Braves

By Summerteeth

June 28, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this

How about trading Giles for Brian Roberts?

By jon

June 28, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this

Well put DOB…the front office reported they wanted to see how the braves would do the next 2-3 weeks…well here we are and we are playing with heart and desire and tied 2-2 in the 11th with the best franchise in the history of baseball…now make some MOVES!

By Calvin

June 28, 2006 04:38 PM | Link to this

good points there Mr. O’Brien.

By Chop Chop

June 28, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

Dammit! What in the hell is Betemit doing swinging at the first pitch with two outs, the bases loaded and a new freakin’ pitcher coming into the game???

That’s the kind of sorry baseball that loses games.

By geauxbraves2000

June 28, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

TAKE A PITCH! TAKE A PITCH! TAKE A PITCH! AARRRRRRGGHHH!!!!!!!!!!

By fan in va

June 28, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

can’t believe he swung at the first pitch - 0/5 with 4 LOB. not the best day for betemit

By Chop Chop

June 28, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this

Props to Villarreal for not blowing the game after that inexplicable “at-bat” (if you can call it that) by Betemit.

God forbid, but I’m starting to think that Betemit shouldn’t be playing first, second and third base everyday.

By Chop Chop

June 28, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this

Hit a homer, Giles.

By Chop Chop

June 28, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

WEEEEEEEEEEEE! I’ll be damned. A homer for Giles.

By Marcus Giles

June 28, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

OK, how’s that?

By fan in va

June 28, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

nice call Chop Chop!!

By Todd A

June 28, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

Have to swallow my pride a bit,but Chipper has seemed to turn it up a notch on this road trip.Hope it continues.

By Don

June 28, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this

Coming from 8.5 games down to one team to win the division is a lot more plausible than passing 9 teams to win the wild card.

Here’s how much ground they have to make up to tie for the wild card:

Cincinnati 8.5 games Los Angeles 7 games Colorado 6.5 games San Fran and Milwaukee 6 games each Houston and Arizona 4.5 games each Philadelphia and Florida 3 games each

The Braves have to play .670 baseball, i.e. win 2 games out of 3 the rest of the way, to get to 88 wins. That is probably the minimum to win the wild card. The other teams can’t all lose every day when they’re playing each other. Counting the Braves and ignoring Washington which is tied with the Braves, we’re talking about a 10 team wild card race. You can’t give the Braves a 1 in 10 chance when they’re starting so far behind the other 9. The odds of the Braves winning the wild card are probably less than 1 in 100 from a statistical standpoint.

Seriously, does anybody think this Braves team is capable of playing .670 baseball for over 80 games, even if the starting pitching comes together and guys like Giles and Chipper start hitting the ball? How does a team with this horrendous AA bullpen play .670 baseball for half a season?

The Braves should be a seller right now, not a buyer. They should be working to free up some payroll and get younger for 2007.

By the way, has interleague play exposed just how bad the National League is or what? Here’s the NL record for the last 10 games for each team combined: 57-93, a 38% winning percentage.

By TennesseePaul

June 28, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

Well Said DOB. But I’m not willing to count this team out of anything yet. And this pitching is amazing right now. We’ve seen the starters pitch like they’re the Braves. Now we just need the hitters to hit like they did at the start of the season. we could rattle off a 20 game win streak with that sort of production.

GO GILES!!!!
GO BRAVES!

By ncscoots

June 28, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this

DOB, has Chipper stopped wearing the knee brace?

By fan in va

June 28, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this

ok, I’m sorry but this is ridiculous. WILD pitch, then walk a man to load the bases (AGAIN) and Frenchy, like Betemit, swings at the first pitch! UNreal.

By Charleston Brave

June 28, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this

Come on Don!!! Stop stepping on my buzz!!

By jon

June 28, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

Since all of you know so much about swinging at first pitches and everything…..it leaves me only one question for each of you….why arent you guys playing in Yankee Stadium in the 13th inning if you know so much? I think these guys know what they’re doing…lets leave the playing up to them! Go Braves!

By journalist jimmy smith

June 28, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity!

By TennesseePaul

June 28, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

jon: I would have been in there playing in the 13th, but my agent (Scott Boras) and I have been holding out for a higher signing bonus. It’s going on 15 years, but I think the Cardinals are about to crack.

By Don

June 28, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

Yeah, and if Sosa can just take that 1-9 record down to the bullpen and become a dominant closer….

Damn.

By Shawn B

June 28, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What have we done to deserve this?????????/

By mike remlinger

June 28, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

i think that HR Arod just hit just sealed the deal. Fire someone

By geauxbraves2000

June 28, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

Once again the bullpen snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.

By fan in va

June 28, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

jon, that’s like saying why am i not president since i have views on the current state of the union. anyway, it’s called situational hitting. bad loss for the braves. frenchy left 7 LOB.

By Bobby Cox

June 28, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

If we only had Remmie !

Remmie could have made the difference !

Damn that Schuerholz !

By journalist jimmy smith

June 28, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

oh, the humanity, the humanity! somebody please fix the bullpen.

By Hal

June 28, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

Well this was the 10th game of the 10 game evaluation string .We beat Tampa bay twice and the yankees once 3-7 .Still no closer, still no lead off, guy still no contstant production from first base in other words no change lol

By TennesseePaul

June 28, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure Sosa is ready to pitch every single day. We need a real closer. Maybe two or three real closers. then Bobby can’t over use them no matter how hard he tries.

Good game today Braves. At least now you know you can hang with the Yankees. Should allow you to mop the floor with Baltimore.

By CobbCountyMetFan

June 28, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

A-Rod WALK-OFF HOMER

SOSA IS T-H-E M-A-N

I LOVE THIS GAME!!!!

Doesn’t get ANY BETTER than this.

Spread the love……

By JasonInMaine

June 28, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

I think I have officially entered the suicidal stage…what a loss. Can we get a damn reliever that can get 3 outs, please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Charleston Brave

June 28, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

Sosa didn’t blow the game, two first pitch swingers did!

Yeah, yeah, yeah he did blow the game.

By Don

June 28, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

Seriously, is there anybody out there who wasn’t thinking “here comes a home run” when Sosa went 3-1 on A-Rod? He should have pointed the bat before the pitch like Babe Ruth in 1932.

By Chop Chop

June 28, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

jimmy smith, I was waiting for A-Rod to hit a homer from the seventh inning on. The Braves are too predictable.

For those who think Sosa is going to solidify the ‘pen, I posit that you are insane. Nineteen homers allowed this year in 76 innings. Need I say more? Believe me, I (along with many other Braves fans) hate knowing that I’m right about that stuff. It drives me crazy that the Braves’ organization can’t figure these things out. You can’t win with hope. You win with good baseball. Sosa is not a good baseball player.

In one series, we turned back the clock on Randy Johnson and turned A-Fraud into A-God.

Just lovely.

By Blake

June 28, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

Don,

I was thinking it is okay to walk him and pitch to Phillips, just no walk off

By lerst

June 28, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

I’ve watch alot of baseball and never seen a bullpen in this bad of shape. There is not one guy that can be counted on. Every one of them has control problems which gets them in trouble.

I’d like to be optomistic like some of you, but there is absolutely no way we can even go .500 with this bullpen. As much as I hate to say it this season is over. I’ll keep watching, but only because I want to see how bad it can get.

By mwillf

June 28, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this

As a Red Sox fan watching this game today, all I can say is that Atlanta is a crapy major league town. You do not deserve having major league teams. Went to playoffs two years ago while in town and I got good seats! Had a chance to put the game away, and make things comfortable for our playoff run, but it did not turn out that way.

Atlanta: The “A” stands for “assh**!”

By Billy Knight

June 28, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this

Anybody hiring?

By Don

June 28, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

I apologize to AA pitchers everywhere for referring earlier to the Braves bullpen as AA.

6 blown leads behind Smoltz and we’re not even to the All-Star break. It would be an act of kindness to trade him to a contender.

By Chop Chop

June 28, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

mwillf, I like the Red Sox, but you didn’t really expect the Braves to help you out, did ya? Come on, man. Shove all that “crappy major league town” stuff up your beanpot and get ready to boo Pedro tonight.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 28, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this

seems like some of this that has been going on all season could be corrected. discipline at the plate can be had - but will bobby demand it? hasn’t yet. what of this bullpen? we have a great closer. he’s stubborn and says he won’t return to the pen. let smoltz close and reitsma start. someone send for wes obermueller. send for dan kolb. send flowers. oh, the humanity!

By Hal

June 28, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this

Now pitching for the braves in the bottom of the 9th …the baby seal this should seal the deal

By Woodrow

June 28, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this

Go Braves! And take the Hawks with You. or at least just the bullpen…

I can’t take much more of this bullpen; it is physically painful.

By Eric C.

June 28, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this

No fan of a major league team should have to endure this BS…F it. I loved seeing Farnsworth getting booed yesterday.

By Tomahawkin

June 28, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

WTF 2 BLOWN LEADS IN ONE FC-K—N GAME, SHYT!!!

BRAVESS STILL BELIEVE, ALRIGHT THAT THIS TEAM HAS THE WORST BLOWPEN IN BASEBAALL

This team stinks, and WTF Is it with swinging at the first pitch?, SHYT!!!

I tried to back him up, but now I give up SOSA SUCKS, AND BTW Reeksma will be back so here comes a 8-20 July ahead of us…

By Don

June 28, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

1. A major key to success in baseball is being ahead in the count. The Braves pitchers and the Braves hitters are always behind in the count.

2. It is a good thing that Cox and Schuerholz were not captains on the Titanic. If so, the passengers would have never left their cabins. Are the Braves run by Alfred E. Newman?

3. Surely none of you thought that Ray or Sosa would retire the side without allowing a run.

4. By the way, Zach Miner, a throw-in in the Farnsworth trade, is 4-1 for Detroit.

5. Only the Braves broadcast-prostitutes can put a good spin on this situation. A good dose of Marty Brennaman would bring a little reality to the discussion.

By Head Coach

June 28, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

DOB , I can appreciate the work ethic and positive attitude of Cox and his players as much as the next fan. They have known nothing but success in the regular season and will continue to play hard. Reality is this : They didnt have a leadoff hitter , closer or bullpen in spring training and 79 games later not a damn thing has changed. They are now 11-21 in one run games and could possibly set a new record in that category. We are sellers in the trade market and its just a matter of who and when Schuerholz starts the horse trading. I gotta go pick up all the beer cans , Y’all have fun !!!

By brewdawg

June 28, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

Man, this season is eating away at me. I think all of us may have forgotten a little bit how much losing hurts. I guess that after 14 years that’s normal, but it sure doesn’t give me much comfort. No, I’m not backing off my comments yesterday about still believing in them- but I get the feeling I’m on a sparsely inhabited island that is getting closer and closer to being deserted by everyone but yours truly. That is of course unless everyone has left me already. Sure am glad i brought this volleyball…

By CobbCountyMetFan

June 28, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

Isn’t it a LOVELY sight in the NL East.

Mets on top. . . . . . . .

. . . Braves all the way down here…..

It’s a pretty site.

Spread the love.

By Eric C.

June 28, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this

DOB…I like the optimism from “Braves still Believe,” but it sure is bad timing. This game today may have taken out the last breath of hope.

By Flatlander

June 28, 2006 05:38 PM | Link to this

17/32 in saves …..if we had any type of bullpen we would still be in contention.

By Bob from Acworth

June 28, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

As much as the front office and the Braves announcers do not want to admit it,the Braves DO miss and NEED a pitching coach like Leo Mazzone. And when is management going to trade for some bullpen help and stop bringing in kids from Richmond and Mississippi? And PLEASE! No more re-treads like Mike Remlinger! Or is the front office waiting for the Braves sale to go through before they can make a move? Face it,folks. This season is OVER! I haven’t had to say this in 15 seasons. Wait ‘till NEXT YEAR!

By Rutuger

June 28, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

Believe? What could they possibly believe in?

I BELIEVE that this is the sorriest bunch we have assembled in 30 years. That’s what I believe.

I BELIEVE Sosa has no buisness anywhere near a professional baseball field.

I BELIEVE Bobby Cox is a great guy and has had a HOF career, and it’s time to pack it up now.

I BELIEVE, that if this is the best our depleted farm system now has to offer, that we may not compete for at least two more years.

I BELIEVE that this joke of a bullpen is—and I mean this in all sincerity, not being facetious at all—that this is, without a doubt, statistically, ability-wise, etc., the worst bullpen in the history of Major League Baseball.

I believe that’s about it.

By Flatlander

June 28, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

17/32 in saves …..if we had any type of bullpen we would still be in contention.

By Tomahawkin

June 28, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

Headcoach, I gotta go buy another remote after throwing it at the TV. This Blowpen really p-se$-$ me da phuck off!!!

but I had a feeling you were throwing cans at the tv all game

BTW Nuff Respect to Renteria, He really flashed the leather today in more ways than 1

By Kenny

June 28, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this

Gloating isn’t funny or clever CobbCountyMetFan. The Mets have a great team. No need to gloat.

By fan in va

June 28, 2006 05:42 PM | Link to this

Eric C. - well put.

brewdawg - LOL. only don’t name him Wilson, he might swing at the first pitch.

By BOB C

June 28, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this

Before we march Sosa off to the firing squad consider please - (a) who do we have better, (b) who realistically obtainable through trade any better is out there, (c) if Mr. McDowell wants to earn his salary he can harness that incredible stuff. (d) if McDowell can’t do that, lets pick up or bring up a situational lefty and give McBride a shot until either Boyer or Devine is ready. But it’s way too soon to write off Sosa.

By Summerteeth

June 28, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this

Bobby Cox quote after game:

Hey. If any of you are looking for any last-minute gift ideas for me, I have one. I’d like John Schuerholtz, my boss, right here tonight. I want him brought from his plush sky box over there on Hank Aaron Lane with all the other rich people and I want him brought right here, with a big ribbon on his head, and I want to look him straight in the eye and I want to tell him what a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, dickless, hopeless, heartless, fat-a*, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey s** he is. Hallelujah. Holy s**. Where’s the Tylenol? And where’s our closer?

By Rutuger

June 28, 2006 05:49 PM | Link to this

Summerteeth, what in the hell are you blabbering about?

By Tony Almeida

June 28, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this

Too soon to write off Sosa???? 2-10 with a 5.45 ERA

Too soon??? Too late if you ask me.

By Chop Chop

June 28, 2006 05:53 PM | Link to this

Tomahawkin,

I agree with your shout-out to Renteria. He was magic with the glove today and gave the Braves a chance. THAT’S the kind of fielding the Red Sox expected from the guy last year. He did a great job out there today and deserves the acknowledgement.

Our two “closers” (Ray and Sosa…yeah, it’s hard to wrap my mind around that cluster** of an abomination) did a great job today. If we’re lucky, maybe Reitsma will be “healthy and ready to help the team out” and find his way back into the closer’s role. After all, the Braves need a closer and Reitsma has been one before. Maybe he can handle the challenge? He won’t know unless he tries. I’m sure he, along with all of us, is looking forward to it!

(I’ve suffered from amnesia, so if Reitsma hasn’t been good, someone let me know. I was reading Schuerholz’s book and can’t remember much else…)

By Bobby Cox

June 28, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

Gee, Skip. I think we would have had a chance if Remmie were still around. Man, I miss that guy !

Good news is that Chris Reitsma is on the mend and should be back shortly. He’ll be a big help. Remember what he did last July ? Lights Out !

By metsmanintheatl

June 28, 2006 06:00 PM | Link to this

jorge jorge he’s our man…whatta bullpen…your team is pathetic…got excited winning seris over NEVER RAYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By dalemurphyjr.

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

C’mon guys, you didn’t realistically think the bullpen was shut down the Yankees all day, did you? How about Jeff Francouer sits for a game or two until he learns how to listen? I mean, this kid just can’t control himself at the plate. Scot Thorman didn’t see a pitch even close to the strike zone, so guess what, he took a f’ng walk!!I’m afraid if something is done soon to get in this kid’s head, he’s never gonna hit higher than .250! He’s got the strength, the speed, and the confidence to hit .320 but he just thinks he can do it all his own way and he can’t!! C’mon Terry, help the kid out!!

By BRAVES BELIEVER

June 28, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

i have not given up but am on the cliff…how long til football season…this is pure torture

By Hal

June 28, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this

Ahhh Zack Minor another name to add to those of Wainwright ,Schmidt,Colon,Capellan et all

By Tomahawkin

June 28, 2006 06:15 PM | Link to this

Hey Chop, Chop I’ll also give Smoltz nuff respect 4 finally pitching a decent quality start, and despite he was pitching injured, only to see him get a no-decision ONCE AGAIN…Where’s the PHUCKIN RUN SUPPORT, CHEESE WHIZ!

AND AS ALWAYS we make a pitcher that the team has never seen before look like Sandy Koufax, But I’ll give Wang Props, he had good stuff…

By braveboyfromblairsville

June 28, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

this one hurts…the north georgia BRAVE NATION is trying to keep the faith but it is getting harder every week…cannot see mets doing total foldo…we could finish 2nd…for a flash looked like bronxville woke the team up but SAME OLE SAME OLE

By Tomahawkin

June 28, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

I’m Not going to bash Frenchie, he hasn’t even played a full 162 yet, and he’s projected 4 around 32 homers and 110 rbis, but he can be a lil bit overagressive at times, but he is slowly raising his average

By Tomahawkin

June 28, 2006 06:22 PM | Link to this

FORGET THE WILDCARD D.O.B I think this team needs to watch teams like the Tigers in October and see what it is like to play the game with enthusiasm, and fun, and Furthermore, it will make increase their desire and maybe the fans will start to come out and watch this team…

But Who am I kidding… I bet If we don’t make the playoffs this year, Come October 1st Chipper will be hunting on his ranch, and the others will be At an Alphretta Country Club playing golf instead of watching excited teams show them how its done…

By Glass Half Full

June 28, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Would the Braves be interested in Jacque Jones? .300 hitter, 13 HRs, got some speed, making around $5 million each year through 2008. I know the Chicago media would love to see him traded.

By tbo

June 28, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this

Well, dumping Remlinger was a good start. By the time we get rid of all the crap, Reitsma, Sosa, Giles, Pratt, LaWhiff, PaRonto, etc. the Braves will be 40 games out. Come on JS. What do you need to see to do something about the bullpen.

By Bobby Cox

June 28, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

John, please fire me! Fans, please start a petition to have me fired! - Yours truly, Bobby.

By John Schuerholz

June 28, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

How do you like the bullpen I pieced together this off-season?Oscar and Cormier look great right now.Sorry I was unable to put a deal together to obtain a closer and leadoff hitter,but I had to finish my book.Which,by the way,you can find at Barnes and Noble for 24.95$.

Btw,don’t fret…Reitsma is almost back,and I assure you that his troubles this year stem from his hand injury.He’s perfectly capable of being an effective closer when healthy.We have all the pieces we need to be a great bullpen.Did I mention you can get a copy of my book “Built to Win” at Barnes and Noble for 24.95$?

By Bob, journalist

June 28, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, “esteemed” lawyers like “AJC” … maybe times haven’t changed so much after all. Daddy always described Amos and Andy as two farm boys from around Marietta who had moved to Chicago. We didn’t miss many episodes of Fred Allen, Fibber McGee & Molly, The Great Gildersleeve, Jack Benny, Burns & Allen, or Amos & Andy … hard to have a favorite among shows like those!

I was very fortunate to have grown up with Cracker Games, Saturday Double Features, Radio and books instead of Television. Of course, it was pretty neat to get a TV just in time to see Adlai get the Democratic Nomination.

By Lew

June 28, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

Don-Wonder of wonders, my friend, I actually agree with you. The HR was inevitable. Where is the relief help JS?

By Peter W

June 28, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

I do agree, however there are still two things that are bad. First off Giles still is not a leadoff man, he went 1 for 5 today, get him outta there And secondly Sosa can’t close games, he gave up a run last night and blew it today Its painful

By Glass Half Full

June 28, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this

Building for next season begins now. JS should try to fix the leaks this season through small trades and be active in the offseason addressing the bullpen only.

By ChrisinPA

June 28, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this

WELL SAID DOB

This team needs a spark, and that spark would be a lead-off guy and a veteran relief pitcher, preferably one that could close. I like Sosa more in a relief role, but he is not a closer and this is what they lack the most. I think Bobby cna mix and match his relief core enough to be successful, as long as we had a reliable 9th inning guy. Maybe another left-handed pitcher in the pen, but I would like to see what Startup has to offer, before making that move…also…what about that Gunderson(?), a LH pitcher that closed games for OSU…not that he would close games in Atl., but he could be a specialist (maybe?) this year. The front office needs to do something NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By John Schuerholz

June 28, 2006 06:56 PM | Link to this

Keep the faith,Bobby.Reitsma is on the mend.When healthy,he is top notch.As good as anyone in the National League. We have all the ingredients we need to be successful right now.A couple guys just need to step it up a bit.Marcus looks like he is starting to come out of it.Chipper too.

Bobby,give a copy of my book, “Built to Win” to each member of the team.It will give them the inspiration they need to play a strong second half,and make a run at the wildcard.You can get it at Barnes and Noble for 24.95$.But for you,Bobby,I’ll see what I can do.

By Cox rules

June 28, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

Serious question: Does anybody think that McDowell is struggling getting used to coaching in the bigs? With the horrible bullpen, is any blame on Roger???

By Michael

June 28, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

Sorry folks, in life you don’t get an A for effort. I don’t care how hard they’re trying out there, the results are pathetic. Until they trade for some relievers and a legit closer, even the wild card is not a real possibility.

Work smart, not hard. JS MAKE SOME DAMN MOVES ALREADY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Todd A

June 28, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

Do we get credit for 2 blown saves today?

By Metropolitan Man

June 28, 2006 07:07 PM | Link to this

Well once again you guys choked in front of the world like you have been doing 13 out of 14 times. Just admit it, you can not play competitve ball for any stretch this year. Like a smart braves fan said (is that possible) get ready for next year. 1 thing that is sad though is watching and listening to you guys cry. There is no crying in baseball. Just suck it up and wrap yourselves to sleep in those banners you cherish so much. Oh and if you had picked up Piazza to back up your catcher, you might be able to hold that dissapearing swagger!!!! P.S., Glavine, Marrero and Franco are working out just fine.

By Cox rules

June 28, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this

Mets fans telling anyone about crying is Christians being against Christ. Hypocritical. Mets fans: its easy to brag when your on top. That’s fine. EVERY team/city/fan gloats when they win…But how sad is it to get on some ‘Blog’ to do it. It’s just baseball, big deal…Braves fans ARE PO’d - WE’RE PLAYING HORRIBLE! (this just in) - who cares what Mets, Red Sox, Ghana soccer fans, etc. think about our Braves???

By Glass Half Full

June 28, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this

I agree about Piazza. He’s making just over $1 million this year (affordable) and could have backed up McCann and LaRoche.

By chopthis

June 28, 2006 07:42 PM | Link to this

Why would the Braves WANT to win the wild card and extend their streak of miserable Octobers? They should be grateful they finally started playing their October style of ball in June so the rest of the world won’t be watching so closely as they choke another title away. An A-Rod walk-off in June is a lot less painful than a Leyritz walk-off in October, right, Braves fans?

By Lew

June 28, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this

Yes, we get credit(?) for two blown saves today.

By chopthis

June 28, 2006 07:46 PM | Link to this

I know, I know, Leyritz’s homer wasn’t a walk-off. But I’ll bet it hurt like one.

Maybe STeve Avery is ready to try a comeback. He can’t be any worse than So-So Sosa.

By Lew

June 28, 2006 07:48 PM | Link to this

If we could have the Steve Avery of 91 and 92, I’d take him in a heartbeat. Back then he might even have been better than Glavine and Smoltz. Yes, the Leyritz HR hurt real bad.

By Lew

June 28, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

And the Kirby Puckett hurt real bad. And—

By Todd A

June 28, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

The Leyritz homer was a gut shot.Braves haven’t been the same since.

By Lew

June 28, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

Excuse me, the Puckett HR and the Puckett catch.

By chopthis

June 28, 2006 07:54 PM | Link to this

Yep. Puckett’s a good one. Braves fan poll question: Which HR was the more gut-wrenching, Puckett’s or Leyritz’s?

By chopthis

June 28, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

Or Ausmus’s? Or Burke’s?

By chopthis

June 28, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

Or Sprague’s?

By stew

June 28, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

Fire Roger McDowell. Does anyone think he’s done the job? It’s a hard act to follow. The staff isn’t so much different from last year.

By Lew

June 28, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

Definitely Leyritz. We had that series 2-0 coming home to Atlanta. We should have won that one. In 91 it was still new to us and totally improbable that we were even ther. Plus, Puckett got us first in game six. Game seven was quite possibly the best WS game I’ve ever seen between Smoltz and Black Jack Morris. In 96 we were trying to continue as world champs. Leyritz hurt REAL bad.

By chopthis

June 28, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this

You’re probably right. Lonnie Smith’s wretched baserunning was the most painful thing to watch in ‘91.

By Lew

June 28, 2006 08:03 PM | Link to this

As far as McDowell-this year is NOT the same as last year’s staff. We have had Foster, Hampton, Boyer, Thomson, McBride, Cormier,Ramirez, Stockman and (Thank God) Reitsma on the DL. Add to that the fact that the entire Bullpen is different since opening day, hoiw can McDowell even get comfortable with all of the uncertainty and constant upheaval. Factor into that that he’s still learning the ins and outs of this particular team. Give him a chance and some consistent pitchers and you may see different results.

By Todd A

June 28, 2006 08:09 PM | Link to this

Yankee fans have earned the right to talk all the smack they care to dish out to Braves fans imo.The Yankees are our daddy.No getting around it.We choked after the Leyritz homer in 1996,and the Braves get spooked everytime they see the pinstripes.

Mets fans,however,can bite me.They come out of the woodwork once or twice a decade when they are actually competitive.More amusing than anything else.Their run will only go as far as the aging Pedro and Glavine will take them.

By Tomahawkin

June 28, 2006 08:13 PM | Link to this

Gawd, Did You Guys see that Broad that came onto the field today??? Talk about FUNEE!!!, Broads like that are the olly reason to go to the TED…

By Summerteeth

June 28, 2006 08:19 PM | Link to this

Like I said earlier…

Marcus Giles for Brian Roberts

By Todd A

June 28, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

I don’t think you can judge Roger on this one season alone.He hasn’t had anything but retreads and reclamation projects to work with.He should get at least another year.But someone will be the scapegoat for this implosion,and it won’t be Bobby or Schuerholz.Who will it be?

I really appreciate what Pendleton did for this franchise as a player in the early ‘90’s.His leadership and clutch play were instrumental in helping to propell this big run of success.However,I’m not impressed with the Braves approach to hitting.I don’t know if Cox or Terry(or both) are responsible.But they are one of the most undisciplined offensive teams I’ve ever seen.Time for Frenchy to grab some bench time,or until he learns to recoginze pitches better.It’s agonizing to watch this team bat.Whatever the coaches are trying here,it ain’t working.

By Tomahawkin

June 28, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this

Why doesn’t Frenchie run more, 1 SB ALL year, They said he was a potential 5 tool talent, If he ran more I’d reconize him as a playa with that kind of Talent…

By gotigers72

June 28, 2006 08:33 PM | Link to this

No way they will be the Wild Card. Right now, this is a bad team. The bullpen keeps blowing saves which demoralizes the rest of the team. I thought maybe they would do something about it, but then I read where Reitsma comes off of the DL on Friday, and they are actually going to put him back on the roster. That tells me they don’t give a rat’s behind.

By Del

June 28, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this

Let me offer some kind of defense for Sosa today. As you may recall Bobby first used him as a closer just TWO days after his last start. And he has used him in practically every game since then, sometimes for multiple innings. It could be, and probably is, that Sosa is just gassed.

If you remember, this is what Bobby does. If some reliever has a good game or two in a row, Bobby will use that guy until his arm falls off. He has done it many times before. Even the best closers need an occasional blow. Just my opinion. so don’t go ballistic at me.

By Robert Where the Intelligence

June 28, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this

Please can someone tell Francoeur not to swing at the first pitch when the bases are loaded and the opposition just walked the previous batter. BC you should be anoyed by now this isn’t the first time his aggression has gotten him out.

By Todd A

June 28, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

Frenchy may be fast,but he’s not a good base-runner.Either that,or he’s just “feeling out” the pitchers and catchers in the league.He’s 0 for 5 this year in that category if I’m not mistaken.

I’m not ready to label him in the “all brawn,no brains” category just yet.He’s only been up one year,and he’s got loads of talent.Potential is through the roof.However,I expected him to be a little more of a threat on the basepaths at this point too.And he hasn’t exactly taken a cerebral approach to hitting since he’s been here.A little humility might do him some good at this point in his career.let him sit a few games and watch.

By Holy Crap

June 28, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this

After this series, is anyone glad Farnsworth didn’t stick around as our closer this year?

My guess is at this point he’d be affectionately known as fartsworth or some other f-word + worth.

By Todd A

June 28, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this

One sb?I stand corrected.

By Glass Half Full

June 28, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this

“Mega-prospect” Lastings Milledge has dropped 2 easy fly outs in consecutive nights leading to 4 runs. Hilarious.

By T

June 28, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

Nice bullpen!
I knew it was bad, but it’s even worse than I thought.

How bout this: Trade Adam Larouche “Slowski” and Giles for Adam Dunn. Put Orr at second and lead off. Put Dunn in the 5 spot to protect Andruw and Francour. Or go lefty righty with Chipper, Dunn, Andruw, McCann & Francour.

We gotta score more runs with the pitching we are getting (or not getting!)

By Glass Half Full

June 28, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this

No way the Reds give up Dunn.

By Beachcomber

June 28, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this

Del and Bob C. - Two intelligent posts. Bob C. - You unfortuantely are right. There is no better option than Sosa in the forseeable future. Del - great point. The guy’s arm is about to fall off. Give him the off day and hopefully no need for him on Friday like a 12-5 Atlanta laugher (remember those?) then let’s see where we are.

By Beachcomber

June 28, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this

Whoops - failed to mention Bosox 10 Muts 2. Still the Muts.

By Drummerdad

June 28, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this

Do any of you folks think that Smoltz’s ultimatum after today’s game was a signal about being traded? Maybe Hudson needs to go. He’s not the pitcher JS thought he was getting. Send him to somebody with some young Smoltzes. Sosa goes. Paronto goes. Ray goes. Maybe Betemit goes. They kept him at Richmond for a LONG time waiting to see how he would develop. Brought him up because they had no real options otherwise if I remember right. Today seems to raise questions again. They’re not using Tyler Yates much. Hmmmm… Release Chris Reitsma when DL is done. I love Brian Jordans’s heart, but when DL is complete it’s time to be done. Farnsworth deserves every bit of a bad season for what he did to his hometown team. duddsworth. Start over in the bullpen for this season if for no other reason than to give us fans some relief from this batch. Otherwise just turn the game off when Bobby makes the Verizon Wireless call to the bullpen to take the starter out. When I look at the 40 man roster, it’s clear that this is not the group that JS had in mind at the outset of spring training.
Ugh!!! This road trip should have been 4-2, not 3-3. I think that if they don’t get it together by the halfway point, Smoltz is saying hello to his dad at ballgames in Detroit on a regular basis and we have Colon, Minor, and a maybe one or two more to boot.
I’m out.

By Tomahawkin

June 28, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this

TOrr SUCKS, That must me some good shyt you’re smokin if you think he’s capable, look at his batting average and OBP, He’s horrible, He along with a couple others should be at AA Mississippi…

Said it earlier…I’m Not going to bash Frenchie, he hasn’t even played a full 162 yet, and he’s projected 4 around 32 homers and 110 rbis, but he can be a lil bit overagressive at times, but he is slowly raising his average, just like to see him run more and become a better baserunner

We haven’t had a Decent power/speed player, Since Grissom or if you want to count A. Jones’s early days, or better yet a young Ronnie Gant

By Rip

June 28, 2006 11:00 PM | Link to this

There is not only a donkey in the dugout but a Bigger one in the GM’s office. JS & BC have made no moves in two years to improve the bull pen, get a lead-off hitter are starting pitcher, 1st base man. etc,etc……Both need to be fired- forget the past and thing about the future. Make DOB THE GM. DO something John beside signing da*$ books.

By AZBravoFan

June 28, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this

Not nearly as dramatic or series changing as some of the others mentioned, but lets not forget Chuck Knoblach off Tom Glavine in the ‘99 Series as we wallow in self-pity.
You know, as much as we gnash our teeth over Frenchy’s free swinging, Giles’ Off-Base percentage, LaRoche’s laziness, and Chipper’s invisibility, if this bullpen saved only 8 of the freakin’ 17 games it’s blown (it would still be a pretty pathetic 72% success rate) this team would be over .500 and within a couple games of the wildcard! So we can blame the rest of the guys for not bailing out the bullpen 17 TIMES, but jeez! And imagine if we had someone like Papelbon and it was, say 30/33. We’d be talking about printing up playoff tickets already. Sadly, I don’t see anyone out there who can provide those kind of numbers. At any price.

By Tomahawkin

June 28, 2006 11:05 PM | Link to this

For some reason I think if Schuerholtz makes a deal, It will be minor one’s, He is notorious for letting other teams get the Big Dawgs and picking up other teams trash…

I think most of the moves he makes will be made at the Waiver Wire deadline rather than now or at the trade deadline…

By journalist jimmy smith

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

from dob article: “John [Smoltz] was outstanding, and the bullpen was excellent — except for two pitches,” manger Bobby Cox said. “We give up too many homers.”

By Gayle Abbott

June 28, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

I’m from Seattle and I never ever thought I would cheer ARod after the way he abandoned the Mariners. But I sure enjoyed what he did today. The Braves are pretenders and all this talk of coming back to gear up for another inevitable October flop is foolish. Shut it down, unload some payroll (the Jones, Smoltz) and get serious. Does anyone here really believe that the new owners are going to pay Boras dollars to keep Andruw here after next year? Those would be the same people that see the Braves win in the post season.

By Todd A

June 28, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this

Maybe I’ve just missed it,but I don’t think I’ve seen one interview(or read any quotes)from Schuerholz on the Braves play this month.I would be curious as to what excuse he has to offer,especially when you consider his failure to address glaring weaknesses this off-season doomed the Braves before the team even broke for spring training.

By Artie

June 28, 2006 11:29 PM | Link to this

You know the Braves’ season is over when the AJC promotes reliving the ‘95 championship by selling reprints of the front page. I’ll give this to the Braves…they make late-game watching interesting…snatching a loss from the jaws of victory.

By Jimbo

June 28, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

Hey JS…Did you watch todays game or were the book signing comittments taking up too much time? Now what?

By TheSouthernJackAss

June 28, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this

Yes I guess the Braves should go for the wild card because it sure will be a tragedy if their string of postseason chokes come to an end!!!…GO TIGERS!!!…

By GMan

June 28, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this

Face it, these Braves are too stupid to win. First-pitch swinging against new pitchers with bases loaded…relievers missing inside, outside, everywhere…it’s too fugly to watch anymore.

By Gary

June 28, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this

This game is a snapshot of the entire season. Bullpen can’t hold a lead and offense can’t get a clutch hit. Those 14 straight division titles seem like they were in another universe. How a team can fall apart so quick. Unbelievable!

By chopthis

June 28, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this

Does the AJC sell reprints of its classic page with the headline “WHY PLAY IT OUT?” from the morning after Game 2 of the 1996 World Series? I’d love to have that one!

By Idaho Bob

June 29, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this

Trade Giles now while his stock is high! Get it done tonight! His value will be on the way back down by end-of-day tomorrow!

By Casey

June 29, 2006 12:40 AM | Link to this

The only thing I hate more than loosing to the Yankees is losing to the Mets. So in that aspect, I guess it could have been worse today.

By Casey

June 29, 2006 12:41 AM | Link to this

The only thing I hate more than loosing to the Yankees is losing to the Mets. So in that aspect, I guess it could have been worse today.

By Glass Half Full

June 29, 2006 12:43 AM | Link to this

As I wrote earlier, start building the 2007 Braves now. This does not mean “firesale,” which is a ridiculous, defeatist suggestion. Attempt to trade for bullpen arms this season that will be around next year. If we don’t make the post-season…I guess that’s O.K. as along as the future is being attended to presently.

By Glass Half Full

June 29, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this

I also don’t see the Braves trading Andruw in the offseason or at the dealine next year unless they’re waaaay out of it. Oh, and people stop suggesting that Smoltz and Hudson be traded. It ain’t gonna happen this year.

By Head Coach

June 29, 2006 12:48 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox quote : the bullpen was excellent except for two pitches. What bullsh* , Ray records one out , gave up a homerun on the first pitch to Giambi and then proceeded to walk the next two batters prompting Cox to bring in Paronto to finish the inning. Sosa walks the first batter he sees bringing the winning run to the plate and then serves up a fat fastball to A-Rod for a walkoff homerun. In summation : Ray and Sosa recorded one out , walked three batters and gave up two homeruns allowing three runners to score , effectively losing two leads and the game. Cox is full of horse sh* and lies.

By Glass Half Full

June 29, 2006 12:51 AM | Link to this

Well, it’s time to become Yankees fans for the weekend…

By chopthis

June 29, 2006 12:52 AM | Link to this

Welcome home, Dave the Hack!

Braves bit the Big Apple and got a little sticky, didn’t they?

By Job Applicant

June 29, 2006 12:52 AM | Link to this

Career Objective: To obtain a job as a reliever for the Atlanta Braves.

Special Qualifications: None to speak of, but does it really matter?

Experience: Um, I coached little league for a few years. I pitched when I was in little league. I covered baseball as a sportswriter for several years. I’ve got a bum shoulder, like most ot the other guys in the pen.

Education: Graduated Cum Laude from Utah State University. Can throw a helluva gopher ball. I can hang curveballs, changeups, and throw fastballs with no movement on them (or any real velocity).

I am confident that my education and experience in similar fields have given me the skills I need for the position that you are trying to fill. I look forward to speaking with you at your earliest convenience. I look forward to pitching for an acomplished organization like the Braves, and I look forward to being a member of such a stellar bullpen.

By The Grinch

June 29, 2006 12:53 AM | Link to this

More Captain Obvious: “The bullpen pitched great but for two pitches.” Really. The Titanic wouldn’t have sunk but for an iceberg. Lord god.

By Glass Half Full

June 29, 2006 12:56 AM | Link to this

Is an 8-2 home stand too much to ask? How about 7-3?

By chopthis

June 29, 2006 12:58 AM | Link to this

Head Coach,

As a head coach, do you throw your players under the bus to the press when they screw up or do you defend them? You defend them, of course. Blast Bobby for his managerial decisions all you want, but don’t expect him to tell the truth about how crappy his bullpen is. Major-league managers who criticize the players lose the players, and once they lose the players, they lose their jobs.

By Glass Half Full

June 29, 2006 12:59 AM | Link to this

I hope the Braves don’t pull a “Devine” and rush Gunderson to the majors…give the kid time and let him develop.

By Head Coach

June 29, 2006 01:06 AM | Link to this

Chopthis do you always have to show me up evrytime I blog or do I intimidate the lving hell out you ? O ‘yea only an idiot would try to defend such a blatant lie and yea I’d throw you under the bus in a heart beat.

By UpperDeck4Life

June 29, 2006 01:14 AM | Link to this

Sosa cost the Braves the win, yes. But how many Braves can say the same exact thing this season. Sosa is not going to dominate at the closer position like a Nathan, Hoffman, or Smoltz. His line in 4 relief appreances 4 and 1/3rd inn 3H 3ER 3BB 2K. I would like to give him until the allstar break to see what he does. If you take a look at Ray’s stats, you’ll see that his walks are up. Here are his last 8 inn 8H 5ER 8BB 8K. He really is hit or miss, as most of the walks, hits and ERs come in a couple of those outtings. What Sosa, Ray, and Boyer give the Braves right now is a Righty and Lefty set up with a closer option. It’s not the best option, but it’s better than it was a few weeks ago, which is not saying a lot. The Braves have 3 tough series coming up in Baltimore, St. Louis, and the Reds. If this team can finish say 5-4 or even 6-3 over that time I think it will be a big accomplishment. The Bullpen is not going to get a quick fix anytime soon. So our only hope is that Ray, Boyer, and Sosa cut down on their walks not so much the hits, but the walks meaning better control. If they can accomplish that one thing, I think that will give the Braves a better chance to close out games; and in turn give the players more confidence.

By chopthis

June 29, 2006 01:21 AM | Link to this

Coach, I couldn’t even begin to keep up with the thousands of times you blog. And when you post several thousand times a day, you’re bound to be wrong once or twice. I only comment when you’re wrong. Bobby Cox might not have it as a manager anymore, but he’s not stupid enough to fire himself. There’s a reason all the players love him — because he’s loyal. And yes, he’s probably loyal to a fault, but you can’t blame him for being loyal enough to play the spin game with reporters. I’m sure when he gets off by himself, he curses his sorry relievers as much as you curse him, but he’s enough of a leader not to show his frustrations in public. If some of the Braves players had his leadership qualities, you’d be rooting for a better team.

By chopthis

June 29, 2006 01:24 AM | Link to this

And by the way, Coach, you flatter yourself. Your arguments are about as intimidating as a Jorge Sosa fastball.

By Head Coach

June 29, 2006 01:35 AM | Link to this

You want to argue , dickweed ? I’ll be right here the rest of the night. According to you , Ozzie Guillen should be fired yesterday because he is critical of his players publicly during the game and damn the World Championship he just brought to the Whitesox for the first time in 98 freaking years. Larry Bowa should never manage again according to you because he critical of his players too ??? Go ahead and defend Bobby Cox and I bet you couldnt manage a hotdog stand. Your turn chopboy.

By The Braves Bullpen

June 29, 2006 01:39 AM | Link to this

dear diary,

well, it’s me again - the braves bullpen. today was another bad day. yep, we blew it again. but this time was extra special, because we blew it twice. i guess you can consider the fact that we blew another john smoltz win as icing on the cake.

no, but seriously, this is so much fun. you should see the looks on everyone’s face in the locker room that’s not in the bullpen. they’re all p** off - it’s hilarious. we try to act like we’re p** off too, you know, to go with the flow, but someone always blows our cover by laughing (usually reitsma), and then the rest of the bullpen follows suit and busts out laughing, too.

it’s pretty obvious that we’re doing this on purpose, but it’s because we’re tired of the fans getting their hopes up every year only to be let down when the team collectively chokes. that is why we, as the braves bullpen, have decided to choke collectively during the regular season to save your emotions from being tinkered with in the post-season.

so you see, we’re not so bad after all.

By chopthis

June 29, 2006 01:45 AM | Link to this

Actually, it was the White Sox first championship in 88 years. You’re wrong again, Coach.

I don’t necessarily need to argue over this, and ehat’s the point, really? Bobby Cox will be manager of the Braves as long as he wants to be. And next year when things are better, you and all the other fair-weather hypocrites will be singing his praises again.

But for this season, just keep ranting, Coach. I don’t have the time or stamina to keep up wirth you. And the blog is all yours — I won’t try to calm you anymore when you’re on one of your little tirades.

I recommend Ritalin, Coach. Good night.

By Ricky

June 29, 2006 01:52 AM | Link to this

That young lady who rushed Jeter looks amazing from behind.

By Head Coach

June 29, 2006 02:04 AM | Link to this

Hey chopboy , you started it and I’ll finish it. Cox has won 1 world championship , lost 4 world championships , won 5 league championships , lost 5 league championships and his teams have been knocked out of the playoffs 6 times in the first round. He has 15 division wins , 1884 wins and 1366 loses in 20 years of managing. He is the greatest regular season manager in the history of baseball( tounge in cheek )and the most overrated , underachieving manager in postseason history. He will be in the Hall of Fame eventually and he needs to retire. 88 years , 98 years what difference does it make ? you and your milk toast ice cream smart a.s.s. attitude need to be medicated with a serious dose of reality.

By otis nixon

June 29, 2006 02:10 AM | Link to this

I second Ricky, Jeter might’ve bailed that broad out of jail.

By Chris

June 29, 2006 02:15 AM | Link to this

Sorry David. I enjoy your posts but you have been drinking too much of the Braves Kool Aid. Beating the 2nd worst team in baseball 2 of 3 and losing 2 of 3 to a struggling Yankees team hardly constitutes a playoff run & turnaround in one of the worst months of baseball in professional ML history. Give me a break - geez.

By Head Coach

June 29, 2006 03:00 AM | Link to this

About the right and wrong thing. Its time to set the record straight. I was right in spring training when I said Reitsma wasnt a closer and Giles wasnt a leadoff man. I was wrong when I said Francoeur would have a monster season , although his 65 strikeouts have been monstrous to hehold. I was right when I let the fat lady sing at the end of May and called the season over and I’m right most of the time , although nobody could have seen this 5-21 train wreck of a month coming. I’m starting to wish that I would have gotten it all wrong and we wouldnt be in the middle of this hellish season , but I have to call it when I see it and this is a terribly flawed baseball team. About the only thing we have to look forward too is a high draft pick in 2007 and seeing what trades Schuerholz makes to improve the team for 2007. I watch the games on TBS just to see McCann and Francoeur swing the bat and maybe this James kid will be worth watching in the second half of the season. GO YOU STINKING BRAVES.

By berigan

June 29, 2006 05:26 AM | Link to this

For those who said Sosa has been used too much after his last start…you guys are right! He just became the closer after going 6 innings on the 20th, and was used in back to back games(and a day game after a night game) which might explain why his pitch to A-Rod was only 92 MPH. Can’t really blame Bobby for using him though, it was the 12th inning.

By JasonInMaine

June 29, 2006 06:41 AM | Link to this

I find it curious that Smoltz says he will do whatever is in the best interest for the Braves, including accepting a trade…HOW ABOUT CLOSING????????????????

With Smoltz closing, the Braves would be in the thick of the pennant race. Period.

By spud

June 29, 2006 07:34 AM | Link to this

why did bobby cox take smoltz out with a 1 run lead in the 8th? stupid mistake by b.c.

By Bobby Cox

June 29, 2006 08:00 AM | Link to this

Smoltzie can’t close anymore due to his many arm surgeries. He simply can’t be called on every couple of days.

By starting, it at least allows his arm to rest 4-5 days between starts.

Did you see that blonde that went on to the field so she could touch Derek Jeter? Chipper is hoping that’ll happen to him sometime.

Whatever happened to Morganna, the kissing bandit ?

By Jeff

June 29, 2006 08:08 AM | Link to this

Gee, it’s nice that the Braves still think they have a shot at winning the wild card, nice that they want to play really hard in the second half. Trouble is the Braves’ bullpen stinks. What is it, the worst in the National League? One of the worst in the majors? Ain’t no one-and I mean no one—in the bullpen who’s stepping up and proving he’s got what it takes to lead this team to the Promised Land. Tell me where management is going to find at least one quality middle inning reliever and a quality closer mid-season? And what would the Braves have to give up to get even marginal talent from other teams? Ain’t going to happen, Kool-Aid drinkers.

Sure, I get it that these guys are a proud bunch. They’re pros, they’re paid well, they should give it 100% every time they step on the field, but the run is over. It’s about the future. The Braves need the seven million plus (and I mean plus)to make some acquisitions in the off-season. Meanwhile, keep grooming the young talent. Spring training’s just around the corner.

By Scott

June 29, 2006 08:14 AM | Link to this

Hey milffw, go back to Boston where the weather is terrible and the women are worse. And you “A is for a***” comment was very clever, who feeds you your material. It is very clever.

Metropolitan Man, come talk to us in 2020, if you’ve won the division every year between now and then, we’ll call it even.

By george

June 29, 2006 08:21 AM | Link to this

I’m not interested in a Wild Card…even though they have won the WS several times in recent years, the Wild Card is first loser. Only division champions should be in the playoffs. The one with the best record should get a bye in the first round. That will never happen because of MONEY. All series need to be best of seven, not best of five, as in first round.

By Franklins Tower

June 29, 2006 08:28 AM | Link to this

We will soon find out how good or bad Cox is as a manager. Mediocre managers can find success during good times, but the real test is when things go bad. We’ll see over the next 18 months what kind of manager Cox really is.

By Chief Knockahomer

June 29, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this

Are you a Braves fan who isn’t going to jump off the bandwagon? Well, so are we.

Check out www.BravesRallyCap.com for humorous articles, interviews and more. Let’s support our Braves when they really need us to.

Cmon Coxy!

By Dookie Boy

June 29, 2006 08:31 AM | Link to this

Since the Braves have been such a never-ending disappointment Ive come up with a fresh idea.

SELL the team. Get them out of Atlanta. Fire all of them. Flush them down the toilet. Cut their pay by 20%.

Those are just a few…The Braves are the sorriest, most pitiful group of miscrients ever assembled to do anything let alone perform a a professional Baseball team.

A group of juveniles has more class in their individual buttocks than all of the EVER SO SORRY Braves team players combined.

What a group of LOSERS…

POOT

By Matt

June 29, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this

I Beleive. I beleive that if the success or failure of your season is in direct corrolation with the success or failure of Jorge Sosa, your season is in trouble. Does that count as two blown saves in one game? Oh yeah….TAKE A PITCH!!!!!

By Harold

June 29, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this

AJC should be ashamed of itslef for putting a game terrorist on the front page because she is a blond woman in a too short skirt. You a bunch of scum bags AJC. How many male game terrorists get on the front page ? Zero.

By Dookie Boy

June 29, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this

Harold…SHUT YOUR MOUTH. This lady was most likely the most exciting part of an ever so dull night at “Losers Stadium.”

The MAIN EVENT…MAIN ATTRACTION Im sure she was.

Go FLUSH yourself Harold.

POOT

FLUSH

By Kent

June 29, 2006 08:54 AM | Link to this

I think 2006 is going to be a tale of two halfs for the starting rotation. As long as Hudson gets his butt in gear (and I think he will), Atlanta just might have the strongest rotation in the NL in the 2nd half of the season. That’s certainly something to build on!

The offense is not where it needs to be, but it’s not that far from it either. When you look at hitters like A.Jones, C.Jones, Francoeur, McCann, and Renteria… the Braves have some offense here. It seems like they just need one more piece either a leadoff hitter or another big stick) to get it firing on all cylinders.

Obviously the bullpen needs help. Ray gave up the tying run last night, and Sosa gave up the winning runs a few innings later. Ouch. Atlanta needs a little help in the lineup, and a lot of help in the bullpen.

I would love to see Shuerholz get a couple deals done soon. And I think that if he can make the right things happen, we do have a real shot at the wild card. But at this point, unless JS can pull off a huge deal that would really put us over the top this season, I hope whatever moves we make will also be made with next season in mind. In other words, no 1/2 season rentals (again, unless it’s a huge deal that would make aaaalll the difference this season).

I suspect Shuerholz is thinking along those lines as well. He wants to make a move that would help this year’s team. But at the same time, he has to be realistic and know that giving away young talent for players that can only help us this season, might not be the most prudent thing to do at this point.

I think JS is going to be much more interested in deals that are going to help the team next year as well, and not just for 1/2 a season.

By Karma Cop

June 29, 2006 08:56 AM | Link to this

So you are the one to blame, Head Coach?

You are hereby sentenced to switch beers. The cans you are throwing obviously contain karma fragments which probably emanate from the brewerey or distibutor that they came from. Also, you must eat raw redskin peanuts while watching the game. If no raw redskins are available, you must spread creamy natural peanut butter (the kind with no partially hydrogenated oils or trans fat) on your nose for two consecutive games. And you have to wear mismatched shoes with one sock.

I guarantee these actions will cure what ails the Bravos.

By Elmer

June 29, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this

Hey CobbCountyMetsfan: Where the hell have you been the last 14 years? Oh yeah, hiding under a rock with all the other Mets fans. Stay off our blog, punk.

By Dave

June 29, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this

Okay, guys, I will once again say that the WORST thing that could happen would be for the Braves to go 10-0, 9-1 or 8-2 in the next ten games and get back into the playoff hunt.

This season is OVER! The Braves will play competitive ball for the rest of the season, but they need to take advantage of the teams that will be looking for the missing piece in THEIR run and get, in order of priority:

• the CLOSER they so desperately need (anyone who thinks Sosa is the answer, see yesterday’s box score).

• the LEADOFF hit that Giles clearly is NOT.

• the dependable MIDDLE RELIEF that will keep the Braves is games to make it possible for them to come back from 1-3 run deficits.

With the return of Hampton next year, the Braves will have SIX quality starters (Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, Davies, Ramirez, James), backed up with a potential bullpen of Boyer, McBride, Foster, Devine, Sosa, Stockman, and Ray. There are a number of other relievers in the minors who may contribute, but there is NO ONE who is a PROVEN CLOSER (except Smoltz, and he has made it clear that he will NOT resume that role).

Giles is what he is, the PERFECT #2 hitter (some power, a DOUBLES machine), but his attempts at batting leadoff have contributed mightily to his current hitting problems.

John Schurholz WILL make some trades:

• He WILL trade John Thomson before 31 July 2006 (there are too many teams who need a good #4 starter, and Thomson is on the last year of his contract and, frankly, given the six starters noted above, the Braves will not need him NEXT year and will get something for him this year, even though it may be only prospects).

• He MAY trade Giles (who, despite his current problems, will get big money, ala Furcal, when he becomes eligible for free agency, money the Braves will NOT be able to give him). Packaged with Thomson or Sosa and maybe one of the players listed below, Giles can get the Braves their closer and/or their leadoff hitter, and he can be readliy replaced by Wilson Betemit, who has proven he can hit and play every day.

• The following players are eligible for trade: LaRouche, Langerhans, Diaz, Orr, Sosa. The Braves have replacements for each player, either on injured reserve or in the minors.

• The following players will NOT be traded:

— Hudson (despite his inconsistency, he could be a 20-game winner for the next three years, and he’s signed though 2009).

— Renteria (the Braves need him at shortstop while their great shortstop prospects develop).

— Andruw Jones (still young at 28, he will be expensive when his contract comes due in 2008, but he is a foundation player who can still play centerfield for another fives years, then move to left or right as he ages).

— Chipper Jones (a noted loss of power is a problem, but I believe he will hit .300 again this year, and his current contract and age makes him virtually untradeable).

— Francoeur/McCann (these guys are the Braves’ future; enough said).

— Davies/Ramirez/James (you do NOT trade away solid, young, inexpensive starting pitching).

Finally, once the Braves concede that this year is a lost cause, they will show Brian Jordan and Todd Pratt the door, allowing them to retire (in BJ’s case), or be released (in Pratt’s case so he can hook up with another club). Both of these players are NOT in the Braves’ long-term future, and there are players in the minor leagues who would benefit from some major leagure experience in these guys’ place.

Just my humble opinion! Either way, see what happens in the next month will be interesting!

By coachk

June 29, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this

get us a leadoff man, move giles down in the lineup, get a real closer, and learn fundamentals, bunting and working pitchers, all this first pitch swinging is killing me, and look like we want to win! need some heart and spirit,someone take charge, need a leader on the field,hello chipper.

By Rip

June 29, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

Head Coach give’em hell…The Braves under BC have been underachievers and BC is overrated. Franklins Tower- Yes, we will see.If JS don’t put down that”HOW TO WIN” book…Oh well the seasons over anyway.THE TRUE BC AND JS PLEASE retire.

By michael

June 29, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this

We desperately need a leadoff hitter.. I say we Trade Marcus Giles and Ryan Langerhans for Carl Crawford. Tampa Bay will probally let him go because he’s coming up for contract soon. And we can insert Betemit at second he can’t do any worse than Giles..

By Rodger

June 29, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this

Speaking of the Yanks are our Daddy, how’d Pedro do yesterday, CobbCoMetsFan?

By TarBaby

June 29, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

John Thomson has no value. He sucks!

Tim Hudson a 20 game winner? Keep drinking that Kool-Aid !

Whatever it takes Carl Crawford would be priority #1 for next season. A threat like him at the top of the lineup would trickle down the entire lineup. Some speed at second would be nice, too. How is Martin Prado doing?

By Glass Half Full

June 29, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this

JS should trade Thomson immediately after Bobby removes him from his next start; if they allow him to sit around in the dugout he’s going to get hurt again…maybe a painful hang nail or a sore throat.

By Glass Half Full

June 29, 2006 10:27 AM | Link to this

Someone mentioned prospects for Thomson…by himself, I don’t think so. Aging reliever or outfielder maybe, but not prospects. Hey, speaking of prospects…how about Lastings Milledge and his recent troubles with fly balls? Hilarious!

By steve in S. Ga

June 29, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this

Fire Pendelton now, and bring in somebody who will chew some butt when batters always swing at the first pitch….

By Nick

June 29, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this

HEY SUMMERTEETH,

Love the Clark Griswald Line.

By Jon

June 29, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this

JasoninMaine, Having Smoltz as the closer would have only saved 5 games. I went back and did research and found that out of the 16 blown saves, only 5 of them were in the 9th innings or later, the rest were all in the 8th and 7th innings.

2 Games had 2 blown saves in the same game Heres the breakdown of blown saves

Reitsma - 4 (3 in the 9th, one in the 11th) Villareal - 4 (all coming in the 7th, has 3 wins out of those 4 Blown saves) Remlinger - 3 (all in the 8th) Ray - 3 Paronto - 1 Sosa - 1

By Glass Half Full

June 29, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this

That Gunderson kid from OSU the Braves drafted should make a fine addition to the bullpen in 2008 or so; I hope they don’t pull a Devine and rush him to the majors.

By Calvin

June 29, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

I’m not sure why people think Giles is going to be a free agent after this year. He will only be arbitration eligible, not a free agent. Also, Carl Crawford is signed for a couple of more years so the D-Rays may or may not trade him.

By Glass Half Full

June 29, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this

Sosa has to “re-learn” how to be a reliever. A dominant closer needs basically 2 pitches. No finesse is needed. Throw strikes and challenge hitters.

By Louis Vales

June 29, 2006 10:41 AM | Link to this

Catch The Marlins with their 15 Million dollar payroll and then go from there. 15 Million Dollar Payroll!!!!!

By Jason T

June 29, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

Hey chop chop. Have you forgotten Reiksma started this whole mess to begin with dumb a * *!! He is worse than Sosa and Ray. And by the way Ray hadn’t pitched in 6 days before taking the mound yesterday. You think that might have contributed to the control prob’s? When you sit someone on the shelf for 2 series then bring em in with a 1 run lead at Yankees stadium, being the first time he’s pitched at Yankees stadium, he was probably a little nervous. Kenny has still been the best out of that miserable pen this year. How bout blaming the dismal hitting we have for once! If the braves could score more than 2 runs a game for once we might actually win a few games. The Hitting has been Awful over this losing streak!

By Randy Johnson and Alex Rodriguez

June 29, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

Thank you for helping us break out of our season long slumps. It’s been hard up here with the NY media on our backs and all, but thanks to ya”ll this week at least will be a good one! Thanks again!

Signed, Randy Johnson and Alex Rodriguez

P.S. Come back anytime, you’re always welcome in Yankee Stadium

By Norm

June 29, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

Does the current Atlanta BRAVES have a batting coach? Does he gives pointers? Bench those who do not listen or better yet ..get us a coach. Bases Loaded 2 outs and he swings at the first pitch? Please get us a hitting coach—PLEASE!!

By NYFAN

June 29, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

It was nice to see that the Boston fans had enough class and appreciation for Pedro Martinez on his first return to Fenway. It’s sad that Glavine did not get that same treatment from the brave fans. This is why cities like Boston, New York and St Louis are GREAT basaball towns and others are not.

By Jim

June 29, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this

Put Tim Hudson in the closer role. He is struggling as a starter so this may cure two problems. We have to try something. The Sosa move certainly didn’t work and we don’t need to put Smoltz back there with his history of arm problems. Bobby is sometimes too nice of a guy and doesn’t want to make waves, but the time has come.

By Bryan

June 29, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

CAN WE GET SOME PEOPLE WHO CAN GET SOME FREAKING OUTS!!!!! Smoltz would be at 10 wins or more this year except for our freaking bullpen!!! I have tried to stay supportive, but I can’t take it anymore…PLEASE…PLEASE JS do something to stop the bleeding. We start playing like we should and then we take a slap in the face like yesterday. MAN HOW FRUSTRATING!!! I cant imagine how the everyday players are REALLY feeling. Come on help the die hard fans man…..

By Eric C.

June 29, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

NYFAN…there is a big difference between Glavine going from the Braves to the Mets, a division rival, and Martinez going from the Red Sox to another league, where paths rarely cross. I’m sure the Red Sox felt the same about Damon going to the Yankees.

By Eric C.

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

Chopthis…you are right on about Cox in saying you can’t expect him to humiliate his players in public. The players already understand they are playing like HS.

By NYFAN

June 29, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this

Eric C., I see where you’re coming from but you’re talking about a guy who pitched for an organization for 16 years,won over 200 games and gave them a World Title. He should have been given a better reception on his first return.

By ernesto

June 29, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this

NYFAN, like the sweet reception Boston gave Damon his first game back?

By Mark

June 29, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

I like green eggs and ham, I like them, I like them, Sam I Am.

By Bobby Cox, Titanic captain

June 29, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

“Except for that iceberg, I thought today’s voyage went well.”

By Bobby Cox, New Orleans mayor

June 29, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

“Except for the water flooding the city and killing hundreds of people, I thought our hurricane evacuation went well.”

By NYFAN

June 29, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

Like I said….You can’t compare Johnny Damon and Glavine. He have 16 years and some awesome numbers to a city that NEVER won a World Series.

By Bobby Cox, Hindenburg pilot

June 29, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

“Except for the explosion, I thought the flight went well.”

By Bobby Cox, manager

June 29, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

“Except for losing 20-something games and watching the season fall apart, I thought the month well well.”

By Scott Jumper

June 29, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

I have been a Braves fan since the early 60s while they were the MB. I was overjoyed at their relocating to the South as I live in S.C. Family vacations were always Braves/Atl trip as a teenager. I was there in the playoffs vs. the Mets, the Cards, and of course in more recent playoffs. The point is — I’ve had enough! How can this organization NOT address the bullpen problems in a realistic way? I have now after 40+ years of good and bad decided NOT to watch another game until quality relievers (set up and closer) are brought in. Does anyone else feel my degree of pain?

By Greg from Marietta

June 29, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

STOP RAGGING ON THE BULLPEN the Braves as a team lose games, not just the bullpen. The Braves had bases loaded twice and couldn’t get a single runner home. That is pathetic, it is almost like the Braves have forgotten how or just lost the ability to play basic fundamentally sound baseball. Start ragging on Terry Pendelton for not kicking these knuckle heads when they swing on the first pitch or strike out so much. It’s like the whole team has lost concentration when batting. Whew..That felt good to get that off my chest…Go Braves!!

By Calvin

June 29, 2006 11:48 AM | Link to this

NYFAN, Damon help Boston when a title in almost a 100 years. You would think he would have had a better reception but he didn’t. Think of it this way. What if Jose Reyes or David Wright stays with the Mets for 10 years. Then, one of them decides to go to Atlanta via free agency for a couple of million dollars more than what the Mets offered. How do you think the fans of NY would feel?

By Head Coach

June 29, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this

Dave , Pratt is a veteran backup catcher and is an integral part of the team. he will stay but the rest is anyones guess.

By Bob, journalist

June 29, 2006 12:08 PM | Link to this

Tomahawkin,

Your best in a long while … “… he can be a lil bit overagressive at times … a quote to end all quotes … and even a magical 15 year run.

All of these trees are getting in the way of the forest but it was encouraging to “see” the Braves with only 4 strikeouts in 50 plate appearances … now if someone would teach these guys how to play “Wee Willy” baseball … closers would be of no consequence and we’d still have a chance to win it all.

By Summerteeth

June 29, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

Thanks Nick…glad someone was smart enough to pick up on it!

Now trade Smoltz to Detroit and get us some top prospects!

By Bill Donohoo

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

Bobby, Its OK to use Sosa in relief as long as there is a 5 run lead.

By Jim

June 29, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this

Kent,

A collection of players with individual statistics does not an offense make! The first problem is that these players, except for McCann, and to a lesser extent Renteria (and Kelly Johnson on the dl) do not work the count — Wang only needed 80+ pitches to pitch 8 innings yesterday, Smoltz needed more than 110 to pitch through 7. (Has anyone also noticed that Andruw is becoming our defacto leadoff hitter in ABs after the first inning)

The second problem is that the players do not compliment one another. There is no speed to put pressure on the defense, no walks to help build an inning and increase a pitch count, and no hitting behind a runner or laying down a bunt to move a runner, and most importantly, way too many Ks. The sum of the individual statistics is in no way indicative of the whole.

Also to the blogger that suggested we trade Giles and LaRoche for Dunn — 1. The Reds would never make that trade, and 2. Dunn with 150+ Ks a year is not the kind of player the Braves need in their lineup — we have way too many of them right now.

By Savannah Guy

June 29, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this

Memo To Braves Management and Some Players: Your Value Is Dropping Daily

We really didn’t expect a memo this spring telling all the Braves fans that we would see, after 14 years, an end to (Division) championship caliber baseball. We all knew it would come eventually and we could accept that, being true baseball fans and realists. With just a few new players (bullpen), we could have been in the hunt until at least the end of August or further when the Mets invariably melt down due to their own non-sustainable team chemistry. Instead, what we got was a sports franchise debacle. We certainly didn’t see the top to bottom team meltdown. We know that Time Warner had no loyalty to Atlanta, competitive heart for fielding a winning team or intentions for spending money on players that could fill in much needed slots. But are they privately gleeful to be sticking yet another dart in Ted Turner? Side note to TW: you are shooting your franchise value in the foot…well, arms in this case.

Only an individual or group of owner/investors that love the game can have heart and a competitive spirit. A media empire is, as expected, not a suitable owner for sports teams. Their protracted on-off selling message and feeble attempts have contributed to the meltdown.

And as true fans, we don’t deserve - from highly paid professional players and managers - apathy, confusion, lack of leadership on and off the field, embarrassing base running mistakes, fundamental batting problems (like swinging for the fences when a hit would win the game or swinging at the first pitch after the previous batter walked on 4 wild pitches). Cox has become a befuddled “spectator with budget handcuffs” from the bench. Shurholtz is between a rock and a hard place yet seems content to ride high on books and 14 years of pennants. Smoltz is a winner, a leader and a great guy that is about to bolt to a team that is able to compete. Who can blame him?

Memo to JS, BC and Time Warner: do yourselves and the young talent a huge favor…spend some money NOW before it’s too late or trade some of our highly-paid, under-achieving players to other before they taint the enthusiasm of the next generation. Perhaps the new young team will learn how to play hard and, with passion and a new manager, sustain energy, desire and momentum through October in another year.

Savannah Guy

By geauxbraves2000

June 29, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this

Pretty pathetic NL East right now… Last 10 games

Mets 5-5 Phil 2-8 Fla 6-4 Atl 3-7 Wash 3-7.

Just think the ground the Braves could’ve made up. Oh well.

By NYFAN

June 29, 2006 12:45 PM | Link to this

Calvin, Damon was at Boston 4 years. Not enough time to make himself into an icon for the franchise. Glavine by far made a bigger impact on the team. Count the Cy Youngs, Division title and world titles. Lastley, one is going to the Hall of Hame(as a Brave) and the other isn’t.

By Dr. Jay

June 29, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

Ahhh….how wonderful to read the unenlightened opinions of someone like NYFAN. Glavine received a lukewarm reception here upon his return for two reasons: 1) He was the local poster child for the Player’s Union during the strike season, and really seemed to enjoy the role. 2) He left to play for the Mutts.

So it’s not that we don’t appreciate future Hall of Famers, we just require that they not be self-centered elitists, with chips on their shoulders.

By Jimbo

June 29, 2006 12:56 PM | Link to this

Will Reeksma be back soon?

By NYFAN

June 29, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

Not only do braves fans not appreciate their players but they can’t spell either. Way to go Dr Jay.

By ernesto

June 29, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this

Uhhh, NYFAN? Where is the spelling error? (By the way, way to call someone out on proper blog spelling and then fail to cap. a proper noun - smooth.)

By Kent

June 29, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

Dr. Jay, one more thing to add to the Glavine thing… His contract with the Met’s gave him only about 10-15% more per season than what the Braves were offering.

I think the problem many fans had with Glavine was not only that he was leaving to sign with the Met’s, but also that there didn’t seem to be a significant difference in what he would earn up there. A lot of people felt like he turned his back on the Atlanta fans just to chase a few extra bucks.

By Sam

June 29, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

Hey Guys, I go back many years to the Boston Braves. This Braves team sucks. Yes put the blame on John Schuerholz and not to Bobby Cox. JS has done a lousy job this past winter. Please JS those white starched shirts are making me throw up. Also, what is Betermit swinging at the first pitch. Maybe the blame should be on Terry Pendelton. The trade for Oscar V and Lance Cormier to the DBacks for Estrada stinks. I was watching the Yankee station (YES) yesterday and what a relief to hear professional baseball announcers announce. They made lots of sense…they were talking about the 14 Div titles the Braves won and only one WS. If the Braves had a proven closer in those years they would have won more WS. Hearing the Braves announcers on TBS….they are afraid to say one bad thing about the Braves…if they did they probably would have been FIRED. They are all closed mouth about what they say about any Braves player especially if they did something wrong outside of Baseball. Oh by the way Jim Leyritz was on Steriods in the 1996 WS. I read it on the internet..that is why the Braves lost. I have been a Braves fan for years since around 1952 when I lived in Massachusetts. I may start rooting for the Red Sox.

SAM

By josh

June 29, 2006 01:22 PM | Link to this

yeah the other day nyfan misspelled accomplish. random but i noticed it and had to say something

By NYFAN

June 29, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this

I guess 16 seasons, five 20+ win seasons, two Cy Youngs, 200+ wins and a World Series doesn’t get you the respect it used to.

By josh

June 29, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this

Sam, dude, any announcer that works for a team is not going to bash that team. Your Yankee station wouldn’t bash the Yankees would they? If so tell me what they said.

By NYFAN

June 29, 2006 01:30 PM | Link to this

I was being sarcastic because of the way Dr Jay spell METS…..

By ernesto

June 29, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this

Oh. Good one.

By Sam

June 29, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this

If the Braves had Smoltz for the closer, yes they probably would have been about 5 games behind. Even though if he came in the 8th inning and finished the game. But John does not want to close again. Hey Guys I thought he was a team player???I got a good feeling he will accept a trade to the Tigers and the Braves will get some of the Tigers good prospects. Braves fans no fear…he will be back next year pitching for the Braves and retire as a Brave

By chopthis

June 29, 2006 01:38 PM | Link to this

Sam, Leyritz hit that fateful homer because Mark Wohlers stubbornly insisted on getting beat with his second or third best pitch.

I guess that’s Bobby Cox’s fault, too.

By Wolfman

June 29, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this

Its OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVER !!!!!!!!!!!…………..Hello BRAVES FANS !!!!!!!!!!

By Sam

June 29, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

Hey Josh, the Yankee announcers were bad mouthing Arod all day until he hit the walk-off HR. I don’t know who said it but one of them said “I wouldn’t be surprised if the Yankees traded him after this season because he doesn’t fit in their future plans”. Plus the night before they were talking about Posada and Farnsworth..when Posada went up to talk to and Farnsworth wasn’t listening so Posada just walked back to home plate. I think it was Jim Kaat the Yankee color man and he said that wasn’t too professional of both to act like that on TV. He said one of them maybe fined by Torre.

By chopthis

June 29, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

The Smoltz situation is a Catch-22. If he’s closing, then you’ve sacrificed your best starter. But since Smoltz’s starts are getting wasted anyway by the bullpen, I have to believe the Braves would have a good enough won-loss record today with Smoltz as the closer that he wouldn’t feel the need to issue any ultimatums.

I don’t believe any of the Braves are true team players, and it’s been that way for a long, long time. And that — much more than anything Bobby Cox has done or failed to do — is the primary reason they have such a futile postseason record.

By Wolfman

June 29, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

Do you people realize that the Braves would have to go like 57 and 26 starting this weekend and over the second half to get a Wild Card spot,…maybe!….Dream on folks !!!!!……… with that Bull Pen and pittiful hitting line-up !!!! Come on Braves fans, I have been one for over 40 years, and I know better THAN to get my hopes up for the post season this year. It is OOOOOOOOOOOVER!!!!!!

By Jim

June 29, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this

In the Leyritz game a key play happened 2 innings earlier. With the Braves leading 6-0, Neagle got Jeter, leading off the inning to hit a foul fly to right. Jerome Dye had to watch out for the foul line umpire and did not catch that ball. On the next pitch, Jeter singled and the Yankee comeback started. Between that play, missing the Jeffery Maier “catch”, having to be overruled on a fair/foul homerun in another series, and getting in the way of J. Cruz in the Cubs-Giants Series what purpose do these umps serve? How many foul line calls do the umps get wrong during the regular season? And couldn’t foul/fair hrs (like the one Jordan hit in Wash last year) be better resolve by a replay official?

Also, on the batter before the Leyritz hr Beliard bobbled a dp grounder and only got 1 out.

By Robert(Justice Is the Best)

June 29, 2006 01:54 PM | Link to this

Here it is. Can the Braves come back and win the wild card? Yes. Will they? I’m not sure. It all depends on the heart of this team and the moves the front office will make. It has to be said to all the negative people on this blog that you have to admit that the reason (and the primarily only reason) the Braves are in this pickle is because of this bullpen. For all the wild swings and impatience at the plate this team would be a solid 5 to 10 games over .500 and would be in first place in the wild card race with the divison in sight. Quit blaming Francoeur, Chipper, and Giles for this team’s failures. Yes, they have something to do with it. Well, I don’t think Francouer as much. Some of you geniuses would be awfully surprised how many baseball people would take their number 6 hitter hitting 30-35 homeruns and driving in at least 110 RBI’s not to mention hitting over .300 w/RISP. Yes, Chipper and Giles have not had the kinds of seasons we are used to, but even with that this team would be in a lot better position with a decent bullpen. The Mets have shown that they aren’t all that against great competition. They have struggled against the Phillies, Cardinals, Red Sox, and Yankees and yes the Braves. I don’t care there are nine teams ahead of the Braves in the wild card. You have to look at the teams. Are the Brewers, Nationals, D-Backs, Padres, and Rockies really going to go away and hide. Heck, no. Be serious! All of these teams have as many if not more deficiencies than the Braves do. The Braves have always been a second half team and will be again this year. Chipper and Giles have both shown signs of coming around. Andruw is starting to get that look. Despite yesterday’s antics the bullpen has actually been quite good the last week or two. Francoeur may take some terrible swings and have the patience of a 1 year old at the plate but he can sure drive in runs. McCann should be an all-star. Even LaRoche has shown signs of getting into a grove. A move to get a quality reliever and a leadoff hitter must be made and done so in the next couple of weeks. Both of these moves can be made without sacrificing the future. Salty should be on the block. Why do we HAVE to hold on to him. He won’t be a catcher. I think McCann has got that position nailed down. He could be moved to 1B but we have both Thorman and Jurries who could step in if LaRoche isn’t the guy. Joey Gaithright would be a great addition. While he may be struggling hitting he has the one thing you can’t pitch or defense…..SPEED! Mark my words the Braves will make a second half run. They may not get the wild card or win the division but they will let the Mets know that the division is their’s only temporarily and when all the high priced free agents leave for bigger checks or just breakdown for old age, our youngsters will be hitting their stride and most of them no where near 30. Francoeur, McCann, Betemit, Thorman, Jurries, Davies, Ramirez, and James will start a new tradition. Watch and see! This team is not even close to being dead!

By Dr. Jay

June 29, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this

To expand on the Glavine thing, NYFAN… Yes, he was a remarkable pitcher during his time here, and your stats don’t lie. But it became very clear over time that Glavine is a mercenary player. Money first, results second and team last. Notice that “fans” aren’t in that list. Maybe you’re in favor of things like unions which artificially raise costs and consequences. That attitude has worked out real well for dinosaurs like GM. Again, we tend to appreciate players who look beyond themselves…players like Galaraga, Smoltz, Andruw Jones…and yes, even Chipper, who’s offer to restructure his millions have been Above and Beyond in this era of slimebucket agents like Scott Boras and others. You sound like you’re obsessed with numbers and results just like Glavine…and pukes like George Steinbrenner. No wonder you’re a NYFAN”…

By Sam

June 29, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

Hey Chopthis, I don’t care who was pitching Leyritz would have hit those HRS off anyone. Please take a good look at Leyritz back in 1996 and Leyritz now and you will see the difference. Just like McGwire back in the days when he was hitting those HRS and now. His body shrunk. By the way guys…I was watching the Yankee station because I wanted to get a diffeent outlook of the game plus I am little sick and tied of the Braves announcers. I still love the Bravos. I have lived thru lots of bad days with the Braves and lots of good ones too. I have the Braves Logo on my left arm..so what will that say.

By Vinnie Boombotz

June 29, 2006 02:00 PM | Link to this

You know the Mets are living the good life when they lose 2 straight and still gain a half game on the division LMAOOOOO How’s it look from the cellar Braves fans? Use your tomahawk chop to cut your collective heads off, because IT’S OVER!!!!

By Robert(Justice Is the Best)

June 29, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this

I am so sick of hearing how the Braves players aren’t team players. What makes them not team players? Because they swing wildly at pitches. C’mon the heck on! Get frickin real!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“Chipper is selfish.” Really. I guess that is why he restructured his contract to free up money this year or even signed that contract in the first place when he could have gotten more money to go somewhere else. Same for Andruw.

What evidence exists the Francoeur, Giles, McCann, LaRoche, or anyone else is not a team player?

Braves fans are so negative and fairweather. Don’t get mad and start trying to attack me for that statement because you know it is true. If they did come back and win the wild card, everyone one of you would be talking about how you knew they would do it and the “Baby Braves” are great! Whatever.

By CG

June 29, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this

LET OSCAR CLOSE!!!!!!! This is why Bobby is the worst manager ever… Keep throwing Sosa/Ray/Retisma (he would put him in even with the injury) but please don’t give the job to someone who has done it before (most saves ever by a rookie) FIRE BOOOBY!

By Jim

June 29, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

Dr Jay,

If Scott Boras could get you a few milion dollars in your job you would probably jump at it (even if it meant changing companies and relocating). Few of the people on this blog would turn down that offer. And if you were to “show loyalty” and decline such an offer, then a few years down the road when your company no longer needed you, would they show the same loyalty to you? I doubt it.

The only thing worse than a union is the lack of one. How many of today’s middle class got that way because of what the unions were able to do for their families. How many working class kids would have gone to college if it weren’t for the unions? What kind of wages and working conditions did we have in this country before there were unions?

We don’t have to vilify the participants in a labor dispute (owners or players). We need to appreciate what Glavine did for the Braves on the field and remember who was on the mound in Game 6 of the ‘95 WS.

PS — Glavine left because the Mets offered an extra year, not because they offered more money and the Braves were also somewhat ambiguous in the desire to bring Glavine back.

By Robert(Justice Is the Best)

June 29, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

Hey, Vinnie, your Mets aren’t as great as you think. One injury to Pedro and this goes from being the best team in the National League to being an average team with a bunch of “great” hitters who aren’t hittng great! While I like Miledge, he hasn’t looked so hot lately has he? Do you really think the Mets could be the Red Sox, Yankees, Tigers, A’s, or White Sox in a WS. Pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

By paraklete

June 29, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

I just wish Sosa would figure out that when he “muscles up” on his fastball and his body leans to the left, his right arm has to extend further to the right to compensate. And, that changes his release point and the relative angle of his grip so his “fastball” ends up like “hanging slider”. That is when he gets hit hard. When he doesn’t fall off the mound toward first, he pitches well (case in point, the one run game he lost).

He could close. With the sinking fastball, he would get strikeouts and grounouts mostly. When he pitches “within himself” even the mistakes out over the plate are either topped ground balls or missed completely swinging over the ball.

By Kent

June 29, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this

*Something else to remember about the Met’s…

Both Pedro and Glavine have pretty consistent track records of fading in September and October in recent years. History suggests that they won’t be this good when it counts the most.

By BIFF POCAROBA

June 29, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

The Braves have 2 players in the top 50 in NL batting average.

The Braves have 7 guys in the top 50 NL player’s strike out category.

Take a pitch.

By Kent

June 29, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

I mentioned this the other day, but I recently realized that the Yankees streak of post-season appearances is also in jeopardy. The AL wild card is either going to be Detroit or Chicago, so unless the Yanks beat out the Red Sox to win the division, they’ll be watching the playoffs on TV.

If the Braves post-season streak ends here, knowing that the Yankees also came up short would be a HUGE consolation! Down with the Yankees!!!!

By NYFAN

June 29, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

One bad regular season series doesn’t mean the Mets can’t compete with the American league. The Mets took 2 out of three from the Bluejays, who by the way swept the braves. They were one blown save from sweeping the Yankees earlier this year. Boston is a hot team playing at home. The Mets being beaten in the world series is just spiteful thinking from a bitter braves fan.

By josh

June 29, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this

now i know good and well that they didnt bad-mouth arod. they might have discussed the slump but did not bad mouth him. and as far as the posada and farnsworth thing goes, any announcer would bad-mouth that. It wasn’t professional. Besides that, anybody would bad-mouth farnsworth.

By chopthis

June 29, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this

Robert, Smoltz is the only player who seems to give a damn that the Braves are losing now or that they lose every October. The rest of the Bravos are just counting their money.

Maybe the Braves can hire Kirk Gibson as a bench coach. Now THERE was a team player!He’d light a fire under this apathetic bunch or hurt a few of them trying.

By Bobby Cox

June 29, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

Since Sosa can’t start and he can’t close, I’m thinking of playing him in leftfield Friday night. Maybe that’ll be his niche.

Reitsma should be back any day now. That’ll solve most of our recent bullpen issues.

If we only had Remmie !

Duh !

By Bobby Cox

June 29, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

Since Sosa can’t start and he can’t close, I’m thinking of playing him in leftfield Friday night. Maybe that’ll be his niche.

Reitsma should be back any day now. That’ll solve most of our recent bullpen issues.

If we only had Remmie !

Duh !

By Jon

June 29, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

Hey CG, I dont know if you are aware of this but, Oscar has just as many blown saves as Chris Reitsma. No way he should close.

By Kentavo

June 29, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

The offense has not been on fire - but has scored enough to win - as they did yesterday, not only once but twice.

Should have been a 4-2 roadtrip.

Last year if not for the Kolb/Reitsma/Foster (who is rooting for him to come back, by the way???) conglomerate, the Braves would have won the division by 20 games.

Cox (as much as he infuriates me) is making moves that should win games if the players would produce. So, he has not adjusted to having inferior talent yet. In a way, I think he does some of this things (like trotting has-beens out on the field) as a kind of “see what you gave me?” to JS.

By Jim

June 29, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this

Sosa has been the closer for all of 4 appearances. He gave up a walk on a borderline pitch to a hitter with an 8 pitch AB (something we rarely see from the Braves) He gave an HR to the highest paid, and arguably one of the all-time great, players in the game. As frustrating as that loss was, I think we need a larger sample of data before we determine whether Sosa can close as well or better than anyone we can afford to acquire in dollars and players from a trade. I remember and appreciate what Sosa gave us last year and what potential he still has. I am much more critical of Hudson who has not been consistent and who does not get many swinging strikes. He seems to have to nibble at the bottom of the strike zone and gets in trouble with a lot of walks and a high pitch count.

By P'Cola Michael

June 29, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

I agree about Sosa…he should be leading off instead closing games….the kid has at least got a decent bat! :)

by the way…Robert, awesome post!

By Kentavo

June 29, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this

The offense has not been on fire - but has scored enough to win - as they did yesterday, not only once but twice.

Should have been a 4-2 roadtrip.

Last year if not for the Kolb/Reitsma/Foster (who is rooting for him to come back, by the way???) conglomerate, the Braves would have won the division by 20 games.

Cox (as much as he infuriates me) is making moves that should win games if the players would produce. So, he has not adjusted to having inferior talent yet. In a way, I think he does some of this things (like trotting has-beens out on the field) as a kind of “see what you gave me?” to JS.

By Rowland

June 29, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this

Sosa needs the benefit of the doubt. He gave up a game-ending homer to a future HOF’er. It happens. Put it in perspective and send him out there again tomorrow night. I’m proud of the Braves for not giving up. The adversity is creating a mentally tougher team. Fourteen years of winning might breed a little complacency, so this is going to be one hungry bunch when they turn things around. And there’s simply too much talent for that not to happen.

By Robert

June 29, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

Question: Is there any connection between the absolutely horrible bullpen this season and the loss of Leo during the offseason? Maybe the string of 14 division titles was due to Mazzone rather than to BC and JS.

By SR

June 29, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

BRAVES STILL BELIEVE WHAT EXACTLY???

That arguably they have the worst bullpen they have assembled in the history of the franchise?

That the GM has provided the manager with nothing more than a collection of journeymen and AAA players?

That they are poised to post the worst June record in the history of the franchise?

That throwing the likes of Ken Ray, Jorge Sosa, Chad Paronto, Lance Cormier, Oscar Villareal et al into battle thinking they can squelch a rally is delusional?

Can I get an amen and a hallelujah for I believe all that as well!!!!!!!!

By Kent

June 29, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

Robert, with all due respect to Leo Mazzone, his departure has absolutely nothing to do with any of this. If you really think it does, check out the Oriols tema ERA this season and get back to me.

Leo’s a great pitching coach. And Roger McDowell has gotten grat reviews. At the end of the day, it’s still the pitcher that has to perform. And as far as the bullpen is concerned, he hasn’t had much to work with.

By Lawdog

June 29, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

 What lies ahead for the Braves?  Mr. Schuerholz will work a deal with the Twins for Joe Nathan.  He may have to part with Saltalamacchia.  Keep in mind, he's a catcher and unlikely to supplant Brian McCann, or currently even Bryan Pena.
 What's more?  With the way Chuck James looks (why didn't we see him in Atlanta sooner?) and the way Horacio Ramirez is working, they may be more enticing to watch down the stretch than Smoltz and Hudson.  Incidentally, with a little help from the pen, Smoltz would have 10 wins by now.  Hudson will get better down the stretch.
  Now somebody suggest a leadoff hitter that can be acquired. If it takes swapping Wilson Betamit, there should be a slugging first baseman in the deal as well.
  Prediction: wherever they finish, the Braves will be the club that nobody wants to play down the stretch.

By Savannah Guy

June 29, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this

Just Bad Luck, that’s All “Sure, luck means a lot in baseball. Not having a good bullpen is bad luck.” (with apologies to Don Shula).

By Calvin

June 29, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

NYFAN, You are right in your assessment of the play of the Mets against the BoSox. Just Sox are just on fire right now. I am not sure anyone can beat them the way they are playing. Btw, the Braves are the ones that started them on their winning streak. Before they came to Atlanta and swept them, they had lost 5 of 6. Anyway, the main reason Glavine left was because the braves did not guarantee the fourth year of his contract and the Mets did. The Braves only made it an optional fourth year. There is talk, however, that Glavine might return to Atlanta when his contract is up this year to win his 300th game. It is not confirmed. Just rumors.

By Ralph

June 29, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

Since last Saturday Jeff Francoeur has left 16 men on base while batting in only 2. He goes wild and swings at the first pitch with the bases loaded or not, instead on making the pitcher work, he helps the pitcher by swing at a pitch foot outside, and of course he makes an out. So don’t except to much from this kid for now, he’s to wrapped up in the long ball, and has no or very little discipline at the plate. When is Francoeur going to get out of that bad habit is anybody’s guess. Maybe benching him for a couple of games will help. It seems like when there are men on base the Braves batters lose all sense of what is a good pitch to hit and a bad pitch not to swing at. They look helpless at the plate, and don’t know what to do half of the time. They have become a stagnated team. They don’t do the simple fundamental things that win games, it’s like they go half way and quite, or forget what to do next , they are or should at present a 500 ball team. Feel sorry for the Braves? such I do, I believe they still think they are still in spring training and have no idea that the regular season started a couple of months ago. If I was a Braves player I would be so embarrass, by how stupid we were playing that I would cover my face at every game, especially at home. The Braves worst enemy are the Braves.

By Dave

June 29, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this

Some random thoughts….

• While it is obvious that the main problem for the Braves IS the bullpen, let’s remember that the Braves pitching has suffered more injuries this year (and the year is NOT half over) than any TWO previous years since 1990. Only teams with VERY deep pockets (something the Braves have NOT been since 1996) could have dealt with that many injuries without some adverse effects.

• JS is trying to work some trades, but it is not likely to happen until AFTER the All-Star Break. Be patient!

• While there have been too many strikeouts and not enough clutch hitting, we can anticipate that, at season’s end:

— Chipper Jones will have hit .300 once again.

— Andrews Jones will have hit about 40 home runs and will have about 130 RBIs.

— Jeff Franceour will have hit about 30 home runs and will have about 110 RBIs (not bad for his first full year in the majors).

— Brian McCann may have won the batting title; he WILL be in the race for it unless he is injured again.

In other words, the offense is not the problem; it’s the PITCHING. Even if (and I don’t think this will happen) NO trade is made to improve the pitching, next year we will have a starting rotation of Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, Ramirez and either Davies or James (as backup and long relief). If everyone comes back from the IR, the Braves will have Foster, McBride, Boyer, Devine, and Reitsma (and one or two from the cast of the other minor pitchers) in the bullpen.

• The Braves are young, talented and deep in the eight field positions. Once they get the picthing squared away, they will be back in the palyoffs in 2007 and beyond!

• Unlike the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox or Dodgers, the Braves have a strict budget. They CANNOT and WILL NOT go out and overpay for the talent they need. That’s why they did not sign the closer they needed in the offseason! To be competitive, they need to make shrewd trades and be very selective who they sign as a free agent. If they write this season off and pick and choose which offers to take for their tadeable players (Thomson, Sosa, Giles, LaRouche. Betemit, Orr, and maybe Smoltz), they can get the players they need for 2007.

I don’t know about you, but I trust JS to make those trades!

By Sam

June 29, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this

Hey Josh, If you can get the tape of yesterday’s afternoon game between the Braves and the Yankees you will see I am 125% correct. Please don’t say I am wrong because I am not. Try and contact the YES Network and get a tape of the game and you will see that you are WRONG.

By bopro

June 29, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this

This season is becoming more and more painful to watch. As a lifetime braves fan, I’ve suffered before but it’s been so long, I forgot what it felt like. We are officially a bad team. I believe other teams are now looking forward to playing us because it is almost a guaranteed series win and an opportunity to fatten up on individual stats. We are bad in all aspects offensively and defensively.

3rd worst in MLB with 600 strikeouts, 24th in on-base-percentage at .327, 20th in stolen bases with 34, 20th in avg at .261, lowest fielding percentage of the last 15 years and everyone already knows about our horrendous pitching. This is just bad baseball.

Without any changes, how can we really expect any improvement? With all that said, I’ll keep watching and waiting for my team to give me something to cheer about.

By Dave

June 29, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this

Ralph,

You are aware that Jeff Franceour leads BOTH league in 2-out RBIs, aren’t you??

I don’t argue that he needs more plate discipline. That comes with experience. With it, he could be a multiple year MVP, leading the league in HRs and RBIs.

If you want to see where the lack of offense rests, look no further than Giles, LaRouche, and whoever is playing left field.

By Sam

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

Hey Gang, I was thinking of purchasing John Schuerholz’s book he recently wrote about the Braves but I have second thoughts. Why should I purchase the book when he had a BAD year as GM and he left our beloved Braves 6 feet under. Plus the money he gets from this book he will purchase more of his white starched shirts. I don’t think so!!!!

By Don

June 29, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

 Most anyone would look like a good pitching coach if he/she had Glavine, Maddux, and Smoltz in their primes.  Avery and Neagle didn't hurt and even Leibrandt and Hudson  had/have their days.  Leo's main contribution was to stay out of their way.
 When Marquis was asked to name the main thing that Mazzone did to help him develop as a pitcher, his reply was "Nothing that I can think of".
 For you Mazzone fans, name one pitcher that you can honestly and unequivocably say that Mazone "turned" into a better pither for an extended period of time.  Now, be honest.  Also, give some real proof.

By Sam

June 29, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

If you get Directv…you can see a great pitching matchup tonite between Glavine & Schilling. The Red Sox seems like an unbeatable team.

By BravesFaninRockies

June 29, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Next time you talk with TP, how about a suggestion: Whenever Franceour is up with RISP, tell him he has the take sign for the first pitch. No exceptions. If the first pitch is a ball, he has it for the second pitch. And so on. Until he takes a strike or a walk.

Hmmm?

By Augusta Joe

June 29, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

3 Simple things they must do to win:

Play quality defense…

Get ‘em on, get ‘em over, get ‘em in…

Throw quality strikes…

By Lew

June 29, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

I’m probably one of the most optimistic Braves fans around, but guess what y’all-it’s over for this year. By the time the trading deadline comes around we will be so far out of it that there will be no coming back. The bleeding needed to be stopped several weeks ago before it got to this point. Sure we still have a mathematical chance, but what have we seen this year that leads to the conclusion that things will be better? This bullpen is atrocious. That’s it-bottom line. In what world did anyone think Sosa (much less Reitsma) was the answer. How many leadoff HR did Sosa give up before he became closer? Besides the bullpen, I’m extremely disappointed in Hudson’s performance since he’s been in Atlanta. He’s been very inconsistent. Sure he’s looked like a 20 game winner a couple of times, but this seesaw performace is discouraging, to say the least. I would like to see him traded (he does have some trade value). Package him with Marcus (who I will be sorry to see go, but it is the correct thing to do) and get some relief help. Next year, a rotation of Smoltz, Hampton(who will be back all the way), Ramirez, Davies and James will pave the way for a good future.

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

Good column DOB, but honestly, of course the players are going to be saying this season is not over. I just hope JS is not listening or buying into that talk. We need to build for next year, and our trades (if any) that happen before the deadline had better reflect that!

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

g

By michael

June 29, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

Ok mets fans, you finally have a good team. The lineup is solid. Lots of talent and they’re doing the jobs they were hired to do. Jose Reyes has what, a million stolen bases? And David Wright?! Are you kidding me? That guy’s the real deal. However,please allow a weathered and worn Braves fan be the first to warn you that the postseason is really great at exposing your weaknesses. I realize it’s been practically forever since you mets fans have had to concern yourselves with the postseason so I just felt obligated to warn you not to get your hopes up too high. Your team is good. But they ain’t that good!

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this

That loss yesterday was just BRUTAL. I mean, come on, the YANKEES?!? Anyone but them, and especially anyone other than A-Rod! JS had better be looking long and hard at trade possibilities for the FUTURE. Lew I like your thoughts about trading Hudson & Giles. I think we could get some really good players in return. Hudson alone being traded to a contender would bring back at least one really good pitching prospect and either a decent lead-off guy or a serviceable left fielder. I think Giles could bring a really good reliever in here too. Maybe a solid set-up man that the Braves can convert to a closer. And please, for the love of god, trade Laroche for anything!

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this

I liked the post yesterday by Don about the Braves having to play .670 baseball the rest of the way to get to 88 wins. 88 WINS! There is no chance in hell! Not to mention, 88 wins still may not get you into the wild-card. We need to get real about the Braves here, they are a .500 team at best this year. I also believe that if you put this years Mets in last years NL East, the Braves don’t make the playoffs last year either. I mean, they only had 90 wins last year, that’s only 18 games above .500. If if wasn’t for the NL Worst last year, that would have been the worst record for a division winner in a long time. BUILD FOR NEXT YEAR!

By john

June 29, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

Js is full of s**,he is all talk and no action,he farted around all winter until Dannys Baez was traded to the Dodgers,he could have gotten him,all this money that the Braves supposedly saved,where is it?JS has benn a b****** from the get go.he continues to look the other way and make changes,he needs to either s** or get off the pot,time for Frank Wren to be in charge.

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 05:27 PM | Link to this

For anyone who is still on this blog: OVER/UNDER 75 WINS FOR THE BRAVES THIS YEAR?

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this

I say right at 75.

By Sam

June 29, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

Hey Michael…I like what you wrote about the hated Mets. I watched 2 of the games they just played with the Red Sox and they don’t look like a 1st place team. I think they can be beat. Tonites game should be interesting between Glavine & Schilling. Pedro didn’t look good last nite. Remember Pedro breaks down the 2nd half of the season.

By JasonInMaine

June 29, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

DOB,

You are strangely quite on the Blog…you are uncovering a trade story, right? Please!

By JasonInMaine

June 29, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this

Please forgive the typo…I meant to say “quiet” on the blog and not “quite”

By hk

June 29, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this

… back on May 1, I came up with a spreadsheet that assigned an importance number to each Brave, (offense and defense) based on their potential this year … then graded out everybody’s performance as of May 1, also a Worst Case, Best Case and Most Likely for the year … multiplying importance times actual, came up with a predicted Braves won lost record for each case ..

… things looked awful on May 1, but it was expected things would get alot better by seasons end, along these lines:

Case……..Wins

May 1………74

Worst………78

Best………101

Most Likely…93

.. just did the same thing again, based on performance through last night:

June 28 ……76

… that’s 10 games under .500 for the season !!!

.. converted the spreadsheet to html this time, maybe easier to look at ….

click here

By 74dog

June 29, 2006 05:59 PM | Link to this

we could have swept the yankers at the house of obnoxious (and post season mets) fans. LET’S GO j.s.,GET BOBBY SOME HELP!

By John Hoar

June 29, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this

Tennessee Paul-keep believing and don’t let these guys get you down. Every time I give up I see you hanging in there and I do too. Maybe we can’t make the post season but we can improve a bunch and I’ll still be proud to be a Braves fan.

On another note- I just had a friend tell me her grandson had attended John Smoltz’s baseball camp. She said that about three hundred kids attended. That number surprised me but what swept me off my feet was that John pitched to EVERY SINGLE ONE of them!!! Talk about making three hundred Braves fans for life-you can’t beat that.

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

75-87, 3rd place behind Philly.

By Carroll

June 29, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

Don: as to your question about one pitcher that Mazzone turned around, hows about John Burkett? Left for dead by Tampa, then the next year he was our opening day starter.

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this

I don’t think you can blame lack of trades on JS. It is simply too early for teams to want to trade. If JS made a trade today, there is absolutely no way he gets players back with equal or greater talent. You won’t see any moves until after the all star break. Just the way the baseball trade market works…

By Lew

June 29, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

I don’t know, Don, I’d like to think we can hit .500 at least. The starting pitching,at least Smoltz, Ramirez and James looks solid and I think they are getting in a groove. Again, I refer to the trades I mentioned earlier. We must have bullpen help and RIGHT NOW, just to salvage the season. I don’t think Fred McGriff and a fire can save us now. We can, however, gear up for another run starting next year if Scheurholz can pull off some of his magic. The Rays are dealing if we can part with some of our minor league talent. Then again, we have given up much the past few years for quick fixes. No quick fix this time around.

By David O'Brien

June 29, 2006 06:42 PM | Link to this

Jason, I’m strangely quiet because A., I had an early flight from LaGuardia and am exhausted, and B., Frankly, most of the comments are nothing but pi**ing on each other and emotional rants, and people telling me I’ve “drank the Kool-Aid” (good one, original) and that IT’S OVER (in bold face, even; very creative).

Folks, anybody that can read the original post I made here and say I’ve drank the Kool-Aid must have ADD or something that doesn’t allow you to read and absord each word I wrote, or you just skim through and see what you want to see.

Because if you’ll read again, I did not say the Braves would or even have a legit chance to make the postseason. I said they still believe they can, so have at it, fellas. I’m simply telling you what they’re saying. But some of you, the really, really smart and/or simply bitter ones, can only chime in with “Of course they’re TELLING you this…”

Well what the hell do you want me to do, read their MINDS and tell you what they’re really thinking? I mean, some of you are just, well, I’m not going to say what I’m thinking. Just use your pseudonyms and spew the venom forth. No skin off my back.

You just want to hear that the Braves are hanging their heads and fighting with each other and have given up and blah blah blah, when that’s simply not what myself and the other couple of beat writers are seeing every day. I think we all agree they’ve got very, very little chance of making the postseason, but what does that matter what we think?

Do you want me to write in game stories and notebooks, just interject my opinion, that I think they’re done? I’m saying it here, but when I then report that Braves players are saying this and that, some of you just can’t accept that or don’t want to. You want everyone to be as angry and miserable as you are. Well, sorry, I wish I could help you.

Oh, and Savannah Guy, how exactly is Smoltz “about to bolt” to a team that can contend? Is he just going to walk into Schuerholz’s office and say, “I’m quitting, going to another team?” I guess I’m having a hard time figuring out a scenario by which he simply bolts to another team, as you suggested he was going to do.

He’ll go to another team if the Braves 1. don’t exercise his option or 2. ask him to waive his trade veto power and accept a deal they’ve worked out. And that’s the only two ways he’ll go anywhere, not because he decides “to bolt.” It’s not a player option on the contract, it’s a club option. If they want him, they’ve got him in 2007.

The person who said to trade LaRoche “for anything” might want to know he’s got the highest road slugging percentage on the team _ before yesterday it was .576, compared to .510 for Edgar, .491 for Andruw, .521 for McCann and .323 for Francoeur.

And the Braves have played more road games than home games.

Just letting you know. He’s not as bad as you want him to be. If he could just give you that nasty grimace now and then or smile a lot or act like he’s fired up, even if he’s faking it, something tells me you’d notice stats other than the batting average and strikeouts _ the same stats that so many people seem willing to overlook with Frenchy.

By craig

June 29, 2006 06:42 PM | Link to this

the braves really have a better chance to lose 100 games rather than to make the wild card…………..where did the money go that chipper gave up in his paycut????

By Buddy

June 29, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

Speaking of Danys Baez what infuriates me is what little the Dodgers gave up to acquire him.

I’m wondering if Schuerholz made any serious offers to Tampa.

I think Baez will be a free agent this year. He’ll come with a hefty price, one the Braves won’t afford unless they unload some folks.

By Buddy

June 29, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

Speaking of Danys Baez what infuriates me is what little the Dodgers gave up to acquire him.

I’m wondering if Schuerholz made any serious offers to Tampa.

I think Baez will be a free agent this year. He’ll come with a hefty price, one the Braves won’t afford unless they unload some folks.

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

The one good thing about this year, which was already pointed out on this blog, is that the Yankees have a legitimate shot at missing the playoffs this year. That would definately help dull the pain I’m feeling for the Braves this year…

By Lew

June 29, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this

DOB-Have you asked yourself why you even bother? You never did mention some good new hard rock bands for an old rocker. It WOULD be something different for a change. Then people can yell that you’re not talking about the Braves, even though it’s pretty much been said.

By David O'Brien

June 29, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this

Buddy, Danys Baez? DANYS BAEZ?

Is that the same Baez who has blown six of seven save opps and posted a 6.41 ERA and .340 opponents’ average in his past 24 games, with more earned runs (19) than strikeouts (15) in 26-2/3 innings over that stretch?

The same Baez who has allowed a .333 average with runners in scoring position this season, and a .317 average in close-and-late situations?

Can I ask you something? Have you been out of the country or unable to access a newspaper or the internet to keep up with baseball this season? Because otherwise, that might just be the most poorly timed and illogical acquisition suggestion since … well, at least since a couple of guys here suggested the Braves trade for Juan Pierre three months into the worst season of his career and the third consecutive downhill year for the no-stick, no-arm leadoff man/CF.

By JasonInMaine

June 29, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

DOB,

You could have said Yes that you were uncovering a developing trade (: I understand what you are saying and why you take the approach to the blog you do. I know myself personally, well I post once in a while to vent some frustration with the team, but thoroughly enjoy the blogs…with the exception of a few morons.

Regards, Jason

By TennesseePaul

June 29, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this

Buddy: The Dodgers gave up what was formerly their top pitching prospect for Danny Baez, Edwin Jackson plus extras. When Tampa talked to the Braves, they wanted McCann and Davies.
Edwin was a big deal for the Dodgers, but Ned, the new GM, came in and traded him away at the drop of a hat. Probably for the best, Edwin hadn’t lived up to what the Dodgers wanted, but he still has “stuff” and is very young. Of course, had that been the Braves, this blog would be packed with a slew of morons claiming it was another botched deal by JS. And, given time, the Braves would get in a funk and these same no-brains would recall that trade and say something like “Sure wish JS was smarter, then we’d have that player still.” Baez by the way hasn’t been flawless with LA. Better than what the Braves have, but his production so far this year hasn’t come close to justifying the price of McCann and Davies.

Grade: A+ for JS.

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

DOB . If you look at everything I wrote, the first thing I said was “Good column”. And the point I was trying to make about “of course the players are telling you this” was not to try and insinuate that you are drinking the Braves kool-aid. It was to point out the cold hard fact that this team is NOT GOOD and that I hope JS does not think this team is good enough to make a run this year….. And about LaRoche being traded for anything… after you raved about his road slugging percentage?!? you went on to make my point for me. We need FIRE and personality on this team, his sluggish style of play and complacent attitude just infuriates me like nothing else. He reminds me of Garret Anderson for the Angels - alot of talent but just no real drive or desire to play the game…And I LOVE Frenchy by the way, name another 21(22?) year old in the majors who is on pace for a 30-100 year. And DOB, I love your articles…

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this

Danys Baez??? The dodgers took him out of the closers role 6 weeks ago because HE SUCKS!

By David O'Brien

June 29, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this

Lew, yes, I’ve definitely asked myself, at times like the last few weeks, why I bother. It was a lot of fun here in spring training and the first month or so of the season, but too much venting and kiddy “GO METS” and “FIRE DONKEY” stuff for me lately. Feels like 8th grade, frankly.

Dude, so many good new bands for an old rocker, or at least relatively new bands (not sure when you stopped keeping up with new music or whatever, so don’t know how far back to go).

I mean, there’s just so much out there, everything from rootsy Americana (Son Volt, Jayhawks) to a little more experimental version of that genre (Wilco), to trippy, eclectic rock (Flaming Lips) and new psychedelic -sounding stuff (Secret Machines) to new straight-ahead intelligent Southern rock (Drive-By Truckers), to great new British or Clash/Kinks-influed bands (Dead 60s, Radio 4, Kaiser Chiefs). Just so much stuff. What do you like?

By TennesseePaul

June 29, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

HAHAHAHAHAHA LMAO! Amazing DOB. I didn’t want to put it so bluntly, but that’s just funny! Good stuff DOB. Good stuff.

By Eric C.

June 29, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this

NYFAN and other ignorant MET fans…Braves fans have endured 13 post-season failures in the last 14 years. If some fans seem bitter to you, there is good reason…now go get your jollies somewhere else and enjoy your first place rental.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 29, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this

dob, has your opinion changed on young jonathan schurerholz? could he be the missing link on this team? or could he simply be the missing link? it is well known that he is batting .150 with 53 strikeouts at richmond. is his glove as good as his bat? will he have the proverbial cup of coffee? if he has the coffee will pete orr be released? who would win in a race, js or po? not much left to talk about. this team has so many catchers - somebody’s gonna go. carlos mendez makes the il all-star team and jimmy smith has never heard of him. can any of these catchers play another position?

By TennesseePaul

June 29, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this

Feels like 8th grade, frankly That’s a pretty accurate perception. It’s like some one left the nursery door open. I keep stopping in to check, but there’s just so much… well anyway.

Have you heard the band fielding? They’re pretty good. Depends on your state of mind, but some people are blown away by them. They’re a talented group. They can be picked up at places like Tower and so forth. Another good band, if you can find them, is the 88. Also the Coldwar Kids are getting a lot of attention. They have a few good cuts.

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this

DOB Go look at more traditional MLB teams (meaning teams that don’t go to the playoffs every year for a decade and a half). This happens on every blog for a team that starts losing. I live in So Cal and go to alot of Angels games (only a Die-Hard Braves fan though) and I occasionally go to their Blogs. It is just as bad if not worse than this one! Everyone on that blog is calling for Stoneman’s head! The guy brought them a WS ring just 4 years ago, not to mention back to back divison titles. Plus they are bashing Mike Sciosia too! The guy won a WS in his 2nd (or was it first?) season. What I’m basically trying to say is, when the team falls flat on their face, the buzzards start circling…

By David O'Brien

June 29, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

Don, thanks for reading. I appreciate it.

By the way, you didn’t insinuate I drank the Kool-Aid. You said it straight out.

But no matter. I was just using it as an example. Some folks act like I’m responsible for getting a message to Schuerholz that he MUST make this trade, or getting one to the players that they MUST be angry or miserable or whatever. I report and analyze what’s happening, or at least that’s what I’m paid to do.

I’m supposed to report the news, not make it.

Oh, and I gave you LaRoche’s road slugging percentage because slugging and OBP are widely viewed as more important than average by a lot of people inside the industry. Just thought it was interesting that he had the highest road slugging percentage on the team. if you think it’s not, cool. He also has a higher road average, more road homers and more road RBIs than Frenchy. A LOT more.

But hey, I love Frenchy as much as you do. Great kid and great talent. Unfortunately for LaRoche, LaRoche has did his best work on the road, while Frenchy has been a superstar at home in front of the home fans, and a pretty unproductive player on the road. Huge disparity in home/road for Frenchy, hitting about .220 on road with five homers and 21 RBIs.

It’s about production, not about fiery demeanor. Fiery guys are great, but not every great player is fiery, and to fake it is stupid. Braves need some fiery guys, but more importantly, they need productive guys.

OK, gonna go watch some of this Mets game and try to get to the gym. Later

By Nelson

June 29, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

David all that you said is right, they still have a chance, the Marlins have done that a couple of time, why not the Braves, but they need an upgrade and overall that clean-up hitter we have, has to take it seriously, I will keep on saying this: He needs to change his approach at home plate according to the situation of the game, he can’t swing the fences at all times, if the coaches and manager do not encourage him to do so, then what Chiper, Smoltz and you said is pure garbage. The bullpen is not the only one to blame and please! if he smiles after taking an strike out in a run scoring situation, FINE HIM! with that money probably we can get another pitcher!

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this

Road slugging percentage??? I just can’t get over that one DOB…. Hey, did you know that Reitsma leads the team in 1 strike groundball outs during day-games when the Braves are playing a NL West team??? I wish you would look closer at the stats…

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 07:41 PM | Link to this

Ok, sorry DOB, that was just a cheap shot… Enjoy the Muts game…

By paluka

June 29, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this

DOB: Was there any truth to the rumors of Betemit to San Diego for Scott Linebrink? If so why hasn’t it happened or will it? I also heard/read another rumor about Scott Thorman going to KC for Joey Gaithwright. I’m not sure I like that deal too much. Thorman looks like he may become a good hitter with some pop and he seems to play a decent 1st base and Gaithwright would have to steal 1st to get on. What do you think?

By Calvin

June 29, 2006 07:48 PM | Link to this

There are a lot of negatives for this team. Why aren’t people talking about the positives? McCann has shown that he can definitely be a stud catcher. Renteria has shown that he is better in the NL instead of the AL. Chuck James has shown(albeit just one start and a handful of relief appearances) that he can pitch effectively. Yes the Braves have gotten inconsistent play from their bullpen. However, complaining about it on blogs and boards won’t do any good except to show the ignorant sides of people who are supposed to be Braves fans. Good day.

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this

That absolutely ridiculously lazy and boneheaded play LaRoche made in the Thomson game a bunch of weeks ago completely soured me on LaRoche. Honest to god, before that play, I liked the guy and would stick up for him. But that was inexcusible and it sent Thomson into a tailspin he has yet to recover from…

By DonCoburleone

June 29, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this

Maybe while Mazzone’s in town he can sit down with Sosa and talk with him for a while. There is no doubt in my mind Mazzone played a HUGE part in Sosa’s success last year. Sosa obviously has trouble keeping the ball down, and if he didn’t last year, Mazzone would just about whip his a*. He needs to be disciplined! And overall, I don’t think you can blame McDowell for the pitching woe’s this year, but to say Mazzone leaving had NOTHING to do with it is just a joke. Name me 3 pitchers on the opening day roster this year that were not on the team for game 4 of the NLDS last year…

By Marc

June 29, 2006 08:19 PM | Link to this

DOB,

How come in your opinion the Braves have failed to draft power arms. The Tigers have Verlander, and Zumaya. The Twins have Santana and Liriano. The Angels have Ervin Santana, The Redsox have Lester and Papelbon. The Cubs have Zambrano, Wood, and Prior, (I know they are injured a lot). The Marlins have Nelasco, and Olson. The Dodgers have Billingsly. The Padres have Peavy. The Phillies have Brett Myers, etc. etc. Don’t you think it is time the Braves change their philosophy. I know James may be good and Horacio is pitching well, but this team needs some power arms. I think the Braves should either trade for power arms if available, or draft power arms. What do you think?

By journalist jimmy smith

June 29, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this

has did? has did? no journalist says, has did. what would the old journalist say? what does journalist bob say? imagine! ” … laroche has did his best work on the road.” jimmy smith has did enough for now … selah.

By Lew

June 29, 2006 08:45 PM | Link to this

DOB-The last show I actually attended was at HOB in Orlando 6 years ago. It was Sinomatic, Econoline Crush and Buck Cherry. Right now about the newest I have is Killers and Trivium. Trivium’s singer sounds like he’s projectile vomiting, but their guitarist is great. Usually I tend to the harder edge of things, but I’ve even been known to mellow out with the likes of Annie Haslam and Renaissance. How’s that for ancient? Also, you likely won’t ever hear me rip on BC or Schuerholz. Wasn’t real happy about Chipper’s aborted stolen base or Andruw’s almost double the other night, though.

By Savannah Guy

June 29, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this

OK David O’Brien, I stand shot and corrected… When I said Smoltz was about to “bolt” I was admittedly exaggerating the point for, well, effect. Just a point that, technically was…well you get the point. Shoulda’ said he could or should be really “wanting” to bolt. I’m not privvy to inside Braves stuff as you are and I don’t need to pretend to be. Just a long time Braves fan with more ideas about what they ought to do than the woulda shoulda coulda Leyritzish Wohlersom Lebrandted hindsight, moaning, ranting and blah blah blahgery you have to wade through.

Anyway, regardless of your shooting the arrow, it did fit the wound. By the way, love your writing and your point of view is solid and enjoyable…and funny. Mean it.

Now, I’d like to see Schilling puts on a clinic tonight…

By Big-Tittied RedHead

June 29, 2006 10:08 PM | Link to this

Excuse me, but what is a Cox?

By Ralph

June 29, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this

To Dave Point I was making about Franceour is that he is one of the many example on what the Braves need to work on, he severely lacks discipline. Hopefully he if he learns discipline he will be a super star someday. Despite of being the leader in both leagues in 2-out RBIs, he strand’s a lot of men on base, that with a fly ball a few more runners could have score and maybe the Braves could have won a few more games, and yes, you can say the same things about other Braves players. I don’t know why Giles, LaRouche, and Langerhans are playing everyday, I don’t why they are still with the Braves. Why isn’t Diaz and Betemit playing everyday, and the biggest mystery of all beside the pitching staff that stinks worse than a skunk, is why is Todd Pratt on the Braves roster, when the Braves have a couple of young catchers in the minor who can out play, out hit and out run Pratt and a lot cheaper. I once said that Bobby Cox doesn’t like change, when he has a line-up that wins a game, next night he’ll have a different one, that won’t do as good. Cox is platoon crazy, what doesn’t make sense is when you’re in the big league and you are a left handed batter you should be able to hit a left hand pitcher, if not go back to the minors and learn how. But even if the Braves blow it this year and it appears that they will, it won’t stop the price of gas from going up, globe warming, wars, the economy from getting out of hand, people in the third world countries from going hungry and little kids dieing from a lack of medication and care. And politicians from making promises they can’t or won’t keep.

By 2 homo boys

June 29, 2006 11:00 PM | Link to this

JS needs to do something to help this bullpen now instead of waiting until july 31 deadline.

By 2 homo boys

June 29, 2006 11:12 PM | Link to this

Long live the homo’s,Homo’s are great.I love being a homo.Braves bullpen needs to come join us,they suck and we do too.

By Todd A

June 29, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this

Why do people keep bringing up Foster when talking about key guys missing from the pen?These same people must not have watched the second half of the season last year.The guy is a gas can,pure and simple.No better or no worse than these gas cans in the pen we have now.So….please cool it with the Foster talk.This guy brings nothing to the table.

By Bob, journalist

June 29, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this

David O’B has did a good job! Better than average by a lot of people inside the industry. Unfortunately for Adam, David seemed to lose his focus there for just a second … maybe the condition is catching.

His wounderful defense of Adam is rumored to have been fashioned by A.J. Calhoun III, grandson of the esteemed one … but, whoever it was, they’s did good by the young man!

Jimmy, “has did” may be acceptable in some circles to succinctly express “he did at one time but does nolonger”. Sam Clemmens couldn’t get away with that but Mark Twain could.

As an aside, Dean George’s daughter might suggest that you remove the comma following no journalist … you has did good too!

By Kentavo

June 29, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this

I have faith that changes or forthcoming for the second half of the season. We’ve already shed Remlinger and put Sosa as closer, so those are internal moves that will make some impact. Cox is going to be forced to try someone else at leadoff, as he’ll have a half-season of a .230 leadoff hitter that you simply can’t argue agains. Don’t know who it will be, but don’t expect to see Giles ride out the year at leadoff. I was hoping he would be Biggio-like, but he ain’t. He’s never going to stop the uppercut approach. Put him down in the order, and he’ll be fine. I don’t know where the offensive sparkplug type player is going to come from, but he’s needed if there is going to be a legitimate turn-around.

Oh yeah, and Reitsma must not ever throw another pitch in a Braves uni.

By Todd A

June 29, 2006 11:56 PM | Link to this

Don,I think that play by LaRoche sent this team into a tailspin.

By Calvin

June 30, 2006 12:00 AM | Link to this

For those that don’t know, Reitsma comes off the DL on Friday. I heard on the Bobby Cox show last night(or two nights ago) that Mr. Cox will work Reitsma back in slowly. He wants to see if Chris can handle non-pressure situations then go from there.

By David O'Brien

June 30, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this

Bob, man I can barely type I’m laughing so hard…no, seriously. This David Spade showbiz show is on Comedy Central right now, but it’s nothing _ NOTHING _ compared to your observational humor. oh, man. the repeated references to “has did.”

dude, seriously, do you think I give a rat’s behind about a grammar mistake on the RESPONSE to a blog post. not the blog post, as allen iverson might say, not the blog post, but a RESPONSE to the blog post. a RESPONSE to the post. something fired off the top of my head literally as i’ve got the mets game blasting in my left ear from a TV a foot away from my desk.

not a story for the paper. not a blog post. but a RESPONSE to a blog post, and you really, seriously think I care if I wrote “has did.” i’m honestly not even going to look to see if I did, or has did, write that. you know why? i don’t care.

see, here’s the dirty little secret. when certain A.R. people feel the need to point out the inconsequential, totally meaningless grammar errors of others in a freakin’ blog, those people are the ones who get excited by quickly playing the gotcha game and firing off a whiny little response about that person’s grammar error, rather than contributing an original thought of their own.

if you’re frustrated or get a rise pointing out how the newspaper reporter wrote “has did,” then maybe you should get a job copy editing or something, i don’t know. althought i should remind you, we don’t bother copy editing these things for a reason.

because it’s a blog. a blog. and you obsessed not over the blog itself, but the BLOG RESPONSE, no. 327 or whatever it was on thise train of oh-so-important responses.

wow. that’s actually kinda frighteing. but hey, we know you’re literate now, Bob. congrats. good work. keep combing the responses and finding errors. they’ll be a prize awarded at the end of the month. the pulitzer for blog-response copy editing.

By David O'Brien

June 30, 2006 12:20 AM | Link to this

waiting…waiting….to see how long it’ll take for Bob the Blog Editor to take the bait on the typos I left in my last post….

By Head Coach

June 30, 2006 12:39 AM | Link to this

Yo Ralph , I’m gonna scream if I have to explain this concept one more time. Go look at every single major league roster and tell me how many veteran backup catchers you will find. On 10 out of 10 teams you willl find one , they are an integral and absolutely neccesity for a baseball team. backup catchers are an unappreciated commodity in baseball and part of the glue that holds teams together. Todd Pratt isnt going anywhere.

By Tomahawkin

June 30, 2006 12:41 AM | Link to this

Life without Reeksma was Great, O… let me take that back…Still Shytti, Shouldn’t he start back in the minors and work his way up…Its not like he didn’t need to go down there anyway…

By Tomahawkin

June 30, 2006 12:44 AM | Link to this

HeadCoach, I like Pratt, and the way he is very animated when a pitcher gets burned by missing location (as with Sosa, and previously Brett Myers after Chipper took him deep last year, he just collapsed and fell down). I’d take him over Paul Bako, or Steve Torrealba anyday…

By Fats Domino

June 30, 2006 12:55 AM | Link to this

DOB

I do agree with much of what you write but how difficult is it to use correct grammar? Even if it’s just for a blog RESPONSE. You are supposed to be a professional writer.

By Bob, journalist

June 30, 2006 01:04 AM | Link to this

David, you may have missed the point … I really enjoyed your post … I seriously thought it was very well done … but didn’t respond to it.

Mine was a response to Jimmy Smith’s earlier “has did” comments/post … if I was laughing, it was at his humor … not a critique of your post. In fact, I think you’ll have a hard time finding any of my posts faulting you in any way … rarely do I point out anyone’s typing, grammarical or spelling errors … except in jest. If we can’t laugh at ourselves, we’re in trouble.

It’s the message … not the words that are important … and yours usually get top marks from me.

I would hope you would think we were laughing with you rather than at.

Regards

By jon

June 30, 2006 01:21 AM | Link to this

DOB…I don’t give a crap if you spell correctly or not. Geez…there is a lot more in the world to worry about than a blog response…you people are too much!

By Bob, journalist

June 30, 2006 01:35 AM | Link to this

David, one last thought … I average more unintentional errors in a day than you do in a month … so I, for one, am forced to laugh at myself in self defense.

One night June, 71 years ago, J.J. Braddock beat Max Baer … few believed he could … maybe the Braves can too … win, that is … it certainly would be a cinderella type finish.

By Bob, journalist

June 30, 2006 02:04 AM | Link to this

David, my apologies to you sir!

It was intended that my “has did” post be directed to Jimmy as a response to his … but I now see that my first reference to him was midway through the post.

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 02:50 AM | Link to this

Gee, Dave the Hack —

If you really weren’t bothered by Bob’s comments, I have to wonder why in the world you would type up a “War and Peace”-length response to them.

Methinks the Hack doth protest too much.

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 02:56 AM | Link to this

And by the way, Dave, you’ve sure got Bob on the run now. Could you turn your a* toward the computer screen, please, so Bob can have an easier time kissing it? He wants to make up real bad.

By ncscoots

June 30, 2006 06:20 AM | Link to this

do folks on the blog thing that JS doesn’t WANT to fix this team??? The tenor of some of the posts suggests that JS is part of some vast conspiracy to shred the team before the last year of his contract! Sheesh…eh can’t just go out and FORCE other GMs to make trades. Those guys can see the Braves’ needs as well as the blog-brilliant, too. Think any of them are trying to hold up JS for the moon, stars, and his suspenders? Or would you rather he decimate the farm system for middle-relief help??? MIDDLE RELIEF!!!! Man, let’s try to close the hole in reality here, they guy is not just sitting on his hands but he won’t be stupid, either.

By Sam

June 30, 2006 08:48 AM | Link to this

Hi Gang, One of the best games I seen in the past 4 to 5 yrs last nite. Glavine vs Schilling. The game was played like a WS or Playoff game. It had everything…..bunt single, stolen base, sac. fly, HRS, great defense plus Coco Crisp made one of the greatest catches I seen. Besides Andruw’s many great catches I will rate this one of my top 3 all time catches. You can see it on Sportscenter or ESPN. I was rooting for the Red Sox because I grew up in Massachusetts. Glavine pitched pretty good but after 5 innings he threw 102 pitches. Great Game and I hope someone saw the game because it was on the Directv and DIsh Network.

By Blake

June 30, 2006 09:10 AM | Link to this

Now for the dumbest idea of the day, but I am going to say it anyway. Take a flyer on Oliver Perez and his barely sub 7 ERA. It is probably better than Cormier for the rest of the year. The Pirates may not be done with him though and I certainly wouldnt trade any real value for him. Dumb idea I know, but we are also 13 under .500

By eware

June 30, 2006 09:44 AM | Link to this

I just want to thank everyone for taking the fun out of this blog! Thanks!

DOB, thanks for the Neil Young rec’s. I bought Harvest and its pretty phenomenal. I’ve got Ragged Glory slated for the next purchase.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 30, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this

journalist bob, you have stepped in it. true, journalist jimmy smith put it down for you to step in … but you seem to be the sole recipient of the ire now being dispensed by the esteemed leader of this worthy blog. journalist jimmy smith supposes it is the cheese. now, apologies to bob for getting bob in trouble. journalist dob skips over jimmy smith posts due to their cerebral nature and, for that reason, you are believed by dob to be the instigator of the “has did” caper. capers can lend piquancy to many sauces and condiments and also will pique the occasional beat writer. dob, ease up man, we all love you. it’s just a blog. losing gets old, huh?

By Robert Braves Fan

June 30, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this

I want to challenge all bloggers to get the word out that true Atlanta Braves fans need to give Leo M. a standing ovation and thank him for 14 wonderful years as our pitching coach. I would like it to really touch him when he comes out of their dugout. We want him to know how much Atlanta Braves fan REALLY care for him. Let’s not let our fan base be compared to orher cities by booing him. We should show him how wuch we care.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 30, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

did bob sell out jimmy smith? did journalist bob point an accusing finger (the one he types with) at journalist jimmy smith just to remain in favor with dob? let us hope not. it seemed that bob was giving jimmy smith up to the ss -“mary’s upstairs in the attic.” still, journalist bob is esteemed by jimmy smith and jimmy smith forgives bob. in this time of team distress dob has a short fuse. what he receives from the current blog community is mild. does he not remember the jackazzz? and where is the sja? he is missed. now, baseball … what will be the reception for leo mazzone tonight? will he be cheered? revered? or beer’d? this remains to be seen. now, a nobody … it is best to keep a distance from the jimmy smith post today but what can you tell us of nice carolina lady? jimmy smith wishes for her a speedy recovery.

By Todd A

June 30, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this

Jeez,people “ranting” and “venting” about the Braves’ bad season on a blog about-you guessed it,the Atlanta Braves.What a novel concept.

By Glass Half Full

June 30, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

I think Leo will receive a “warm” reception. After all, many stupid fans believe he will come back and fix our pitching woes. Has anyone seen that Baltimore staff? Dios mio!

By David O'Brien

June 30, 2006 10:47 AM | Link to this

eware, glad you did Harvest. You’ll like Harvest Moon and Prairie Wind just as much, if you like Harvest. Although no song can match “Heart of Gold,” a couple from Prairie Wind come close. Seriously.

Bob, I was sleep-deprived and cranky last night. Didn’t mean to snap quite so strongly.

Fats Domino … if I’m supposed to be a professional writer, you’re supposed to be professional musician. So leave the blogging to us. Please.

Chopthis…whatever. Yours have become tiresome posts.

By Todd A

June 30, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

I hope Leo gets a “Julio” type reception.

By Glass Half Full

June 30, 2006 10:50 AM | Link to this

And Baltimore’s staff has been made better by the addition of…Russ Ortiz.

By BO

June 30, 2006 10:52 AM | Link to this

DOB I love your reports but the one to BOB feels like 8th grade, frankly.

By David O'Brien

June 30, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this

Chopthis, for instance: Last night you said Smoltz is the only one who cares, that the other Braves are just counting their money.

I wish you could be in the clubhouse to see these guys who use accuse of not caring. Francoeur and McCann looked like they’d just lost a loved one after the game Sunday. Seriously, they were that upset. You have no clue, so stop accusing guys of not caring and stick to what you can comment about with some knowledge, rather than flinging false accusations.

By Glass Half Full

June 30, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this

I enjoy all the speculation on ESPN and Fox Sports about Glavine returning to the Braves next season after the Mets voluntarily let him go…as if we could afford him given Hampton’s ‘07 salary.

By David O'Brien

June 30, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this

Meant to say Wednesday, not Sunday. Getaway day games always feel like Sunday….

And by the way, Edgar, Chipper, LaRoche … all of them have looked devasated in the postgame clubhouse during June. The losing’s killing them.

BO, I already used the 8th grade line. At least come up with your own grade.

By Yelling Last Night

June 30, 2006 10:59 AM | Link to this

Thought I could change my blog name after Braves won the series from the D-Rays, but after that blown game I must remain as is.

For all the Braves players and the fans that still believe the Braves have a chance to get into the playoffs, remember these words of wisdom….HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY.

JS has really done a disservice to the team and the fans for his failure to construct a pitching staff that can actually pitch. For all the good things JS has done over the years he’s wasted them with this years(and really last years as well) bullpen roster. Why couldn’t we have signed one of the closers that were there to be had…because we weren’t willing to pay some cash? Why are we stuck with retreads and AA talent, because we didn’t want to pay some cash for actual major league talent? If the Braves really want to have a chance and not just play on HOPE then JS better do something now to get this Bullpen right. Maybe Bobby needs to just bite the bullet and let the young kids be his 8th & 9th guys, Stockman and Yates. At least they are big and throw hard. How could they be worse than what we’ve been trotting out there?

I can almost (almost but not really) accept the fact the this team is not fundamentally sound offensively. Consistently failing to get runners to 3rd and failing to get runners home when they are @ 3rd with one out. Consistently swinging at first pitches with runners in scoring position. (It seems that only McCann goes to the plate with an idea of how to do situational hitting). We used to get away with that when we had great pitching, but when you have NO bullpen then you can’t win those 3-2, 2-1 games, even with great starting pitching.

Oh, well…. DOB, I applaud you if you read all these posts. I myself can only get through about 1/3rd of them. I figure that most everybody is posting just so they can get their thoughts out and vent a little. If you, DOB, actually go through it all and respond to some occasional good post then I applaud you.

By Glass Half Full

June 30, 2006 11:00 AM | Link to this

A 7-3 homestand is possible. Baltimore and St. Louis are struggling lately especially their pitchers. The Reds, however, are an enigma. Wouldn’t surprise me if they actually win the division.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 30, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

see, bob, all is well. harmony has been restored. still, “has did” will not play well with the people at wurlitzer. let’s hope they are not reading. and where is hk with a graph of this episode? hk can have some fun with this one. hk, seriously, isn’t it time to graph what is happening to smoltz’ win-loss record with all these blown saves? he is being deprived of w’s needed for hof consideration. sad, but he is the one taking one for the team - not chipper. now, dan kolb … jimmy smith picked this up off the wire … “dan kolb was charged with all five of the cubs’ eighth inning runs.” not a set-up man either, it appears.

By Glass Half Full

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

Just read a hilarious article from the Chicago Sun-Times…the writer was concerned that the White Sox might have to give up alot to acquire a reliever “with a proven track record of durability,” namely Oscar Villareal.

By Dave

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

Last time on this blog (please, hold the applause!!).

As noted by several of my fellow bloggers, it takes TWO to tango!! JS IS trying to make the trades to help this team for this season, but NOT at the expense of the future. I mean, seriously, would any of you trade McCann and Davies for ANY reliever/closer currently available?? If so, I strongly recommend that you do not quit your current job, as you would clearly not make it as a baseball GM!

As for the comment about Todd Pratt being with the team, I AGREE that he should not be with the team at this point of the season. Bring up one of the young catchers and let him get that major league experience.

However, when spring training ended, I also agreed that keeping Todd Pratt made an immense amount of sense. He was a solid backup catcher (ala Eddie Perez), and the young catchers needed to play regularly at Richmond to stay sharp. Pratt’s salary is not that great, so the money aspect is not really an issue.

FINAL comment on Coco Crisp’s catch last night: A truly outstanding catch! However, Andruw makes a catch like that at least once a month, as any Braves fan from the past ten years will tell you. Some people just don’t understand or recognize greatness when they see it. However, JS does not have that problem, which is why Andruw will still be a Brave at the end of this season.

By Glass Half Full

June 30, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this

Speaking of hilarious newspaper articles: the sportswriter for the Albany Herald suggested that the Braves trade McCann because Salty was ready…does this guy do any research or does he just start typing?

By Bo

June 30, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this

DOB thats why I used your line. Because it was yours. GO get some sleep and don’t take everything so personal. Keep up the good Braves reports.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 30, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this

more from the wire - the newsroom is jumping today. hanshin’s chris oxspring (4-0) allowed a run in six innings, while wes obermueller (1-5) gave up four in 3-1/3 innings for the orix buffaloes at the osaka dome. the braves must now try for turnbow. the set will be complete.

By Rowland

June 30, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this

The one thing that’s baffled me is why Salty is still with the organization. We have a catcher, and up to three first basemen. I don’t see how he fits in, but I do see how (like Marte) he can help us fill other needs. Is he being shopped? I can’t believe three bad months in Mississippi have doomed his value.

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

Almost nobody responded to my earlier blog: DOB especially, I want to hear from you: OVER/UNDER 75 WINS THIS YEAR ?? THIS GOES TO EVERYBODY!

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this

COLD HARD FACT: CHRIS REITSMA MAKES MORE THAN ANY 3 BULLPEN PITCHERS ON THIS TEAM. (ACTUALLY 4 SINCE REMMY IS NOW GONE). HE KEPT GETTING TROTTED OUT THERE BECAUSE THE BRAVES WERE ECONOMICALLY FORCED TO DO IT, AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO BE TROTTED OUT THERE AS LONG AS HE IS A BRAVE AND IS MAKING CLOSE TO $3MILLION! DOWN WITH REEKSMA!!!

By flbravesgirl

June 30, 2006 12:12 PM | Link to this

What planet is that Albany writer visiting from?! Salty has not shown that he’s ready. Even if he was hitting better, he is apparently not as good a defensive catcher as McCann. I guess the gentleman from Albany is not impressed by All-Star worthy play or potential batting titles. I like keeping the homegrown kids whenever possible but trading Salty would be OK with me because I want McCann to be our catcher for a loooong time. Glass half full, I agree, that is definitely one of the craziest things written about the Braves.

By paluka

June 30, 2006 12:19 PM | Link to this

Does anyone have any hot trade rumors or ideas. I was thinking about sendind Salty to Tampa for Carl Crawford but I guess thats a little too late beings as though Tampa just aquired Dioner Navarro from LA.How about Giles to Toronto for Shea Hillenbrand, play him at third and put Chipper at first?

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

Oh yeah…. “I’M CHUCK JAMES BIIAATCH!!

By Don

June 30, 2006 12:42 PM | Link to this

I say under on the 75 wins. My guess is 72. As Charles Barkley once said when asked why his 76ers lost a game, “Bad team, man…..bad f*&$ing team”.

There is another Don who posted on this thread. I’m the one who posted about the Braves having to play .670 baseball to get to 88 wins. I don’t agree with the other Don’s sentiments about Schuerholz and Cox. I am fans of both and don’t blame them for this year. They’ve been pulling rabbits out of the hat for the last several years; the combination of the constraints of an $80 million payroll, injuries and a couple of underperformers among the high salaried players (Hudson and Chipper) are at fault. I don’t see any bullpen help that has been available at a reasonable price. Everybody is looking for bullpen help. And I don’t blame Cox for how he’s handled the bullpen. It doesn’t matter who he sends out there or in what order. They all stink, with the exception of Ray (which almost certainly won’t last given his history as a career minor leaguer) and McBride as a specialist to pitch to lefties.

To DOB, I think you’re taking stuff too personally. Ignore the idiots who yap about how the players don’t care. They care, the problem is they’re not the 1927 Yankees which is what would be required to win with the current bullpen.

I still think it’s time to look to 2007 and beyond. Make most of the high salaried players available FOR THE RIGHT DEAL involving promising young talent. I’m not saying dump them for nothing.

When I look at the Braves I don’t see a team that is close or has just had a run of bad luck. I see holes at first, second and in left field, a rapidly aging third baseman, questionable starting pitching and one of the worst bullpens ever. They remind me of the 1965 Yankees when everybody got old at once after winning 9 AL pennants in 10 years and several World Series. But the Braves have some young pieces to rebuild around and I think they need to get on with it.

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this

Giles IMO will absolutely be traded to someone… I just hope we get bullpen help in return. I have not heard any real trade scenarios yet, but seriously, I would not be against Smoltz to the Tigers for, say, their best pitching prospect and a good 2nd base prospect with speed. It may not sound like much, but I’m talking about a potential No.1 starter for years to come and a solid leadoff guy for years to come. Plus, honestly, I think the Braves owe John Smoltz the opportunity to play in his home town and possibly go back to a World Series… Of course, this is just talk, and if Smoltz wants to remain a Brave no one can make him do otherwise. But Smoltz is by far our best trade bait…

By paluka

June 30, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

I agree that Smoltz is the best bait the Braves have, but I think it would be a bad move to trade him. He should retire a Brave! I think they should think about trading Tim Hudson. He makes decent money but not too much for someone to take. The Red Sox may be interested and I think the Brave would have to at least get John Lester back in return with Kevin Youkalis (doubtful) or Coco Crisp, even if Atlanta would have to include Langerhans. I would also thin the Yankees would be interested but they have no players who would fit except maybe Robinson Cano and Scott Proctor. I’m not even sure who would be interested in Giles.

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this

Hey, “Has-Did Kid” (You can use this as your new, catchy nom-de-plume, Dave the Hack, no charge!) —

You make the mistake of equating sitting around the clubhouse crying like a little girl after a loss with being a team player. If that’s the way these Braves respond to adversity, then things are even worse than I thought.

It’s true, I’m not in the clubhouse; you are. So I’m depending on you to convey the spirit of this team to me. After Wednesday’s loss, Smoltz seemed to be the only one (only one quoted, anyway) with enough team spirit to challenge the others to find a way to get things done. He seemed to be the only one trying to light a fire under his teammates rather than sit and look devastated for the gullible reporters. He seemed, in other words, to be the only true leader on this team. If there are others on the team with any guts, put it in the paper, Dave, so we’ll know it, and I can be less tiresome and better informed.

See, my ignorance springs from your lack of talent, Dave. Please try to do better for my sake; I’ve seen the keyboard and the damage done.

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this

This team is not that old - its just that the bullpen is like an anchor that is drowning the team…

By DonCoburleone

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

Screw trading with the Yankees… i don’t want anything they have… the Hudson to Red Sox deal is interesting - I love Coco Crisp, I think he is about as good a lead-off man we’re gonna get this year. But, if we are trading Hudson, trade him to the Dodgers or Padres (if the Padres will fork up the cash to get him). They have much better prospects to go after than the Red Sox…

By Harry Doyle

June 30, 2006 01:27 PM | Link to this

DOB

Any person that’s a true fan of the game of baseball and of the Braves has to appreciate the insight you provide into what’s really happening with this team that so many of us care so much about. The majority of people do just enough to get by and don’t really care about their work. Your passion and the extra time you put in for the fans and for this blog is sincerely appreciated by real Braves fans and fans of the game. For those of us who do fit into that description, please don’t let the “others” ruin it. Those same people who would like to see Bobby Cox fired.

I still contend that for this season to turn around and end respectably, it’s going to have to happen from within. You can’t expect to add pieces to a losing team and then they all the sudden just play better. The same guys who have always carried this team will have to get us going again. Which leads to my question. Is everything ok with Chipper? I don’t mean with his play, because I think he’s hitting really well right now and his fielding is good too. I mean more with his teammates or other off the field things. I remember when he was always the first guy to greet a teammate after a big hit or a big play, and he always seemed to really be an on the field leader. A couple times recently someone got a big HR or something and he’s sitting on the bench while the rest of the team is up celebrating and congratulating the guy. He’s always talked to the pitchers, smiled and enjoyed the game more. Is it just simply that the losing is killing the guy, or am I not able to see enough and he is still the same guy? Have you seen anything else going on with him that’s changed his approach to this team? I guess I keep waiting for Chipper to step up again, pick his teammates up and flip this season around.

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this

See, Dave the Hack?

Harry has lots of questions here for you that you’ve had all season to address, yet he has no answers. Are you sure you’re as good as Harry here thinks you are?

By Harry Doyle

June 30, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

chopthis

I had one question for him, and I’m pretty sure DOB knows how much he’s appreciated by the people who matter to him. I think my real question is what are you doing here? Nevermind, let me ask you an easy question that I am curious to know your thoughts on. Do you think the Braves should fire Bobby Cox?

By Rowland

June 30, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this

I can’t recall the last time a Braves player publicly criticized one of the coaches, but this was in an AP story this morning about the upcoming Baltimore series and Leo’s return:

Braves third baseman Chipper Jones says the pitchers’ post-Mazzone approach is less effective.

Without Mazzone to point the way, Jones says Braves pitchers are throwing inside too often. Jones says that is a big reason the Braves have given up 92 homers, tied for the fifth-highest total in the NL.

“Not to bring back the ghost of Leo Mazzone, but the one thing I always agreed with Leo about and the one thing that Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz did better than anybody during the ’90s was they owned the outside corner,” Jones said. “They used the pitch inside to set up the down-and-away strike. And I think that’s what we need to get back to.”

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

Here we go… with the Dodgers: Hudson for Johnathon Broxton and Tony Abreu (2b in AA for the Dodgers - good speed and OBP, low strikeout total). There’s our leadoff guy of the future and Broxton will be a very solid closer for years to come…

By ernesto

June 30, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this

Let’s say everyone who has written of this season is right. After all, if stories like the ‘69 Mets or last year’s Astros weren’t rare they wouldn’t be news. But even if this year is a wash, why would you start unloading talent for prospects? This isn’t a bad team. It’s a team that, even if it finishes last this year, could challenge next year. The bullpen is less reliable than a ‘67 Pinto, and we need a lead off guy, but fixing those things doesnt’ mean starting over. As far as our big contract guys go, we’re on the happy side of reasonable considering what less talented guys are getting on the market.

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

Harry —

The knee-jerk, fair-weather Braves fans and the player apologists are the only ones stupid enough to be calling for Cox’s head. And they’ll be the first ones hailing him again as a genius and a hall-of-famer next year after this little chop of horrors we call 2006 is done.

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 02:11 PM | Link to this

Rowland, could you set up a link to that article…. I said this same exact thing no more than a week ago. Mazzone had a philosophy and forced his pitchers to adhere to it… McDowell just lets ‘em pitch however they want and it shows. There is no way anyone here can convince me that last year by Sosa was ALL LUCK, it was more like ALL MAZZONE. You don’t win 13 games on nothing but luck… Good for Chipper, I’m glad someone on the team finally pointed that out rather than just sticking to the same Bull Snot about how Mazzone leaving has nothing to do with the pitching woes this year… This is what the Braves get for basically bad-mouthing Leo when he left…

By Harry Doyle

June 30, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

chopthis

I completely agree. If it wasn’t for Bobby Cox, this blog would look more like the Hawks blog, if they even have one. One more question then. You ever read one of Guy’s blogs when DOB is off?

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this

Can’t wait to see if Chuck James can keep things going tonight… I’m definately excited about him. *Chuck James B***!”

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

Harry —

Please don’t try to pull me into a “this reporter is better than that reporter” debate. I’m just encouraging Dave the Hack to challenge himself to do better, just like these Braves should be encouraging and challenging each other, even to the point of kicking a few underachieving tails, if that’s what it takes.

Bobby Cox can’t do all the motivational work. The players have to police themselves as well.

If you need me to throw a bone to your hero, then here goes: Excellent lead on your Wednesday game story, Dave!

Please tell me a copy editor didn’t write it for you.

By David O'Brien

June 30, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

Don, Bo, thanks for the good posts. I appreciate it and everyone else does.

Chopthis, you’ve replaced SJA (rendered irrelevent with recent incoherent posts) as the least informative and least imaginative pest of the posts. Congrats.

I should remind you, however, that within the industry we use “hack” as a term of endearment for each other, like ballplayers calling each other dirtball players or grinders or whatever. I’ve called myself that here several times. So, thanks for that part of your otherwise forgettable missives.

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this

Smoltz to the Tigers for Zumaya and a speedy prospect…

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

You’ll have to excuse Dave the Hack for his rudeness, folks. You see, he just got back from New York, where he found lots of great alt rock CDs, but unfortunately, he also found a pressbox filled with true big-city baseball writers he can’t hope to equal. Made him feel so inadequate he’s even referencing Dorothy Parker to you good ol’ boys.

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

DOB did you mean me when you said Don and Bo??

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

Don’s licking at your feet for approval, Dave. Don’t make him suffer any more — answer him!

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this

DOB, I was wondering, when did you start covering the Braves?

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

Chopthis you’re right… DOB, Please tell me it was me!!!

By Boomer

June 30, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

Everyone keeps blaming the bullpen, the starting pitching, and Bobby Cox for the losses. I see it as the offense (or lack of it) that is killing the Braves. We erupted for 5 runs the other day against the Yankees. When was the last time we scored 5 runs in a game before that? A little bit of offense would take the pressure off of the young pitchers. They would not have to be perfect as they have to be with say a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 8th. How can we score 3 runs in 12 innings against Yankee pitchers that have ERA’s over 4.00 and blame it on our pitchers when we lose 4-3?

By Bammer

June 30, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this

Don and chopthis, would you please take your male crushes on DOB to a suitable chat room so we can get back to baseball? Thanks.

By Dave

June 30, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

I will not comment on McDowell, though my initial impressions cannot be favorable given the results.

However, fair is fair: Mazzone had a LOT more to work with the first dozen years and even the past two years than McDowell has had this year.

Let’s face some facts: Stockman, Ray, Barry, Yates and Paronto probably should not be in the major league club (I think the term that applies to them is AAAA pitchers - guys with good minor league stats but still need some seasoning at the MLB level before putting them in pressure situations). They would NOT be in the bullpen if Devine, Boyer, Reitsma, Davies and Foster were not injured.

From 1990 to 2003, the starting pitching was anchored by Glavine and Smoltz, and Maddux joined the club in 1993 and won THREE Cy Young Awards from 1993-1995. The Braves have also had Steve Avery, Denny Neagle (when he was good), Jason Schmidt, Kevin Millwood, Jason Marquis (though he never listened to Mazzone) and Paul Byrd. With those kind of thoroughbreds on the pitching staff, I would be a great pitching coach (and the last baseball I played was in high school JV).

I will make a suggestion that I think bears consideration: Mazzone did wonders with the staff when they were still relatively young (1990 - 1992), but when Greg Maddux came on board, he effectively served as a second (and probably BETTER) pitching coach. Kevin Millwood has as much as admitted that Greg Maddux taught him how to pitch at the big-league level. You will note that the Braves pitching started to really take a nose dive the year after we let Maddux go back to the Cubs.

We do not really NEED another starting pitcher, but I for one would welcome Greg Maddux back into the fold with OPEN ARMS if the Cubs would be willing to let him go and we could sign him to a 2-year extension. His guidance and professionalism would go a LONG way in settling down this relatively young and VERY inexperienced pitching staff.

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

For God’s sake, Dave, look at this poor man! Have a heart and give him the validation he so desperately needs! Tell him he’s the Don!!

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this

“I’m Chuck James Biatch!!!”

By Head Coach

June 30, 2006 03:00 PM | Link to this

Hey Dave , when you let Pratt go and McCann or Pena get hurt are you gonna audition for the backup catcher position ? Pratt makes 850,000 , I guess thats going to break the Braves. Yea , they better let him go , he’s overpaid. Hell , go ahead and release all the overpaid veterans and eat the contracts , lol.

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this

I never said McDowell was good or bad. I simply said that for everyone in the organization to kind of just snub Mazzone and give him relatively little credit when he left was just plain wrong. Even Smoltz basically said we are fine without him, that shocked me. I mean, of course the Braves are not gonna say “well, now mazzone’s gone, there goes our good pitching staff with it. We may as well quit on the season.” But they could have at least said “Yeah it is going to be really tough to replace Mazzone, but hopefully his legacy and philosophy to pitching will be kept alive here in Atlanta and we can continue our great pitching tradition without him.” Some kind of credit…

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

What the f*******, Chuck?

By Lew

June 30, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this

I don’t have any trade reccommendations, but it seems to me that a package including Hudson and Giles might be productive for the returns. I think that Hampton will be back to full form next season (and ready to justify the huge salary) and Ramirez, James and Davies could form a formidable core in the coming years. Smoltz will be back to ancjor the staff. Hudson is expendable (and inconsistent) and could appeal to a contender making a run. I have always really liked Giles, but his salary next year and free agency the year after make him expendable, also. We have Betemit and some kids in the minors who will fill in nicely at 2nd. I think Salty should be shopped, too. McCann is turning into an all star caliber player and Bryan Pena needs a shot as well. We are solid at catcher. These would be my guesses for players being shopped.

By Dave

June 30, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

Head CoacH:

There’s still Penyan (not Tony Pena, Bryan Penyan), plus Salty is available (though he’s not hitting worth a lick). In a real emergency, even Eddie Perez could be activated (though he probably could not throw anyone out).

The Braves minor league system is STOCKED with catching, just like they are stocked with young SHORTSTOP prospects.

By David O'Brien

June 30, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this

Chopthis, you don’t EVER need to throw me a bone, trust me.

As for the lead, see, that’s my job, to compose stories for the paper with all the time I can use before deadline. To try to write catchy leads, to make sure there are no grammar errors, and if there are, then it’s copy editor’s job to try to catch them.

Now, on the blog, all that’s out the door. It’s a blog. It’s thoughts off top of your head, not much emphasis on style and not much concern if there’s a typo or two, because all we’re doing is conversing. That’s also why I’m not careful with snytax and tenses here, like I am in the actual paper.

It’s conversing, and I converse a lot differently than I write. I cuss, I use slang, etc, when I talk to people generally. So in the blog, I like to keep it casual and conversational. If you want someone to “challenge themselves” then you need to go look for blogs where the writer is paid to write the blog. At the paper, our job is to write for the paper. The blog is simply an addtional tool we use, and as I’ve said several times, our initial iinstructions were to not spend more than 10 minutes on a post. I spend more than that, but not enough for you, obviously. And I’m not going to “challenge myself” as you want me to in the blog, because my actual job writing stories for the paper, crunching stats and standing around waiting for interviews and covering games requires 10-11 hours on average per day.

I’m not going to “challenge myself” here, in addition to that. Do you understand what I’m saying. Not being a smarta**, just trying to let you understand so you’ll please come at this from a different angle, because you’re totally off-base in what you’re expecting here. It’s not going to happen here.

Notice that several other unnamed bloggers, when they blog, don’t answer a SINGLE QUESTION from you guys. You notice that? Because we’re not paid to, see.

You need to grasp that. You don’t pay a penny for this blog. I’m not paid a penny additionally to write it. I get the same salary I made before we started blogging.

So stop pointing out grammar errors, because no one cares. Not bosses, not me, not the vast majority of bloggers. If you want to be challenged intellectuelly, go read a good book.

Try to chill and come back to reality in terms of what the blog is.

By David O'Brien

June 30, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

chopthis, just saw your bitter little whiny post about being in NY with “true big-city writers’ or whatever rube language you used.

you sould like you’re from Yeehaw Junction, Fla, when you write something like that, you know?

yeah, that prose you read in the NY Post and Daily News … can’t compete with that stylish writing….

wow … good one. You’d tell all of them they need to “challenge themselves” after reading some of that garbage.

how do you “challenge yourself” in your chosen profession, by the way, since you obviously have time to spend half the day critiquing a freakin’ blog? must be an important position you’re holding down.

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this

DOB You gonna be writing any new articles today?

By krath

June 30, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

Doesn’t matter if you agree with DOB or not, the points he made in his last post are all valid. Don’t have to be very bright to notice that he IS the only writer who gets involved in the blog after he posts the “talking (or thinking) point.”

I appreciate that. Gives me a more “he’s in the trenches with the peons” rather than just throwing a bone out to the peons and watching them fight over it like the other writers at AJC are doing. He’s a brave soul to do that…. he may not be too bright by getting involved in the fray… but a brave soul none the less.

You don’t have to agree with what DOB says in this blog, but you have to give him credit for being here!

By Dave

June 30, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this

DOB:

Good points about the blogging. However, since you are on the wire, let’s ask a question, which you of course are under NO obligation to answer.

Whom do YOU think the Braves will trade to get the help they need??

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

But DOB, Chopthis has the highest blog slugging percentage on the team…

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

Has Cox started calling Chuck James “Chucky” yet?

By krath

June 30, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this

Before I was sidetracked by the DOB post a bit earlier, I was going to comment that being a Braves fan this year is kinda like getting out of a relationship or a breakup.

At first the mad curiosity of wondering what she’s doing or what she’s up to. (Who are we gonna trade for? Damn we have to make a deal!) Then in time, things change. You realize that maybe you aren’t as interested as you once were.(Wonder if we’ll make a deal? Oh well, think I’ll read Google News instead of scanning all the baseball media for trade rumors)

Maybe being a good GM is more than being able to field a winning team. Maybe being a good GM is the ability to create enough excitement to keep the fans interested and hopefull even when you stink.

Frankly, JS is putting me to sleep.

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this

Boy, Dave, you really get off the beam when you get irritated. If you’ll recall, this all started with your rather puzzling point that I don’t truly know what’s going on with the team you’re paid to cover and bring to me. If I don’t have all the facts, whose fault is that? It had nothing to do with grammar or how you like to be one of the guys by slumming with us on this blog.

Oh — if you’re talking about my little “Has-Did Kid” byline comment, I’m sorry. I figured you’d been desensitized enough by the half-dozen or so bloggers who mentioned it before me that you’d be able to take a joke. Obviously not.

By By Billy the Blogger (TBFNB)

June 30, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this

Man DOB fired up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By brewdawg

June 30, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Without sounding like too much of a kiss-a** here, I’ve got to say it’s pretty cool that you apparently go back and read just about everybody’s post.

As for the series starting tonight, I’m very interested in seeing Chuck James encore performance. However, I think more important is Hudson’s start tomorrow. He will be the key to how the rest of this year goes. If he can pitch like he’s capable over the second half of the year, I honestly think we can get back into these races- at least to make it interesting.

I know, the eternal optimist strikes again, but what else is there to root on? A high draft pick? Thanks but I’ll continue to trust Brave scouts to find gems in later picks and I’ll continue to hope and believe we can turn this completely around. Let’s get it started tonight Chuck.

By David O'Brien

June 30, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I do get off the beam, and you like pushing my buttons, and I like responding. So keep it up. You never did answer my question about challenging yourself at your profession, since you feel so compelled to have me challenge myself at mine.

And no, I didn’t see that “byline” of “Has-Did Kid.” I only skipped to yours today, because wanted to read your witty banter. no one else has annoyed me quite so that i felt the desire to keep reading how far they’d take it.

OH, and for those of you who might not understand what a slugging percentage is or the important that scouts and teams place upon it, well, sorry, we’re not going to be able to get into the rudimentary explanations of OBP and slugging here. Look it up. Or just trust us, it’s important.

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Dave,

You’re right. It’s only fair you shold know. I’m a pimp. Me and my b*** don’t go to work for hours yet.

You gotta admit that was a good line from Don about blog slugging percentage. Give the man his props.

By elbravo x

June 30, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this

I visit this site 2-3 times daily expecting a trade, any trade. Not a call up, but a trade!All I get is intteletoual backtalk ;) The Braves’ second half starts tonite!

By elbravo x

June 30, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this

sorry, it is intellectal.

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this

Intteletoual?

Now THERE’S a typo, Dave!

By chopthis

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

Nope, Elbravo. Still not right. Would you like to try again?

By elbravo x

June 30, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this

Gosh, inntelectual.

By hk

June 30, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

jimmy,

… can tell, you are in very good spirits today …

… hmmm, let’s see …. no, I think a chart of the recent jimmy/dob/bob triangle would be far too ‘graphic’ for this blog … I read somewhere in the AJC blog rules and regs to avoid excessively ‘graphic’ material :)) … have enjoyed the exchange though, wholesome good fun all the way around ..

… on era’s and such, I have been plotting some during the games, along with team batting averages …

click here

… on May 3, for about ten minutes, the Braves lead the league in batting average (.276)… since then, as can be seen (red line), a gradual but steady decline to the present .261 (9th in the league)..

… the other chart shows reliever era … quite volatile, reached a league high of 5.36, now down to 5.06, lowest it’s been in a long time … starters rising steadily, reached a high of 4.85, back down to 4.70 as we speak … overall era as low as 4.25 early on, peaked at 4.86, now down to 4.65 (9th) …

… aren’t you glad you asked ???

By elbravo x

June 30, 2006 04:33 PM | Link to this

Looked it up, it is entelectual!

By chopthis

June 30, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Elbravo, just a guess, but I’ll bet you don’t fare too well at “Wheel of Fortune,” do you?

By elbravo x

June 30, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this

I am to dumb for this blog. Even the dictionary is infected with my stupidity. Play ball!!

By elbravo x

June 30, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this

chopthis, what is a wheel of fortune? Can we add it to the forty men roster?

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

Braves win tonight, 6-3.

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this

Now, come on DOB, I know slugging percentage is important, but to use the highest road slugging percentage on the team as your primary reason for keeping Laroche is pretty weak. If that is so damn important to everyone in baseball, then we should be able to get good value for him in a trade. Also, there is no way you can’t tell me that completely boneheaded play he made a number of weeks ago didn’t have a negative effect on the entire team, let alone Thomson…

By DonCoburleone

June 30, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this

Also, I’ll throw your argument right out the window with this little stat: I know that most people in baseball consider WHIP a pretty important stat also. Now try and guess who of the Braves pitchers has the best WHIP at home this year??? You guessed it, CHRIS REITSMA. Damn, he should be in the all star game this year then shouldn’t he?

By 2 homo boys

June 30, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

My boyfriend and I are gay but we love baseball and the Braves,we just wish that JS would stop farting around and make some changes,we need a leadoff hitter desperately and we also need to trade Salty for Dontrelle Willis,,It is also time for JS to step down and give full control of the Braves to Frank Wren. Go Braves,Lets hear it for the Homo’s,We are proud,yea for Homos.

By 2 homo boys

June 30, 2006 06:23 PM | Link to this

Carl Crawford would be a good leadoff hitter for us.

To all our fellow homo’s,lets show our homo pride and bombard the Ted and still show our support even though we are losing,us homo’s know what it feels like to have no support,lets band together. Homo’s rule,Lets make a homo our next president and insted of a first lady we could have a first man,that would be great,Yea for homos all over the world.It is great being a homo,yea Homos,YEA HOMO’S,YEA HOMOS,YEA HOMO’S,YEA HOMO’S.

By Head Coach

June 30, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this

Good point Lew. James , Davies and Ramirez are the building blocks of a solid rotation and with Smoltz and Hampton as the veterans the rotation could be really solid next season. Hudson could be trade bait for a closer along with Thomson. Dave , you my wife and a tree stump are hard to argue with. All I have to add is this : The next thirty one days leading up to the trading deadline are going to be very , very , very interesting.

By Bobbymahlon

July 1, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Now that Sports Illustated is faulting Francoeur I feel better as I have been complaining about his pitch selection all season long. He stopped swinging at pitches in the dirt for a game or two but last night struck out twice on low pitches that were not strikes. It is frustrating watching a player with all that talent swinging away at what would be balls and hurting the team and himself. It’s no wonder that his batting average and on base percentage is so low. Bobby ought to set him down a game or two untils he quits it.

By dman

July 1, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

Either the average age of the writers is under 20, or we have bad memories. Anyone saying this is the worst team in baseball history was not watching the 86-90 seasons. I feel that the team will at least contend for the wild-card, if not 1st place even if we don’t make any more trades. Remember this is a team which won 20 out of 25 before this cold spell. Also, the “Mets” will not run away with the devision. If the mets win the devision it will be by less than 5 games. remember the mets strenght(their starting pitching) is old and there hitting has been struggling. Even though the mets have a big lead now, better teams have lost just as big leads. I know that the team needs help in the bull-pen, but what NL team doesn’t. Don’t count the team out until the middle of August. Remember, in 1981, the braves lost 20 of 25 and still one the devision, with better teams to compete with. Lastly, the last people that should talk about people crying are mets fans. These are the same fans that want to change their team after 5 games every year. Also mets fans, when was the last time the mets beat the braves in a full season(finished higher in the same devision in the same year?) The answer is NEVER.

By 2 homo boys

July 4, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this

Does anyone out there know of any gay bars or gay hangouts that my boyfriend and i could go to today july 4th for a good old fshion homo 4th party and be able to watch the Braves game.we don’t want to miss the game,we love the Braves and want to watch as much as possible,i believe they are on turner south tonight,we just recently moved to atlanta area and haven’t found all the gay night spots