AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > June > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USLooks like streak’s over
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Chris Reitsma is no longer around to boo. But that hardly solves the Braves’ bullpen or other problems.
Reitsma was an easy - and worthy - target. The Braves’ shortcomings, though, go much deeper.
As bad as the bullpen has been, the starting rotation really hasn’t been all that much better. The Braves rank at the bottom of the National League in quality starts.
The offense is also very inconsistent. The problem there, of course, is way too many strikeouts. Too often, the Braves can’t even put the ball in play at key moments in close games.
It all adds up to a team 11 games out of first place and five games under .500. Another division title appears to be just a pipe dream now.
Reitsma would have saved himself and the Braves some grief if he had been upfront about the numbness in his pitching hand earlier. But he didn’t want to make excuses and thought the numbness would go away.
It didn’t. Now Reitsma is on the disabled list and 6-foot-8 Phil Stockman will get his chance to plug one of the many holes in the leaking bullpen.
General manager John Schuerholz should have made moves in the offseason to fix the bullpen and find a leadoff hitter. It is probably too late now.
The Braves could trade Marcus Giles and Adam LaRoche. But would that really bring back all that the Braves need? Not likely.
The Braves won’t keep playing this badly, but it looks like the streak of first-place finishes is over.
Comments
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this
Shannon stewart has been on the DL for 3 weeks; do we want to trade for this guy?
By JV
June 14, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this
At this point you need to see if a couple of call-ups will at least slow the flow of water through the leaks. Then maybe it will be worthwhile to trade for a veteran reliever, and/or starting pitcher, and/or hitter - right now there are too many holes to fill to do so via trade.
By Voice of Reason
June 14, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this
I don’t care about winning the division anymore. I do wanna win the wildcard. Something’s gotta change simply for the sake of change at this point. We’ve seen the wildcard team get hot at the right time and rush through playoffs. If you can add a power threat and a semi-legitimate contact hitting leadoff guy in LF/2B/1B, stabilize the ‘pen, and get some consistency from the starters… aw, hell… we’re screwed…
By Mets Stink
June 14, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this
I would take Stewart if Nathan was also involved in the deal. Otherwise, NO.
By Mets Stink
June 14, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this
Where’s DOB with the inside info?
By Voice of Reason
June 14, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this
Only 80 days until the Dawgs kickoff with Western Kentucky…
By Sambo
June 14, 2006 12:32 PM | Link to this
Is it not a waste of time to talk about other team’s players?
Joe Nathan, Scott Linebrink, Carl Crawford would all be nice to have in Atlanta, but from I hear, other teams are not looking to bail the Braves out of their predicament.
Other than Salty, Chuck James, Betemit, McCann & Francouer, the foundation of future Braves’ success, who do we have that somebody would want?
Giles and his .235 average?
LaRoche and all those strikeouts & DP’s ?
Chipper & his huge contract?
I’ve seen package deals on this blog that included Reitsma, Sosa, Langerhans, Orr, Pratt, etc, basically all of our scrubs.
Dream on !
By Robert
June 14, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
Come on DOB give us some eternal hope. Tel us what’s new on the trade front or lineup changes. We need some hope to hold onto if we are going to make it through the saeson. When the Mets make the playoffs or Phillies the wilcard I will cheer for any team that beats them.
By Patrick
June 14, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
DOB said that he is off this week. The AJC spared him from having to watch and report this garbage for a week so he doesn’t quit. That’s my guess..
By Mike
June 14, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this
Unfortunately, Braves fans shouldn’t expect a savior to come to Atlanta by way of a trade. Second, who could they realistically get that would produce numbers like McGriff did in ‘93? Its still somewhat early for some teams to judge if they’re ‘in it’ or not, so they wouldn’t want to give anything of value yet.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this
the st. paul papers are saying stewart will be traded this month…tony batista was also designated for assignment by the Twins
By Mike
June 14, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this
Sambo, Giles would be an upgrade at second for most teams. But other than him, LaRoache and others would have to be ‘packaged’ to get average bullpen help. At least average would be an upgrade for the team.
By Allen
June 14, 2006 12:40 PM | Link to this
The braves have had a flawed model since TW put a cap on payroll. A championship team can be built for $80MM, but not when a small hand full of players are getting half of the total. Unfortunately, those getting 10MM+ annually will not be easy to trade and they have several years remaining. No quick solution to this without some more funds or finding someone willing to take some of these high priced players off the braves hands. They should have insisted Smoltz stay the closer to serve the best interests of the team. Starters are much easier to find than closers. Get some consistent offense, particularly at 1B. Maybe if the Braves do not win yet another division which is gauranteed to implode in the playoffs, they will face the fact that their model is broken and do something major to fix it.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this
the pen isn’t as bad as it seems minus villareal & reitsma. The problem is you never know what you’re gonna get out of the others
By Miles
June 14, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this
I hate having to give up the division title to the mets, but there’s nothing we can do about that at this point in the season. However, the Wildcard is still within reach and there are a couple of fairly mediocre teams like the Reds battling for it. The bullpen, LF and a the starting rotation are the biggest concerns right now. If at least 2 of these things can be fixed then we have a shot at making the playoffs.
1.Bullpen: We need quality middle relief and better setup men and/or a legit closer. Giles needs to be packaged with someone else and traded for someone like Joe Nathan who be a great addition to the ballclub. Betemit could then fill in at 2B and bat 2nd in the lineup with Renteria batting lead-off. If getting Nathan is a bit too ambitious then Shcuerholz needs to get on the phone to the Angels who are desperate for a player who can hit some homeruns. RP Scott Schields has been rumored to be on the trade block so a deal could be made for him by trading away LaRoche with a PBTNL and then making Thorman our everyday starter.
2.We have giants gaping hole in offensive production from LF. Langerhans is not good enough to be an everyday player so something needs to be done. If we dont trade LaRoche then I suggest we put Thorman in LF since he has spent some time there at AAA Richmond this season. I dont care if Thorman plays 1B or LF, HE NEEDS TO BE IN THE EVERYDAY LINEUP!!!
2006 AAA Numbers
.32/.398/.581 15HR 43RBI’s 35RS 3SB 30BB 44K’s
How we are trotting out LaRoche and Jordan everyday with this kid waiting in AAA is beyond me. Oh yea, Thorman is also one of the top defensive 1st basemen in the minors.
3.Starting Rotation: If the other 2 problems are fixed then the easiest move here is to just insert James into the rotation. But if one of the two other problems isnt fixed then a trade needs to be done for a top tier SP. Someone like Willis would be ideal for the present and future due to his relatively cheap salary.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
I agree, Allen. If the Braves exercise Smoltz’s option next year, he’ll be making $11 million +, and let’s not forget $14 million for Hampton.
By Miles
June 14, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this
thorman’s batting average is .325..not .32 as I accidentally put in my previous post. lol
By Beau
June 14, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this
Who or what is DOB?
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this
Hefty contracts negotiated in the booming 1990s are biting the organization in the rear in the 21st Century
By MOBRAVESFAN
June 14, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this
How about we trade for SORIANO since he is a Braves Killer anyway and take care of all of the lineup problems, and then focus on the pitching problems. How are Leo and the Orioles doing anyway?
By braves fan
June 14, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this
I don’t know why, but it just seems that Bobby Cox has been particularly stubborn this season. He’s been reluctant to make significant changes to the lineup to try to find a hot hand. For example, Wilson Betemit. Braves players have been quoted as saying Betemit is the Braves best hitter right now (I would say McCann 1st, Betemit 2nd). Even Cox said he needed to get him more at bats. That was a few days ago. Guess how many games Betemit has started in that time? That’s right. Zero. Cox needs to face the fact that Betemit needs to play and whoever he replaces is going to be disappointed, but they need to get over it for the good of the team. Giles and LaRoche need to on notice (and Francouer for that matter) that they need to change their approach at the plate, or they’ll be watching Big Willy play their position indefinitely. I’d say Francouer needs to sit a few games too, but there’s no one to replace him.
I am glad to see Reitsma go and Stockman come. Even if he ends up stinking, at least they’re trying to make positive changes. Leaving a roster in tact that has played this poorly is mind boggling. What’s the purpose of a farm system if you don’t use it once in a while to improve your ball club. Injuries shouldn’t be the only reason these young guys get a chance. Ineffectiveness should also be a reason.
By Mike
June 14, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this
True, but they’re still in the bullpen. Too bad they let go of Wainwright. Terrible move.
By A Nobody
June 14, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this
Beau, welcome to the blog! DOB is David O’Brien, the regular Braves beat reporter, ‘owner’ of this blog.
By father time
June 14, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this
I am rooting for the braves to LOOSE every gamne this year….pretty easy job so far. The goal? Maybe then Bobby Cox will finally retire!!!!!!
(The guy is simply too rigid to adapt to in-game situations…..been that way for over 5yrs now. The proof is in the post season)
I know everyone likes bobby, but it’s not a popularity contest.
By New York Joe
June 14, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this
To Voice Of Reason: Hey Dude your 6 games out for the WILD CARD.
Break out the Fantasy Football stuff The CHOP CHOP’S ARE TOAST.
LET’S GO METS !!!!!!!!
By ernesto
June 14, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this
Jeez Guy, I understand the “sky is falling attitude from our myopic fans, but you think you pros would be a little more even tempered. After all we came back from 11 down after the All-Star Break against a decent Dodger team in 91 to start the run - and with Belliard playing short and Ollie catching (neither all-stars), so lighten up will ya? That being said, it would be nice to see somebody trying to light a fire under anyone to change stuff that obviously needs changing.
By Mike
June 14, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this
Soriano would be a good bat, but he’s in the same division and would cost WAY too much money. Chipper, Andruw, Hampton and Smoltz (assuming his option is picked up) would already cost the Braves somewhere around $53 million. Adding Soriano would push that to about $63 million. I don’t think that would fit in Sherholtz’s head.
By curt
June 14, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this
Chipper needs to quit being a whimp and be the leader the team needs.
By New York Joe likes men
June 14, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this
New York Joe - congrats after 20 years, your skanky, pathetic team of scumbags finally won a division. You, Shea Stadium, and Queens are all losers. And you like men.
By ernesto
June 14, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this
New York Joe you’re right, You should be celebrating after all you’ve won…well, nothing yet. But seriously dude, count your chickens…I think they look something like this 101 mill payroll, aging players under contract til death, Milledge your only decent prospect, got to find some money for Wright in a few years…yeah, seriously man, get ready to roll off 14 of your own.
By Mike
June 14, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this
Way to vent 14 years of frustration New York Joe.
By jim
June 14, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this
We all knew we were in trouble when Leo the Rat jumped ship . He knew what was coming and it isnt pretty welcome back to the 70S This is the worst team the Braves have fielded in 15 years. We are weak at almost every position. At this rate there will be no hope that A Jones will stay and its time for C Jones to call it a day. As far as the lame excuse of a pitching staff just bring up the best prospects in aaa and aa and let them go. Its working for Detroit. They couldnt possibly be worse than what we have now. As far a Smoltz go back to the pen. Become the closer pitch for 3 or 4 more years its whats left. Other wise retire I cant stand watching him be mediocre. He can still be a top closer. Finally will somebody show the underachieving worst manger in baseball the door?? Being the players buddy has worked well. If Booby Cox ran mircosoft they would lose money. With the talent this guy has had to win one championship in criminal Maybe we can find a way to finish last. Looks like we need to prepare
ooby Cox
By John Hoar
June 14, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this
Beau,
Guy, the author of this blog topic is the back-up or co-blogger. Hope this helps.
By Pesimist
June 14, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this
DOB isn’t giving any trade hopes because as of now there isn’t any…
Scheurholtz has called everyone asking for help, and nobody’s jumping to bail the Bravos out.
By Mike
June 14, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this
You don’t think New York Joe is a bandwagon jumper is he?
By Ken
June 14, 2006 01:10 PM | Link to this
I saw that Russ Ortiz was released today by Arizona. I know he stunk this year, but the Diamondbacks have to pay his salary. Could he really be any worse than Jorge (home-run) Sosa or John (I quit whenever anyhing bad happens) Thomson?
By Voice of Reason
June 14, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this
Thanks, NYJoe, you have successfully motivated me to seriously root for MY Braves to take the wildcard and knock your sorry-a$$ Schmets outta da playoffs. That would be alot sweeter than just another division title anyway. Go Braves!!!
By Austin
June 14, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this
Cox is by far the WORST manager ever to win as many games as he has. I think he is having fun with the Braves loesing. He sayd hell lets just keep Betemit out of the lineup for another week and hell lets keep LaRoche in the lineup who is striking out 31.6% of the time. The Braves need to make some moves NOW. Or the wil card will be out of the picture,
By Mike
June 14, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
I vote we call up the entire Rome team. They’re the only Braves team with a winning record. No, seriously.
By New York Joe
June 14, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
Hey DUDE I’m a Yankees fan, but love a chance to DUMP ON ATLANTA a NY wanna be thatwill never be. TRY 26 World Series TITLES
your a FANOOK! use your Italian dictionary you CAFONE!
By ernesto
June 14, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this
New York Joe - classic Mets fan turns to the Yankees whenever he’s losing.
By Austin
June 14, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
New York Joe the Yanks Suck and so do the Mets, New York has to buy teams the Braves dont we will kick your sorry a$$ when we play yall in NY
By Nomar Fulnaround
June 14, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this
Yo, Joe… What are you, like 10 or 11?
By Mets Stink
June 14, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
Ernesto, you hit the nail on the head. A true Yankees fan would never say lets go mets.
By Mike
June 14, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
Like I said, you haven’t had much luck trying to DUMP on Atlanta in the past 14 years. And you root for the Mets even though you’re a Spankees fan? Hmm.. sounds like wagon tracks to me.
By New York Joe
June 14, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this
No Nomar I’m 41
By Bulldawg4life
June 14, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this
Russ Ortiz = HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE idea.
By Nomar Fulnaround
June 14, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this
Then act like it…
By New York Joe
June 14, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this
Mets+NL EAST CHAMPS BRAVES SUCK THE METS WIN THE METS WIN THE METS WIN! The Braves are LOSERS HAHAHAHAHAHHA
By The Captain
June 14, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this
I found this trade rumor from the Beaver County Times, which covers the Pirates:
“Atlanta and the Chicago White Sox both have interest in Pirates reliever Salomon Torres. The Pirates have reportedly been scouting the Braves’ Class AA Mississippi farm club recently while the White Sox have a gaggle of pitching prospects at the upper levels of their farm system.”
I would have hoped to hear a rumor about someone a little more dominant than that. But he had good numbers in ‘04-‘05 and hey, he can’t be any worse than we’ve got.
By Sammy Kershaw
June 14, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this
I dont beleive Reitsma is really hurt but lets just say he is. After reading Guy’s article i have come to a conclusion…
I hope Chris Reitsma gets hit by a bus and then it backs up over him just to make sure he never sabotages another team again.
If he is telling the truth he has known about this for a long time and he didtn tell anyone….
“Maybe I waited a little too long to say something,” Reitsma said. “I’ve had it off and on for a while now. I can’t really tough it out anymore. I finally convinced myself that enough is enough.”
* Well no $hit* And then Bobby Cox has the freakin nerve to defend him after all this. Screw em.
By The Captain
June 14, 2006 01:26 PM | Link to this
New York Joe - the Mets may very well win the division. But how you have the nerve to actually make fun of the Braves when we’ve dominated you for 14 years straight is ridiculous. You put the a$$ in asinine. And yes, I know there is only one s in asinine but I think the joke still holds up.
By Bill Curry
June 14, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this
Sat., Sep. 2 2006, 8PM BDS @ HGF Notre Dame @ Georgia Tech
By Captain Obvious
June 14, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this
NY Joe,
The Yanks haven’t won a WS since 2000 and have Terrance Long in their outfield. What’s the average age of the Yanks roster? 39?
Everyone else, Combine the Liberty Groups acquisition of the Braves with the team falling behind the Nats in the standings —> SMOLTZ & ANDRUW will be traded by August. They are the only two guys on the roster who are playing well and have short term contracts.
Unless Liberty decides to increase the Braves payroll, how can we sign both of them? Is Johnny going to offer Smoltz the contract he wants given budget constraints, his age, and his medical history? Probably not. Therefore if the Braves are out of contention then why would we hold on to Smoltz if we a) can’t sign him and b) can get something in return for him
I feel sick…
By Captain Obvious
June 14, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this
NY Joe,
The Yanks haven’t won a WS since 2000 and have Terrance Long in their outfield. What’s the average age of the Yanks roster? 39?
Everyone else, Combine the Liberty Groups acquisition of the Braves with the team falling behind the Nats in the standings —> SMOLTZ & ANDRUW will be traded by August. They are the only two guys on the roster who are playing well and have short term contracts.
Unless Liberty decides to increase the Braves payroll, how can we sign both of them? Is Johnny going to offer Smoltz the contract he wants given budget constraints, his age, and his medical history? Probably not. Therefore if the Braves are out of contention then why would we hold on to Smoltz if we a) can’t sign him and b) can get something in return for him
I feel sick…
By MOBRAVESFAN
June 14, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this
If Soriano doesn’t fit in JS’s head then he needs to refigure things in his head. Get Soriano, dump Giles and Laroche and reitsma for that matter (so there is no chance of him blowing another Braves lead)and bat Soriano at leadoff. It may cost a bit more but the team is on the block and on the brink of destruction, what could it hurt. Maybe somebody will buy the team and do what needs to be done to win and maybe put the team back on TBS where they belong.
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this
I think there is still a chance. Two simple things must happen. 1) play with fundamentals. 2) trade for a left fielder or reliever.
If these people would listen to fundamental baseball and NOT Terry “Stay Aggressive” Pendelton, they might actually knock some guys in. The simple truth of the matter is, Giles is not cutting it in the leadoff spot. But, you can’t drop him in the order, right now everyone but McCann and Renteria needs to be dropped to the 8th spot. Only one can have it.
Trading LaRoche isn’t going to work all that well. As much as he bothers me, having rookie Scott Thorman man the base while Jordan whispers nothing in his ear is even more frightening. I’d like it if LaRoche could ride the pine or pitch from the pen while Thorman manned first every day. It’s idea. You know, I see other left handed hitters that get to play every day in the league. Not sure what Bobby has against them.
If we could get just a leadoff hitter for left field we could turn this around. Putting a guy in left field that actually gets on base close to 40% of the time would improve our production. Especially if he is quick. spots 2-5 would have some one to hit in more often.
Fran-K needs to learn how to recognize pitches. I know he can hit a home run. I’ve seen him do it. But a .260 On Base Percentage is useless. It’s horrible. There is no excuse for that.
I wish this club wasn’t so steeped in tradition. Then it could do a “shake up” and fire some of these highly sought after managerial candidates we have propped up in all the coaching positions. Terry has done absolutely nothing to help this team stop striking out and produce runs. The defense is awful… is that Fredi’s job? Does anyone know who’s working on defense? Rogers, well… how to put this nicely, you suck. Smoltz and Hudson had already proven themselves. You have guided all the young ones into inconsistancy. Maybe it’s your “everyone is different” theme that produces an enviroment of constant change which throws all the pitchers off rhythm. Whatever it is, fix it.
And lastly. Where is Bobby? Where is the Veteran Leadership? Last year Bobby yelled, and the Braves won. The Year before Bobby yelled and the Braves won. Every year Bobby yells and the Braves win. Every year the Veterans hold a closed meeting, and the Braves win. What? Don’t tell me everyone on that team thinks they are being hit by “bad luck”. That they are all “throwing the ball well”. There are some serious flaws in the way these guys play and apparently no one on the team even notices!? Hogwash!
The hitters are pressing? The starters are pressing? Because of the Bullpen? That’s No excuse! If you know that pressing results in bad play, then call a team meeting and yell. Call out the “pressing”. Get back to fundamentals. Play Baseball Damnit!
I read that Sid and Terry came to the Braves and spotted this air of defeat and talked them out of it. It was a closed door players only meeting. That’s how it began. That is part of the winning tradition. That is fundamental. It is where the Braves start.
By Mike
June 14, 2006 01:35 PM | Link to this
Honestly, I’d take Soriano anytime over what we have been putting in LF for the past couple of years. It just won’t happen though.
By #1 Reitsma Fan
June 14, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this
Folks, come on. We may not win a 15th straight title, but we’re only 6 games back for the Wild Card. If we can just scrap our way into the Playoffs, we have a good chance of winning it all this year. We’re the 12th best team in the NL. Go Braves!
By MOBRAVESFAN
June 14, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this
1 Rietsma Fan? Players mom’s should stay away from team blogs, they will probably get their feelings hurt.By MOBRAVESFAN
June 14, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this
Your screen name should have been “Only Rietsma Fan”
By Mets Stink
June 14, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this
Yeah, let’s get Soriano. Give the Nats our best 3 or 4 prospects, and we’ll get Soriano for 4 months. Then he’ll be a free agent, sign with another team and the Braves will be without a LF, leadoff hitter, and nothing down on the farm next year. I’d rather lose the division this year than give up all our best prospects, AGAIN.
By ernesto
June 14, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this
I haven’t been on this blog very long but man it sure is easy to spot that SJA guy, no matter what name he hides behind. Try a little harder will you?
By MOBRAVESFAN
June 14, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this
Hey Mets stink, Maybe you should become a cardinal fan, they live in the perfect world, I know I live around them every day. If Time Warner gave a damn about the team we wouldn’t be in this position anyway. we need the Steinbrenner of the south, Hey maybe we can get George W. to buy the team.
By nelson
June 14, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this
By New York Joe
June 14, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this
Mets+NL EAST CHAMPS BRAVES SUCK THE METS WIN THE METS WIN THE METS WIN! The Braves are LOSERS HAHAHAHAHAHHA
hey u stupid ny fan …the mets really sucks … dont forget whos ur daddy : atlanta braves / shutup …
the braves need to trade chipper jones to another team , la roche / thomson / smoltz back to closer / and trade someone fpr barry zito and alfonzo soriano .
By The Captain
June 14, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this
While I believe the Braves are going to have a tough time making a comeback, it’s also not out of the question. Keep in mind we’ve got 9 games left with the Mets. If we can get on a hot streak and start gaining some ground back, they’ll be in excellent shape to really make a run by the time they start playing the Mets again.
By Captain Obvious
June 14, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this
Right! How many good players have we waisted on players who stick around for one year or less?
1) Adam Wainright to ST.Louis for JD Drew 2) Ramon Colon for Farnsworth 3) Jose Capellan for Kolb
All three of those guys would be helpful in the bullpen.
By TMAX
June 14, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this
Whatever happened to Wilson Betemit getting more playing time? Didn’t Cox say something to that effect? I guess 1 start is more than none. Maybe he is playing Giles a little bit for scouts… we can only hope.
By RickCampForever
June 14, 2006 01:51 PM | Link to this
I think the Braves should bring back Ken Oberkfell, Bruce Benedict, Bob Horner (King of the Japanese Leagues)and those gay-a* powder blue v-neck uniforms.
By Bulldawg4life
June 14, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
I ignore Mets fans. They only exist to fill space in the universe and nothing more.
And let’s keep in mind…they have bought their way to this title.
I don’t like the Phillies but at least the Phils didn’t go out and just purchase every big player.
This is what New York teams do and this is why we hate them.
Milledge, Wright…sure they have produced some players.
Pedro. Glavine. Beltran. Delgado. El Duque. Wagner. The names list of who they keep adding grows.
By Mets Stink
June 14, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
One year rentals have killed us the last few years. Wouldn’t Marquis make a great #3 starter right about now.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
I’m still not convinced the Mets can win the division. I think they’re peaking too early like New Kids on the Block, Vanilla Ice, and Hootie and the Blowfish. Where are those guys now?
By GoBraves3
June 14, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
I agree. Maybe that would do the trick. Maybe Oberkfell and the v-necks would get fans to actually show up and cheer. Quietest stadium ever. The only tema that cant sell out a playoff game. And the TBS announcers dont care either. They spend the whole game talking about their terrible BBQ stand…
By Kman
June 14, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this
NY Joe,
Yep, the Mets MAY win the division, but sure as October they will find a way to choke and not be WS Champs. I like Glavine as he’s a classy guy (almost too much so for NY), but he hasn’t had his second half swoon yet, so be prepared. The Mets are playing unbelievable right now, but seriously doubt something won’t go wrong soon. Braves absolutely look like crap as we speak and only hope they can right the ship to some degree by the A.S. break.Here’s to a Mets implosion!
By Mets Stink
June 14, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this
I hate how NY buys their teams, but who among us wouldn’t kill for any of those guys right about now.
By Chuckles
June 14, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this
1 Reitsma Fan…what is your deal? First there was no problem with constantly throwing Reitsma out there, that he would pick it up sooner or later…now there’s no problem with the Braves, they’ll make the playoffs…I mean I love your optimism (or whatever pills you’re poppin to give you that feeling), but you said it yourself, We’re the 12th best team in the NL…even the Brewers have a better record than us…this team has got to step it up or you can even forget about the wild card, much less the Division…By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this
Hey, the Braves already have Glenn Hubbard. All we need is Rafael Rameriz, Pasqual Perez, and Zane Smith.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this
Oh, and Claudell Washington, too.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
Here’s another…Steve Bedrosian
By Scott Erickson
June 14, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this
Is anyone old enough to remember giving Dale Murphy away to the Phillies? Trade Chipper NOW while we can still get two quality arms and three or four players who mat turn out to be Brian McCann clones.
By Captain Obvious
June 14, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this
Want a reason why the Mets will fade? 1) Tom Glavine is starting to show his age again. 2)Pedro Martinez’s shoulder and big toe 3)Carlos Delgado’s right elbow 4) Billy Wagner’s left index finger
While I’m at it, does anyone remember Tom Glavine in 2002 when he went 11-1 before the all-star break? End went 7-9 the second half and was whipped in the playoffs. And that was when he was 4 years YOUNGER!
By Mets Stink
June 14, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this
Don’t leave out Ozzie Virgil
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this
Yep. August 1990. Good old NL West Days.
By BravesFan3
June 14, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this
Zane Smith. Ha! Good one
By GermanBravesFan
June 14, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this
I have been reading all the comments and suggestions for the past few days. I agree that there may not be a “quick fix” for the problems the Braves are encountering right now. Bringing up some bullpen help from the minors might be a good start, as is the possibility of moving Jorge Sosa to the bullpen (that’s where he originally came from and might be more effective). Startig pitching? Maybe the loss of Leo Mazzone is starting to show now, who knows. However, there is still a good solid base in Smoltz, Hudson and (when the swellig goes down) Ramirez. Thomson just needs to get some confidence back which isn’t easy to do when you know you cannot afford to give up any runs with the offense being as bad as it is. Bringing up a fifth starter from the minors may work, too… In regards to the offense: I agree with the many voices who call for Betemit at second base and bench Giles. Would it make sense to move Renteria into the leadoff spot? Also, I cannot remember the name of the outfielder (Kelly Johnson?) who had elbow or shoulder surgery and who is still rehabbing. How close is he to coming back? Didn’t he have good speed and would he make a good leadoff hitter?
However, the main burden is still on the veterans who need to step up. Chipper is having a sub-par season and Andrew has gone back to his form of 2004…
I still believe in this team!!! However, changes will need to be made and can be made without major trades. Let’s keep the faith; we all know things can turn around in a hurry!!!
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this
Unrelated question: if the Marlins leave Florida and re-locate to say…San Antonio or Las vegas, will division realignment be necessary? How about moving Pittsburgh to the AL East and Baltimore to the NL East? There are too many teams in the NL Central as it is.
By #1 Reitsma Fan
June 14, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this
MOBRAVESFAN, I am not Chris Reitsma’s Mama! I am just a diehard Braves fan that recognizes his talent and concerned that he has been pitching with a hand injury. It’s a shame that this wasn’t made public earlier and he has suffered undeserved hatred.
By Drew
June 14, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this
Well it’s been said, all good things must come to an end. it sucks that its as pathetic as 11+ games back and not coming down to the last game of the season but Johnny S just missed his window this time. If they do come back I can’t see them ever losing
By Rell
June 14, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this
Im glad this streak is coming to an end. Thats all most of you guys and the Braves Org. care about, winning the division instead of winning another world series. Five years from now no ones gonna care how long the streak was. My nephew will probably ask how many rings did they win and im gonna only be able to say 1.
Ive said it once and ill say it again, id trade that streak anyday for 2 more rings.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this
C’mon. His “injury” is a way for Reitsma and the organization to save face. He’s mentally done, but the Braves don’t want to eat his $2.7 million salary.
By BRAVES ha. ha.
June 14, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this
Braves are a great team… FOR ME TOO POOP ON!!
Braves suck. Reitsma sucks (Cox). Next.
By Antonio McNugget
June 14, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this
Oddibe McDowell
By BRAVES ha. ha.
June 14, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this
Braves are a great team… FOR ME TO POOP ON!!
Braves suck. Reitsma sucks (Cox). Next.
By teoa
June 14, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this
Robert, excellent post at 5:29 on the last blog. I’ve been saying all along that Bobby has limitations as a manager and Leo was an essential element of his success. It would be hard for anyone to argue that at this point when every single pitcher that pitched for Leo last year and McDowell this year is significantly worse this year. In the regular season, if you have good players and great pitching, you can get away with just being a well-liked “cheerleader” type manager, where you basically just sit back and watch, occasionally making a move for a left/right matchup, even if the stats say you should do the exact opposite. Strategy becomes much more important in the playoffs, and as you said, Bobby has been out-managed every year. I wouldn’t go as far as to call him one of the worst managers, but your points are well taken and statistically provable…And I think he is definitely the most overrated manager of all time.
By InsiderInfo
June 14, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this
I take solice in the fact that most, if not all of you have NO idea what really goes on behind the scenes. It is a serious handicap to be forced to use the viewpoint and information brought to you by your friend the press, then again why believe what I say? I’m just text on a page. Well? perhaps I can earn some respect over time. Just stay tuned.
By Kman
June 14, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
Yo NY Shmoe,
One more thing about your Shanks. Great history, yes; but they’re also in the baseball history books for the absolute worst choke when they lost to the Red Sox 2 years ago after being on the verge of yet another WS trip and playing at home. That was CLASSIC!
By teoa
June 14, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this
German Fan, Kelly Johnson is out for the year unfortunately — I’m thinking he had Tommy John surgery, so not sure if he’ll be ready for next spring or not.
By Kman
June 14, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
Captain Obvious: I agree 100%. See my post to NY Shmoe. I love Glavine, but he generally fades after the AS break and always looks totally hittable come play-off time. Your other points are right on the money too. The Mets are playing tough right now, but if any of those things happen, they could be in deep poop. If Braves don’t make play-offs, I gotta cheer for anyone other than NY.
By geauxbraves2000
June 14, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this
Growing up in southern Louisiana, thanks to TBS, I have been a passionate Braves fan since the early ’80s. I remember 1982 when the Braves won the divison only to lose to STL in the playoffs, still an exciting season up to that point. Then they stunk it up until 1991 and have won the division every year since (I know 1994 was strike shortened, but who is to say the Braves wouldn’t overtook the Expos). Anyhow, my point being it has been a great run, and if it does come to an end this year that is okay, for we all knew it had to end sooner or later. That said, I had hoped they would go down fighting instead of just giving it away. Still early, still time for a fight, come on Braves, don’t just give it up, fight for it!
GEAUX BRAVES!!
By Braves66
June 14, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this
The Braves may be on the ropes right now, but we have all seen them battle back & of course the wheels will come off the Met’s before too long.
By journalist jimmy smith
June 14, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
help! carolina lady, please return to the blog. something is eating journalist jimmy smith’s hostas! journalist requires some pest control advice from the lady. now, reitsma and numbness … yes, that is what you say you have when you leave all your pitches up in the zone. “numbness.” journalist is often left feeling numb after watching this team play. does bobby cox ever act? certainly he does not react. maybe we could see some life in the lineup tonight? somehow, journalist hates to see giles come up for that first plate appearance. you know renteria will be up with no one on. journalist still thinks mccann’s daddy should be hitting coach. bring him to the big leagues.
By Yelling Last Night
June 14, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this
We need to find a left fielder that can hit leadoff so Giles can go back to hitting 2nd where he was an allstar the last 2 years. Getting Langy and the Roach off the field will help tremendously.
By Head Coach
June 14, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this
Agreed , Curtright. Stick a fork in this bunch, they are done. I said it in spring training , they didnt have a closer or leadoff hitter. I was right and I’m still right. Pull the plug , abandon ship , rebuild , fire sale……. anyone ? With 495 strike outs they currently rank third worst in the majors after the Marlins and Brewers. This tells me they are a bunch of selfish , overpaid , boring , swing for the fences , egotistical , underachieving , dave kingman wannabee’s. here is another prediction , its going to get worse , a lot worse. Im rooting for my Braves , rooting for them too lose their A.S.S.
By Rob
June 14, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this
At this point I say we all go to the yard and give them a show of appreciation for what they have given us the last 15 years. It had to come to an end some time, and it looks as if it’s this year. I for one am extremely grateful for their historic run. That being said, if this continues next year I will be ticked. We have 8 months to put together a contending team for next year. Let’s reload and show them support for the rest of this year. I think we owe them that much.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this
New York Joe is 41 and like 10 year olds, actually.
By journalist jimmy smith
June 14, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this
insiderinfo, solice is something you take for numbness. perhaps it is solace you take in bold type. in any case, we are waiting to be impressed.
beau, “what is dob?” a dob is a baseball writer/genius/captain of this blog. he enjoys country music and women with tattoos and most of their teeth. he is nominated for the wurlitzer prize for doing journalism. you must have heard of him. today he is off and enjoying his lawn mower. he is missed by his many fans. hope this is helpful.
now, the pen … with the addition of this big austrailian we now have very large men, in the pen, to call upon when, the braves need outs again.
now, transition … where is scribe? scribe, know anything about hostas? didn’t the braves have a reliever once named hostas? do jackazzsses eat hostas? hostas on the coast? perhaps alligators in the hostas?
By stephen
June 14, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this
Being the eternal optimist I always say miracles can happen… Not saying they will… but they can. If the Braves are serious about staying in wild card contention, they need to make a move very quickly and it needs to be a BOLD move or two. In 93, bringing in the Crime Dog was a bold move. Last year, calling up Frenchy was a bold move, necessitated by injury; but bold none the less.
I think offensively, the Braves are missing the spark Furcal brought to the lineup. I think the two moves that could have changed the course of this season so far would be for Furcal to still be in the line up and for Retsima to have told about this injury sooner and not been out there blowing all those saves and making close games out of reach.
By baseball1000
June 14, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this
We still have more baseball to play, but they have to play much better, and that awfull bullpen needs revamping. If the streak is over, than man what a great one. They still have one of the best teams in baseball, but we have to forget, all the injured pitchers, the pending sale of the team, and the need even last year for a closer.
I ain’t burning my tickets yet….
By ernesto
June 14, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this
Stephen, Furcal was great, I miss him, but as hot as he was during the 2nd half, he was prone to go on very extended cold streaks. And swing for the fences like no one’s business. Edgar has been great. We need another answer at the top of the order no doubt, but Marcus ins’t the one putting himself in the lead off spot. And Reitsma didn’t keep calling for himself, and his massive ERA, from the pen.
By RW
June 14, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
Well,
To all the people that grumped that we never make it past the first round of playoffs and it would be better to not make the cut at all. Here’s your sign!!!
Dan… PS. I would rather go to the playoffs and lose every year then watch what I am watching now. Death to corporate baseball.
By johnny
June 14, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this
its pretty funny how people say “we only need to make a few changes and we’ll be right back ton track…” but then when they start listing all the things they want changed its about 4-6 huge changes. dont even bother coming up with your own trades, you couch g.m.s never even come close. the only thing i hope for are some call ups. trades? i dont even know if there will be a single positive trade. i love to watch the braves, but right now i cant even do that anymore
By A Nobody
June 14, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this
jimmy smith, I don’t think she’s coming back. I live about 3 miles from her and know her pretty well; she and my wife are related. Once she makes up her mind about something she can be pretty stubborn - but then again, who ever knows what a woman will do! lol
By Zerevon
June 14, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
I don’t care who says what or how they say it, we will not be out of it, remember we were 11 games out in 1991, what happened? You know we won the division that year and each year after that. Don’t be so quick to judge the Braves,it is not fair. Braves past shows that this team never quits,never ever. Also remember we will be playing the Mets more than 10 times yet this year, I know you heard it thousand times but it is not even the all star break yet. Braves always played better in the second half, always won more games. GO BRAVES…
By just passing through
June 14, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
as much as I hate to say it… the braves couldn’t have picked a better time to implode. It’s great to know that my ex — who stole the season tickets — is writhing in misery this year.
I knew the braves loved me best!
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this
Peter Gammons suggested that the Cards would move Mulder and/or Marquis, but not Wainwright.
By suwaneegeorgia
June 14, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this
guy—-you’re right about finding a leadoff hitter and getting some help for the bullpen. however, trying to make Giles a leadoff hitter was ridiculous from the start. he has a horrible uppercut and doesn’t have the speed to make the leadoff position a realistic option. the team’s obsession with “seniority” has cost them. wilson betemit and pete orr deserve to play more, but worshipping giles has become commonplace for bobby. the braves have no speed. is it that hard to find a good contact hitter who can run? tim hudson has been a major disappointment from the beginning of last year. far from dominant, he has pitched inconsistently at best and has been bad at times. if there is any hope for this year, trade giles, laRoche and Langerhans for a left fielder and a first baseman. or bring one up from the farm. put betemit at second or in left. gotta make changes now, not later.
By Pupa
June 14, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this
pupa says jimmy smith no good. if jimmy smith want be comedian go funny farm. braves good curtwright bad.braves have chance more than you think and mets stink.pupa says go braves.
By Kman
June 14, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this
Head Roach /A.K.A. NY Joe, A.K.A. Mel from Atlanta: Your right on the money about the strike outs. Totally absurd. But sounds to me like your just another bitter NYorker who comes down south to visit and decides to stay.I certainly was worried with no closer, but hoped Giles could make the switch to lead-off. Obviously that hasn’t worked.It looks terribly bleak right now, but it has looked bad at other times throughout as well. I’m pulling for a turnaround just to quiet softball coach whiners like you. Grab another beer, rub your gut and keep saying I told you so. You’ll feel much better.
By metsmanintheatl
June 14, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this
tried to tell you….your roster just does not match up to be very competitive….nice run though…think tom glavine’s year typifies how THE WORM HAS TURNED…new era…METS RULE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Bravehater
June 14, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this
Funny how braves fans complain that NY buys its teams. Hey Moron that how the league works it called free agency!! Don’t be mad because the Brave owners are cheap . Better luck next decade !! GO METS
By Kman
June 14, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this
MetsfanintheATL: The run may be over, but see Captain Obvious’s post above on Glavine. Don’t cry too hard when he starts getting shelled during the second half of the year and the play-offs if you guys manage not too choke. Remember its only mid-June. Plenty of time to implode. Too bad you can’t still hang out at that toilet in Flushing.
By saltlakedawg
June 14, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this
Jason Schmidt, Jermaine Dye, Adam Wainwright, Jason Marquis, Jose Cappellan, Mark DeRosa(.342 avg for Texas), Kevin Millwood…
By Wilbanks
June 14, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this
Let’s see, we need a 1B, LF, RF, 3 RP and 3 SP. Nine holes to fill and I think its time for a complete team makeover. I say hold on to McCann, Betemit-(2B), Chipper, Renteria, Andruw, Diaz-(Bench), Smoltz, Hudson, Ray, James, Paronto & Remlinger. Everyone else is fair game. Maybe then the Braves could win the 90 or so games it will take to win the wild card because it is not going to happen with the current team. So, let’s shake things up a little.
By Penn
June 14, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this
Some of the bloggers here are blasting away at Braves management for everything under the sun, at times without checking facts before they make outlandish statements. For example:
Colon has appeared in only 7 games this year, has a 0-0 record and a .648 ERA. I’d sure like to have him alright.
We got Farnsworth for Colon and Farnsworth saved about 10 games for us and it’s doubtful the Braves would have won last year without him.
No way would they have won the year without JD Drew and it took Wainwright two years to make the big club in St. L. Sure he’s doing well now but no way were we going to get JD without giving something in return.
Capillon has a 4.98 ERA and has pitched in 34 innings all year. And you want all three of them back? I’m glad you’re not doing the trading for the Braves. The trade for Kolb was a bad one but it looked good at the time.
If JS made no mistakes the Braves would win 110 games each year and the World Series and do it with an $80 million budget.
Give some credit for all the wonderful years.
The biggest mistake JS has made in my humble opinion is accumulating all that money owed next year in a few players who are aging at the same time. But when he did that he had around $100 to play with. Now he doesn’t.
He has almost $65 million tied up in Hampton, Chipper, Andruw, Smoltz, Renterria and Hudson. With $100 mil to work with he had $35 left. Now he has only $15 left. That makes the cheese really binding.
Hampton is coming off the injured list, Chipper looks like a shell of the old Chipper, Andruw is very streaky but great as usual, Smoltz will be 40, Renterria looks solid as does Hudson.
Now any way you slice it that’s a lot of money tied up in six players. If JS decided to retire I surely would not want the job of putting 19 other players on the field who could play winning ball for $15 million.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this
The Cards fans at mlbtraderumors.com are going nuts, hoping they get Marcus Giles in a trade
By pat
June 14, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
Right now I’ll take a win. Then two in a row, etc. I’ll worry about 15 strait if we are anywhere near the play offs in sept. Right now, we have a game to win, and we better win it.
By jeff (mets fan)
June 14, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this
Hey Braves fans, give it up, jump on the bandwagon and try on the blue and orange baseball cap. 14 titles just does’nt cut it unless you do it all! Mets Rule! Fire your G.M.
By tim
June 14, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this
hey father time- it’s spelled LOSE, not LOOSE….
By Nomar Fulnaround
June 14, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
I know it has been suggested a million times and shot down a million more. I know Chipper says he’s going nowhere but 3B. I know all of this. my question is, why does BC and JS accept that? Stick his immobile butt at 1B, play WillyB at 3B, and you’ve made an immediate improvement without hardly lifting a finger. And don’t tell me that you can’t force a player to change positions… 2 words: Alfonso Soriano. It didn’t hurt his productivity now, did it?
By Joe
June 14, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
I appreciate the Braves hopeful who’d like to see a wild card birth for the team. Unfortunatly the WC will have to come out of the NL Central’s St. Louis/Cinci/Houston or the entire West (who right now does not have a single under .500 team). Look at those team’s records compared to the weak NL East. Let’s be realistic in the East: It’s win it all or go home. Still 97 games left.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
With Renteria and Chipper hitting, the Braves needs somebody who can get on base consistently in front of them. Giles is a doubles hitter who swings for the fence most of the time. He stikes out way to much to be a leadoff hitter.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this
I’ve noticed that no one here responds to posts that aren’t related to BC/JS or Reitsma bashing.
By It's not that bad
June 14, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this
Rectify the middle relief thing (Ray has great stuff - he’ll work at closer: Send Sosa to the Pen, bring up a few good Richmond/Greenville arms), get rid of Giles (Betemit should be leading off), & pick up another starter (Dontrelle?) and we’ll be set.
I foresee the above happening over the next several weeks…….and the Braves will win another Division Title.
By MikeMcC
June 14, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this
I live outside Cincinnati, and heard Marty Brenneman say today Jim Fergosi has been at Great American every day of the Reds homestand. Who’s he scouting Cubs, Reds, Beermakers? The last thing this team needs is another Milwaukee reliever.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
The Marlins will be good next year and very good 2 years from now. They’re not trading Dontrelle.
By dttth
June 14, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this
Has anyone notice since Skip is no longer broadcasting the games on TV the Braves haven’t won a game since. Makes you want to go HUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
By Sack Full Of
June 14, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this
Chipper, Andruw, and Hampton’s salaries are weighing down this team. Their production is not living up to their paychecks either. Where is our Puhols? David Ortiz? We end up with Chumper the Playoff Choker and Andruw Whiffsalot. Great bit players collecting leading role money.
By kevin
June 14, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this
Where are the Four Horsemen?
By Penn
June 14, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this
I just found this on a Cardinal site. Thought you guys might be interested. And I quote:
“Braves Looking To Trade Giles Just got word from a reputable, well-connected source out of Atlanta. Excellent timing, as Braves fans have been clamoring for any indication of a deal.
According to my source, the Braves are serious about trading Marcus Giles and using Wilson Betemit at second base. The club loves Betemit’s bat and he’s earned a chance as a regular. The Braves have gotten a paltry .235/.328/.349 line out of Giles in 238 ABs this year.”
By Wilbanks
June 14, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
The Mets are on pace for 103 wins and have the best record in the NL. The Reds lead the wild card and are on pace for 90 wins. Our only hope is the wild card which goes to the team in 2nd with the best record, no matter the strength of the division. So, to be realistic: The streak is over. Let’s hope the braves can win the 60 or so games out of the 97 left it will take to win the wild card.
By Voice of Reason
June 14, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
dttth - In 1982, the Braves won the first 13 games of the season and coasted to a slim division victory. Toward the end of the season, they removed long time mascot Chief Noc-a-homa’s tent from the left field stands in order to sell more seats. They tanked from thjat point forward and were swept in the NLCS. Moral: Don’t mess with an icon.
By Josh
June 14, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this
mets haven’t done it all jeff, what are you talkin about?
By Voice of Reason
June 14, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this
Of course, I meant to reference Chief Noc-a-homa’s teepee, not tent. The dude wasn’t camping out there or anything…
By Sam
June 14, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
Sad to see the once Mighty Braves go down like this. The bullpen is not the place to cut corners. I knew it was going to catch up with us one day. JS must have been smoking some good stuff to think we could actually win with no lead off man and a bullpen full of meat ball throwers.
By steve
June 14, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
I know it won’t solve all the problems, but I have been saying for two years to put Chipper on 1st Base and put Betemit in the line-up everyday at 3rd.
Betemit has proven he is ready to play everday and quite frankly, at this point in their careers, he is better defensively than Chipper at 3rd. Chipper should be at 1st, move LaRoche to the bench and tell Brian Jordan that we appreciate his service to the Braves and that he has had a nice career, but it is time for you to go.
By just say no to platoons
June 14, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this
Its gonna be hard to bring up anybody from Greenville, seeing as how our Double A team is in Mississippi. The Red Sox might not like us if we call up their minor leaguers.
I think if we’re gonna fail, lets do it with some aaa ball players like thorman and will startup.
I bet opposing managers giggle when they bring in a lefty and see bobby panic.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this
Several of you have no interest in speculating about who might be available and who might be a good fit for Atlanta. Instead, you waste your time with moronic trade scenarios that are better suited for my PS2. I’ve come up with some examples to save your time: Orr/Langerhans for Soriano, Reitsma/Villareal for Dontrelle, and LaRoche for Pujols.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
Oh, I forgot Jordan and Pratt for David Wright and Billy wagner
By joe
June 14, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
Chief Nic-a-homa’s hangout was not a teepee. It was a wig-wam where he privately beat his tom-tom.
By Kent
June 14, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this
HOW TO FIX THE BRAVES:
GET HELP IN THE BULLPEN! The Braves have already called up Phil Stockman, and it’ll be nice to get a look at him. Maybe he’ll be able to help. However, Atlanta still needs to import some bullpen help. Sheurholz is already on top of that, and if there’s a deal to be made, he’ll make it.
TRADE FOR MOISES ALOU. He can still hit, but at his age we shouldn’t have to part with half the farm system to get him. He’s a free agent at the end of the season, but he would be a worth while rental who might help us at least make a run at the wild card. He could give the Braves offense what it needs most… one more big bat and someone who doesn’t strike out much.
REPLACE JORGE SOSA WITH CHUCK JAMES. If Sosa can help in the bullpen, great! If not, cut him loose. John Thompson has also been aweful, but history indicates that he’ll snap out of it. Thompson has been very solid since coming to Atlanta… until the last few weeks.
I don’t care if Scott Thorman does bat left handed. The Braves need more offense. Bring him up, give him a few starts at 1B, and let’s see what he can do.
Giles will probably be traded by the end of the season for more pitching and/or more offense in left field. However, it that doesn’t happen, move Chipper to 1B, and play Betemit at third base. Yeah, I know playing 1B isn’t as easy as it looks, and Chipper’s really never played there, but he’s a smart guy and a great athelete… he’ll figure it out.
By ChrisinPA
June 14, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this
Please think about what you are typing people. You have to keep in mind JS’ GM formula…Stay within the $80 million payroll and think about the team 3 - 4 years down the road…it’s not just about this year!
That being said…I think JS should make a deal for Crawford, as some have said. He is signed to a 4 year deal for roughly $16M = $4M/year. You package Giles/Salty and maybe a young C/C+ pitcher and ask for Perez - a former Philly IF/Util. player back and he takes Betemit’s spot, while Betemit slips into the 2B job. Trade Langerhans to Houston for a servicable pitcher (Maybe Wheeler?). Trade LaRoche to Detroit for RP Rodney, who could close. And then trade Thompson to Toronto for a sevicable pitcher (spot starter/ AAA pitcher). I don’t think Crawford’s contract would bankrupt the Braves the next few years…Detroit wants a LH hitter, can platoon with Shelton. Langerhans, who be close to his home and the ‘Stros look like they might need another outfielder. It seems to me it would make sense. IF NOT CRAWFORD, then go after Joey Gathright, also in Tampa’s organization, for possibly one of your pitchers in the organization and just let him learn at the major league level…poor man Juan Pierre. But think about it. Crawford (LF), Renteria (SS), Chipper (3B), Andruw (CF), McCann (C), Betemit (2B), Frenchy (RF), Jurries/Thorman (1B) Smoltz, Hudson, Ramirez, Davies, James/Sosa & Rodney as the Closer.
By Mark in Memphis
June 14, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this
The only problem with Sosa is a mechanics one. If you watch, when he pitches, if he “stays within himself” his ball sinks and moves. You can tell when his pitching hand stays over or inside his pitching elbow.
If he comes out too strong or tries to put “a little extra” on a pitch, his body lean toward first on the pitch makes his pitching hand come around outside his pitching elbow (he ends up sort of “slinging” instead of pitching the ball). It effects the relative position of his fingers on the ball turning a fastball into a hanging slider (“frisbee”) and changes his release point so he ends up throwing it slightly uphill so it ends up getting HAMMERED.
When he stays “within himself” (which he did last year pretty effectively) he pitches fine, hits his spots, strikes people out and hardly anyone gets good wood on a ball. When he doesn’t, he misses the strike zone, pitches behind in the count and as someone said once “nothing is a easy to hit as a hanging breaking ball”.
By geauxbraves2000
June 14, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this
A lady went into the IRS office to ask a few questions. This lady turns out to be left-handed, but the IRS agent she was dealing with was right-handed. This IRS agent had dealt with left-handers before, quite well actually, but none-the-less he was removed from the area, and in came a left-handed IRS agent. Then I saw Bobby Cox walk back into his office.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this
ChrisinPa, that’s much better than the other suggestions.
By Bowl of red
June 14, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this
What did this team in was the lack of upgrading during the off season. While the Mets got busy and stayed busy and still are busy, our guy JS took vacation after vacation.
Giles should not have come back, they should have gotten an everyday first baseman, they banked on Frenchy being the second coming of Al Kaline and Reitsma should never have been down in spring training, let along, named the closer. Todd Pratt is brutal, the super star centerfielder has shut himself down, that is when not grounding into double plays or not running out grounders. They knew all spring long that the bullpen was horrible. Worse than horrible. It doesn’t matter what all your position players can do, if your pen stinks it all goes for nothing. How many one run games have been lost due to the pen not HOLDING? How many times have the Braves lost after scoring 6 or more runs? This is a sorry team that is dieing a slow death and nobody in our front office gives a darn. What a disgrace.
By Mark in Memphis
June 14, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this
To fix the Braves:
First thing that NEEDS to happen is to get a leadoff man. That is KILLING the offense.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this
The Braves have a shot at Crawford, but with so many teams after him it would cost alot.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this
Scott Sauerback (sp?) was released today. ERA over 6. Maybe the Braves can sign him. He’s left handed, ya know.
By ernesto
June 14, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this
Before we go trading more of the future for a rent-a-player I’d love to see some tweaks done with what we’ve got. Let WB shag some in left, drop Marcus to 2 (or 8 if he keeps struggling), and see how Stockman does. A little winning is good medicine. I’m tired of 1 year Braves.
By p.russ
June 14, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this
What the Braves need to do is play for the Wild Card. They are only 6.5 out of that race. If they play for the Wild Card and some how end up coming back and winning the division then great. Wouldnt it be nice if the Braves could come up with some package deal for the Marlins that would send the Marlins a slew of prospects for D. Willis and M. Cabrera. I know that there have been rumors of the Marlins wanting to dump both guys. We have a large farm system full of young prospects. Why develop all of the guys if you dont either use them or trade them for someone that will help your team. just a thought. I know that does not help the bullpen but at the rate we are scoring runs the bullpen will never have a lead to hold again.
By Chris Leak
June 14, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this
By Voice of Reason “Only 80 days until the Dawgs kickoff with Western Kentucky…” And you think the Braves are bad, wait until your Dawgs 6-6 this season!
By Chop Chop
June 14, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this
The Braves need more players like Ed Giovanola and Mike Mordecai. One Pete Orr is not enough. That will give this team the spark it needs to fully realize its utter collapse.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this
The Marlins are gonna give us enough trouble the next few years with all the prospects they’re starting now. We don’t need to give them any more ammo.
By Penn
June 14, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this
I hear the Gators will consider it a successful year if they go 4-8.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this
I hear DOB is off this week, but couldn’t he drop a line or something?
By Jeremy
June 14, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this
I THINK THAT WE NEED TO WAIT UNTIL THE ALL-STAR BREAK TOO BURY THE BRAVES. If the braves are within 5 or 6 games by then, we would still have a pulse. If we are still in double digits then………RIP BRAVES and bring on football season!
By Jeremy
June 14, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this
maybe we should re-sign Paul Bako!
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this
This team is too talented to continue this skid and the Mets can’t keep up their pace either. Things will start to turn sooner or later. Maybe not the division, but the wild card will be within reach by September
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 05:32 PM | Link to this
No, Henry Blanco
By Kman
June 14, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this
To all the stinking Mets fans: Enjoy it while it lasts because once you get your hearts broken yet again, you’ll be hoping for Yankees victory which won’t happen this year either… As for the wildcard, talk to me in mid-September.
By Enrique
June 14, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this
The bullpen problems are hard to fix. Let´s try C. Jones on first and put W. Betemit on third. Anything would be better than Larouche
By Josh
June 14, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this
Giles for Joe Nathan…..and let Wilson Betemit play 2nd base. I like that idea ALOT. Those salaries would roughly balance out so it wouldn’t tax the payroll too bad.
I’m gonna say somthing nobody else wants to say. Marcus Giles, until the past season and a half, was using steroids. It’s a fact Braves fans like myself don’t wanna face, but it has become painfully obvious. His bat speed is GONE.
By Dirty Dawg
June 14, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this
As disappointing as all this is, the most disappointing are the fans. You’d think that after JS and BC and the Braves had given us 15 years of winning, competitive baseball right on through the Summer and September and even October, we’d be a bit more loyal…more deserving of their effort and more confident that those guys know a hellofalot more than we do about what’s to be done and that they’re committed to doing it.
At the same time, if the team comes to believe that the fans aren’t worthy and, in fact don’t appreciate those efforts then why in hell should they bother? Why should JS put up with all this crap when he could walk into the job in Washington and have a ready-made deal, an enthusiastic owner and a CEO that he knows he can work with - and fans should be fanatic. The fact is he won’t if we sit here and do nothing but whine and complain - and we’ll have deserved to have him bolt. And why should the players bust their butts to try and dig out of this hole when all they see, hear and read is how lousy they are and how the fans are already ready for football - like it was 15-plus years ago. Again, the fact is they won’t and pretty soon the word will be out that why should any free agent want to come to Atlanta? The ownerships is in a turmoil, the leadership is ready to jump ship and the fans are too dumb to know when they’ve got a good thing and faithfully show their appreciation.
Way to go guys.
PS - Bobby, please put Wilson in the game at SS, and leading off and Renteria at second - I’m not complaining, mind you, just I’d mention it.
By Jimbo
June 14, 2006 05:49 PM | Link to this
Tonight: Big Stiff Thomson vs. D-Train. I can hardly wait!
By Learnedhand05
June 14, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this
Does anyone have any info on Troy Percival up in Detroit? I knew he was hurt in March, but I wonder if he is close to returning and possibly available since the Tigers have managed to have a great bullpen without him.
He’s got a history of injury and has some age on him, but he would still be a huge upgrade over what the Braves have now.
By Gayle Abbott
June 14, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this
The Braves would not be looking at the bottom of the Division if Smoltz had not demanded to leave the bullpen. His selfishness has cost this team any hope of repeating. Smoltz vs. Reitsma as the closer. Which one would you pick?
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this
You know what guys… While we’re moving veteran players to positions at which they have zero experience, in the middle of a season non-the-less… let’s put McCann in Left field, and bring up Pena to Catch. Then move LaRoche into the Rotation and stick Hudson in at 2B. Move Chipper to First and put Renteria at third with Betemit at short. Convert Giles to a reliever and keep Francoeur and Andruw where they are. That much change certainly will create a spark, right?
Seriously, why is it every one suggests moving Chipper to first? It isn’t going to happen. You might as well be suggesting to make Up, Down and Left, Right. It simply will not happen. ESPECIALLY in the middle of the season.
A lot of this talk comes from folk saying Chipper is horrible defender, and then in the Next breath saying Jordan offers nothing. LaRoche, for all his faults, is by far the Best first baseman we have on the team. We already have a bad defense, and it isn’t because of the player’s skills. It’s lack of execution of fundamental baseball.
This entire losing span is the direct result of the lack of fundamental baseball. Fundamental Hitting, Fielding and Pitching, with the exception of Hudson and Smoltz on the pitching. (Those two throw games and give up 3 runs or less, and lose, it isn’t their fault.)
If this team is looking for guys who can stand up and lead, then they should look no further than Smoltz, Hudson, Renteria, and McCann. Those are the only four guys I’ve seen on this team actually execute the plays the way they are supposed to. They pitch, hit, and play defense more consistantly than everyone else.
This team has the talent to win. There is no excuse for how poorly they have been playing. All of them have the skills to knock in the run, hit the cut-off man, choke up with two strikes, everything. But they just are not executing, and that requires a team meeting. That requires Bobby yelling. That requires Pendelton either doing his job or retiring for good.
It’s fundamental baseball. These guys look like the Royals out there. It’s awful and there is NO excuse for it.
By ms
June 14, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this
First of all, yes, I think the streak IS over. The streak was great, but it only got us ONE World Championship, so really, no biggie.
Now, did anyone else notice that the only game we have won in like the past 6 yrs seems like is when Wilson B played second base? I like Marcus Giles heart, but lets face it, he is NOT a lead off hitter and he, along with the rest of the team is striking out WAY too many times! I still like the idea of playing Wilson at 3rd, moving Chipper to 1st and having Wilson lead off and move Marcus to the 7 or 8 spot.
As far as the pitching goes….well that a big problem. First we have to give the pitchers some runs to work with, but we really need some more aces. I know Smoltzie said he feels great, but its not showing. Hudson is playing ok, but the rest of the rotation……..well….they are just taking up space. Yes, Leo is gone, but these guys are PRO’s for a reason. There just seems to be no sense of urgency with this club. Of course, good ole Time/AOL isn’t helping nor do they care. I have been a Braves fan for a long time and will keep on being a Braves fan, but I gotta admit, they are no longer fun to watch. I hope things change soon!
By ipfreely
June 14, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this
The blane should go to John s and Booby c,John s had a chance to get Dannys Baez during the off season and he and cox kept farting around and let the dodgers end up getting him,thats the Braves problem,they procarstinate and don’t do anthing until it is too late.Time to fire John s and Booby c,make Tp the new manager and Frank Wren the new GM and then maybe some moves will be made,John s won’t say what he did with the extra money from Chippers restructed contract.Too hell with all this loyalty,loyalty doesn’t win games.Braves got several good prospects at Richmond that could help,James,Thorman,Statup,Barry,jurries.with these guys and a couple trades the Braves might have a shot at the wildcard. first thing is to fire BC and JS and have the newcomers start a complete overhaul.
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this
I think Percival called it quits. He signed his big contract, pitched six games and flamed out. Probably one of the Best descicions an Angles GM ever made.
By Penn
June 14, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this
THERE’S SOMETHING TO THAT OPS.
I’ve never paid much attention to the OPS (combination of the OBP and SLG) but after spending a few minutes looking it over it sure makes sense. Check this out.
McCann 985, Renterria 887, Betemit 867, Chipper 853, Diaz 853, Andruw 847, LaRoche 818, Brayan Pena 809, Francouer 716, Langerhans 716, Giles 672, Jordan 627, Orr 557, Pratt 555,
Anything under 800 is suspect and anything under 700 is trade bait or a candidate for getting rid of in some way.
Just look at who is on the bottom rungs. For sure we don’t need Giles leading off and we sure as heck need Betemit in that line-up.
Looking at homers per ABs I find the following: Each player has hit a homer each of the following numbers of ABs.
Andruw 15, LaRoche 19, Francoeur 20, McCann 27, Chipper 28, Rentterria 28,
By Chase
June 14, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this
Hey New York JOE!!!!!!!!!you are a complete loser……because only a loser braggs about winning one out of every 18!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By dfree
June 14, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this
first off, take that title off that blog GUY, i mean who are you anyway, you never respond to anything, you are basically like a computer or the ap the way you mutter your little stats etc, don’t start having an opinion now, granted things don’t look good, but the streak can;t be considered over in the middle of June, no one in their right mind would think it is probable for the bravos to overcome that deficit, especially the way they are playing, still, this team has overcome unprobable things in the past and its not time for you to start saying the streak is over, go back to “the team. the time” or whatever it is that you mets fan say.
By Dsquared
June 14, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this
With the extended slump that the Braves are in, it does seem plausible that John S. is waiting until he is in a position to be a seller rather than a buyer. The trend in recent years has been that teams who smell the postseason get desperate come the last week of July, and trade away top prospects for a player that might help down the stretch. If he plays his cards right, this year might be a dissapointment, but we could see a championship caliber team at Disney next spring.
By SR
June 14, 2006 06:17 PM | Link to this
Of course the damn streak will end this year, the only ones yet to figure that out are JS & BC!! Plenty of blame to go around, that much is undeniably true.
Most of us here on the blog knew going into this year that this team had plenty of holes, to wit:
Did anyone really think Marcus Giles could hit leadoff?? He told Furcal that he didn’t want to do so and lo and behold, not only did he not want to, he can’t!!
Did anyone really believe that Chris Reitsma could close! Hell no! How many of us have said that over and over and over and over and…. How come the genius manager and GM not know that?
Did anyone really believe the castoffs of Moe, Larry, Curly etc. could comprise an effective bullpen?? Hell no!!! Spend some damn $$$ for a change on the bullpen. Make it a priority instead of shopping the freakin’ blue light specials at KMart for bottom of the barrel relieivers. This is the year that this strategy finally caught up with them.
Did anyone really believe the starting pitching was anything but ordinary? Hell no! Smoltz is still Smoltz but even he is starting to show cracks in the facade. Hudson, Ramirez and Thomson are maddeningly inconsistent and the jury is still out on Davies. No one could have predicted what Sosa was going to do one way or the other.
Did anyone really believe that Brian Jordan had anything left? Hell no!!! He almost retired!
Did anyone really believe that Ryan Langerhans was the answer in left field? Hell no, they played Kelly Johnson just as much when he was healthy.
Did anyone really believe that Frenchy 1st half of the season last year was the real deal or did long time baseball fans realize that once the pitchers got to know him, the Frenchy of the 2nd half of the season was a more realistic picture of the type of player he is.
Did anyone really believe that Adam LaRoche and that hokey swing of his could be the answer at first base? Hell no!!
This team is road kill. Make some damn moves already!!!!
By Robert
June 14, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this
The biggest thing that Bobby Cox could do to improve this team’s chances of winning on any and every given night would be to throw a donkey sized temper tantrum and get himself ejected before the start of every game
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 06:33 PM | Link to this
Penn: OPS is quite the stat. It’s partially irrational (adding two averages together) but it is very telling. A great player will have a .400 OBP and a .600 SLG, plus or minues, give or take. That stat puts the elite, the Pujols of the crop, out of reach for most mortals. If the player has 1.000 OPS they are really producing. It’d be near impossible to have 1.000 OPS and not have a lot of RBIs and Runs Scored.
Francoeur could have a great OPS if he’d only learn to take a walk. He has a fair Slugging… put that OBP up closer to .350 and he’d be in the “solid” catagory.
A good case study is JD Drew when he played for the Braves. He had a 1.000 + OPS I believe. he also reached base in all but about 10 or 11 games he played in. It’s a bummer he didn’t stick around, but it isn’t like we got totally shafted. When he was here he produced better than he has ever in his career and better than 90% of the league.
That book Moneyball goes into the value of OBP. It’s how Billy, or more to the point, Sandy Alderson (The Padres President now) built his team strickly on guys that could get on base. They didn’t have to hit the homers, they just had to know how to get on base.
I’m not a fan of the way that book talks or refers to scouts and the basic traditions of the game, but it does have something to say about On Base Percentage.
Walks are the on thing that there is no way to defend against. It takes the ball out of every single players hand except the pitcher. It puts the game entirely on one guy. It’s very powerful. Rack up enough walks in a game, and you win. You win because guys are all over the place. You win because no pitcher can last throwing that many pitches and allowing that many base runners.
It’s the one thing this team doesn’t really have. We aren’t scoring because, instead of drawing a walk, or slapping a single, we’re swinging for the fences. We’re attempting to inflate the SLG stat instead of the OBP stat. Working the OBP hurts the other team more than your team. It’s just the way that stat works.
If the Braves K’s were actually BB’s, we’d be the best team in the majors.
By Todd A
June 14, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this
Scott, The thing that sticks out to me most about the Murphy trade was the fact Cox became totally paralized when it came to making a trade as GM,especially when it involved an aging Dale Murphy.At one point,the Mets offered HOJO,Len Dykstra,and a prospect.Cox balked,wanting their top pitching prospect(David-I forget his last name now)thrown in as well.He waited too long.We had to settle for second line prospects like Jeff Parrott,Jim Vatcher,and another journeyman player.All the while,he was drafting and developing a young pitching staff.But it was real frustrating on the Major League level at that time.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this
“Walks are the on thing that there is no way to defend against”
WHAT? You start off with a decent enough explanation of OPS and then make a statement like THAT?
It’s called COMMAND. A pitcher with COMMAND doesnt issue walks - and presto the issue is moot
By Robert
June 14, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this
By the way, it would be AWESOME if this season played out like 1990.
The Braves changed managers in 1990
By jon
June 14, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
TERRIBLE! Foxsport’s leading headline was big changes in braves lineup tonight. I start getting excited…they posted the lineup and it was worse than ever!
1)Giles 2)Renteria 3)C. Jones 4)A. Jones 5)Francouer 6)Diaz 7)Jordan 8)Pratt
are you kidding me with this crap? AWFUL! We’re giving the pennant away!
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
Robert… Defend was the key word. When you put the ball in play, the defense takes over. But you can’t defend against the walk, the ball is never in play to defend against. It’s like opening the flood gates. The defense is out there with nothing to do because they can’t produce an out on a walk.
I’ll amend that, for nearly everyone in the league, and who has ever played the game, the defense cannot produce an out from a walk… unless the batter is LaRoche. I haven’t seen him pull that off yet, but I bet he could find a way to make it happen.
By InsideSource
June 14, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this
According to a highly placed source, the Braves and Blue Jays are in very serious talks about trading Giles for Hillenbrand. Hillenbrand, a career .292 hitter with pop, bats right and would platoon with LaRoche at 1st.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 06:46 PM | Link to this
Librty Media has new name for Braves— “The Rocky Mountain Royals”!!!…GO METS!!!…
By saltlakedawg
June 14, 2006 06:47 PM | Link to this
The best thing that could happen for the Braves is for this run to be over and get the playoff monkey off their backs. Trade Chipper, Smoltz, and Giles to contenders for prospects. Keep the core of Andruw, Francoeur, McCann, Hudson, Ramirez, Davies to build around. Stop trading prospects for one year wonders or one year flops. I would rather see them not make the playoffs for a couple of years and let the prospects develop than to keep making these first round exits. Face it, the Braves rode the backs of Glavine, Maddux and Smoltz for about 10 years, with an average lineup and average bullpen. You could have put those 3 on any team in baseball and made the playoffs every year.
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this
Thanks Inside Source…..
This crap of carp. Why are we trading for a guy who can platoon. So far we’ve faced 10 left handers. At this pace we give up Giles for a guy who will start 20 games for us. If we get Shea, he better frickin play all the time. LaRoche can sit in the dugout and work on his curve ball.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this
Ok, I get what you’re trying to say.
In that regard you cant defend against the home run either, and you dont need to defend against the strikeout
And thus you have the three true outcomes
By Pantherssuck
June 14, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this
Time to bring back Ed Olwine, German Jimenez, Andres Thomas, Dion James, Paul Runge, and Oddibe McDowell…think they might do better than this current team? Yeah, me too!
By Pete
June 14, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this
By saltlakedawg
“The best thing that could happen for the Braves is for this run to be over and get the playoff monkey off their backs. Trade Chipper, Smoltz, and Giles……”
Youre forgetting that Smoltz and C. Jones are “10/5” men, meaning they have been in the majors 10 years, and the last 5 with the same team, meaning they can void any trade, meaning it “aint” gonna happen.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this
I’ve watched some damned good teams play ball the last few years—-and none of them had John “Genius” Scheurholz as general manager or Bobby “HOF’er” Cox as their manager—-now just how is that possible since they are the only 2 people on the face of the earth that are capable of fielding a baseball team??…GO MARLINS!!!…
By Robert
June 14, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this
Hillenbrand has a career adjusted OPS of 100 and a career K/BB ratio of worse than 3 to 1.
That .290 career batting average isnt exactly a lie, but it’s a misleading stat that would have one far overestimate Hillenbrand’s value as an offensive producer if looked at in isolation
Adjusted OPS is OPS normalized for park factors.
100 is the average big leaguer, a 10 pt difference is essentially a “level” of ballplayer - a career 140 is just about a lock HOFer
LaRoche thru ‘05 was a 102 Langerhans a 96 Giles a 115
My point - this team already has more than enough Shea Hillenbrands on it
By Todd A
June 14, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this
DOB, I couldn’t agree more.Schuerholz’ complacency,and not addressing the team’s obvious weaknesses this off-season is the most frustrating thing about this whole miserable season.It didn’t have to be this way.The Mets may very well have won the division title anyway.They are absolutely loaded.But,Reitsma’s performance has completely sucked the life out of this club.Two times this year,he has blown games in which the Braves made late,heroic comebacks,after being down by several runs.
Also,it looks like winning the division last year with so many kids on the roster may have been a curse.Seems as though JS was duped into thinking he could just plug anyone in at leadoff,and as long as Cox was in the dugout,the Braves would prevail over the long haul.Look at Charles Johnson 2 years ago.Where is he now?With Atlanta,he was a rising star.Now he’s floating around in oblivion.With that said,there is no excuse for it to have gotten to this point.Cox is just as responsible for this disaster as Schuerholz.Bobby could have tried anything to this point to try and shake things up.At times there is lack of effort,and some seem to have tuned Cox out.
Jeez,79 days to Western Kentucky seems like an eternity right now.
Oh yeah.Hey New York Joe:bite me.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this
2-faced Braves fans—b*** about the Yankees and Mets spending money to win—-then in the same breath b*** about TW not spending the money needed for Braves to win!…Gee Whiz, Golly!…..Golly Gee!!!…GO NATS!!!…
By Todd A
June 14, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this
German Jimenez?LOL.Bobby thought he had found another Fernando Valenzuela when he signed him out of the Mexican Leagues.More like Freddie Fender.
Oh.Add terry Blocker to that list.The horror…oh the horror.
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this
Robert: “You can’t defend against the home run either”. That’s what Sandy and Billy were after. Taking the ball out of the defenses hands. They were real heavy on the OBP because walks can still produce runs. Home runs are always welcome and are accounted for in the OPS, the SLG part of the OPS. They had a seperate system for selecting pitchers. The book didn’t go into it though.
But, a good hitter can still draw a walk from a very controled pitcher. A good hitter would have the ability to fight off the pitches he can’t do much with until he gets his pitch or gets a walk. The hitter has the advantage of not tiring as quickly… again, unless it’s LaRoche.
Sandy and Billy were taking that approach to the offense, keep the ball out of the defenses hands as much as possible. They have this system of how outs subtract runs, so never make outs, not even on sac bunts. It was the antithesis of small ball. The “Moneyball” term came into play because they found that, at the time, OBP was not as highly valued, so they could get guys for cheap that had the eye for a walk.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this
Hey John Scheurholz, are you going to write a book explaining how you p** away all the accomplishments made as Braves GM over the last several years in just this one season??…You should resign in shame, but first fire that old fart Bobby Cox!!!…GO PHILLIES!!!…
By Woogidy
June 14, 2006 07:21 PM | Link to this
What do Mets fans an Sears have in common? Both have little boys pants half off!!!
By Robert
June 14, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this
Furcal - career thru 2005 - .284 BA, .348 OBP, 96 adjusted OPS, 31.5 steals per season
Renteria - career thru 2005 .288BA, .345 OBP, 95 adjusted OPS, 24.6 steals per season
So losing Furcal was no big deal, since we replaced him
As a team, in ‘05, the Braves hit .265 and slugged .435, 4.74 runs a game
In ‘06 - .264, .437, and 5.06
Now let’s look at the pitching
JSmoltz - 2005 - 3.06 2006 - 3.73 JThompson 4.47 vs 4.84 HRamirez 4.63 vs 5.06 THudson 3.52 vs 3.79 KDavies 4.93 vs 6.12 Reitsma 3.93 vs 9.11(ironically appropriate) Sosa 2.55 vs 5.58
It was LEO. It was ALWAYS LEO
Leo got the maximum talent out of the available material. That’s a coach’s job
Now, before I get to what y’all know is coming, let me say that most individual games pretty much play out on their own, without some particular managerial move deciding the outcome.
The manager’s job is to get the maximum number of wins out of the available talent.
One element of this is “babysitting”. Cox is quite good at this. Happy players will win more games than unhappy rebellious players, no doubt.
But there is a LOT more to it than that. And the indictment starts here
When there are moves and countermoves to be made, Cox is almost always one behind
When it was comparable talent in a short series (i.e. the PLAYOFFS) the only two opposing managers who didnt CONSISTANTLY have Bobby Cox behind the eight ball, one trump behind, were Hargrove and Valentine.
So as far as in game strategy, Cox is reactive rather than proactive. Against comparable talent and managing, that spells doom. Think chess - as long as white makes the optimal move, the best black can do is force a draw
Cox most successful in-game “move” (as well, it seems, as the primary motivational tool he uses on his players) is the temper tantrum leading to ejection. If only he had executed this move in every October game the past 15 seasons, I believe the Braves would have 3 or 4 World Series titles
As far as getting a team out of a a doldrums, what Cox does more than anything is NOTHING. This was fine and dandy in the 90’s. For the course of a long season Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz teams didnt need fixing, because they WERENT BROKEN.
When they did need fixing (when down in the playoffs) or a team like this one that needs a whole LOT of fixing to even dream about the playoffs, doing NOTHING will accomplish NOTHING
Now Bobby Cox doing nothing because he refuses to change? In that case, he is as STUBBORN as a donkey
Or maybe Booby Cox is doing nothing because he sees no need for change, or because he doesnt know how to do anything? In either of these two cases, he is a STUPID as a donkey.
It really doesnt matter which is the case, because either way COX IS A DONKEY.
He is on the short list for worst baseball manager of all time
Someone wanna come back at me with an arguement that goes beyond “14 straight division blah blah blah blah Cox hung the moon?
Im all ………. EARS? :P
Next we will take a look at the myth of the 14 straight
By Todd A
June 14, 2006 07:30 PM | Link to this
Furcal and Renteria are two different style players.We already had a #2 hitter in Giles.Furcal was the catalyst for this team’s offense.The stuff on Cox…no argument here.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 07:34 PM | Link to this
THE MYTH OF THE 14 STRAIGHT or 183 straigh Little League World Series Titles Wouldnt Impress Me Either
Let’s look at the 14 division titles streak a little closer. Just how good did the Braves have to BE to win those 14 straight division titles? Well, forget how many they won for a moment, and let’s see how many they NEEDED to win
1991 - 94 1992 - 91 1993 - 104 1994 - 6 games back - this season is conveniently forgotten because there was no formal division title awarded 1995 - 78 (corrected to 162 games) 1996 - 89 1997 - 93 1998 - 89 1999 - 98 2000 - 95 2001 - 87 2002 - 84 2003 - 92 2004 - 87 2005 - 89
Now, this analysis does have a slight flaw - If the Braves had won fewer games, that means some opponent of theirs wouldve won more, which means the number is an underestimate. Let’s roughly correct for this - average margin of victory 1991-2005 - 7 games Adds about half a win per opponent, skew it to the better teams and say 1 game - so add one to all the above numbers
The Maddux Glavine Smoltz teams - needed an average of 90.44, add the one for the correction factor to get 91-92 wins
How impressive is 92 wins if you have THREE Hall of Fame pitchers? Is a manager a GENIUS if he can get 92 wins out of a team with Maddux Glavine and Smoltz of the staff? I think the little girl that won the spelling bee a few weeks ago could have gotten 92 wins a year out the Maddux Glavine Smoltz teams.
Due diligence time
The impressive years - let’s start recent
2000 - when they needed 96 and didnt have Smoltz - inspired perhaps by The Big Cat?
2004 - Look at those ERAs for Ortiz, Thomspon, Wright, and Hampton. VERY impressive (LEEEEEoooh LEEEEEooh)
2005 - The return to the rotation of Smoltzie, the addition of Hudson, and most of all the career year from Andru
The alternative explanation for ‘01-‘05 (bolstered by the fact of where he is now) is that it was Julio Franco
and then you get to the good old days
91 and 92, when the young guns found their aim, 93 when they added Maddux as he was entering the unreal core of his prime, and 95
1995 - First round of the playoffs against the Rockies - two games at Coors. The second two rounds, in the 8 games they won, the Braves gave up as many as three runs ONCE. We won the World Series the year the pitchers ran the table.
Conclusions -
1.As a whole,the 14 staright division titles aint the hot __ it’s made out to be
2.The years that are somewhat impressive are quite readily attributable to something other than Bobby Cox
To me, Game 1 of the 99 World Series is the ultimate indictment of Cox. Flash back. Maddux ends the seventh by striking out Ricky Ledee on a change up that moved about 8 inches out and eight inches down. He has given up nary a run. The first hitter due up in the eight (Brosius) already has two hits off him. Without a doubt Maddux should be done for the evening, and the bullpen should be brought in to do what it is paid to do. But NOOOOOOO - he comes Maddux being trotted out to start the eight. I mutter something under my breath .Brosius singles. I curse at the screen.Maddux stays in the game Strawberry walks. I throw an empty and some chips at the screen. Maddux stays in the game. By the time Jeter comes to the plate I am repeating over and over, louder and louder “Take him out He is done” Jeter singles and I have I have about blown a gasket screaming “When are you going to him out you g_ stupid F JACKASS!
At that moment, I swear I heard hee-hawing coming from the Braves dugout - and the pitching change was made
By saltlakedawg
June 14, 2006 07:35 PM | Link to this
Pete, I can see Chipper possibly blocking a trade, but don’t you think Smoltz would jump at the chance of pitching for the Tigers in a pennant race.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this
Some of the Braves, including John Smoltz, have said that the pitching coach really has little to no affect as to the success of the pitching staff——Well it looks as though Roger McDowell is living proof of that!!!…GO TIGERS!!!…
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this
hillenbrand has more power against righties but a higher average against lefties. .333 avg, 11 hr, 33 rbi in 2006…had only 18 hr all of last year. Maybe this is a signal that LaRoche is a lame duck
By Woogidy
June 14, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this
Boy, Giles is such a good hitter… That was some home run.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this
With Hillenbrand, the Braves could try to move LaRoche and bring up Thorman to preserve Bobby’s lefty-righty fixation.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 07:48 PM | Link to this
What does it matter that Scott Thorman can’t hit right-handed??…that damn Brian Jordan and Adumb LaRoche can’t hit with either damn hand for that matter!!!…GO METS!!!…
By Woogidy
June 14, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this
The term “automatic out” is a definition of Todd Pratt.
By Jeff
June 14, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this
INTEGRITY? These millionaires seem to have little! Reitsma is another fine example. Honest is lacking in the big leagues— but we the fans are the bigger fools. We are the ones that pay these men their salaries. I for one am fed up with the dishonesty. Reitsma dishonest has cost the Braves at the very least five wins— my friends that would have us in the race. Think about it and continue to booooo this man. He has earned it!
By Robert
June 14, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this
There’s rats in the corn, a hole in the bucket, and a donkey in the dugout
By eli
June 14, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this
and here goes our bullpen again…
By tbo
June 14, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this
BC is a stubborn old fool. His continuing to play Reitsma, LaWhiff, Brian Jordan, and Marcus Giles is absolutely ridiculous. He should be fired right now.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this
Robert, Don’t Forget that the Braves also played in a weak division most of the years of the streak.
Les Expos were always in trouble financially after 1994. The Mets were always overpaying someone (Mo Vaughn, Mike Piazza, Jeromy Burnitz …). The Phillies had Larry Bowa when not rebuilding. And the Marlins were kings of the firesale.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this
And yet the Marlins have twice as many World Series titles as we do
By journalist jimmy smith
June 14, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this
this is the at-bat that takes “p” player pratt below .200. yes, it is done!
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:27 PM | Link to this
Bobby won’t be fired. He and JS have developed a relationship and maybe this has compromised the GM’s objectivity. Maybe it hasn’t. Regardless, both will retire at the same time from the Braves.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this
Notice I did not say “irregardless” because that is not a word.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this
Here we go again
By DC Falcon Fan
June 14, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this
Why hasn’t anyone thought of this: Move Giles to 1B, put W-Bet at 2nd, and let Giles bat 6 spot and W-Bet leadoff? Keep Giles on the field, he’s got good hustle, take pressure off of him batting leadoff, free up his bat at 6 spot. Sure, he’s a little short for 1B, but when the guy’s right, and he may come around if he gets out of the leadoff spot, he’s a freaking sparkplug you want out there. He just flat hustles all the time.
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 09:38 PM | Link to this
Gee after reading all this break down of the last 15 years I can come to no other conclusion than we sucked. We were no more special than the Brewers, who consequently lost for the last 15 years.
Winning 14 divisions in a row is a big deal. I’d love it to be 14 WS in a row, but all I can do to contribute is cheer and buy countless pieces of merchandise with the Braves logo on it.
It’s a streak. It’s a baseball streak. It will not be forgotten. All streaks in baseball are amazing. A batter can hit .250 and have a 162 game hit streak. But the fact that he can go out there day in and day out and do it, is amazing. It’s consistancy. A streak is a monument to consistancy. The Braves have been the most consistant team in the majors for the past decade and half. That’s no little thing.
I suppose the one thing that “cheapens” would be the wild card. Not only because of the effect it has on the post season, but because it rewards the second place team. The team that couldn’t win the race. I’ve never been a fan of the wild card. It’s just lame. But 14 in a row, 15 straight winning season is far, far better than losing. We’re in a losing rut right now and everyone on the blog is bummed out. It’d be even worse if this was the 80’s all over again. Constant sucking. Constant blowing. Like the team is hyperventilating.
Good start from Thomson today. He turned a corner there in the 2nd when he loaded them up and got away with only a run. And now I see he’s injured? Well, Chuck James this is yours to master now. Jump in there and kick @ss!
I am pleased to see more hits than K’s today.
By krath
June 14, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
Glad Bobby said he was going to give Betemit some starts after he went 3 for 4 Saturday against the Astros.
Lets see…. how many starts has he had since then?
Ray just gave up a 2 run homer to tie the game. Why am I not surprised?
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
I understand the whole “confidence” issue with pitchersa, but Ray should’ve been pulled after the double. Oh, and there should be no visit from McDowell.
By journalist jimmy smith
June 14, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
flash! ken ray has experienced numbness! tie game! wes helms! wes helms!
By Woogidy
June 14, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this
Kenny “Dissar” Ray showed up tonight.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 09:40 PM | Link to this
SCHuh-WEEEEEET!!!!
By, of all people, Wes helms (his second of the game no less)
Wait, wait — Listen carefully now, I believe I hear some hee-hawing emanating from the Braves dugout. Is Cox getting ready to make a move?
By tbo
June 14, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this
OK. Now the Braves STINK has gotten to Kenny Ray. Even though BC is about as stupid as you get, the players also get some credit for the pitiful display this year.
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this
Ken Ray, noooooooooo. Just because Reitsma’s gone doesn’t mean you have to take up his slack. Let’s go Braves!
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this
Remember Rocky 3 where Apollo told Rocky he’d lost the “eye of the tiger?” It’s Clubber Lang vs. Rocky. Wanna guess which one is Atlanta right now?
By larochy
June 14, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this
Wait a second….is that Reitsma on the mound with a Kenny Ray mask on???
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this
That’s why you don’t bring in your “closer” in the 8th. It’s a mental thing…I guess. Jesus Christmas.
By tbo
June 14, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this
I just love seeing that fat old fool BC in the dugout looking ticked off.
By fart
June 14, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this
The Damn bullpen blew it again,Braves were winning going to the 8th,bullpen blew it again,ray threw a gopher ball to Helms and the fish tied it in the bottom of the 8th,now fish will bring in joe boroski for the 9th he will get three outs,Braves will go to bottom of 9th and fish will get a run and win,
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this
I am a little curious. What was Ray doing in the 8th if he is the closer? If he is not the closer, then who is? Who was Cox going to put in in the ninth? Was this going to be one of the old time fav’s multi-inning saves?
I see those posts about Betemit. That’s what I was saying when he did well. I think Betemit did so well in Giles’s spot that it frightened Cox. He didn’t want to have to bench Giles for a bench player. Had Betemit gone up there and struck out 5 times or grounded into 4 rally-killing double plays you’d be seeing more of him.
By tbo
June 14, 2006 09:49 PM | Link to this
Hey. LaWhiff has finally found a way to get on. Now its time for a double play.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:49 PM | Link to this
.235 batting average for Giles.
By journalist jimmy smith
June 14, 2006 09:50 PM | Link to this
small ball! bobby is playing small ball! now, one run and we turn it over to the bullpen again.
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 09:50 PM | Link to this
I’m watching on GameDay… did LaRoche really just get a bunt single?!?!?! Was that real, or a keying error by mlb.com?
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:51 PM | Link to this
Oh, with the bunt….237 batting average.
By john
June 14, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox is stupid,he definitely has dementia,time to fire him and bring on TP to manage.
By larochy
June 14, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this
Ray was setting it up for our new closer, the guy who’s never thrown a pitch in a major league game, Phil Stockman??? What?? BC has lost it…..
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:53 PM | Link to this
I’d like for the veterans to get p** and “step up” like last year when the pen blew a lead against the Nats and both Joneses homered late.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this
TP?…No plate discipline already.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 09:56 PM | Link to this
In the words of a beloved HOF’er manager from Hotlanta——Heeeeee! Haw!……….Heeeeeeeeeee!…….. Haw!………..HEE!… HAW!… HEE!… HAW!… HEE!… HAW!………..HEEEEEEEEEEEE!!………….HAAAAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!…GO METS!!!…
By journalist jimmy smith
June 14, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this
will mccann bat?
By tbo
June 14, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this
Looks like Andrew is back to his old form.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 09:58 PM | Link to this
No me gusta
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 10:00 PM | Link to this
I’m telling ya…eye of the tiger
By journalist jimmy smith
June 14, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this
francoeur should spend some time with mccann’s daddy. actually, mccann should have hit for francoeur.
By eli
June 14, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this
CAN NO ONE ON THIS TEAM CLOSE A GAME…GET RID OF LAROCHE, GILES, LANGY, THOMSON, JORDAN, ORR, PRATT, AND MOST OF THE PEN…. C-Mccann 1B-Thorman 2B-Betemit SS-Renteria 3B-Chipper LF-Crawford CF-Jones RF-Frenchy Bench-B.Pena, T.Pena, Jurries, Diaz, Prado, Johnson
Rotation: Smoltz Hudson James Ramirez Barry
Pen: Ray Stockman Paronto Startup (GIVE THIS KID A CHANCE TO CLOSE) McBride Sosa
By Cox 4 HOF lol
June 14, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this
The braves used to win in spite of Cox, but now he’s being exposed for the MGR. I’ve been saying he really is for the past 16 years. Don’t go to the games folks, they’re sorry.
By tbo
June 14, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this
Good old Bobby Cox. We have another Braves choke. Here comes the end. I rather enjoy seeing these hacks lose.
By eric the elder
June 14, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this
Andruw had a great at bat there, that’s fer sure. Those two checked swings woulda been homers if he had actually swung regular, that’s fer sure. That third strike was just bad luck - - Borowski just didn’t pitch it where Andruw was swinging. Great at bat, that’s fer sure.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this
Tennessee Paul, the Braves have been on a slide for 7 seasons, including this one. I’d trade the last 6 divisional titles for one more world series championship. If a team doesn’t want to win it all, why play. The Braves have been playing to maintain the “streak”. JS and Bobby are clueless as to what it actually takes to bear down and go for it.
By krath
June 14, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this
I hope Francour doens’t drink or do any drugs. He must have an addictive personality. He had to know after swinging at those first two pitches away that he was going to get an 0-2 pitch in the dirt away. He had to know they were going to waste a pitch or two with no balls 2 strikes. But it’s just like heroin to an addict. He knew the pitch was coming and still couldn’t help himself.
If that kid had an IQ about 20 points higher he would be the next Joe Dimaggio! But a ten cent head can mean the difference between a great career and a pretty good career.
By john
June 14, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this
andruw sucks
By journalist jimmy smith
June 14, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this
yikes! yates! he must now face uggla …
By ipfreely
June 14, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this
another stupid move by Bobby c,tyler Yates pitching the 9th,where is the Big Aussiw,why aint he pitching.Braves deserve to lose with a stupid move like this,you don’t bring in tyler Yates for the 9th.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 10:10 PM | Link to this
free baseball. yay!!!
By Woogidy
June 14, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this
This game isn’t as easy as it looks.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this
TP - my conclusion was NOT that the Braves sucked. The conclusion is that their record does not constitute, in any way shape or form, an endorsement for Cox’s MANAGERIAL SKILLS
Now, did Cox, as GM, have an eye for talent and get things rolling. POSSIBLY. Fine, in that event, put him back in the front office. There’s plenty of donkeys in upper level management with corporations all around the world
14 straight division titles is EYE OPENING. It makes a curious fan want to dig deeper and figure out how it happened. Once you do that, you find out it’s not AMAZING, not at all
It is far MORE amazing that a team as consistantly good as the Braves has won but one World Series title and has had overall such a humiliating playoff experience. Since the one TRULY great year in 1995, when the Braves have lost in the playoffs, they havent just lost, they’ve gotten their c_s knocked off in truly embarrassing fashion.
1996 - the choke of all chokes 1997 - blaming Eric Gregg’s strike zone was sour grapes if there ever were any 1998 - no shows vs San Diego 1999 - Yankees fans already mocked us beofre this World Series. It hurt like hell to find out the Braves were even worse chumps than the Yanks fans made them out to be 2000 - No shows vs St Louis 2001 - Ditto vs Arizona 2002- SF - PFFFFFffffffft 2003 - The Cubs! How SPECIAL! I mean, the Cubs have SUCH a glorious playoff record 2004 - HOUSTON! I mean they had won, how many playoff series before this one? Oh, zero. Well, um 2005 - Houston AGAIN! - Who didnt know this was over before it began
For the period 1991-2005, the Braves had 2 of the three of Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz for 13 years, and all three for 10. They were gonna win a bunch of regular season games, even with Luke Edwards as manager
There’s two things that bother me most when people assign the “streak” this aura of greatness.
1.It is used to try to claim greatness for the Braves. This is a HUGE mistake. GREATNESS is CHAMPIONSHIPS. The late 90’s Yankees were GREATNESS. The Braves never got beyond “very-goodness”. (Now, it’s just oh-my-goodness)
2.It is used to exalt Cox’s managerial skills when there is no basis to do so. Good golly miss molly how BAD of a manager would you have to have been to NOT have won the division more than maybe twice since 1995.
3.Glorifying the streak is nothing more than convincing ourselves to be happy with the consolation prize. That’s a wonderful idea - at the Special Olympics
By rublowhard
June 14, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this
Extra innings thanks to Cox stupidity.Where is the Big Aussie,why isn’t he pitching?
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this
Looks like the Braves will need extra innings to lose this one!…GO NATS!!!…
By journalist jimmy smith
June 14, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this
man on base. nobody out. what are the chances he will score? why, here comes pete orr!
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this
I thought Ray was supposed to be the closer. Why was he in the game in the 8th. Talk about your mixed signals from Cox to the sacrificial closer. Was Ray supposed to go two? Did he think he’d just been demoted? Booby strikes again.
By inside guy
June 14, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this
I dont know if anyone has spilled this yet, but I have on good authority that there will be two trades pulled before Friday’s home stand and that one will involve Marcus Giles Now the question becomes will they involve sending vets back to atl (which signals new life) or youth (which signals white flag). But anyway, there will be new faces come Friday and Giles will be moving on, sources say. I thought, reading this thing a few times over the season, that some of you may find relief here. But maybe not.
By gotigers72
June 14, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this
I have always defended Bobby, always been a BC fan. However, I think he’s losing it now. Could he and/or his pitching coach not tell that Ray didn’t have it tonight? That was a pitiful piece of managing. Didn’t even have anybody warming up in the bullpen. Guess he didn’t want to have anybody warming up because he was afraid it would hurt Ray’s confidence. Being a player’s manager is great, but that loyalty crap has been carried wayyyy too far this year.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this
And how gay are Schuehplz’s red suspenders? Who does he think he is, Gordon Gekko?
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this
That should have been Schuerholz’s, not Schuehplz’s.
By rublowhard
June 14, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this
Big Aussie will come in the 10th and blow it,fish will win.
By tbo
June 14, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this
LOSERS. LOSERS. LOSERS. I will not go see these idiots again. How can all continue to swing at balls that bounce at the plate. Unbelievable!!!
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 10:24 PM | Link to this
And here come the K’s…. Make it close boys. I saw two guys in a row, with a runner in scoring position, swing at pitches in the dirt. Way to be aggressive.
Nice coaching Terry. Give ‘em a pat on the back for me.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this
Inside guy, I hope you’re for real and not just blowing smoke.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this
Julio Franco just hit rbi double off the outfield wall—-he used to play for the Braves remember???…GO PIRATES!!!…
By Robert
June 14, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this
This game should be over within the next three minutes
By Shawn B
June 14, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this
STRIKEOUT AFTER STRIKEOUT AFTER STRIKEOUT. Other than the bullpen being a complete joke, that is why this team cannot win consistently.
By krath
June 14, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this
Well if Giles is moved, it really doesn’t matter that much, vet or prospect….as long as it’s someone with some up-side who will be around for more than just the rest of the season. Moving Giles is just the right thing to do. He’ll be too expensive to keep after the season. What I mean is he will command more money than he is worth.
Brought Oscar in……this should be over soon.
By eric the elder
June 14, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this
I think “inside guy” is DOB.
By fairyboy
June 14, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this
Free b*****,call the Braves bullpen.They suck.
By ernesto
June 14, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this
That sucked so completely.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this
Remlingrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
By krath
June 14, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this
Well…… at least we found a new way to lose one! lol Nice toss to third!
By ALM
June 14, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this
what is going on watched the Braves tonight playing the marlins and its like its way past the baby braves bed time they falling asleep WAKE UP BRAVES
By Woogidy
June 14, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this
WOW, I’m Speechless.
By ernesto
June 14, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this
You know, forget the pen, forget the lead off spot, the real problme is this team doesn’t play good fundemantal baseball. It’s pitiful to watch. We never used to make idiot plays like this, it’s so excrutiatingly horrible to watch.
By inside guy
June 14, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this
No Glass Half Full, no smoke. This comes from real authority and has already started circulating through some sports talk people around town and a hot topic Thursday, Im sure. There will be a “good bit of turn over come Friday,” to put it word for word and that Giles is “almost certainly gone.”
By dtm
June 14, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
Well, that does it. F U Braves!! I’ve been a fan since 1983. Time for me to turn my back on you until you dedicate yourself to putting a winning team back on the field again.
By TennesseePaul
June 14, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
Look the Braves haven’t been a championship team in a while. They’ve had weaknesses. I don’t doubt that. Call it a seven year slide, or whatever. But, I’d rather be in a seven year slide of first place finishes than be on a seven year slide of last place finishes. We’ve won 1 WS in the last 15 years. But we’ve played well enough to get a shot at it for 15 years. It isn’t as huge as a World Series ring, but I for one love how we can go through rebuilding and still win. It’s far better than going through what every other team seems to go through when they rebuild.
It’s a baseball streak. We aren’t hitting homeruns for 56 straight games, but we are getting singles.
By rublowhard
June 14, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
told you the bullpen would blow it in the 10th.
By TrueBlueBravesFan
June 14, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this
That sucked so bad I don’t even have words for it. I love this team but I almost can’t take even watching this.
By daxxed
June 14, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this
Ok BC give up on the match up crap. Pick a pitcher and stick with him, what is the worse you could do…loose, what’s new.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 10:39 PM | Link to this
Oh Hell!…It’s still early!!!…HAW!…HAW!…HAW!…HAW!…HAW!…HAW!…HEEEEEEE!!…HAWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!…GO METS!!!…
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 10:41 PM | Link to this
inside guy, I hope its youth. Any chance Chipper would be willing to jump ship? That would signal a real rebuilding effort. No one probably wants him, though.
By ChrisinPA
June 14, 2006 10:41 PM | Link to this
I just watched the highlights on ESPN….that’s how they lost. This is bad…real bad.
By journalist jimmy smith
June 14, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this
that was so uggla … white horse souses say that the braves will be bought by the bush family and will be renamed. now, remlinger … was the runner a left-hander? bad match-up. best manager in the game is no longer in the game if you know what jimmy smith means. now, swinging at pitches that bounce to the plate … the braves have that part down. this is embarrassing - baby seal has left town and left no forwarding address. dob picked a good series to miss.
By ernesto
June 14, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this
dtm, if you’ve been a fan since 1983 you’ve seen worse. but I feel your pain.
By A Nobody
June 14, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this
The southern donkey droppings are beginning to smell pretty bad…….whew!
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this
Good to hear, Inside Guy.
By krath
June 14, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this
You know, I thought for a while there was a lot of bad luck involved with the Braves troubles. Then I thought they were pressing. Then I thought they were choking.
The fact may be that this team is just a really bad team! They look a lot like some of the Braves classic teams of the past (pre ‘91) I remember from the 60’s until 91, you could walk up and buy tickets anywhere you wanted and sit with 3000 of your closest friends. (the only exception were a couple of years where the Braves actually won) I’ve done that a number of times. It was a deal where most fans were there to see the other team, not the Braves. This team reminds me of some of the classic teams from the past. (classic not being a flattering term in this case)
Lovable losers I guess :)
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 10:48 PM | Link to this
Maybe Booby is part of the turnover.
By ernesto
June 14, 2006 10:51 PM | Link to this
Look all we need is 3/5 of a rotation, a back up catcher who didn’t rock out to Jethro Tull in High School, BC to start mixing it up some and a bullpen. And no Jordan.
By supa
June 14, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this
If this were a basketball game, the coach would have called time out by now.
This team needs to regroup. The leadership on this team (JS, BC, the coaching staff, Smotlz, and Chipper) need to do something, need to say something to light a fire under this team.
Losing two in a row to the Marlins. Losing 13 out of 16.
At least the 1989 Braves had heart.
By eli
June 14, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this
i think krath just called us the cubs (lovable losers)…its sad what this great franchise has succumbed to…the combination that led us to 14 straight titles has finally bottomed out and it is time for some major changes, not just player changes…bring back dayton moore, bring back leo, find a way to pluck girardi from the marlins…and clean house in the clubhouse
By tyyosh
June 14, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this
Inside guy, If you have more beans, spill em, man. I need something else to think about other than the current situation!
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 10:53 PM | Link to this
I know there’s no crying in baseball, but I remember watching the Braves as a kid in the 80s and actually crying because they were losing. At 30, I have a similar feeling.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this
So it’s not over till the fat lady sings—-well I believe that by now she is exhausted and out of breath—-by the way….FIRE SALE! commences tomorrow….I live for this!…GO TIGERS!!!…
By Submariner
June 14, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this
They should move the Braves page from sports to obituaries. Maybe they could get Chip Foose to “Overhaul” the team.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this
Firesale? The players you want to build the team around are making peanuts comparatively.
By Inside Guy
June 14, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this
Have not heard anything on Chipper, but am sure he’s going nowhere unless he chooses to do so, in which case you can bet the farm it would be American League East. Everything I heard was first hand and was later confirmed elsewhere, so I figured if I hear it on good authority and also from sports talk sources on the other spectrum, there must be some truth to it. I read this blog from time to time and see some real fans. I just figured you guys could use some good news these days. If I were a betting man, I would lay down on two trades, one bringing some arms and the other unloading Giles. The Giles thing is “almost certain” and makes sense considering the pay day he’s looking at (numbers or not this year) and Prado ready in the shadows. I’ve heard a few names possibly coming this way, but I don’t want anyone taking it as fact. But there will be new faces when the plane touches down Friday. I hope this brings a bit of hope.
By A Nobody
June 14, 2006 10:59 PM | Link to this
Hey, Submariner! That’s a good one!! Excellent! Love to watch Overhaulin’! and thanks for being out there, buddy! You guys are truly appreciated!
By tbo
June 14, 2006 10:59 PM | Link to this
I have been blaming BC until now. Now it I know it is JS’s fault because he just sits back and watches these idiots and does nothing.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this
Can’t catch the Mets…Wild Card dreamin’ though. 12 back.
By Blake
June 14, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this
you must have a great life then southernjackass
By Robert
June 14, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this
Chipper Jones made no attempt to catch that throw from Remlinger. Trade his butt while you can get something for him.
By METS OWN YOU
June 14, 2006 11:05 PM | Link to this
Hahaha WOW THE BRAVES ARE HORRIBLE!
Hey Braves fans…instead of talking about how you can catch the Mets (which you absolutely cant), Try just not to finish in last place. Enjoy that view from the damp cold cellar alll season long.
By Blake
June 14, 2006 11:05 PM | Link to this
you must have a great life then southernjackass
By Rip
June 14, 2006 11:05 PM | Link to this
I hope the new owners move quickly to clean house. That starts with Bobby Cox, hitting coach, pitching coach, and the deadwood players that Bobby keeps around for wall flowers. The Braves are the joke of the East! If John makes no moves in the next few days he should be fired. He said two days ago “We never have to make a trade”. Thats true if you want to continue to lose. Bobby has made some of the d#@%@ moves in last month, I think he has lost his marbles, time to go to lake with mom and grand kids and let a younger man take over. My goodness the Fish are better?
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 11:07 PM | Link to this
Yes FIRE SALE!……you know, that thing teams do when there’s no chance of winning anything——-that thing they do to unload worthless, worn out, overpaid, lazy, underachievers like Chipper Jones or Andruw Jones, or Giles, Smoltz, Hampton, Hudson….you know, that thing teams do so they can retool and bring in some young, hungry baseball players that want to win!…FIRE SALE!…you know, that thing they do to rebuild a team from the ground up….Gee Whiz!….Golly!…Golly! Gee! wHIZ! gOLLY!…..GO MARLINS!!!…
By robdawg06
June 14, 2006 11:08 PM | Link to this
The Falcons & Dawgs can’t start playing fast enough for me either… The Braves will be lucky not to finish last in the NL East. There’s not one dang reliever in the bullpen that can get 3 consecutive outs. You’ve got washed up Remlinger who the pitching starved Cubs let go. Reitsma that is a mental case. K.Ray who should be at AA somewhere. Villareal who’s 7-1 record is totally deceiving and unwarranted. And the beat goes on…
By Robert
June 14, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this
JS get your butt out of your book and make some comment to the Braves nation. It look like management doesn’t care and I hope your attendance falls to bottom this weekend. Fans don’t show up until he addresses the problem. BC do you know how to motivate and get in the face of some players and fire them up. You look like you are defeated just take a look at yourself on film. You need to start motivating this team and put your hands around the team.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 11:09 PM | Link to this
Inside Guy, thanks. Any chance anybody would want Mike Hampton?
By eli
June 14, 2006 11:12 PM | Link to this
TRADE ANDRUW, GILES, RAMIREZ, LANGY AND LAROCHE TO TAMPA BAY FOR CRAWFORD, GOMES, KAZMIR AND NIEMANN!
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this
Can’t trade anybody on the DL
By ronald
June 14, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this
What else is left to say? This team sucks. What in the heck is wrong with the coaches? They can’t teach grown men to bunt. When lefthanded hitters are batting around .300 against Remlinger why does Cox persist in bringing him in to retire them? The only thing that should retire is Remlinger. Does anyone else think that McBride ought to be given a larger role than just getting one left-handed batter out? My goodness, the way this team is playing, the way this coaching staff is coaching makes me want to puke.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this
I did not mean this weekend I meant this season. When Wes Helms hits a homerun in the earlier innings and hits another to tie the game up in the 8th. Roger have you ever heard throwing inside and taking the inside part of the plate away. If he leans out over the plate he deserves to get brushed back or get plunked. Oh I guess because Wes played in Atlanta Bobby gives himm a free pass.
By Dobber
June 14, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this
Who is interested in buying “The South’s Team”?
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 11:15 PM | Link to this
And since the Braves are financially strapped, don’t count on them “eating” $15 mill next year Ortiz/D-Backs style.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this
Glass Half Fool, was being facetious.
By Todd A
June 14, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this
I’m glad to see Bobby’s finding a way to get Betemit more playing time.
By robdawg06
June 14, 2006 11:20 PM | Link to this
The Braves pitching makes Wes Helms look like Ted Williams.
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 11:21 PM | Link to this
Oh…sorry, Joe. Don’t go “postal.”
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this
The JackAss has a very blessed and happy life!…Great indeed!!!…GO COWBOYS!!!…
By robdawg06
June 14, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this
Is it just me or does anyone else think about the Braves habit of paying first pitcher Paul Byrd and now Mike Hampton to be on the DL all year long ?
By Blazer
June 14, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this
I agree Robert,do something or is JS writing another book? The player don’t even think Management cares.Bobby said on TV just five min. ago-“there is always tomorrow” thats baseball.BULL SH*&! Its time for JS to show up.
By Todd A
June 14, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this
Great idea there Bobby.Make your closer get 6 outs instead of 3.Does Wohlers to Leyritz ring a bell,you moron?
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 11:27 PM | Link to this
Maybe Ray will do some serious drinking and forget all about tonight’s debacle.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 11:28 PM | Link to this
Glass Half Full, after tonight’s game, I can’t promise anything.
By forcesaberz
June 14, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this
Guys, Smoltz and Chipper are not trade options. Both of them are 10/5 guys and can reject a trade. Also, we all know they both want to finish their career in Atl. Andruw I could see taking a trade and I would like to see it happen. I hate how darn inconsistent he is. Lets trade him for some young talent (Lastings Millage?? would the mets do that?)
By robdawg06
June 14, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this
How a guy hitting .300 like Betemit can sit on the bench with so many of the starters in slumps is incredible. Cox plays him every 6 days and Betemit goes 3 for 4 and then back to the bench until 6 more days…
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this
I’m down, Postal Joe.
By robdawg06
June 14, 2006 11:32 PM | Link to this
After the minor league Marlins sweep the hapless Braves they face the major league force Boston Red Sox who scor 12 runs a game like its a walk in the park !
By Glass Half Full
June 14, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this
All this real life on-field play is driving me deeper into the alternate world that is MLB: The Show, where the Braves win the 2006 World Series over the Red Sox, lose in the 1st round to the Rockies in 2007, and lead the Brewers 3-0 in the 2008 NLCS.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this
Please someone tell me why Chipper made no attempt to catch the throw from Remlinger. I guess he doesn’t want to take a chance in hurting his leg. I wonder what Remliger thought and the rest of the team. Do you think Bobby Cox saw it.
By Carlos
June 14, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this
hey guys big braves fan my first post here it is. Was this kid Stockman called up? if he was why not use him in the 8th instead. I dont ever understand why bobby put Ray in the 8th is was a very bad move. I still have faith the braves can turn this around but the hole is close to being to hard to dig out of. 12 games out and no sign of hope in sight.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 11:36 PM | Link to this
forcesaberz, The Braves are a sinking ship. Players like winning. I see Chipper in the AL EAST like Inside Guy said or maybe Texas to be close to his ranch. Smolz is Super Competitive. Both would like to get another ring.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this
Why is Andruw appear to be loafing in the outfield. If he charged the ball the batter would not have taken extra bases on him.
By robdawg06
June 14, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this
I bet Manny Ramirez & David Ortiz can’t wait to come to Atlanta to fatten their offensive numbers ! I dread it.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this
This weekend I would be willing to bet in a three game Boston series we will give up 25+ runs if no changes are made. Guys don’t look now but if something doesn’t change we could lose 100 games and finish in last place.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
I guess TW took away our advance scouting budget because in the scouting report we should have known Abercrombie was a fast man and he will take extra bases.
By Postal Joe
June 14, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this
Robert, cool off. The blog is about to explode. Mean that as a compliment. You have been right on target for the night.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 14, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this
The $92+ million Braves are about to be swept by the $15- million Marlins!…Golly…Gee Whiz….GO MAPLELEAFS!!!…
By robdawg06
June 14, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this
I thought that a lot of K.Ray’s pitches called balls were strikes. The ump was a blind melon tonight…No excuses for Remlinger though.
By I'M DONE
June 14, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this
Every game it’s a different way to lose. But it seems to always involve the bullpen. BOWL OF RED, you were right, as long as those guys are down there, the other team has a chance. JS should be ashamed.
By Saxonpig
June 14, 2006 11:55 PM | Link to this
I was gonna take the family to Atlanta again this summer to watch the Braves. Decided instead to cancel those plans. I’d rather stay home and watch a dog puke.
By Robert
June 14, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this
TP - no problem with enjoying being able to win while rebuilding. How many of the division titles would you trade for a second ring? I dont know the answer for sure, but I’d give up half of em in a HEARTBEAT - hey if you’re answer if different, ok
The main point is still this - The successes of the past were NOT because Bobby Cox was manager.
Now that the team really needs to do something, to TRY and do something, ANYTHING - NOW we see Bobby Cox’s true managerial skills.
He has done - - um ….. er ….well, ah
NOTHING, with the exception of saying some things that are so stupid a chimp wouldnt say them
And truly, I think Bobby is doing the best he CAN. He simply doesnt have the mental capacity to come up with any more
He has his textbook matchup moves, which the opposing manager knows will be used with the predictability of the (which is why they can ALWAYS outmaneuver Cox.) And he knows the temper tanrtum leading to ejection
Just ask him - What was it he said. I believe it translated as “We have nothing but time” (original quote - “HEEEEEE-hawwww”
By Postal Joe
June 15, 2006 12:04 AM | Link to this
Maybe the next manager of the Braves will be Chauncey Gardner. We’ve had his equal.
By robdawg06
June 15, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this
I’ve said basically the same thing abou Cox for years but his sheeple always argue he’s great. When you have 6 of the best players in all of baseball on your team for lots of years you will inevitably win (Smoltz,Maddux,Glavine,Chipper,Andruw,& McGriff/Galaragga). Over the course of a season the bad managin has been minimized. But when the playoffs start you can see every mistake vividly. When the team botches the basic fundamentals of the game its the manager’s fault.
By Todd A
June 15, 2006 12:19 AM | Link to this
Big Poppy may deposit a few balls on top of The Chop House this weekend.
By TheSouthernJackAss
June 15, 2006 12:26 AM | Link to this
So where is John “the genius” Schuerholz??…That silver-tongued devil!….He has some “splainin” to do!!!…GO LITTLELEAGUERS!!!…
By nathan
June 15, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this
As far as Reitsma being “injured”…….
I’m not buying it!
If he was “injured” and didn’t tell anybody, that’s even worse! If he had just started to suck “naturally” you might feel for the guy. But when he’s “injured” and doesn’t tell anybody, and he blows as many games as he has, that’s just plain UNEXCUSABLE!
And if he told Bobby he was hurt, and BC still kept putting him out there………DON’T GET ME STARTED!
Anyhow, shouldn’t a manager and or pitching coach be able to tell “somthing might be wrong”? If not, maybe it’s time for Bobby & Roger to step aside (I’ll give Roger the benefit of the doubt - being his first year here)
But to me it’s all smoke screen!
By JJ
June 15, 2006 12:36 AM | Link to this
RELEASE the entire bullpen. Except Phil Stockman, he’s beast. Use Richmond’s bullpen. Also cut Jorge Sosa. And call up Chuck “Cy” James! And let Betemit play more.
Problems solved.
By tbo
June 15, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this
Robdawg06. My feelings exactly. Cox is senile and needs to run off. Braves have won in spite of him over the years.
By tbo
June 15, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this
Robdawg06. My feelings exactly. Cox is senile and needs to run off. Braves have won in spite of him over the years.
By JJ
June 15, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this
Oh yeah, Reeksma is a faker. I think my hand is starting to feel numb too, but I won’t tell anyone, and keep going out there giving up runs left and right.
By Adam
June 15, 2006 12:41 AM | Link to this
You know, at this point I am just getting sick of it. I say bring up anybody in the minors to pitch in the bullpen only keeping Ray, Paronto, McBride, and Stockman. Schuerholz made a bad trade in the Estrada deal because Villareal is awful. If he doesn’t make a trade in the next week he shouldn’t even bother because its going to be too late, unless he’s bringing in prospects for next year. I’ve always been positive about the Braves and never given up on them, but there playing so uninspired baseball and I just get mad watching them or when anybody talks about them. But hey who am I to say that they can’t pull off a sweep of the Red Sox and Yankees, now wouldn’t that be sweet, but doubtful.
By Robert
June 15, 2006 12:48 AM | Link to this
And the fact that players love him is NO endorsement of Cox whatsoever
Parents - Do you necessarily think the best babysitter is the one your kids like the best?
By HEAD COACH
June 15, 2006 01:28 AM | Link to this
Chipper is playing hurt , but I knew that a month ago and now everybody knows it. Wes helms ? former 1994 10th round pick of yours truly……. the Braves. Just another of the 35 to 40 ex-draft picks littered across the major leagues.
By Alan
June 15, 2006 01:54 AM | Link to this
I understand how most of you feel. It is incredibly painful to watch this team implode. That being said, I will never speak one bad word about Bobby Cox. Whatever happens this year and from now on, he and Scheurholz and Leo and this team were magic for fourteen straight years, and I loved every minute of it. I learned to love and appreciate this wonderful game because of this wonderful team.
The problem is corporate ownership. Ted Turner owned the Braves, and after some grueling times finally got around to making them winners. But Ted is like a crazy uncle to us down south. A dilettante. So after he won a World Series, he ceased to enjoy the Braves (he also won an Americas Cup as a sailboat captain but I haven’t seen any pictures of him on a boat lately). Unfortunately for us, the same media empire that gave him the means to propel the Braves to greatness brought us…AOL/TimeWarner. A convenient place for Ted to dump the club so he could go ranch shopping out west with Jane Fonda. And so we’re stuck with corporate ownership. Where baseball clubs go to die.
And it’s a sinking ship of a company (anyone here actually on AOL as they’re perusing these blogs?). So they’re dumping the team because they are not named AOL/TimeWarner/AtlantaBraves. And here’s where gets painful - because we can’t trade ourselves out of this slump. Can’t afford to trade young (and cheap) talent to get veterans that we probably won’t be able to re-sign once the team gets sold. Hell, there’s probably a hold on any trades that would involve taking on any heavy long-term contracts. Thus Bobby and John’s dilemna - they either keep trying to use what they’ve got and hope things work out, or they trade proven, expensive, veteran talent for young potential that is already signed for a few cheap years. However, with the way most of our veterans are playing, there really isn’t much of a way to even do that. Remember, Hampton’s costing us a bundle for the next couple of years (for absolutely no return this year). Oh, and don’t think the bean counters at AOL/TW have forgotten the $15 million TV screen at the Ted either.
I think that Smolz and Andruw are really the only players that other clubs that are making a run might want to trade talent for. And since they are both going to be up for new and expensive contracts in the next year or two, and since Liberty Media (or whatever other faceless entity buys this franchise) might not want to re-sign those guys, I’m terrified that they might be being shopped. And if we’re doing something that desparate then we’re truly over a barrel and we’ll get schooled (imagine a whole bullpen of Kolbs or an entire bench of Hollandsworths).
Really worried. JS and BC, prove me wrong!
By Robert
June 15, 2006 03:56 AM | Link to this
If it does come to Atlanta dumping it for this year, I wouldnt be too worried. The front office has always been pretty darn good about judging talent
Remember, when we were the big dogs, we always managed to get the help we needed in return for projects and suspects. The trick, now that we are on the other side of the coin, is to make sure we hold out until we got prospects
Ironically, one team we could easily mesh a deal with would be the Mets. Giles and any one of the three of Smoltz, Chipper, or Andru, for Lastings Milledge
Or the Tigers - Giles and any one of the three of Smoltz, Chipper, or Andru, for their young flame thrower Verlander
By Robert
June 15, 2006 04:05 AM | Link to this
Or go to the Phillies and inquire about Hamels
See what the Astros want for Hunter Pence
Just make sure you get at least one real bona fide big league stud prospect and not a handful of lottery tickets
By HEAD COACH
June 15, 2006 04:13 AM | Link to this
Alan , relax. The best thing John Schuerholz could do is initiate a fire sale. The idea of Andruw in Yankee pinstripes would drive Boston crazy and/or Smoltz ,Hudson in a Redsox uniform would make old George go nuts. Basically ,a bidding war would ensue and the team with the best prospects/draft picks would win. Bye the way , Boston is loaded with four pitching prospects as are Detroit and the Dodgers. St.Louis would kill to get Renteria back , Chipper would be agreeable to playing in Dodger blue and Smoltz would be happy in Detroit. Andruw in pinstripes and Hudson in Boston would complete the reaping of pitching prospects. But hey , what do I know ? I’m just a crazy old Braves nut in North Dakota , lol.
By teoa
June 15, 2006 04:58 AM | Link to this
Bobby’s incompetence in dealing with this pen is just unbelievable for a guy who has been in baseball as long as he has. I know a lot of those guys have sucked, but Bobby never makes the move that gives the Braves the best opportunity to win. Kenny Ray has been a closer for all of 4 games for his major league career — 4! So why do you ask him for a two-inning save, something that the most experienced of closers rarely do? Closing is a sprint — it’s about getting pumped up and trying to go out, throw hard, and dominate for 3 batters. If it’s 2 innings, all of a sudden you have to start thinking about saving something for the 9th. This blown save is completely on Bobby in my opinion. If he has no confidence in anyone being able to get through the 8th to set up Ray (where was McBride? Yates? Stockman?), then it’s way past time to get rid of dead weight like Villarreal, Remlinger, and Sosa. Why aren’t those guys replaced? Because Bobby’s priorities have nothing to do with winning — it’s all about making sure his players think he is the most loyal, likeable manager ever, so they will continue to build up his inflated reputation in the press. It doesn’t matter if he is killing his team in the process.
Then in the last inning — again Remlinger to face a lefty. The Marlins did the Braves a huge favor by having him bunt. You can’t feel bad about losing on an error, because the Braves would have lost on a double if the Marlins weren’t playing it safe…I thought everyone knew at this point that lefties hit 1.000 against Remlinger in crucial situations, .500 the rest of the time. Well, everyone knows that except Bobby Cox of course. Why would he know that — he’s only spent 5 years watching the guy get killed by lefties? Maybe Remlinger has some “numbness” too.
Wonder if Leo would be interested in coming back as manager if Bobby and TP were fired?
By mjk
June 15, 2006 06:26 AM | Link to this
Everyone always talks about how the Mets will choke. They’ve never really choked in the past - they’ve always been behind the Braves all season. It doesn’t make any sense. And for all the bitterness about them buying their team - their payroll - $101 million - is less than last year and about the same as what the Braves’ payroll was a few years ago. Half the guys being complained about were acquired in trades, anyway. It’s fine to dislike the Mets, but be rational about it.
By Carroll
June 15, 2006 07:15 AM | Link to this
I keep thinking, how could Bobby be so stupid after all he’s done in the past. But I’m beginning to think that the reality is that he hasn’t really done anything that special in the past, other than being blessed with other-worldly talent, which didn’t really even need a “manager” to begin with—even all the rookies last year. The man is an idiot, and the team is following his lead on the field (i.e. can’t bunt, can’t move runners over, can’t stretch a few inches for a game-saving out, don’t hustle, no emotion, etc, etc,etc). Sickening.
By Robert
June 15, 2006 07:41 AM | Link to this
Sorry for the view, but glad your eyes are finally open
There’s a donkey in the dugout
By Cleanuphitter16
June 15, 2006 08:35 AM | Link to this
For the last freakin time Mets fans, the Braves payroll isn’t $92 million! It’s about $72 million! Stop counting what the Braves aren’t actually paying for or getting production from and you’ll get an ACCURATE idea of their payroll restrictions! If they had $92 million to spend, they would have about $20 million (from insurance payments and Boston payments) to go buy a few all-stars just like Omar. But clearly the Braves DO NOT have that much money to spend.
And yes it IS pitiful that the lowest payroll in baseball is going to sweep us (despite the fact that we swept THEM last month.) There really isn’t anything more to say about that.
What the Braves players need to do is all get together in the clubhouse….then all head to a bar, sit down, get crazy drunk, have a few laughs, RELAX, and try playing the next day hungover, relaxed and LOOSE! Have some fun! The Braves have the 10th youngest team in baseball and its showing now that team confidence is shot. Look at the Marlins right now…bunch of kids who think they can beat the world, and because of that they are.
By Carroll
June 15, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this
Cleanuphitter16: just because that worked in “Varsity Blues” doesn’t mean it’s gonna work for the Braves, where you have a team full of over-the-hill has-beens, wanna-bee’s, guys who lack disclipline and intestinal fortitude, and guys who just don’t care in general.
By Jim
June 15, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this
The idea of retooling for the future is much sounder than trying to bring in an immediatge fix. This team is not going anywhere this year and if we try to apply a band-aid to a serious wound, we will only be relegating ourself to mediocrity in the future. We need to build around Francouer (he will improve) and McCann. Andruw to the Yankees? They have very little to offer in return — a pitcher Hughes: who is probably untouchable, Cano: who is certainly untouchable, and Melky Cabrera: who is not enough return without one of the others. The Red Sox have more to offer in return (Crisp, Lester: probably untouchable, Hansen, or Ellsbury) but would they consider Andruw an upgrade? His inconsistency in Boston or NY would make him the next ARod or Renteria there. He was once the best CF I ever saw, but has not been near that level for the last 2 years and his offensive inconsistency makes him a good, not a great (> 15 million/year) offensive player. Smoltz will not bring back Verlander and probably not Zumaya either. Chipper Jones is a DH waiting to happen without the power numbers anymore expected from a DH. He would not be an upgrade at 3B to any of the big spending teams. Hudson could be useful to the Yankees, RedSox, Mets, Phillies, Tigers: but not at the expense of their future (best chance of getting any return would be the RedSox again). JS has probably been quiet so far because he has no money to spend and few bargaining chips to offer.
By Don
June 15, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
Passing thoughts: 1. Having Mazzone would change nothing. His contributions during his tenure at Atlanta are vastly overstated.
Replays on ESPN clearly indicate that Chipper should have gotten a glove on Remlinger’s throw. Chipper is overpaid and his contributions are overrated. Move him to first base and put Betemit at third base. It is worth a try. With Chipper’s inflated paycheck, he shouldn’t oppose the move.
LaRoche has very little, if any, trade value.
Francoeur is inconsistent but at least he drives in runs.
Cox is too loyal. Reitsma, Remlinger, Jordan, and a few more should be moved or dumped.
Our announcers are prostitutes. I live in a area where I get Marty Brennaman, Joe Nuxhall, et als. Marty calls a spade a spade. If players don’t produce or if they slack, he will pointedly say so. Our boys are, shall we say, hesitant to find fault or point out the obvious if it is negative. Their overplayed “homer” attitude hurts. Even a causal follower of baseball can see that the Braves nead a little public butt tearing.
By Todd A
June 15, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
If there ever was a time for the two elder statesmen of this team(Chipper and andruw)to step up,chew some fannies in the dugout,or just plain lead by example on the field,it is now.So,what do these two veteran Braves do in last night’s game?Andruw strikes out with one out and the bases loaded in the 9th inning of a tie game,and Chipper makes a feeble swipe at a catchable ball on the bunt attempt.Game over.
I’ve known all along these two guys were spoiled,lazy ballplayers.They’ve just been along for the ride the last 10 years.They weren’t responsible for laying the groundwork for this incredible run the Braves have been on.The Braves were already an established power.Guys like Lemke,Smoltz,Glavine,Pendleton,Justice,Bream,Avery,and Nixon are responsible for turning this team’s mindset into that of a champion.That mindset started eroding immediately when we traded David Justice in ‘97 and essentially turned the leadership over to Chipper Jones.He’s never embraced it.And through the years,neither has Andruw.
What has this team really won with the two Jones’ boys being the centerpiece of the everyday lineup?Several division titles in a vey weak division.Chipper has never been a leader,now his skills as a hitter are diminishing.He was never to be confused with Brooks Robinson at 3rd base anyway.He’s not worth the salary.Andruw’s on the verge of needing a new contract,and 17-18 million for a defensive specialist and career .268 hitter is WAY too much.It’s time to send these guys packing and see if we can find another couple guys that the team can be built around,and hope we catch lightning in a bottle with them.These guys are done.
By Jim
June 15, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
The minor league talent is just not that good. At low A we have 5 all-stars + Elvis Andrus and 2 other pitchers — but all of these players are 4 levels removed from the major leagues and we just have to wait a bit longer to see how any of them develop as they move up in the system. At high A the lone all-star is a LHP Matt Harrison who will probably be promoted to AA at mid season — he looks like a keeper. At AA we only have Salty (having a real bad year = overrated?) and Escobar. At AAA there is Thorman — who should be recalled immediately so we can get a better idea of just what we have there and Chuck James who hopefully WILL make his next start in ATL. There is not a suplus of talent to land an impact player and maintain a viable pipeline of home-grown players. We need to restock the system at the upper levels with players that can compete in the future with teams like the Dodgers — loaded with young impact players, D-Backs — ditto, and Mets — with a young nucleus of Wright, Reyes, Milledge, Beltran & Pelfry and the bucks to fill in around these stars. Maybe a bottom 1/4 finish will at least land us a high-impact player in the draft next year.
By Postal Joe
June 15, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this
Has anyone noticed how JS never said exactly how much insurance there was on Hampton? And Chipper supposedly gave up money to help keep Furcal or obtain a closer. Where’s that money? (Maybe that’s why Chip’s playing with a chip.) And TP calls Andruw a knucklehead on FSN for never going the other way. And Bobby sits in the dugout, out of practice at actually managing off of autopilot.
Congratulations Liberty Media! The stage is set to devour that big tax writeoff you were hoping for. No big money is gonna get moved and you guys will lose big money when you sell at a loss. Enjoy!
By robdawg06
June 15, 2006 09:49 AM | Link to this
Good assessment Jim. I’ll only disagree that Chipper if healthy is a dang good player. He just missed 3 homeruns last night by a total of 10 feet. You are dead on right about McCann & Francoeur being the future. I’ll add Salty to their list too. If the Marlins can win with youth why can’t the Braves ? They did it last year. Betemit has got to start somewhere. Retool the bullpen with guys from Richmond. Is Remlinger still a Brave ? How ?
By robdawg06
June 15, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this
I think Chipper’s money went for Renteria. The Braves haven’t had a real closer since Smoltz left to become a starter. Here’s an idea. Put Smoltz back to closing and let Chuck James take his spot in the rotation ? I know Smoltz wants to start but he is better as a closer IMO.
By Glass Half Full
June 15, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
I know what’s going on…the Braves are playing poorly on purpose in hopes of getting Liberty Media to NOT buy the team. That way Blank can buy the Braves (TONGUE PLANTED FIRMLY IN CHEEK)
By robdawg06
June 15, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this
Don, I totally concur about the Braves announcers. They are all homers that will see and speak about only the positives in a game the Braves are losing 15-0. I want to hear one of them say “Bringing in Remlinger to face a lefty when they have .600 batting average against him is a bad move”.
By Glass Half Full
June 15, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
Where’s Inside Guy? Does he have anymore info? Like Dr. Evil said, “Throw me a frickin’ bone here.”
By robdawg06
June 15, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
Glass, the worse the Braves are playing the cheaper they will be to buy. I think Liberty Media is glad so the poor play can be a bargaining chip for them.
By JOHN B.
June 15, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
The Braves biggest problem besides the bullpen (obviously) is that nobody can do the fundamentals. Moving guys over, bunting, ect. Jones, Jones, Giles, Francoeur, LaRoche, Pratt, Langerhans, none of them. Renteria usually does, but even he has made some key mistakes. If TP does not start teaching patience at the plate and bunting, this team will not ever win. The team’s plate discipline is horrible. I can not believe Nobody in the Braves front office sees this!! Francoeur has 4 walks..4!!! That is horrible.
Cox keeps playing Pratt, Reitsma and Jordan because they are vets. Well, I’m sorry, but they all suck so it’s time to remove them from the team. At least Reitsma finally went on the disabled list. I don’t care if he faked the injuery, at least he won’t be picthing again for the Braves.
Of course, it would not surprise me if all 3 of those guys are back next year. That’s because Cox is TOO DAMN loyal! He’s so loyal, he’s blind.
By Glass Half Full
June 15, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Sure, but Liberty wants the team to maintain its current value at least…that ain’t happening in June.
By Glass Half Full
June 15, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this
Regardless of how badly this month is going, I’m still hopeful that all the sports pundits with noticeable erections for the Mets will wake-up with egg on their faces in early October.
By Jim
June 15, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
robdawg06,
I’ll agree that Chipper is still a dang good player, but he is not a 15 million dollars good player anymore and he is definitely on the down side (and maybe has become complacent). Unfortunately, I don’t think he is very tradeable at his price tag, so we will have to build around him for the next few years.
By robdawg06
June 15, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
I think the starting pitching and offense is acceptable (except for some fundamentals). The starters average 4 runs or less per 7 innings and the offense has been averaging about 5 runs per game. The bullpen has killed them though. Too many leads lost. There’s nobody in the pen to pitch the 7th,8th,and 9th innings and not allow runs.
By robdawg06
June 15, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this
I truly wished Chipper would body slam Remlinger so he can be put on the DL. Jim, Chipper has some good years left. After numbers averaging .300 30 100 for a decade and being the MVP of the team let’s not stab him in the back now. His probblem is injuries.
By robdawg06
June 15, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
And my problem is typo’s. Lol.
By Jim
June 15, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this
Suggestion,
Make this Friday night Brian Jordan night at the ballpark. Give him a car and a Rolex and honor him for his past service to the team (which, I think, we can all appreciate). Then let him announce his immediate retirement. Let him go out with dignity, but please let him go. Put Thorman into his spot on the roster, install him at 1B, and give him a couple of months to see what potential he may have.
By Hal
June 15, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this
I have another trade proposal Todd Pratt for those dozen balls we sent Gregg Olson in ‘92 i know the balls are now old and wortless,still trade seems fair to me
By Carroll
June 15, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this
Don: if Chipper made such a pitiful attempt to catch Remmer’s throw yesterday (which he DID get a glove on, and SHOULD have caught), then what makes you think he could play 1B? I wish to God there was some way we could get rid of him. I’ve been over his complacency and lack of effort since 98.
By Postal Joe
June 15, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
Liberty is trapped by the tax loophole they are exploiting. The Braves have to be valued at 450 mill or Liberty can’t exchange its TWX stock without paying taxes.
And one thing that is really taxing is Cox’x so called loyalty. Its really just a comfort zone. The hanger on that Booby hangs on to is never a threat to tout anything other than the Cox party line.
How much seasoning of youg players has been flushed down the toilet this year because Bobby thinks Jordan is Franco and Reitsma is Smoltz.
Eating boogers has raised Cox’s cholesterol level. His Arteries have hardened and he has subsequently started to experience the symptoms of dementia. When he manages a game in a bathrobe, you guys will know that Postal Joe was right.
By eric the elder
June 15, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
I don’t see how Remlinger’s reply was a “snarl.” What was he supposed to say? “No way can Chipper catch that wild throw. I messed up big time. I belong in Gitmo.” Or he could say, “It wasn’t a great throw, but I’m pretty sure my yellow lab could have caught it.” It was a dumb question. Anyone with eyes could see what happened.
By Carroll
June 15, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
Eric: anyone without eyes, who knows Chipper, could prolly figure out that if the play required him to exert any extra effort, he would not try.
By jokurone
June 15, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
We need to play spoiler for the rest of the season and strive for the wildcard spot. this seems to be the most successful route into the World Series. Bring up the talent and let all the has beens retire (Remmy, BJ,)now is the time to work in the potentials for next year.
By David
June 15, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
I’m not surprised by the Braves current slide of losses. Obviously, nobody thought that the Braves were going to finish in first place for the next consecutive 20 years in a row. YOU KNEW that the streak would end at some point in time. You just didn’t know that when the Braves crept to within 3 1/2 games of the Mets this year, that they would pull an el foldo job and start losing like there is no tomorrow. We know with complete certainty that the Mets will eventually choke. That goes without saying—but if we are too far behind them when it eventually happens, then they will still win the division. So if the Braves can right the ship by the All-Star break in a few weeks—the Braves can still win the division this year; thats right—I said it—I’m expecting another division championship out of that Atlanta team. With Bobby Cox and John Shuerholtz at the helm, nothing but excellence will result from that combination—and as sure as the sun comes up in the east and goes down in the west—THE BRAVES WILL WIN YEAT ANOTHER DIVISION AGAIN THIS YEAR. YOU CAN TAKE THAT TO THE BANK—AS YOU HAVE THE LAST 14 YEARS!
By MetsFanSeattle
June 15, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this
Hey Braves fans (or what’s left of them). How’s the view from down there?
Nothing against you….I’m just enjoying this while it lasts!
By Micheal
June 15, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this
Mets fans…..it’s ok….our streak may be over, but at least our streak was 14 division championships in a row instead of 14 seasons with all mouth and no action.
By Postal Joe
June 15, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
MetsFanSeattle, how heinky can you get being a mutz fan from the left coast. With all that rain and those crappy Moroners, I can see how you would be itching to be a fairweather bandwagoneer. Rot in Haedees you worth less pile of rotting goop.
By Carroll
June 15, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
Anyone remember the 1998 Superbowl Falcons? The team that looked like it had everything together: genius coach, young talent, veteran leadership, in general a smart ballclub that didn’t make mistakes. Well, do you remember how long it took that team to completely unravel? I think it was about 15 minutes into the Superbowl before they started looking like the “same ole Falcons”. Dan Reeves went from conservative genius to senile old moron; Chris Chandler went from steady veteran presence to injury-prone liability; Jamal Anderson went from Mr. rough and tumble to Mr. trip and fumble; the fans went from “bring on the 49ers!” to “just why the hell are they in our division anyway?!”.
Methinks we are witnessing the same exact transfortmation of your Atlanta Braves in 2006. For the Falcons, it didn’t end until they cut off the old, dead weight and replenished the system with a new owner, fresh, young coach, and fresh young talent. We’ll see if it takes the BRaves as long to wise up.
By BOB C
June 15, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this
Just some thoughts based on other blogs. Does anybody really think we would have survived the 10th even if Chipper did catch the ball or lefty threw a little more accurately? And what’s up with using Ray in the eighth? Since most of the Marlin’s “firepower” is from the right side wouldn’t Remlinger have been a better choice than Ray? But then I’m still trying to figure out the Liebrandt strategy from the early ’90s. Lastly, wasn’t it about this time last year when we realized the Jordan Mondesi thing wasn’t working and starting the express runs from Richmond and Mississppi? Is it not time for Thorman, one or both Penas and James to move up and to say bye bye to Chris, Brian , Todd and possibly others?
By MetsFanSeattle
June 15, 2006 01:05 PM | Link to this
Hey Postal Joe, don’t go ‘postal’ on me. Just take a little pinch of that skoal between your cheek and gum and you’ll be OK again. Remember to deliver ALL the mail this time thru and no 5 hour lunch breaks.
Just realize the terrific combination of Cox and Mazzone is not there anymore. Mazzone was THE BIGGEST contributor of the Braves success over that time. I think that was the biggest mistake for the Braves last winter.
You Braves ‘fans’ should be ashamed. You showed little of that emotional support over the 14 great years the team had. You took them for granted. Don’t go whining now that they are doing bad. It’s time for other teams to enjoy success. The Mets have built a formidable team with great hitting, speed, fundementals, pitching and that much needed ingredient of team chemistry. You’ll get it back again, just not this year. Get over it.
By nathan
June 15, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
i had two “fairly” big posts up here a little bit ago…….NOW THEY ARE GONE!
WTF!!!!!!!!!
Apparently the big wigs at the AJC don’t like my sarcasim or maybe they realize I’m right, and the feel I’m getting too powerful for my own good.
I guess I’ll take my thoughts to the Mets message boards, I’m sure I won’t have a hard time getting people to agree with me over there!
Later all!
By johnny
June 15, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this
THEY LOSE AGAIN! ITS LIKE GETTING RAPED IN THE AS S OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND THEN SAKING FOR MORE
By lifetime fan
June 16, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this
To all the whiners.I have watched this team through the bad 70s and this recent 14 year stretch.Yes it is more fun to win.But did you really think a team could win forever?Be a real fan and cheer them on even when they struggle.It makes it all the sweeter when it turns around.
By Mets fan
June 16, 2006 10:19 AM | Link to this
The Braves have played many more games on the road than at home. Also, they tend to heat up in late June, July, and August (in 2004, they were below .500 in June or July and still won the division). The Braves have found a way to win it every year for the past 14 years. Until they’re eliminated, I believe they’ll do it again this year.
By Metropolitan
June 16, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this
I hate the Braves. But I’m glad they exist. And the fickle characteristics (or the complete absence) of their fans is another reason to hate them. Atlanta has had a winning team that’s been a pleasure to watch for a decade and a half, and now I’m amused with the panic through the fan base when it’s not even July yet. I hope the Braves have for fight in them than this, because frankly, having a lead this large this early is boring. And there have been a lot of comments on this site about how the Mets have bought a competitive team. Their payroll is actually less than last year (the Mets have the 5th highest payroll, the Braves come in at 9th). The Braves actually have one more player making 10 million or more on their team than the Mets (bet you’re loving Mike Hampton and his 15 million a year). The Mets are using the resources they have, their minor leagues (with Milledge, Wright, Reyes, Heilman), their international influence (Soler and Fernando Martinez), and they’ve traded young talent in return for impact players (Delgado, LoDuca). Just sounds like Minaya’s doing a good job, to me. Sorry about the series with the Fish.
By Cleanuphitter16
June 16, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
I’m well aware of that Carroll. I am well aware that this isn’t high school. My point is the average age of this starting lineup is 26 years old and they are pressing. The only constants I see on this young team right now are every player shaking their heads after missing a pitch, slamming helmets after groundouts, yelling at themselves after yet another K (Chipper excluded..he rarely shows any emotion…but hes also the oldest starting position player) and slouching over in the dugout. This team is pressing, this team is frusterated, this team is, simply put, DEFEATED right now.
You wanna know why this matters? It matters because these kids have read the headlines and watched sportscenter and they know they are about to become the “team that ended the run” and its turning a GAME into a JOB for them.
If these boys get a chance to start having fun again, they will start winning again. The talent is there. They know they can’t compete with the Mets A-list of all-stars..hell, half the starting lineup makes less than the Mets first baseman…But what they need to do is loosen up and PLAY BALL. F*%& the mets and their bottomless wallet…lets see what our homegrown boys can do if they start enjoying the game again.
THATS why I said lets get em drunk, give em a pat on the back, and yell GO BRAVES!
By fairyboy
June 16, 2006 11:00 PM | Link to this
The Braves get paid $92 million dollars to suck,my boys and i suck for a lot less.
By Kingofqueens718
June 17, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this
How does it feel to look up at us this year Braves fans?
LET’S GO METS!!
By Metropolitan Man
June 17, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
Must be nice, all those years when you won, your support dwindled. Now that you are losing, fans and players are jumping ship. Well both have been doing it every year anyway but with the lack of wins, you hardcore fanbase (if you have one) have just put in there pink (how appropriate)slips. Just face reality, wasted opportunities have caught up to you. LETS GO METS!!!
By Dave
June 18, 2006 07:34 PM | Link to this
Scherlholz rolled the dice one time too many by not addressing the needs of this team again this year. This time the “Baby Braves” won’t be able to bail him out. There is no substitute for identifying the holes in your ballclub and filling them with the best free agent available. While the club has a good nucleus of young talent, I never had faith in LaRoche, Langerhans and the bullpen going into this season and my worst fears have come to pass. Lastly, a word to Chipper; as badly as this offense has been in recent weeks, why have you not volunteered to go to left field since you played the position before and allowed Betemit to play 3rd base so his bat would be in the lineup everyday. It just goes to show what a selfish player you are and the leader of this team you are not.
By Gayle Abbott
June 19, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this
Good call on Chipper being selfish - but who is worse, Chipper or Smoltz? The current Braves crisis began when Smoltz demanded out of the bullpen depriving “his” team of a reliable closer. When you consider the list of pretenders that succeeded Smoltz as closer, you can see why this team is imploding under the weight of selfish athletes who put themselves ahead of the team.
By Joe C.
June 20, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this
14 division titles, blah blah blah shut up braves fans and focus on the present, you’re starting to sound like Yankee fans chirping about their 26 world titles. Nobody cares about anything but TODAY, and Today, you are in last place 13 games out…stop crying and just accept it already that the end is here and bow down to the new division champions, the NEW YORK METS.