AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > August > 09 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USHot day at the ballyard … where’s everybody?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Did they have the wrong starting time on tickets today? Hello, anybody here?
While it’s not anywhere near Dolphins Stadium-small, the throng on hand here at Turner Field today isn’t exactly shoe-horned in. Whatever the actual attendance is announced, there’s perhaps 15,000 in their seats at the start of the second inning.
But hey, with the heat and school starting or open-houses or whatever it is they’re doing today (I saw lots of cars in the lot at the high school by my house, so they’re doing something), it’s not too surprising.
I think if I had a choice, I’d probably be sitting at home in the air conditioning, working on a Montecristo and a pot of coffee, listening to Skip and Pete (or Don or Joe or Chip) on the radio.
But anyway…
OK, quick rundown before I get to my other newspaper duties. I swear I’ll keep it brief today, which I’m sure plenty of you will be thankful for, the ones who don’t much appreciate my epic posts.
The news: Lance Cormier won’t start Saturday, but he’ll start Tuesday. Saturday’s starter almost certainly will be Kevin Barry.
How to put this without sounding cynical or sarcastic … Umm, if the Braves could line up the ideal rotation that gives them the best chance to make a late run at this wild card, said rotation would include neither Cormier nor Barry.
There, that was tastefully done.
OK, on to Chipper. “The Kid,” as he once referred to himself (forever gaining my admiration and respect; you guys haven’t lived until you’ve heard Chipper Jones, in that country drawl, refer to himself in the third person as “The Kid.” I mean it, there’s moments in this job that are more entertaining than anything you can see on television). What was I saying? Oh, yeah, Chipper will rehab Friday and Saturday at Ol’ Double-A Miss, and be in the Braves lineup Sunday afternoon against Milwaukee and Tomo Ohka, barring any unforeseen developments.
Chipper reminded us that the last time he came off the DL this season, he also faced Tomo in his first game back _ and took him deep. Chipper smiled when he relayed that bit of info this morning.
And if you folks in the greater Jackson area want his autograph, may I suggest you get thee to the Bass Pro Shop near the ballpark Saturday, because that’s where a certain third baseman intends to spend some time prior to the game.
OK, leadoff. What’s Bobby going to do about leadoff Sunday? I asked him this morning and he said he doesn’t know yet. He seemed sincere. Maybe. Sort of.
If I had to bet, I’d say Giles will be back in the leadoff spot, because he’s so hot now the Braves probably believe it’s worth the gamble that he’ll keep going strong after moving back to leadoff, better than gambling by switching up the order and having Renteria or someone else lead off. But we’ll see.
LaRoche is out of the lineup again today with that sore left forearm. Dr. Gary Lourie, hand specialist, was going to check on Horacio just before the game (we haven’t gotten the report yet, but it shouldn’t be different that yesterday’s diagnosis _ out at least a month, possible the rest of the season) and Lourie also planned to check on LaRoche while here (forearm’s close to the hand, right?).
OK, I really need to get going on my notes for tomorrow’s paper. Chuck James has already thrown 50 pitches and recorded six outs as I write this, but at least there’s no runs on the board.
Oh, and if any of you were here at the game last night, was the country & western theme great, or what? Hank, Patsy Cline and Dwight Yoakum songs on the PA system, and the, uh, Braves’ Tomahawk Team in cowboy hats and cutoff shorts.
I honestly thought it was the greatest night ever at Turner Field … Because of the music, of course.
Comments
By ChrisinPA
August 9, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this
Dave - Have you heard whether the Braves will take a run at “any” starting pitcher on waivers, for the rest of the year?
By The Man
August 9, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this
DOB - what are the chances of us getting a waiver trade with the Red Sox, picking up Big Papi and Manny Ramirez in exchange for Kevin Barry, Lance Cormier, and Jason Shiell?
By matches
August 9, 2006 02:27 PM | Link to this
The Man, I heard the Braves won’t do that unless the Sox throw in Beckett. Look for the announcement any day now.
By David O'Brien
August 9, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
The Man, I’d say pretty good.
But not as good as the chances that your standup comedy routine will be playing at The Improv.
By Carolina Lady
August 9, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this
Hank, Patsy and Dwight. Doesn’t get any better than that!
By 22oz
August 9, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this
Who are you kidding the Man, thats too much to give up for Big Papi and Manny.
By 22oz
August 9, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this
Everybody’s at work Dave, although if they’re anything like me, not working very hard while listening to Skip and Don.
By MEB
August 9, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
DOB… what is the red shirt rule? I thought the Braves used the new jerseys for Sunday day games, kinda like their Sunday best. I went to a day game back on 27 July against the Marlins and the Braves wore white.
If its as hot today as it was against the Marlins I’m glad I’m right where I am at.
By ncscoots
August 9, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
well, I know I’ve thrown this afternoon under a bus, as far as productivity goes. Man, I have GOT to stay away from this blog during the daytime!!
By SaltyDog55
August 9, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this
First time to blog and if my comment jinxes, it will be my last. So…12 consecutive scoreless innings by Braves starters…when did that happen last? There…I said it; now cross my fingers! SD55
By Vol
August 9, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
Sure seems like James gets up A LOT with runners on base.
By Greg
August 9, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this
Dave: The sparse crowd at the Ted is a glimpse of things to come. Time Warner has killed this franchise. I hope Liberty will treat it better. But I’m not optimistic.
By dylan
August 9, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this
I think the braves should have be the starting pitcher night one lucky fan chosen as he or she enters the gates will be taken to the bullpen warmed up and allowed to pitch at least the first 5 innings (no pitch count needed this is just a fan it matters not to the braves if an injury to the fans arm occurs). I believe this is just the idea to get the fans back to the stadium and will give Bobby and John a free look at local “talent”.
By Carolina Lady
August 9, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this
Welcome, SD55!
By Vol
August 9, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this
I’m not a huge Livan Hernandez fan, but we sure should have put in a waiver claim on him. We probably would have gotten him for almost nothing, and Arizona certainly would not have gotten him at all. Beats calling up minor leaguers on a weekly basis.
If Giles hits anything but #2 Bobby is nuts.
By TennesseePaul
August 9, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this
Geez! 6th inning already! I really need to invest in a portable TV with Dish Network built in. Until then, it’s phone updates in between meetings. Or in this case, ssshhhhh, in meetings.
GO BRAVES
By matches
August 9, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this
Vol, I don’t think $7 mil for next year qualifies as “almost nothing”. The move probably wouldn’t have cost the team much in terms of personnel, but would hamper any moves this offseason.
And let’s face it - with or without Livan this team is not going to the postseason. No point in mortgaging the future even a little to chase a lost cause. Better to play young guys, let them take their lumps, and evaluate talent for (hopefully) a return to form in 2007.
By SaltyDog55
August 9, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this
Thank you, Carolina Lady!
I’m actually from (S)Carolina myself (Charleston…and a Tiger).
Darn…me and my big ‘blog’! There went the streak! Ok, so one run in 13 innings…that’s acceptable! SD55
By geauxbraves2000
August 9, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this
You know Giles will return to leadoff. No matter what the circumstances say, no matter what Giles says, no matter what the numbers say. BC is a great manager, but his stubborness nowawadays to change is getting ridiculous.
CJ gives up a HR, it was just a matter of time. Come on offense, lets go!
Geaux Braves!!
By DonCoburleone
August 9, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this
What is that now? 13 or 14 HR’s allowed by Chuck James in 56 innings? My God, project that out over a 200+ inning season, and you are looking at 50-60 HR’s allowed in a full season! That would be a record wouldn’t it? But yeah, the comparisons to TOM GLAVINE are justified…
By ncscoots
August 9, 2006 02:50 PM | Link to this
Hey, Dog, C-L-E-M, baby, me, too!
By Voice of Reason
August 9, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this
Hey, if they can wear red on Wednesday, maybe BC can bat Edgar leadoff, right? Yeah, probably not…
By DonCoburleone
August 9, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this
DOB, have you heard anything about Tim Hudson? What happened last night? Is he okay?
By TennesseePaul
August 9, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this
Yes DonC. They are justified. Glavine’s first two season in the majors brought 9 wins and 21 loses. Man project that over a career! Glavine sure sucks. Oh wait, he’s on the cusp of winning 300.
James is a rookie by the way. His first season in the majors. And at least he’s throwing it in the strike zone. He could stand to true up his aim, but he is tossing an otherwise good game.
By elbravox
August 9, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
50 games left, win or loose, enjoy the games.
By BirdMahn
August 9, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
Where is everybody? I think you nailed it Dave, with the heat and some schools already in session. I have a problem with weekday daytime games anyway. Baseball is entertainment. How many concerts, plays or other forms of entertainment are scheduled during the middle of the workday? I guess MLB is providing baseball for the umemployed. I’ve never seen a weekday ball game because I have to work for a living!
By SaltyDog55
August 9, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
ncscoots: Too cool! My September wish is an undefeated CU and the Braves smack in the WC hunt. That will be a good month!!! SDog
By Carolina Lady
August 9, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this
SD55*, CHS is a beautiful city! I’m up the road in Wilmington. Scoots is in the Sandhills, and a character called Krath is up around Asheville. Don’t know of any SC bloggers, though they may abound. Glad to have you with us!
By The Man
August 9, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this
Frenchy. We love you. Nice, clutch hit. Maybe if we include you in the trade for Big Papi and Manny, it will go through,
By DonCoburleone
August 9, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this
Can’t Bobby Cox take Pratt out for McCann in these situations? I mean, 6 innings off is enough for McCann isn’t it?
By TennesseePaul
August 9, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady: I’d be a SC blogger if I could. I love that state. So beautiful. Miss it very much so. I’ll be there when retirement comes.
GO BRAVES!!
By stuckinuk
August 9, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
James is still really young, and is in and around the zone every at-bat. He will give up less homeruns in the future but when he is on the comparisons to Glavine seems apt. Why isn’t Diaz in the lineup everyday, he hits and he actually hustles on every play. Second, why is Pratt playing? And living in England I love day games, only time I don’t have to stay up all night to watch.
By Ron Roberts
August 9, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
Re: The Red Jersey Rule…
I have no idea what the rhyme or reason is, but these jerseys should be burned. Why have those nice navy blue jerseys in spring training, then this loud, tomato-orange/red top during the regular season?
If we have to have an alternate jersey, I’d prefer the navy blues, myself… and not wear ‘em on the hottest damned days of the year, either.
Solid colors are hotter for the players to wear. Comfort might matter in their performance.
Good game, Chuck James! Welcome back, kid.
By The Man
August 9, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this
Columbia, SC is a hole.
By SaltyDog55
August 9, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this
CLady: I mis-stated…Charleston is hometown…now up north of the ATL.
Wilmington and Asheville are two of my favorites…I’d split for either in a heartbeat!
Good job, Frenchy…and a hustlin’ Diaz! Way to go! SDog
By Ted
August 9, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this
Agree on weekday games - I have to work so I’ve never made one. Hard to use a vacation day for a ball game.
And I have to believe the Braves can find SOME SP on waivers. They have a bad enough record to get first crack at pretty much any in the NL in the last year of their contract. And with a solid farm system, I’d think a decent prospect would at least get one arm who can at least keep the Braves in games as opposed to the gasoline on fire starters like Schiell, Barry and Cormier. As long as there was no major obligation for future seasons (unlike Livan), it would be worth a shot.
By The Man
August 9, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this
DOB is much better than Guy Curtright.
By Carolina Lady
August 9, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
Hey, TNPaul! You’d be most welcome in our Carolinas! I have a cousin in Anderson; he has a nice place on a river - just beautiful! I’ve always loved Wilmington, but it is now overrun, overbuilt, and overcrowded. Everything is geared toward rich interlopers, therefore it’s all ‘upscale’, ‘luxury’, and ‘exclusive.’ Including the current taxes! If it was possible, I’d be on up the coast a ways out on the Banks.
Did anyone ever find out why the red shirts today?? DOB?
By TennesseePaul
August 9, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
What was that? 6 IP with 1 ER… Doesn’t that qualify as a quality start? Not too shabby! Now, we just need these guys to do that every single time they take the mound. Then all our worries will be for naught.
GO BRAVES
By Miranda
August 9, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this
got my tickets for Friday and Saturday in Pearl… which aren’t too easy to get obviously right now! I’ve been to almost 40 games and I was going to throw a fit if I couldn’t get em for those two nights!
Hmm… Bass Pro Shops… I always spend some time there before the games when I have spare time! Do you know if Chipper will leave on Thursday or wait until Friday morning to head over to Pearl?
I’m shocked he’s coming to MS …I figured he’d go elsewhere! I’m excited though!
By TennesseePaul
August 9, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this
Glavine/James. The comparison is apt. Apt I tell you. Apt!
Yates on the other hand… Guess he can’t handle that short change between night game and day game.
By geauxbraves2000
August 9, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this
Oh boy, here we go again.
By Chop Chop
August 9, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this
Yeah. Let Yates blow this, Bobby. You know you wanna.
By Chop Chop
August 9, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this
Of course, if Yates gets out of this jam, Bobby is…a genius?
By Chop Chop
August 9, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this
Yes, Jimmy. It’s time for Parontoe.
By Ted
August 9, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this
F’in YATES!!! WTF is Bobby thinking? “Oh, let’s let him walk everyone.” Why in the world did he let him walk in a run? GD!
By Voice of Reason
August 9, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this
Jefferson, GA, where I hail from, is less than an hour from SC!
RR - I, too despise the red and wonder why that color was chosen over the much more palatable blue. I do usually get used to it after about 5 innings after my eyes stop burning. It’s as if Bob the Tomato were the team mascot…
By DonCoburleone
August 9, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this
YOU’VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME, THROW A GOD DAMN STRIKE!!!!
By 22oz
August 9, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this
“The bases are loaded, and i sorta wish i was”-Skip Caray
You said it Skip. Is it that hard to tell when a pitcher doesn’t have it? Just curious.
By geauxbraves2000
August 9, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this
Why does BC wait so long. It is so obvious when a pitcher just doesn’t have it. Why does BC have to wait until a run or runs are given up. Can anyone tell me why?
By geauxbraves2000
August 9, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this
Hey Don, watch you language.
By The Man
August 9, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this
22oz and geauxbraves2000: BC’s player loyalty goes a little too far sometimes…
By The Man
August 9, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
Is it me, or should we bring in Chad Paronto only when the opponent is offering a pie-eating contest?
By geauxbraves2000
August 9, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
Player loyalty has cost the Braves #15.
By Voice of Reason
August 9, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this
aaaaaaaaaagggggghhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!
By TennesseePaul
August 9, 2006 03:25 PM | Link to this
What an absolute drag.
By The Man
August 9, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this
Oy vey
By Voice of Reason
August 9, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this
Later, all. Real life interferes once again…
By The Man
August 9, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this
Is it me, or should we bring in Macay McBride only when the rest of the bullpen has contracted Ebola?
By The Man
August 9, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this
How the *$^#@& does Utley score from second on an out to the pitcher?!?
By geauxbraves2000
August 9, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this
What can you say? This is on BC, he should have pulled Yates when it was obvious he didn’t have it. The older you get the more set in your ways you get. Like I said, BC is a great manager, but I think he’s starting to loose it a little. Just like Maddux, he is on the way to the Hall, but he’s no where near what he used to be.
By 22oz
August 9, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this
Well it hot out there, Bobby probably doesn’t want to step out in the sun too much, so he’s spreading out time in between mound visits.
By Chica
August 9, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this
Just when you started to think things were going well…..
I swear, this team can’t get the starters and the bullpen pitchers on a roll at the same time. Sigh
By ncscoots
August 9, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this
OK! I think we can fairly qualify that inning as putrid…
By DonCoburleone
August 9, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
Game over ladies and gentlemen! If it’s not the starting pitching f**king things up it’s the Bullpen! Oh for the day’s of reliable pitching…
By TrueBlueBravesFan
August 9, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this
Aaargh. This bullpen is going to drive me to drink. What on earth does Bobby see in Yates. He is a stiff. And he sucks in day games. I think everytime I’ve seen him pitch in a day game he gives up runs.
By SaltyDog55
August 9, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this
Putrid! And folks think a Clemson guy has no vocab. Ha…you showed them! :-) SDog
By TrueBlueBravesFan
August 9, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this
This is unbelievable…………
By Charleston Brave
August 9, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this
WTF … D$mn it! Do some managing. Every game from here on out needs to be managed like a game 7. Oh yeah, he manages the same way there too. We need a manager for the day contest. Who ever wins might end up getting a new job.
OK, shrug it off. Let’s get it back.
By geauxbraves2000
August 9, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this
Okay, now this is just getting plain ridiculous.
By krath
August 9, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this
My this is an ugly turn of events isn’t it?
By mcdwag
August 9, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this
people work in Atlanta and the vast majority do not work near the ball park-its one thing to take a half day off but its another to take an entire day off for a ball game-these afternoon games never seem to draw a crowd in atlanta
By TrueBlueBravesFan
August 9, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
The Braves may want to think about boycotting day games because they sure suck in them. DOB I would love to hear the actual record and ERA during Braves day games.
By Carolina Lady
August 9, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
Oh, well. I’ve got to go start preparation on supper anyway. It’ll be ready at 5. The birdhouses won’t.
By NYFan
August 9, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
As much as I hate the Braves, even I’M embarrassed for them right now. Ouch.
By SRF
August 9, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
This is ridiculous.
Can we get some volunteers from the crowd to try and throw some strikes ?
By Charleston Brave
August 9, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
Well, there goes the spare. Now all the wheels are off. How frustrating!
By DonCoburleone
August 9, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
Tyler Yates ERA just went from 3.33 to 4.61… Hold on for the jump in Paronto’s ERA once this nightmare of an inning is done…
By Grand Slam
August 9, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
Oh the horror….do I sense a grand slam to put the icing on this cake?
By TennesseePaul
August 9, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
Pathetic. I think it all could have been avoided. When your pitcher shows no signs of control, it’s best to remove him. Not leave him in there to set the table for a 7 run inning.
By Brian
August 9, 2006 03:37 PM | Link to this
What the hell? Why after Yates walks Rollins does he stay in the game? Wow, that is bad, I usually don’t like to post negative stuff, but that is a frickin joke to leave Yates out there. He isn’t that good first of all, he had 1 big K last night. He blew it against the Reds on Saturday and chalk another one up today. He sucks, but he shouldn’t have been out there.
By Grand Slam
August 9, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this
Paranto’s ERA is going down not up — Aybar’s error prolonged the inning so these runs will all be unearned.
By 2realistic
August 9, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this
Man, there just aren’t a lot of things I’m willing to sit through 95 degree weather for… and the way the Braves are playing they aren’t one of them. I’ve been watching the Braves since I was a kid in the early 70s… so, of course, I saw plenty of terrible years. Now, I’m sad to have to say it but, “The Braves suck again.” I think we all saw it coming, though. With the ownership changes and the payroll adjustments that follow, it was only a matter of time. How did the old addage go? Wait ‘Til Next Year.
By geauxbraves2000
August 9, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this
I’m embarrassed for BC. He should’ve pulled Yates. Bottom line, he left Yates and his no control in the game, setting off an 8 run inning so far. See what stubborness gets? Another probable loss. I love the Braves, have for years, but this team is making me long for the Braves of the late 80s.
By TennesseePaul
August 9, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this
If this game doesn’t inspire a player only meeting, then the season is lost. I don’t care how good a guy anyone is on that team, action must be taken. Words must be said. This cannot be blown off as bad luck and a couple of bad pitches. This turned my wonderful good day into a disaster. So fed up with this crap. All season long we see this. Then hope springs… three starts in a row were gems. Enter the Blowpen.
By BB
August 9, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this
Turn out the lights, the party’s over.
Game and season.
By Mad as hell and not going to take it anymore
August 9, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this
Where are they, you ask? We’re saving our hard earned money for that $3-plus per gallon gas. Why waste any more of it on a Double-A caliber bullpen that couldn’t hold a lead if it had handles. Yates sucks. Paranto sucks AND he needs to lose weight. And McBride is the worst of all. Release them all and let my 15-year-old son pitch the 7th. He couldn’t do any worse than those arsonists. The season is over folks. This is a bad ballclub that has no prayer of getting to the postseason. The time has come to start tearing it down and starting all over. Get what you can for Smoltz, Chipper, Andrew and Wickman. And while you’re at it, but old Bobby out to pasture where he belongs. I’ve about had it. Today is the last straw.
By Todd A
August 9, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this
8 runs in the 7th inning Dave.There’s your answer.
By Clint
August 9, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this
Mercy… Hall of fame of coach who is past his time
By ncscoots
August 9, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this
Dog, you’re new to the blog, so look for Bob and a few other bloggers on here if you want to see vocab at its prime, brother…
By Cub Fan
August 9, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this
From a Cubs fan…
1) Things could be worse…
By Jeremy
August 9, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this
Why would anyone even want this team to make the playoffs??? It would just end in a three game sweep at the hands of some team.
By Grand Slam
August 9, 2006 03:47 PM | Link to this
Well….6 runs down, who is ready for a comeback? C’mon kid, get a hit… I can hear the dugout chatter and I’m not even listening to the game.
By geauxbraves2000
August 9, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this
Strike one leads to an out, ball one leads to 8 runs. Hmm, amazing what can happen when you throw strikes.
By JasonInMaine
August 9, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this
That’s what you like to see…2 pitches and 2 outs!!
By Clint
August 9, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this
So the offense shows no heart either….when does college football start…this is killing me!
By ncscoots
August 9, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
TPaul, maybe that should be a pitchers-only meeting, called by Smoltz.
By Grand Slam
August 9, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this
5 pitches for the inning….and Thorman struck out….these guys must all have hot dinner dates
By 22oz
August 9, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this
Well, in Bobby’s defense, nobody after Yates did much better either. Just an observation.
By Clint
August 9, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this
The problem is not this game, it is the performance over the entire season. This game is only indicative of the problem. Go braves but this Oct. will be spent at home. Here is for hoping I am wrong
By Mad as hell and not going to take it anymore
August 9, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this
OK, then defend Bobby for not getting anyone else up and ready on Monday until Villareal had given up five runs and thrown the game away.
By Clint
August 9, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this
Speaking of which …. why did bobby pull James?
By ncscoots
August 9, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this
and while we might want the offense to “shake it off” and “battle back”, and blah blah blah, you can’t see that kind of mushroom cloud go up and come right back full of vim and vigor. Not and actually be human…
By Charleston Brave
August 9, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this
I haven’t seen it yet and I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes but … Hee Haw, Hee Haw Donkey in the dugout! Donkey in the dugout!
By Chop Chop
August 9, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this
I hope they burn those red shirts. I’m tired of that gimmick.
Also, I’d like to dynamite Tooner Field because of its name.
By Clint
August 9, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this
Maybe they are just upset about Cynthia’s loss last night….Frenchy is not the only undisciplined bat in our line up. Our offense is feast or famine as a result.
By Rodger
August 9, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this
What the heck happened? Got busy, came back to a massacre!
And yeah, why the red/orange/burnt offering jerseys? I’d rather see the powder blue!
By Brooks
August 9, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this
F*** TYLER YATES. He is a piece of s**t. Git him off the team. Oh yeah, if Mccay Mcbride reads this. You hyave not been worth a s**t recently either. I like you. I think you could be good, but not if you play like this. T YATES…please dont agree to come into the f******* game if you are going to walk three battters and load the bases in the 7th after Chuck James pitched a hell of a game! Just tell the f******* bullpen coach that you dont want to play. I would rather hear you say that s**t then you lose a game because you cant pitch a f******* strike!
By Clint
August 9, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this
What’s the over under on the phillies pitch count this inning?
By Clint
August 9, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this
Did E just try to bunt down by six? Does the coaching staff have money on the game?
By Dawgs2006
August 9, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this
Wilson Betemit hit another homerun last night and the Dodgers have an eleven game winning streak. Next year, this sorry bunch of losers could really make a run for the worst team in baseball. At least we do not have to suffer through another post season letdown. We can enjoy some good playoff baseball this year. Hello Dodgers! Tommy Lasorda must be proud.
By Paul Hamilton
August 9, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this
I think the experiment with Roger Mcdowell is over, can we please hire a pitching coach?
Hey DO, what do you think about signing SP Gil Meche in the offseason, he’s having a solid year on a below average Seattle club.
By Chop Chop
August 9, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this
“Brooks was here.”
“Red was, too.”
By Dawgs2006
August 9, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop: Are the Braves skipping town and heading for Mexico?
By Brooks
August 9, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this
haha… yeah im still here. I just cant handle this any more. I love the braves, but im tired of this s**t.
By Chop Chop
August 9, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
Zihuatanejo is looking mighty fine right about now, ain’t it?
By Greg
August 9, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this
Dave:
Now do you wonder why attendance was down at this game? This team stinks. I’ve been a fan since 1969. I’ve seen bad Braves teams. This team is rapidly approaching the suckitude of the mid-1980s. I knows we have Smoltz and the Jones. But back then we had Horner and Murph. We still sucked. This team sucks. Maybe we should try to finish last and draft some pitching. This team sucks.
By Brooks
August 9, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this
haha….yeah im still here. I am one of the biggest braves fans around. I just can not deal with this s**t anymore. At least football is on the way.
By Clint
August 9, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox will never be fired and nor should he. I don’t give a dang about winning only one WS ( althought more would have been nice). He has always made the right moves up to this year. My hope is that he make the right move this off-season which is to retire. This team is every bit as talented as other legit playoff teams ( Detroit, LA, and St. Louis stick out the most); however, poor coaching (hitting and pitching especially) have been horid. No consistency = poor coaching. The question is who would coach this team? More importantly, what would it take for a single owner with a love for the Braves to buy this team? Can we get baseball’s version of Mark Cuban?
By Brian
August 9, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
2nd & 3rd no outs & we get 0 Runs, thats hard to do, but some how we found a way to do it.
By Brooks
August 9, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this
hell yeah greg. I agree, s**t just let our starters throw six good innings and let our bullpen do what it has continued to do all season and i think your wish will come true.
By Dawgs2006
August 9, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this
Zihuatanejo sounds better than anything right now. Pacific paradise…no sorry Braves baseball!
By Rodger
August 9, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
Clint, you must not have seen the same 27 years of Bobby Cox I have-always made the right moves?
As for replacement, I believe Joe said the Marlins fired Girardi?
By Clint
August 9, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
Bases loaded and zero outs down by one in the ninth and we get zero runs. No goose egg is too hard for our hitters to achieve.
By krath
August 9, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
I have to admit that I got a goose bump or two right before and after the break when the Braves went on a mini-tear for a couple of weeks. But as I stated even then, everyone should keep in their mind that this was the same team that dropped 20 games in July.
We added two guys for late in the game and thats about it. We’ve had good luck when we’ve managed to get it to those two guys, but if you can’t get to the 8th with a lead, Baez and Wickman ain’t gonna do you any good.
Those teases (like last nights game by Hudson and team) are just that….teases. This is not a team that’s capable of making the playoffs. If this team rips off ten wins in a row they will surely turn around and suck for two consecutive weeks. The losses are not an anomaly. This is the way this team plays baseball this year. It’s August folks, not May. Their performance as a team IS NOT an ugly exception, it’s the rule.
Does this team have more talent than some of the teams who are beating them? Heck yeah! Look at the Phillys! They have traded half their team and they are threatening in the Wild Card so all the talk about Braves injuries really doesn’t cut it in my opinion. Teams who have less than us are performing better than us.
What do you do when teams with less talent are beating you on a regular basis?
I don’t advocate firing a HOF manager. I would never do it. Braves upper management isn’t going to do it. The Braves should never consider firing Cox this season.
That being said, if a team is underachieving as much as the Braves are (don’t wanna hear about the injuries)a normal managers job would be in jeopardy in my opinion.
Either that, or the team is achieving at the real level of their talent and really sucks. Which is it?
By Brooks
August 9, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
Punch me my plane ticket to Zihuatanejo. I am on the way. Oh by the way Todd Pratt is awful….just wanted to throw that one on the table. throw it back at me if you want, but i doubt anyone is dumb enough to do that.
By Rodger
August 9, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
Not that it matters now, but why not hit McCann for Pratt? L/R would be up Bobby’s alley.
By Chop Chop
August 9, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
Cheap Shot Moment:
Todd Pratt never saw a pitch he didn’t think he could hit. Unfortunately, he couldn’t.
By Clint
August 9, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this
I saw the same Bobby Cox. The one piece I did leave out is Bobby’s undying to devotion to players even when their mistakes cost his team games (Playoffs or otherwise). Lonnie Smith still owes us a gosh darn parade! Our buddy LaRoche cost us the Houston series with poor base running and we haven’t been the same since his lazy play to first earlier in the year.
By Tony C.
August 9, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this
So I take it that the rally-killers struck again.
By Rodger
August 9, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
Good God-just saw the Phillies left 18 on base! To go with the 9 they scored! Holy Cow!!!
By Clint
August 9, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
Oh well…. I would say wait until next year but that slogan is patented by the South Carolina Gamecocks….
By Andy
August 9, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this
I hate hearing chip or the turner south guys when the braves are just sucking—-I know there is alot more important issues with the braves—but when the team is down the older announcers seem to care more—get down, flustrated—I like that. The Chip Carreys and Jef Torrburge, for me, don’t do it. I like that enjoy the last 50 games folks.
By ncscoots
August 9, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this
so the garments are rent, the teeth gnashed, and the bile spewed…another day in Braves-land afer a loss.
By Brooks
August 9, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this
ohhh tony.. you dont even know! read my first comment.. I think it started with something along the lines as F*** TYLER YATES.
By bobbo
August 9, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this
Is the some sort of rule that you half to be out of shape and fat to be in our bullpen. I mean between Yates,Paronto,and mcbride there might be 750 pounds. I dont understand but putting a bullpen like this together while the money you have spent doesn’t produce I.E. Tim hudson
Where does all our money go because we have a lot of bargain basement guys out there don’t we la roche,frenchy,langerhans,diaz,aybar/betemit,thorman,orr,yates,mcbride,ramirez,paronto, james,davies(remember him),mcann,pratt,Ray
\I mean none of these guys makes a million dollars 75-90 million should be enough to put out a competitive team if you spend in the right places, which JS hasn’t when do we start pointing the finger at him.
By Rodger
August 9, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this
game-set-match
Strike up Journey-“The party’s over…”
By Tonight on TBS
August 9, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this
After the game…
Walk the Line(up) (2005)
Chronicle of middle reliever Tyler “Yikes” Yates (Joaquin Phoenix) from his struggles in the minor leagues to his glory days in Atlanta where he played with fellow “out of control” legends “Elvis” Paronto and “Jerry Lee” McBride. Drama. Joaquin Phoenix does his own pitching.
By Dawgs2006
August 9, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
Hey, take it easy on Lonnie Smith. What about Ron Gant and Justice leaving ungodly amounts of runners on base? There was more to that loss than one baserunning error. He probally would have gotten nailed at the plate anyway and everyone would have been on a huff about sending the runner. And Yes!, Todd Pratt is the worst player the Braves have picked up during their run of divison titles. In fact, I have such contempt for this team it is quickly reahcing Atlanta Hawks level.
By Ron Roberts
August 9, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this
Sometimes ya have to wonder if all that good karma we enjoyed in regular seasons past is just coming back at us the other way this season.
Man, when the offense is good, the pitching is putrid… when the starters do well, the hitting and bullpen lets ‘em down…. when the bullpen does do well it’s usually in a game where the starter’s already blown it… it just doesn’t all come together for this team, this year.
Shuerholz made the right moves to fix the bullpen, and now it doesn’t matter ‘cause we have two veterans starters and a buncha call-ups, essentially. Chuck James will be a good pitcher, and a consistently good pitcher, but right now he’ll be dazzling at times and dismal at times, fairly equally, I’d think, and God only knows if Hudson is gonna be the Hudson we’d expected or not from this point on….
….either way, if/when we lose Horacio for the season, we’re just guaranteed a Richmond call-up every fifth start, and that already puts us behind the 8-ball.
Before today, though, Tyler Yates had been fairly serviceable, and it sucks that he couldn’t pull it off today. We were one inning away from our Baez/Wickman combination and a 2-out-of-3 series at home.
By Rodger
August 9, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this
Yeah-the Liebrandt pitching to Puckett cost us the series!
By krath
August 9, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this
Maybe a lot of teeth gnashing going on but what the hell you want? Cheers? Last time I checked this was a Braves blog. We talk about the Braves here, good or bad. When they perform well there are positive and negative comments. When they play bad, there are more negative comments.
Whatcha want?? “golly gee those guys just can’t catch a break! With the exception of that inning when Philly scored 8 runs they played great! Things are looking up!” or maybe ” the Braves played badly today so lets talk about chocolate pudding!”
You may not like gnashing of teeth but most people who are blogging still are really Braves fans even when they criticize.
The casual fans left in June when we dropped 20 games.
By Rodger
August 9, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this
TBS-you’re funnier than anything on TBS (except the Braves)
By ncscoots
August 9, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this
yeah, RR, one inning away…and for want of a nail, etc.
By james
August 9, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this
BOYCOTT THE BRAVES….. GO DAWGS……..
By mc
August 9, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
NO NEEDS for CLEMENTINE TIGER rednecks on here! Get back on your tractor.
Go COCKS!!
By Louis Vales
August 9, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
Toast!!!!!!
By BAMA Brave
August 9, 2006 04:44 PM | Link to this
I love the Braves. Always have and always will. But honestly compels me to say that the Braves are simply a bad baseball team. Period. Up 3-1 at home against a mediocre team. Fighting for your playoff life and you give up 8 runs. Please.
By Mad as hell and not going to take it anymore
August 9, 2006 04:46 PM | Link to this
And don’t forget about Charlie Liebrandt pitching to Dave Winfield. Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice ….
By Stretch