosa had a great year last year.I think put him in the pen and do something with Reitsma trade him for a 6-pack it dont even have to be cold.Also it seems like all they want to do is hit homeruns and look like they just won the world series,all the laughing and head slapping,wake up guys you have lost 10 of 12.Be happy about some other things too.By the way I called Time Warner and told them to get some players or I am getting DirectTv.

By ELH

June 10, 2006 05:58 AM | Link to this

Sending Brayan Pena back to Richmond is another example of not playing or keeping the best players on the roster. This started in spring training when he kept Jordan over Jurries. Wilson B. should be starting somewhere. Cox’s decisions are as bad as the bullpen’s performance.

By teoa

June 10, 2006 06:49 AM | Link to this

No, Satchmo, I’m only someone who pays attention — obviously unlike you. Pitchers with worse numbers than Smoltz that play for decent teams are putting up 9 and 2s right now (see Curt Schilling.) I take it that you’re in the really ignorant minority if you take offense to the defense of Smoltz. The guy is the best pitcher in post season history and he still brings it every game…what do you want from the guy besides complete game shutouts every start that don’t give the bullpen an opportunity to blow his games? You can’t dismiss 10 blown saves behind him in 1 and 1/3 seasons…10! And blown saves have nothing to do with him — NOTHING. No pitcher would be good with this team. Smoltz plays for a horrible team with an even worse bullpen and he still gives everything he has to that horrible team. The guy is a Hall of Famer. Satchmo obviously knows nothing about baseball. Forgive me for defending the last real gamer on this team, but someone needs to educate you morons on what made this team good once upon a time. Have you already forgotten?

By Metropolitan Man

June 10, 2006 07:43 AM | Link to this

All those ugly stats are so very true. Say hello to the Marlins for me.

By Bob, journalist

June 10, 2006 07:53 AM | Link to this

David O’B, I’ve got 2 questions relating to your “Diaz doesn’t sense defeatism” article … First, was Giles really being serious when he said “The only time I’d be worried at this point of the season is if we’re 20-25 games out”?

Second, what is your read regarding the seemingly normal, if not a bit too relaxed, clubhouse atmosphere described in the article … when things have been going so poorly?

Your articles are always enjoyable and appreciated but are especially important during trying times such as these. Thanks for helping us to get a little closer to the team … and the situation … than would otherwise be possible.

Not related to the article … If you were to ask each of the position players to tell you their philosophy and approach to hitting … without prompting, how many do you think would mention bat control?

I’ll bet that I know 2 that would stress bat control … Rico Carty, one of my favorite braves, was often compared to the great Luke Appling when it came to batting with 2 strikes … just being compared to Mr. Appling was quite an honor … one that the “beeg boy” deserved.

Both were known for fouling off pitches until the got the one they wanted. According to the stats, Rico averaged just 65 strikeouts and 63 walks per 162 games played … over a 15 season career.

One of the truly great leadoff hitters, Luke Appling, “Old Aches and Pains”, was the master. He averaged 35 strikeouts and 86 walks per 162 games played … over 20 seasons. I remember a game where he fouled of 11 pitches after getting his second strike … the announcer called it a “typical” Appling at bat.

By bubba16

June 10, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Man, this is bad, that bullpen stinks royally. Bobby, do something, call up anybody from Rome, Richmond, and givem a chance.

By A. Nobody

June 10, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

Journalist Bob, I saw Luke Appling play in an Old Timer’s game some years back. He hit a HOME RUN at age 80-something. I’ll never forget the sight of him “running” the bases, biggest grin in the world on his face! Just great!!

By Hal

June 10, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this

I Agree with Cox that Reitsma problem is location !! His loacation should be Tampa bay or Seattle lol

By David O'Brien

June 10, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

Pena being sent down was a given, unfortunately. Just because no team is going to send down the 39-year-old veteran backup that it signed to be the savvy, veteran backup. Pratt is fine in that role, and will go back to playing once every five days or so (that is, unless Bobby plays him against every lefty again, regardless of how many lefty starters Braves face).

Anyway, Pena needs to get more playing time than once every five days and pinch-hitting. He’s too young for that role right now. And Bobby isn’t going to carry three guys who only catch.

As for Sosa and Thomson, both would probably end up in bullpen when Chuck James and Davies are ready, since neither Sosa or Thomson is likely to have teams lined up ready to trade and take on their salaries, unless they start pitching better. Also, they’d probably be a upgrade over a couple of current Braves relievers.

James could be ready to start in a couple of weeks, I’d imagine. Davies, probably after all-star break since they don’t want to rush him back from that groin surgery.

By David O'Brien

June 10, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

Besides, you don’t send down 39-year-old backups, you release them. And Pratt’s done nothing to get released.

Now, back to trying to find new things to write about this broken record.

By Tomahawkin

June 10, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

Well D.O.B. I watched the game last nite on Fox Houston and they also mentioned that only the Royals have had more Multiple run innings scored against them than the Braves, Go Figure

This Team Stinks…

By Jim

June 10, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

Watching the Braves this year is very frustrating, but I am very happy that most of the bloggers on this site are not in the front office or dugout of the Braves.

We assume that the Braves have a wealth of prospects available to land Willis, Crawford, Nathan, and/or others. Have you looked at the records of the minor league teams? Only the low A team has a winning record and people that are prospects now but 4 levels removed from the majors and 4 levels to go and still remain prospects. At AAA we have Thorman, James and Startup who may be good but none of whom are ranked in the top 50 prospects in baseball. At AA we have Salty (who is struggling at the bat this year) and Escobar. Any or all of these may be OK to good major leaguers, but there are organizations with better talent if TB, Fla, or Minn wants to make a trade.

Cox is criticized for leaving Sosa in too long and bringing in the likes of Reitsma, Villareal, and the cast of mediocrities in the bullpen. We can’t have it both ways.

By Tomahawkin

June 10, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

Well Jim I said in the last blog that we were going to make Nieve look like Sandy Koufax…We are notorious 4 that (making rookie Pitchers look like Cy Young)

By Jim

June 10, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

Tomahawkin, I agree that there are a lot more problems than just the bullpen. The Braves have been free swingers before TP was the batting coach and probably will be afterward. The organization seems to go after the atheletic toolsy type of player who may not be very disciplined in their approach. I am concerned that they may have done the same thing again this year. The Baseball America evaluation of their top pick is one day he looks like Ryan Howard, the next like Leslie Howard — Gone with the Wind. He has a hitch in his swing that hinders his ability to catch up to good fastballs, especially above his hands and his pitch recognition is below average. He does drive the ball with loft and carry when he gets his hands extended. Defensively he is below ave. in OF or 1B.

There were higher rated college pitchers available when the Braves picked, but they had a higher price tag than 1.2 million and fell to the Red Sox and White Sox.

By BO

June 10, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

BUCKHEAD- Sweet Lou Penella has a better Won-Lost record than Bobby Cox in a shorter period of time. Check it out. The man will be BACK-Bet on it!!

By Jim

June 10, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

One other contradiction in some of the previous blogs:

We ruined Joey Devine by rushing him to the majors too fast — We need to get Will Startup here now.

I think we need to accept that this is a rebuilding year and make moves that will get us back to respectability as quickly as possible.

By Metropolitan Man

June 10, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

I just wish you guys would stop complaining and deal with mediocrity. I mean think about it this way, if you miss the playoffs this year you dont have to worry about choking. That way you guys can stop complaining about winning it all and just try to win a game. Heck, you might want to see if you can get the Marlins and Cubbies the rest of the way and then maybe you guys can get above .500. So many wasted opportunities have finally caught up with the no-fire, non-chalant, my south team. I know, bring up some more rookies, that might help!!!!! LMAO

By Jim

June 10, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

Much has been made of Bobby’s record of 1 and 14 in his final playoff game of the year. What is Tony LaRussa’s record in these games? What is Lou Pinella’s? A manager is going to look good when he has some ability and most importantly has good players. I am reminded of Warren Spahn’s crack, “I had the misfortune of playing for Casey Stengel before and after he was a genius.”

Bobby deserves a lot of credit for getting the young 1991 team into the World Series, for getting the 1999 team (without Galaraga, Lopez, and with Smoltz throwing sidearm and using a knuckleball to keep his arm together) into the World Series, and getting the last two less talented teams into the playoffs.

By journalistWooleyBooger

June 10, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand why some people are screaming for Ted Turner to “rescue” the Braves—-Ted Turner is the guy that handed them off to AOL/TW to begin with. And now AOL/TW, or whatever it’s called these days, is ready to hand the Braves off to yet another corporation in exchange for some unwanted stock. Maybe if Ted Turner did currently own the Braves he could “donate” the team to the U.N. and Kofi Annan could be the general manager! Might not be a bad move because the U.N. does have an annual budget somewhere in the neighborhood of $1,300,000,000.00(that’s $1.3 billion dollars to the numerically challenged). Then maybe the Braves could afford to get a decent closer, bullpen, and leadoff hitter!

But seriously, the Braves have finally collapsed, it’s time to retool the team. First order of business would be new management with fresh ideas and no loyalty to the current overpaid slackers, and a truthful, fiery manager, who along with the desire to praise his players would also just as quickly point out their weaknesses. Secondly, under the reduced payroll and budgetary restrictions(if you can call $90+ million per year restricted)would be to unload big salaries like what’s being given to Chipper Jones, Andruw Jones, John Smoltz, Mike Hampton, and Tim Hudson,(nearly half of the entire budget). Salaries that just don’t fit in with the reduced payroll or the budgetary restrictions claimed by most fans, and especially by John Schuerholz. It’s time to bring in some energetic, hungry players that aren’t interested in only big money, but winning “World Series Championships”! A few players with just a hint of pride in how they perform, and a disdain for laziness and lack of effort. Also, retreads like Brian Jordan, Mondesi, Hollandsworth, Remlinger, Pratt, etc…have no place on this team, send them elsewhere.

Now, a few facts, the loss of Leo Mazzone is becoming more obvious everyday. McDowell ain’t getting it done, nor is Terry Pendleton from the looks of things. Also, John Schuerholz has known since last season that the Braves need bullpen help and a closer, he did nothing, and I think he knew he wasn’t going to do anything right from the start. So where is the money saved by getting rid of Furcal, Farnsworth, and the “restructuring” of the Chipper Jones contract? Another fact, Francoeur was lied to, told how he was the next Chipper Jones, told how great he was, when he wasn’t even ready for MLB, but it made JS look good for awhile. Lastly, the pulling the wool over the fan’s eyes by John Scheurholz and Bobby Cox, along with their luck has finally ran out. Where is the genius in all this mess now? Braves were good for several years in spite of Bobby Cox’s lack of ability, but I never would have dreamed it would get this bad. You can’t even find a Braves game on TV anymore, don’t even know where to look. Well, shame on you AOL/TW, and shame on you John Schuerholz, you rode the waves of success on the Braves shoulders all these years, and now you’re just sitting back, counting your money, and watching the team go under! Shame on you John Schuerholz!

By 1991

June 10, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

This unprecedented run started with excellent pitching and it is time that the Braves got back to that priority. Let’s face it, the Braves have never been an offensive powerhouse. Each year- particularly in the playoffs- the team’s bats go quiet. Even in 1995, the WS was won in game 6 with only one run. That said, good pitching solves many offensive problems but the Braves have been fielding less and less talented pitching teams for years and just let their golden pitching coach go. Maybe JS & BC think that toprate pitching is a rite of passage in Atlanta. Problem is that 50%+ of the payroll is tied up in Chipper, Andruw, & Smoltz. Chipper is showing his age and is quickly becoming a DH candidate for an AL team though who is going to pay him $15M/year to swing a bat? Smoltz will finish his career with Atlanta- as he should- however his effectiveness is slipping as the years pass by. Andruw is the only one with any trade potential yet his offense continues to be spotty to the point the Braves would probably have to absorb part of his salary.

At this point, I would trade Andruw, Chipper(if I could), Giles, LaRoche, Langerhans,Jordan, Pratt, and any pitchers not named Smoltz, Hudson, Rameirez, Ray, or McBride. I would concentrate the trade efforts on acquiring young pitching prospects with a 2-5 year horizon. I would play the baby Braves exclusively to get them up to speed while the young pitching staff comes up to speed. This should give Atlanta another run at the WS if they traded properly. Going with the patchwork quilt method as they have for years will lead to no playoffs or 1st round exits as we have grown accustomed to.

By Lost Braves Fan

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

I believe the true loss in pitching was Leo Mazzone. Every year he took a bunch of lemons and made lemonade. I think his contribution is overlooked as this year the entire staff is struggling like never before. The Braves should trade to get Leo back. An extra $500k for a good pitching coach doesn’t look like such a bad investment these dats.

By Chop Chop

June 10, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this

Leo didn’t make lemons into lemonade last year…except for Sosa. (I would suggest “Lemonhead” as a nickname for Sosa, but I love Lemonheads too much.) The bullpen was crap last year and is worse this year. The Braves could have spent the extra $500K on Mazzone, but I think there’s almost no way he would’ve passed up helping out his best friend in Baltimore. All good things must come to an end. If the Braves don’t get any better this year, it’s not a complete shock, is it? It’s not because of Mazzone, but his departure is just a symbol of the end of an era. Suck it up, try to derive as much enjoyment as you can from the game and get over it.

By 2MANYK's

June 10, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

I agree with what “1991” said. Braves have been fixing flat tires since 1997 and the time has come to find 3 new tires. Forget sacrificing our future to get one or two rent-a-players. The best that would do is get us back to the playoffs where we drop dead in round 1 anyway. As 1991 said, time to trade the veterans for pitching prospects and hope that we can contend for a title in a few years.

By TennesseePaul

June 10, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

1991: I think it was the 2003 season, when, I believe Don Baylor was the hitting coach, the Braves were an offensive force. They’re pitching wasn’t as strong that year as in years past, but it wasn’t this bad.
Changes need to be made. There was another article on the AJC that interviewed JS. JS said money or payroll constraints are not the issue. That finding the right peaces is the issue. I sure hope he finds them quick, or at least finds a bandaid for the time being.

When James and Davies come back, I think we’ll see a change our fortunes. Something about James… He just looked like a guy who’d never lose. I hope Davies and James come back in superior form. If HoRam can continue his recent success (it isn’t that far fetched, he was good his rookie year, and started off great his second year) and James and Davies pick it up as well, we’ll have ourselves a solid rotation. We’d also have some solid arms in Sosa and Thomson going to the pen or being traded. All we’d need after that is something at first base or left field.
Most of the Braves bats would be a lot better if they weren’t striking out all the time. You can be aggresive without striking out. You just need to learn how to protect the plate and hit with two strikes. Stop swinging for the fences on two strikes and start looking for a pitch to drop into the shallow opposite field. It’s just that easy. I don’t know why they haven’t done it before… In all seriousness, they do need to reduce the K’s. A trade is needed and a refresher in the starting rotation…

DOB: Is there an estimated time as to when James will be ready?

By chop this

June 10, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

The run is done, the run is done, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY, the run is done!!

By David O'Brien

June 10, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this

Your heard it here first: Wilson Betemit batting leadoff and playing second base today.

Just wanted you folks to know. Headed back down to clubhouse now.

By Carroll

June 10, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

TP: I’m pirty sure that it was 1999 when Baylor was hitting coach (the last time we went to the WS). Then he left to manage the Cubs in 2000 and we got Merv Rettenmund that year, who convinced JS and BC to pull off one of the worst trades in baseball history: Reggie Sanders and Quilvio Veras for Klesko and Boone. We lost out on the best years of boone’s career (roids or not), and Klesko would be ideal to hit behind AJ.

DOB: does WB batting leadoff signal a trade or just a day of for Gily?

By 1991

June 10, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this

DOB: Betemit getting the start at 2nd and batting leadoff is great news however I would have preferred him starting at 3rd and Chipper at 1st. The only way we will get max value from Chipper’s contract is to move him to 1st.

By Chop Chop

June 10, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

It would make more sense to bat Renteria leadoff and have Betemit hit second. In any event, I had a feeling Giles would be riding the pine today.

By Chop Chop

June 10, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this

Carroll, Klesko and Boone wouldn’t be helping us much now. We’ll have plenty of time to dwell on the past when this run officially ends.

By Blake

June 10, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

It would make sense to bat Carl Crawford leadoff.

By TennesseePaul

June 10, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

Carroll: Thanks… I’m losing it. All these L’s I keep putting up on the schedule is making me lose my mind. I can’t function properly whent he Braves play this terrible.

By Kman

June 10, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

DOB: I still like Giles, but hope the shake-up will wake him and the rest of the team up. I realize TP can only do so much, but SOMETHING has to be done about all the strikeouts. Its hideous to watch and as Chipper said, it deflates you to give up the lead so quickly and it shows in all their play. I’m shocked Sosa lasted as long as he did as everything seemed to be up in the zone.. Any closed door team meeting yet?

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

Oh baby! Betemit starts at second and bats leadoff. One down (Giles), two to go (The Roach and Langer). Woo Hoo!

By Gammons

June 10, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this

With the Braves’ facing the Yankees, RedSox and Blue Jays the next few weeks, that should be enough to put them 15 games out of first by the AllStar game, and dash any hopes of another post-season.

Anticipate the Yankees and RedSox to make inquiries for either John Smoltz or Tim Hudson. Also don’t count out Tigers’ GM Dave Dombrowski to make inquiries for Michigan native John Smoltz. Insiders are saying that Smoltz is not too optimistic of the Braves’ immediate future, and would like to end his career on a contender. What would be a better fit than the team he grew up idolizing?

John Schuerholz is looking to pare payroll in order to sign Andruw Jones to a lifetime contract, and to reload the Braves’ roster with younger, less expensive players.

Expect Bobby Cox to remain as manager.

By David O'Brien

June 10, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this

Bobby just told us he looked at replay of Giles play last night and now thinks Giles “did absolutely nothing wrong” on the play.

Said the ball slowed on soft infield and that Giles did nothing wrong waiting for it or in his throw. Hey, I’m just telling you what he said.

Also insisted that he’d decided before game yesterday to rest Giles today (again, just telling you what he said.) Of course, Giles had no idea. Bobby hadn’t told him anything, and hadn’t told him that he thought he did everything right on the play. Humm…

Anyway, the important part, that you guys will like: Bobby said he plans to start playing Betemit a lot more at SS, 2B and 3B (didn’t mention 1B or OF), because Betemit deserves to play more.

OK, gotta get writing for the paper.

By David O'Brien

June 10, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this

Also worth noting, Scott Thorman has played more in LF than 1B in the last 10 days or so at Richmond. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him soon. But he hits left-handed, same as Langy and LaRoche. Something’s gotta give.

By ncscoots

June 10, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

DOB, any reports on Thorman’s capability in the OF? I mean, adequate, below average, what?

By David O'Brien

June 10, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

Bobby said he’s gotten better, and can run out there for a big guy. But let’s be clear: He’s no Langerhans out there. Maybe a Kelly Johnson, perhaps? I don’t know.

By TennesseePaul

June 10, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

Bummer for Giles. All of the Braves Blogging Nation knows before he does. Still love the guy and I know he’ll be brought in for a pinch hit, if not a substitution. If we are getting blown out again, We’ll probably end the game with Betemit at either 3rd or SS and Giles at second.

By TennesseePaul

June 10, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this

The line up just looks better. You have to wait until you get to the 6th spot before you start seeing the .250 averages.

By Bob, journalist

June 10, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

10 Paul, keep on losing it … you’ve been downright insightful these last few days!

Everybody seems to think he’s too big and a little Davey Williams he’s not … but it’s refreshing to see that Wilson will be playing 2nd base today … win or lose, it’s a positive step.

A Nobody, the point about the “Beeg Boy” and “Old Aches and Pains” is that they were hitters and our guys are would be sluggers.

From one nobody to another, we’ve had very few really good hitters in recent times. Maybe the best, abeit past his prime, is now in a Mets uniform. Mr. McCann may be another.

I think Mr. Appling was 75-76 when he hit the homerun in the Old Timer’s Game, … still quite a feat for a contact hitter.

By A. Nobody

June 10, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this

Bob, I knew what your point was, I was simply recalling a great moment that I really enjoyed. Sorry.

By Bob, journalist

June 10, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

A Nobody, don’t be sorry … that was a great moment! I knew that you knew … just used that as a vehicle to vent my frustration. Go Wilson!

By brian

June 10, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this

I love hearing that Betemit is starting at first and will love watching it now. I think something more is in the air, something more than simply shaking things up. giles is someone who is overrated and other teams will have high value for. Many teams out west need an experienced 2B. San Diego, Oakland, Colorado, San Francisco. Boston and Toronto also could use Giles in their pursuit of the Yankees

By brian

June 10, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

I still say ship Hudson and Giles to Detroit for Granderson, Zumaya, and Jones. Then send Salty plus another prospect not named James or Davies or Campbell for Willis. Smoltz, Willis, Zumaya, James, and Davies. Sorry, fantasy GM again

By Bob, journalist

June 10, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this

WGST said Chipper had an interview appearing in the paper in which he did a bit of “venting” himself … anyone hear or see the interview … or know if it is “online”?

By MBATL

June 10, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

brian, why would Detroit do that?

By journalist jimmy smith

June 10, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

betemit at second! is marcus just sitting today or has a trade been made? maybe it will be announced after the game? what does this mean for pete orr who was the backup at second? now, left field and first base …

By brian

June 10, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

my fantasy of course, and of course they wouldn’t

The only way I could justify it if I were Detroit is that they are a young team with a wealth of young starting pitching. They need an ace with playoff experience hence Hudson. They have Placido Polanco at 2nd base who is probably underrated but no power. They want to unload Jones and his salary to let Rodney close. With their wealth of young pitching Zumaya probably could be had and Bobby and JS love him. Granderson was the big reach and he is the one that would not be dealt though they have Nook Logan in the minors waiting his turn (Granderson did beat him out this spring). With Shelton slumping and Dmitri Young on the DL adding Thormon to the package would make it in the realistic category though obviously unlikely

Unfortunately I am fascinated with the trade rumors and fantasy GM thoughts

By elbravox

June 10, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

the braves are on T.V. on the west coast!, Never happens

By journalist jimmy smith

June 10, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

fox announcer: “nobody swings at a pitch that bounces two feet in front of the plate” - spoken after francoeur struck out on the pitch. “here, we have to show that again …” sad, very sad.

jounalist jimmy smith suggests journalist bob read the ajc story, “slide continues in houston” to learn what chipper said.

By MBATL

June 10, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

brian, hey, that’s an answer! Personally, I think Hudson is one of our few ‘untouchables.’ That’s probably a strong term, but I don’t think we should deal him - even if he’s not the superstar we thought we got, he’s really not making that much money, and is our only relatively young, relatively proven starter.

We’re not likely to get much for guys who are struggling. I said last night, and I still believe, that AJ may be our best bargaining chip. I think he makes 13.5 mil next year… then what, we give him 18 mil/year for 5 years? That’s what we’ve done with CJ and Smoltz, and I’m not so sure it’s good business.

Anyway, appreciate your thoughts.

By brian

June 10, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

I agree MBATL and I wouldn’t trade Hudson unless it answered big questions on the team - here leadoff and closer, and unless JS had another ace in the wings like Willis. JS is superb at thinking three steps ahead

By brian

June 10, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this

The only people that could afford Andruw are the Yankees, Red Sox, Dodgers, and Mets. We would seriously then be rebuilding and look like the Marlins for a few years because all those teams need to win now

By MBATL

June 10, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

Agree, Brian, that the deal would have to be with a big-market team, probably the Yanks or Bosox. Yanks have Sheffield down, and they’ve never been thrilled with him, and Matsui down for a while. Seems to me AJ is just the kind of big-name player they’d love to overpay for.

I’m not down on AJ, or trying to push him out. But I just see next year, we’re gonna either pay him a king’s ransom or lose him to free agency.

Move Francoeur to center, and find a new RF… I don’t think it would be the end of the world.

But again, I’m not pushing it… justing talking, like you said you like to do…

By journalist jimmy smith

June 10, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith remembers little league. the best ss was a kid named sherman, but the coach played his son there. sherman played third. the best outfielder played first because the assistant coach’s son played center. no matter what the best players did there was someone ahead of them that was always going to play ahead of them. that reminds jimmy smith of these braves. finally, betemit gets to start. pena outplays pratt lights out and pena gets sent down. prado comes up and wins games with his bat, and he gets sent down. jurries wins the position in the spring and doesn’t make the club because bobby wants jordan’s presence. jimmy smith hopes bobby shakes things up now. he’s looking good right now with betemit at second. looks like the start at second agrees with betemit just fine.

By Bob, journalist

June 10, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this

Thanks Jimmy … I figgure it is that to which they were referring … though it seemed that Chip’s “quote” was somewhat different.

The Bravers seem to have a bit more life today! One step at a time … changing your perspective just a bit … “looks like Betimit’s start at second agrees with the entire team just fine.”

By Kevin

June 10, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

Here are Chipper’s comments—look for more changes—we need to turn around quickly or we are going to be at home in October. ( Where did the Gammons comments come from?)

By far,” Jones said. “I can’t ever remember it being this bad.”

There aren’t enough fingers to point at this point. You’d need 25, for each man on the roster, Jones said.

“Nobody’s left out,” he said. “It’s been a combination of everything - it’s been starting pitching, it’s been the bullpen, it’s been offense. I’m a little tired of it.”

Depending on the New York Mets’ late-night result in Arizona on Friday night, the Braves could trail in the National League East by as many as nine games before they take the field here this afternoon.

That’s the deepest deficit they’ve faced all year, and John Smoltz boldly said a month ago that if the team fell down by 10 or more games, it would not be able to rally to continue its run of division titles.

Growing goofy-looking mustaches last week did nothing to produce immediate results to eject the Braves from their funk. Friday, neither did getting Brian McCann back off the disabled list. McCann did go 3-for-3 with three singles in his first start at catcher since injuring his ankle May 20. There was only so much he could do, though.

“We’re glad to have him back in the lineup,” Jones said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t really give him any help.”

After scoring two runs in the first on Andruw Jones’ 16th home run of the year, the Braves put up just four hits, three of them being McCann’s singles.

Atlanta hitters also struck out 12 times. It’s the 15th time in 61 games that they’ve had 10 or more strikeouts in a game. Friday, Houston rookie Fernando Nieve struck out a career-high nine, the most by an Astros rookie since 2002.

The offense had company in the club’s self-constructed doghouse. Defense and pitching also did in the Braves.

Manager Bobby Cox said if second baseman Marcus Giles had charged Mike Lamb’s slow-rolling grounder in the sixth instead of waiting back for the ball, the Braves and starter Jorge Sosa might have avoided a four-run inning that doomed them.

Lamb reached on a bang-bang play - Giles contended Lamb was clearly out - and later scored.

“He thought he could (wait),” Cox said, “and he got burned on it.”

Sosa was responsible for the four runs allowed in the sixth, the eighth time in 13 games that Atlanta pitching has given up four or more runs in an inning.

Cox thought Sosa threw well in the second, third and fourth innings, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’s 1-8 with a 5.58 ERA this year after going 10-2 with a 2.63 ERA in his breakout 2005 season.

After appearing to get things figured out, Sosa has gone 0-2 with a 7.13 ERA (14 earned runs in 17 innings) in his past three starts.

Chipper Jones wasn’t thrilled that after Sosa surrendered back-to-back homers to Craig Biggio and Lamb in the first after Andruw Jones’ home run had given the Braves an early lead - and, for a change, momentum.

“It’s awfully deflating to come out and jump out on top and four pitches later, it’s 2-2,” Chipper Jones said. “It’s deflating.”

Sums up the current mood, actually.

“It’s one bad inning, one bad play, one bad call,” Jones said. “However you want to label it, it kills us. It does every night.”

By Head Coach

June 10, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

I see nothing on the boob tube , fox has blacked the game out where I’m at. Nice , they are actually winning and I’m watching movie reruns. Just F.U.C.K.I.N.G. wonderful , lol

By A. Nobody

June 10, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this

jimmy smith and Bob, I have to agree that it doens’t appear that doing what’s best for the TEAM has had much importance so far this year. Sorta like Congress and what’s best for America. Personal ambitions, likes/dislikes, etc take precedence.

By ete

June 10, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this

Any chance that Clemson would still like to have Francoeur?

By jon

June 10, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

DOB..I love your commentary bro. Somethings gotta give?? Yeah it starts with Thormon playing leftfield. Send Langys back down to get some at bats…he is still young! I would keep LaRoache..not a big fan of him, but take away a couple of very upsetting plays (being lazy) and he has decent stats for a 3rd year player. I wouldn’t mind seeing Betimets right hand bat at first against lefties though. DOB, what pitchers would the Braves be in the market for in the next month or so? Bullpen and starters? And would we dare look for another bat?

By Bob, journalist

June 10, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this

Chip called it “A Big Swing and a Miss!” … Sounds like it’s becomming a poupular country dance step to me … most everybody is learning it!

A Nobody, there’s absolutely no truth to the rumor that I think only the folks who agree with me should be allowed to vote … if we can invent emergency flasher signals for people who can’t make up their minds, we can afford to be tolerant of people who are dumb enough to disagree with me.

However, that doesn’t mean that we should tell them when we’re holding the elections!

By brian

June 10, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

Agree MBATL -

Yankees would love to get their filthy hands on Andruw Jones, and they need him badly. I like your thinking. I agree that Andruw Jones is great for the Braves and by no means is any one here showing him the door, but………….

If the Yankees would take Hampton and his contract as well, plus throw in their few remaining top prospects, the Braves would have to listen. There would have to be a second deal to get a top OF prospect because the Yankees do not have one. I believe their top prospect is a 3B. Jones and Hampton for 2-3 top Yankee prospects with a second trade sending at least one of those top prospects for a top OF prospect or top OF would be a good start.

OF that will be available include Lee in Milwaukee, and Bay in Pittsburg.

By ernesto

June 10, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this

Wow. So that’s what a win feels like…I like it. Although thanks to f-in Fox (Satan on the tv dial) I couldn’t see it - good thing for GameDay.

By brian

June 10, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this

Another team in need of SP and probably would overpay for it is Texas. They have 2 people available who we would be interested in - Cordero as a closer and Blalock who could move to 1B (and DeRosa who is having quite a year this year!!!!!!!!!!!)

By brian

June 10, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

Betemit goes 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored. I think we have a leadoff hitter!!!!

By TennesseePaul

June 10, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

Sheesh! Betemit filled in quite nicely in that leadoff role. Too bad for him. Now he won’t play for another month, or he’ll be in the 8 spot next time.

GO BRAVES

and Death Ray!

By jon

June 10, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this

TRADE ANDRUW JONES??? PLEASE GET OFF THIS FREAKING BLOG….YOU GUYS MAKE ME SICK READING THIS INSANE LOGIC…..JESUS

By Ron Roberts

June 10, 2006 07:08 PM | Link to this

Hmm, Ramirez is on the mound tomorrow. Would a split in Houston have been such a bad thing, anyhow? Go get ‘em, HoRam!

Man, I tell ya what, I’m liking what I’m hearing from DOB, with regards to tossing Sosa and Thomson back to the ‘pen. Can we accelerate Chuck James’ progress and get Davies back sooner? :) If only…

Seriously, it takes care of a lot of problems this team’s riddled with, if Davies can tread .500 and Chuck James looks ANYTHING close to how he did against the Mets earlier in the season, we’re primed for a run.

This losing binge we’ve been on… it’s just been awful in that when our starters (namely HoRam, Smoltz and Hudson) do pitch well, our bats are silent and our ‘pen implodes. When our bats do fairly well, they’re having to overcome a Sosa or Thomson disaster. It’s just maddening.

But throwing Davies and James in the rotation and shoring up the ‘pen with Sosa and Thomson, who are both effective in situational use, takes care of a lot of what ails the Braves.

And showcasing Betemit with more games either puts him in the limelight for a trade to get a closer, or puts that same spotlight on Giles as trade bait, I’d guess. But hey, is anybody safe from trade talk? I mean, would an AL team find a Chipper Jones DH-worthy for a closer?

I’m not saying I’d like it, but heck, the Braves let Dale Murphy go, too.

Jimbo, you suggesting the Braves toss LaRoche (.280 6 HR 23 RBI since May 1st)? He’s the one Brave regular who’s hitting well this June, going 9-for-29 (.310).

I’m just glad we’re gonna figure out ways to get Betemit more playing time. It’s time to see if this guy’s “everyday” material. Now, let’s go get a closer and work our way back into a playoff position.

By student

June 10, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this

I really have lost the thead of the mentality in this blog lately. First of all, as bad as the last couple of weeks have been, its too early to be thinking about trading people for prospects. If we could make a trade that would improve the team thats a different question. But, unless Sheurholtz gets an order to slash payroll, I just don’t understand how trading Hudson or Andruw makes much sense anyway. We have Hudson locked up for a couple of years and the way he has been pitching lately you’d think you would want to make him the centerpiece of the rotation going forward. I’d say the same for Andruw. I don’t think the Braves are in desperate need of young talent. We have some guys coming through the farm system who aren’t ready yet, but might be in a year or two who could plug some gaps. So I don’t really understand the point of making those kinds of trades. There are players we have that might make more sense to trade-say Giles if we actually fell out and someone in a race made the right offer, but I would take it to be a very bad sign about the future of the franchise if either Hudson or Jones got traded. Fortunately I think this all exists in some fevered imaginations…

By teoa

June 10, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this

I’m starting to think Ray is going to be a better closer than anyone that will be available via trade. I expect a trade will happen, and there is an outside chance the Braves could get a legitimate All Star like Joe Nathan, but it seems more likely they’ll end up settling for an old washed up ex-closer like Jose Mesa. Unless they can get an All Star, I think it should remain Ray’s job to lose and let the new guy pitch the 8th.

Too bad Bobby didn’t make the change when it became apparent several weeks ago (if not last year) to everyone in the universe that Reitsma does not have what it takes to close. This team may have never started pressing so much without the feeling that they needed at least a 5 run lead to survive Reitsma in the 9th, and Bobby Cox is solely responsible for that in my opinion.

By teoa

June 10, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this

I agree, student. A lot of people say that Braves fans are the Chris Reitsmas of sports fans, and I’m starting to agree with them if the opinions on this blog are any indication of the collective sports IQ of the people that follow this team.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

Brian…Betemit goes 3 for 4 and 2 runs scored and unfortunately Bobby will have him back on the bench again tomorrow.

Ron Roberts …You make some really good points about the rotation, but I am suggesting they toss that stiff The Roach. I admit it’s personal. I can’t stand the way he plays. He is as much a rally killer as Phat Andruw is. I am sick and tired of his loafing. Wouldn’t you love to play against him? But, who in their right mind would take him? We all want to get rid of our losers but we seem to forget the other teams are scouting them and they know how bad they are.

BTW it was great to win today for a change, but did anyone notice they stopped hitting after the 3rd inning? Agree on bleeping Fox. The bleeping Fox games are the only ones I can’t see.

By ernesto

June 10, 2006 07:35 PM | Link to this

I think one of the reasons LaRoche gets the bad rap for his hitting is he strikes out so freakin’ much. An out isn’t an out. And a whiff can definitely really hurt worse than say a fly ball to the outfield (See Todd Pratt, Friday night). But he’s not the only one, this team strikes out waaaaaaaaaay too much, and that’s going to hurt us as badly as anything over the course of 162.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 07:38 PM | Link to this

Ernesto…totally agree. Way too many strikeouts. I didn’t see the game but from listening Frenchy looked like a clown again today.

By ernesto

June 10, 2006 07:38 PM | Link to this

By the way what’s all this about getting Jones from Detroit…he sucks like he was trying to syphon gas! I’ll take Ray over that junk-ball throwing over the hill, over paid idiot any day.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 07:41 PM | Link to this

Ernesto…when you compare Jones to Reeksma, Jones looks like Mariano Rivera. They had a chance to sign Jones in the off-season and wouldn’t pay the bucks he was asking.

By brian

June 10, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

Jon-

First of all, no one wants to trade Andruw Jones, but except for last year he has been disappointing. NObody wants to trade him but if you get a Hershel Walker type deal like Minnesota gave Dallas you have to listen. He is going to eat up a bunch of payroll. Personally, I would love to see Jones (both of them actually) start and finish their careers as Braves, but no way would I be closed minded about it.

Second student, the only way I would trade Hudson is for major talent to help now, and only if JS had a second deal for Willis waiting in the wings. I would love to keep Hudson as we signed him before Burnett’s contract ramped up the market, and he is a Southerner and Braves fan life long. Good for the team and good for the city, but you have to listen to possible offers because he will be in high demand.

That being said, good job Braves today, and more of today all of us will be silent. Strong starting pitching, timely hitting, and solid closing. Forgot what that looked like. Keep it up guys.

By ernesto

June 10, 2006 07:47 PM | Link to this

And I’m glad they didn’t. Just b/c Reitsma sucks doens’t make Jones suck any less. I never want to see that dude wearing the Tomahawk. Plus, he had a lucky year last year, what do you like about his him this year…his 6.95 ERA for the year or his 36.00 ERA for last week? In addition to his meathead-osity, which and large 2 year, over paid salary…yeah, let’s sign that dude!

By brian

June 10, 2006 07:48 PM | Link to this

Jimbo-

You are right, but these acquisitons only happen in our head, but I would sure like Jones closing and Ray in the 8th. If our starters could get us through 7 we would be rolling

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

I have to tell you guys this blog is the best thing since sliced bread. DOB is great on keeping us informed. If we waited for the game announcers to do it we would still be in the dark. I guess as paid homers they are not allowed to say a discouraging word. Thanks DOB for your insight and for teklling it like it is. Keep it coming.

Second, the comments are, for the most part, interesting and well thought out. They show the care and passion the Braves evoke.

My wish is that we could find an on-line chat room where serious fans could go to talk Braves. Of course, we would need to bring DOB with us.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this

Brian…Jones would certainly be better then what we have had.

Ray has a good “look” about him for sure. I don’t want to be irrationally exhuberant about him, but he keeps impressing me. He could be a real rags to riches story.

I agree our starters need to go deeper. Like today, it wasn’t quite as nerve racking trying to get 4 innings out of this shoddy pen.

By Jim

June 10, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this

In Bobby’s defense, the only arm in the pen that has shown any capability this year (except for McBride as a situational lefty) is Death Ray. Ray is a journeyman who pitched in the independent leagues two years ago. It could not be immediately obvious that he would be successful let alone be someone that could be counted on to close. Ray had to demonstrate over a period of time that he was something much more than what he was assumed to be at the start of the year.

By the way, does McDowell get any credit for Ray? And has anybody looked at the ERAs of the Baltimore staff this year?

By brian

June 10, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this

I agree Jimbo. I threw out the trading for Todd Jones line much earlier and think he would be a great add.

I also agree that this blog is the best thing since sliced bread. Thank you, Thank You, Thank you DOB

By ernesto

June 10, 2006 08:09 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry. 5.6 million dollars for Jones and his nearly 7 point era…that’s a good idea, why?

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 08:09 PM | Link to this

Jim…You’re right, Bobby had to bring Ray along slowly, but my complaint is he waited so long while Reeksma killed us. We wouldn’t be nearly this far out if he hadn’t blown so many games. I strongly believe Reeksma’s failure had an effect on the psyche of the team. I’m still not sure how Bobby can can the other 24 players.

McDowell can only work with what he is given. Which in my opinion isn’t much. I’m far more concerned about the job TP is doing.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this

Brian…. where are you at with Frenchy? I admit I get emotional when I see him flailing away wildly. I know he is a great talent, but something has to change. Where are you with it?

By brian

June 10, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this

closer stats can be deceiving. Jones had two bad outings - 5/30 and 6/9 which shot his ERA from the 3s to 7. He is Street but he would be an upgrade to pair with Ray. He would be expensive money wise but not prospect wise. That is why his name is mentioned.

Nathan would be better but would be more expensive money wise and much, much more expensive prospects wise

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this

Ernesto…Jones has converted 17 of 20 save opportunities…What’s the Bravos record on saves converted? Not as good is it?

By ernesto

June 10, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

Still, how many has Ray blown so far? Give the guy a shot b/4 you take on an overpaid, not so good Jones. I wouldn’t feel great about him coming out of the pen, he’s not a lights out guy either. Besides I’d hate to see that much money get tied up in a mediocre guy. And Jimbo, you could probably pick the 5 worst closers in the majors and say “Wouldn’t they be better than Reitsma?” Well, sure…but they would still suck. All I’m saying is don’t make a bad decision b/c we’re in a bad situation…and Jones and his 2 YEAR 5.6 MIL/PER contract would be a BAD decision.

By brian

June 10, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

not necessarily a bad decision. If we had him from the start of the year we would be in a lot better shape currently.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 08:40 PM | Link to this

Ernesto…I’m not a huge Jones fan, but as you say, he would have been better then Reeksma. If they do get a real closer I hope its someone better then him. I think Ray deserves a shot for the way he has pitched so far. The reason Jones is somewhat attractive is he would only cost them money and he wouldn’t break the bank on prospects. I’m all for RAy. I hope he is the man and then they don’t have to trade for a closer and they can change their focus elsewhere, like a productive left fielder or a right hand hitting first baseman.

By ernesto

June 10, 2006 08:46 PM | Link to this

Okay, Brian and Jimbo we’ll have to agree to disagree, all I know is all the years I’ve watched Jones come in against us I’ve never had the “oh, well this one’s over feeling” more like “Sweet, it’s Jones we’re still in this one.” What’s that fastball topping out at these days 79mph? I guess the Gregg McMicheal, Chris Reitsma experiments of guys who nibble with less than stellar stuff has made my cynical.

By Bob, journalist

June 10, 2006 08:47 PM | Link to this

The Cable Box is on the fritz but they sounded energized during the first part of the game. Hopefully, Wilson leading off and playing second isn’t the last of the changes.

Worse comment of the week … just might be Bobby indicating that he’ll let Wilson rotate with Chipper, Edgar, and Markus … so as to give them rest and get his hot bat into the lineup. I hope he didn’t mean it.

First, it isn’t Wilson’s “hot” bat that we need … it’s recognition that we need him in the lineup … “good” bat and all. Second, we don’t need a rotational system to rest our players on a routine basis … we need Wilson, Chipper, and Edgar in the lineup each game. Giles is a good backup … he can play second if Chipper, Edgar or Wilson goes down. It might be a different story if we were leading the Division.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 08:50 PM | Link to this

Ernesto. I don’t think we are in that much of a disagreement. WE all agree Reeksma stinks. We agree there would be better options then Jones. We all hope Ray can do the job. I think Jones would have been better then Reeksma. I guess that’s our problem. If our closer only blew three saves we would be in great shape right now instead of threatening to fall out of the race completely.

By JJMB

June 10, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this

I sure was nice to see Giles out of the lineup and Benemit in. What are the chances of Cox having Benemit at second tomorrow? Slim. He’d rather have a .240 out-machine there, just to be loyal.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 08:54 PM | Link to this

Hoo Ray BOB. Thank you! Giles is the weak link. He has been horrible. Love the idea of Chip, Edgar and WB every day. Thank you! I didn’t see the game today but it sounded like WB made sime good plays at second.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 08:56 PM | Link to this

JJMB… You are right WB will probably be back on the bench again tomorrow. He did the same thing when Diaz was hot against the Marlins. By the time he got more playing time his bat cooled off.

By Greg

June 10, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!

Deal Giles while he still has some value. Betemit should get the job at second. Giles can’t hit. He has little man’s delusion. He believes he’s a slugger. We need somebody who will make contact and spray the ball, not a guy who loves to fly out to the warning track because occasionally one leaves the park.

By Greg

June 10, 2006 09:17 PM | Link to this

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE!

Deal Giles while he still has some value. Betemit should get the job at second. Giles can’t hit. He has little man’s delusion. He believes he’s a slugger. We need somebody who will make contact and spray the ball, not a guy who loves to fly out to the warning track because occasionally one leaves the park.

By jeff

June 10, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this

All you sour faces have obviously forgotten when the Braves were truly horrible. Appreciate Bobby Cox for the Hall of Famer he is (Lonnie Smith, Jeff Reardon and Mark Wohlers were to blame for lack of rings in ‘91, ‘92 and ‘96) and hopefully the team will get the pitching help (bullpen) and leadoff man that will get this team back in the race.

I will never forget the 80s when there were literally 750 people in the stands.

Appreciate the franchise you have and hopefully things will turn around.

By tbo

June 10, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this

Does anybody actually think that the old senile fool BC will play Betemit tomorrow? Can Cox.

By tbo

June 10, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this

I remember when the Braves were horrible and I see it again now. If BC keeps on putting people like Remlinger, Reeksma, LaWhiff, and Giles in then it won’t be long before there are only 750 fans in the stands.

By Woogidy

June 10, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

Who knows? Maybe this is the start of something. Wilson Betemit did a wonderful job today. How many times has giles led off a 1st inning with a hit this year? Let’s bring up Scott Thorman and Will Startup and see what we can do.

By brian

June 10, 2006 09:50 PM | Link to this

good point Jimbo. We all agree that Reitsma was not the answer and we all agree that we could do better than Jones and i don’t blame JS for not overpaying Jones in the offseason, but I do believe he could have contributed a lot. It is hindsight which always is 20/20.

Give Betemit another shot at 2B. The combo of Betemit and Renteria looked good - in the field and while batting.

Build on this one Braves and take tomorrow for the split. One series at a time, one game at a time.

By brian

June 10, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this

DOB-

What do you think or is this all just counterproductive bantering from a bunch of armchair GMs?

By ernesto

June 10, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this

DOB-

What do you think about obvious butt sucking from bloggers?

By ernesto

June 10, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this

brian. sorry, that was a low blow, the fruit was just too low hanging. my bad.

By TennesseePaul

June 10, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this

Man, what is this talk on Andruw?
for last year he has been disappointing.
This aggression will not stand, man. Andruw hasn’t been disappointing every year of his career. That’s the most ridiculous post I’ve read. He’s one 8 consecutive gold gloves, making him the best defensive National League Center Fielder, if not major leagues, over the past 8 years. In that same time he’s averaged 33 home runs, 94 runs, 30 doubles, and 98 RBIs. He played in an average of 158 games a season. He’s only draw back is striking out too much. That’s why his average is so low. Andruw will hopefully play his whole career as a Brave. He will be in the Hall of Fame if he continues at this pace. He’s only 29 years old. He’s just hit his prime.
Unbelievable.

Good game tonight. So pleased with a win. GO BRAVES.

By Tomahawkin

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

Bout Time we actually score 4 runs plus and don’t lose it with our blowpen…Lets make it 2 in a row and split the series…If this funk is going to end it needs to happen NOW!

Go Braves!

By Dirty Dawg

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

Don’t have a problem with rotating Betemit into the everyday lineup at any infield position - including first - in fact, I’ve been begging for it. Can’t tell you how excited I was to see him leading off today - hadn’t tuned in early enough to see at what position (what I really had hoped for was for them to put Renteria at second and Wilson at SS - still don’t believe Edgar is that good a SS…lacking in both range and arm strength).

At the same time, I’m of the opinion that Bobby needs to employ a ‘shoot til you hit, then shoot til you miss’ strategy. In other words, repeat this lineup tomorrow and stick with it til they lose. Of course they may want to sit Langerhans, or Francouer, or both…in case you hadn’t noticed Frenchy is a lousy hitter - off-speeed and off the plate and he may never again put a ball in play…just make sure you keep Wilson in the line-up and leading off.

By BigNastyNoseNugget

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

Just 3 wins in the last 13 games and you say it’s the beginning of a run!…get real, you people truly are delusional!…and what’s with all this “journalist” BULLSH*T???…THE FIRE SALE IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER!………

By Tomahawkin

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

I’d take Andruw hitting .250 with 25 homers and 100rbis as long as his defense doesn’t slip

I’l take Him on D over anyone in the game…

Another take on Andruw I kinda wished he stole bases now, like he did in the minors, carrying the potential of 40-40, I think thats why everyone Downs him, because he had that Willie Mays potential coming up through the system

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this

Jeff,

So you agree with the move by Cox to bring in Leibrandt(a noodle armed lefty),to face Puckett in Game 6 of the 1991 WS?

By old faithful

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

who are all these ignoramuses who are so anxious to get rid of bobby cox and john schuerholz? Are they too young to remember the ’80s and ’70s — before Cox and JS?

I fear Jeff Francouer is a 21st Century version of Brad Komminsk, a wunderkind of the early ’80s. He had brilliant minor league stats and looked to be an ideal complement to Dale Murphy — until major league pitchers learned his weaknesses and he never adjusted — the same as Francouer, who shows no evidence of learning plate discipline. Hope I’m wrong — that he will bust out and become a superstar but the way he keeps swinging at curve balls low and away makes me fear I’m not.

By Tomahawkin

June 10, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this

I watched Edmonds and he has nothing on Andruw, Edmonds plays about 10-15 feet deeper therefore he is always at the wall to rob homeruns, but, off topic, Why is Bobby afraid to try Renteria at leadoff and Betemit /Giles second? I have not seen a game all year where he has tried this, and Also WTF Is LaRoche doing in the 5 hole again, I thought that story was long over….

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this

Tomahawkin,

Would you still take Andruw with those #’s at 17-20 mil a season?He’s a career .268 hitter.Even during his career season last year,he only hit .207 with RISP.You’re not going to win many WS rings when your cleanup hitter hits so poorly in clutch situations.He’s gotten two hitting coaches fired(Clarence Jones,Merv Rettenmund),and he likely won’t take below market value with this next contract.If you’re John Schuerholz,you have to at least listen to potential offers.I don’t think he should be untouchable if the right deal comes along.

By Tomahawkin

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

Dude is overpaid no doubt about it, I’d only pay him around 12 mill, but that was the nature of the game earlier in the decade…Overpay 4 talent so that they don’r sell out to WhineBrenner and the yanks

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this

Tomahawkin…I agree, Phat Andruw rarely hits in the clutch. Its not what numbers he puts up, its when he puts them up. Every one, with the exception of McCann, should be expendable in the right deal.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this

Old Faihful…I was thinking the same thing comparing Franchy to Komminsk. Say it ain’t so.

By Tomahawkin

June 10, 2006 11:21 PM | Link to this

I bet If Andruw Went where the ball is pitched (mainly to right field ) when he is behind I’d bet his average would be 25 points higher

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this

In less than one full season,Frenchy has already surpassed the numbers Brad Komminsk produced in his brief major league career.

But LaRoche does remind me of John Olerud.Just without the contact.

By Tomahawkin

June 10, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this

Well the Mutts are leading again to a team that absoultely Wiped The Floor With Our A-s-s-es

From the vent…”I’ve been watching the Braves for nearly 30 years and since their 1991 run, this is the first time I’ve seen them look like they don’t care.”

That has been most true this month and in the playoffs 4 that matter

By Tomahawkin

June 10, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this

Yea and Todd while were at it Chipper has been looking a lot like Roger Dorn at third with his limited range

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this

Tomahawkin…Isn’t that what a hitting coach should be teaching? Andruw is strong enough to hit it out in right. Problem is, no one can get it through his thick skull. This team has very few fundamentally sound players yet the organization gets credit for teaching their young players how to play. Where? Who? I’m not seeing it. Renteria looks like he knows how to play the game. McCann does as well. Giles, Roach, Frenchy…no way.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this

Todd … I thought Olerud could hit for average with no power. The Roach can’t hit for average and he does have power.

By Tomahawkin

June 10, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

Jimbo, I have no solution 4 that…I know when I used to play we Focused our lineups on OBP and not Homeruns, and furthermore we scored a lot, I like to see this team do the same but It ain’t gone happen….

LaRoche Reminds me of Jack Clark as a hitter more than anyone…

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this

I will say it’s not Andruw’s fault the Braves built up his expectations so high.10 years ago,he was being heralded as the best prospect to ever come up through the Braves system.He’s been a very good major league ballplayer,I’m just not sure he should command superstar money.Tough dilemma for the Braves front office when he becomes a free agent.

By Tomahawkin

June 10, 2006 11:39 PM | Link to this

Oh yea congrats on Huddy, Bout Time he pitched like the pitcher we thought we was getting, I think he likes pitching at the Juicebox

Oh yea, John S. Bring Chucky Back!

and BTW Did anyone watch the game on Fox, Who called it I don’t think it was McCarver because I think he was in New Yawk slobbing all over Derek Jeter’s a-s-s

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 11:43 PM | Link to this

Good gap hitter.He,too,had a long swing like LaRoche.But he put the bat on the ball consistently.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 11:46 PM | Link to this

Tomahawkin…They live and die by the long ball. I’ve always been partial to guys who put the ball in play. That’s why it is so frustrating to watch this team flail away hopelessly.

Todd…You are right its not Andruw’s fault so much was expected from him. JS is between a rock and a hard place. Pay him big and he drains the budget. Don’t pay him and its a public relations nightmare. Very tough decision, but you know the Yanks will come calling when his contract is up. They can make big money mistakes. They just write them off as a cost of trying to win. Teams like the Braves can’t miss on big money players. I would love to see Andruw, Chipper and Smoltz finish their careers as Braves, but that doesn’t seem likely.

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this

Anyone want to bet Giles is starting at second again tomorrow?

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this

Today was one of the few games I couldn’t see because of bleeping Fox. I hate them. At least I could listen on MLB Game Day. It sure felt good to win one for a change. Every time they do I think this is it, they are going to get hot, only to be disappointed the next day. Maybe they will get hot now.

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this

Yep.Glad I don’t have to make that decision.

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this

Todd…No way I take that bet. BC’s boy Giles will be in there again. He even tried to cover for him on that lazy play he made Friday night. What a joke.

By Todd A

June 10, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this

I’m glad the Astros decided to give several of their regulars the day off.

By Tomahawkin

June 10, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this

That play friday p-i-s-s-ed me the (exepletive) off, I think LaRoche’s complacent attitude is rubbing off on Giles, I Threw my remote at the T.V. After Berkman hit that 3-run shot that resulted in a lack of urgency on the defense

By Jimbo

June 10, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this

I don’t live in the Southeast, but when I catch a game on Turner South on the Satellite they advertise a show called “Junkin”. If that a show about our bullpen?

By Jimbo

June 11, 2006 12:00 AM | Link to this

Same effect on me Toma. That play and SoSo totally missing a pitch out sign ahows me their heads aren’t into the game. I hate that and I can’t forgive The Roach for that stupid lazy play he made a few weeks ago. Disgraceful baseball.

By Gammons

June 11, 2006 12:01 AM | Link to this

With the Braves’ facing the Yankees, RedSox and Blue Jays the next few weeks, that should be enough to put them 15 games out of first by the AllStar game, and dash any hopes of another post-season.

Anticipate the Yankees and RedSox to make inquiries for either John Smoltz or Tim Hudson. Also don’t count out Tigers’ GM Dave Dombrowski to make inquiries for Michigan native John Smoltz. Insiders are saying that Smoltz is not too optimistic of the Braves’ immediate future, and would like to end his career on a contender. What would be a better fit than the team he grew up idolizing?

John Schuerholz is looking to pare payroll in order to sign Andruw Jones to a lifetime contract, and to reload the Braves’ roster with younger, less expensive players.

Expect Bobby Cox to remain as manager.

By Todd A

June 11, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

I know.It’s totally ridiculous.Just once,I would like to see Bobby to call a spade, a spade.You can’t take anything he says at face value.

By Jimbo

June 11, 2006 12:04 AM | Link to this

Peter Gammons…Did anyone every tell you that you look exactly like the guy on the $20 bill? Andrew Jackson.

By Tomahawkin

June 11, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this

Gammons, When You said insider, I hope you were not talking about ESPN Insider (And the Smoltz comment)…ESPN Insider Rumor Central is a JOKE, And 85 percent of the crap they say isn’t worth a Shyt

By Jimbo

June 11, 2006 12:08 AM | Link to this

Todd…I still wonder how he can make those statements to the press and face the other players. He did the same thing with Reeksma. It was always one unlucky pitch that led to his downfall. Its good he doesn’t air dirty laundry in public, but come on. Sometimes he has to say a player blew it.

By Todd A

June 11, 2006 12:08 AM | Link to this

I think I’ve seen this movie.

By Jimbo

June 11, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this

ESPN thows it against the wall to see what will stick.

By Todd A

June 11, 2006 12:15 AM | Link to this

Bobby set a terrible example for the rest of the team when he allowed LaRoche to pinch hit the very next day after the lack-luster play against Washington.Then he was in the lineup for the following game.Where are the repercussions?Just getting tossed out of games every other night ain’t going to light a fire in this clubhouse.

By J-Baller

June 11, 2006 12:22 AM | Link to this

I really have no idea why the Braves have made ZERO significant moves to help this team. Has anyone realized that the Braves are NINE games behind the Mets and TIED with the Nationals! And the Mets sure aren’t slowing down either. JS has prospects and veterans to deal(Salty, T.Pena, Sosa, Thomson,etc.) and options to bring people up (THORMAN!!!). Yet nothing has been done!

By Todd A

June 11, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this

Personally,I think it’s too late to think about this year.Why Shuerholz didn’t show more of a sense of urgency this off-season to improve a team that had lost in the 1st round of the playoffs 4 consecutive seasons,will remain a mystery.Hope his book sales are going well.He let his team slide into the toilet.

By student

June 11, 2006 12:56 AM | Link to this

Look you are going to be able to trade Hudson for someone who can help this year, thats not the way it works. Only a contending team would be interested in acquiring a player like that, and contending teams are looking to add, not subtract. They trade prospects, and we would be getting guys who can’t help us now. Besides that I don’t see how trading Hudson could possibly help us, he’s been our best starter.

And I have no idea what you are talking about with Andruw. Last year was a fluke? He’s on pace to hit about 45 homers and drive in 130 runs or so and batting about .280. 3-4 guys in the league are going to get numbers in that range. Of course he’s also the best centerfielder in baseball. He’s absoulutely invaluable. Please, if you really don’t know any better than this, get off the blog, its hard to sort through the nonsense on here sometimes to find a little decent discussion.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2006 01:45 AM | Link to this

Wow, you folks have kept busy burning up the blogosphere while I was at a fantastic John Prine concert tonight in downtown Houston. Me and a few thousand Texans (believe it or not, there’s a lot of cool ones).

Anyway, I have no freakin’ idea who started this nonsense about trading Andruw. Stop it, now, or your blog permit will be pulled, dude. Andruw is absolutely not going to be traded, at least not this year. He’s got another year left (2007) on a very reasonable six-year, $75 mill contract. An eight-time Gold Glove winner and the major league home run leader and NL RBI leader last season, and someone out there suggest TRADING HIM!!! Come freakin’ on, man. He’s making what FURCAL IS MAKING PER YEAR FROM L.A. THINK ABOUT IT.

Anyway, hey, I don’t know if Braves will be able to re-sign him, considering some big-money teams will probably offer him at least $17-18 mill a year, since he’ll be a 10-time Gold Glove winner with about 360-375 homers and only 30 years old at the end of this deal. But they’re sure not trading him now, with a year left on the deal. That’s utter absurdity.

I’d bet Betemit will be in the lineup tomorrow, but not sure where. Renteria doesn’t need another rest, and I don’t know if Bobby will sit Giles two days in a row. Probably not. And sit Chipper in the day game series finale before an off day?

On second thought, I wouldn’t bet on Betemit in lineup tomorrow.

Anybody see the sea gull get beaned tonight in the minor league game? That’s like something that would happen to Reitsma, the way his season’s gone….

OK, talk to you guys tomorrow. Tomahawkin, by the way, lot of good posts from you tonight, man. I didn’t agree with all of them, but most of them right on target in my view.

One more thing about John Print. Here’s a man in his 60s who beat cancer and is now rockin’ again and singing and writing some of the best songs any American songwriter ever penned. That’s some inspiring stuff, man, to see him up there with a cool crowd of folks giving him standing ovations and him loving it.

Good stuff, which I’d highly, highly recommend you all take in if he comes to Atlanta again soon. Should have heard him sing “Some Humans Ain’t Human” from last year’s Grammy-winning albumb tonight. Just goosebump-raising stuff.

Night, all.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2006 01:50 AM | Link to this

OK, I had two typos at the end of that sloppy post. John Prine, not Print. And albumb, not album.

By the way, he dedicated a song to the late, great Dr. Hunter S. Thompson, father of Gonzo journalism. So it was a very good night.

By Robert

June 11, 2006 02:25 AM | Link to this

Dave I enjoy reading your posts. I guess Braves fans are happy for any win but they made the Houston pitcher look like Cy Young after the second inning. In the first 2 innings the pitcher could not get his breaking stuff to work and the Braves ate him alive when he threw fastballs. When he made adjustments and started to thow his breaking stuff for strikes, our team could not hit the broadside of a barn. Why didn’t the team move up to the front of the box a little and take away his breaking stuff when they were behing in the count. TP had none of his batters make any adjustments. Does he talk to the players between at bats and let them know what he is seeing. Do you think the Braves will bring up another hitting coach if the strikeouts continue to mount. TP maybe telling them but it may not be getting through. When are they going to hold TP accountable for this lack of offense. All major league teams scouting report will say get ahead with the fastball and throw the breaking stuff outside because the Braves hitters have no plate discipline when behing in the counts. One gigantic swing will get you 5 runs just a lot of hot air.

By teoa

June 11, 2006 02:50 AM | Link to this

Interesting blog tonight…a Big Lebowski reference from Tenn Paul and Hunter Thompson from DOB…now all we need is a Bukowski mention to offset all the wasted space about an Andruw trade (great new documentary out on Bukowski…anyone seen it?)…okay, that’s done. This is officially a cool place again.

It’s good to see Bobby’s quotes about getting Betemit into the lineup more, but I don’t understand why he wants to rotate him through all the infield spots except for the most obvious one — first base. I just don’t buy that a big guy who is a good athlete and versatile enough to play every other infield position can’t learn to play first base relatively quickly. Bobby’s allegiance to LaDouche is kind of like the thing he has with Reitsma…makes no sense at all. Besides, does anyone believe that Bobby will sit either Renteria or Chipper on a regular basis? I don’t, and I don’t think he should. I’d like to see what happens with Giles if Betemit was at first base and batting leadoff…Giles could be dropped down to 6th or 7th, which might be all it takes to make him a productive player again. Or let Giles go back to 2nd and move Renteria to 5th for more RBI opportunities. Either way, Betemit at 1B would give Bobby more flexibility with the batting order and possibly solve a lot of the offensive inconsistency.

By Dirty Dawg

June 11, 2006 03:09 AM | Link to this

I got it…maybe it’s about time Marcus was re-united with his brother and his hometown. A package that might bring, say Linebrink, to the Braves as a closer…the Padres would have a new story line to sell the fans - Come see the Giles Boys play ball in front of friends and family….and Betemit would be in the lineup every day - at SS - and Renteria at second. After all, Edgar said that if you can play short, you can play second.

By Head Coach

June 11, 2006 03:54 AM | Link to this

Andruws a 10 and 5 player , so are Chipper and Smoltz . They cant be traded without thier consent. Thats ten years major league service and five with the same team. So , can it guys. Did ya’ll know FOX blacked out the game ? really nice of them to be in the TV schedule for two months then drop the game and not tell anybody.A real classy network , lol. They can suck my left nut.

By UGA 72

June 11, 2006 04:32 AM | Link to this

Guys, guys, guys…………

There comes a time when you have to live up to your reputation. The Braves are showing fear for the first time in the last 14, and it is time for John Schurholts to earn his money. He has to make a trade of some kind, lets face it not doing anything can demoralize the team even more while a minor or major trade just might bring back some winning attitude. If there isn’t a move made in the next week, the Braves will finish 3rd. We need a Starting Pitcher, a solid reliever, an everyday left fielder, and a 1st baseman. Package Giles, Roachie, and pay someone to take Reitsma. He is a nice guy, way too nice to see destroyed like this.

By Bob, journalist

June 11, 2006 04:42 AM | Link to this

Jimbo, old faithful

I think Jeff has more talent and potential than Brad Komminsk … but chances are that his “I gotta be me” future is as predictable as “Old Faithful” used to be.

I used to play golf every week with a young fellow, about the same age as my son, who routinely drove the ball over 300 yards! Driver, wedge, and putter was all he ever needed or used on all but the longest par fours.

He was a High School Super Star and a four year letterman in college … who never lived up to expectations … his own or anyonelse’s.

It seems that he was so talented and dominant in his early golfing days … with everyone in awe … that noone really ever thought to teach him how to play the game!

He too was a “I gotta be me” player who tried to adjust … he really did … but like Jeff, he finally gave up in frustration.

I’m neither golfer nor teacher but I’ve hacked it around the course with some that were both … and thinking back over the wisdom that was wasted on me, developed a simple, “secret” plan … “secret” because he never knew its real purpose.

Simply stated, our matches became 27 rather than 18 holes. For the first 9 holes, we could only use a “preselected” iron (1-10) and the putter … with the sand wedge avaialble for use in the traps.

It helped both of our games and amazingly, by summer’s end, he was, of his own accord, using his 3 and 5 woods more often off the tee than his once favored Driver.

He had learned to adjust without realizing it … the “I gotta be me” didn’t really change … he just changed the “me”!

There has to be a way to teach Jeff how to effectively harness his natural abilities … but, I’m not sure anyone in the Braves Organization is willing to take on that challenge. It’s easier to stay inside the box and cheerlead. However, I’m afraid that it’ll be a great disservice to allow him to continue down his current path … which looks more and more like the one taken by Komminsk.

By jon

June 11, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this

“Trade Andruw Jones because every years been a dissappointment besides last year” Haha…please review Andruws stats before you comment again. Thats terrible. Since when did a Gold Glove…30 homeruns…100 RBI average year after year be so disappointing?

By brave fan

June 11, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this

Jason bay has a pretty good bat on him but for him we would have to lose aj but lefty oliver perez had a great rookie season with a 2.98 era maybe a john smoltz trade oppourtunity* i probally spelled half these words wrong but it doesn’t matter* or mike hampton but that is highly unlikely but perez did have 5.85 era last year

By John Poston

June 11, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

Maybe the Braves should require all players who strike out 100 times to play winter ball. Time away from family might motivate some of these free swingers.

I wonder if Luke Appling choked up on the bat. I also wonder if he would have developed as a contact hitter if the mound was the same height as it is today.

By Bobbymahlon

June 11, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

DOB You never answered my question why the Braves are soooo slow in bring up the player of the week THORMAN. We need some punch in the lineup. If Frenchy continues to swing at ground balls wouldn’t it be a good idea to give him a golf club to use. Maybe it would be a good idea to set him down and let him look at his at bats until he gets it through his head that you swing at the ball when its over the plate and not in the dirt.

By Woogidy

June 11, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this

DOB, The NYpost is reporting, based on a quote from an AL GM, that every Washnington National besides Ryan Zimmerman and John Patterson is available. Do you think JS could make a run at Chad Cordero? I mean the only team he can’t seem to figure out is the Braves.

By Kent

June 11, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

Having Wilson Betemit gives the extra depth in the infield. I hate to say it, but they probably need to trade Giles for some bullpen help.

By Carroll

June 11, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this

Woogidy: I think COrdero may be the second coming of Dan Kolb and Kerry Lighteningturd all wrapped up into one. A guy who seems to get lucky a lot of times rather than blowing hitters away. He’s better than what we have, but let’s not give up a lot for him.

Brian and MBATL: I like your thinking on the trade talk. However, as much as I’d like to be rid of Hampton’s albatross contract, he has looked very good when healthy. Maybe he comes back next year healthy for the whole year, and if Huddy can get his s** figured out consistently, and smoltz lasts one more year, we may have the best 1-2-3 in all of baseball. That sounds a lot better than giving AJ away just so as we can get rid of Hammy’s contract now.

By Woogidy

June 11, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

How about Jamey Carrol and Jose Mesa from the Rockies for Marcus Giles, and some minor league pitchers? Carrol hits leadoff by the way.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this

teoa, I bought that Bukowski doc on DVD the other day, and am going to watch it soon as I get home (i don’t have to cover the hurrican-pending series in Florida, thankfully). Factotem, Ham on Rye … all those Bukowski books got me through my first job in a crapola little town in Kansas….

And I agree _ I don’t get why Bobby won’t try Betemit at 1B. He’s big and can obviously scoop balls, and J.B. is doing nothing there.

As for those wondering about Thorman _ I think we’ll see him soon, I really do. And he’s been playing a lot of OF lately, so he’s ready to play at LF and 1B. Don’t know what that means for Langerhans, who’s still playing great defense but really has bad overall offensive numbers and a TON of strikeouts (far more than LaRoche per AB)

let me look this up … here it is. 52 K in 174 ABs for Langy. Yikes.

By Penn

June 11, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this

Comparing right handed batter Brian Jordan to left handed hitter Scott Thorman, if a batter can’t hit does it matter whether he swings from the right or left?

Comparing left handed hitting Pena and non hitting right hander Pratt is impossible. Logic is abandoned when the one who can hit is sent down in favor of the one who can’t hit. The salary difference is not much of a factor in this case.

If a pitcher can’t throw strikes does it matter if he throws “balls” with his left or right hand? Why are pitchers being kept on the roster when there are pitchers in the minors who are throwing strikes?

Speaking of logic where is the logic in keeping Jordan or Reitsma on the roster or in keeping LaRoche, Giles or langerhans in the lineup?

If one really wants to dig deeper into the logic thing he might ask the same thing about Francoeur when he keeps flailing hepelessly away at low and outside pitches. Even Andruw of yester-year didn’t look that silly.

By Carroll

June 11, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

Penn: I agree with you whole heartedly. But unfortunately, asking Bobby to apply logic to his managerial decisions is like asking a born-again evangelical christian or a radical muslim to apply logic to their whacko religious beliefs. Such a suggestion would be, “of the devil”.

By Todd A

June 11, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

Wasn’t that Appling homer in Old Timer’s Game off Gaylord Perry?If I’m remembering correctly.I got some good autographs that day.

By Jim

June 11, 2006 12:01 PM | Link to this

The comparison between LaRoache and Olereud is very appropriate. The similarities are that they look a bit alike — have the same body type, no foot speed, and neither is very animated. They also both (usually) play good defense. The big difference — Olereud would be exactly the the kind of player we need hitting in the 5th or 6th spot in the order. He would see more pitches per AB than any other player in the league, not strike out a lot, walk a lot, and hit line drives to all fields. With Olereud and McCann hitting back-to-back in the order we would have a pair of rally builders (not rally killers) in the second half of the lineup. We could only wish that LaRoache were really an Olereud clone.

By BigNastyJournalist

June 11, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

Braves ain’t trading anyone…the Braves are being traded to another corporation in exchange for worthless stock…the fire sale is a couple weeks away…you Atlanta Braves fans are getting exactly what you deserve…your total lack of enthusiasm over the years has finally rubbed off on the team!…now you’re all losers!…THE MOST SPOILED FANS IN SPORTS HISTORY!…

By Hal

June 11, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

Todd it was indeed i rember this cause a rainshower broke out as the ball flew through the air lol Also Dave i think you meant BJ instead of JB in your last post but thats ok your abreviations more politicaly correct lol

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this

It has to start going the Braves way soon. This is getting ridiculous. We face the D-backs twice, and they are on fire. The Mets role into town and an HGH scandle breaks out and demoralizes the D-Backs, Mets cruise to easy victories. We gotta start getting some breaks.

At the same time, if we do pull this out this year, then at least we know we did it by going up against the best and rising to the occasion. So far that hasn’t been the case, but if, IF, we can build off this win against the sencond string Astros and carry it forward, we might just be able to do it. I’m not positive we can. We’re probably gonna strike out about 12 to 20 times today.

By Woogidy

June 11, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this

Sure enough, WB not in the lineup today. I am going to go insane!

By Bob, journalist

June 11, 2006 01:58 PM | Link to this

John Poston,

Winter Ball wouldn’t be a bad idea for players who strike out 100 times … but we don’t have the luxury of waiting that long for results … I’d make it a Kangaroo Court “offence” to lead the team in strikeouts for a “series”, punishable by having to wear a special T-Shirt” during the next series … and required special batting instruction.

I don’t know if Luke Appling choked up on the bat but I’d bet dollars to donuts that he did! Actually, Luke was just one example of a player with “strikeout aversion” his 35 strikeouts per season average wasn’t unique … Joltin’ Joe DiMaggio averaged 34 and never had more than 39.

I think Luke it “sinful” not to make contact, regardless of mound height … Joe too. I would think that before mound height was standardized, it would have been more difficult to learn to consistently make contact than after.

By Amber

June 11, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

DOB, I don’t even know where else to put this, but who do we have to beg to get Betemit in more regularly? I mean, it’s obvious to everyone BUT the decision-makers that he’d be better at 1B than Jordan & LaRoche combined. Even he said he’d try it if he was asked. We haven’t seen any hint that TPTB have the slightest interest in it. What do they know that we don’t? I mean, look at yesterday with Betemit in and batting leadoff - get ‘em on, get ‘em over, get ‘em in. Textbook baseball, and they WON! Imagine B batting leadoff and playing at first, and Giles moving back to a more comfortable batting order position. What the heck is going ON?? I’m tearing my hair out over here!! I realize it’s not as simple as plugging him in and going from there, but we haven’t even seen him taking grounders or even observing 1B like we saw Chipper last year (?).

By krath

June 11, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this

Is this a joke??? The Braves should lose today! I don’t usually slam Bobby but not starting Wilson somewhere today is a damn crime!!! What is Bobby thinking? Does Giles, Brian J. Laroche and a few others have pictures of Bobby doing the nasty with a hooker or something?!?!

Bobby’s loyalty cost the Braves some playoff games in the past (noteably going with a few pitchers who were struggling going into post-season simply because of what they did in years past ((Glavine against the Giants for example….he was stinking it up late season before the playoffs and the Giants lit him up twice)) I thought Bobby was over that crap!!

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

Penn, only one you lost me on was LaRoche. I mean, by your logic, who should be playing first base? Where should LaRoche be, on the bench?

(and I don’t mean in our world, where we’d have Betemit at first, etc. I mean in the real world, given that the Braves haven’t even had Betemit take grounders at first base).

While LaRoche’s .247 average is real bad, he’s hit .284 with six homers, 23 RBIs and a .368 OBP and very solid .991 OPS in his past 36 games. And one strikeout per five at-bats in that span.

And the memorable error notwithstanding, he’s played his usual exceptional defense on a whole. Ask anyone in the NL to rate defensive first basemen, and they’ll put him in top 3-5 in league. Just the way it is. Put your personal feelings aside and tell me those numbers I quoted in his past 36 games aren’t respectable to strong.

By the way, he has 27 road RBIs. You know how many NL players have more? Three: Andruw Jones, Albert Pujols and Carlos Beltran. LaRoche is tied with Soriano for fourth in road RBIs.

Again, not saying he’s a star or shouldn’t be hitting for much higher average, but he had a terrible April and he’s been pretty solid since. Waaaaay down the list of Braves problems.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

Typo _ LaRoche .891 OPS in last 36 games, not .991. Still solid, however.

By ernesto

June 11, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

This one has to be all on Bobby. You put a guy who got 3 hits on the bench and you bat one of our best hitters this year, McCann, 8th? I’m a BC guy, but I’m not seeing it. By the way, nice whiff for Marcus in his first at bat back.

By TiftDawg

June 11, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

Hey Carroll-

This baseball blog is not the place to take shots at the born-again evangelical christians by comparing them to the muslems. We are the most ridiculed and discriminated against group in America right now, but we are not marching in the streets or killing innocent people who don’t share our views. Sounds like you have a bone to pick that’s personal- maybe subconscious guilt over some lifestyle choices? I may be wrong, you may just be speaking from ignorance due to limited personal exposure. I’ll pray for you, not try to kill you for differing with me.

As for the Braves, they have no leadoff hitter, no production from 1st base, and obviously no bullpen. I don’t know the answer to the lead-off problem, except that Marcus is not up to the task. I thought Juan Pierre in LF batting leadoff would have been the answer, but look how he’s playing for the Cubs. I, for one, would rather have Pierre’s speed at the top of the lineup and hope for return to past form. Maybe the Cubs would consider a Pierre for Langerhans swap?

WB is simply too good to sit and watch this inept offensive production; if it’s not at 1st, he has to supplant Giles- and this is from a huge Marcus fan. And I love Jordan and Platt, but both have better players reading about them in the paper from Richmond.

As for the bullpen, Rietsma has to go- unconditional release- to remove his battered psyche from the clubhouse. BC and JS have done what I would have advised- bring up people from Richmond and throw them out but Yeates and Parranto have not been up to the task. We can’t overstate the impact of injuries to Foster and Boyer here- both would have had huge roles, including possibly Boyer in the 9th.

(As I write, I see Giles and Jordan in the line-up with WB on the bench- what does WB have to do?)

I will close by reminding all that JS may be the best GM in baseball today; for 14 years I have doubted him and been proven wrong. He’ll probably pull something out of his b**t and we’ll all pretend we trusted him all of the time.

PS- Did anyone see Andruw jog to 1st after hitting the DP ground ball in the 1st? Why can’t a major league manager demand and get a little hustle from these guys

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

I think Betemit would have been in lineup today if not for tomorrow’s off day. By that I mean, Bobby might have rested Chipper and played Betemit today if team wasn’t off tomorrow.

Betemit’s hit .269 with two homers and seven RBIs in 26 ABs vs. lefties. Chipper’s hit .270 with one homer and seven RBIs 37 ABs vs. lefties. Just for what it’s worth (which ain’t much, I guess).

By ernesto

June 11, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

Wow, this looking like so many games so far this year..a potential big inning killed by a Double Play and a whiff. And then a stupid error that opens us up to a big inning. Hope we get Berkman, but we haven’t this series.

By brian

June 11, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this

You are right DOB. LaRoche’s production at 1B would not be a big issue if we got any production out of LF, solid leadoff hitting, some power out at 3B, McCann playing all season at C, consistant production in CF and RF (instead of streaky), quality starts night in and night out from our SP, and bullpen production in addition to Ray.

Maybe all those areas are not going to improve but most of them must if the Braves are going to make progress here in the weeks ahead.

By ernesto

June 11, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

There you go, Jordan playing first screws up and we’re in a huge hole before the 2nd inning. Nice.

By Woogidy

June 11, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

I’m gonna watch NASCAR today.

By David O'Brien

June 11, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

I’ll just close my comments for a while by suggesting that if LaRoche were playing today, Braves get out of that first inning without a run scoring. Because he would’ve caught that very catchable throw from Pratt on the pickoff, and the Wilson’s chopper to first base would’ve been the third out, instead of a fielder’s choice that drove in a run, followed by a single, followed by that three-run homer.

Oh, well.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

That’s the Horacio I remember.

By Joe Roman

June 11, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON’T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS LIKE IN THE DARK DAYS OF THE SEVENTIES, BRYAN JORDAN’S ‘YOU DON’T EVEN SEE THAT IN A CHURCH LEAGUE’ FAILURE TO CATCH McCANN’S THROW TO FIRST, THAT’S HOW IT WAS IN THE BAD OLD DAYS. It’s time for Jordan to find another career.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

Despite Jordan’s miscue (I type this right after he drives in Francoeur with an RBI grounder to short, so I guess he’s trying to make up for it), pitchers are accountable for what the runs they give up. Horacio had a guy who was hitting .193 coming into the game up at the plate and gave up a two-out, three-run bomb to him. That kind of stuff has been happening all year.

By ernesto

June 11, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this

Jordan’s got like 6 other careers…I wish he were at one of them today.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

Minus the “what” in the first sentence…

And the hitter, of course, was Jason Lane.

Back-to-back walks to McCann and Horacio. Okay, Giles. Betemit had two doubles yesterday and three hits total. What have you done for us lately?

By ernesto

June 11, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

chop chop, if BJ doesn’t butcher that ball Berkman comes up with a guy on first and 2 outs, not guys on first and 2nd w/1 out and HoRam wouldn’t have pitched with quite as much pressure. I think that boot changed the complexion of hte whole inning. By the way, Marcus is making Bobby look like a freakin’ genius so far, ay?

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

Giles, what have you done for us lately?

A grounder to third base for an easy out to end the threat.

(By the way, I think Giles is a really good player. He’s been a good one for a few years, but he’s all screwed up this year. It must be the leadoff spot, because he’s struggled whenever he’s hit there. Find a leadoff guy and maybe he’ll start hitting. That’s my guess.)

By Bob, journalist

June 11, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

How sad …

By ernesto

June 11, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

I can’t watch anymore. My prediction, you will see Reitsma today.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

Yikes!

Horacio just got smoked.

By Woogidy

June 11, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this

I wish that liner would have hit Giles.

By Patrick

June 11, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this

DOB, Why don’t you or Guy get on Bobby’s case and ask him some tough questions? Ask him why he keeps insisting on batting Giles leadoff and refusing to let Betemit take grounders at first or play the OF when he showed he can bat in the leadoff spot??

Somebody needs to shake things up and if Bobby won’t then the Atlanta media should!

By the way, seeing Horacio get hit was horrible, I hope he’s ok

By steve_97060

June 11, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

It’s getting to the point where I can’t even watch the games anymore, something I thought I would never say after staying loyal during the late 70’s and 80’s ugliness..

By Joe Roman

June 11, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this

I’ve been saying it all year. Batting leadoff has completely messed with Giles’s mind. Pete VanWeiren had it exactly right. “You don’t swing at the first pitch from a pitcher you’ve never seen.” That’s the essence of the problem. Am I the only one who felt like he was seeing the Promised Land with Betemit leading off and playing second? I believe we are very close to the end of the experiments launched on opening day. Thank God it’s a long season.

By Bob, journalist

June 11, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

Patrick … great minds or idiots think alike! I’m discarding my post in favor of yours … later.

By steve_97060

June 11, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

The Braves gave up an all star caliber catcher for 2 pitching stiffs…now that was a good move…

By A. Nobody

June 11, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

Tiftdawg, I’m with you 100% on your 1st paragraph above. Comments like that are inexcusable in any forum.

By Kman

June 11, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this

BJ definitely should have handled that throw from McCann. Seems like every time we give the other team an extra out, we get crushed. yes good teams should take advantage of extra outs, but every team is doing it against us. Also, Oscar Villareal has not been the same pitcher since he got his rat tail hair cut. The broadcast team said he came in to the clubhouse wearing a Mexican soccer jersey since Mexico was playing today. Definitely seems like he had futbol on his mind than baseball…Goooal. Not

By Shawn B

June 11, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

Just GREAT Oscar “I’ve stolen 7 wins from starters” Villereal, the offense tries to start chipping away, and you give both runs right back!!!!

And as much as I’ve been a Brian Jordan fan his whole baseball and football careers, it’s time for him to go. He is NOT a major league player any longer.

and let’s explore the Betemit situation. He gets the start yesterday, is a sparkplug at the top of the order and plays good defense. Today, his name isn’t even in the lineup, the team starts off flat, not to mention Giles doing nothing early in the game at least. Coincidence, or a feeling of ho-hum right back to the way things have been the last three weeks?

By Greg

June 11, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this

Giles needs to sit. Our worst hitter is leading off. Sit him or move somebody else to leadoff. Giles is a joke. PLAY Betemit!

Bobby’s absurd belief that a right-handed guy who can’t hit is better against a left-handed than a hot left-handed hitter has cost us a lot of ball games, especially in the playoff.

DOB, please answer this question. How come managers like Cox rarely platoon right-handed players against right-handed pitchers, but they pull all their lefties if the other team is throwing a south paw? It doesn’t make any sense.

By El Sid

June 11, 2006 03:51 PM | Link to this

Wilson Betemit gets three hits yesterday hitting leadoff, and is rewarded by his senile manager with a benching the next.

McCann is hitting 8th today?

Brian Jordan?

Bobby Cox must be hitting the bottle again !

You Braves’ Kool Aid drinkers can keep on drinking to your hearts content. I’m sure Reitsma will be warming up before this game is over today. You know, he needs the work because they’re off Monday!

Bobby Cox, DUH !

By brian

June 11, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

For clarification, I believe most of the trading Andruw discussion yesterday was untouchable vs. don’t want to trade him but if offered a king’s ransom then would be foolish to ignore the offer. Trading Jones would add much to pitchers ERA and take away the one true fearful hitter in our lineup. Everyone else, the pitchers get excited because they can bounce the ball up there and get a strikeout

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this

Greg, Our worst hitter is playing first. Our team is bogged down by a bunch of really great guys that are not performing. Jordan, great guy; can’t hit. Reitsma, great guy; can’t pitch. And so on… We need to purge a few of these “vetern presence” guys and replace them a few “productive” guys. Does Thorman hit righties? We’ll probably never know… Bobby will be platooning if he ever makes it to the majors.

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

As I typed that I watched Jordan do the one thing LaRoche can’t do… hustle down the line and beat out a throw to prevent a double play. But even still, I’d rather have a guy produce in a more multi-dimensional manner.

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

Here’s the white flag… Reitsma. Game Over.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this

Gee. Reitsma must be tipping them off. Two straight base hits.

Sarcasm, of course.

Reitsma isn’t fooling anyone because he’s not pitching well.

Period.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this

Reitsma comes in and the bases are automatically loaded with no one out.

Lord, have mercy.

And no, I’m not born again. I was born once.

By Woogidy

June 11, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

Reitsma’s our White Flag!

By steve_97060

June 11, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

Gee, haven’t seen this before…

By A Nobody

June 11, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox’s decisions are destroying any hopes this team ever had.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

Five straight hits. Five runs allowed.

What more is there to say about Reitsma?

By mikemangan

June 11, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Pitching staff in total shambles except for smoltz and hudson.Pitching hasnt been this bad since bob gibson was pitcing coach for joe torre.Remember when we picked up catcher Gregg Olson for a few bats and box of baseballs.Maybe just maybe there is a strong arm that can be found.Could it be the Julio factor Franco signs with the mets and we get Roger Mc Dowell aaarghh.Say goodbye to Oscar ,Rem,Reitsma just to start the bullpen cleansing Brian Jordan wake up if your gonna play first.Really we cant afford to give up a four spot.Say goodbye to Roger Mc dowell may he can part by giving the whole bullpen a hotfoot he hasnt given any good advice to the pen.Anyone think we can win 90 games and make the playoffs.By the way Reitsma is getting torched again 6-11-06 How do we stop the bleeding?

By Ron Roberts

June 11, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

Guys, seriously, Cox is just throwing arms out there, I think. I don’t think he realistically believes his team has the moxy to have mounted a comeback from a 9-3, then 9-4 deficit.

THe thinking had to be that Reitsma had made some progress in recent weeks, so let him go out there and work on some things. What’s the harm? It’s a game already blown by Jordan’s blunder, the pop to HoRam, the inability by Villareal to keep things at bay… so throw some guys out there that need the work. At least that’s what I’m guessing.

But in all honesty, I feel horribly for Reitsma at this point. You can see how painful this is to him, psychologically. I’m certain Cox put him out there thinking the outing would do him some good, but it assuredly hasn’t. Now you have to wonder (or worry, frankly) about Reitsma the human being.

Wouldn’t surprise me if, after today, he just hung ‘em up or asked to be released.

And now he’s plunked Tavares. He’s not just a danger to himself, psychologically, but now a danger to other players, physically.

By Beachcomber

June 11, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this

On this he anniversary of our great come back that turned our season around in Baltimore, we need a similiar event. On our Monday day off, JS MUST dfa Reitsma, Jordan and Pratt. They are killing us daily. There have to be three players in our organization to fill those roster spots and if the baseball gods are with us perform like the call-ups of ‘05. Even if they don’t, the cancer of those three will be removed!

By Kman

June 11, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this

Its nice to see Bobby just let Reitsma work things out on the mound. Give up a couple of hits and a blast; hit someone else. I’m just listening (kinda) on the radio, but did he walk anyone? How can he continue to be given chances on this team with the obnoxious ERA and hitting average against him? I truly feel for the guy though. DOB, maybe JJ Cale is in town too, or is he dead?

By JeffR

June 11, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

I can honestly say now that I would have enjoyed watching the Hawks lose last season than watching this soap opera we have playing for the Braves now.

Watching Reitsma pitch is absolute torture-not because of how bad he is pitching but because of how he has reached the point where he does not even care anymore. He has no confidence and HAS TO BE RELEASED FOR BOTH HIS SAKE AND THE BRAVES.

Cox-if you are truly a great manager-you have to know when you can no longer make excuses for your players. We need to bench Giles (in favor of Betemit), dump LaRoche and Jordan (there has to be something better out there to play 1st), and find some youth in the minors to revive this team’s spirit like it did last year.

By Ron Roberts

June 11, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

While I’m at it…

Woogidy… “wishing” another player had been beaned with a line drive is inexcusable.

Tiffdawg… how is it born-again evangelical christians are the most ridiculed and discriminated against??? I don’t think the gay rights movement was out there trying to deny marital rights of christians, were they? Seriously, I’m a christian, myself, but I respect the beliefs of those who follow other religions, and I also respect the equal rights of every human being, and of course, U.S. citizens. To say, though, that born-again evangelical christians are the most ridiculed and discriminated against is laughable, at best. Abortion rights advocates don’t picket, spit and snear at christians as they walk into their church; gays and lesbians don’t attend funerals of dead American soldiers and blame it on God’s wrath at evangelicals (heard of Rev. Fred Phelps?)

You said, to Carroll….

but we are not marching in the streets or killing innocent people who don’t share our views. Sounds like you have a bone to pick that’s personal- maybe subconscious guilt over some lifestyle choices? I may be wrong, you may just be speaking from ignorance due to limited personal exposure. I’ll pray for you, not try to kill you for differing with me.

I beg to differ. I remember a bomb in Centennial Olympic Park going off, thanks to a whack job who’d earlier that year, blown up an abortion clinic in Alabama, too. There was bloodshed and lost life, too.

Then, with a hint of judgementalism that so many have to come to expect from the “holier-than-thou” crowd that gives evangelical christians a bad reputation, you try to insinuate that Carroll’s made some sort of “lifeystyle choice? ? that he subconsciously feels guilty about? What the heck, “Dawg?”

I’m sorry, but when an “evangelical christian” is in the White House sending our troops off to fight wars that mean nothing to national security, and when “evangelical christians” are demonstrating at the troops’ funerals (who die from that meaningless war) to try and say God is made because America has homosexuals in their midst, and when an “evangelical christian” jumps on a blog to make inisinuations that…

a. they’re the most ridiculed and discriminated sect in society and

b. that anybody who makes an off-handed remark about (Carroll said) radical evangelicals must be masking a “lifestyle choice”,

…then you’ll continue to see the disapproval of those who aren’t evangelical born-again christians.

By P'Cola Michael

June 11, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

can anyone give me an update on HoRam? I got a call on the way to the airport about the incident…did he get hit in the head or what??

By Ron Roberts

June 11, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

Beachcomber… the date was June 27th, 2005, not today’s date. But it would be nice to have that watershed moment come up again, sometime soon. Maybe getting our @$$e$ handed to us today brings this team and coaching staff to having a good verbal jousting on that plane ride to Miami.

JeffR. … have you missed DOB’s notes on LaRoche? Jordan, sure, maybe he’s expendable in favor of Betemit, but you’ve apparently missed LaRoche’s last 36 games, (bonehead error notwithstanding) eh?

By steve_97060

June 11, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts…you go boy….well said..

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

Beachcomber, Jordan and Reitsma have to go, but Pratt isn’t going anywhere because his job is to help groom McCann. Besides, the Braves are not slumping because of their backup catcher. I think some people felt that way because this present slump coincided with McCann’s injury, but this team hasn’t truly been consistently good at all this year.

JeffR, Reitsma cares. He just can’t do anything right. He has no confidence and he can’t get people out. He has nothing positive to offer the Braves on the field and should be cut, but not because he “does not even care anymore.” I guarantee you that he cares more than you, me, or anyone else that is a Braves fan. It’s his job, after all. He’s just failing as miserably as he possibly can at it.

By Bob, journalist

June 11, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

This blog is not the place to hold any religious belief in contempt … to so do is distasteful and bespeaks immaturity.

There are good and evil ones to be found within all … Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism or any other … for that is the nature of man.

It may be acceptable to admit that you understand neither the beliefs of some nor the actions of Bobby Cox …. but lack of understanding is not justification for belligerence.

By TennesseePaul

June 11, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

Rogers work on the pen has been fair. He certainly hasn’t helped Reitsma, but I don’t blame him. Leo could straighten the guy out. Villarreal is awful as well. So you take those two clowns out of the pen and you got your self a good little pen. The ERA without those two comes down to 3.56. That’s not too bad.

But I think we’re stuck with all of this crap. Who’s going to take it? It’s almost as if, if JS tries to include one of these guys, the trade price goes up. “We’ll give you the D-Train for Salty straight up… Oh. You won’t us to take Reitsma? Well, we’ll give you a couple of Rookie ball players and a bench warmer for Salty and Reitsma.” Some of these guys will have to be released. Reitsma will have to be released. Villarreal I think still has options, so he can be sent down. Startup could come up. He couldn’t be any worse. Though maybe they know this but don’t want to risk pulling a Devine situation with him. Maybe he’s good, but not ready, kind of thing.

I’m not sure, but this is really disappointing. We’re falling so far behind now that there won’t be anyone below us to trade with.

By Eric C.

June 11, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

A few thoughts…

This season might still be salvageable if not for the shoddy defense.

It’s sad…but Reitsma is no longer a safe option at any point of the game.

Is anyone else not looking forward to Sept 4th? The mock chant will be deafening.

Football season can’t get here soon enough.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

Stockman would probably be the callup if Reitsma were to be released. After Stockman fails (I could try to be positive, but I won’t be), Startup would probably get a shot. I don’t think he’d be “Devine revisited”, mainly because a lot of fans expected Devine to be great since he was drafted and brought to the bigs in the same season. The Braves are also scuffling right now, which means that Braves fans wouldn’t be expecting much from Startup. Lower expectations sometimes yield better results.

As you say, TennPaul, he couldn’t be any worse.

By ete

June 11, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, thanks for your post. Carroll opened the door a crack, and the ultra sensitives rushed in. Even though I agree with Bob that people’s religious beliefs should be respected, it’s hard to do when the zealots are trying so hard to make their dogma the law of the land. Good job.

How much does Reitsma make if his era is 1.09? 2.4 million dollars. How much does Reitsma make if his era is 17.93? 2.4 million dollars. It’s awfully hard to release him and flush that much down the drain. Honestly, I can’t even conceive of that much money. Before I retired, I was an associate professor of mathematics at a university in Georgia, and I was a damn good teacher. The highest salary I ever made was $36,000. Would I take $2.4 million if it were offered? Of course. I just can’t imagine what it must be like to receive a $200,000 paycheck every month, especially if I were a disaster at what I was being paid to do.

By brian

June 11, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this

Reitsma 0.2 IP, 7H, 5 ER

Reitsma has to go - waived or DL, and Stockman and Startup called up to the majors. Villareal to the minors (he has options). James called up now either to take HoRam’s spot if he goes on the DL but hopefully to take Thomson’s or Sosa’s spot with them going to the bullpen and sharing 5th starter duties. Paronto and McBride were OK today

Betemit has to play leadoff whether he is 2nd, 1B, or LF. Thormon needs the call and Jordan needs his trip to the DL or golf course. So what if we don’t have a right handed 1B, I would just like another option at 1B/LF, and I agree with DOB posts.

JS we need you now.

By Jimbo

June 11, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this

Hey Bobby. When Reeksma’s ERA hit 10…Sell!

By supa

June 11, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this

This looks and smells much like a Rebuilding Year. Let’s give some of the youngsters a chance to gain experience and dump some of the high salaries for prospects.

By Jman

June 11, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this

I hate it for Reitsma. But it’s time to cut ties with him. DOB, how close are the Braves to just selling off some of the excess fat and calling this season a lost cause?

By Nashville Nelly

June 11, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

All this complaining is really starting to sound like sour grapes. Some of you complain that the Braves front office is sitting on its hands and not going out and spending money to fix the problems of this team, yet some of you bad mouth the Mets for doing just that. Spending money to bring in people to help them win. When the Braves were winning Bobby Cox was a genius, now he’s losing and he’s old and to loyal to certain players. Andruw Jones hits a ton of homers last year and he’s the greatest thing since slice bread, now the Braves aren’t winning and some call for him to be traded. What’s with you guys, this is the Braves. They can turn it around, right? Brian Jordan’s problems are caused by Brian Jordan. Remember a couple years ago when he was a free agent, he used the Mets to drive up his price with no intention to join them, but he knew the Braves didn’t want to see him in a Met uniform so they paid him and now look, he’s a bum. Chickens come home to roost. The Braves gave up on Glavine, sure it looked pretty smart at first but look at it now, he’s lights out for the dreaded Mets. You can only kick a dog so long before they turn on you and bite your a* (dog=Mets). My only regret is that we didn’t win more World Championships. Hell, 14 div titles and only one championship, that’s horrible. Who knows when we might get back there again. And you know it would be just our luck that those freakin Mets go and win it all this year, how sad would we look if that happened? At any rate, keep your heads up, there’s still half the season to go.

By Ron Roberts

June 11, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

When your core (youthful) assets are Andruw, Francoeur, McCann, Hudson, and you have veterans who won’t get traded like Smoltz, Renteria and Chipper, you can’t just hang ‘em up and give in.

There’s 98 games left in this season, and past Braves (and Astros, too) teams have shown before that no deficit is insurmountable at this point. As bad as it’s been, we’re only 4 games under .500, and didn’t have that “watershed moment” game until June 27th of last year. The difference this year is the Mets are far better than they’ve been before.

In 1993, the Braves had to overcome an “overachieving” S.F. Giants team that had a big lead. I don’t forsee that situation this year because the Mets are “meeting” expectations and not exceeding them. The Giants weren’t as good as they’d played early on, and their play down the stretch validated that.

That being said, look at the National League. The teams that will be vying for a wild card (hey, World Series have been won by wild cards) will be the Phillies, Reds, Astros, Dodgers, Giants, Padres, and maybe the Brewers.

Pound-for-pound, the Braves should be better than them. We have three good starters (assuming HoRam rebounds from that plunk today, and I think he’d done all he needed to to pitch out of the first before Jordan’s blunder), we have a lineup that was producing just fine before McCann went down, and should again, soon. That doggone bullpen was, is, and will be the achilles heel until Schuerholz shores it up. Period.

We’re 6 1/2 back of the Reds for the wild card spot. Time to fix the psychology of this team and focus on that goal. If we supercede that and the Mets collapse (which I don’t forsee), then great, but the bottom line is, there are four playoff spots, and one is still definitely in reach.

By Ron Roberts

June 11, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

Aim for 45-43 by the All-Star break. This team has to realistically go 15-9 before the All-Star break, I think, to have a chance. Just going over the schedule, they have to sweep the Marlins, take 2 out of 3 against the Jays, sweep the D-Rays in Tampa (no easy task, but we have to), host and take 2 out of 3 from the Orioles, and split the 4-gamer with the Reds while not getting swept by the Cards, Yanks, Red Sox. We do that, and we’ll wrap with 45-43 record.

That’s good enough to be in position for a wild card race.

By tbo

June 11, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this

Did Reeksma catch BC with a goat? How is the world can that old fool put Reeksma in any more ball games? The Braves have won in spite of Cox’s stupid handling of the bullpen and his favorites over the last 14 years. Now he is senile and losing it. In my opinion he needs to be FIRED!

By Bob, journalist

June 11, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

Innuendoes regarding “lifestyle” are generally just as unacceptable as irreverent religious references.

Unfortunately, those with private agendas have added “lifestyle” to the growing list of “politically correct” terms … so as to encourage further acceptance of sexually deviant behavior and filth. We tend to forget that that people may choose to live in crowded Manhattan or in houseboats on Lake Lanier … those are innocent lifestyle choices that should not be tarnished through guilt by association.

Attempts to publically ridicule or humiliate someone by associating them with such behavior, regardless of context, without proper foundation, is boorish in any forum.

By Jimbo

June 11, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this

I can’t get angry with this team any more. It’s very sad.

By Woogidy

June 11, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this

Bob’s gay.

By TiftDawg

June 11, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

To Ron Roberts & ete:

I seem to have hit a hot button with you two, but I stand 100% by my statements. If you want to define a group by the nuts who claim to be Christians but violate every teaching of Christ (like Fred Phelps), you can condemn anyone. I have gay friends who don’t march naked in the streets of San Fran performing lewd acts and don’t condone their behavior. Those nuts are comparable to the Fred Phelps of the Christian community.

Valueless systems are in themselves a value system. Most Christians consider homosexual activity to be sinful, but I don’t want gays denied basic rights as a result no more than I want heterosexual adulterers denied basic rights. But marriage is about societal acceptance and economic benefits, and it is a foundation of american culture. Gays want marriage so that they can be told by society that they are “normal”, but unfortunately, the majority of americans don’t think so.

You need to understand that if Christians don’t promote their worldview in the public forum, we are surrendering to those of you who want your views to dominate public policy. Sorry, but I do not consider your positions to be neutral, but in opposition to my views. I will be vocal politically and continue to expect those of your mindset to oppose me.

If you don’t think Christians are ridiculed in this society, take all of the jokes and insults aimed at Christians, from your post to the likes of Bill Maher (sp?) and see the public reaction if they are directed at any other group.

As to lifestyle (lifestyles are not limited to sexual choices, don’t be so sensitive) choices, many people in this culture want complete relativism, and despise anyone who accepts any absolute values. I believe that many people who react so strongly to Christians want to live without absolutes (their “lifestyle” choice), but when their own consciences won’t allow them to live peacefully under such a system, they blame the outside voices instead of the inside voices.

As to the war that has nothing to do with national security, that is admittedly a point of contention, but many of us believe that we ARE more secure by drawing that battle to the other side of the world. You are, of course, free to disagree, but I hope you are not making spiritual decisions about your soul based on political differences.

If you want to debate this, meet me on the political blog, not hear on the Braves blog.

By Penn

June 11, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

Quoting: By David O’Brien

“Penn, only one you lost me on was LaRoche. I mean, by your logic, who should be playing first base? Where should LaRoche be, on the bench?

(and I don’t mean in our world, where we’d have Betemit at first, etc. I mean in the real world, given that the Braves haven’t even had Betemit take grounders at first base).”

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Good question Dave. I’d like to point out I have not called for Betemit to play first without some training. I think a season of winter ball at least will be necessary before he was thrown into that cooker. As someone who played a bit of first base (a long time ago) it is not all that simple. Jordan proved that again this afternoon.

Back to your question; if I was calling the shots I’d call up Scott Thorman and designate Jordan for assignment, with the intention of releasing him. And I’d play Thorman at first to see if he could handle the position and if he could hit major league pitching. And I’d put LaRoche on the bench to be brought in on defense if needed. If Thorman didn’t cut it defensively at first I’d move him into left and put LaRoche back on first.

I agree with you that LaRoche is hitting better than his credits show but his perceived laziness has soured the fans on him. I’d insist he at least give the impression of caring and doing his best. It’s part of the show and he’s part of the cast. LaRoche does carry an above average glove. He makes a lot of terrific plays; he simply blows too many that he should make.

While I’m at it I would designate Pratt for assignment and bring Pena back up. I’d start him one out of each five games and use him as a pinch hitter. He would produce more than Pratt and that should take precedent at this point in the season. And I’d rest McCann in games already decided.

Frankly I can’t figure out a full time job for Betemit but I just night play him at second against all right handers with Marcus against lefties provided Marcus could demonstrate that he could regain some semblance of a level swing. That loopy uppercut is never going to work.

I would release Tyler Yates, ship Villerreal to Richmond and bring up a couple of pitchers from the farm, one of them being Will Startup who has been lights out so far.

I’d stick with Ray at closer until he proved to me he could not handle the job. I don’t believe he will fail.

And when the two youngsters, James and Boyer, are ready to rejoin the staff I’d find a place for them somehow even if I had to cut Remlinger.

And I’d switch Orr for Prado.

One more thing, I’d give Sosa a shot at the bullpen and if he didn’t cut it there I’d send him down and hope to find someone who would take him as “a player to be named later” in a trade.

Well, you asked an old writer and look at what you got.

Incidentally, I’m very concerned (for real) the Braves are done for this year. If the kids in Florida keep improving Atlanta is going to have a difficult time staying out of last place. That is a real possibility.

They have too many soft spots to be solved with two or three moves. It’s going to take 6 or 8 bold moves and they must be made soon.

By Steve

June 11, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

I wish I were GM…..

1rst move - Release Chris Reitsma, I don’t care if he is the Pope, he is awful, he is a disease that is spreading across the clubhouse.

2nd move - If you’re not going to get a LF(Carl Crawford from Tampa Bay, who is only 2 million a year, I have been saying get him for a long time he bats .300 and steals 60 bases, they better get him now before he keeps on progressing)then bring up Scott Thormas, Langerhans strikes out all the time and has NO power.

3rd move - John Schuerholz says, “Money is not an issue right now we have flexibility to make moves.” THEN GET DONTRELLE WILLIS, who is only 4 million a year and lock him up long term NOW, PLEASE!!!

4th move - Put Betemit at 2nd and trade Giles and Langerhans and Giles and someone else for Scott Linebrink from the Padres.

All of these moves would turn everything around BIG TIME, RIGHT NOW and you would only be adding a MAXIMUM 5 million a year in payroll, it fits the budget beautifully and brings in BIG TIME players that will help NOW!!!

I wish I was JS……

By Bob, journalist

June 11, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

Woogidy, as MacBeth said so well … there would have been time for such a word.

Long ago, before it got added to the Politically Acceptable list, I remember “Gay Lawerence” aka “The Falcon” detective movie series of the 1940’s … starring George Sanders and his brother Tom Conway.

It’s a shame how apathy, in the guise of tolerance, has led to such abuse and corruption of our language.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

TiftDawg, it is rank cowardice for our country to go into Iraq and use it as a battleground for our war on terrorism. We’ve even let the Taliban get control of many areas of Afghanistan because of our little foray into Mesopotamia. Al-Qaeda and groups of that ilk were not based in Iraq. Saddam was a cruel dictator, but he wasn’t planning the establishment and spread of a worldwide Islamic caliphate. If you were an Iraqi, you’d be glad Saddam is gone, but you’d hate (or dislike) the U.S. for the innocent members of your family (or your friends’ families) that have been killed because the U.S. allowed chaos to reign. You may not care how Iraqis feel about it, but imagine another country coming in here and trying to govern our affairs by force-feeding us their way of life. History has proven that failure is in the cards for us in trying to “pacify” the Middle East. We need to accept that, try to stop the bleeding (literally), and get out of Iraq. We can still fight terrorism, but we can’t do it successfully in Iraq.

Oh, and I think McCann hitting eighth was a masterstroke of genius by Cox.

By tyyosh

June 11, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

Look, This is painful to admit, but you have to watch the Mets (ugh) and conclude that they might just be really good top to bottom and very likely to win an uncatchable number of games. Unlike before, they also might have good leadership with Minaya and Randolph. Note how they have aggressively moved to fix the issues they have had. Looks like they MAY have solidified 3-5 of the starting staff as a result. This reminds me so much of years past, when the Braves would put on a burst and leave the Mets and others in the dust flailing away. Oh how fun it was, but boy is it no fun from the other end.

By Woogidy

June 11, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

Bob’s queer.

By geauxbraves2000

June 11, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this

I gave up today after the 4 run 1st and took a nap, but my wife heard on TBS that Remlinger and Renteria were looking at some tapes of Reitsma and discovered Reistma may be tipping his pitches? Did anyone else hear? That would make a lot of sense, and maybe Reitsma really hasn’t lost if after all.

By tbo

June 11, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

Are you kidding. Reeksma never had it.

By Jimbo

June 11, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

Penn…Your suggested moves make a lot of sense. Everyone keeps waiting for the trade deadline to make moves when JS needs to do something/anything now. Even if its a small move to shake things up. If we wait to the All-Star break we could be so far out of it that it won’t matter. No team in their right mind would trade for Reeksma now, so release him. He has “signed to a minor league contract and invited to someone’s camp next Spring” written all over him.

By Tiftdawg

June 11, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop-

I respect your right to an opinion but believe it to be misguided and wrong. People have fought and are fighting for our right to voice our opinions, whichever of us is wrong.

By Carroll

June 11, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this

Tiff: wow! I made one little joking remark and you got all bent outta shape. Then you follow by writing your own ignorant dissertation on religion and politics. That’s kinda hypocritical….but I suppose that for a good, born-again evangelical like yourself, that’s not exactly unfamiliar territory.

Ron: very good points. I’m glad we agree for once ;) It is so hillarious to me how these zealots(not all christians but the baptists in particular) go around talking about how they’re being presecuted, when 75-80% of the country identifies themselves as christian, and they have their grimey hands all over just about every aspect of the government and public life. LOL!

I guess their idea of being persecuted is that they are not allowed to persecute others, in some rare circumstances. As Tiff indicated, they will not be satisfied until this country is a christian theocracy (much like the muslim countries in the middle east). They give lip service to their “tolerance” of gays and other religions, etc, but don’t believe for one second that if they had it their way, every last one of them would be in prison or burned at the stake.

It’s just sad what people have done to utterly misconstrue God’s message….they can’t see the forest for the trees, if you will. Shame on all of them for screwing up a perfectly good religion. I pray that God has mercy on these false prophets, come judgment day.

And you’re right, Tiff, about protecting the holy, sacred institution of marriage…what with the 60% divorce rate, rampant infidelity, wife beating, married men and women so distraught and unfullfilled with their “holiest of institutions” that they go out and solicit kids for sex, and all that fun stuff. Yep…It would be a disaster if gays screwed up such a good thing.

By Robert

June 11, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this

“Betemit needs to play more”

Well Bobby, I dont KNOW if Betemit needs to play more, but darn it, I know who hasnt been doing his job very well so far if Betemit isnt playing enough!

Now, in the interest of journalistic accuracy, we must report that the AJC’s listing of this dinger of a Bobby Cox quote isnt quite accurate. The line is actually the rough transLAtion of Cox’s comment

The original unedited and uninterpreted Cox quote was

“HEE-Haw”

By Penn

June 11, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

I must have made a terrible error. All this time I thought this was a baseball blog.

Say it ain’t so Dave O’B. :)

By Head Coach

June 11, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

Dear John Schuerholz , when does the fire sale begin ? Whats the point in wasting my time as a fan on an underachieving , talented , inconsistent , selfish , overpaid bunch of players and coaches who have totally self destructed ? Do we have to break out with the old powder blue pajama uniforms of the 80’s so this team can both look and play like losers ? I’m disgusted , not because they are a bad team. but because they are a really good , talented bunch of players who are pi$$ing away game after game. Only God knows what in the hell Bobby Cox is trying to prove with Giles and Reitsma. Trades cant help this team , only a roster purge will. So………..when does the fire sale start ?

By JJ

June 11, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this

CUT REEKSMA NOW!!

And make Chuck “Cy” James a starter. And bring up Phil Stockman and Will Startup.

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this

Tiftdawg,

I served in the Army, so I’m quite aware of what is expected of our military. It is because I served that I feel as strongly as I do in my opposition to what is going on in Iraq. Anyway, while our military ostensibly fights for America’s citizens to protect our freedoms, its main job should be to defend our country’s citizens, not our political policies. As far as I can tell, our political policy towards Iraq in 2002 and early 2003 was “let’s get Saddam”, but there wasn’t actionable intelligence or evidence that terrorists were using Iraq as a major operating ground for attacks against the United States. Plenty of experts, both military and civilian, predicted that Iraq would devolve into sectarian violence that could lead to civil war. Unfortunately, there are grave consequences for taking such a risk. Our civilian leadership did not heed those warnings and decided to “get Saddam.” We’ve sown the ground and are presently reaping the whirlwind.

Meanwhile, since the Iraqi people were not planning to attack the United States and their government, while hostile, did not possess the ability to do so, our military is being used as sitting ducks in Iraq for those who wish to do harm to Americans. In other words, Bush is saying, “Here. If you want to kill Americans, kill our soldiers here in Iraq.” I don’t call THAT “supporting the troops.” I call it a disgrace…and many other Americans are starting to see the terrible error in judgment our government has made.

By Robert

June 11, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this

In the depths of Minute Maid field I slowly approached the pair. I could see that Terry Pendleton finsih brushing Bobby’s mane and tail as the workmen were hitching the trailer up to the team bus.

As I approached, Terry started feeding Bobby a carrot with one hand while patting his neck and rubbing his long ears with the other even as whispered a continuous stream of soothing talk into Cox’s ear

I opened my mouth but Pendleton stopped me by raising his hand

“Wait” - Pendleton said “First of all I just now got him calmed down and we’re on a tight schedule to get to Florida, so I dont wanna risk setting him off again”

“See, the old boy CARES, you gotta give him that. Did you see him on Frenchy’s throwing error and again in that five run Astros’ sixth, bucking and kicking and hee-hawing like a wild burro.”

“It isnt fair really. I mean, he just doesnt have the mental capacity to run a baseball team. So I know what you’re thinking, and what you’re gonna ask”

“Well, I asked the same question when I first got here in 1991. A farm animal as manager? WHAT the? But you know what - looking back, those were good times. It was a publicity stunt sure, but it was a good one. Hadnt been done since the ‘65 Mets in fact.”

“And then lo and behold we started winning. Of course Bobby didnt have nuthin top do with that. He’d mostly just sit there shuffling his hooves and swatting flies with his tail. And everybody learned the hard way - check your shoes if you’ve been wandering around the dugout and stay out the way of those back legs when someone makes a boneheaded play”

“Now those mid 90’s teams. Truth be told, they were pretty much good enough to win it all even WITH a donkey as manager. But by then the die had been cast. As I recall, it was an unsigned memo from the front office that circulated thru the clubhouse before the opening of the ‘92 World Series. Henceforth, the donkey was just gonna be a mascot manager, nope, boys and girls, now the donkey was gonna be allowed to makes DECISIONS. Nobdy ever fessed up to writing that memo I’ll have you know”

“Right then it was over, but I cant blame the old boy. Nobody can. He’s so darn good natured and friendly, and he WANTS us to win. His players have loved him. I mean, here’s story. What’s it been. TWELVE years now, and most of a career with our supposed rivals the Yankees, who certainly showed him what tyrue champions are like, and Mike Stanton STILL send Bobby a big crate full of carrots and apples every holiday season”

“Guys, the experiment is over. It’s been tried before, and it may be tried again. A few have won a title or two. Heck Bobby here has fourteen in a row. Yeah, that’s the proof right there that ANYBODY could’ve done it, but that’s not the point here. A donkey cant be expected to be able to manage a big league baseball team. And if we really love him as much as we say we do, we should be fair to him and retire him from this unreasonable burden”

A metallic clank signalled that the trailer hitchup was completed and as the tailgate swung open Terry said

“And that’s all I have to say about that” as he began to lead Bobby down the end of the tunnel and up the ramp.

“Come on boy” I could hear him say with one more tender rub of those oh so familiar long donkley ears “Look at that nice fresh straw in there. That’ll be NICE and comfy to sleep on now wont it. Know we’re goin old boy? MIAMI

By Robert

June 11, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this

Suddenly breaking the quiet, a sudden raucous cacophony of hee-hawing from inside the trailer, and I could hear

“shh shh. It’s okay, I’m sorry. I know it’as my fault. Bobby Valentine could’nt have won fourteen diviion in a row. No sirree Bobby”

More hee-haing, a little quieter but still sounding insistent.

“Yes yes. I’ll go back and tell that nice reporter. I’m sure he knows but I’ll go back and tell him. Now Bobby, why;d you have to do THAT. Now I have to smell that all the way to Miami. Dang you Bobby”:

By Robert

June 11, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

STILL more hee-haing and some emphatic snorts

“Yes YES. Mike Hargrove and Casey Stengal neither. Now come on stop that. We have a long trip and to tell you the truth, I really aint in the mood. Look, you’re the best donkey manager ever, ok, does that make you feel better”

As the engines roarded to life and the bus and the bus and trailer started to pull out I heard

“HEY” and looked back to see Pendleton peeking out the back of the trailer looking my way. “Dont quote me on that last one now, you hear?”

By Hal

June 11, 2006 07:54 PM | Link to this

Penn…its only a baseball blog when the braves are going good ,a little adversity brings on talk of religion,crows ,toes assorted trades ,political mumbo jumbo and almost anything that ignores the incredible falling star that is Braves baseball

By Beachcomber

June 11, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

Ron - Different year, different game. Point remains - we have three players that HAVE to go.

By tbo

June 11, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

Robert, very good.

By Sonny

June 11, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this

All you need to know…”Chris Reitsma lasted just 2-3 innings after allowing seven hits and five runs in the sixth inning.” If he’s employed with the Braves on Monday, I’m not watching this team for the rest of ‘06.

If they don’t invest in winning, why should I invest my time in them.

By tbo

June 11, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this

Ditto.

By Jimbo

June 11, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

Who are you guys kidding? You’ll invest time in them because that’s what true fans do. It’s like when you see a car wreck on the Interstare…you can’t look away no matter how hard you try. And lets face it guys this team is a wreck, not a fender bender either.

By Phat Bat Boy

June 11, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

This team does not fight back. We haven’t won from behind in seemingly forever. Did anyone hear that Reitsma is supposedly tipping his pitches? That batters are not swinging and missing? If this is true, then maybe he needs to have a hanging cuticle so he can go on the DL. I truly never thought this team would roll over and die. But that is exactly what appears to be happening. And if Detroit keeps winning and we keep losing, expect to hear many Smoltz to the Tigers rumors. Its just a matter of time.

By BigNastyNoseNugget

June 11, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this

Any other team would be firing the manager by this time!….and John Schuerholz has done absolutely nothing but sit on his thumbs and count his book proceeds!….Enough is enough….Go Tigers!

By Robert

June 11, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this

And what IS the deal between McDowell and Cox? Well, I got the inside scoop

The recent players only meeting had nothing to do with electing a player rep. That was a cover story. Seems a sizeable coalition of players had decided that at the end of the season, they will do the right thing, come hell or high water. Tenured player John Smoltz led the proceedings

But how to do it

“A big bag of moldy carrots”, said Jeff Francouer.

“No good.” said Smoltz “You havent been here that long so you might not know, but tin cans, eight day old tunafish sandwiches, Rafy Belliard’s underwear, Bobby ate it all. All moldy carrots is gonna do is punish the poor stable boy”

“Lethal injection” said a voice from the back

“Yeah okay. So you know the lethal dose of pentathal in a farm animal? Our luck, he’ll wind up brain dead and on long term life support”, said Smoltzie

At this point, Chris Reitsma, sitting in the front row, leaned over and whispered and whispered to Mike Remlinger “Hell, he’s been brain dead for sixty-five frickin years”

“I heard that” snapped Smoltz. Now come on, we can do better

“Awright wise guy” said Reitsma - “The old fashioned way, take him behind the barn.”

“That’s a start, but WHO”

“You” said Wilson Betemit. “You’re the senior player in terms of service time”

“Look I know it makes perfect sense. I know better than anybody. Wilson, do you know my playoff record? Without me, we get past the first round of the playoffs not even half as much as we did. But I just cant DO it”

Smoltz stepped back from the mike turned away and wiped a tear.

“Ok, a rookie” said Edgar Renteria.

“That hazing”, said Kenny Ray

“It’s for the good of the team it’s not hazing”

“It’s traumatic,and the liberals say it’s hazing. Besides, that puts you into the draw. You wanna do it?” said Kenny Ray

“I aint no rookie college boy”

“You’re a first year player on THIS team. If he aint in the draw, I’m not either. And good god. I didnt go to college. What island are you FROM anyway?”

“Boys, boys” said Smoltz - “Settle down. Now come on, we dont have much time or someone’s gonna start getting suspicious”

“Ok, said Adam LaRouche - “We do itlike the firing squads. Several guns, only one loaded with blanks, noone knows who actually gets the loaded gun. You, Chipper, and Andru”

“I am OUTTA here”, said Chipper, rising up from his seat in the back row. I didnt hear any of this. You know what, I wasnt even here, and I mean that”

“Uh-huh” said Andru Jones - “Me, Chippey and Smoltey. And y’all think I’m gonna believe the brother aint gonna get the loaded weapon. I’llhave Terrence Moore on this story like ….”

“QUIET!” hollered Smoltz. “I’ve got it. McDowell. No long term attachmnet. No reminisences. All we gotta make sure is that we keep him away from the old boy. He doesnt hear any stories, he is out of stable duty for the season, heck we make them communicate by hand signals if we have to.”

Rumor has it vote was unanimous who was duly noted to have abstained in absentia.

So when this long season is over, and some camera crew sees McDowell lead Cox around the corner of the back parking lot at Turner Field with something concealed in a long skinny paper bag, y’all will know what’s uop

By Todd A

June 11, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this

LOL Robert.Good job.

By Penn

June 11, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this

Has anyone noticed anything weird about Retsma’s delivery? My wife is a close observer of baseball and today I decided to see if she had seen the same thing as I and I asked, “do you see anything weird about Reitsma’s delivery?”

She replied, “he seems to jump in the middle of his pitch and is off balance.”

BINGO, give that lady a kiss and a wave of a grateful hand. I had seen the same thing. She thinks it may be because he is trying to throw too hard as it seemed to her that he didn’t jump as much with breaking balls. I’m not sure about that but for sure he does jump and he is off balance.

As for Marcus Giles he is swinging with that looping uppercut and he will never again become an effective hitter until he corrects that very bad habit he has picked up.

Where are McDowell and Pendleton? For crying out loud they are being paid for such things.

By Tipper

June 11, 2006 09:26 PM | Link to this

Reeksma was tipping his pitches alright!…..players knew that every time he throws a pitch that it’s right over the center of the plate!!…..

By RichieRich

June 11, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this

I HAVE 2 WORDS FOR THE BRAVES…OREL HERSHISER!

HE WILL FIX THIS PITCHING STAFF.

By Louis Vales

June 11, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

What you must remember is if Mets 52-46 for rest of season Braves must go 62-36. Do you really see Mets only playing 6 games over .500 and do you really see braves playing 26 over .500. Use your head and don’t be a FANatic. Because you know what we think of people who blindly follow a cause or idea.

By El Sid

June 11, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this

Chop Chop,

Whose army were you in?

Nobody gives a rat’s a* what your opinion is on the war in Iraq. There are numerous other blogs to vent your stupidity. This is a Braves baseball forum !

By Jman

June 11, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this

DOB, Have you hard anything from the front office? Any trade possibilities? any news on who will be released or traded and when? Any idea of anything the Braves are trying to do to fix it?

By ete

June 11, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this

El Sid, normally I would ignore a post like yours because for thing, you’re right - - this isn’t a blog for discussing Iraq. It’s a Braves baseball blog, as you said. On the other hand, there isn’t much Braves baseball to discuss anymore, is there?

I have to respond, though, because you said “nobody” cares about Chop Chop’s opinion (well, you put it a little more crudely than that). You are wrong because I, for one, do care. You might consider speaking for yourself instead of presuming to speak for all the rest of us.

By Do something JS!

June 11, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this

Hey Penn, if you’ve ever seen Reeksma pitch before, you’d know that he always has a little hitch in his windup. And he’s always sucked too! What a coincidence!

By Chop Chop

June 11, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this

El Sid, write enough blogs like that and you’ll get a job at Fox News.

Keep up the good work, Christian soldier.

By Penn

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

I’ve seen Reitsma pitch many times and I know about the hitch but I’m talking about an exagerated hitch, one that comes off as a jump, to the extent he is off balance when he releases the ball. And I agree that except for one month last year he has been horrible. I didn’t understand why they traded with the Reds to get him in the first place.

By Phillip

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

How about trading Giles for bullpen help…then put Betemit at 2nd..and then trade prospects for Carlos Lee for LF. Imagine this lineup: 1. Betemit 2B, 2. Renteria SS, 3. Chipper 3B, 4. Lee LF, 5. Andruw CF, 6. McCann C, 7. Francouer RF, 8. Laroche 1B. Lee is available, and if you don’t think Betemit can bat leadoff, then I bet that McCann could do it.

By Do something JS!

June 11, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this

Crawford is a better option than Lee in LF.

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2006 12:00 AM | Link to this

Tiffdawg and other christian soldiers…

…are you aware that besides human beings, there are now 145 documented species of animal on the planet earth with homosexual activity?

Are the animals sinning?

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2006 12:58 AM | Link to this

Alright, so I’d say this game sets it all in stone. Here are the few points that are rock solid

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2006 01:03 AM | Link to this

Sh!t. I just read these posts… Baseball people. Baseball.

Braves Baseball.
Stick to the topic.

By jacob

June 12, 2006 01:49 AM | Link to this

McCann is essential. What is Todd Pratt’s record as a starting backstop this year? Do the pitchers like him? He’s batting .211. Pena looks ready and he speaks Spanish.

By teoa

June 12, 2006 03:01 AM | Link to this

Ah, come on, Tenn Paul, there’s got to be something more interesting to talk about than that. Just kidding…I basically agree with your 12:58 post…hadn’t noticed the connection between HoRam and Pratt, but I’ll take your word for it. Definitely whichever pitcher has worked best with Pratt, that should be his day — 1 out of 5, forget any kind of right/left platoon with the catchers.

Now…(stop reading, Tenn Paul)…

Dave, let me know what you think about Born Into This…I thought it was unusually honest for a documentary — just a very real look at the life of a brilliant, complex, troubled guy, and obviously a genius writer. I agree that Bukowski’s life story and books are a real inspiration for anyone who aspires to bigger things than his 9 to 5. And congratulations on the move up from small-town Kansas to Braves beat writer…I’d definitely say you made it.

By the way, I like the line in the write up:

“… said first baseman Adam LaRoche, who wasn’t in the lineup because Jordan has been used against left-handed pitchers.”

Was that a nice way of saying that LaRoche was out of the lineup for no apparent reason? Maybe not, but that’s the way I took it…funny. I would have to agree if that’s what you meant. I have been one of LaRoche’s harshest critics, but when the “right handed specialist” has 5 hits all year against lefties, the Braves are definitely taking a hit (as opposed to getting a hit) both offensively and defensively at first base every time they face a lefty. I would rather see Betemit or Thormon or someone other than LaRoche, but as long as Bobby considers LaRoche and Jordan to be his only two options at first, play LaRoche every day.

Note: I apologize for the really bad jokes…this is turning into a long season already.

By teoa

June 12, 2006 03:30 AM | Link to this

Oh, and Reitsma…

Man, it has been so obvious for so long that this guy is hurting the team every time he steps on the field, and everyone agrees that wasting a roster spot on him at this point is clearly not in the best interest of winning games, etc, etc — the argument has been beat to death and what’s the point of arguing a point that everyone agrees with?

So here’s a different angle…

I always thought the problem was that Bobby just liked the guy way too much so that he wasn’t able to make an objective rational decision about taking him out of the closer role…But now I’m starting to wonder if Bobby really hates the guy and Braves fans are having to suffer through some sort of personal vendetta. (Just thought I’d throw out a new theory to counter the one that has Reitsma “catching Bobby” with a barn animal of some sort.) I mean, wouldn’t you think if Bobby cared about the guy at all he wouldn’t keep torturing him like this? Please, put him out of his misery — for his sake, let him go, let him get a fresh start with Kansas City, something…Anything. If the reports are true about Reitsma being well liked, then you would think someone would have a little mercy on him…Mr. Scheurholtz?

Anyway, Reitsma is the prime example of the problem with Bobby’s blanket policy of unwavering (or as cinics might say unthinking) patience with all his regulars — no matter how bad they have been in the past, present, and will continue to be in the future. I understand the argument for leaving Francoeur out there through long, painful slumps: and that is simply, he has more natural talent than 95% of major league players so you wait for that talent to shine through. But with Reitsma, he has shown for his entire career that he will never be a dominant pitcher. And last year he showed that he couldn’t handle the mental aspect of closing, so what exactly do you hope to accomplish by running him out there game after game in high stress situations? It seems to me the only thing you’re going to accomplish is wrecking his confidence completely (aside from losing a lot of winnable games.) Well, congratulations, Bobby, mission accomplished. Now, please, let the poor man go before you drive him suicidal. I’m really feeling bad for the guy now…it’s hard to not misdirect your anger at him (instead of Bobby) every time he comes into a game and assures that your team has no chance of winning that game. But I have to say, it’s getting a little easier to have sympathy for him the more sadistic Bobby proves himself to be.

By Head Coach

June 12, 2006 03:59 AM | Link to this

Agreed , Baseball or music…. otherwise keep your politics too yourself please. I predict the Braves will not lose tonight but tuesday all bets are off , lol.

By ronald

June 12, 2006 07:09 AM | Link to this

It’s Monday morning. Is Reitsma still on the roster?

By Carroll

June 12, 2006 07:18 AM | Link to this

Penn: agree with you about Reeksma’s “hitch” in his delivery. Yes he has always had it to some degree, as another poster pointed out, but it seems much more pronounced now than ever. I think that it’s not so much that he’s trying to get extra giddyup on his fastball as it is that he’s trying extra hard to sell his changeup. The net result is that he’s effectively notifying the hitter as to when the change is coming.

By Bat Boy

June 12, 2006 07:40 AM | Link to this

El Sid is correct. This is a Braves blog. Keep the politics and homo agenda on their respective blogs. This isn’t the place!

By tyyosh

June 12, 2006 07:51 AM | Link to this

Wow Carroll, How do you get such a reliable internet connection from the alternate universe in which you live? I don’t have it that good from our house in Atlanta even.

But about Braves baseball… Chipper alluded to what seems obvious - the team just has not jelled. But I hope he is leading through adversity in the clubhouse better than his comments in the most recent article. If there ever was a time for the leaders to really lead…

By Randy

June 12, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

Trade John Smoltz to the Detroit Tigers so he can win a world series with his home town team and get some quality prospects in return just like we did with Doyle Alexander.

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this

I just don’t think putting Reitsma out there in mop-up duty was such a bad thing… more like a ‘last ditch’ effort to give the guy some innings to try and work out the cobwebs. That’s pretty much when Reitsma’s gotten the call, lately, anyhow.

But the writing’s on the wall, and nobody, not Reitsma, certainly, not Bobby nor John Schuerholz can deny that this guy’s of no value to this team in any capacity, save for the “go in and eat up innings ‘cause my starter got knocked out early and we have no chance of winning this game, anyhow” situations.

And he looked terrible doing that yesterday, nevermind the psychological horror it must be for him to even go through.

By Hammer 44

June 12, 2006 08:46 AM | Link to this

DOB,

Is it possible that the Braves are gonna play Betemit more at 2B, SS and 3B (while NOT trying him at 1B) because they want to showcase him as the bait in a trade for pitching? Wilson has to be better option defensively than Jordan in a platoon with LaRoche.

At 10 games out, it’s time to try something new to jump start things…or look to the future. Betemit at 1B would be a start. Bringing up more of the kids and making Jordan a minor league instructor would be fine as well.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 12, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith jumps in … on baseball. hammer 44, the team appeared to be “jump started” when betemit started a game at second base and batted leadoff. he was 3-4 and played very good defense. next day, bobby sits betemit and returns with giles - a dead spot in the order. and why is it so tough for a talented infielder like betemit to learn first base if we have converted of jordan over there now? bobby saps the energy out of the team with his dumb moves using reitsma, jordan, and company when the team is struggling for something good to happen.

By Greg

June 12, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this

It’s the leadoff position people. You can’t win when you start every game with an out. BENCH GILES!

By David O'Brien

June 12, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this

teoa, yes, it was precisely my way of saying what you thought i was saying (the laroche line).

Sorry, folks, but it’s way early for Braves to make any announcements on possible moves. Rarely do they even make those moves on off-days, preferring to wait until game day (tomorrow).

Wouldn’t surprise me at all to see a move or two in the bullpen, calling up Stockman maybe and sending down or releasing someone. But haven’t heard anything yet, at all. And I’m about to catch a flight home to Atlanta, so I probably won’t hear anything.

Fortunately, after covering 18 of the last 21 games, I’m off for the Florida series. Do you guys realize Braves are tied with Nats and only five games ahead of Marlins? Man, it’s come apart quicker than I imagined it could.

It’ll be interesting which way Schuerholz goes, an all-out move to try to keep the streak going by trading prospects and/or young players for pieces to fill the many holes, or just a couple of small moves that signal waving a white flag this season. I really don’t know how it’s going to go. Sorry, can’t do more than speculate.

And I’ve heard NOTHING of trade rumors in the past few days.

Once again, I’d like to think my man in NY for burning the copy of the Raconteurs CD for me. I rocked that disc all week in Houston in my cheezy fire-engine red Malibu.

By eware

June 12, 2006 09:39 AM | Link to this

DOB, do you have any predictions on which teams in both leagues might start unloading players soon? I’d like to find that out before I start dreaming of trades that won’t ever happen.

By TiftDawg

June 12, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

To all who I may have offended:

Forgive me for taking the original bait and taking the Braves blog to a place not intended. I violated a cardinal rule- in matters of faith and politics, you do not persuade people toward your position by beating them over the head with your logic; as a matter of fact, the better you state your case, the more annoyed they become with you.

In matters of faith, the issues of clear right and wrong are to be applied to yourself, not others, though Christians do have the right to promote their point of view in the public forum and in the political process. Our system of laws are based upon a value system determined by the majority; we agree that murder, assault and theft are wrong and are to be prohibited. Other matters of values do not have such a clear consensus. As far as persuading others, that will only occur as a result of changed hearts, not due to clever rhetoric.

My bad.

By Hammer 44

June 12, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this

Journalist Jimmy…I think we agree that Betemit needs to be in there every day. My point is that Wilson’s NOT being groomed for 1B because he may be on the block for arm(s). I’d like to read DOB’s take on that.

By the way, Jimmy, what J-School did you attend? Fishwrap U?

By TiftDawg

June 12, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

To all who I may have offended:

Forgive me for taking the original bait and taking the Braves blog to a place not intended. I violated a cardinal rule- in matters of faith and politics, you do not persuade people toward your position by beating them over the head with your logic; as a matter of fact, the better you state your case, the more annoyed they become with you.

In matters of faith, the issues of clear right and wrong are to be applied to yourself, not others, though Christians do have the right to promote their point of view in the public forum and in the political process. Our system of laws are based upon a value system determined by the majority; we agree that murder, assault and theft are wrong and are to be prohibited. Other matters of values do not have such a clear consensus. As far as persuading others, that will only occur as a result of changed hearts, not due to clever rhetoric.

My bad.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 12, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this

“cheezy” is an altogether fitting description of a car driven by a baseball beat writer - cheese on the seats, cheese in the trunk, a jar of cheese in the glove box. life is good. now, baseball … no-neck paronto’s era is now 2.65. his sinker sinks. more stats, which pinch hitter do you favor? pratt at .208, pete orr at .213, or presence at .218? explain again to jimmy smith why pena was sent down hitting .321.

By CK

June 12, 2006 10:00 AM | Link to this

Anyone notice that the Mets are still making moves to bloster their hold on first place… while the Bravos continue to stand pat with their mediocre talent.

Apparantly JS hands are tied and the pending sale has put this team in a position where they cannot make any major moves.

Unfortunately the run of division championships appeasr to be at an end unless the Bravos are allowed to make the moves neccesary to bring in the plyers needed to fill up all the obvious holes.

In the meantime i will continue to watch with horror as this team reverts back to mediocricy.

Anyone remember the names of the guys who used to furnish the ostriches for Turner’s races? We may need them again very soon.

By star94man

June 12, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

We are not a good team right now….poor execution in virtually all facets of the game. Painful to watch for any baseball fan.

Compounding the matter…The Mets are playing terrific baseball and should easily take the division unless Phillies pull off a miracle.

I go to spring training (Grapefruit)every year since 1994 and predicted this back in March. The Mets looked poised and confident with Julio & Glavine beaming in the Florida sun. Add to that great position players finally hitting their stride, role players like Jose Valentin, Endy Chavez, and a great closer (and they just picked up Eli Marrero too)and you can turn out the lights on the Braves.

Cards looked great too. Braves did not and now are stinking it up.

Problem is one move will not make a difference. They need to get Betemit on the line-up at 3rd….move Chipper to 1st. get another starter and at least 2 relievers.

No way Time Warner is going to do that while trying to sell the team.

Did anyone notice Mark Derosa is hitting .360 for the Rangers..and we kept Giles at .230.

Get direct TV and watch the Mets. They know how to play the game!!

By journalist jimmy smith

June 12, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

journalist attended a local university and has subscribed to the fishwrap for many years as an atlanta native by way of uganda. the late governor maddox was fond of describing the ajc as fishwrap. earlier governors decribed the paper(s) as them lyin’ atlanta newspapers. fishwrap u. is on marietta street and is not the school jimmy smith attended. still, talented baseball writers matriculate through fishwrap and it is a good place for a journalist to hang around. now, betemit … if he is the primary backup at second base, at third, and at ss, what is pete orr’s place on this team?

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

Trade Chipper. He is done. His skills have diminished greatly over the last 3 years, and it won’t get better. Besides Betemit deserves to play every day. Package Chipper and Giles and get Nathan and Castillo from the Twins.

By Homer The Brave

June 12, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

This season is over ! Time to reload for next season !

There will be tears shed, but I would trade Smoltzie to Detroit for a top prospect, preferably a leftfielder with speed and on-base capabilities.

Trade Marcus Giles to San Diego or Minnesota for one of their relievers. Put Betemit on secondbase.

One or two trades won’t do much for this season. There is a lot to do before next spring Training.

We need to free-up some payroll to allow JS some creativity to upgrade the bullpen and firstbase.

By Postal Joe

June 12, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

I wonder how Liberty Media feels about the Braves imploding. This is just the beginning. Do they know they’re being sold a lemon?

By Carroll

June 12, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

Braves are interested in the Pirates Solomon Torres. Not a bad move but seriously, our bullpen is in such dissaray right now that we need to replace 3 or 4 guys and get a dominant closer. Otherwise, just don’t even bother, JS.

By Kentavo

June 12, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

Why won’t Cox admit that Reeksma sux? I’m tired of his “he just got some balls up in the zone” excuses.

By Postal Joe

June 12, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

Kentavo, Cox is trying to drive Reeky into resignation. The Braves are so desperate to get out of paying the money left on his contract that they won’t do the right thing, which in this case would be designating him for assignment.

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

I’m the biggest Bobby Cox fan out there, and even I agree that his loyalty to Reeksma and Jordan is killing us. We’ve gotta release the Reek.

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

How in the world does Giles keep his starting job? I just calculated out what Betemit’s numbers would be if he had as many ABs as Giles and it doesn’t even compare. He currently has a .301 avg and a .351 OBP. Calculated totals: 37 runs, 72 hits, 18 doubles, 12 home runs, and 35 RBIs. Giles is currently hitting .235 with a .324 OBP, 35 runs, 56 hits, 14 doubles, 3 home runs and 20 RBIs.

I know we’re not exactly comparing apples to apples because Betemit hasn’t hit leadoff very much, but he’s way more productive than Giles.

By Postal Joe

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

Reitsma could be placed on the DL. Someone else suggested that. I like it. It frees up a roster spot. The team gets a break from his particular brand of meltdown.

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

I’m not sold on the entire bullpen blowing. I think if you drop Reitsma and Villarreal you have a descent bullpen. I think if you replace those two guys only with solid players, maybe a solid closer and a set-up guy, or long relief guy, whichever one, we’d be able to handle it.
After that, we’d need one more consistent starter. That could be found in letting HoRam have Pratt as a personel catcher, and/or in Chuck James (or maybe Davies) joining the rotation. Then a bat in left field, a lead off bat would be good, or a good hitting middle of the order guy.

This team has most of the peices it needs. We have some guys in the minors who could fill in. If James and Davies are able to come back, then both Thomson and Sosa can go to the pen in place of Villarreal and Reitsma. That would leave just the bat as the remaining issue. Scott Thorman is thundering away at AAA. He could take Jordan’s place on the roster. (Whatever veteran presence Jordan offers, isn’t helping this team win). Thorman would be an answer to both LF and 1B. Having Diaz is a good bet too.

All of this is done in-house and costs the Braves only Reitsma’s and Jordan’s salaries. But both those guys would be replaced with league minimum salaries so it shouldn’t be that hard to swallow.
I’m not certain those changes would make us winners, but they would at least make it easier to watch. I don’t think I’d mind losing as much if we had a few more young guys out there. At least then the field contains “potential.” Developing “potential” is better to watch then decaying veteran presence.

At any rate, we’d still have enough to trade and get a few peices. If Giles is requested in a trade, I’d listen. I like Giles, but Betemit is pretty solid, and I like the idea of having another switch hitter at the top of the line up. Giles could fetch a good player as well. He’s struggling this season, but he’s still good.
We have the means to make a deal to turn this season around. I’m currious as to how long we can wait to pull the trigger before it’s too late.
I suppose that’s the hard part. Pull the trigger now, we could be selling low. Wait a little while and we could get maximum value. But JS is usually pretty good with that.

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

We know the Twins are listening to offers. JS would have to work his magic, but they do have Torii Hunter roaming the OF. I don’t know if he’s willing to play LF, but it’s worth a shot. He’s having an off year, so the asking price for him might be a little lower. His salary is the main issue 10.75 mil.

By Carroll

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

Mets: we’d do MUCH better to pry Luis Castillo away from the Twinkies so we’d have a REAL leadoff man. We also need to get Nathan from them. As far as outfielders, I think we’d do better with SHannon Stewart than Hunter because they’re both having similar years and stewart is much cheaper.

Postal Joe: “Reeky”—absolutely classic!

By ernesto

June 12, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this

Regarding Reitsma, I think the humane think would be to let him go and let him start over for another team. Whatever it is that’s cursed his time with the Braves it doesn’t look like it’s going away. If, as I read, Bravos’ management thinks it’s just location, let him go work it out in AAA ball (I know he’s a vet, but even CR would have to agree he ain’t cutting it on hte MLB level right now). I still don’t think it’s over, but certain things don’t seem to be changing - Villareal - not good all year. Jordan - been done for at least 3 years now. Giles - something about the lead off spot’s getting to him. If we don’t fix some obvious problems then things can’t turn around. We’re steering a steady course…toward the cellar.

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Carroll, I agree that if we could package Giles with someone else to get Nathan and Castillo, we’d be much better. My bet is that most teams that the Braves are talking to want Betemit, Davies, or Saltalamacchia in a trade. JS would be foolish to let one of these top guys go.

By ernesto

June 12, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this

Add to that list Thomson and Sosa…we used to have studs who could stop a losing streak, now we have these duds who put an end to any kind of winning streak. We can’t leave them in the rotation, they’re killing us. When are James and Davies due back? Bring up someone from AAA…can Knucksie still get movement? Anything.

By BDinNY

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

DOB, glad to hear you’re liking the Raconteurs… and there’s no better way to rock them than in a BU!

Other than that… I’ve been too depressed to post. Reading your blog is about all I can handle. Oh, it’s a miserable time to be a Braves fan in NY! My only consolation at the moment is that I have pit tickets to both Radiohead shows this week.

Enjoy your time off, well deserved.

By braves fan

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

The reason the Braves bullpen is so bad is #1 the starters are not pitching into the 6th, 7th or 8th innings on a daily basis and #2 they didn’t have a closer and a good setup man to pitch the 8th and 9th innings. Back in the day, they’d have Glavine, Maddux, Smoltz throw 7 innings every start, and the 4th and 5th guys would pitch 6 or 7 innings in most of their starts. That allowed the bullpen to have set roles for the 8th, 9th and situational at-bats. This season the starters other than Smoltz and Hudson are making quick exits (with exception of Horacio’s recent good work). So 3 out of 5 days the bullpen has to pitch 4, 5, sometimes 6 innings of relief. That will expose even the best and deepest bullpens. And this pen is full of has-beens and never-was’ to start with. Now in the last couple weeks, Ken Ray is finally being allowed to reap the benefits of his great pitching by closing games. Problem is, unless Smoltz or Hudson are on the mound, they don’t have anyone capable of getting games to the point where Ray can slam the door shut.

The Braves need to recall Chuck James to replace Thompson or Sosa in the rotation. Then they need to skip the 5th spot as much as possible. As bad as Sosa and Thompson have been, they are more skilled at pitching than the Villareal’s, Paronto’s, Yates and Reitsma’s, and hopefully they won’t be that bad in one inning stints. Then they need to replace Reitsma and Villarreal on the roster with Phil Stockman and Will Startup. I mean, they can’t be any worse, right? I guess they could, but right now they need to start looking for something that works, instead of hoping these guys will snap out of it. Reitsma is done. After Sunday’s complete meltdown, I would be surprised if he EVER pitches successfully in the major leagues again. I know he’s well liked by his teammates, but at some point they have to make a business decision, and stop throwing the contributions of the other 24 guys down a toilet just to see if he can get it back.

By Ken

June 12, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this

I am tired of everyone dogging Reitsma. OK, no I’m not, that dude sucks. The only other thing I am going to say is this: No team at any level is going to win anything as long as Brian Jordan is on the field. He can’t catch, throw, hit or run. Other than that he is a good player.

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

The platooning is really depressing. Betemit steps in, goes 3 for 4 with two doubles and is benched the next day for a guy who posts zero’s in all the columns but K. LaRoche, as slow and annoying as he is to watch, plays better defense and hits better than Jordan, but he is benched because the opposing manger put a southpaw on the mound. Langerhans is struggling mightily. Diaz is swinging a good stick. Diaz only plays in random situations and against lefties. And then there is McCann. The only player who should have a platoon. And that platoon should consist of Pratt playing every fifth day. And only because we need to keep McCann’s legs fresh. Let Pratt Catch HoRam.

Please make a move soon JS. Please.

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this

What about a guy like Carl Crawford? 2.6 million isn’t that much for the Braves to handle. That solves the LF and leadoff position. Move Giles to 8th in the order and he might respond better than leadoff.

By Carroll

June 12, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this

Metts: I’d part with any of those guys to pull off the trade I mentioned earlier with the Twinkies. I kinda hate to lose out on Salty, but you just never know if he will become a good player. Davies has already proven to be so-so at best, and Betemit does us no good if dumba$$ Bobby won’t play him.

By Carroll

June 12, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

Mets: Crawford would be a dream come true, but that’s exactly why there’s no way the D-Rays give him up. There’s just no reason for them to. He’s cheap, good, popular…no reason to give him up.

By New York JOE

June 12, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

CHOP,CHOP,CHOP. IT’S OVER DUDES, LET’S GO METS

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

The only way the Rays would give up Crawford would be to get prospects in return. I say package Giles, Devine, and one of the young infield prospects. Do that and you get Crawford leading off in left and Betemit can go straight to second. Read Betemit’s comments this weekend and it sounds like he’d play any position as long as he gets on the field everyday. I really think Devine will be a good releif pitcher, but the Braves tried to bring him up way too soon. A lot of teams would like a guy like Yunel Escobar or Martin Prado and I don’t think the Braves will keep them both for the long haul. One will have to go eventually.

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

I think Davies will be a solid #2 or 3 guy. I don’t trade him unless it’s part of a big deal. I’d hang on to Salty. He’s struggling now, but the Braves need to give him some time to develop. It took Betemit a long time to get up here, but here we all are yelling because he’s not in the lineup every day.

By ernesto

June 12, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

journalist jimmy smith - in regard to your question “what is pete orr’s place on the team” as far as I can tell to go out and flail at the ball in the pitcher’s place. man, I’m down on this team. A few wins would turn me into a better fan, and a happier human.

By Chris

June 12, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this

So is the Brian Jordan experiment over? He’s 6-for-39 (.154) against lefties, and the only reason he’s on the team is too hit lefties. He’s obviously a liability defensively. I like the guy, but he’s bringing nothing on the field.

LaRoche may only be a .195 career hitter against lefties, but he’s had 10 times fewer at-bats against them than against righties. Give the guy a chance and put the bat in his hands. It may actully bring his confidence up a bit if he starts hitting against them, and we definitely need his glove in the field.

Reitsma’s ERA goes from 7.52 to 9.11. That’s right, 9.11. As in, a disaster. I don’t see how you can possibly put him in the game at all now, regardless of the situation. If we’re winning, he’ll get the loss. If we’re already losing, he’ll make damn sure we don’t come back.

Now, hopefully DOB is right about Schuerholz making a couple of moves for some bullpen help and possibly a starter (didn’t read all 450+ posts, so sorry if I missed some new info on this front). My question is, who do we give up? Betemit could probably bring us a good bit in return, but I don’t see how you get rid of a guy with his value. I have to think (at least hope) that somehow Chipper will be moved to 1st and Betemit can play every day at 3rd. I’ve heard some people mention Giles’s name, and we’ve now seen Betemit at 2nd and I think he’d be fine there, but I’d hate to lose Giles as well.

The sad fact is that with so many teams ahead of us in the entire league right now, we’re going to have to give up something to get something. Many teams will be looking for players to help them win this year, rather than looking for young talent to stockpile for the future. The guys we need to get rid of are so bad than no one will give us anything of value for them in a trade. Should be an interesting 7 weeks leading up to the trading deadline.

By Antonio McNugget

June 12, 2006 02:12 PM | Link to this

Pete Orr’s place on the team is to keep all the other guys hitting under .230 company and maybe making them feel good about their at bats after seeing his.

By ernesto

June 12, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

I wonder if Matt Diaz is sensing any negativity in the clubhouse now.

By Jimbo

June 12, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

Is Bobby getting senile? I love the guy, but he’s been acting erratically this season. He insists on pitching Reeksma and not playing Betemit. When Diaz was hot he wouldn’t ride his hot streak because there were no left-handers. He insists on playing BJ when it is clear to everyone it’s over for him. His blind faith loyalty is getting annoying.

You know what I read into this whole bullpen mess is its Bobby’s subtle way of telling JS he needs to do something. It’s almost like he is bating JS into making moves. He’s also saying…”how can I win with this crap I have”.

By Jimbo

June 12, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this

Can we afford to wait until the trade deadline to makes some deals? It sure looks like that would be too late.

By ernesto

June 12, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

We didnt’ wait this long to pull the plug on the Mondesi experiment, did we? And we sat BJ’s unproductive butt down about the same time…we’ll do something soon…right?

By ronald

June 12, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

It’s Monday afternoon. Is Reitsma still on the roster?

By Darblue

June 12, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this

braves need to trade for wiki gonzalez.

By Ron Roberts

June 12, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

I’m with Jimbo… ya gotta think maybe Cox is throwing the horrible ‘pen arms out there to show the higher-ups how they’ve hamstrung him with their hard-line salary.

My God, it isn’t like it would break the bank to have a better bullpen. With Macay McBride, Ken Ray, Relinger (in the spot situations he’s best-suited for), Chad Paronto, these aren’t expensive options. I believe their combined salaries amount to less than or near $2 million.

If you bean-counters haven’t noticed, that’s less than what Reitsma makes…. by at least $750,000.

By ncscoots

June 12, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

good grief, some of the trades folks want to make…Luis Castillo? 31 years old, and hitting .140 his last 10 games, a BUCK FORTY! Shannon Stewart? 32 years old, and on the blinkin’ DL! Carl Crawford? Why would the Rays give up a talented (and inexpensive) outfielder to TAKE ON SALARY (the infamous giles-for-crawford “we’re total nutjobs in Tampa” trade)!!! and if the Braves package Yunel Escobar or Elvis Andrus, I’m gonna start rooting for the Russians. People, please…I know it’s been a tough season, but let’s try to live at least a little in reality, huh?

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this

Ernesto: good point about last year. Mondesi and Jordan didn’t work out last year, and BC and JS took action much earlier. That probably says something about the team’s ability to improve this year. It’s quite possible that there aren’t any viable moves the Braves can make to improve. We can’t wait until the deadline. If something doesn’t happen soon, there won’t be time to catch up. If it’s time to wave the white flag, then so be it. At least call up some young prospects to get some experience. Namely James, Stockman, Startup and Thorman.

By TennesseePaul

June 12, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this

Mets Stink: Last year the moves they made were to call up rookies. In the Case of Jordan this year, there is a rookie in the waiting… Scott Thorman. But they aren’t calling him. And with Reitsma, Startup. I think this is more due to loyalty to clubhouse leaders.

By Carroll

June 12, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

scoots: you’re not seriously gonna take Castilla’s numbers over the last 10 days and use that as reasoning to not trade for him are ya? And Stewart should be off the dl very soon. Besides, I’ll take both of them if it means we also get Nathan in return. Just no more god forsaken blown saves! If you take away the gosh darn blown saves, we’re in first friggin place!!! Even in spite of the really bad games we’ve had of late, we would STILL be in first place if we coulda just won those games that we should have won (i.e. blown save games).

By Head Coach

June 12, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

Wow , this blog is setting a record for entry’s. David O’Brien’s going cha ching , cha ching, cha ching , cha ching …. lol.

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

Castillo would be a good fit for one year. If we’re not going to try to win this year, then I wouldn’t trade for Castillo. The perfect fit would be Giles for a LF leadoff man. Crawford would be super tough to land but he would be a prime choice. I’m sure a guy like Juan Pierre might be available. He hasn’t been great, but would be servicable. Anything to get a capable leadoff hitter and also get Betemit in everyday. That will at least patch up the lineup. Then it’s on to the bullpen.

By ncscoots

June 12, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

Carroll - Luis Castillo, last 30 days - .214; but, what I was really getting at there was that these are not the types of trades that JS is going to make, or be allowed to make by other teams. Joe Nathan? Sure, absolutely, but what do the Twins need that the Braves can offer with any sense of sanity? Twins could use pitching, but I doubt the Braves feel they can offer up Davies or James (or even Lerew, for that matter) in return for bullpen help.

By New York Joe

June 12, 2006 04:45 PM | Link to this

BYE BYE GUY’S,

Hope to be playing the Yanks in the WS while your picken fantasy footballgames.

LETS GO METS

By ncscoots

June 12, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

Juan Pierre, “capable leadoff hitter” - hitting .238, .237 the last 30 days; 4 SB this year. puh-leeze….

By Mets Stink

June 12, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

It’s depressing that the Braves suck this bad. How about something positive? How good is Brian McCann! He’s continually improving behind the plate and the guy can flat out hit.

By Postal Joe

June 12, 2006 06:36 PM | Link to this

Braves Fans, We can b!tch and moan about needing to make moves before its too late, but IT IS TOO LATE. There are 20 teams in Major League Baseball with better records. That means 2/3 of the other teams think they still have a chance, so they’re not gonna give away talent for prospects. The other third who have talent are in a seller’s market.
And even if the Braves do get serious about acquiring talent and somehow lucked into the playoffs, they could never win the Divisional Series. Bobby Cox would find a way to put Brian Jordan and Chris Reitsma into a situation to lose it all. ITS TIME TO CIRCLE THE WAGONS AND PREPARE FOR NEXT SEASON, BECAUSE THIS SEASON IS LOST!

By Penn

June 12, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this

Atlanta Braves 2006 Salaries Source: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/teams/salaries?team=atl

PLAYER SALARY (US$)

1. Mike Hampton 14,475,185
2. Chipper Jones 13,666,667
3. Andruw Jones 13,500,000
4. John Smoltz 11,000,000
5. Edgar Renteria 10,000,000
6. Tim Hudson 6,500,000
7. John Thomson 4,750,000
8. Marcus Giles 3,850,000 **9. Chris Reitsma 2,750,000
9. Jorge Sosa 2,200,000**
10. Horacio Ramirez 2,200,000
11. Todd Pratt 850,000
12. Mike Remlinger 700,000
13. Brian Jordan 700,000
14. Oscar Villarreal 462,500
15. Adam LaRoche 420,000
16. Jeff Francoeur 384,500
17. John Foster 350,000
18. Wilson Betemit 345,000
19. Ryan Langerhans 345,000
20. Pete Orr 340,000
21. Kelly Johnson 336,000
22. Kyle Davies 333,500
23. Brian McCann 333,500
24. Macay McBride 332,000
25. Matt Diaz 330,000

By robdawg06

June 12, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

How can Bobby Cox not see that Reitsma is a burden ? He took the place of Dan Kolb for consistent implosions on the mound. Can a Triple A or Double A minor league pitcher fare any worse ? I doubt it. Why not release Reitsma and call up a minor league pitcher ? Or trade him for some bats and balls from some other team. Do something. I’m way tired of seeing Reitsma give up 5 runs in 2/3 of an inning…