Braves

By robdawg06

June 15, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this

I think the problem started with Remlinger allowing base runners to start with. I’m sure it was demoralizing for Chipper and every other player on offense to see the sorry asz bullpen blow another lead and have to go into extra innings. Then Remlinger immediately puts the game in jeapordy to lose. Can anyone tell me why Remlinger is on the team anyway ? Oh, I forgot that he and Bobby were fishing buddies or something…

By Allyssa

June 15, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this

Yea…i totally agree with you… The Braves bullpen is sorry….and the offense can’t always make up for sucky pitching so i dont think its rightfor others to point fingers. As well as the pitchers have no reason to have errors when they dont even have a long throw to make. And our relievers and closers need to step up their game or step OUT of that spot becasue there are probably better relievers and closers in the minors that are like ” why do they still have that guy in the game. So STEP UP YOUR GAME we need the pitching it is the most importantjob of the game and if we cant follow through with that i can tell you we will lose every game from now on. But i dont want that to happen i want to see us win another division title and make it to the World Series

By C Daddy

June 16, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

The reasons why don’t matter folks. Turn out the lights, the party’s over.

By CarolinaMike

June 16, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this

MEET THE METS, MEET THE METS, Step right up and greet the Mets! Bring your kiddies, bring your wife; Guaranteed to have the time of your life because the Mets are really sockin’ the ball; knocking those home runs over the wall! East side, West side, everybody’d coming down to meet the M-E-T-S Mets of New York town!

Oh, the butcher and the baker and the people on the streets, where did they go? To MEET THE METS! Oh, they’re hollerin’ and cheerin’ and they’re jumpin’ in their seats, where did they go? To MEET THE METS! All the fans are true to the orange and blue, so hurry up and come on down - ‘cause we’ve got ourselves a ball club, The Mets of New York town! Give ‘em a yell! Give ‘em a hand! And let ‘em know your rootin’ in the stand!

By Robert

June 16, 2006 12:57 AM | Link to this

There’s a donkey in the dugout

By Kyle

June 16, 2006 01:03 AM | Link to this

its funny how quick things can get bad after 14 consecutive divison titles. first who is mike remlinger to call out chipper, the franchise player and face of the braves when remlinger should be on the streets. release him and bring up chuck james. he is taking up a roster spot. sure chipper could have blocked the ball by coming off the bag but it wouldnt have mattered cause the next batter would have hit a grand slam off of old man remilnger. come on guys show some fight. dont let the streak go down like this. trade giles, laroache,release reitsma, relminger, and pratt. its time for the best gm in baseball to earn his check and shake up this group. by trading giles and laroache it opens up a spot for betemit or even pete orr. by relesing pratt, they can call up pena or super prospect salty. put sosa in the set up or closer role. heck even bring up joey devine. do something. as a braves fan its sicking to watch this mess. i dont think we are done yet, but we are running out of time to get started.

By Cliff Floyd

June 16, 2006 01:41 AM | Link to this

Player Perspectives by Cliff Floyd

There’s still a lot of baseball left, but there is no feeling like winning in New York. Our fans here have been unbelievable and I look forward to giving them something to cheer about this season.

It’s been hard for Mets fans in recent years, certainly since I joined the team in 2003. But now they have a team they can feel good about. I think they’re looking forward to us getting further than we did last year. We won 83 games last year, but we felt like we should have won more.

Overall, we’re happy where our club is at right now. We’re playing winning baseball and we just need to stay healthy and keep everyone on the same page. My ankle has kept me out a few days, but it’s coming along and I should be able to get back in the lineup soon.

I feel good that the club has been able to keep the momentum going without me. This has been a very good road trip for us. It’s like we faced a tough test, we beat some good teams in their own parks and we performed well.

We’ve had some success on the road and at home this year, but winning on the road is an important thing for a club because it’s the mark of a good team. You have to show people that you can do it. Winning on the road also leads to confidence.

Now, it’s a matter of focusing on each game and not getting too far ahead of ourselves. Any team can beat any team on any given night. But if you play smart ball, maintain focus and do the little things on the field — like making defensive plays and pitching out of jams — there’s a good chance you’ll be happy with the results at the end of the season.

We’ve played winning baseball so far, but we’ve still got a lot of season left. It seems like it’s easy to do when everything is going right, but it’s not. We have to find a way to keep making it look easy. I think the best way to do that is to focus and be the aggressor.

We shouldn’t concern ourselves with who’s behind us in the standings. It’s better to let them worry about us instead.

By sugarbear blanks

June 16, 2006 01:45 AM | Link to this

let me fix everything: 1.clear out the bullpen. 2. move sosa to closer. 3. see what help you get from james and stockman. 4. trade giles to supply the rest of the pen. 5. acquire a veteran lefthanded LF and send langerhans down to richmond. with a shored up ‘pen and one more veteran, we might get back on our feet. if we get there, we might be able to position ourselves for a run at the wild card. i’d ditch pratt and jordan, as well. they’re just toast out there. youre welcome, john & bobby! sincerely, sugarbear blanks

By spud

June 16, 2006 05:27 AM | Link to this

its over for this year looking forward to some college football GO DAWGS

By Braves Fan

June 16, 2006 06:35 AM | Link to this

I have never understood why the Braves could play so well during the season then fizzle out at the playoffs. It seems like the Braves name carries a winning team reputation. Therefore the team doesn’t have to try so hard if the name carries them. I also think there is a lot of pride on the part of some of the players.
An example is when a child sends a fan letter that includes a SASE and something to sign and there is no response of any kind it makes kids feel bad. It makes adults feel bad too. I know of an example of a person who sent such fan letters with something to sign and SASEs to the entire team. Guess how many responses? About five. After a while fans get tired of being fans if a team is all that unapproachable. They are no longer people but stars who don’t appreciate fans. I guess they have reached the point where they are on their own since a lot of the community doesn’t feel like part of the team anymore because of the stardom. Will I ever get to cheer for my team again? I think with community team effort things would change. Many of the Braves just don’t appreciate their fans so I don’t feel like they’re my team anymore. GOOOOOOO Rome Braves.

By DC Falcon Fan

June 16, 2006 06:52 AM | Link to this

Hey, why no mention of a closed door, players only meeting? We’ve got enough seasoned vets (Chipper, Smoltz, Andruw) to merit one of them calling the team together, calling people out, and getting this thing turned around. Anything like that happened that anyone has heard of? Where’s the leadership? Sometimes it takes something like that to shake things up. Come on guys, pull yourselves together. This is ridiculous!

By gerhard popwell

June 16, 2006 07:00 AM | Link to this

I have thought all along that the way the Braves have been playing is a direct reflection of a “statement” by Braves management to team owners: they need better players. The continual reliance on a less than game Chris Reitsma and the stagnation of Wilson Betimet on the bench are such examples. Think about the past as well, when Bobby Cox always shuffled his lineup to put a spark in the team or to better what the Braves were doing at the plate. Andruw Jones has hit every where from 2nd to 7th at some point in past seasons. Think about even LAST season when Druw struggled early and Chipper got the nod at the cleanup spot in the order (well, it may have been two years ago but you see what I mean).

This latest comment by Chipper is an indication that this same “statement” attitude may have rubbed off on some of the veteran players of the team….especially the position players. To continually blow leads and give up base runners in crucial late inning situations is enough to even tick off fans of rival teams who want the Braves to win so their team can beat them in the playoffs.

My friends and I had a Braves “communal” last night and it wasn’t nice. We all think that this may be the end and we have never felt like that collectively. I surely hope we are wrong but unless John Schuerholz and Bobby Cox get the latitude they need by the trade deadline, July will feel like October.

By bill

June 16, 2006 07:27 AM | Link to this

J.S. will be shaking the club up real soon…couldn’t be done while there was a realistic chance of righting the ship. Now that the sinking ship has taken on more water than it can recover from, we will see a total makeover before the 4th. Last year was fun, with all the rookies making their debut, but it was clearly an anomaly. Now that reality has taken hold, we need to look beyond this season and prepare the team for a new run of championship seasons. No player on this team should be “untouchable” when it comes to the rebuilding process…no player, including our reluctant leader, Chipper. I am a diehard fan, have been since the 60’s, and I enjoyed the 14 championship seasons immensely…I can wait for a new run to start if I see progress being made to correct our problems. Having seen so many losing seasons, it will not be difficult watching this one, especially if the rebuilding begins soon. I look forward to new faces and creative trades…and wouldn’t it be nice to knock the Mets out of it late in the season. That could be our substitute for the playoffs this year…suits me!!

By KneeJerk

June 16, 2006 07:45 AM | Link to this

To all you guys asking when college football starts: I’m afraid UGA is in for a rough season as well. Those will be busy blogs this year.

By Tony the Tiger

June 16, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this

FOR MERCY’S SAKE TRADE JOHN SMOLTZ TO DETROIT SO HE CAN WIN 200 CAREER GAMES AND END HIS GLORIOUS CAREER ON A WINNING NOTE !

OTHERWISE WE’LL SPEND THE NEXT 30 YEARS WONDERING & DEBATING WHY SMOLTZIE IS NOT IN THE HALL OF FAME !

GO BRAVES !

GO TIGERS !

By Robert Makely

June 16, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this

It is time for whole sale changes! Since JS would not (or could not) supply any help, it is now time to get what you can in young prospects for the future of this team. Build it around McCann, Francour and Betemit. Why are Jordan and Pratt still on this team? Get rid of them and Chipper, Giles, and LaRoche for the best prospects you can get and bring up some of your top prospects. They could not do any worse!

By Cosmo

June 16, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

It really amazes me that just about everyone of you are so quick to throw Remlinger to the wolves but bend over backward to make excuses for C. jones. The sorry SOB even admitted that he didnt’ try to catch the ball. What a waste. And as far as him being the face of the team - leave it to Atlanta to have a tobacco chewing redneck who cheated on his wife with a Hooters girl as the team’s spokesman. What a disgrace. Makes me embarrassed to admit that I am an Atlanta native. Dale Murphy…now there was a class act.

By Dave

June 16, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

The Braves are suffering from some bad play and hard luck for the past three weeks. However, the bottom line is that the relief pitching is NOT up to standard, and probably will not be for the remainder of the season unless some of the young arms in the farm system come through for the team. Why, you say?? Simple: MONEY!!

The Braves have been on a strict budget since Ted Turner gave up ownership. John Schurholz knew the club needed a proven closer and some quality middle relief, but he was hamstrung by the lack of money to pay for it. He could not afford to OVERpay $90M for Billy Wagner, so he did the best he could with what he had. The fact that John Schurholz has managed to keep the Braves competitive all these years under those monetary constraints qualifies him to be considered the best GM in the history of the game.

Think, people!! Do you REALLY believe that John Schurholz, over the past five years, willingly:

• Allowed the second best lefthanded pitcher in the history of the franchise go to the Mets?
• Allowed the best control pitcher in the history of the game (and probably the REAL pitching coach for the team) go to the Cubs?
• Allowed a potential Hall-of-Fame catcher go to the Orioles?
• Allowed a for-sure Hall-of-Fame right fielder go to the Yankees?
• Traded a 12-15 game winning pitcher to the Phillies for a second-string catcher?

I have read the national sports websites showering great praise on the Mets on how have put together such a great team. I admit that they have the makings of a great team. However, if John Schurholz had $120M to spend on the Braves each year since 2000, the starting pitching for 2006 would have been Glavine, Maddox, Hudson, Millwood and probably Horacio Ramirez. Smolz would still be the closer. The Braves would have gotten Delgado from the Marlins, and, quite possibly, would have returned to the World Series three of the last four years. They would be the team with the best record in baseball, not the Mets.

However, I have faith in both Bobby Cox and John Schurholz. It’s probably too late to salvage this season; thirteen games back is a hole too deep. However, I expect the Braves will play better and WILL finish above .500. They have a talented, young team and a DEEP farm system.

To New York Mets fans I say, enjoy your success while you can. Your two front-line starters are old by baseball standards and getting older, with El Duque and Trachsel not far behind!! Next year, the Braves starting pitching will be Smolz, Hudson, Hampton, Davies and Ramirez. Schurholz will find the relief pitching somewhere, and the Braves will be ready to start another streak.

By Bryan Albright

June 16, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this

Chipper has a right to be mad and the fans have a right to be mad! Maybe John Schuerholz needs to be on the chopping block. Everyone talkes about how great a GM he is. If he was so great why is our pitching so terrible. The bullpin was a problem last year….IT WASN’T FIXED FOLKS!!! They actually signed Remlinger again. He was good when he was with the Braves a few years ago but since then he’s been circling the drain. He’s circling the drain is taking the team down with him. Maybe Schuerholz needs to be put on notice. Get the pitching fixed or you will be terminated! Also, tell Bobby Cox that sit LaRoach on the bench where he belongs and play Betemit. He is a much better player than Adam and he can actually hit the ball! Why is LaRoach in the line-up in the first place?

By RIP

June 16, 2006 08:39 AM | Link to this

A great GM would have fixed the problem. A great Farm system is no good if you don’t us it. THE GREAT BOBBY COX has forgot how to manage, its easy when you’re load with great players but now BC can’t cut it. JS& BC need to fix it quick or be gone!

By BOB C

June 16, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this

Dave - Could not agree more with your comments - EXCEPT this rodeo ain’t over! Let’s see where we are six weeks from now - say July 31. My prediction - about four out and gaining while the collars get even more restricted in old New York. This, of course, assumes that Reitsma is no longer with the Braves. Having 5 and 33 as available uniform numbers wouldn’t hurt either. See ya on the 31st!

By Dr. Kenneth Noisewater

June 16, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand why everyone keeps riding Salty. Right now in the minors, he’s hitting around .220… a little worse than LaRoche. The same thing goes for Orr. Orr is not at the level of a starting infielder, he just doesn’t have the bat to help produce runs.

Overall, something happened mentally, and they need to fix it before it’s too late. There are a good bit of head-to-head games left against all of the other East teams, so that could help make up some ground if the team gets it together.

By Jim J

June 16, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

(4 pm meeting in Bobby Cox’s office) Pratt, Reitsma, Yates, Jordan, Remlinger present. Cox: Men, I appreciate all you’ve done for this team, but you’re fired.

(4:30 pm meeting in Bobby Cox’s office) Giles and LaRoche present. Cox: Guys, you’ve done a good job for me, but you’ve both just been traded to the Nationals.

Starting lineup: Soriano 2B, Renteria SS, Betemit 3B, A. Jones CF, C. Jones 1B, McCann C, Francouer RF, Orr LF, Hudson P.

Meeting in Cox’s office after game: Cox: Chip, I don’t know how to tell you this, but you and Orr have been traded to the Reds.

Next night lineup: Soriano 2B, Renteria SS, Griffey 1B, Jones CF, McCann C, Betemit 3B, Francouer RF, Hermida LF, Dontrelle Willis P.

By Dave

June 16, 2006 09:16 AM | Link to this

Jim B:

Small problem with your last lineup: Dontrelle Willis and Mermida play for the Marlins. HOW did we get them?

Further, Chipper has to APPROVE any trade, and, as previously noted, he wans to retire a Brave, so that is not happening!

BTW, WHY fire Yates?

By Jim J

June 16, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this

Dave, you obviously work for Time-Warner. No inspiration, no imagination, no vision. Dream a little: Willis and Hermida for a package of prospects, of which we have a plethera. Chipper is compensated for his concessions at the beginning of the year, and Reds agree to re-work multi-year contract for a franchise 3B. (which they have been lacking since Rose left.) Money talks, BullChip walks. And as far as firing Yates, why not? He’s not shown anything except what we’ve already been plagued with: ineffectiveness.

By McDonoughDawg

June 16, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this

Stick with Giles, Cox. Way to go. How much longer can you take his ineptness?

By bigboi

June 16, 2006 09:41 AM | Link to this

I think what the Braves are doing this year is merely switching things around. Usually we have a great regular season then suck in the playoffs. I think this year we will switch that around and do really well in the playoffs. We should’ve thought of this years ago.

By Robert Disenchanted

June 16, 2006 09:59 AM | Link to this

Bloggers it disappoints me with how Chipper responded to why he did not attempt tocatch the ball thrown by Remlinger. If I was Rem I would be aggravated and p** to. Yes the bases would be loaded and the chances are not in the Braves favor. Yes but you can’t admit that you are a ballplayer and you never know what could happen. By admitting your thinking you are defeated. Just look at the Falcons defense in 2004 do you think when the opposition is down on the 2 yard line or close that Jim Mora would allow some thought you are never going to stop them. No they would line up and just play. Chipper should have made more of effort even if he had to leave the bag. You never know the outcode of the next play. The players attitude is well we’ve lost this game with the bases loaded and we might as well pack it in and wait for tomorrow. If the Braves leaders or veterans as in Chipper have this attitude this streak will never end. If this is how Chipper plays the game now a lot has changed. He would never had exemplified this attitude if he was a rookie or second year player due to what the veterans would think of him. If Chipper wants to be traded and if this is how a veteran leads a team then the Braves should trade while they can get value in return. I am thoroughly disgusted with the mental attitude of the players and coaching staff. It is time for a change.

By will

June 16, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this

Everybody sees the obvious things going wrong: High ERA’s from both starters and relievers, high K’s and low batting averages. What concerns me the most about this bunch (and I’ve followed the Braves since they moved to Atlanta) is the lack of sound fundamental baseball. How many times has a sacrifice bunt attempt actually worked this year? How many botched plays at first have led to big innings? How many 1 and 2 fastballs have been hit out against our pitchers? To me, folks, this bunch doesn’t know, or has forgotten how to do the little things that win ballgames. I remember this spring somebody (can’t remember who) said Bobby’s spring training was different…get your work in early and then hit the golf course or the lake. Maybe that’s what’s wrong. I hate to say it, but the streak is over. I figured it would end, but not like this, going out without even a whimper. May as well bring up the AAA and AA guys, at least they play like they love it, and they sure as heck can’t do any worse…

By Andy

June 16, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this

Two games out of last and 13 back of the Mets. We gotta make changes NOW. 1. Release Pratt, Jordan, Reitsma, Remlinger Bring Pena back up to replace Pratt.

1. Trade Chipper People are saying we should trade Giles, but Chipper has said in the past that he could see himself playing somewhere else. Well that time is now. Keep Giles and bat him 8th. He is not a leadoff hitter. I still have confidence in him. I still picture him hitting the gaps if he can finally stop his upper cut swing every at bat. The Angels and Rangers would be good trading partners for Chip. I know Chip is 10/5, but he will accept if there are enough hooters restaurants in the city.

2. Get rid of Laroche. Thorman should be at first base.

3. Chuck James should be in the rotation and Kyle Davies cannot get back any sooner. Thomsen and Sosa gotta go. Put Sosa in the pen if we can’t get anything for him.

Our pen, not including whatever we get in trades should include these people: McBride, Paronto, Ray, Stockman-if he does well, and maybe Startup. Tyler Yates blows. I am tired of these washups.

Carl Crawford is the answer leading off and playing left field. He swipes 50-60 a year and he would easily solve our leadoff woes.

By New York Joe

June 16, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

Wild Card Standings LETS GO METS Cincinnati 37 29 — 96 Arizona 35 31 2.0 96 Houston 35 32 2.5 95 San Diego 34 32 3.0 96 San Francisco 34 32 3.0 96 Colorado 34 32 3.0 96 Philadelphia 33 33 4.0 96 Milwaukee 32 35 5.5 95 Atlanta 30 37 7.5 95

Lets go Mets

By glenn hitchcock

June 16, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

Blame it all on Time-Warner. They let many top players get away in an attempt to cut payroll, and now they want to sell out. They ruined a marvelous team for no real reason, knowing they were going to bail out and leave those remaining players and fans holding the bag. glenn hitchcock

By Andy

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

I forgot to mention Villarreal. I don’t know if he has options left. If he has any, send him down. If not, release or trade. This guy is good for a HR ball every time he comes out.

By Rick

June 16, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

Even Kolb looks good at this point. At least GT basketball has a promising future. Go Jackets!

By Wolfman

June 16, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

Its easy for Mets fan to be happy when your payroll is 40 million dollars more than the Braves !!!!!………Hello hated Mets fans, the Braves could have Delgado at first base, Soriano at second base, and Wagner or Hoffman as our closer if we had an extra 40 frigging million to spend !!!!!……like I have said in the past regarding the Yankees, …nice $$$$bought division title Mets fans !!!!!!!!

By Ol' Brave

June 16, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

Remember some 15 years ago “worst to first”. Well Guys, it has come back to bite us in the rear. Now it’s “FIRST TO WORST”. They have lost their desire, the veterans with the exception of Smoltzie that is. As great as Andruw is in center, he used to be fast but now he just plogs along. Too much money in his pocket I guess. Chipper, only a fair third baseman because of a lack of enthusiasm; Francouer, needs a kick in the rear with a BIG shoe, a tight grip on his neck, and to be told “don’t you understand this batting thing yet?”; Laroache, too much lead in his pants, not motivated enough, can’t play defense, occasional hitter, etc.,etc.; Giles, rah-rah guy with too much kid left, not enough professionalism, uppercut swinger (where are you Terry Pendelton); and as for the pitching staff, well, there ain’t enough space here. JS is strapped financially, Bobby is TOO LOYAL to each player and needs to stick his foot up some rear ends big time, and most of all, needs to shake up everything. Get somebodys attention!!! If they aren’t producing, LET THEM SIT AND THINK ABOUT IT!!! One last thing - I think Reitsma is a really nice guy, so he is finishing last…….

By CarolinaMike

June 16, 2006 11:03 AM | Link to this

Wolfman, get your facts straight, it’s about 8 million, which is chump change. From ESPN.com

Mets (5th): 100,901,085 Atlanta (8th): 92,461,852

And I’ll say this: Atlanta doesn’t seem to be getting very much for their money. Mike Hampton makes for a very expensive benchwarmer. Florida, which doesn’t even pay 15 mil just kicked Atlanta’s butt.

By CarolinaMike

June 16, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this

By the way, the White Sox have a payroll that’s 2 million higher than the Mets. Did they buy a championship?

By Debra F

June 16, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

I am a big atlanta braves fan I missed the last game because I had to work. I stand behind my favorite team win or loose.

By Mets Stink

June 16, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this

Don’t complain about the Mets payroll. Yeah it does suck that they have about 40 million more to spend than we do, but don’t forget the late 90s. We had one of the highest payrolls in baseball. Did we buy our world series and division championships?

By pedro martinez

June 16, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

I thought stockman did pretty good last night getting out of trouble after he gave up that double i think that was probably just nerves. we should trade diaz to the marlins for the guy from marrietta. the marlins cant get him out. maybe js should trade andruw jones and marcus giles for carl crawford ,aubrey huff and 2 or 3 prospects. what do u think?

By will

June 16, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this

i thought stockman did pretty good last night getting out of trouble after he gave up that double i think that was probably just nerves. we should trade diaz to the marlins for the guy from marrietta. the marlins cant get him out. maybe js should trade andruw jones and marcus giles for carl crawford ,aubrey huff and 2 or 3 prospects. what do u think?

By ebineezer

June 16, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this

About the play…. Remlinger should have went to first base with the ball to start with. Get the SURE out at first, walk the next batter to load the bases and take you chances with one out. The odds are against you but they were against you already when you had 2 runners on and nobody out. Chipper has got to catch the ball at all costs wheather he gets the out or not because if he doesn’t(and of course he didn’t) the game is over. Note to Chipper: having the odds stacked against you is always better than the game being over; an ity, bitty, tiny chance of winning is better than NO chance. Remlinger’s throw might have been the last play of the game but the strike outs with runners on in the previous innings are what cost the Braves the game. As messed up as this Braves team seems, if they could have just split their one-run games they would be right there nipping at the Mets heels. It is the same way in all the professional sports, the teams that consistantly win the close games finish at the top.

By Mets Stink

June 16, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

No way we trade Andruw. Remember that he started getting hot about this time last year. There’s still a chance for a great season out of him.

By will

June 16, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this

how many times has he (andruw) struck out with risp this road trip? crawford in cf huff at 1b

By will

June 16, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

maybe something can get done with crawford when we go to tampa!

By BOB C

June 16, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

Sorry Crawford fans. His story is all over the media down here in Tampa Bay. He isn’t going anywhere and even if he did there are about a half dozen teams ahead of us in the bidding. Finally, if you watch him every night, he tends to get lackadaisical - sort of like an young Andruw without the great glove and power.

By Mets Stink

June 16, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

This year Huff strikes out about 1 time for every 9 ABs and drived in a run 1 run every 11 ABs. Andruw strikes out 1 time every 4 ABs (ouch!) but he drives in a run 1 time every 4 ABs. That’s almost 3 times more RBIs than Huff. Crawford would be great, but in LF. Think how many RBIs Chipper, Andruw, and McCann can drive in with a decent leadoff hitter.

By HugeBravesFan

June 16, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

DARN IT!

By will

June 16, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this

loyalty will sink a ship everytime!

By Ya Gotta Bereave

June 16, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

What do I think? I think it’s great. Not since Sherman (also a New Yorker, I should add), has Atlanta been scorched like this. Stumbling and bumbling your way to the bottom of the heap, and now the infighting … classic meltdown behavior and it couldn’t happen to a “nicer” guy than the one and only LAAAAAAAAAARREEEEEEEEEEEE. Keep up the good work, Rednecklinger.

By will

June 16, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

it doesnt matter we need PITCHING PITCHING PITCHING!

By km

June 16, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

I THINK THE BRAVES ARE DONE THIS YEAR IT”S TIME TO TRADE LAROACHE,GILES,AND GET A REAL LEAD OFF HITTER

By Pantherssuck

June 16, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this

Hey Jim J. Bullock,

What are you smoking? How in the God’s name are you going to get Soriano, Griffey, Hermida, and Willis? You’ll have to part with McCann, Francouer, Salty, Chuck James, Lerew, and the rest of the farm system. Nice, that would set the Braves back for a good 20 years. It would be Royals South or Pirates South, take your pick…either way it SUCKS! Remember, it’s puff, puff, PASS! Idiot!

By Brian

June 16, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

Evrybody is saying we aren’t spending enough money…SHUT UP! They make enough money! Did you realize that Chipper and Andrew together make more than the entire Marlins team? Sure they are in last place, but, they just swept us and have a better winning percentage over the last 15 games than we have had. Baseball is ONE of the only sports where a player can be unproductive and continue to play day in and day out. It isn’t how much money you have, it is the quality of player you get for the money (ie: NYY 200+ million payroll). If you spend your available money on reconstruction projects, there will come a time when the productivity will begin to deteriorate. As brilliant as JS has been in recent years, it is hard for me to digest his ability to look at the bullpen, combined with spring training performance, and expect Remlinger to actually come in and help mend some of the bullpen problems. Finally, it comes down to acountability. Andruw is FAT and unproductive. Players do not perform well in situational at bats b/c they do not listen to their coaches (Terry Pendleton). Or, maybe, the problem could be that the coaches have not lowered the boom enough to force a response. If my boss tells me I need to do something and I do not do it, there will be reprocussions. In the braves organization, as well as other MLB teams, a payer simply collects his million dollar check, rides off in his pimped out hummer, and comes to play another day. Why do you think players refer to Bobby Cox as a “Players Coach?” There is no acountability from his part. Sure he pullede Andruw a few years ago. Sure he sat LaRoche out last month for a partial game; however, those were glaring instances where he was forced to do something because they were so blatant. If attendance drops, I do not want to hear the mantra from local radio personalities and other self bloviating individuals that Atlanta does not support their franchise and we are fair weather fans. If I pay $35+ for a game ticket, I expect to see good baseball. If they lose but play good baseball, they continue to be a solid team to watch. However, the way they are playing now is a disgrace. Having fan support is not a right, it is a privelege. You earn that privelege by playing hard and smart day in and day out. My support is not dependent on the team winning, it is dependent upon a group of men stepping up their game and playing good fundamental baseball.We expect to have that service in a restaraunt where servers earn $2.00/hour + tips, why can’t we expect that from a team whose average player earns 5000.00 per AB? By the way…UGA football 2007 kickoff 78 days and counting down!

By Al Fisti

June 16, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

You read it here first - the Braves will solve this problem of an underachieving, undisciplined, selfish, unmotivated, lackadaisical attitude, swing-for-the-fences-in-every-at-bat roster … by firing Terry Pendleton.

By ByeByeBraves

June 16, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

Ok, so it’s Time Warner’s fault? Geez, you people are the most ungracious, deluded fools ever. Get used to it. Time for the Braves to foin the Hawks, Falcons, and Thrashers and the whole “city” of Atlanta in the toilet. Again.

By HC

June 16, 2006 01:29 PM | Link to this

Hey Chipper, do us all a favor and get another one of your “injuries” and go on the DL.

By MetsRock

June 16, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

Just so everyone is up on the money and salary thing: ESPN has the Mets Payroll at $100.9M, 5th in the bigs. Atlanta is 8th at $92.4M. Not a real tangible difference in money spent. However, the difference is the Braves have finally hit a point where there is another team as good as they are, and they aren’t playing well. I would wait until July 31st before saying it’s over.

By Mike

June 16, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

For all those whom thought the Mets far outspent the Braves, the answer is wrong. Here are the adjusted payrolls.

2006 PAYROLLS 2006 PAYROLLS 2005

1 New York Yankees $194,663,079 2 Boston Red Sox $120,099,824 3 Anaheim Angels $103,472,000 4 Chicago White Sox $102,750,667 5 New York Mets $101,084,963 6 Los Angeles Dodgers $98,447,187 7 Chicago Cubs $94,424,499 8 Houston Astros $92,551,503 9 Atlanta Braves $90,156,876

By It's all over

June 16, 2006 02:03 PM | Link to this

Looks like the era of the powder blue uniforms and the perpetual cellar dwellin’ is back……..like Archie Bunker sez” Those… were….. the………Dayzzzzz”

By ByeByeBraves

June 16, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

On the bright side, at least you guys will forgo the anuual NLDS chokejob this year giving you more time to visit the Coca Cola museum.

By Dollene Davidson

June 16, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

For all of you “Braves Fans”….if you aren’t going to support them when they loose, will you please sell me your home plate seats??? Just give me two days notice…I have to drive from Amelia Island, Florida and take a day from work.

By New York Joe

June 16, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

To wolfman:

Where is it listed in the Baseball rule book that it’s against the rules to acquire free agents? Where is it listed in the rule books that your team may only spend x amount of dollars to acquire free agents?

The Mets and Yankees are not buying anything, they are instead following the rules established within major league baseball and practicing the long standing free market economy of the capitalist economic system of the United State of America.

Should the Mets and Yankees be pillared for having formulated fantastic business model’s to take advantage of the huge revenue streams of income producing TV and Cable contracts, the fact that each team generates income every year from attendance figures that border 3.5 million each year from a long, well established and fanatic fan base?

I’m certain your team would die to have such a successful business plan, and the loyal and fanatic fan base the City of New York has, and by the way, the city supports each of it’s 6 major league professional sports teams in the same manner. So I rebuff your claim that, “New York buys pennants”

By Metsfan

June 16, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

I think what all of you Braves fans are forgetting is that the Mets payroll is actually a few million LOWER than last year. Its about 100-105 million. The Braves have a 90 million dollar payroll for a difference of roughly 10-15 million. Not that outrageous 40 million that was being talked about above

By Carey

June 16, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

The season has been painful for brave fans and met fans are pileing on. That’s fine let them, remember it’s only one season. The mets have finished behind the braves the 11 years we have had a full season in the N.L. East. 11-1, and the one has’nt even happend yet. If the mets do win the division and not the world series, we will just remind them of their only one WS ring(like they do us). The key is we don’t need a mental meltdown. Remember a few years ago when the mets were supposed to dethrone the braves, and half the team was busted for smoking pot. Remember the braves are America’s team. We play and lose with class.

By will

June 16, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

hey metsfan did you enjoy bl_wing pedro and the two carlos’s last night? shut up!

By Brian

June 16, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

The Mets have two World Championships (1969 and 1986). Too bad you guys enjoy NASCAR(takes more talent to navigate the FDR on a Friday afternoon in NYC than to race in a big circle)to know your facts. Enjoy the ‘Dawgs this year. Can’t wait until they pull their yearly Brave impersonation and choke. Lets Go Mets……

By Mark in Memphis

June 16, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

Wow are you folks spoiled!!!

The first time in 14 YEARS the team hasn’t just dazzled and you guys are talking “perpetual cellar dwellers”?!?!

Well, I am glad the “bandwagon” will be shedding a bunch of folks who were just here because they were winning.

I have been a Braves fan since my first game I saw as a Cub Scout. I have been a fan through the days of winning NOTHING. The glory years have been fun, but now the rest of the league has caught up and we are having a tough year.

So all you hangers on, please abandon the wagon. We REAL Braves lovers will still pull for our team and have hope for better times.

As for you people who are wondering what our GM is doing, so must not have a baseball brain in your heads. NOBODY is rushing to help the Braves. JS is sitting by the phone. But, instead of dealing from a place of strength as in past years, to get ANYBODY decent, we would have to give up a HUGH part of our future. I would rather struggle through this year, let the streak end (that would be some less truly meaningless pressure) and try again next year than trade some of the truly high potential people we have waiting in the minors.

By will

June 16, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this

hey there brian! do you even have any football teams up north? oh yeah syracuse how did they do this year bout 3-8? you probably like the jankees too

By New York Joe

June 16, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

Carey, my boy, The New York Mets have won two World Series championships.

1) In 1969, they beat the mighty Baltimore Orioles and by the way they swept the Atlanta Braves in the first NLCS in 69’ 2 In 1986 they beat the Boston Red Sox

So the corrected tally is:

NY Mets 2 Atlanta Braves 1

I forgive you young man you were most likely born after the first Moon Walk and Woodstock, or still wetting your pampers.

By Brian

June 16, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

We do have football teams in the north. Professional teams! Last time I checked, the Giants were defending divison champs. How’d Vick and the Falcons work out for you? No one cares about college sports up here because were too busy moving on with our lives to care about the past. I am impressed though that there are some college graduates in this chat room. I thought good ‘ol boys from down south thought graduating elementary school was an acheivement. Lets Go Mets….Lets Go New York! Enjor watching the Mets play infront of a SOLD-OUT stadium in the playoffs!

By REDNECKSCANTREAD

June 16, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this

Stop whining Braves fans - you had a great run there and are just barely a step above the Buffalo Bills. By the way, if all of you have time to type on this blog what were you doing when the stadium was only 75% full for playoff games?

By REDNECKSCANTREAD

June 16, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this

Stop whining Braves fans - you had a great run there and are just barely a step above the Buffalo Bills. By the way, if all of you have time to type on this blog what were you doing when the stadium was only 75% full for playoff games?

By Carey

June 16, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

My mistake on the number of W.S.rings. Since you guys are so good at baseball history, I thought you might want to know over the last 25 years the braves have one more regular season games and postseason games than the mets. Those numbers are better than anyone in baseball except for the yankees postseason wins. Yes, I realize the only one WS title during that span and the Yankees have several,blujays(2), marlins(2)and several with one including the mets. The bottom line is the braves franchise has been more than just a little better than the mets over the last SEVERAL years. Anyway have you got out a picture of yourself from 1969. I bet you have changed just a tad.

By redneckscantread

June 16, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this

From Carey’s post - the braves have one more regular season games and postseason games than the mets….

I was right (or write as you might say) - you can’t read!

By New York Joe

June 16, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

New Yorkers, have been conducting financial business on the Island of Manhattan since 1622. Residents of New Amsterdam, later New York were using indoor plumbing facilities, had paved roads, primary schools, newspapers, and libraries while many of you Georgia boys where still indentured servants, craping in out houses, unable to either read, speak or even write grammatically correct English sentences.

In many cases the English usage malady still lingers today.

1.“Fixin too”, what’s that? You’re going to repair something?

1. How about the question with the dangling participle, “Where you at?”

2. And my personal favorite the incorrect conjunction “Y’all”.

By the mets blow c**

June 16, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this

I still will rock the “A” on my hat til the day that I die.

By Brian (Southern)

June 16, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this

To: Dollene Davidson “For all of you “Braves Fans”….if you aren’t going to support them when they loose, will you please sell me your home plate seats???” If you ever spent time actually READING the BLOG, you might, and that is a very STRONG MIGHT, understand what is being stated before running your mouth and looking like an idiot. I’m not a “braves fan”, I’m a Braves Fan without the sarcastic quotation marks. I have been a braves fan for 26 years when I started following them in 1980. This is what I said, and quote: “My support is not dependent on the team winning, it is dependent upon a group of men stepping up their game and playing good fundamental baseball.” If I am going to spend $60 at a baseball game, I want the guys to play good fundamental baseball. If you want to drive from Amelia Island, spend $60-$70 for the game, $100 for the hotel, $100 for food for the weekend, all to see players consistently choke with PISP, “leaders” run nonchalantly to first, infielders play nonchalant defense, starting pitchers give up 4-5 rpg, and over the hill in baseball life relievers (remilinger)give up 5 run leads and make errant throws, that is your perogative. I’m not asking them to win every game. I’m not even saying they have to win a 15th pennant. I’m just asking them to play the game the way it was supposed to be played. until then I’ll save my $, watch occasionally on TBS, FSS, Turner South, etc. and teach my son to play hard, respect the game, and always rely on the fundamentals.

By Allyssa

June 16, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

New York Joe there is no reason to come on this site and Bash Georgians….we are probably just as smart as you New Yorkers and some even smarter…so you can just go away….Who cares if we say Ya’ll if you lived here you would say that too..and not that many people i know so Where you at?.. so you are getting incorrect information about us Georgians…

By Brian (Southern)

June 16, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this

let me correct this typo before someone else does:I meant to say RISP (that is Runners In Scoring Position)if you did not know Dollene Davidson. Peace Out!

By TVME

June 16, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Its very simple - as shown, its no good to be standing on the bag if you can’t catch the ball. It was chipper’s responsibility to get the ball (which he clearly could have)or block it … not stay on the bag.

By New York Joe

June 16, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

My Dear Allyssa,

I do live in the South. I was born and raised in Manhattan, educated with BS, MS and PHD degrees from Fordham University in the Bronx, New York who happens to teach English composition, literature and freshmen English at a state university here in Mississippi.

Believe me, proper and correct usage of English by larger percentages of the indigenousness Southern student population, arriving on campus from the public school system is abysmal. I know, I have been reading, listening to, and correcting their English for almost twenty years.

I truly do enjoy the South,I married a Southern Belle.

By Allyssa

June 16, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

New York Joe ok….whatever im sorry…but i mean people do take offense to what you say about southnerns. I know i may not be fully eduacated because i am only going into 9th grade but i plan on getting as much education as you have..

By New York Joe

June 16, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

Allyssa,

It is my hope that you will take full advantage of all the educational opportunities afforded you. Strive always to learn, too challenge yourself, set and maintain high standards and seek to achieve them.

I admire your chutzpa “Yiddish word for boldness-self confidence” pronounced, hoottspa, or in today’s vernacular “You Go Girl”

By Allyssa

June 16, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

New York Joe…thanks i really appreciate it. And i will definately take advantage of all the educational choices i get becasue i want to be the best i can be in this world..

By GoWrightGo

June 16, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

Soo sweet. New York Joe…you must feel like a new york -sshole. I live in NJ, been a Mets fan for 40 yrs and appreciate good baseball. Too often the METS have not performed. Too often we have dealt from the cellar. I hate the Braves but must respect the run they have had. 14 yrs is unreal. only 1 championship true but lots of professional success. I became a knick fan in the 80’s (unwatchable group of thugs now) and they were a little like the Braves. They had a ton of regular season success and were a lock to win 50 games every year in the years I watched but never won the whole thing (Damn Michael Jordan). Still when it was over (as it has been for the last 5 yrs or so)I look back very favorably on those good knick years. I wish I had that in my Mets. Congrats to you Braves fans for all that good success you have had. Be proud and go down now with dignity. Infighting is no good. You have some young players that are talented. Giles, Franceour are two I like alot. Keep building your farm and dealing from strength. Should be time to consider trading the Jones’s and maybe Smoltz for some big time youth to stock up in the farm

By dewan lee

June 16, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

Are we really supposed to believe that New York Joe is a college professor? I find that hard to believe as there were a sundry of grammatical impracticalities and comma splices all over the place. I must educate you on that 62% of New Yorkers actually have their roots from the South. Quick tell me the original colonies? Exactly nothin else needed on that statement. Before you get on a blog and start bashing the English language please edit yours. I dont profess to be an English professor but I can and will talk numbers all day as I hold a BS in Accounting, MBA, and currently working on passing the CPA exam. All of this while I serve our great nation as an Army Finance Officer. See what good the GA public school system has done for me. If I really wanted to impress you, then I would copy my blog and paste it to a word document, so I could edit it; but I dont think that I have to show you, since you are the English professor (LOL).

In addition tell your buddy that if Andruw is so fat and unproductive then why does he have more RBI’s than any player in the majors not named Pujols? I agree that the bullpen is horrible and Bobby is to lax. Joe Torre should have never left and Bobby should have stayed as the GM. Its too early to give the Mets the division as the Nats were leading this time last year.

I’m out.

By CobbCountyMetFan

June 19, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this

It’s WONDERFUL to see the Braves disintergrate before our eyes……

Have a GREAT season battling for last place.

By law

June 19, 2006 10:13 AM | Link to this

Does anyone remember the days when 95% of the fans in the stands were Braves fans? We were incredible fans. I was so proud that even at their worst, we never ever boo’d our players or even the opposing teams players! I miss those days. If they never win another game - I love the Braves.

By Joe C.

June 19, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

Classic Chipper quote from 1999 -

“Now that the Mets have been eliminated, Met fans can go home and put on their Yankee jerseys…”

LOL I think Chipper is the one now who wants to trade his Atlanta jersey for a Mets one….

By Dollene Davidson

June 20, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this

To Brian ( Southern ) Son, you need a chill pill. By the way….I do know what Runners in Scoring Position means….so much for my thoughts of moving back to my home town….if you represent the population and attitudes of people now living in Atlanta-I’ll just stay down here. By the way….I spent $300.00 on four tickets, $50 to the Braves Foundation and drove from Florida for my father’s 80th birthday-so yes, according to you, I am stupid. My post simply provided the thought that we were there as a family and for the love of the game. Pity on me. You have some serious rage problems. No need in replying to this….I am deleting this site from my computer. Too old for verbal abuse. RIP

By paddyatl

June 21, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this

Does anyone else get the feeling that “New York Joe” is typing out his responses in tighty-whiteys, a food stained Mr. Mets t-shirt with a rug of thick, dark back hair poking out the neck collar and a sweaty NY Yankees cap that’s too small for his large, melon-shaped head?

What a tool. You front-running Mutts fans are all a bunch of mutant retards.