Braves

By MEB

August 10, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

DOB… nice work with the numbers. I wish you could do something with the bottom line, that being wins and losses. Oh, and if you could eliminate that ugly 7th inning yesterday.

GO BRAVES!!!

By ncscoots

August 10, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this

wow…it’s pretty scary when the guy you think is a hoss anyway turns out to be even more of a hoss than you thought.

By TennesseePaul

August 10, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

I [heart] McCann. That guy is just unbelievable. I wish Francoeur had the discipline that McCann did. This team would be un stoppable. Of course, while I’m wishing, I’ll wish every slumping player on the team had the discipline of McCann.

Thanks for the Post DOB.

I hate Howard though. 186 strike outs. Has Andruw every done that in a one year period? That’s so many strike outs. He’s either hitting it a mile or riding the pine. But, in the end, trading Thome wasn’t a bad move at all.

GO BRAVES

By David O'Brien

August 10, 2006 04:53 PM | Link to this

TennPaul, he can strike out 225 times in a year, and I’d take him in a heartbeat if he does the rest of those numbers.

CHOPTHIS, I’m posting this again here, in case you missed my reply at end of other blog:

Chopthis, how GREAT is that Tulare Dust tribute album? The best, that and the Hank “Timeless” tribute a couple years back.

And Tom Russell _ that dude is really starting to get his due now, and made a couple of crackin’ albums the last three years. Get his last one, “Love and Fear,” you’ll love it. Especially the song “The Pugilist at 59.”

You ever hear his song about Mickey Mantle? That’s off his “Modern Art” album a couple years back. Song called “The Kid From Spavinaw.” Great, tearful stuff. Anyway, man, get that last album, or the one before that, “Hotwalker,” which had a bunch of spoken word stuff about Bukowski and life hopping the trains out west in the 50s and 60s, etc.

Oh, and obviously “Fortunate Son” wins that contest you proposed, hands-down.

By TennesseePaul

August 10, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this

DOB, I agree. But I’d still rather have Pujols. And as long as Howard is in the NL East, on a team not the Braves, I’ll hate him. He’s sick though. Those numbers are ridiculous. They’d be even more frightening without the K’s. It’d be nice if LaRoche could do something like that. Adam gets close on the K’s though.

By David O'Brien

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

doh!…yes, he does TennPaul. Yes, he does (LaRoche, that is).

I’d take Pujols, too. But come on, Pujols is probably going to go down as the greatest or second-greatest player in 20-25 years, if he stays relatively injury-free.

By Tony Almeida

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

Yeah DOB, how bout that new Greatest Hits album of Tim McGraw? Smokin huh?

By Greg

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

Dave:

Bobby never gave DeRo a chance when he was hot. I remember a period two or three years ago where he was batting like .400 as a pinch hitter and sub, but Bobby insisted on playing Rey (“I never met a double play I didn’t like to hit into”) Sanchez instead. DeRo was almost as good a fielder and a substantially better hitter. Rey Sanchez was a joke..

By paluka

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

just wondering: After all this lame waiver stuff concerning Andruw, has JS attempted to talk to Andruw about an extension? Also has anyone else on the roster been through waivers and peak the interest of another team?

By Chop Chop

August 10, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this

Cash: Well, it’s a restless, hungry feeling and it does nobody no good.

Dylan: When everything that I’m saying…

Cash: …you can say it just as good.

Cash: ‘Cause you’re right from your side, and I’m right from mine.

Cash and Dylan: We’re both just one too many mornings and a thousand miles behind.

Great stuff.

By Siegfried & Roy

August 10, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this

DOB - does Chad Paronto always look as hot and beefy on the mound as he did yesterday? Yummy!

By The Man

August 10, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

Dave - can you get Mark Bradley to bring back the picture with the curly afro and the cheesy moustache?

By I Know You Rider

August 10, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this

DOB- The Grateful Dead kick a nice version of Mama Tried. Have you heard it? Many people don’t know that Garcia started out playing bluegrass(Old and in the Way, New Riders of the Purple Sage) and up until his death it is said that he still enjoyed bluegrass over his Dead music. Check out the Jerry Garcia Band live 2CD set. It’s hard to find but is incredible. They play amazing versions of Dylan, Bruce Cockburn, Lennon/McCartney, Haven Gillespie and others.

By chopthis

August 10, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

God, I love Merle!

By Snowball's Chance

August 10, 2006 05:36 PM | Link to this

De Rosa is still a utility man. Saw a nice interview with him on ESPN. He admits he fell on his face in Atlanta when he got his chance. Being branded a utility man is a life sentence in MLB. He has nine or ten years in, anyway.

I Know You Rider, The Dead were my intro to that song, too. Garcia set out to be a banjo player. I have never seen him play one. I have most of the Garcia band’s recordings.

By David O'Brien

August 10, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this

The Man, I have that picture of Bradley framed over the desk here in my basement office, as a matter of fact.

IKYR, I think I might have to try that Jerry CD. I saw the Dead a few times, around 1989-92, shows in Santa Monica, Orlando and Miami. Good times. Nothing like seeing the Deadheads set up shop for a couple of days in the middle of Overtown in Miami, by the old Miami Arena…. Talk about turning some heads among the locals.

Still remember being in a cab in New York, there covering the Marlins, when I heard on the radio that Jerry had died.

By Chop Chop

August 10, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

When John Woo was casting “Face/Off”, he wanted Mark Bradley and “Weird” Al Yankovic to play the Cage/Travolta roles.

By Chop Chop

August 10, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

“The Joy of Painting” guy (Bob Ross) was also considered to play opposite Bradley.

By Chop Chop

August 10, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this

Gabe Kaplan was pretty broken up about being passed over.

By Shaun Payne

August 10, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

Nice to see some stats.

The Braves hitters have been pretty impressive over the last year. We don’t have a Ryan Howard or a David Ortiz, but he have solid guys at almost every position. I think that gets lost because of the team’s struggles in the standings. It reveals even more how unimpressive the pitching has been.

I would have to agree that McCann is the team MVP. Very impressive numbers, especially for a catcher. The bad thing is he’s been so impressive early in his career, if he drops off at all people are going to start complaining. But I think he’s going to be a fine player and he’s fast becoming the NL’s version of Jason Varitek. I do have to disagree slightly that catching is the toughest position. I think shortstop is the toughest because you have to do so much more things well. I think shortstop is more athletically demanding but catching may be more physically demanding, though. Francouer’s impressive numbers with runner’s in scoring position, two-out RBI and his impressive RBI total in general are largely a product of the impressive on-base percentages of the hitters in front of him. He’s been hitting in the number six spot in the order for most of the season, in front of Chipper (.421 OBP), Andruw (.354) and McCann (.408). While Francouer’s slugging percentage is decent, his on-base percentage is horrendous, which makes him a below average hitter. Having an above average hitter in Francouer’s spot may be worth a few more runs and a maybe a few more wins.

I’m not trying to knock Francouer. I’m sure his offense will come around soon (hopefully) and he’s a great defensive player; plus he’s cheap. He’s not quite ready offensively, but he sure is fun to watch in Atlanta.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 05:54 PM | Link to this

utility men are useful. there are times that utlity men are essential. when the starter goes down the utility guy must be ready. take this blog for instance, when dob has a sore toe then utility man guy curtright publishes the blog. without utility guy the blog would perish - (even this journalist does not know the secret code that would allow jimmy smith to publish a blog and have the name journalist jimmy smith appear in bold blue letters). so, if 35 and some of the other new bloggers here wonder about a utility journalist … rest assured we have utility guy. now, music … journalist would like to share some ugandan lyrics sung by merle hagwamba: “if you ever go to the forest a-lone, keep a hea-vy club handy for pro-tec-tion.” makes journalist weep.

By shawn

August 10, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this

How about some Waylon and the Devil’s Right Hand??

DOB where do the Braves go from here for next year? Retool or regroup? Any thought of JS and BC passing the torch. Not suggesting it just know this has to be tough, especially on Bobby’s hips having to walk back and forth to the mound every third batter…

By grateful dawg

August 10, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this

DOB- dude you have to check out that jerrymeister dvd. its called Live From Shoreline from 1990. HEAVY SH*T! DO NOT OPERATE HEAVY MACHINERY WHILE LISTENING TO THIS MUSIC!! i haDnt seen it anywhere until i checked out netflix and subsribed for a free 2 week trial and rented it.

Check out this setlist. the dead were suppose to play that night but their keyboardist OD’d the night before or sometime and “the show must go on” so jerry got some black back-up singers and a 300 pound godzilla of a piano player and played a helluva night.

First Set - How Sweet It Is ToBe Loved By You, Stop That Train, Dear Prudence, I Shall Be Released, Run for the Roses, My Sisters and Brothers, Deal.

Second Set - I Second That Emotion, Think, And It Stoned Me, Waiting For A Miracle, Don’t Let Go, That Lucky Old Sun (Just Rolls Around Heaven All Day),

Encore: Tangled Up in Blue.

Needless to say the dvd was somehow lost in the mail and netflix never recieved it.

By David O'Brien

August 10, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

Shawn, it’s not the hips, the it’s the two artificial knees.

“Mama says the pistol is the devil’s right hand…”

I love Steve Earle’s version.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

” …hand specialist gary lourie confirmed a partial tear of a pulley ligament in his (ramirez) left middle finger. the left-hander will be evaluated in 10 days, and could miss anywhere from three weeks to the rest of the season.” -dob in ajc

commentary - this team has a hand specialist and no toe specialist? ramirez has a pulley bone? has someone pulled the pulley bone and injured this valuable pitcher? was a wish made? what was the wish? imagine going on the dl for a pulley bone ligament tear. it would be best to call it something else - say an oblique injury since no one knows what an oblique is anyway. how long will it be before chipper is out due to a pulley bone ipull? grinch, jimmy smith may need you to cover jimmy smith’s back after this controversial post.

By David O'Brien

August 10, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

… and the Highwaymen’s version, too

I’d bet the Braves don’t overhaul it for next year, but hopefully make a couple of significant bullpen additions, plus a leadoff guy and perhaps a starting pitcher.

Just too early to know, for sure. Still so much time left, and Braves don’t talk about this stuff, especially not this far in advance

By David O'Brien

August 10, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, sadly, the pulley ligaments are only in the fingers, near as I can tell from my research on the subject. Toes operate with different set of equipment, I believe. But I’ll check it out.

By Don

August 10, 2006 06:24 PM | Link to this

DOB, nice job of blowing up the myth of Francouer as a great 2 out clutch hitter. The huge number of 2 out chances with RISP for Francouer relative to everybody else makes it obvious that smart opposing teams are pitching around McCann (or whoever else is batting in front of Francouer) to get to Francouer in those situations. He couldn’t have that many more opportunities by chance.

Your numbers illustrate SI was right about Francouer’s season. He will put up some of the emptiest big numbers in recent baseball history. I realize he is young and has a lot of potential, but if he doesn’t learn some plate discipline I predict his numbers will get worse with time, not better. It’s amazing how many pitchers still throw him pitches around the strike zone when he’ll swing at nearly anything.

And with regard to Betemit being 10 for 23 with 2 outs and RISP, I guess that’s just one more reason we had to dump him. Don’t want a guy like that around to fill in at 3 infield positions and to pinch hit in late inning situations. I’d rather have Aybar or Orr or Tony Pena, Jr. pinch hitting with the game on the line.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 10, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

Shaun, you have some very good points, bro. But,man, I have to tell you that I couldn’t disagree with you more about the lineup thing. I believe it is very important where a guy hits in the lineup. I mean, for instance. Even if a hitter hits .380 like a Puljos is capable of but he can also hit 50 HRs and drive in 140+RBI you don’t want him hitting leadoff. You want him in the 3 or 4 hole to drive in runs. Now, Alfonso Soriano is the exception to the rule but his speed is what really makes him a leadoff hitter. You don’t want a guy who stikes out a lot as a leadoff hitter. I hear people say that a leadoff hitter is overrated. I totally disagree. Whoever bats first in the lineup is the guy that will have the most at bats during a game. A leadoff hitter theoretically will leadoff an inning three times. So, to diminish that role is simply non-sense. I mean how should a lineup be constructed? Should it be based upon batting avg.? Who is considered to be the best hitter. Going by that philosophy Jose Reyes would be the Mets cleanup hitter. Yeah, good idea. He hits a ton of homeruns. Joe Morgan has pointed out on several occassions he doens’t understand why NL managers place their worst hitter in the 8 hole. He has said ideally you would want your 8 hole hitter to be someone who can take a walk and is a contact hitter. The reason being is that if he happens to come up in an inning with 2 outs you don’t want that guy to be an automatic out and have the pitcher leadoff the next inning. I couldn’t agree more. It makes perfect sense to me. So, I just don’t understand how you can say how a lineup is constructed is irrevelant. It is like saying a pitching rotation is irrelevant. That is just silly. It is very relevant! Show me a team with a bad leadoff hitter and I’ll show you an offense that struggles. Yes, the Braves have scored runs but those runs have been scored in bunches. This offense does have problems having sustatined run prodcution and the reason is they don’t have a true leadoff hitter with speed to balance out the lineup. Now, show me a lineup with a good leadoff hitter (White Sox, Yanks, Mets, Phillies, Cardinals, and Tigers) and I’ll show you an offense that scores lots of runs in a variety of ways. The Braves couldn’t manufacture a run to save their lives…literally.

I guess, Shaun, what I’m saying is put Giles in the cleanup spot and Andruw in the 2 hole and see how well this offense does. I guarantee it would be a train wreck.

By CC Rider

August 10, 2006 06:29 PM | Link to this

DOB, Have You ever listened to Radney Foster. HIs 1st solo CD Del Rio. Texas is incredible. If, you can get it off the net check ” Closing Time “” From the same CD.

By Lew

August 10, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this

DOB- I saw Howard bat in Spring Training several years ago and was quite impressed with his power at the AA level. I’m not really surprrised-The dude is a monstewr, pure and simple. What I’m most surprised and impressed with, however, is Chipper’s numbers. In only 128 games, he has hit .325 with 27HR and 96 RBI. This is absolutely outrageous. How can anyone doubt his value to the Braves when he puts up these numbers in only 128 games. That’s much more than most players do in a full 162 game schedule. Get rid of Chipper, indeed!

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this

cutting edge journalism from dob! pulley research may be what puts dob over the top for the wurlitzer. hopefully, dob will be rewarded with a wurlitzer of his own. jimmy smith thinks he saw luckovich’s pulitzer on e-bay. if the wurlitzer doesn’t work out for dob jounalist jimmy smith may bid. now, carolina lady, what do you think about horam having a pulley bone? this is unusual in people, right? turkeys and chickens mostly, right? now, baby seal was to fly home today from canada but was detained at the airport. will baby seal be home in time to attend saturday night’s ballgame with jimmy smith? will baby seal know kevin barry? both were at princeton for a time …

By Lew

August 10, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this

Shaun P-What do you mean we don’t have a Howard or a Pujols? What the heck is Andruw? Chopped liver? Didn’t you see the stats? Andruw only has 5 less RBI than Howard in the past year and has hit 44 HR. What on earth more do you want?

By Shaun Payne

August 10, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this

Robert(Justice Is The Best) and anyone else interested in batting order,

All the stuff I’ve read and all the research I’ve seen seems to show batting order is overrated. Sure it matters a little, but it’s probably worth only a handful of runs over the course of an entire season.

Of course, I would guess it’s hard to study a subject like this because you can’t just arrange lineups like you want, you have to depend on baseball teams to do that. And most teams arrange their lineups basically the same (high on-base/speed guys at the top, power guys in the middle and filling in the rest with whoever’s left).

Also, it’s probably hard to study the psychological affects of where a player bats in the order.

Still the stuff I read is pretty convincing and I’m convinced arranging your batting order the “right” way is worth only one to three wins at most.

I’ve actually read some very progressive baseball researchers advocate a lineup where your best overall hitter would bat first, your second-best hitter would bat second, and so on. That would get your best hitters a few extra at-bats. So Chipper would leadoff, Andruw would bat second, McCann third…It’s an interesting idea.

Actually, one of my favorite responses to who’s the best leadoff hitter in the game is Albert Pujols. He’s also the best #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 and #9 hitter in the game because he’s created more runs than anyone. I think that’s a simple and great way to look at it.

By Lew

August 10, 2006 06:47 PM | Link to this

Shaun P.-I don’t know. Even if you’re right, I think there’s a lot of baseball tradition to overcome vefore this research gets generally accepted. Answer a question for me please, no sarcasm intended. How in the world did you get involved with all of this research and why?

By Shaun Payne

August 10, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

For those of you not familiar with the Runs Created stat invented by Bill James, here’s the formula:

Runs created= [(H + BB + HBP - CS - GIDP) times (Total bases + .26[BB - IBB + HBP] + .52[SH + SF + SB])] divided by (AB + BB + HBP + SH+ SF)

Most teams come within a handful of runs (I forgot the exact number) of the formula. We can just transfer it to individual players to reveal how many runs a player has produced (only offensively of course). You can find a few sites (espn.com) where you can sort players by total Runs Creates and Runs Created per 27 outs.

By David O'Brien

August 10, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this

CC Rider, I’ve got couple of Radney’s discs, “See What You Want to See” and “Another Way to Go” from 1998 and 2002. But not the early stuff. He was more straight-forward country back then, right? The newer stuff is great, but more Americana or alt-country than country.

By shawn

August 10, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this

Shaun I will agree in that the top of the order does get the most at bats and truthfully you only hit clean up once a game as the order changes each inning due to baserunners. Unless there is a runner on in the first three batters of the first inning AJ will pretty much be a leadoff hitter albeit in the 2nd inning…something to think about I guess

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 10, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

Well, Shaun I guess I would argue that the reason you would want your best on-base pct guys in the top of the lineup is because theoretically you want to start the game with scoring runs. If we’ve learned nothing with this team this year, we have learned that scoring runs in the first inning or allowing runs in the first inning sets a tone for the game. I don’t think I would want Andruw with his tendency to strikeout batting 2nd. Now, I do however believe that batting Chipper leadoff is an interesting idea. I doubt Chipper would go for it but because he can take walks and knows how to hit singles when a single is all that is needed I do find that proposition interesting. I think a lineup of: Chipper, Giles, Renteria, Andruw, McCann, Francoeur, LaRoche, Thorman/Langy/Diaz could be a very balanced and productive lineup. Actually against right handers I would move LaRoche to the six hole just because he seems to be learning to be more patient while Frenchy…well….

Shaun, I’m not trying to dis you and dismiss your ideas. I just don’t agree with you about the lineup thing. I look at that Cubs lineup last year and that was the most unbalanced unproductive lineup in the majors last year. And, the truth of it is that the top of the order was horrible and didn’t get on base. Derek Lee would have had 170+RBI if he had a decent leadoff hitter and 2 hole hitter in front of him. I find it interesting the Yankees haven’t won a WS title since they lost Knoblauch as their leadoff hitter. Now, I’m not saying that is the sole reason they haven’t won, but as powerful as that lineup has been it has also been very unbalanced and when they get into the playoffs and face top notch pitching it shows.

By David O'Brien

August 10, 2006 06:58 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I like a lot of Bill James’ work, but some of that stuff is just a bit too esoteric for me, and I KNOW certain older-school managers and front-office folks aren’t going to start using “runs created” instead of OBP and average.

You can’t tell me that it doesn’t matter where a guy hits. I mean, some of it’s overrated, yes, but you want a guy with a good OBP in the leadoff spot, if for no other reason than you want a guy on base to start the first inning as much as possible, and also because that guy gets one more at-bat than guys at bottom of order in a lot of games.

And you want your very best overall hitters, good hitters with power, hitting third or fourth, no lower than fifth unless the lineup’s absolutely loaded. You want them getting up in the first inning as much as possible, and hitting with runners in scoring position. So you want those OBP guys in front of them. Simple stuff. Now, there’s different philosophies when you get lower in the order, as far as having guys that can turn the lineup over and not be an automatic out in front of the pitcher, etc. But I’m not going to get into all that here. Gotta write a story. later

By Shaun Payne

August 10, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this

Lew and people interested in stats,

It’s just fun for me. I’m not a numbers person at all and I was never great at math in school. I did well in English and was interested in art and philosophy and things like that.

I just started reading Bill James and Rob Neyer about 10 years ago and it blew my hair back. Stats in baseball are a lot like language and, believe it or not, stats work a lot like language works, I’ve noticed.

And of course fantasy baseball, but I’ve never been great at fantasy baseball because most fantasy stats don’t really matter in “real life.”

I would prefer to just be able to judge a player by avg, homer and RBI because they are much more accessible and much easier, but less traditional stats are quite obviously more important to a player’s actual production.

Seriously, I know you probably think I work for a publisher or something, but I’ve learned a lot from the book Baseball Between the Numbers. You have to read it if you are a passionate baseball fan. It makes complicated research easy to understand.

But, yeah, I agree, much of the research that shows that traditional stats are largely meaningless will take generations to be accepted. Look, most MVP’s are still hitters with the highest RBI totals and most Cy Young winners are pitchers with a lot of wins. We’ve still got a long way to go.

By David O'Brien

August 10, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this

Also Shaun, ideally, you’d like guys at the top of the order who can work a count and get the pitcher to throw a lot of pitches. Sometimes, you just don’t have that (Braves this year), but that’s preferable. And your No. 2 hitter needs to be able to hit behind the runner, move him over, etc. All kinds of stuff that makes sense in lineup construction, reasons a lot of smart managers have followed the general rules. It’s not just random stuff.

By Tonight on TBS

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

Deliverance (1972)

Several naïve Atlanta bloggers decide to cruise the wilds of cyberspace looking for amusement. The trip turns into a nightmare when they encounter a band of savage cretins (Met fans) who send them through a crucible of danger and degradation. Oh, the porcinity! Fortunately, there is a Floridian (Burt Reynolds) in their party who has the cyber skills to deliver the Georgians to safety.

By CC Rider

August 10, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this

DOB, His early solo efforts were his most traditional country with great heartbreaking drinking songs and cheatin love gone wrong songs. He’s never been Hank but then who has been. But,if you get a chance to check this out you won’t be disapointed. It was by far his most complet effort.

By Lew

August 10, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

Porcinity? Shawn with a W, did you come up with that one?

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 10, 2006 07:06 PM | Link to this

DOB, after the game yesteday how somber was the clubhouse? Did you get the sense that they had given up and think the season is lost or did you get the sense they were so embarrassed that they are upset enough to go on a run?

By Shaun Payne

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

A lot of Bill James’ ideas are coming to fruition with the Red Sox (as Bill James is a Red Sox employee) as I’m sure most of you know. And you can’t argue with the results of that approach as the Red Sox broke offensive records over the last few years.

And batting order does seem to matter a little, just not as much as people think, as the research seems to show. Obviously there are problems with researching batting order because you can’t really arrange an order like you want, you have to depend on baseball teams to do that, and they aren’t going to change lineups for the purposes of research. And, like I said, it’s hard to study the psychological aspect of where a player bats in the order because a)you can’t really quantify how a player feels and b)most players will bat in about the same spot for most of their careers, which creates a problem with sample size.

By Bobbymahlon

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

You guys are missing the point. All the talk is about hitting when all along its been the pitching (starters and relievers) that have killed our chances of making post season. You don’t beat good teams without good pitching something we have not had except for Smoltz this year. The trouble with our bullpen has been they are always pitching from behind the count resulting in hits or walks. You can have a great fastball and great breaking pitches but if you can’t locate them where you want they are of no value. Lets build our pitching staff for next year and we’ll be back in the post season again.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 10, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

Well, I think there is something to the psychological effects of where a player hits in the lineup. I know when I played ball in school I was always the leadoff hitter. The reason being is I was extremely fast and could get on base. I enjoyed hitting in the spot because I was a patient hitter. Now, if I had to bat 4th I would have went nuts because I would have stressed out over trying to get the big hit to get runners in. I just didn’t have that ability. Now, if you look at Giles I see the same sort of thing. Giles by nature isn’t a patient hitter and a lot of 2 hole hitters aren’t. Giles likes to put the ball in play but as a leadoff hitter his job was to get on base and that is not always by swinging at the first pitch.

By Shaun Payne

August 10, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this

I know that a lot of old-school managers and traditional baseball players are not intentionally ignoring statistics and a more scientific approach. To get deep for a second, I think your approach to the game has a lot to do with personality. Some people get into science and philosophy and are going to be more interested in a statistical, research oriented approach to baseball. Hopefully both the stat people and the traditional people can learn from each other.

I did play baseball starting at age 7 and played through high school. I wish I had read and learned some of the ideas I’ve read about in the stat books, because I’m certain it would have made me a better player.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this

lew surprised journalist jimmy smith with his eagerness to dispose of chipper ones. lew is quoted: “Get rid of Chipper, indeed!” well, this is indeed a surprise coming from lew. must be the hartebeest influence. what does lew propose to do with chipper? trade him to an american league team? let him become an ambassador to a foreign land? send him to a mexican clinic for experimental treatment to heal his oblique (toe)? now, batting order: lf of the day, renteria, chipper, andruw, mccann, laroche, giles, francoeur, pitcher.

By Shaun Payne

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

Robert,

Yeah, I agree that there is probably something to the psychological aspect. But I think a lot of that is because most people have been conditioned to think certain spots in the lineup have certain jobs. But really, your job as a hitter is to create runs. When I have kids and if they become baseball players, I would want them to take the approach of waiting on a pitch they can handle and hitting it as hard as they can. And don’t swing at a pitch you can’t handle. Being agressive within the strikezone and within the strikezone only.

True, speed is a valuable weapon, but strikezone judgement and power are more valuable; especially strikezone judgement.

Also, the way managers set up their lineups—the “traditional” approach to batting order—is actually pretty optimal for scoring runs, the research seems to show. Obviously you would like to score first and you want your guys that get on base most to bat most because you are going to score runs that way.

By Shaun Payne

August 10, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this

Scoring first, however, is obviously not as important as scoring often. So a more important reason for batting the high on-base guys first is because you will have more baserunners and, in turn, score more runs.

By shawn

August 10, 2006 07:28 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately no my LEWser friend…

By Joe Torre

August 10, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

Sorry fellas, this team’s just not good enough to win in spite of Bobby.

By Bob, journalist

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

If Francoeur has a .250 average with RISP and two outs and is hitting .256 overall … it supports the notion that folks can usually find statistical indexes to help promote or defend their ideas and heroes … and if they can’t they’ll invent new ones.

The same might be said of those who point to the increase in average distance of Andruw’s homeruns when he overswings … and those who tout runs scored without due regard for OBP, slugging percentages, and the performance of the players who follow.

Nice Lady from South of Georgia, thanks for confirming my suspicions … folks mentally younger than Larry aren’t usually permitted to be up that late … I’m an exception.

By Shaun Payne

August 10, 2006 07:36 PM | Link to this

Lew,

Oh, yeah, and I’m not one of those guys that can tell you what Willie Mays batted in 1957. I think I’m mostly interested in stats because they work a lot like language. Sure, there are limitations, but it’s the best we can do to interpret and express reality. (Pretty deep, huh?)

And our eyes deceive us sometimes. You see a player that can run, can hit for power, can field and you think he’s a great player, but he may suck. Then you look at a guy who seems fat and unathletic and he’s one of the most productive players in the game. And if you look at the right stats over the right amount of time, you know which ones are really good and which ones aren’t. John Kruk and Josh Booty come to mind.

By chopthis

August 10, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

Dave,

I’m not at all familiar with Tom Russell. I’ll put the albums you recommended on my long list of must-buy CDs. He’ll come to the top by 2008 or so, I hope.

A co-worker of mine burned me a CD recently by a Canadian singer-songwriter named Fred Eaglesmith. Are you familiar with him? He has a nice ode to Hank, Elvis, Jimi Hendrix and Co. called, appropriately, “Alcohol and Pills.” But my favorite was “Water in My Fuel,” in which a trucker deals with the long-haul heartache of a jack-knifed relationship. It’s deeply moving.

Almost as moving as Lucinda’s vocal on “Cold, Cold Heart” from the “Timeless” tribute CD.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

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

I competely disagree with people who say this team isn’t very good. I think this team is very good and just not playing like it. I don’t the injuries completely responsible but they have a part in it. Where is this team if Chipper and Giles are healthy all year. What about Horacio and Thomson, who quite frankly never recovered from his injuries in the spring. This bullpen would be better with Foster and Boyer.

However, it is more than the injuries. The lack of depth of the starting rotation has hurt the team all year. The lack of patience and speed in the lineup have hurt. And, of course, the bullpen has been horrible. This team isn’t the greatest by any means but its better than they have played. I can only hope that yesterday’s fiasco by the bullpen has embarrassed them so much it will propel them into a stretch where they pitch lights out. But, I doubt kind of doubt it.

I’ll say this again. I know its not Bobby’s style but he needs to have a good yelling and screaming and cussin’ team meeting. He needs to throw some stuff against the wall and scare the crap out of these guys. I’m serious. You would be surprised how such an outburst could spark something inside these guys, thus sparking a run. Its worth a try. Obviously, sitting in the dugout with his arms folded yelling, “C’mon, kid. You can do it. Take a swing!” just isn’t working.

By shawn

August 10, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this

Robert just curious I know you led off because of your speed. How many times a game do you think (if it is fair to try to recall something like that) you were the actual leadoff hitter in an inning. I think that is what Shaun is getting at, however because you led off you were likely to get more at bats where your speed would be a huge asset. Guess it works both ways…

By leviinalaska

August 10, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

Always look forward to reading your blogs DOB. Not much good news about the Bravo’s but that’s certainly not your fault. You are my favorite sports writer. Please keep up the good work.

By Shaun Payne

August 10, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

The Braves are a .500 team based on their runs scored and allowed because of good offense, bad pitching. They are really not close to .500 mostly because of bad luck. (Yes, for those of you who don’t know, there is a formula to predict record based on runs scored and runs allowed.)

By shawn

August 10, 2006 07:52 PM | Link to this

Hey DOB I will say after some of the games lately a little Hag with The Night the Bottle (or bullpen) let Me Down goes a long way…….

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 10, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this

Shawn, you’re right. I probably leadoff an inning twice a game. Now, I did usually get more at bats than most of the lineup because I did hit leadoff. I see both sides of the argument.

By Reality Check, Choppers!

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

Robert,

This team isn’t very good.

By David O'Brien

August 10, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this

Robert, I agree with you (I don’t know if there’s many of us here) in believing this isn’t a bad team at all. It’s a good _ not great _ team playing really poorly, mostly because of the inconsistent starting pitching and bullpen.

Braves have had good-but-not-great teams in the past who played above their heads or who were able to disguise deficiencies by sheer force of their starting pitchers, and having Smoltz as closer for a few years certainly helped when they could count on winning every game that got to him with a lead.

By 10-7-4

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

[35]for DOB. Greetings all.Please keep your seats. Jimmy, I have figured out perplexing situation of HoRam’s pulley.While it is true the pulley is most associated with chicken’s and turkey’s we must remember this injury is to the “middle” finger of left hand. Case solved.

By David O'Brien

August 10, 2006 08:06 PM | Link to this

and all you grammar freaks _ that’s my conversational tone, saying “I don’t know if there’s many of us.” For blogging and talkin’, not writin’ for the fishwrap. Gotta be proper there.

By flbravesgirl

August 10, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this

DOB, thanks for giving McCann the credit he deserves. I keep hoping people (besides all of us) will notice what he’s doing. I guess he’s not flashy enough for the national media to be interested.

By Lew

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

Journalist Jimmy-You took my comment totally out of context! It was meant as a sarcastic response. If you notice earlier in the post I said that Chipper’s 128 game stats of .325 27 96 was exceptional and more than most players put up in a full season. I was being sarcastic with the Chipper bashers who think he misses too much time. Maybe he does, but I bet that was thwe most productive 128 game performance in quite some time. Shawn with a W-I actually meant it as a compliment. I didn’t think you knew words like porcinity. Apparently I was right. Lewser, indeed! Still no imagination Shawn with a W.

By Young

August 10, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this

The best formular for the Braves to be back at .500 is not playing. If the Braves do not play, they will not lose, of course, they will not win either, however, they will remain at .500 for the rest of the season, and at this rate, they will inch closer and closer to .500, of course, they will never get to .500 then again their winning percentage will not be as bad as it is right now, if you do not believe this do the math. Who would have thought that a team’s winning percentage can get better by not playing, if you do not believe this ask the players or do the research.

By Don

August 10, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this

Please Robert (Rose Colored Glasses), enough with the Bobby needs to scream and throw around a few chairs. Players don’t respect a guy trying to be somebody he’s not, they see right through it. And all the ranting and raving in the world isn’t going to turn most of the guys on the Braves pitching staff into legitimate big league pitchers. Screaming at Shiell isn’t going to make him throw 90 mph, throwing a tantrum on the mound isn’t going to make Yates throw strikes. Those guys are trying, they just stink. This is what you finally come to when you keep trying to build bullpens around guys making the major league minimum and one year you find that most of your starters can’t go 6 innings on a regular basis.

This is a good team? Other than no leadoff hitter and no speed and a brittle third baseman and no left fielder and a vastly overrated right fielder and the worst pitching staff anybody here has seen since the glory days of the Mahler brothers, they’re terrific. That’s why they’re double digit games under .500 in this year’s National League, perhaps the worst league in major league baseball in 100 years in terms of the number of quality teams (one).

If this year’s Braves played in the American League East I think they’d be 30 games under .500. They’re not even close to good, they’re much closer to horrible.

There’s a story on ESPN.com about Josh Beckett’s jump in ERA from last year (Marlins to Red Sox) and his ERA against the top AL teams compared with the bottom AL teams and the NL teams they’ve played. Imagine going 18 games each against the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays with Paranto, Yates, McBride, etc. Oh the humanity!

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this

lew, where do you stand on this pulley bone injury? and 35, one should never pull a middle finger when asked. this is a favorite trick of the old journalist and the results are always the same. imagine if this injury keeps horacio out for the balance of the season … who would have thought horacio would turn out to be the turkey of a staff that included sosa and thomson?

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 10, 2006 08:32 PM | Link to this

It amazes me how little respect and attenton MCann gets from the national media.

I still stand by what I say about this team being a good team. Look at it position by position. LaRoche at 1st. Only Delgado, Puljos, and Howard are hands down better overall. Giles is in easily in the top 3 or 4 2B overall. I know I will have detractors. But, name me 4 2B who when considering defense and offense are better. Renteria is easily one of the top 4 SS. Despite what you folks say when healthy Chipper is one of the top 4 or 5 3B in the NL. Andruw is the best CF hands down. Francouer for all his faults is one of the best. Who in the NL would you take ahead of him? McCann is the best catcher. I mean so when you look at the position players we have a heck of a crew. If Hudson pitches like he is capable we have the most dominant 1-2 punch as far as starting rotation goes. Again, it all comes down to that horrible bullpen.

By ncscoots

August 10, 2006 08:36 PM | Link to this

I’m wondering if, along with a bad pulley, perhaps HoRam winch-ed his back?

By Lew

August 10, 2006 08:38 PM | Link to this

Journalist Jimmy-I don’t know what to make of this pulley bone thing. It was bad enough when the toe problems began to add up. Now a rampancy of finger problems. We have definitely got the most digitally challenged group of players I’ve ever heard of. Does this mean the Braves are Analog? Jimmy, hopefully the Hartebeest and seal are on their way back south. It is going down to 44 degrees here tonight. Much too cold for a normally equitorial creature. Seal would be happy, though.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this

lew, glad you claried your remark about getting rid of chipper. when chipper is taken out of context that is the same as out of the national league, right?

By Lew

August 10, 2006 08:43 PM | Link to this

Esteemed Journalist-Wouldn’t out of context mean batting cleanup instead of third? Hasn’t Marcus been out of context leading off?

By flbravesgirl

August 10, 2006 08:45 PM | Link to this

44 degrees, Lew? You’re going to make me cry, stuck down here in this sauna. We might hit 40s a couple of nights in the so-called winter.

By shawn

August 10, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this

I got a compliment from LEWser….how special I feel…good to have you back on the blog after your shift at Taco Bell…I am complete now…..

By Lew

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

FLBravesgirl-I moved from Orlando to Vermont. After 5 years I am just getting used to the cold. Unfortunately, it will hit 35 below zero this winter more than it will hit 40 above. Here’s something for the trade advocates to ponder-over the past 162 games, Andruw and Chipper combined for 71HR and 235 RBI, CHipper accomplishing his part in 128 games. How do you expect to trade them and retain a chance of winning in the foreseeable future? Do you all really think they will be replaceable with what we would get in return?

By ncscoots

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

Robert, no, no, no…it does not come down to the “horrible bullpen”. Sorry, that would be a lovely scenario, and probably fixable, but I’m afraid there are deeper problems. The starters as constituted, this year OR next, give me no confidence they will be SIGNIFICANTLY better. I tend to agree that Hampton has a chance to be good-to-excellent, but his addition alone is not enough, IMO. Assuming that James and Davies will not take their lumps as young pitchers is a weak basis for projecting success, and HoRam simply hasn’t shown he’s more than a #4 starter (yet). And taking it on faith that the real Tim Hudson will be returned by his alien abductors, well, that’s Billy-Graham-type stuff. Sure, the bullpen needs revamping, but’s just a band-aid on a sliced carotid if the starters don’t get fixed first. Course, the current starters could all find perfection over the winter, but I think I’d prefer to be a little more proactive were I a GM.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 08:52 PM | Link to this

hartebeest is not equitorial, lew. hartebeest was groomed just before leaving north carolina. carolina lady grew fond of hartebeest during the war with the crows (recent war - not the original). maybe hartebeest can stop in nc on the way back to journalist jimmy smith’s house.

By Lew

August 10, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this

Shawn with a W- How could you possibly be complete with half a brain. A complete fool perhaps. My compliment was really a put down. I swear its too easy sometimes.

By Crazy Bastard

August 10, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this

DOB—WHY DO YOU LIKE COFFEE SO MUCH????

By Crazy Bastard

August 10, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this

IM WORKING ON A POT OF COFFEE RIGHT NOW—SIGNED D.O.B.

By shawn

August 10, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this

My completeness is all because of you….how can I live without you LEWser.Thank god you are here…

By elbravox

August 10, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this

49 games and a wake-up.

By Crazy Bastard

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

SOMEBODY PLEASE HAND ME A CUP OF COFFEE, MY HANDS ARE STARTING TO SHAKE AND I CAN’T WRITE!!!

By Lew

August 10, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this

Shawn with a W-Yes, you are absolutely correct, we have achieved a balance. I have a brain-you don’t. But its fun going back and forth, isn’t it?

By ncscoots

August 10, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

elbravox, I doubt these guys are feeling short, though, do you?

By shawn

August 10, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this

LEWser can dish but can he take it? Is his wittle feelings hurt?.Put down the mouse go in the next room and let mommy comfort her wittle boy

By shawn

August 10, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this

Been fun LEWser…see ya next time

By ncscoots

August 10, 2006 09:06 PM | Link to this

wow, shawn, that’s some really bad-boy smackdown there, son. Why not give the juvenile crud a rest, if that’s possible for you?

By Crazy Bastard

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

GIVE ME A C GIVE ME AN O GIVE ME AN F GIVE ME AN F GIVE ME AN E GIVE ME AN E……..DOB, WHAT DOES THAT SPELL??????????????

COFFEE!!!!!

By Lew

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

Shawn with a W-My feelings aren’t hurt in the least. You can call me LEWser all you want. It actually says much more about you than me. Give it back to me in spades, dude. All I’ve ever wanted to see from you and your posts is something other than moronic, bombastic staements such as “The Braves suck”. Let’s have a real, intelligent back and forth on the state of the Braves and realistic approaches to what might be done. I welcome it if you’re really up to it. Prove to me that there really is something to you. Anyway, I wish you no ill will. Have a good evening. It truly has been fun. Later.

By 10-7-4

August 10, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this

ncscoots-FTA

By Crazy Bastard

August 10, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this

I AM BREWING COFFEE RIGHT NOW, IT SMELLS IMMACULATE.

By Crazy Bastard

August 10, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this

C O F F E E

By elbravox

August 10, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this

I just love Braves baseball, even when they suck. I will miss them when its over. Yeah, I feel like a short timer, but I am a lifer

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 09:23 PM | Link to this

wake-up? did anyone wake journalist bob? well, there’s no game so may as well let van winkle sleep. still, bob will be up all hours if someone doesn’t wake him soon.

By ncscoots

August 10, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this

Having seen no recent posts from Carolina Lady, I assume that the vitriol unleashed yesterday after The Inning (though well-deserved) was so laced with the banished s-word that our books are filled with demerits. Thus, we must have many punishment tours on the quardrangle to work off these demerits before she returns to the blog. Would a word from baby seal (perhaps even now stopping by nc on the way home to jjs) perhaps return us to her good graces? Or a hartebeest honk, even, if baby seal be busy? oh, the demerits!

By Lew

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

Scoots-Do you get demerits if you quote someone else who said s##ks?

By 10-7-4

August 10, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this

elbravox-No offense intended,was just fishing to see who knew lingo.

By ncscoots

August 10, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this

Lew, don’t think I’m qualified to make that call, it’s a tough one. Demerit regulations, as you probably know, are more complex than even MLB waiver rules (though I’m sure some poster has tried to explain them in “countless posts”). I would have to defer to the Commissioner on your questions, my friend.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this

scoots, carolina lady is busy building bird houses. she has missed a lot today. jimmy smith thinks she will indeed be surprised about lew’s change of heart with chipper. no doubt, carolina lady will be disturbed when she sees dob’s pulley bone article, too. perhaps the bloggers will be on better behavior for carolina lady tomorrow.

now, yankees news … johnny damon has returned from stiffness in his groin and is already on base with a double to left field. the field is wet and slippery so the groin could stiffen again at any time. journalist cannot believe jimmy smith is blogging about the yankees - enough!

By Lew

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

Thanks Scoots-Has anyone attempted to wake Journalist Bob? He would know. I wonder when Grinch is getting back from his play. He is always good for a demerit or two.

By Lew

August 10, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

Esteemed Journalist-I have had no change of heart about Chipper. I have always been a fan of the undemonstrative one. I was just surprised that his numbers in 128 games were as good as they were. They were, quite honestly, phenomenal. It shows that he is well worth keeping, even if he does miss a few games. Catchers only catch 130 games a year and no one fusses about that. When you get down to it, that averages out to missing 1 game per week. I don’t know where you got the idea that I didn’t want Chipper on the Braves. He owns one of my paintings (actually I gave it to him, but I assume he still has it).

By ncscoots

August 10, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this

LOL, Lew, is not the The Grinch the absolute most misnomered poster on the blog? Simply can’t imagine the guy with a scowl…evil grin, maybe, but not a scowl. jjs, yes, mentions of pulley bones, stiff groins, and Jim Morrison (oh, the stage presence) do seem to be just a little…unseemly, yes? LMAO

By Crazy Bastard

August 10, 2006 09:49 PM | Link to this

IS DOB SLUGGING DOWN SOME COFFEE??? I CAN PRETTY MUCH GUARAN-DAMN-TEE IT THAT HE IS A MASSIVE A*S FAN OF IRISH COFFEE. THAT S**T GRABS YOU BY THE NUT SAC AND DOESNT LET GO!!!

By Lew

August 10, 2006 09:53 PM | Link to this

Scoots-The Grinch is definitely one of a kind. He should be in fine form tonight having just been exposed to culture. Yes, I could picture the evil grin. As far as the Lizard King. I don’t know why people were ragging on him last night. I mean, I wouldn’t run to put flowers on his grave, but I do have all of the Doors albums. It’s like DOB said earlier. He and the music were in our lives (some of us anyway), at a very turbulent and formative time. He, too, was one of a kind. Krieger could rock, too.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this

lew, journalist is pulling your leg … lew’s admiration for chipper jones is well known on this blog. lew is correct that chipper does miss a few games … maybe this will be corrected in the off season by a good toe man. looks like chipper and laroche will be huntin’ early this year - a week earlier than usual. bobby may join them but no one will loan him a gun for obvious reasons - has to bring his own. maybe someone should invite pratt and see if he can hit anything.

By Carolina Lady

August 10, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this

Hi, guys! Just now stopped in and saw the last few posts…. Been awfully busy. Several looooooong medical appointments have quickly been necessary for my mother, more CAT scans, tests, etc., more scheduled all the way through next Wednesday. And I’m just awfully tired. Started not to even post, just check in to see what was going on, when I saw your kind inquiries about my absence - and decided to spend a few minutes with you before crashing for the evening. (Last night I turned off the light at 9:10!) Just TIRED. But who could not stop to say ‘Hello!’ to some of the nicest folks on the planet! :-))

Yep, trying to work on some artwork for some birdhouses, also. Interruptions make it a difficult task. Y’all bear with me, please! “The check’s in the mail!” :-)))

By krath

August 10, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this

Crazy,

I love coffee. I love coffee more than just about anything. Since I’ve grown older and have less interest in some things I had great interest when I was younger (wink, wink)I love coffee even more!!

I would love a cup of freshly brewed coffee right now, but I have to go to bed soon and coffee and sleep just don’t mix well with me. :(

By ncscoots

August 10, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this

oh, no, Lew, I’m not ragging on Morrison, not hardly. But you do remember that he had a little Janet-Jackson-like episode on stage at one time? That was my reference in the above (whimsical) post!

By krath

August 10, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this

Glad you checked in, Lady. Always good to read anything you contribute….. even if it’s just a “hello” :)

By Carolina Lady

August 10, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this

Hi, Krath! How are the mts tonight? (And thank you!) :-))

By Lew

August 10, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

Evening, Ma’am-Hope things soon go better with your Mom. Esteemed Journalist. Please be careful with leg pulling. I can’t afford to have pulley bone problems. Who knows, maybe we will discover there are pulley bones in legs, too. We certainly never knew about them in fingers before we were rudely educated. We may have an epidemic if not careful. Krath-It’s blood pressure med time and I, too will call it a day. Whatever “IT” is. Good night all. Say hi to Grinch when he checks in.

By Lew

August 10, 2006 10:02 PM | Link to this

Scoots-I know you weren’t. There were uninformed persons doing it last night, though. NIght.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this

carolina lady, welcome! journalist wishes your mama well. is carolina lady taking care of carolina lady as well? inquiring journalist wants to know. there is no hurry on the bird house for journalist jimmy smith’s bird. journalist’s bird is staying in baby seal’s quarters while baby seal is away. so, take care of the important things first and then you can turn your attention to bird houses. do all birds have a pulley bone? all major league pitchers? something is fishy with this pulley bone talk - maybe dob is messin’ with us. would dob do that?

By Carolina Lady

August 10, 2006 10:07 PM | Link to this

Evenin’, Lew! Eye is better, I hope? Norvasc 75mg, right? When all this stuff with her settles down, I want to seriously get to work on your house and get it to you. Pick out the drawings from which I will be permitted to choose! Can’t wait!!

Jimmy, yours is partly done, but is in a holding pattern, hopefully for a short time!

By Shaun Payne

August 10, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this

There’s a story on ESPN.com about Josh Beckett’s jump in ERA from last year (Marlins to Red Sox) and his ERA against the top AL teams compared with the bottom AL teams and the NL teams they’ve played. Imagine going 18 games each against the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays with Paranto, Yates, McBride, etc. Oh the humanity!

I’m sure Josh Beckett’s high ERA has something to do with pitching in a better league and facing tougher competition, but you also have to take into account the DH. I would guarantee that most pitchers that have gone from the NL to the AL since 1973 has seen their ERA spike a little.

Also, the Braves are bad almost soley because of their pitching. If they had just average pitching, they’d be in the playoff hunt, because the offense has been pretty good.

And I agree that our rightfielder is overrated, but at least one of our leftfielders is pretty productive—Matt Diaz. He’s hitting .322 avg/.349 on-base/.477 slugging. Problem is he’s only played in 82 games. And Chipper Jones, our best hitter, has played in even fewer. But the offense has still done the job. The problem is pitching.

I’m sure you can find other years with less “quality” teams. The 1973 NL comes to mind. The Mets reached the series despite a 82-79 record. But the 2006 NL is certainly not good. The scales of talent seem to be tipped towards the AL. But the NL has many of the top hitting prospects, so the senior circuit is movin’ on up.

By Carolina Lady

August 10, 2006 10:15 PM | Link to this

Hey, Jimmy! Well, I’m trying but sometimes it isn’t always possible. An early bedtime is about the best I can do sometimes! :-)

Thank you (all!) for good wishes for my mother. The CAT scan this afternoon revealed 3 different problems that must be dealt with, in 3 varying degrees of urgency. Naturally, it requires several different doctors! (That’s enough to exhaust a body right there!!) But, you do what you have to do, right?

OK, who is keeping track of demerits?? HK should be able to come up with some terrific charts for that! :-))) (Don’t y’all get tired of seeing that outdated, overused word so much???)

By Carolina Lady

August 10, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this

Forgot: yes, Jimmy, I’m pretty sure that all birds have a pulley bone - a wishbone. Never heard of it in conjunction with the human hand/digit, though - and I’m leavin’ it right there! :-))

By krath

August 10, 2006 10:25 PM | Link to this

Lady,

The mtns are stormy tonight, but they’re still great. It’s a comfy 68 degrees. Hope all is well on the coast. (another one of God’s geographical wonders)

By Carolina Lady

August 10, 2006 10:34 PM | Link to this

The beautiful Smokey Mountains! 68 degrees??? Enjoy that for all of us! It’s been hotter than a firecracker down here - and have had the thunderstorms to match, though it has been a smidgen cooler this week than last! That was something else!! And Lew is sitting up there in VT where it’s downright chilly! Here’s a deal: y’all pipe some of that cool air down here Jul-Aug and Jan-Feb I’ll pipe some warmer air up to y’all. How’s that?? :-)))

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 10, 2006 10:36 PM | Link to this

Coffee is great! Greatest thing ever discovered!

Now, to baseball. I agree its more than the pitching. However, if we had Wickman all year we would have at least 10 more wins than we do right now and would be a game over .500. And how many times have the starters (Hudson, Smoltz, and Ramirez) been left in the game an inning too long because of the bullpen? Its easy to say its all Cox’s fault but in his defense why would he have any confidence in that bullpen? Hell, a Smoltz or a Hudson at 25% is better than most of those stiffs they have done in the pen. The game of baseball has changed. Don Sutton and Skip Caray mention it all the time, as does guys like Joe Morgan, Peter Gammons, and Rick Sutcliffe, that the game is managed from the 9th inning back. In other words the strength of your bullpen directly affects the way you manage your starters.

The Tigers and Mets probably have the best pens in baseball. Leyland and Randolph have the confidence to pull a starter at the first sign of trouble. They don’t have to push a guy through the 6th or 7th innings because they know they have guys down in the pen that they can go to to either hold the lead, keep a tie, or limit a deficit. The Braves simply don’t have that option. The pickups of Baez and Wickman have been great for the most part. The problem is that Bobby has to push his starters 7 innings or else eat 20 Tums when he brings in anyone else. Our starters have not been good this year. In the case of Thomson injury has been the casue. In part the same could be said for Horacio. But, is it possible when it comes to Hudson, James, and even Smoltz at times they tend to press and put pressure on themselves to perform because they know the pen won’t hold a lead or keep the game close? Look at that Mets game a couple of Sundays ago. We had Tom Glavine on the ropes. He was obviously struggling. Randolph pulls him in the 5th and brings in Darren Oliver, who for the most part shut the Braves down. Now, if Tommy had been in a Braves uniform he would have been forced to make it through at least 6 innings if possible because if the bullpen would have came in it would have been a blowout within a inning.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 10, 2006 10:39 PM | Link to this

this may clear things up: update on the anatomy of the pulley system in the chicken foot long digit.

“the pulley system in the flexor sheath of the long toe of the white leghorn chicken foot was studied. histologic sections of the pulleys were prepared, and the mechanics of flexion of the long toe was analyzed. an annular flexor pulley that attached to the third phalanx was identified. this pulley, which has not been described previously, was found to be essential for proper flexion of the third interphalangeal joint.”

journalist is glad to clary

By flbravesgirl

August 10, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this

Chicken anatomy class? journalist jimmy leaves no stone unturned in his efforts to provide us with information.

Carolina Lady, I second the motion re: piping the air. Mid 90s with 90% humidity here. Blech!

By Carolina Lady

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

Chicken toes???

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. 2000. Regional Patterns of American Speech: “Even the superstitions connected with chicken clavicles (wishbone, pulley bone, or lucky bone) identify social groups, as do the traditional Southern greetings ‘hey’ and ‘Christmas gift’!”

Learned something new! :-))

By Carolina Lady

August 10, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this

Hey, flbravesgirl! That would be a great system, wouldn’t it?! Think of the savings in heat and a/c bills! Today’s high was only 89 but the humidity was in the high 90s. And you said it: blech!! :-))

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 10, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this

Here is what is nerve wrecking about this season. The Braves are actually still in it. Even though it looks like they don’t have a chance the NL is bad that they really do. It doesn’t appear in any way that this team is poised to make a run. But, two weeks ago it didn’t look like the Dodgers could make a run. The Reds looked like they were about to make their annual summer swoon and they got hot again. The Cards have had two 8 game losing streaks this year, yet, they will probably still win their division.

I sometimes wish they would just give up and end this season. But, then I wouldn’t respect them and they wouldn’t be my Braves. No doubt they are pressing. The fact is no matter how much you want to put them to sleep they are a good 15-6 stretch from being right in thick of it again. That is just the truth. Now, do I think they will win the wild card? No. However, you can never count this team out until they are actually out. The return of Chipper could spark something. Despite the many on here who make fun of and rip on Chipper, when he is healthy he is still one of the best players in the majors. You look at the July he had and you have to realize that not just anyone can put up those numbers. Sure someone could do it for a week or even two but not a month. If Chipper is truly healthy once he returns to the team Sunday, then he makes this team as dangerous as anyone. And for all those who say he is selfish and cry baby did you read where he said he was coming back Sunday no matter how he felt. A selfish player wouldn’t do that. If the rehab stint didn’t go well, they would just sit out until they felt “perfectly healthy”. But, Chipper knows this team and his teammates need him. He knows if they have any chance of making the playoffs he has to be in the lineup the rest of the way. To me that is a gamer. If his playing hurt winds up hurting the team then he needs to sit but Chipper at 70% is better than nothing. That is just that. I think Chipper is proving why he is a true Brave and why he doesn’t want to leave. I mean get real. If he was a p*y as some of you say, wouldn’t he demand a trade to the AL where he could DH and sit around all game?

By Carolina Lady

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

‘Night, everyone! Sweet dreams!

By chopthis

August 10, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this

If we make it through October,

Everything’s gonna be all right, I know.

It’s the coldest time for Braves fans;

Gonna be hard to watch the Mets go to The Show.

If we make it through October,

Got plans to have us a better team come next springtime.

Maybe even reach .500

If we make it through October we’ll be fine.

By chopthis

August 10, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

I wiush Smoltz was still closin’

It was back when the bullpen was strong.

Back before Sosa and them other bums came along.

Before Chipper had injuries,

When a star could still play and still would.

Are the division titles behind us now,

And are the good times really over for good?

By chopthis

August 10, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this

Oops. Corrected version:

I wish Smoltz was still closin’

It was back when the bullpen was strong.

Back before Sosa and them other bums came along.

Before Chipper had injuries,

When a star could still play and still would.

Are the division titles behind us now,

And are the good times really over for good?

By Phillip

August 10, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this

Anybody see the comments tonight by Smoltz, on “Around the South”? He said that in rough times like these it shows you what a person is really made of, and that he was encouraged by the attitudes of the young guys. He then went on to say that some of the other people in the clubhouse were showing their true colors. Any thoughts on who might be whining and crying about the losing? Could there be a trashed locker stall on the horizon?

By BravesLifer

August 11, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this

DOB - Are you a SonVolt fan, by any chance? Or Uncle Tupelo, or any other work by Jay Farrar? He was a founding member of Wilco, if I’m not mistaken, and I know you’re a fan of them. I have SonVolt’s “Live at Austin City Limits” DVD, and it’s quite simply the best music DVD I own. I still haven’t seen them live and in person, which is crazy because they come through Atlanta all the time. Just thought I’d check to see if you were a fan, given your other similar musical tastes…

By David O'Brien

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

Ahh…just brewed a small pot of my favorite joe. Insane person, I love coffee because I’m a working adult who likes to be sharp and stay awake late, so I can read the humorous ramblings of bloggers _ and yours, too, for that matter.

Anyway, just wait, when you reach your mid-20s or so, you’ll appreciate a good cup of joe, too, son. Until then, enjoy your coca-cola at breakfast, like others do until they reach full adulthood.

Sip…ah, that was delicious. Coffee is good, day or night.

By Don

August 11, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this

Robert, if you think the Braves, with two minor leaguers in the starting rotation (meaning frequent Verizon calls to the wretched bullpen starting in the 4th inning or so are likely), have ANY chance to pass 8-9 teams to win the wild card you must be drinking heavily tonight. That might also explain you asserting that Wickman would have added 10 wins for the Braves (making him an MVP candidate) and Hudson has been pretty good for the Braves other than a bad 7 week stretch.

Shaun, I agree the DH is a big part of the ERA differential between the NL and AL as it has been since 1973. And then you add better players in the AL, and the Braves ERA really looks wretched. Tim Hudson’s ERA of 5 would probably translate to closer to 6 pitching in the AL. And he used to have an ERA around 3 in the AL, which was beyond good.

I remember that bad Mets team in the ‘73 World Series. 42 year old Willie Mays stumbling around in center field was one of the saddest sights I’ve ever seen in baseball. The Mets went from last to first in a bad East Division. There were two very good teams in the NL West that year. Cincinnati won 99 games with what became the Big Red Machine and lost to the Mets in the NLCS. The Dodgers won 95 games. Much of that team went on to play in the ‘77 and ‘78 World Series. Their pitching staff in ‘73 had Andy Messersmith (soon to become an Atlanta disaster), Don Sutton (who many years later became an Atlanta announcing disaster), Tommy John (pre Tommy John surgery) and Claude Osteen. Not a bad group. Those two teams beat up on the rest of the league like the AL beat up on the NL this year in interleague play.

And in ‘73 there were only 12 teams per league. This year’s NL has one good team (the Mets) out of 15.

By David O'Brien

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

Oh, and Chopthis: While I’m thinking about it (and listening to it), I wanted to tell you about another artist I’m sure you’d enjoy: M. Ward. Brilliant songwriter, sort of dark, jangly rock with great touches of piano and all sorts of unusual sounds in the background, everything from tex-mex to surf-guitar sounding stuff. and his voice is this inimitable sort of loud, urgent whisper.

anyway, if you can download it and try it, he’s M. Ward and the new CD is “Transistor Radio.” Try songs “Big Boat” or “One Life Away.” Great stuff.

By chopthis

August 11, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this

And we hit mid-August in fourth place,

Mets and Marlins on a roll.

No one could turn the tide,

But Scheurholz tried

Scheurholz tried

Scheurholz tried to get good players;

Bobby stuck by Yates’s side.

That leaves only Cox to blame

‘Cause Scheurholz tried.

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 12:18 AM | Link to this

BravesLifer, where you been, man? We’ve had this discussion, Bryan and me or someone and me. Looove Uncle Tupelo and both splinter groups, Wilco and Son Volt. And Jay Farrar’s solo stuff also damn fine.

The last Son Volt album was my favorite, and the Wilco stuff with Billy Bragg, along with “Summerteeth” and the live album, “Kicking Television,” plus that double CD they did a few years ago, that I can’t think of the name right now.

By Don

August 11, 2006 12:26 AM | Link to this

Dave, I have one word for you:

Beethoven

Given how broad your musical interests are, if you haven’t given him a serious listen you should.

By BravesLifer

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

“Being There” is the name of the double CD…”A.M.” is my favorite Wilco cd, and I think because it sounds the most like SonVolt, which is what drew me to Wilco in the first place. Sorry I missed your conversations on them…my job keeps me away from the leisurely conversations (like Braves & music) more than I’d like!

By chopthis

August 11, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this

Dave,

I’m getting inundated here. Should I go after Tom Russell or M. Ward first? ‘Cause I’m not made of money here, and I lack downloading capabilities, so I got to prioritize.

I’ve spent the evening listening to and being inspired by “When I Stop Dreaming: The Best of the Louvin Brothers.” Such sublime harmonizing! And that Ira Louvin could pick the mandolin.

Desert island cut: “You’re Running Wild.”

By chopthis

August 11, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this

Dave,

Don’s right on! CHuck Berry’s “Roll Over Beethoven” is one of the great rock anthems.

By Kentavo

August 11, 2006 12:39 AM | Link to this

Jay Farrar was not in Wilco. He was in Uncle Tupelo with Jeff Tweedy.

By Kentavo

August 11, 2006 12:40 AM | Link to this

Jay Farrar was not in Wilco. He was in Uncle Tupelo with Jeff Tweedy.

By Joe Lieberman

August 11, 2006 12:43 AM | Link to this

Why Braves Bloggers Must NOT Give Up

I have just returned from my fourth trip to Turner field in the past 3 months and can report real progress there. More work needs to be done, of course, but the Braves are in reach of a watershed transformation from the absolutely horrific play we have seen in the first half of the season to an almost competent, almost professional brand of baseball. They are in reach, that is - unless you, Braves bloggers, call for us to give up on this team and the great Braves management that has given us this unexpected opportunity.
Progress is visible and practical. In the dougout, there are proficient “P” players of unparalleled intensity: Pete Orr, Pena, Pratt, etc. The bullpen now contains two potent late inning relievers: prodigious individuals - huge men who are prosperous and secure. The infield, despite heavy casualties, remains sound and now produces more power than ever before, and no longer needs assistance from Jordan. The outfield, geographically defined by the foul pole in left field and the foul pole in right field, is where most of the RBIs come from and there is progress there, too, since the beginning of the season. This blog is witnessing a war between 27 million and 10,000; 27 million Braves fans who value freedom and the Tomahawk chop and roughly 10,000 extreme Met supporters who know their wretched cause will be set back if Braves bloggers give up now. I choose the side of the 27 million because the outcome of this wild card race is critically important to the future of the National League, and to baseball itself.

Does Bobby Cox have a good plan and a strategy for making the playoffs? Yes he does. And it is important to make it clear to Braves bloggers that the plan has not remained stubbornly still but has changed over the course of the year. Mistakes, some of them big, were made around selection of the pitching staff, and no one who supports the Braves should hesitate to admit that; but we have learned from those mistakes, and from what has worked and not worked on the field. Brave’s managements’ recent use of the banner “clear, hold and build” accurately describes the strategy as I saw it being implemented last week.

In conclusion, I cannot say enough about Bobby Cox and this team, who are fighting like the dickens. They are courageous, smart, effective, innovative, very honorable and very proud. After a post-game meal with a bunch of these guys, I asked Bobby whether the morale of his team had been hurt by the growing public dissent posted on this blog about this team’s play. His answer was insightful, instructive and inspirational: “Senator, my ballplayers are motivated by their devotion to each other and to the team, and besides, most of them cannot read beyond the third grade level.”

By BravesLifer

August 11, 2006 12:47 AM | Link to this

Thanks for clarifying, Kentavo. Hard to keep it straight when the three bands were so incestuous!

By Bob, journalist

August 11, 2006 12:52 AM | Link to this

Who won? Oh Puck, guess I was having a midsummer’s night dream … how refreshing the storm was though.

I belong to the “pulley bone - Christmas gift” social group though I confess to being among those not knowing what porcinity is … sounds Greek to me, maybe “piggishness”.

Call me chicken, but, I would not have been one of those flying out of Heathrow today or … tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

By flbravesgirl

August 11, 2006 12:53 AM | Link to this

Mr. Senator, that was very amusing…. up ‘til the last line which was just rude. That ruined the whole post for me.

By Dan Quayle

August 11, 2006 01:05 AM | Link to this

Yeah, Senator, that was completely uncalled for! I’ll bet you’re as dumb as a potatoe yourself!

By The Grinch

August 11, 2006 01:05 AM | Link to this

Greetings, citizens! Oops, and distinguished senator Leibermann, as well. The Grinch was in rare form this evening, as were the players at the Shakespeare Tavern. His ravishing date was well pleased, and the Grinch was awarded a second date. Anticipation, to be sure, but concern in the long run that perhaps his wallet may be two sizes too small for this delicate beauty. The first clue was “Um, you sure you don’t want to drive MY car?” D’OH! It was fun, to be sure, to put a new BMW M5 through its paces, something that likely won’t happen with her behind the wheel (with the exception of the brakes, perhaps). The wine flowed freely and the players performing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” were unusually bawdy, thus laying the groundwork for the Grinch’s subtle yet charmingly persistant guile. I will now switch out of third person narrative to whisk myself off to bed; I must get up early and head back down to south GA for my first return visit since I left in April. I will likely not be conversing with you all ‘till Tuesday or so…please, now, no tears…oh, all right; let them flow (pat, pat), there, there…shhhh…Ok. Better? I’ll check back in the morning before I go to hear all your good wishes. :-)

By geauxbraves2000

August 11, 2006 01:17 AM | Link to this

I have an idea, no, wait a second, na, never mind.

Geaux Braves!!

By Snowball's Chance

August 11, 2006 01:21 AM | Link to this

” I’ll be rollin’ down hill like a snowball headed for hell”. Thank you, Merle.

Just finished watching Yankees/ Sox. They are on as much as the Braves used to be. Yankees came unglued with at least three errors in one inning. I counted four. Arod officially is suffering from Steve Sax Disease. Has anyone but a Yankee suffered from this? Sax was bad in LA but he took it to a new level in NY..Knoblach[sic] had another bad case. JJS, could it be a side effect of a toxic toe disorder?

By Bob, journalist

August 11, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this

Chopthis, Don’s righter than that … though he may be quite liberal for all I know … Hank is in a class by himself, but the music of Beethoven is, without much doubt, the best I’ve ever heard … Bach isn’t bad either. It’s hard to dispute or dislike true genius, regardless of genre.

One thing good about living today is having the opportunity to enjoy the best of all that has been created and survived over the centuries … it’s sad to think of how many such treasures have been lost.

By Bob, journalist

August 11, 2006 01:49 AM | Link to this

I never cared too much for Liberman anyway … Der Bingle will always be my favorite Connecticut Yankee and the Great King Arthur probably spelled it potatoe, as did Ben Franklin, so I wish folks would quit making fun of Dan.

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 02:52 AM | Link to this

Chopthis, I hear you, man. I don’t know crap about downloading myself, haven’t downloaded a thing.

I’d definitely get the Tom Russell if I were you, you’ll love those last two _ “Hotwalker” and especially “Love and Fear.” Hotwalker’s so different, so strange, but if you’re into the beat writers, bukowski, tales of drinking and fighting and hopping trains, all woven together with cool music, you’ll love it.

Love and Fear’s a conventional music CD, but great, great music and hard-edged songwriting by a dude who’s grizzled just right.

Louvin Brothers _ how ‘bout Satan is Real. Now that’s a weirdly cool CD. What a trip. The cover is like a joke, but it’s not one.

Speaking of tribute albums, there was a real good one of their stuff a year or so ago…

OK, I just ran upstairs and grabbed it so I could see what’s on it. it’s called “Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’” and among the many great duets on it are “My Baby’s Gone” by Emmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell and “Must You Throw Dirt in My Face” by, yes, Merle Haggard and Carl Jackson.

Also, “Are You Teasing Me” by Patty Loveless and Jon Randall and “Let Us Travel, Travel On” by Marty Stuart and Del McCoury.

Now tell me that don’t sound like something you need to own? (or maybe you already do).

…Wilco “A.M.” _ sweet music. And yes, “Being There” is the double CD I was thinking of. Thanks, BravesLifer.

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 02:58 AM | Link to this

Like flbravesgirl, I, too, thoroughly enjoyed the Lieberman post … until the final line. Up until that point, simply wonderful creative writing, my friend.

By chopthis

August 11, 2006 03:17 AM | Link to this

Tom Russell it is, then. But first, gotta get that Dion CD. I borrowed it to make sure it’s as good as I’ve heard. It is.

Once the store opens later today, I’ll have my own copy.

“If I only had a dollar for ev’ry game they’ve blown,” I could afford about a dozen CDs at a time.

Yep. I’ve got the “Livin’, Lovin’ Losin’” tribute to the Louvins. Many fine versions of their classics, but — in case you haven’t heard them — none of them anywhere near as good as the originals.

And “Satan Is Real.” Never has a cardboard Satan seemed quite so scary.

In fact, I have their Bear Family box set, “Close Harmony.” Worth every penny.

There’s a Johnny Cash tribute album came out a few years ago — called “Kindred Spirits,” I think — with several fine covers of The Man in Black, some of them quite good. Dwight Yoakam really shines on “Understand Your Man,” Dylan does “Train of Love” as well as his voice will allow, and I’m loath to admit that Hank Jr., even, has a rockin’ turn on “Big River.” But best of all is Steve Earle, who selects a little JC obscurity called “Hardin Wouldn’t Run” and — I have to admit — obliterates Johnny’s original version.

Dion. Hank. Johnny Cash. Steve Earle. The Louvins. Merle.

What did we wretched sinners do to deserve such genius?

Thank you, Thomas Edison, thank you!

By Tomahawkin

August 11, 2006 04:02 AM | Link to this

You guys and Ur classic Rock/Country

No love 4 Nirvana, Or Ozzy, Or Pantera, or Old Metallica… Thats da Rockin Shyt I listen to, especially after a Braves loss when I’m P**s-e-d off, I Dunno if D.O.B. likes the hard stuff, I’d figure he likes to mellow out after a hard days work at the Ted…, and on da road…

Pardon You guys if I seem incoherent, I’m kinda throwed rite now, Da Tomahawkin, Has been at the Club all nite, gettin his Swerve on…

By ncscoots

August 11, 2006 06:19 AM | Link to this

you know, this blog really proves the adage that you can find expertise in the most unexpected places. I spent a bunch of years in broadcasting (my first career), and I don’t have even a third of the music knowledge displayed here on the blog. It boggles, truly (also pretty interesting). Stroke of genius, IMO, to combine Braves and The Man In Black for this forum. Kudos.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

August 11, 2006 07:47 AM | Link to this

Don, you apparently didn’t really read what I said. I said I didn’t think that they could bet in the playoffs. Now, as for Wickman adding 10 wins, yes he could have. This team has 20 blown saves. TWENTY!!!! Are you telling me that you don’t think Wickman couldn’t have save 10 of those 20. C’mon. Stop allowing your need to bash the Braves blind you from reality. If this team had a decent closer from day one, this season would not be in near the peril that it is. Also, I said nothing about a “7 week stretch”. I did say however that Hudson was pitching ok earlier in the season and over the last two months has been awful. The numbers prove that.

I read about Smoltz saying the true colors of some guys are coming out and the young guys are still positive. I wonder who Smoltz is referring to. You know the young guys he is talking about are Frenchy, McCann, Langerhans, and LaRoche. Now, as for the ones “showing their true colors” I wonder who that is. Do you know, DOB?

If I had to guess, I would say Chipper, Andruw, Hudson, nor Giles is a part of that group. I bet he is talking about some newer Braves like almost anyone in that bullpen except Baez and Wickman. One thing about this team this year though it doesn’t seem to have the makeup of teams of the past. Bobby Cox has won with less talanted teams than this one but those teams always seem to be confident that they would win every night. You do get the feeling that some guys on this year’s team don’t approach every game like that.

By Shaun

August 11, 2006 08:05 AM | Link to this

Maybe I’m naive, but I think pitching injuries have cost this team. Look at the quantity of solid pitchers we would have without all the injuries. Sure there aren’t any Cy Young contenders that are out, but we’ve lost a lot of solid guys.

Also, just plain ol’ bad luck. We’ve lost 25 one-run games, the most one-run losses in baseball. Sure, you can blame the bullpen for some of that, but a lot of it is just bad luck.

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 08:10 AM | Link to this

Greetings all. Please keep your seats.Don also Bob,journalist,I like Beethoven myself.I give him an 8. Great lyrics and easy to dance to. Especially his ‘Lone Ranger’ music.

By Shaun

August 11, 2006 08:26 AM | Link to this

If most of our pitchers had stayed healthy and we were a little luckier, we’d be leading the wild card race by a few games right now. If a frog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his butt when he hopped.

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 08:29 AM | Link to this

Robert[JIB]-You post “Bobby Cox has won with less talented teams than this one”. I must respectfully disagree.IMO this is the most flawed Braves team since the streak began in 91.

By BAMA Brave

August 11, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this

Anybody catch the future on CSS last night? Having suffered through a miserable two months with the parent team, I decided to watch the future Braves. The M-Braves were every bit as bad as the Fulton County version. In fact, they are a mirror image of Atlanta. Poor starting pitching, hitters striking out at a alarming rate, cast-offs from other organizations playing prominent roles, etc. Based on just last night’s performance, there is no immediate help on the way. By the way, if you are wandering. The M-Braves dropped a doubleheader to Huntsville.

By Ken

August 11, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this

Dave O’Brien: Very good article. I, like some of the other readers, hate the Phillies and anybody associated with them. But, you still give credit where it is due. In the MLB home run derby, Howard was awesome. Now perspective: In light of current terrorist activities, baseball seems kind of trivial. But it is an escape from reality sometimes. Thanks to the Braves and Major League Baseball for providing that escape over the years and may it continue for many more years.

By H_Charles

August 11, 2006 09:20 AM | Link to this

Robert, you are a bit misguided here. Cox has ALWAYS had more talent than this squad. This is not a good baseball team, period. The only team that even comes close to the lack of talent was last year’s squad and they were significantly more talented than this year’s team. They had a true leadoff hitter in Furcal, A Jones hit like an MVP, Francour hit like an MVP, we had a healthy Boyer, Farnsworth, Hampton, Thompson, we had Franco off the bench, a dynamite Jorge Sosa (pre-McDowell destruction) — the list goes on. This years team just isn’t very good. They do underachieve a bit. They are probably a .500 club on paper, but that is about it.

By Chica

August 11, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this

If a frog had wings, he wouldn’t bump his butt when he hopped.

You are so right, man.

By DrBert

August 11, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

Hi folks, Just to clarify the discussion of HoRam’s injury…the human hand does not contain a pulley bone. The reference is to the tendon systems attaching muscle to bones in the finger. Here’s a brief abstract from a recent issue of The Journal of Hand Surgery which might help a bit… “Closed traumatic ruptures of finger flexor tendon pulleys began to be recognized specifically over the past several decades. This injury, although rare in the general population, is seen more commonly in rock climbers. This article analyzes this type of injury and the current diagnostic and therapeutic criteria. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are used to differentiate between a pulley strain, partial rupture, complete rupture, or multiple ruptures. Grade I to III injuries (strains, partial rupture, single ruptures) are treated conservatively with initial immobilization and early functional therapy under pulley protection. Grade IV injuries (multiple ruptures) require surgical repair.” Interestingly, in my research I came across a condition known as “jersey finger”…a reference to the most common cause of this injury, occurring when a football player catches a finger in an opponents jersey…which is not to be confused with “Jersey finger”, which occurs when the middle digit…well, you know what I mean…

By ssiscribe

August 11, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this

Morning everybody, taking a break from writing football stuff that will hit the streets during my second week at the new job … no wonder I don’t feel like I’m connected to anything.

I’m come off my “grab the white flag and run it up the flagpole, get out the Thrashers’ jersey and plan on seeing the Dogs in September instead of the Braves” stance, just because I’m an eternal optimist. Being a fan through the 1980s (especially 85-89) molded me that way, I guess.

So, even though the rotation is in shambles and this team has reverted back to playing poorly, let’s hope for a sweep of the Brewers this weekend. Need some sweeps, guys. Need to win 9 out of 11. Need to win ‘em all this weekend, then knock out 6 of 7 on the roadie to D.C. and the FLA to get us back into it. Need some help from above, above in the standings and above in the Heavens. You thought 1991 was a miracle season. You thought 1993 was a miracle finish.

If the Braves make the playoffs, it will be the damndest miracle to ever come to pass.

I just don’t know if they can do it. I agree with the sentiment that this isn’t a bad team at all. It’s a team that’s experienced slumps from key players, injuries to the rotation and, most importantly, had an overwhelmed bullpen for most of the season. Even with Baez and Wickman in the eighth and ninth, when you’re using emergency starters 40 percent of the time and only getting into the fourth or fifth inning with the starters, you overexpose the guys who are trying to bridge the gap from the starters to the two vets on the back side.

(Huh, huh, I wrote back side.)

I figure that 10 games over .500, 86 wins, will win the wild card. With 49 games to go, the Braves have to go 34-15 the rest of the way to get there. In my heart, I want to believe they can get there. When I’m there in two weeks, as my baby boys make their major-league debut in the stands (guys, you’re being promoted from Savannah and Jacksonville!), we’ll cheer like hell for them.

I just don’t think they’re going to get there. And don’t be like my mom, who reminds me how bad the ballclub was when I was growing up and how they can’t go to the playoffs every year. Eventually, we all knew it was going to end sometime.

Doesn’t mean we have to like it.

Everybody have a good weekend. Lots of packing and writing this weekend, then it’s time to shut down the coast and ride back to my hometown, the big city, and my favorite baseball team. Thomas Wolfe was wrong. You can go home again. Just hope there’s a playoff race once I get there.

Later on.

By BravesTalk

August 11, 2006 09:32 AM | Link to this

Am I the only person who really wants to talk about the Braves anymore? Last time I looked, this was called the Braves Blog. It’s in the ajcSPORTS section of the Web site. In order to get to the blog, you first have to click on the Braves link. So tell me DOB, where in in any of that do you see the word music?… I’m waiting…

By tom

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

Well, we know Merle is good…..all the time!

By don

August 11, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this

Dodgers won again. In ten days they have gone from last to first in the west. Betemit only had a double in four trips but, unlike our boy, Aybar, he made no errors. It is safe to say that Betemit’s impact has been a bit more positive on his new team than has the impact of “Woesome Willy”. No one needs to say, “We told you so” because it should be obvious to everyone except Skip, Chip, et als.

By NLCHAMPS

August 11, 2006 09:46 AM | Link to this

Yes, lets talk about the braves and ALL their problems.

By Bryan

August 11, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

Hey Dave,

ok, been a while since I posted - just moved into my new house in Athens, GA (turn of the century old house in one of the intown neighborhoods - Awesome) which is why you haven’t seen that White Mansion CD (though my girlfriend and I rocked it while we were setting up the house a few times - never gets old).

So, I will get that CD to you when things settle down, I find my computer, and get some blank cd’s.

On the Coffee post - just got a coffee grinder and I have been grinding beans every morning … . WOW! Makes the biggest difference. The grinder is the best $10 purchase I have ever made (besides braves 1995 championship season VHS on e-bay).

I got the new Jurassic 5 - its pretty good - but I miss Cut Chemist and loath Dave Matthews on the album - but its better than their 2nd release.

That HANK show is coming up…

Ohh and someone has been posting as bryan a lot lately - not me.

Bryan

PS I was in Denver for the Red Rocks - Ween and Flaming Lips show - one of the coolest things I have ever seen…

By Lew

August 11, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

Well Champs-If you were to ask Don what all of their problems are, he would tell you that they revolve around Betemit being traded. Of course, we were losing when he was here, but this hasn’t occurred to all of the people upset he left.

By ncscoots

August 11, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this

Bryan, where in the world did you get a good coffee grinder for ten bucks???

By Rodger

August 11, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this

I think the Braves DO have a good team-offensively & defensively, tho not at all consistent. Pitching, on the other hand, has killed us. The two biggest culprits, obviously, Sosa and Reitsma. Sosa had us out of games before we were in them, which is bad enough, but Reeksma threw away games we played well enough to win-THATS where this season went. The demoralizing factor that created filtered into all facets of the game. With good pitching, which the league doesn’t seem to have much of, the games the offense was off, we may have had a chance in.

And Shaun, do your stats on runs scored/allowed translating to wins/losses apply to football? The Falcons scored more in 2005 than 2004, only gave up about a touchdown more, and had a worse record. Go figure!

By Jeff O'Byrne

August 11, 2006 10:07 AM | Link to this

Derosa is playing full time at Texas. He has played at least three positions, 3b, ss and rf but has been in the lineup every day for the past three months. It looks like they are playing him like Bobby plays his catchers, he plays a different position every game, giving a field player a day off. Second, re his chance in Atlanta: remember that he was hitting .400 but broke his ankle rounding second after a line drive double. He didn’t regain his stroke after that.

By ncscoots

August 11, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this

DrBert, while we appreciate the fine knowledge given us by your post, I’m afraid most of us prefer facts not get in the way of our humor! No pulley bone, indeed! LOL

By Carolina Lady

August 11, 2006 10:08 AM | Link to this

Braves Talk, you missed all the really good stuff: pie, puddin’, crows, seals, pulley bones, etc.

What else can be said?? It’s all be repeated ad nauseum. Every conceivable lineup combination, every imaginable trade (including one involving somebody’s dog), every play, hit, error, and pitch has been dissected ‘til there’s nothing left!

DOB has also covered your question previously: it’s his blog, he can write whatever pleases him. The rest of us like it and him. When it’s an off-day as was yesterday, or when things are slow (ie. boring) the topic selection is wide and varied. We’d love to have you join us and contribute!

There are a couple of others who want to stick strictly to baseball and absolutely nothing else, and it is gently suggested that they simply scroll through to the baseball parts and skip that which does not please them.

Quite often you will find baseball gems and golden nuggets amid the talk of Hank and Johnny, puddin’, toes and Listerine, and whatever. Mostly quite entertaining! We’d welcome you and hope you will join us! :-)

By dawgfacedboy

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

Maybe I’m way off but it seems to me that their are a few things different than years past. 1) The braves are relying on way to many “baby braves” to come through. 2)Giles was no lead-off hitter and he proved that! He was a born 2nd hitter! 3)Chipper can’t stay healthy which is obviously not good for us! 4) Maybe the biggest one of all, the Braves don’t have the dominant pitching that the team has built around like years passed. The bullpen is about as reliable as a bunch of jv guys kept on a team to just fill a roster! It’s about time for Hudson to step it up as well! 5) You say that you want veteran leadership and let Julio Franco go so that you can rely on BRIAN JORDAN?!?!?!? 6) How many young players have we gotten rid of that have gone on to be really good? Jermaine Dye, Johnny Estrada, DeRosa, Klesko, just to name a few. You get rid of Charles Thomas who I believe would put up better all around numbers than Langerhans. He’s faster too. Andy Marte and Johnny Estrada were to number 1 prospects and we got rid of them! Chipper is made of glass and we get rid of Marte and Betemit, two great prospects at that position! Why couldn’t you try Johnny Estrada at 1st? Switching hitting firstbaseman? Doesn’t sound to bad to me! What are they going to do with that Saltamacchia (sp?) kid? Trade him? Trade McCann? Try him at 1b? History tells us that he’ll probably be traded. I just think that the questionable decisions that JS has made for this season are showing their ugly faces.

By 10-7-4

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

ssiscribe—you say “this isn’t a bad team at all”, then you go on to identify them as exactly what a bad team is.ie:slumps from key players,injuries to the rotation,and overwhelmed bullpen. Every team that doesn’t win can identify several reasons why.I love the Braves but trying to be realistic I must see this edition as our worst since 90.This doesn’t mean that there isn’t any talent here, only that there is work to be done, and holes to be plugged.Everyone who remembers “loserville” is rooting for them.

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 10:21 AM | Link to this

Carolina Lady- First best wishes and prayers for your mom, and secondly I must commend your note to Braves Talk. So well said.

By Shaun

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

Rodger,

I’m not sure about football stats. I’m sure you can predict a typical win-loss record based on points/runs scored/allowed in any team sport. If you lose or win a lot of close games, your record will differ from the typical team that scores/allows a similar amount of runs/points.

By Don

August 11, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

Lew, surely you can bore everybody to death without lying about me.

By Alan

August 11, 2006 10:26 AM | Link to this

Yes, this Braves team is flawed, but it is NOT a bad team. Every team in the NL is flawed - even the “vaunted” Mets. Their best starting pitchers now are Steve Trachsel and Orlando Hernandez. Glavine has not pitched well in over a month, and Pedro may still be Pedro, but he’s as brittle as Horacio. Mark my words: they’ll be in trouble in the postseason with that rotation. The big difference between the Mets and other NL teams is - as several pointed out earlier - their deep, mostly reliable bullpen (which features previously unremarkable Darren Oliver). The Braves’ bullpen has been unreliable and downright terrible all season long. And, as DOB has pointed out, the starters (with the exception of Smoltz) also have been unreliable - but that’s been the case with just about every team in baseball this year - including the Mets. I agree with others that the Braves have underachieved this year, and frankly Bobby Cox must shoulder a lot of responsibility for that - he is the manager after all. Wednesday he did a bad job of managing. As soon as Tyler Yates walked the leadoff man (Mike Lieberthal, of all people), Cox had to know trouble was brewing. I’m not saying he should have yanked him then, but he NEVER should have left him in after the tying run got on base. That kind of stuff has been happening all year. Funny thing is, bad as the Braves have played (and last game was as bad as any all year), they’re still in the wild-card race. Hanging, literally, by a thread, but they’re in it. I, for one, am not giving up and no Braves fan should. And I don’t believe the players are giving up, either. The rest of the season starts tonight.

By ssiscribe

August 11, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

10-7-4:

It’s not a bad team. What I identified merely are the reasons this team hasn’t produced the results expected of it. Injuries are a part of the game. The most talented team in the world can have a rash of injuries and have, as a result, a subpar season. That doesn’t make it a bad team.

No question, there are holes to fill and needs to be addressed. Schuerholz has his work cut out for him, but hopefully, the experience of going through this will serve the younger players well in 2007. Worst since 1990? Probably so, especially given the bullpen situation, Giles’ struggles at leadoff, etc.

By the way, you find the craziest stuff when you’re moving. DOB, did you cover the Marlins during their inaugural season? I just found a pennant I got from the Marlins’ first series in Atlanta, on April 28-29, 1993, at old FulCo. It was autographed; looked like Chuck Carr. Don’t remember anything about the games or the series, or whether I went to one game or two, but I do have the pennant!

Later.

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

Did someone say pie?

By ncscoots

August 11, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this

I guess Bill Clinton would make a good consultant to JS in the offseason, whispering all the while, “it’s the pitching, stupid.” I don’t really care if the Braves get more speed, or a “true” leadoff hitter, or fix any of the other blog-perceived offensive weaknesses, or, heck, even get Wilson Betemit back to make Don happy…I want three stud, shutdown starters that make a series with ATL instant-slump for the opposition. Give me that, and a couple of 12-10 starters at 4 and 5, and the rest is fine-tuning (I started to say tweaking, but…). Please, refrain from saying Smoltz/Hudson/Hampton are those three, because, as of today, that probability is faint.

By Carolina Lady

August 11, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this

Good morning, 10-7-4, aka 35! Thank you so kindly for your prayers and good wishes! Advanced age, frailty, a laundry list of ailments all add up to constant care and juggling a box full of meds, appointments, etc. But when it is your mama, you do what has to be done, right? :-)

Your moniker caught my eye as my birthday is Oct 7 - the year is classified information and I’m not tellin’!! :-))

John Smoltz tonight. Bless his heart, nobody gives as much as he. I’ll forever admire his gumption! :-)

By Shaun

August 11, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this

10-7-4,

I wouldn’t say this is a “bad” team. It is the worst Braves team since 1990, but it’s still an average team. They’ve scored and allowed about the same number of runs.

By Don

August 11, 2006 10:34 AM | Link to this

Yes, this is a bad team. Pitching is 60-70% of baseball and this pitching staff is terrible. Therefore the team is bad. Nobody had any problem calling the Texas Rangers a bad team the last few years when they could bash the ball and had no pitching.

By Lew

August 11, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this

Don-No doubt I could bore some people to death, but tell me where I’m lying. Every single time you post, you throw the Betemit thing in. That’s ok, you’re entitled to your opinion. Even if you are a one trick pony. Sorry you don’t like it, but there’s a simple solution. Talk about something else. Although if you do it will probably be something derogatory sent in my direction. I, however, will get over it, unlike you who can’t let the trade go. Carolina Lady-Ma’am, It was my intention that you tell me what you want in the way of art work. I was going to do something specifically for you. Hope your Mom does better. Braves Talk-We discuss music because we like to discuss music-unlike Don, who discusses Betemit.

By Lew

August 11, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this

Don-Thank you. Yes the pitiching on this team is terrible. The bullpen might have been expected to under perform, but the starting pitching has been a travesty as well. Possibly more of a travesty than can be explained by injury.

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this

ssiscribe-you identify injuries as part of the game, which they most certainly are.However the “good” teams will have depth and overcome them. To not have such depth is a weakness.We both want the same thing but it’s probably a glass half full situation.Good luck with the move.

By Shaun

August 11, 2006 10:43 AM | Link to this

Don,

Pitching/defense is about 50% and hitting/offense is about 50%. The Texas Rangers weren’t a bad team. They were an average team. It’s about run differential. You can build your team around pitching or around offense or around defense or around all of the above. The name of the game is scoring more runs than you allow. There is more than one way to win.

By Shaun

August 11, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this

The Big Red Machine: built around offense and adequate pitching.

The 1990’s Braves: built around pitching and adequate offense.

There’s no one way to try to outscore your opponents, just as long as you do.

By 10-7-4

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

Carolina Lady- the classified “year” must be 84. I lost my mom a few years ago and I hope all of you will take time to appreciate yours if you are so furtunate to still have her.

By Shaun

August 11, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this

It makes too much sense that offense and pitching/defense are 50/50, huh? Where would I get an idea like that?

By Carolina Lady

August 11, 2006 10:49 AM | Link to this

Wow, Lew! That’s magnificent! If I had my druthers, it would be something of Smoltz, Cox, or Dews. I love the character in their faces; each one is a wonderful study. I’d be happy with any of the three, though Smoltz is undoubetedly my favorite player of all time for many reasons. Whatever you choose, it will be a life-long treasure to me! :-)

By Lew

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

Ma’am-You shall have your Smoltz portrait.

By Shaun

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

Even looking at only the Braves during their run, you can see that you don’t have to build your team one particular way to win. The 2003 Braves had an awesome offense, sub-par pitching. Same thing with last year’s Braves. But throughout most of the run, our pitching/defense has been awesome and our offense has been just good or average.

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

Don,& Shaun—sorry guys but you have it all wrong.It’s in reality just like the great scholar Yogi Berra says “baseball is 70% pitching and the other half mental.” Speaking of ‘mental’ I must go take my meds.

By ncscoots

August 11, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this

Shaun, I agree that there’s more than one way to win. But baseball today is played in an offensive environment and pitching quality is diluted over MLB, making quality pitching relatively more valuable than offensive prowess. I believe it’s a better return on investment to invest high dollars in three stud pitchers than in six stud position players. That’s why I lean toward starting pitching as the biggest improvement the Braves need to make, at least at this point in time. IMHO!

By Carolina Lady

August 11, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

35, you are so right about mamas! Cherish every minute. I know you miss her every day. I’m really sorry, 35.

The year: I respectfully decline to answer on grounds that it would ….. uh…..I’m sure it would be detrimental to something but I can’t decide quite what….I’ll get back to you on that!

By Lew

August 11, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this

35-I think the Braves have a sports shrink on retainer. They really need him this year. For those of you ragging on McDoweel and Hudson, there’s a good article about Hudson’s struggles, his reaction, thereto and what McDowell has been working on with hi. Interesting article. You should read it.

By NLCHAMPS

August 11, 2006 11:01 AM | Link to this

Even though the Mets lack dominant pitching they have enuf to win the National League Pennant. The World Series is another story. Their bullpen and Line-up will ensure they make it a series but I’m not sure it will be enuf to win it.

By Carolina Lady

August 11, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this

Lew, I am so thrilled I can hardly contain myself!!! I shall do my best to make your birdhouse worthy of such a trade!

By Shaun

August 11, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this

ncscoots,

You need pitching/defense. But, I disagree pitching is a better return on investment, and I think the facts would back me up. Pitching is so unpredictable because of the injury risks and the fact that many of the stats used to evaluate pitchers are flawed.

Look at the top hitting prospects from 10-12 years ago. Almost all of them reached the big leagues and had/are having some semblance of a productive career. Some don’t but most do.

With pitching, it’s the opposite. Almost every pitching prospect from 10-12 years ago flames out because of injury or something else.

Of course the Braves have been lucky or skillful or both in developing pitchers and keeping pitchers healthy. It would be interesting to see some research on what they do differently, if anything, and if there is a way to keep pitchers healthy and make sure your pitching prospects give you something.

By Lew

August 11, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

Ma’am-I never doubted for a second that it would be an equitable trade.

By ssiscribe

August 11, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this

10-7-4:

Agreed. Half-full. Half-empty. The Ted, in all likelihood, will be quite empty come the first week of October.

And thanks on the well wishes for the move. The biggest reason we’re leaving the coast for Atlanta is our parents live there, and with two small kids, we want them to grow up around the grandparents while we have them. Very sorry about your mom. Consider it a blessing to have both my parents and my wife’s parents still with us. Carolina Lady, we’ll keep your mom in our prayers, too.

Here’s to a sweep this weekend. Y’all take care.

By Don

August 11, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this

Shaun, pitching and hitting aren’t equally important in baseball. Great pitching usually dominates great hitting, particularly in the postseason. See World Series winners with great pitching and suspect offense like the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks, the 2003 Florida Marlins, the 1963, ‘65 and ‘88 Los Angeles Dodgers, etc. Or even the 1995 Braves who won the World Series even though their team batting average for the regular season was about .250. The Oakland A’s teams of the early 70’s had great pitching and mediocre hitting. The Red Sox won in 2004 when their pitching finally came through: Schilling, Martinez, Lowe, etc. They didn’t come back on the Yankees by beating them 10-8 every game.

The Big Red Machine teams that won had adequate starting pitching (Billingham, Gullett) and a very good and deep bullpen (Borbon, Eastwick, McEnaney, etc.). Their pitching only looked weak in comparison with their starting 8.

The Yankees will have a lineup of All-Stars when Sheffield and Matsui come back, but if their old starting pitchers and suspect bullpen in front of Rivera don’t pitch well they’re not going to win a championship.

Name one team that has won a World Series in the last 50 years with overwhelming offense and a pitching staff that was even close to as lousy as this year’s Braves. I haven’t looked at their stats but maybe the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates qualify. But you can probably find at least 10-15 weak hitting teams that have won over the same time span. I’ve named several of them off the top of my head.

By ncscoots

August 11, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this

shaun, bubba, you missed the point altogether, or either we’re talking about two different things. I’m not talking about prospects and projecting success (been there, done that, got the t-shirt, and we’re in agreement thereof). I’m talking about pitchers with track records of consistent success, or high probability of achieving consistent success, keyword high. Not one year of brilliance, or prospects with “stuff”, but guys who know how to PITCH and have the tools to do so. And I’m speaking of ROI on the major league team’s budget dollars, not development dollars.

By Don

August 11, 2006 11:22 AM | Link to this

Lew, I’m going to ignore you. I’m certainly not going to post my version of your thoughts on various subjects. How about you do me the same courtesy?

By TurfMan

August 11, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this

we will be back next year. smoltz, hampton, heatlthy hudson and davies and james. the offense is there and hopefully our pitching will be too. one year out of 14 aint bad. let the stupid mets fans enjoy thier one year. hopefully all of our fairweather fans will turn into mets fans and we can laugh at them next year.

By DON NUTTING

August 11, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this

I AGREE BOBBY COX KNOWS WHAT TYLER YATES HAS OFFERED UP THE LAST FEW APPERANCES WHEN HE STARTED BAD HIS LAST START TO ME THAT WAS A SIGNAL HE DIDN’T HAVE IT.I KNOW BOBBY LIKES TO GIVE EVERYONE A CHANCE BUT THERE COMES A TIME WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE ONE THAT HAS BEEN DOING THE JOB,ESPECALLY WHEN THE GAME IS ON THE LINE.

By Rodger

August 11, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

NLCHAMPS-still presumptious.

The best team does not always win the pennant in the 3-layer playoffs. Although I always hated the sentiment, as the Braves said (a lot!)”a short series is a crapshoot”!

By Bob, journalist

August 11, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

BravesTalk, “In order to get to the blog, you first have to click on the Braves link” … you noticed that too; bummer huh? You can avoid that problem by developing a dynamic link using any back page processor … one click and I’m on the current Blog without bothering with the Braves link … my only complaint is that David O’B hasn’t added background music; that would make the experience complete.

By Lew

August 11, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

Scoots-You’re right about the premium of pitching. I’ve heard the dillution of pitching point for a long time. I mean, when you go from 16 teams to 30 teams, it is probably a given. Hoewever, several other factors enter into it. First, the move from 4 to 5 man rotations uses more pitchers. Also, in the old days, when did a club ever carry 13 pitchers? Second, the stadiums themselves have changed-mostly in favor of the hitter. Older stadiums such as Forbes Field (365’ LF line), Polo Grounds (500’ CF wall) and Connie Mack Stadium (447’ CF wall, 30’ high right field wall and 45’ in RCF). The sheer size of these venues played a major part in the success of such as Koufax and Gibson, as did the large amounts of playable space in foul territory. The philospphy of pitching has changed, too. What would have happened if you nailed Gibby or Drysdale? The next time up you were going down. You can’t do that anymore.

By chopthis

August 11, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this

BravesTalk,

I wonder what kinds of music Betemit likes?

By Lew

August 11, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this

ChopThis-West Coast music. Maybe he’s been hanging out with Brian Wilson. Got to get them Good Vibrations.

By ncscoots

August 11, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Lew, my favorite Gibson story of all time: Willie Mays and the Giants, Willie hits a double in the third, 2 RBI. Next time up, without thinking, he starts to dig in, realizes what he’s doing, backs out, wipes the head of his bat across the batter’s box to erase the marks! Otherwise, I’m guessing lip-high would have been Gibson’s rejoinder!

By chopthis

August 11, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

The 1960 Pirates has extremely solid pitching, light years better than these Braves. Bob Friend pitched hurt a couple of games, and things didn’t go well for him. Vinegar Bend Mizell got lit up in the other Pirates’ loss. But Vernon Law won two starts and pitched solidly into the sixth inning in the other. Harvey Haddix shut down the Yankees in Game 4. And Elroy Face was brilliant in relief (at least until Game 7).

To beat the 1960 Yankees four out of seven, you had to have good pitching. Their lineup of sluggers was more formidable than any team today, even with the steroids.

By Lew

August 11, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

Scoots-No Doubt! You know, the whole offense thing reminds me of those two years where Maddux posted sub-2.0 ERAs. The era in which he did this makes it even more remarkable. Maybe they were two of the best seasons a pitcher ever had. Of course there was Gibby’s 68 year and what I consider to be the best ever pitching performance-Steve Carlton in (I believe) 72. He went 27-10 with a 1.3 ERA for a team that won 58 games.

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this

Lew- I don’t rag on McDowell or Hudson. The jury is still out on McDowell, and we expect extensive deliberation. As for Hudson,he has obviously done “it” in the past so he has established the fact that he has or had major league ability. There are however obvious problems. I haven’t read the article you refer to, but will certainly do so.Thanks for the ‘heads up’. Don- you make some great points with some excellent covering fire to back you up. The 63-66 Dodgers were a great example of just how far great pitching can take you even when saddled with weak bats.

By denver dan

August 11, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this

DOB, please no more references to the Grateful Dead. The music is as dead as the Braves chances. Nice work on the stat’s but you could of saved yourself a lot of effort. Who can’t hit against the Braves pitching. Pitching, Pitching, Pitching, it is always the pitching and they got none! They are not a good team just look at the entire teams performance with runners in scoring position. Just can not get the big hit! Will Bobby ever retire? Please say yes.

By ncscoots

August 11, 2006 11:54 AM | Link to this

well, the only possible knock against Gibson and 68 is the height of the mound that year. Not that I think that makes what he did any less remarkable…

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this

Gibson makes some nice guitars, too; the Les Paul, of course, the SG, the venerable ES-335, the Explorer, the Firebird, etc. The list goes on. All way too expensive though…

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

Lew- my man, come on now, don’t rag on my guy, Brian Wilson. Although I truly enjoy almost every type music, my personal favorite and I guess it’s because of “day’s of lost youth” is Beach Boys. Grew up, although some would dispute that, in Daytona.

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Chopthis, I played that “Kindred Spirits” CD to death when I first got it. Awesome stuff. Steve Earle, to me, is about the closest guy in spirit to young John.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 11, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

carolina lady, a smoltz portrait should be perfect. good job, lew! btw, lew is running a clearance on chipper portraits - guess you read that lew wants to :get rid of chipper, indeed!” now, carolina lady … careful what you ask for … the smoltz, dews, or bobby request was extremely high-risk. lew is a gentleman and helped steer you toward smoltz. a bobby cox portrait would be a mistake!! - for obvious reasons - lots of smears. now, drbert has dispelled the notion of a human pulley bone. still, dob says there are pulleys involved. good enough for this journalist. now, 35 and scribe - both may be right. there is enviable talent at some positions. assemble this talent and it seems the team would be good. there are deficiencies at certain positions and on the pitching staff. still, if all performed well the team could be said to be pretty good. unfortunately, this assemblage of players is not playing well right now and not picking one another up. this is evidence of a not so good team - no matter the level of talent at certain of the positions. overall, the braves must be measured by their record and that is not pretty.

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this

DOB - I was a long time “hard rock only” listener until recently, when I expanded my listening to many new genres including John Cash, (for which I can thank my 10 year old son.) I am intrigued by your Stever Earle comment. What album (I’ll always call them albums) would you recommend as a first taste?

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

T-Hawkin’, I definitely like the hard stuff, too, my man. Saw Nirvana live, the year before Kurt did away with himself. Great show. And I like Metallica, old and new. The St. Anger CD was what I lifted weights to for about a year in the basement.

But as I get older, the hard stuff is good for me only in spots, like driving sometimes, or working out, or whatever. Johnny Cash, Dylan, Lucinda _ that’s good anytime.

I’ve said before, I don’t understand people who can’t be open-minded and appreciate an eclectic variety of music. I love everything from Prince to Hank to Howlin’ Wolf to REM to Wilco to Mario Lanza (yes, Lanza). I just enjoy talented artists. It’s the hyped-up, huge-selling garbage that I don’t appreciate (and selling huge certainly doesn’t mean it’s not good; I still love U2).

It’s just when someone tries to tell me that folks like Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Mariah Carey and those insipid perfomers from American Idol are making good music … that’s when my open-mindedness ends. Or when someone tries to make the argument that, say, Bon Jovi is as talented as Led Zep. That’s a waste of time, listening to that argument or engaging one in that discussion. That person is too far detached from reality to reason with.

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

Of course, that should have read Steve Earle…

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this

Voice of reason, we’ve got a lot of Earle fans here that can chime in with their faves, but mine are probably “El Corazon” and “Train ‘A Comin,’” though you should get “Ain’t Ever Satisfied” for a good entry point. It’s his best-of set.

By Rodger

August 11, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

Dave, Although they might not always make good music, you must admit some of those folks are talented.

And doesn’t that tie back to the Braves?

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 12:37 PM | Link to this

BravesTalk, I don’t think you’re the only one who wants to talk strictly about the Braves. In fact, I know you’re not the only one.

But when they start telling me to talk only about the Braves, my friend, I’ll be following that initial instruction they gave us on the blogs, something about if you spend more than 10 minutes writing a blog, you’ve spent too much time. And my interaction, responding to bloggers and the like at all hours and during games, etc, will quickly be cut waaaay back.

Because I don’t find it stimulating talking about the same stuff over and over, especially during a disappointing seasons. Topics get tired. Not going to rehash them over and over in the dog days of summer. if the team were in first and the race was exciting, maybe there’d be more Braves talk and less music, etc. Maybe.

But if you don’t want to talk about music, or movies or pie or Diane Lane, then skip the posts. Sorry, but it’s not that hard to do. Or find some boring All-Braves blog. There are plenty of them out there. I like the audience this format has attracted. Therefore, I’ll keep writing this blog in this manner.

And though there is nothing on the label that says as much, it should read The Braves and The Man In Black. Just because that’s what it is.

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 12:39 PM | Link to this

Thanks DOB. I love everything from Queen to Tesla to Pete Townshend (solo and Who) to John Cash to Jack Johnson. All great stuff. I’ve seen all of the great guitarists of my time: Eddie, Eric Clapton, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Morse, Randy Rhodes, George Lynch, Eric Johnson, etc. I’ve seen Rush, Kansas, Journey (old and new,) Tom Petty, Mother’s Finest, Cheap Trick and Jimmy Buffett, on and on. I never saw SRV, and that is one of my greatest regrets. I’ll check out “Ain’t Ever Satisfied” here soon…

By Shaun

August 11, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Don,

Over the course of 162 games it doesn’t matter how you do it, what matters is that you outscore your opponents. Now the post-season is different and, yes, having front-line starting pitching is a way to increase your chances. But there’s also a lot of luck involved in winning in the post-season and a lot of offense.

I mean, the Braves are a good example. They only won one World Series largely because of their mediocre hitting in the playoffs. Our pitching was awesome. (And, no, it’s not the bullpen’s fault that we only won one. If you look at the numbers the bullpens were just as impressive or even more impressive than the starters in the playoffs throughout the 1990’s. People just remember two or three homers the bullpen gave up in the post-season and want to blame the bullpen.)

Also, you gave the 1995 Braves batting average, but batting average is not as good a measure of offensive production as runs scored, obviously. There are plenty of teams that score a ton of runs without a high batting average (because of a high walk total and/or a lot of power).

Either way, the teams you named didn’t exactly have horrible offenses. Some were mediocre but some were outstanding offensively.

Many times the team that wins the World Series has both a good offense and good pitching. Some have awesome hitting, many have awesome pitching, but most are well balanced. And the best teams in history are at or near the top in both runs scored and runs allowed, which makes since.

I would have to look at the numbers more closely, but it seems that the teams that win in the post season don’t rely soley on great pitching or soley great hitting. Teams that win in the post-season are not necessarily the best teams, but they are often the most balanced teams.

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this

Bryan, Flaming Lips at Red Rocks _ now THAT makes me envious.

Lips just played in God’s Hometown, Lawrence, KS., at a great little festival they have out there every year. My buddy saw it and interviewed Wayne C (my bud is an editor at the KU alum mag) and said he was cool as all get-out.

Got the White Mansions CD myself, dude. Good stuff. So don’t bother burning it (the CD, that is). My mom gave me a gift card for some chain of music stores last christmas, and i finally used it to order that CD online.

Just got a coffee grinder? Dude, welcome to the good life.

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

DawgFacedBoy, very astute post at around 10 a.m, my friend. I have to say, I agree with just about everything you said regarding what ails the Braves this season. I’ve pointed out how much stems around lack of dominant pitching of past years. Sooo much stems from that.

And Chipper going back and forth to the DL, certainly has hamstrung the offense (yeah, that’s weak, i know).

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

SSIscribe (in case anyone noticed, I’m working my way up from about 4 a.m. on the posts): That Chuck Carr autograph has got to be worth something. At least 25 cents.

No, I didn’t cover the Fish until 1995. But had the pleasure _ ahem _ of knowing “Chuckie.”

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

From Bill Shanks:

“That’s 711 games missed (on the DL) by Braves’ players this season. It’s only August 8th, and that number will be way over 1000 by the end of the season. Compare that to the number of games missed by Braves’ players on the DL in the last two years:

2005: 497

2004: 406

So this year has been dramatic when it comes to injuries. Call it an excuse, but call it the facts. It’s something you just can’t ignore.

Who knows how much better this team might have been if we had only had half these injuries. Would we have collapsed in June and gone 6-21? I doubt it. We may have never been a dominating team this season, and the Mets would probably still have been better. But there’s no way this club would be nine games under .500, this bad, if we had been more healthy.

Maybe it was just our time to get some bad luck. Luck is the residue of design, as Branch Rickey said many years ago. But you can’t design a safety shoot for this situation. You can’t win fourteen straight division titles without a little bit of luck. Maybe our luck has just run out.”

By David O'Brien

August 11, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this

VOR, I missed SRV, too. One of my regrets, not seeing him before he perished. Love the man’s music.

Didn’t see him, Led Zep, Elvis (P.; I’ve seen Elvis C. numerous times) or the great Man In Black himself, and those are four _ or should I say three? the regulars here will get it _ acts I would pay many, many dollars to see right now, should they come back. But I don’t think they’re going to, not even Zep (at least not real Zep).

By robdawg06

August 11, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

Those hillbilly kuntry artists are great if you are a redneck and your dad or dog died,your wife or dog left you,and your cousin or dog works on cars. Best thing about Tim McGraw was his dad Tug played baseball. Anybody here listen to Metallica,Godsmack,StainD,STP,etc. ???

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 01:31 PM | Link to this

Currently in my CD changer: 1.) Jack Johnson - On and On, 2.) Queen - The Game, 3.) Talking Heads - Stop Making Sense, 4.) Los Lonely Boys - Self-titled, 5.) Johnny Cash - homemade compilation, 6.) TobyMac - Momentum

…a diverse collection, to say the least, but I love them all.

As to the Braves, those numbers from Bill Shanks are shocking. The whole article can be viewed by clicking here.

By Rodger

August 11, 2006 01:40 PM | Link to this

One name I haven’t seen here, if you love great guitarists, is Van Halen? Eddie ruled for a lot of years.

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this

I mentioned Eddie… He was the first on my list. I saw him twice. If I could remember it, I’d never forget it…

By Rodger

August 11, 2006 01:47 PM | Link to this

And no-no Zep, since JPJ says plant & Page apparently don’t have his phone #…

Saw Plant on a PBS show a couple weeks ago-man is he old!

Heard an interview with Paul Rodgers a few years back-when asked him who was the best guitarist he had worked with he comes up with Mick Ralph?!

By The Grinch

August 11, 2006 01:48 PM | Link to this

Yaaaaarrrrgh! Late start! I should’ve been on the road four hours ago. Got a new camcorder as an early birthday present, though. Next Friday, for those who wish to lavish me with gifts of money, praise, Braves/Falcons tickets, or pie. DOB, I thought Uncle Tupelo was a brand of honey. I’ll have to check them out. Enjoy the weekend, everyone; I’ll be back Tuesday. Someone remember to wake Bob up for the game.

By chopthis

August 11, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

I Feel Alright and “The Mountain* (if you’re open to bluegrass) are great Steve Earle CDs, as well.

You pretty much can’t go wrong with any of them. Even The Hard Way has “Billy Austin.”

By I Know You Rider

August 11, 2006 01:49 PM | Link to this

DOB The Jerry Garcia Band live 2CD set has an epic version of “The Night the Drove Old Dixie Down” that will leave you with a handerchief in one hand and an old musket in the other. “Don’t let Go” and Haven Gillespie’s “Lucky Old Sun” are treasures as well. They throw in a nice “Dear Prudence” too. Only place I have seen this CD is Ebay.

You may also want to try Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band’s Almost Acoustic CD. It features more country & bluegrass with versions of “Swing Low Sweet Chariot”, “I’m here to get my baby out of jail”, and “The Girl at the Crossroads Bar”. Easier to find than the aforementioned.

By Kentavo

August 11, 2006 01:55 PM | Link to this

If you wanna see a killer live show, wait til The Who (or The 2 if you’re cyncical) comes to town on fall U.S. tour. Daltrey and Townshend can still rip it up better than dudes half their age.

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

I saw The Who at Lakewood on the first reunion tour back in, uh, several years ago. I’ll never forget the haunting chords of “Won’t Get Fooled Again” accented with the huge shadow of Daltry swinging his mic that was cast on the back wall by the spots. Ooh, goose bumps thinking about it…

By Lew

August 11, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

35-You and I are in different dimensions today. Earlier, I was responding to you about the mental aspects of the Braves. The McDowell thing wasn’t in reference to you, I just threw it in. I guess thats what happens when my mind wanders in two directions at once. Also, I wasn’t ragging on Good Ole Brian. I grew up with Beatles, Beach Boys, Frankie Valli and Motown. Wasn’t until the song Psychotic Reation came out that I went harder. Purple Haze did me in for good.

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

Greetings ladies?? & gentlemen?? {on the ladies the question is are they currently viewing and on the gentlemen it may be a question of character} DOB, I didn’t know that Dave Kindred ever cut a CD. I’ll bet it’s very good. Does he sing or just keep time by banging on his desk???

By Rodger

August 11, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

Yes-I saw that Who farewell tour-what, 16-17 years ago. Third go with them. 1st time back in the days of Moon-he was so out of control. Second time, Daltrey ran in place on stage the entire 2 hr show!

By Lew

August 11, 2006 02:19 PM | Link to this

DOB-I got lucky and saw SRV with Jeff Beck several weeks before the crash. It was one of the best shows I ever went to. Vaughan was great, but Jeff Beck was the best guitarist I’ve ever seen in concert. I’ve seen Clapton twice, Page, both with Zep(@ Fulton Co. Staduium) and solo, Fripp and Blackmore. Beck was the best. VOR-It’s reasonable to call them albums, even in the world of cd’s. An album, is after all, a collection. I’ve seen Steve Morse with the Dregs, Kansas and Deep Purple.

By Carolina Lady

August 11, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

35, you fit in here perfectly!! Glad you joined us!! :-)))

By Rodger

August 11, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

The bad part, guys, is we’re showin some pretty long teeth here…

By NLCHAMPS

August 11, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

I guess the fans have given up talking about baseball since the Buffalo Braves aren’t playing any worth talking about.

By Billy (TBFNB)

August 11, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

How goesl iife. If we dont start winning in the next week lets bring some of the kids up for a cup of coffe….Salty, Lerew, the middle infielders (what ever their names are). The team needs to just have fun now…..No need getting all bummed out…..14 str8 aint bad…..

By Lew

August 11, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

NLChamps-What’s on your mind. Talk and response will surely follow.

By NLCHAMPS

August 11, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

If I was a brave fan I would actualy welcome an end to the streak. It would take the emphasis off the division title and refocus it on the World Title but what the hell do I know. I’m just a humble Mets fan.

By Bob, journalist

August 11, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

I’m debugging 3 program modules in the background and the computer slowed to a crawl so I’m a fixin to disconnect from the LAN but before I do, a simple question for Shaun …

You state “Over the course of 162 games it doesn’t matter how you do it, what matters is that you outscore your opponents” with which I don’t exactly agree … but then you say ” Now the post-season is different” … I understand that the situation is somewhat different because of matchups and the urgency of the moment, … but what is your perspective as to why “what matters” is different?

Perhaps our perspectives are the same …

I said “I don’t exactly agree” because I think the objective during the regular season is to “outscore your opponents more often than anyone else in the Division outscores theirs” … while in the post season, you have, in essence, a number of mini-series, each of which you must win.

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 02:33 PM | Link to this

MY Lady-thank you and it’certainly my pleasure.

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this

Lew, I’d almost give up a nut to see the SRV/Beck show of which I have read much. Of all the “big” shows I’ve seen, and there have been many (I even remember a few,) some of the best shows I’ve ever seen were from local bands back when I frequented all of the great local venues such as The Cotton Club, The International Ballroom (a/k/a the I-Ball,) The Roxy, The Point, and many more of which I can’t remember their names. I played in some of them, too. Great bands and great shows. The local seen in ATL really rocked in the late 80’s into the 90’s. Then I grew up. Damn…

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

Lew- did you see Deep Purple at the Omni with The J. Geils band??

By Lew

August 11, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

Well Champs-From previous experience on this blog, you might get an argument from some of us about just how humble Mets fans really are. However, just why as a Brave fan, would you welcome an end to the streak? Right now we’ve been focusing on a .500 record and not concerning ourselves with World Titles much less keeping the streak alive. But then, you’re a Mets fan and I’m sure you’re thrilled to see the streak end. Now the reason we all talk about music is that this year gave all Braves fans a case of Post Traumatic Stress. We have already progressed past the steps of denail and anger. We are now experiencing accpetance of the situation and are tired of talking about how lousy the season has been. So we talk about music. Also, we like music.

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this

Did I say local seen? I meant, of course, local scene. Man am I draggin’ today…

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

3 things I love: My family, my Braves, my music, pie.

By Lew

August 11, 2006 02:46 PM | Link to this

35-No. I saw them on my birthday in 73 at the Omni with ZZ Top opening the show. It was basically the Made in Japan Tour. I also saw the Purple boys with Tommy Bolin on guitar on the Taste The Band Tour, not long before Bolin’s death and saw Purple again in the late 90’s with Morse on guitar, at the HOB in Orlando. VOR- On the Beck/SRV Tour-they swapped nights opening and headlining. I saw Beck open up. I was so blown away, I was going to leave. I didn’t think I could take any more music, he was so good. My buddy talked me into staying for SRV- I’ve never had cause to regret it.

By NLCHAMPS

August 11, 2006 02:47 PM | Link to this

NY Yawkers are passionate about baseball and I think the rest of country just misintrepates us. From an outsider looking in at your braves I have felt for several years that the braves have cared more about keeping the streak alive than winning the world series. How else do you explain no World series apprearance in 5-6 years? By the time the playoffs comes around they’re emotionaly spent…..Anyway I like music too. Beatles, Stones,U2,Nickleback,3 Doors Down ect ect.

By Shaun

August 11, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

Even with all the injuries and the bad pitching, we should still be around .500. We have scored about the same number of runs that we allowed.

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 02:51 PM | Link to this

DOB-on second thought, I do seem to recall some sort of AJC musical endeavor. I believe Furman played guitar, Lewis Grizzard played the harp, Ron Hudspeth was on drums and Dave Kindred did lead vocals.They were called “the journalist”[no offense Jimmy] They had some big hits although the names escape me now.Since you have their CD, man you are one lucky dude.

By Rodger

August 11, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

NLCHAMPS, There’s quite a drop off frome Beatles, Stones, U2 to Nickleback. I mean, they’re OK, my kids like ‘em & all, but in the same sentence?

By Lew

August 11, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

Champs- I don’t know how to explain it. How come Joe Torre and the Yankess haven’t been in for 5 or 6 years with half of all God’s money to spend? How come the Mets haven’t been in with all of the money they spent on the likes of Mo Vaughan and Jeromy Burnitz? It’s one of those unanswerable questions, like where do we come from and why are we here? Actually on this blog, we’re here to discuss music now that the Braves stand a snowball’s chance at the Peachtree Road Race. 3 Doors Down is a very good band. I like them, too. As far as Mets fans, well….you’ll just have to forgive us. We’ve had several visit that have not done your city proud. You seem to be somewhat nicer. Rock on.

By Chop Chop

August 11, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

Jeff Schultz does some damn good comedy work. He even has a CD and DVD out. Oh, that’s Louis C.K., folks. It’s easy to get them confused, as you can see:

Louis C.K.

Jeff Schultz

By Shaun

August 11, 2006 03:00 PM | Link to this

I don’t know how to explain it. How come Joe Torre and the Yankess haven’t been in for 5 or 6 years with half of all God’s money to spend? How come the Mets haven’t been in with all of the money they spent on the likes of Mo Vaughan and Jeromy Burnitz? It’s one of those unanswerable questions, like where do we come from and why are we here?

Well, spending money doesn’t equal success. Having money gives you more room for error, but spending wisely is much more important. And having a good team, doesn’t necessarily mean success in the post-season. That explains why the Yankees and Mets haven’t won the Series in a while.

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 03:00 PM | Link to this

Lew- I saw them at the Omni at around that same time. I do remember however that it was with either J. Geils, or Mountain. I know that I never saw ZZ Top [sad to say].It was so long ago so very, very long ago. Like the song says ” I was so much older then, I’m younger than that now.”

By NLCHAMPS

August 11, 2006 03:02 PM | Link to this

Rodger….I’m 41 years old. I don’t want to live too long in the past. I embrace the new music that’s out there to try and keep a young perspective. that’s why I bunched in a few newer groups along with those from previous generations. As for New Yorkers (Especially Met fans) there are A-holes everywhere, even in the braves fan base. Professional baseball has existed in the NY metro area for over 100 years and we take it serious….sometimes too much so.

By I Know You Rider

August 11, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

VOR- Great calls on the old local music venues. I saw countless great bands at The Cotton Club and The Point. I have grown older now too but hear that the Atlanta music scene is not as good as it once was.

Really good bands metioned here so far. I must add Dire Straits to the mix as Mark Knophler can flat make a guitar sing. Pearl Jam makes for some good listening as well. I like how they released every show from their “final” tour a few years ago. Anyone remember the band Kingdom Come? They played their own songs but sounded exactly like Zeppelin- didn’t last as long though LOL.

By knowitall

August 11, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I know this it’s not your cup of tea but I saw Mariah Carey at Phillips the other night and her voice was incredible. While I’m a fan of her music, she would not have been high on my list of concerts to attend(had to go not avoid not having pie for a couple of weeks). Anyway, just thought I’d share that since I know you consider her one of the manufactured pop acts. At least she writes her own lyrics, most of the manufactured acts don’t write any part of the song.

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this

Great power trios: CJones, AJones and Drew — Grand Funk Railroad — Cream —

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

Kingdom Come had Jason Bonham on drums, didn’t they?

By Lew

August 11, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this

Shaun with a U-Man did you take that out of context. I was responding to someone who asked why the Braves had not won in 5 or 6 years. Personally, I don’t care why we haven’t. That fact that we haven’t is more than I need to know or care about. It isn’t even relevant to this year and our current problems. Honestly, I think we all know money doesn’t equal success, but that sure isn’t an explanation why the Yankees and Mets haven’t won,

By NLCHAMPS

August 11, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

Hey look guys/girls. I’m just giving you my perspective. The braves have had some great pitching staffs during their run. Look at the team ERA’s over the last 14 years. Always among the best in baseball. I think Mazzone leaving has made a bigger difference that most fans are willing to admit. As someone from NY I can tell you fans there want the world title. No one is patting the Yankees in the back for winning the division the last 9-10 years.

By ncscoots

August 11, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

gosh, for me, I love the music posts. The great thing is that the mention of some artists causes some of my long-dormant synapses to fire (dormant for reasons that shall go unspoken, being a family blog and all), retrieving some pretty good memories. Besides, we have 6 months to figure out how to fix the Braves by next April, don’t think one or two days without discussion on it will make much difference!

By knowitall

August 11, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

Oh by the way, I can’t believe no one mentioned the other obvious important element of the batting order: allowing the other team to pitch around your best hitter. Can you imagine how many pitches Andrew would get to hit if Langerhans were batting behind him?

By Lew

August 11, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this

VOR-No Bonham had his own band at the time, called Bonham. They put out one album that I know of (and have) called “In Disregard of Timekeeping”. They also sounded like a spacey Zeppelin. I saw Jason Bonham play on Jimmy Page’s Outrider tour. Saw the Bonham band, too, down in St.Pete. Let’s not forget Mountain, too. Their keyboardist doesn’t count. You couldn’t hear him anyway. Saw them at the Municipal Auditorium in Atlanta.

By ncscoots

August 11, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

oops, “6 months to April”? DOB accounting course kicks in…

By 10-7-4

August 11, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

knowitall- I went on a cruise once and our entertainment for the evening was a young lady and her band. She said she was new to the scene and had a new cd coming out soon.Her name was Shania Twain. WE had never heard of her and was disappointed to start with. Long story short -she was fantastic.Something to do with being in person I guess. Haven’t followed her career since but know she was somewhat successful.

By Carolina Lady

August 11, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this

My cousin Melissa and her family were here visiting a couple of weeks ago from their home just outside Nashville. Her husband Steve is a sound man and has done the sound work for a ton of CDs, music videos, ‘Nashville Star’ (I know, DOB, that’s sacrilege; sorry!), ESPN, CNN, BBC, etc. Had some great stories to tell! That was the first time I’d met him in person but what a quality guy he is. What a vocation, huh?!

By Voice of Reason

August 11, 2006 03:21 PM | Link to this

Good call on Kingdom Come; I do vaguely remember them, though. Remember a local guy named Jerry Riggs (band was called Riggs)? Had a cut on the Heavy Metal soundtrack and a pretty good 1st release album. Then he left to play guitar with Kansas’ Steve Walsh in a band called Streets. I liked them, but they quickly faded away after one album. Walsh went back to Kansas and Jerry Riggs was never heard from again.

By knowitall

August 11, 2006 03:24 PM | Link to this

Since only post about once a month, I may as well get it all out. I know this subject is dead now but I still want to add my two cents(I normally reluctant to post from there). To the person who said RBI’s are overrated, are you nuts? True, some guys inflate their RBI numbers by getting cheapies but isn’t that what your supposed to do? You get the run home no matter what. How many times this year have we seen the Braves load the bases with less than 2 outs and not score a run? There are only a few guys on the team who know that the most important thing when there is a runner on third with less than 2 outs is to get the run home. Getting a hit should be secondary in that situation. I promise you, if you go back and look at the games and you add a run to the Braves scores for half the times that they have left a runner on that was at third with less than two out and they would have at least 15-20 more wins.

By Lew

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

New Blog

By Georgina Peach

August 11, 2006 08:42 PM | Link to this

“I’m debugging 3 program modules in the background and the…”

OK. I’ll stop lurking for once.

Bobby Boy… I thought you were a journalist. NOT a developer. (I’m a CIO now, but I used to do a little coding.)

Switch careers late in life? That’s kind of cute!