AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > August > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USTwo days a microcosm of season
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Is our nation’s capital not close enough to the South — if anyone here claims to live in the South, they’re delusional — for folks to at least know how to make both kinds of tea, the wrong kind and sweetened?
Just got back from walking to get some lunch, and got it to go. I get back to my room and take a sip of my tea and — aaargh! I know I asked her for sweet tea.
Anyway … well, now haven’t we had a perfect two-day microcosm that demonstrates exactly why this season went south and why this team is almost certainly going to be watching the postseason from the first round through the World Series?
(Hey, on a bright note, at least they can’t lose Game 5 at home this year, right? Whatever happens, they can’t lose the last game of a first-round playoff series at Turner Field! Even if they were to somehow rally and win the wild card, the Braves would be on the road for a Game 5 in the first round, which we know can only be good. Turner Field is where other teams traditionally go to clinch playoff series).
But anyway, the microcosm: Team inconsistency demonstrated over two days, particularly with pitching, but also with some hitters. Now, granted, Astacio pitched perhaps the greatest game of his life last night; the old man was flat spot-on with his command. Give the geez credit.
But the Braves did their usual no-patience thing and got behind in counts, which is death against a guy with as good a command as Astacio had when he needed to make a big pitch. The aggressiveness has paid some dividends for the Braves, who lead the majors in first-pitch homers, lead the majors in first-pitch slugging percentage, and rank second in the NL in first-pitch average.
But besides Andruw and Francoeur, who have 21 of the Braves’ 39 first-pitch homers — is that amazing, or what? — the first-pitch ginormous swings aren’t generally as productive as might be taking a pitch or two to gauge a hurler and see what he’s got.
But the real inconsistency, of course, is the pitching. That’s what happens, as we’ve said countless times, when you don’t have the starting pitching depth to cover for injuries (Horacio, J.T., Davies, et al) or underperforming guys (remember that guy Jorge Sosa? J.T. can go in this group, too).
When two- or three-fifths of your rotation at any time is a concession speech (gotta thank an unnamed broadcaster for dropping that line on me; don’t want to get him in trouble) then you really aren’t a contender, regardless of how mediocre the rest of the field is.
Cormier wasn’t terrible last night. He was actually decent. But he needed to be a lot more than that on a night when Astacio was great and the Braves’ fielders had a couple of costly errors (Pena’s was a bad hop, I agreed after seeing the replay).
Tonight you’ll have Smoltz going and probably doing his usual thing, pitching his butt off and leaving it all on the field, being exactly what the Braves wish all their pitchers could be, if not matching his talent then at least approaching his determination. The Braves will probably win.
Then tomorrow you’ll have Vulturreal pitching in the series finale. Oscar Villarreal, first start since 2003.
And if the Braves win tonight and we look at the wild card race and see they’re only five back or whatever, and maybe they’ll pass a team tonight, then tomorrow Villarreal will pitch and probably be mediocre in 4-5 innings, then at least one reliever will have a bad inning and the Braves will lose.
Then tomorrow night we’ll look at the standings and come to our senses again and realize the Braves face an almost impossible task. Then Hudson will pitch Friday, perhaps have another good start like his last two, and we’ll think … well, they’re still just five back … then Chuck might do the same Saturday.
Then the dreaded “undecided” (it’s going to be Cormier) will pitch Sunday and we’re back to reality.
And so it goes. What a year.
Here’s another indication of the Braves’ chances of playing .700 or so ball the rest of the way: They haven’t won even three in a row since their seven-game streak sandwiched around the All-Star break. They’ve had four-game and three-game losing streaks since they last won more than two in a row.
Last night, by the way, was the first time the Braves were shut out on the road since May 20 at Arizona, when they got crushed 13-0. That game was also their previous hits low (four) on the road until they were two-hit by Mr. Astacio last night.
Since that game at Phoenix, the Braves had been 21-16 on the road before last night, and racked up 202 runs and a crazy 73 homers in 37 games.
Just makes you wonder what this team might have been with just two things: A closer like Wickman for the entire season, and a starting rotation with two aces (like they were supposed to have) and three other guys capable of winning 12-15 games (like they were supposed to have).
If they had signed a closer last winter and got what they were supposed to out of their starters, I’ll go out on a limb and say the Braves, who lead the majors with 100 road homers — only other teams with 90 are Red Sox (97) and Tigers (93) — would be in a race to the wire with the Mets for the NL East.
And at worst, they’d be winning the wild-card race by about five games.
Woulda, coulda, shoulda, right?
Pass the sweet tea and the pie, dammit. What? No, I don’t want Equal!
Services »
Comments
By Tomahawkin
August 16, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this
Agreed D.O.B. I Think by Sunday we will find out if this team is done or night…Poor Outings by Villareal, and Hudson could finish us off…
By 22oz
August 16, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this
Its so frustrating. Yesterday I talked smack in my fantasy league saying that Chipper would beat my opponent by himself.(Yes, i’ve had chipper on my team all year, i’m a homer). Then last night……ugh. Go figure. I’ve since retracted my statement.
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
Rodger:
A great pitching performance can shut down any offense. Astacio is not a great pitcher… but he was last night. Mediocre pitchers aren’t mediocre because they’re not capable of pitching a great game. They’re mediocre because they seldom do it. But sometimes lightning strikes.
Astacio pitched what might have been the best game of his career last night. Believe me, I was disgusted last night. But in retrospect, you’ve just got a chalk it up as one of those occasional losses that really couldn’t have been prevented.
By Tomahawkin
August 16, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
I meant to say or notin my 3:03 post…
If we do get Finished off, I like to see Orr gone as well as langerhans traded, I love his D.. but he will remain a liability at the plate if he doesn’t learn to go the other way with pitches, and If we do get finished off…Do any of you guys think that Black Jack McDowell will be the pitching coach next year…I’d rather have Don Sutton…
By flbravesgirl
August 16, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
Maybe we should call this “the yo-yo season”.
DOB, Florida is supposed to be in the South too but you can’t get sweet tea in a lot of restaurants here. Most people are from somewhere else (up North or possibly another galaxy, in some cases). We’ve lost a lot of the “Southerness”.
By Rodger
August 16, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this
Like I said on the other blog-Smoltz wouldn’t have won this game-unless he provided some offense as well. (Did Bobby have him with a bat at any time last night?)
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this
Tomahawkin:
I think Roger McDowell will be pitching coach next year… as he should be.
By Tomahawkin
August 16, 2006 03:10 PM | Link to this
Cheese whiz, I’m slippin as far as my typos
I meant to say done or not in my 3:03 post
By Bobby Cox
August 16, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this
What the heck is a micro cosm?
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this
The only thing necessary for evil to triumph is for the Red Sox to do nothing.
By Tomahawkin
August 16, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this
Rodger Definitely if the braves can spot Smoltz 3-4 runs early, we have a good chance, otherwise I dunno whats gonna happen
I miss the old days where if we got 4 runs before the 4th inning it was pretty much an automatic W, that ain’t the case nowadays, anything can happen with this team, and usually its 4 the worse…
By Tonight on HBO
August 16, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this
Everybody Loves Dave
Episode 3: “Curbing Dave’s Enthusiasm”
In an estrangement rendered all too brief by plummeting ratings for Episode 2 and flbravesgirl’s Puritanical streak (it’s just a role, sweetie!), Debra finds it increasingly difficult to fulfill Dave’s superhuman amorous demands, so she sprinkles something besides sugar on his Flutie Flakes, if you know what we mean, and we think you do. Dave’s artifically lessened desire gives Debra some relaxation and Brother Grinch a much-needed boost of confidence. Features a humorous montage of clips of The Grinch lording his superior virility over a humiliated Dave (you get to stretch your acting boundaries here, Dave) to the strains of Dylan’s “Positively 4th Street.” (TV-MA, for the return of a breathtakingly nude Patrticia Heaton —YES!!)
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this
(the Yanks are leading the AL East) uggg!!!
By Rodger
August 16, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this
Sutton would be a good choice-but I don’t think he wants to put in that kind of time. Of course, he may be unemployed next year…
By Hillbilly John
August 16, 2006 03:17 PM | Link to this
In Alabama it’s ok to marry your cosm.
By Tomahawkin
August 16, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this
Just A thought, But if sutton is unemployed next year, I’d think he’d go to Los Angeles, but I think he’s still under contract
This blog is jumpin…its only been up 2o minutes, and already 16 posts….
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this
Ya know who I think would make a really good pitching coach… Roger McDowell.
By Blog secretary
August 16, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
Well, now - aren’t the first 20 or so entries of today a perfect microcosm that demonstrates exactly why this blog went south and why other potential bloggers will be posting responses to Furman Bisher instead.
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
Will you guys allow me to ask a question that has absolutely nothing to do with baseball, and probably won’t interest anyone here in the slightest?
I keep hearing about Michael Jackson’s financial troubles. Why in the #&$#^ doesn’t that weirdo move to Vegas and sign a big fat contract with one of the casinos there like so many other washed up mega-acts have. Otherwise, he’s going to be a *homeless child molesting freak pretty soon. Vegas is probably the one place in the world where Jacko could still make a good living.
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this
“aren’t the first 20 or so entries of today a perfect microcosm that demonstrates exactly why this blog went south”
My God… I’m afraid I’ve proven your point! LOL!!!
By ChrisinPA
August 16, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this
Braves Fans What if I told you that Villareal will be this years Jorge Sosa (going into the starting rotation and winning all his away games)? Would that be something that interested you?
By Gordon Gekko
August 16, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this
Braves - who cares. The market is up big today.
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this
Woe!!!!!!
We sent down Thorman??? Jeez. That’s a lot of thump we just took off our bench. I realize we’ve got to keep Pena here to keep another warm body of the infile variety on the bench. But why not send down someone who can’t help this team like… oh I don’t know… Kevin freakin’ Barry!!!!!!
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this
meant to say… “infield variety”
By TennesseePaul
August 16, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this
We should win tonight with Smoltz on the mound. We should win tonight because Smotlz deserves it. If anything, we need to make sure Smoltz gets the W the rest of the way. I’d love to see this team back at .500, but Cox absolutely loves shuffling the line-up and subing in the bench when a 30 year old rookie is on the mound.
And, I know I’m not the first, but I’m sick of this hyper-aggressive hitting. For one, it’s setting a horrible example for Francoeur. Who is running full bore down Rob Deer’s path.
Pedro Astacio. What a joke.
Went to the Dodger game last night. Watched a lot of former Braves. I noticed, if they were playing as they did last night and were on the Braves team, we’d still have lost. Billingsly looks like he’s going to be a good pitcher. Anibal was solid as well. But there are much more talented and seasoned guys on the Dodgers team than on the Marlins team. That team is going to be good for a long time assuming no more fire sales.
By J Lemke, PhD
August 16, 2006 03:45 PM | Link to this
Chris in PA:
An interesting existential question.
Is Jorge Sosa this years’ Jorge Sosa. Or is Jorge Sosa last years’ Jorge Sosa.
Is Jorge Sosa not himself?
Can Jorge Sosa not be Jorge Sosa, or is it that Jorge Sosa can not DO Jorge Sosa?
This is the Jorge Sosa conundrum wherin Jorge Sosa is a microcosm of all humanity.
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this
If Lance Cormier had pitched a no-hitter last night, would we be talking about how great Cormier was, or how pathetic the National’s offense was?
Come on guys. It was a frustrating game to watch to be sure, but let’s keep in mind that any major league pitcher with enough ability to stick around as long as Astacio has, has the ability to pitch a great game once in a blue moon. Last night, the moon was blue. It had a lot more to do with what Astacio did than anything we didn’t do. Tip your hat to Astacio, and move on.
By Rodger
August 16, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
Are Jorge Sosa and Greg Maddux cojoined in the cosm of the cosmos?
Both have gone to new teams and pitched well…
By Billie Jean
August 16, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this
I just got back from a nice trip to Mexico. We went to cosm el. Bye.
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this
Rodger,
Seems to be a pattern with Jorge Sosa. He goes to a new team and pitches well the first year. Looks like all he has to do is change teams every year, and he might have a nice career. Hell, it’s worked for Regie Sanders and Kenny Lofton! LOL
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this
KC, very true about Astacio. He was 4-16 against Braves. I mean, he was waaay past due.
THIS JUST IN: Just got to RFK, and guess what? it’s still a dump.
Later. Going down to clubhouse. Oh, and yes, it’s Cormier on Sunday.
And Jeff Schultz, of course you like unsweetened tea. Because you’re an idiot. But I love ya anyway. Well, love’s a bit strong. I tolerate you.
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this
flbravesgirl, I know, I know. I lived in Ft Lauderdale 13 years. Believe me, that’s about as southern as Jersey. There’s a reason South Florida is called the sixth borough.
By Hillbilly John
August 16, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this
I think DOB made a spelling mistake. He meant POSSUM, not COSM.
By KC
August 16, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this
Everybody know why Michael Jackson went to K-Mart?
By KC
August 16, 2006 04:00 PM | Link to this
DOB: Am I sensing some condescension?
By KC
August 16, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this
…Because he heard boys pants were half-off.
By ChrisinPA
August 16, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this
ok - lets try this again
Braves’ Fans
What if I told you that Villareal will be last year’s Jorge Sosa. Would that be something you would be interested in?
A little Entourage love please?
By KC
August 16, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this
Okay ChrisinPA… Sounds good to me. Is that what you’re telling us?
By Roger MacDowell
August 16, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this
Look everyone - get off Jorge Sosa’s case, ok?
He had some problems this year but I take full responsibility - I suggested that he experiment a bit.
Last year, before every game, he drank a big vanilla and root beer float. But this year we had him switch to cherry-vanilla. When that didn’t work, we tried cookie-dough ice cream in mountain dew. No dice.
Sorry.
By KC
August 16, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this
Why in the world would we send Stockman down and keep Barry in ATL?????????
And where’s Phil Stockman? Is he still on the DL?
By elbravox
August 16, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this
Smoltz will live the game tied with 2 unearned runs, Edgar will be a hero and win the game. Tommorow we will score one unearned run and waste Villareal’s good outing. One can say that with about 90 games played this season, just change characters. Today I am going Bud One. never tried it before…
By KC
August 16, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this
Wait… I haven’t been watching for a couple of weeks… John Rocker’s not on the team anymore???
By Rodger
August 16, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this
We got Barry (Bonds)?
By Rodger
August 16, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this
He must’ve cleared waivers-it was no big deal!
By KC
August 16, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
Just kidding of course. I loved Rocker’s quote after he was released by the Long Island Ducks…
“I have elected to take a step back and re-evaluate the options available to me”
LOL! When you get released by the Long Island Ducks… you don’t have and options!
By KC
August 16, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this
meant to say: “any options”
By Hillbilly John
August 16, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this
Did DOB say that that Florida Braves girl has six burros. Burro is a fancy word for donkey, right?
By Lew
August 16, 2006 04:24 PM | Link to this
KC-According to the Braves’ website, Stockman is on the 15 day DL. His hamstring injury was in a really strange location, babove the knee as opposed to the back of the thigh where it usually happens. I would imagine this has pushed back his recovery time. I wouldn’t count too heavily on Davies when he comes back. A lot of people are banking on him coming back strong, but his rehab starts have been nothing to write home about. I’d bet he wasn’t going to be close to full strength until the spring.
By Harry McCurdy
August 16, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
COSM stands for the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meetings (COSM).
In 1970 the Triological Society suggested the formation of a liaison committee composed of the Secretaries of each of the ORL Societies (AAFPRS, ABEA, ALA, AOS, ASHNS, TRIO) that met together each Spring. The Secretaries agreed to have the American Council of Otolaryngology handle the logistics of this increasingly complex meeting.
By KC
August 16, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this
Lew:
Hmmm… maybe he could try some of Barry Bonds “muscle rub”.
By A. Grey
August 16, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this
The Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (CoSM) is a sanctuary in New York City (at 540 West 27th St.) for contemplation and a center for events encouraging the creative spirit. The Sacred Mirrors, on display in the Chapel, are a series of paintings that allow us to see ourselves and each other as reflections of the divine.
So, DOB next time you are in New York for a Mets game - come check us out!
By Chop Chop
August 16, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this
I have to give Hillbilly John some credit. His 3:17 post (“In Alabama, it’s ok to marry your cosm.”) induced a chuckle from me.
DOB, the Braves are a very predictable unpredictable team, if that makes any sense. You never know what you’re going to get from one day to the next, but you can be fairly certain that the opposite will occur in the next game. Now that I’m confused, let me just say that Astacio’s two-hit shutout last night has to rank pretty high on the list of worst efforts by the Braves. The guy is a bum. A flat-out bum, dammit.
By 10-7-4
August 16, 2006 04:37 PM | Link to this
Dr. Lemke—informed of your query, Mr. Sosa is beside himself.
By Carolina Lady
August 16, 2006 04:39 PM | Link to this
“Cosm is based on an entirely plausible idea from theoretical physics. The basic theory, as I understand it, is that it is possible an area of “false vacuum” could be created in our “true vacuum” universe, and that this “false vacuum” would be a universe unto itself, connected to this universe by a “neck” of negative energy density.”
Boy, that would explain some of the folks on this blog, wouldn’t it?? :-))))
By Carolina Lady
August 16, 2006 04:40 PM | Link to this
35, perfect!! :-)))))))))
By Tonight on TBS
August 16, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this
The Usual Suspects (1995)
After the Braves’ season blows up, Dave O’Brien (Kevin Spacey) an eye-witness and participant tells the story of events leading up to the conflagration. The season goes tolerably well until the influence of the legendary, seemingly omnipotent “Jorge Soze” is felt. Although set in the modern day, it has much of the texture of Braves’ seasons of the eighties with suspense, intrigue (a fairly high body count on the disabled list), and lots of lead changes. Formatted for content.
(Remember: TBS is not affiliated with other networks).
By BigDawg
August 16, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this
My God …. Put this dog to sleep already. It is the humaine thing to do at this point.
By 22oz
August 16, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this
There’s still hope for the season: Brian Jordan is close to coming back!!!
By Hillbilly John
August 16, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady - I had a false vacuum once. I got it at Sam’s club.
By ncscoots
August 16, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this
CL, our true universe will be safe as long as that “neck of negative energy density” isn’t the size of Chad Paronto’s.
By Carolina Lady
August 16, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this
Hey, Hillbilly John! Hope you kept the warrenty on it! They’ll make it good, you know.
:-))
By 22oz
August 16, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this
Why does the Mississippi Braves website have pictures of 3 Atlanta Braves and a Richmond Brave?
By Carolina Lady
August 16, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this
Hey, Scoots! How’s it in the Sandhills today??
By stynes
August 16, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
Yeah, from what I saw, Cormier wasn’t that bad last night. Astacio was just that good. And as you pointed out, the Braves hitters helped him out. If Smotlz keeps up his good word, Hudson continues to build on the last couple of good outings that he’s had and James keeps pitching the way he has for the past couple of weeks then I think we still have a reasonable shot. Davis is due back in a couple of weeks and hopefully he’ll improve the starting rotation as well.
The one thing I didn’t understand from yesterday’s game was why with the season really in the balance you sit AJ and Renteria. I know AJ had a banged up knee. He plays with banged up knees all the time, though. I felt especially with Cormier pitching it would have been nice to have as many of the bats in the lineup as possible. I didn’t understand that move. It almost reeked of concession.
By Carolina Lady
August 16, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this
22, it goes back to that false vacuum that Hillbilly John got at Sam’s Club. It temporarily created another universe in which some players were caught. Guess they haven’t updated their site since Sam’s made good on the warrenty.
By Bippy
August 16, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this
I don’t like sweetened tea. Serving it is like giving someone a hot dog with ketchup on it. What if they don’t want ketchup?
There’s sugar on the table. Stir up your tea you lazy bum.
By MBATL
August 16, 2006 05:09 PM | Link to this
I wanted to study microcosmetics in night school, but found I just didn’t have the makeup for it. (rim-shot, please).
Went out on a limb last night and predicted a good start from Cormier. He really pitched okay, I thought, but it sure wasn’t our night.
Strange as it seems, we’re still within a 3 or 4 game winning streak of having a chance come September.
As to sitting some guys last night, to me it’s one of 2 things: Either Bobby just didn’t want to win the game, and for the life of me I can’t quite come to grips with that; or, AJ and Edgar really needed the night off. Hard to judge those things without being in the clubhouse.
By Lew
August 16, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this
Jorge Soze in the harbor, killing many men. Bippy-Sweet tea is necessary because if you just add sugar it doesn’t dissolve correctly and negates the sweet tea drinking experience. If you have dietary restrictions, ask for unsweet tea, or drink something else.
By Carolina Lady
August 16, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this
Bippy, honey, if they don’t want sweet tea, you go dig in the back of the kitchen cabinet and dig out that awful stuff that somebody gave you in that gift basket and serve it. If their taste buds are that deficient, they’ll never know. Unsweetened tea, indeed! Now, diabetes is another issue. Always keep Sweet & Low or something like that on hand for those who can’t have sugar! :-))
By TennesseePaul
August 16, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
John Candy was amazing. That guy just cracks me up. “Old melanoma head”
By LeTwan
August 16, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this
Understand the art of tea:
If you are eatin’ a sandwich then sweet tea is fine.
If you are eatin’ pie (example, sweet potato pie, just like I got now) then you want a unsweet tea. Too much sweets is bad, period.
By bobbo
August 16, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this
Is Jeff francouer really as stupid as he looks, he wanders around the field with a big dumb grin on his face acting as if swinging at every pitch and hiting .250 for a mediocre ball club is okay. Last year his free swinging was fun and exciting and he was just happy to be here, we need him to step up and become a major producer for this team not just another player, he is supposed to be our new chipper jones type face of the ballclub.
By LeTwan
August 16, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this
Bobbo - what does that have to do with the price of tea?
By billy g
August 16, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this
This season is done. If some people need to hang on to hope, that is fine. I prefer to look at our situation straight in the face.
My concern now is the future.
I think that our position players are in good shape. Francouer, Aybar, Andru and McCann look like a solid foundation. The big question lies with our pitching. I don’t have faith in Mike Hampton (never did). John Smoltz has been a rock, but how long can his arm last? That leaves the youngsters. Chuck James looks good and I expect him to be a solid pitcher for years to come. Assuming Smoltz breaks down and Hampton disappoints again, who do we have to count on beyond James?
By Lew
August 16, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this
Uh Bobbo-What part of 22 HR and 82 RBI do you feel is non-productive. Yes, it would be nice if Francoeur learned some plate discipline, but he is already productive. The Braves will never pay Francoeur to be Tony Gwynn, but they will pay him to hit HR and knock in runs as long as he is under contract to them.
By MGL
August 16, 2006 05:50 PM | Link to this
Unsweetened tea plus sugar does not equal sweet tea. Sweet tea should have the sugar added just after brewing, before it cools. Adding sugar to already iced tea creates an entirely different drink.
By MGL
August 16, 2006 05:52 PM | Link to this
I bet that Hillbilly John’s cosms know how to fix sweet tea.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 05:55 PM | Link to this
Howdy, All! Just got off the set. CL, I thought a “False Vacuum” was when someone tells you to vacuum the house while they’re gone, but you don’t feel like it so you spend twice as much effort with various implements to make it LOOK as if you did. Sugar does not dissolve in tea without heat or a GREAT DEAL of vigorous motion as a catalyst.
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 06:00 PM | Link to this
Dr. J Lemke (Dr J and Lemmer in one, if you will): Very interesting post on the Conundrum of Jorge (I’m working on a screeplay titled Conundrum of Jorge, by the way). Made me smile.
Then I looked out at the ugly 700-foot advertising signage on the ugly outfield wall here, and stopped smiling.
By dadgum
August 16, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this
Hey Billy G….you are right on with your observation which is why I think you will see the Braves play their version of Trade Derby during the off season for more than one top line pitcher and say good bye to Giles, Thorman, Salty, Pratt, and numerous pitchers like Reitsma, Thomson, and the like. Major wholesale changes are coming no doubt about it. DOB has the pulse and even he says the off season is going to be wheeling and dealing. We won’t get into the Andruw thing in this discussion.
Frankly I don’t have a lot of faith just yet in any of our pitchers going into next year. Smoltz gets a pass obviously but his age is where many pitchers have to see the twilight and all we can really hope for is that he is effective next year and then someone is ready to take his place as a #1 starter. Maybe he will be like Clemens and hang around for fewer starts. I love Smoltz but something tells me we are in trouble without getting him some relief. Ramirez, James, Davies, Hudson, Hampton are all BIG QUESTION MARKS. The homer in me wants them to be just what we hope they will be. Saviours. We will give them that opportunity but I won’t be laying a lot of money in Vegas on it or I would need high odds. However most teams are saying the same thing we are. It is all conjecture but JS is going to have to even the odds a little this off season and some of the trades may hurt.
Remember when we got Hudson we thought that was the missing link. A trade can look great then down the road ( which is how you judge trades) not look so great. So we can go make the obvious great trade this off season but you never know how it is going to play out. No sure thing which is why the game is so interesting.
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this
LeTwan, actually I would always drink coffee with pie. But it just worked better on that particular sentence, and I was thinking of Jimmy (have you been introduced to Jimmy? I imagine you have).
And of course, for those offering, we all know that sweet tea is brewed sweet. never with sugar added after the fact. it just sinks to the damn bottom of the glass, or pitcher. ugh. then you have 10 ounces of unsweet tea, and a quarter-ounce of sugar water.
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 06:08 PM | Link to this
35, hilarious post on the Jorge conundrum.
BigDawg, if we put this dog to sleep, then do we even play the rest of the games. Or just not talk about them. Just curious what you have in mind. We’re open to suggestions. I’ll take them to Bobby, perhaps.
By Rupert (jest is best)
August 16, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this
Ok, here’s my all green lineup:
1- Moe Green (LF, leadoff - a good eye).
2- Seth Green (small, quick - ideal 2ndbaseman).
3- Lorne Green (3B, getting old, injured a lot but the dude is a bonanza at bat).
4- Al Green (CF, Great but may demand more money. Al: please re-sign with the team and let’s stay together).
5- Green Hornet (RF, dude can fly like a bumblebee).
6- Green Day (C, you’d have to be a nimrod not to see this season is the time of his life).
7- Green Bay (SS, hot now but may cool off in September/October).
8- Little Green Apples (1B, when myself is feeling low, i think about his swing and go and ease my mind).
9- Green Mile (P, electric stuff; calls his best pitch ‘Ol Sparky’)
Closer - Soylent Green. Dude has nasty stuff.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this
Mmmmmmm……Pie.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 06:14 PM | Link to this
What about Green Lantern as manager; he’d be good at giving out signals.
By TennesseePaul
August 16, 2006 06:14 PM | Link to this
They’d probably pay him a little more if he’d hit .270-.280 instead of .250 and got on base more frequently than 28% of the time he comes to the plate. (For comparison, Chipper and McCann get on base about 12% more of the time.) He has all those high numbers, which are good, because he has the most at bats on the team. Hence more chances of success, but his rate of success isn’t particularly higher than the next guy.
Break in action: Anyone see that Florida Dodger Blues game!?!! Sheeeesh.
Francoeur could be better. I’d like to see him be better. All it would take is some pitch recognition and laying off those low and away sliders. He need look no further than Andruw Jones. Right now, Francoeur is more like Andruw than he is Chipper. Interestingly enough, Francoeur has been hit by a pitch the same amount of times as he drew an unintentional walk. That’s not too common.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this
That’s it! I know what’s ailing the players now! Gangrene! Bless you, Robert (JIB)…
By 10-7-4
August 16, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this
10 news: New poll shows nearly 75% of Americans can name the ‘3 Stooges’ but only 42% can name the 3 branches of Govt.—And all this time I thought they were one in the same. Go figure.By gotigers72
August 16, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this
I disagree with only one part of your blog/column. Cormier gave up EIGHT HITS and THREE EARNED RUNS in less than 5 innings. That is not decent. I realize some errors were made that cost him, but DECENT to above decent pitchers know how to pitch around that. [See Maddux and Smoltz for reference].
I don’t know if you can get REAL sweet tea, the way it’s supposed to be made, in any state outside of Ga., SC, and NC. Maybe Alabama. Don’t know, never tried it there. But certainly not in Arkansas or Florida, where I have tried it. It is a Southern treat not to be found in any other region, and not even all states in the Southeast. My granny’s was the best ever, but she’s not around to fix it for me anymore. I try, but I’ll never match hers.
By LeTwan Anthony
August 16, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this
Good observation, DOB. Actually, the LeTwan that has posted today is an impostor - but clever - not ugly like some. The real LeTwan Anthony would likely have coffee or cold milk with a slice of pie - unless it is an icebox pie in which case LeTwan would go with iced water. Pie is something that is, as the journalist would say, not to be trifled with. Sweet tea is brewed sweet and is served by someone who calls you, sugar or sweetie, or honey, or something like that. Sweet tea is a Southern delicacy. Sweet tea and cornbread are always in favor.
This Jimmy Smith you reference … highly intelligent and good looking, too, right? Esteemed?
By elbravox
August 16, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this
BUD ONE SUCKS.
By Kissa Yojoki
August 16, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this
Drinking green tea can have positive effect on the five vital organs, especially the heart. Medicinal qualities include easing the effects of alcohol, acting as a stimulant, curing blotchiness, quenching thirst, eliminating indigestion, curing beriberi disease, preventing fatigue, and improving urinary and brain function.
Suggest serving Green Tea in Braves’ clubhouse. No sato.
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this
Bippy, if you don’t like sweet tea, I hope you don’t live in the South. Actually, I just hope you don’t live in the South, period.
(kidding, kidding).
THIS JUST IN: Andruw scratched from lineup again with same sore knee. Cleanup hitter du jour: Francoeur. (get it, du jour? OK, back to work)
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 06:34 PM | Link to this
Oh, and McCann batting-title hopes take another hit: He’s out of lineup. Pratt playing.
“He can’t play every day,” Bobby told me when I asked about McCann.
Bobby wants him to get enough PAs for qualification for the batting title, but doesn’t sound willing to play McCann much more than normal if that’s what it takes to get the PAs
By LeTwan Anthony
August 16, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this
Accept no substitute! The real LeTwan Anthony is a third person blogger. It may be coincidental that the other third person blogger is Journalist Jimmy Smith. Then again, maybe not a coincidence. Toes? Pie? Pie? Toes? Go figure.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 16, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this
I have to say I was very proud to make the TBS movie on the other blog.
DOB and LaTwan, I have to say a good cup of coffee with pie is terrific and a good glass of milk is even better.
Tonight is the night. Tonight’s game is a must win. Unless Andruw can’t walk he has to be in the lineup. Tonight we will see what this team is made of. After last night’s embarrassment they have to show their heart. I have doubted this team’s heart all year. I would like them to prove me wrong and show that more than a couple of guys (Smoltz, Chipper, Giles, James, and McCann) have it.
If Cox and JS are serious about trying to make the playoffs then they need to show it. Stop the Pratt experiment now! Call Pena up and have him be the backup. We need offense every game. You can’t run McCann out there every game, so put your next best option (Pena) on the field. I heard today that Brian Jordan is ready to come back. So what! Keep him off of the field. If he wants to pinch hit, then I’m all for it. LaRoche should be left in the lineup. He has earned it.
Finally, stop the stupid rehab assignments with Davies. He has had 3 already. I know they are important but at this point we need him on the mound. He couldn’t be any worse than the sludge we have seen lately. The truth is this team is one good week away from being in this. This trip is too important. I hope Cox uses more sense tonight than he did last night.
By ncscoots
August 16, 2006 06:39 PM | Link to this
I’ve kinda been in the give-him-time-he’s-young camp on Francoeur this year, but even I have to admit he appears to be the only guy in the ballpark that doesn’t know he’s gonna get a breaking ball outside 3 out every 4 pitches, and especially on the first pitch. Pitchers read scouting reports, too, and know the guy is death if the first pitch is hittable. Yet he seems to swinging more wildly than ever. I didn’t think he was going to make the adjustments to hit .330 in September, or anything, but, good grief, he seems to be regressing instead. I mean, he should be making SOME adjustments, no? and BTW, Carolian Lady, didn’t answer your post earlier cause I was headed out the door at the time. You know I wouldn’t ignore a woman who might thumb me!
By J Lemke, PhD
August 16, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this
Hmm. A false LeTwan who is impersonating the real LeTwan who is the alter ego of Jimmy Smith who exists only in cyberspace.
Does LeTwan have discourse with Jimmy? If so, then that is a dialogue of self-referential construction.
Does LeTwan represent “figure” and Jimmy “ground”?
Does the figure necessarily contain the same information as its ground?
By MBATL
August 16, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this
Comparing Jimmy Smith to Letwan? That’s like comparing Jimmy to Carolina Lady. Ridiculous! And where is Bob, Journalist?
Despite some toe soreness in the past, which led to a fowl attitude, I really miss Bob’s wisdom and historical perspective. Touch base when you can, Bob!
gotigers: great sweet tea in NORTH Florida; go to St. John’s Seafood in Jacksonville for a taste, and better seafood than you can find anywhere in “Hotlanta” - for less than the cost of a bleacher seat at the Ted.
By ncscoots
August 16, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this
on the batting title thing, doesn’t the actual rule allow for batters without the required 502 appearances to qualify? Adding outs, if I remember correctly, for however many appearances you are short? Absolutely not sure about that, but it’s in my head for some reason…course, that would mean McCann would probably have to hit about .370 in his “real” plate apperances to beat Sanchez (unless Freddie tanks out, of course).
By stynes
August 16, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this
DOB - can you clarify something about the whole batting title deal. Is it PA or AB? I’ve heard both tossed around. I think a lot of people don’t realize the difference and think they’re one and the same. For those who may be wondering, AB is a subset of PA. AB does not include walks, sacrifices, HBP, and a few other oddities. A clarification of which stat is used would be appreciated, DOB. Thanks.
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this
How could anyone named Bobo ask if Francoeur is “stupid?” Come on, you call yourself Bobo. Bobo!
Oh, wait. It was Bobbo.
Nevermind
By sir jimmy smith, gentleman journalist
August 16, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this
yes, there is such a thing as a gentleman journalist. dave kindred comes to mind.
now, “p” players for tonight … pratt. will tonight be the night his average slips below .200? we will know after his first at-bat. now, after the prodigious game on saturday night pete orr is hitting .212 almost to the level of brian jordan who remains at .214. poor ‘p” player tony pena is now batting .053. soon, maybe we will call tony pena 35 - .035.
By ncscoots
August 16, 2006 06:55 PM | Link to this
stynes, it’s 3.1 plate appearances (not just at-bats, a walk is not an at-bat, but is an appearance) for each game the player’s team has completed. 162 x 3.1 = 502 for a season.
By Brad in KY
August 16, 2006 06:56 PM | Link to this
DOB
I seem to remember Andres Galarraga winning the NL batting title back in 1993 despite having less than the required number of plate appearances. If memory serves, there was a loop-hole that allowed a player’s walks to be factored into the number of plate appearances (since walks don’t count as at-bats). Do you remember this and is it possible that McCann can exploit this rule?
By MBATL
August 16, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this
That’s just plain funny, DOB. Bobo indeed.
By Sister Summersisle
August 16, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this
Stynes - I think sacrifices should count. Don’t you?
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this
It’s PAs, not ABs. 3.1 per scheduled team game. So if team plays 162, he’s gotta have 502 PAs.
By TennesseePaul
August 16, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this
Walks are part of plate appearances. An at bat is a hit, an out, a reach on error. A plate appearance is every time the guy steps up to the plate. So that includes hits, outs, sac flies, sac bunts, walks and HBP. The player must compile 502 Plate Appearances to qualify, which is 3.1 over 162 games, which at this point still leaves McCann shy. It isn’t a loop hole. It’s the definition of plate appearance.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this
I see that my discovery of the root of the teams’ appendage problems will go unheralded throughout this blog. Fine, then; when my findings are published and I recieve all the credit, I will share none of it with any of you save Robert JIB for giving me the inspiration. “HEY BOB! WAKE UP!” Someone please wake up Bob.
By sir jimmy smith, gentleman journalist
August 16, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this
journalist is confused. form follows function, right? leTwan is the smart one. journalist employs the tools of ignorance (pad and pen). if journalist jimmy smith is asked really, really, nicely then journalist will break a story on this very blog tonight! around 7:25 or so …
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this
MBATL, indeed you can get sweet tea in parts of central florida, even, in the backwater towns. but not in Fascisto … er, Orlando.
Plate appearances are everything added up _ at-bats, sacrifices, HBPs, walks, etc. It’s every time you step to the plate.
And thinks for calling. Next on the line is Jake from Valdosta. What’s your question, Jake?
By Michael Franks
August 16, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this
Grinch - it’s not gangrene, it less severe: popsicle toes.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 16, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this
Here is the thing with Francoeur. One of two things are taking place. Either Cox and TP are telling him to be more selective and make the pitcher pitch to him and he is simply ignoring the instruction or he is not being told anything and is allowed to continuously go up to the plate and swing like a first year little leaguer. I happen to think its the latter and not the former by the mere fact that Frenchy has starterd every game, played all but about 4 innings this year, and Cox and TP repeatedly say that they don’t want him to lose his aggressiveness. Well, that aggressiveness is more of a killjoy than it is a positive. Puljos is aggressive too but he doesn’t swing at everything. I realize he is only 22 and have made that excuse for him. But, truth be told I have seen NO imporvement from last year to this year. As far as I’m concerned, that lies directly at the feet of his coaching and mentoring (Cox and TP). Remember Klesko. He was much the same way. But, ironically when he was traded to the Padres and under the thumb of Bruce Botchy he got better. Interesting isn’t it?
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this
Funny how you have to drive north for a couple hours from South Florida to reach the South.
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 07:07 PM | Link to this
But the South doesn’t really begin until you reach North (Florida).
OK, got a game to cover here
By Jake
August 16, 2006 07:07 PM | Link to this
Dave - do you have flbravesgirl’s phone number? Thanks.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 16, 2006 07:09 PM | Link to this
amber alert again - this is another amber alert for journalist bob. here is what we know of bob - actuary, married to carol. son is a whiz. cat is injured. likes bobby dodd. bobby dodd is dead. voted for adlai stevenson. adlai stevenson is dead. likes sousemeat, watermelon, ice cream, but not country ham. eats eggs with streak o’lean. wise and witty - with good manners. if seen, notify any blogger. game has begun.
By TennesseePaul
August 16, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this
Klesko also played for his home team under Botchy. Might ad into the fact. Also, by that time he was much older. Nevertheless, Francoeur could learn his strike zone and pitch recognition. He wants to succeed in the clutch roles, he might as well learn not to swing at crap and force the pitcher to throw a pitch he can hit. Right now, no pitcher has to.
By David O'Brien
August 16, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this
Not yet
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this
M. Franks, “popsicle” doesn’t rhyme with the all green theme, though. Howver, you might be onto something. Game Time.
By ncscoots
August 16, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this
OK, here’s the rule, insofar as McCann is concerned (couldn’t get that outs thing out of my head, so looked it up).
“Currently, players need to accrue an average of 3.1 plate appearances for each game their team plays in order to qualify for the batting title. An exception to this qualification rule is that, if a player falls short of the 3.1 plate appearances per game but would still have the highest batting average even if enough hitless at bats were added to reach the 3.1 mark, the player still wins the batting championship. The latest example of this exception being employed occurred in 1996 when Tony Gwynn had 159 hits in 451 at bats for a .353 batting average but had only 498 plate appearances, four short of the 502 necessary. Since four hitless at bats would have lowered his batting average to .349 but .349 was still better than anyone in the league, Gwynn was named the National League batting champion.”
By TommyB
August 16, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this
Dave O: This blog intro was a departure for you. Much more of a step-back, high-level perspective kind of piece. I really liked it. I vote for more like these.
10Paul: I, too, follow the Dodgers and am especially intrigued this year… probably because of all the ex-Braves (including Grady Little) and especially because of their surge. New regime is also an interesting factor. Are you living out there now? That’s where I moved here from back in the eighties. Great place… especially if you’re single.
By Head Coach
August 16, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this
Ditto David , The key word is inconsistency. It defines the entire season. Add all the injuries in the pitching department and a lack of speed to a one demensional three run bomb offense and you have the perfect recipe for a disasterous season.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this
Well at least Joe West gave Smoltz a call 8 inches off the plate just now to make up for that earlier “ball.” DOB, can I tell you how I’d prefer you write your blogs? :-)
By TennesseePaul
August 16, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this
Yep. It’s cool. Tired of stucko though. I miss Rushmore. I miss the seasons. I’ve been out here long enough to know I need to get back east to see more Braves games and own land. Or at least, a reasonable plot of land.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 16, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this
flash - breaking news - “p” player todd pratt is now hitting .200. it will take one more at-bat to cross the mendoza line. pratt hits into a double play leaves 2 men on base. mccann appears rested on the bench.
By Alex
August 16, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this
No A. Jones and no B. McCann! Great…that means we have two more sure outs in the lineup tonight…named Ryan and Todd! So when you add Smoltz…it means the Braves are practically counting on John throwing a shutout and scratching out a run or two somehow.
By Snowball's Chance
August 16, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this
DOB, More about the scenery in Montreal please. Brings back pleasant memories.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 16, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this
oh, the humanity! are you watching this game? oh, the h-u-m-a-n-i-t-y!
By Moe
August 16, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this
Is that Jason Shiell wearing Smoltz’s jersey?
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this
Hey, guys, I’m not normally known as a stats man but I thought I’d throw this out there. At his current pace, Smoltz will only need 270 pitches to throw a complete game (giving up 18 runs). Now, if our offence can just score 19…
By Snowball's Chance
August 16, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this
JJS, The Mendoza line is thought to be .200 which he might of been hitting when the phrase was coined, but he ended up hitting about .230 for his career. Either way Pratt hasn’t shown much offence. Langerhans is over both lines and he is batting after Pratt. Most coaches need a whipping boy and I think Langerhans is it.
By MBATL
August 16, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this
Let’s not blame Pratt and Langerhans for our offense, so far. Chipper, Edgar, Giles, Laroche, Franceour haven’t done anything either.
By Rupert (jest is best)
August 16, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this
Quick - put in the green team!
By nathan
August 16, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this
It’s going SO BAD right now for Renteria, he can’t even get hit by a pitch!
This TEAM is so bad, it makes you long for the days of the late 80’s! At least then we had good pitching ON THE WAY!
Anybody out there that STILL thinks that we should lock up Andruw for another 5 or 6 years, with his back and knees? I wonder if he realizes that his back problems are probably from swinging too damn hard.
Pete just had a good one on the radio. He just said. “This may be a case of the 2nd time through the order the Braves have seen him already and made some adjustments.”“
ROFLMAO! WHAT TEAM HAS HE BEEN WATCHING ALL YEAR? ADJUSTMENTS? THE ATLANTA BRAVES? A TEAM COACHED BY BOBBY AND TP MAKE ADJUSTMENTS? Pete, I want some of what you’re on, cuz it sounds like it warps reality, which when you’re watching this team is much needed. Other than McCann, who on this team ACTUALLY goes to the plate with a plan or learns from past mistakes. Oh yeah, I forgot about Francoeur’s adjustments. Most of the time he swings at the first pitch. The other times, he swings at the first pitch REALLY HARD! LOL!
By Tony Almeida
August 16, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this
By MBATL
August 16, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this
Let’s not blame Pratt and Langerhans for our offense, so far. Chipper, Edgar, Giles, Laroche, Franceour haven’t done anything either.
HAHAHAHAHAH…you were saying??? I think they both single handedly ended that ending….hahahahhahahahha
By BG
August 16, 2006 08:29 PM | Link to this
Now can we start blaming the lack of offense on Pratt & Langerhans — especially Langerhans. Less than 2 outs and a man on 3rd, the number 8 hitter really needs to deliver an RBI.
By MBATL
August 16, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this
Yes, BG, you can now blame those guys for the Braves’ problems. Knock yourself out.
By Tony Almeida
August 16, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this
Atleast Smoltz can put the ball in play, Langerhans can’t even do that.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 16, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this
Well, even know Smoltz is choking now. This season may just be officially over!
By Schlomo
August 16, 2006 08:38 PM | Link to this
Bob Rathbun you are a pathetic weasel. First, you go into great detail about how the pitchers mound might be throwing Smoltz off tonight.
Then, after an obvious blown call at first that helped lead to three Braves runs in the 4th, you chuckle that was a “good call”
I hope this time next year you are groveling for your paycheck in some other town.
By nathan
August 16, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this
Looks like the innings are finally catching up to Smoltz……….SEASON OVER (Well we already knew that, but it’s WAY more over than it was yesterday)
Hey, just think, if we could reel off 15 out of 16 like the Dodgers just did, we’d be right back in this thing! LOL.
I’d be happy to reel off 15 or 16 games where we weren’t down by at least 4 runs before the 5th inning!
Shoulda been BIG TIME SELLERS at the deadline. That will haunt us bigtime for the next few years.
Now Smoltz will blow out his arm, be done for the year and next year. That’s just my gut. But hey, we’ve got Mike Hampton coming back next year. And Bobby said that’s like picking up a Free Agent pitcher! Yup sure is. John Thomson was a Free Agent pitcher too. He worked out real well for us, didn’t he. Don’t get me wrong, I’m fairly excited about Hampton coming back, but until he pitches a full season not only healthy but efectively, I’m not buying into it. Though it is hard to believe he’ll be any worse than what we’ve got now, just more expensive!
What a JOKE! But hey, we got to watch Bob Wickman pitch for a couple of months! Thanx JS!
By TennesseePaul
August 16, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this
I don’t know what’s going on… I post and it doesn’t show.
Can anyone tell me if it’s Smoltz or the Ump? Is the umps strike zone a pin hole or something?
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this
Blame Pratt? Sure, his bat was thinking “double play” the whole way but his league-wide feared hartebeest footspeed caused their infeilder to make an errant throw, giving Langerhaans the opportunity to hit a #@$^%#$ fly ball to tie the game. Glad we have that expert leadership and resounding defense in there tonight instead of a bat or two.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 08:44 PM | Link to this
10 Paul, Joe West has one of the most puzzling strike zones of any umpire. But usually after he makes a completely and obviously egregious call, he makes up for it with one the opposite way later. Nathan, we ain’t got to see Wickman pitch much! :-)
By TennesseePaul
August 16, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this
Some of these posts I don’t get. Give up, seasons over? I just checked, I was curious — wasn’t sure if I had slept through it — we still have a month and a half to go. I certainly don’t want to see the Braves forfeit every game from here on out, or trade them for some crap, unproven, minor leaguers (seen enough of those already). It’s no way to prep the young guys we have on this team either.
GO BRAVES!!! Let’s pull this one out and win tonight.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 16, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this
“p” player pratt is getting some sympathy on tonight’s blog. deservedly so. pratt is now hitting .198 and has left 4 men on base tonight. except for a poor throw he would have hit into two double plays tonight. mccann continues to rest comfortbly on the bench. brayan pena was hitting .321 when sent down. think smoltz could have used a better bat in the 7-hole tonight? and what of langerhans? hitting .239. thorman was sent down hitting .255. no, it’s not their fault but all the stranded runners belong to them and to smoltz.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 16, 2006 08:59 PM | Link to this
oops, 6 men lob, pratt is now batting .197. journalist posted too quickly. 1 rbi, no hits. now it is 6-5. will they win this game? one “p” player left … will he be the hero?
By dadgum
August 16, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox what in the wide wide world of sports are you thinking. Andruw pulls up lame again tonight and you have the infinite wisdom to pull another bat out of the lineup in McCann. This is the 2nd night in a row that we have been without 2 of our top 5 hitters. This is a must win game, must win, and you pull the NL batting leader(if he had enough at bats)out of the game.
We may still come back as it is only through 5 but Cox simply can’t keep doing this kind of thinking. McCann has to go tonight but no. I don’t care if he plans on giving McCann a break now and again, just not tonight. We have to win two games in a row period no discussion on the matter. Cox is just making terrible managerial decisioins and jeopardizing his team.
By TommyB
August 16, 2006 09:03 PM | Link to this
10Paul: What part of Tennessee doest thou hail from? It’s East for me.
By supergrass
August 16, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this
im not watching the game or listening to it on radio, just checkin the gametrax via the web. pratt is now hitting .197/1 rbi and left 3 on base, but someone on this blog posted the pitchers numbers when pratt catches and they almost never impressive. most recently aug 9th lost to phi when braves pitchers gave up 9 runs with pratt behind the plate. point is maybe its more of pratts fault than it is smoltz (and washingtons timely/good hitting)?
By MBATL
August 16, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this
Nice throw, Todd Pratt!
By nathan
August 16, 2006 09:17 PM | Link to this
I’m not sure if this is a compliment to Giles (pretty rare from me) or an insult to Renteria’s slide. But has anybody noticed that Renteria is only hitting about 33 points higher than Giles in the Batting Average category.
Funny how things “even” out over a season, isn’t it? It just goes to show when you start out a season hot or cold it takes quite a while for the stats to really show how a season has gone for a player. Example being, that if the “current” trends of Giles and Renteria continue and Giles would end the season hitting for a higher average than Renteria, the “mirage” would still tell you that Renteria had a better year.
I guess like “team” play. A player is never as good as their hottest streak (Chipper’s current run) and of course the flip side is true, for instance like Todd Pratt. The current 651 game streak of hitting .251, there is no way that he’s only a .251 hitter. Eventually those numbers will even out! LOL! Sorry had to throw some humor in there.
By Rob S.
August 16, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this
DOB - I live in DC, no problem getting sweet tea. And having lived most of my life in Georgia and Florida, I can say that’s true on South Florida. The real South begins somewhere north of Orlando with pockets of rural exception inland on the Peninsula…Sebring, for example.
Anyway, can we please bring Lerew up and give the kid a shot? He can’t be worse than Cormier.
By Shaun Payne
August 16, 2006 09:23 PM | Link to this
Nathan,
Giles is definetly having an off year for him, but he’s been slightly underrated all season. I think his off year is due to injuries. Anyway, his on-base percentage is still pretty impressive, especially for a secondbaseman.
By dadgum
August 16, 2006 09:24 PM | Link to this
First Swing Francouer strikes again! Man somebody has got to work with this guy and soon. He could end up with 30+ homers and 100 RBI and not bat .250. That is terrible! Doesn’t make for a long career.
Oh yeah…..DOB, when you order sweet tea north of NC they really don’t know how to make it and even in VA it is scarce. You darn right you aren’t in the south in DC. Just drive around DC and you would swear you are in Seoul or Tokyo so did you really expect sweet tea! Ha Ha!!
By journalist jimmy smith
August 16, 2006 09:30 PM | Link to this
chipper hit the ground hard. let’s hope he is not hurt.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 09:31 PM | Link to this
Nathan, had Giles been hitting in the 2 hole (yeah, I know it doesn’t make any sense, but…) all season, you’d probably be surprised how close their numbers would be now. As for tonight’s game, I think the death ray has just been fired off.
By dadgum
August 16, 2006 09:32 PM | Link to this
Well with that homer the Braves season just came to an end. In fact prior to the homer Sutton commented that his form looks different tonight like he is hurting. Then see ya!! out of here. hasta la vista.
Bobby has to answer to a lot of people on sitting McCann tonight. No way anybody is going to rationalize that decision to me. Nobody. Just flat out STUPID!
By 2realistic
August 16, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this
The Braves are so bad this year they make the worst teams look like all-stars. They suck!
By Del
August 16, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this
Ken Ray should have been out of that inning without any runs scored no thanks to Joe West. There were at least four strikes that he called a ball. That’s no excuse for the home run though. Pratt’s pitch selection is nothing to write home about!!
By TennesseePaul
August 16, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this
I’m starting believe that it’s Pratt. It’s been Pratt the whole season. As far as I can tell, the guy has assisted only one pitcher once. That would be Chuck James with the pick-off throw at Tampa Bay.
Look at Pratts career. Every team he’s been on has been bad. They’ve finished bad and had bad pitching. This year is no different. Next year, I doubt he will be back. I could see Brayan Pena coming in to take his place. Or at least, I hope.
By Shaun Payne
August 16, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
According to Baseball Prospectus Francouer has been about 5-1/2 runs worse than a fringe rightfielder this season.
By dadgum
August 16, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this
Anyway we can bring up Bryan Pena from Richmond and just sit Pratt. This guy is simply killing the Braves every time he plays.
By MBATL
August 16, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this
dadgum, on top of all the other second-guessing: come on… Bobby has to answer to JS only, not to you or me or any other “bloggers”. You don’t play your catcher every night. We could’ve sat him tonight, last night, or tomorrow. But you can’t start your frontline catcher every night.
Yes, TP, it’s all Todd Pratt’s fault!
By Jay
August 16, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this
F-I-N-I-S-H-E-D.
I don’t see why people think Mike Hampton will make the difference next season. Same for a healthy Ho-Ram and Davies, assuming that happens. There’s no reason to believe Hudson won’t suck again, and Smoltz will be a year older.
Move A. Jones and Smoltz. Even though we won’t receive what we would have before the trade deadline. Schuerholz can shove his book up his a@#.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 16, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this
“p” player pratt is now hitting .195. weighs 240 pounds. that’s a 45 point swing. maybe pete orr will hit a 4-run homerun and be a pero.
By Del
August 16, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this
I have been a RL supporter all year, but tonight he may have sealed his fate with this team.
I find it in-excusable in the crunch situation we are in that Pratt plays while Pena remains in the minors.
By MBATL
August 16, 2006 09:49 PM | Link to this
yeah, if we just had a better backup catcher, and a better backup center fielder, all would be well and we’d be headed for the post-season.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 09:52 PM | Link to this
If it makes anyone feel any better, I just had a helluva good steak.
By rich
August 16, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this
Tyler yates….bobby is very high on this kid..he pitches great in mop up (with-out a lead) but he cannot take the pressure of holding a lead,,,,,,,,, bobby needs to give up on him as a 6th or 7th inning set-up man.. it’s just not in his head to be able to hold a lead !!!!!
By 10-7-4
August 16, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this
No joy in Mudville…I don’t like to beat the proverbial ‘dead horse’ but “they” are the ones to bring it up again. Once again,Chipper said, and I quote “we need to win every game”. Now you, and I, and the sign post on the corner, know he didn’t mean every game left on the schedule. No one will do that. He was talking about the games in Washington, and Florida. Now they want to tell me I should not take what he said “literally”. These ‘talking heads’ on TV want me to take what the ‘noted orator’ Mr. Larry Jones said ‘figuratively’. He didn’t mean “we need to win them all”, of course not. Sheeeeese.
By chopthis
August 16, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this
Hey, how about Edgar and Chipper going after those first pitches? Frenchy’s gonna pick up some bad habits watching those kind of at-bats!
7-8 now against that “soft” August schedule.
By nathan
August 16, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this
6 runs on 9 hits……and we don’t win. Oh where, oh where art thou Cy Young winners of years past.
Unfortunately this ones on Smoltz. But he was due. The guy can’t do it alone.
Mediocre teams play mediocre baseball, that’s all there is to it.
By JJMB
August 16, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this
Sweet tea? God, I outgrew that when I was 18. Put sugar in everthing. No wonder there are so many southerners waddling around here. That and good ole Co-colas! Drink up that colored sugar-water. Be true and Be FAT! Don’t forget the fried foods! Yummy….
There’s a “blog” for Ahmadinejad. Write him at text to be linked.
Anyone heard of Gailard Sartain? He was the cook on Hee Haw. Boy, he was funny. Man, Roy Clark can play the banjo and guitar.
Have you seen the new Camaro? How about the new Mustang? I think the new Charger misses the mark.
By Jay
August 16, 2006 10:06 PM | Link to this
Well, we were facing two ace pitchers in Pedro Astacio and Billy Traber.
Schuerholz: Stop writing masturbatory books and make some real moves, or retire. Preferably both.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this
JJMB, Roy Clark was the man. I like the new Mustang, but it needs a hood scoop to bring out the best. I disagree with you on the Charger; I saw a Daytona R/T (yellow w/black stripes) the other day in the parking lot and it was (a word that rhymes with bits). If the new Camaro actually looks like the concept car (which rarely happens), then I’ll be pleased. I’m sportin’ a burgundy ‘85 MC SS at the moment. The 9 MPG is killin’ me, but I gotta have the soul.
By 10-7-4
August 16, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this
JJMB—Just saw where International Astronomical Union wants to add 3 new planets to our ‘solar system’. If they do maybe instead of removing Pluto, as rumors indicate they will just get rid of Uranus. Us ole sweet tea drinking southerners would like that.
By JJMB
August 16, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this
Grinch, I think the 70 Charger should have been the prototype, not the the 2005 Chrysler 300. I love the 1969-based Mustang.
By Rodger
August 16, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this
Well, I’ll jump on the Pratt bashing wagon. The pitch before the homerun should have been the strikeout. But our “p”ero Pratt doesn’t give a target. Flashes target (which was actually hit) then drops mitt and snatches at the ball. Listen to Sutton who tells you all the time that when the catcher snatches at the pitch, you don’t get many calls. Any other questions?
By Head Coach
August 16, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this
55-64 and 119 games into oblivion with 43 left on the season. No major league team in a 162 game season has ever made the playoffs with anything less than 82 wins. ya’ll do the math.
By JJMB
August 16, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this
10-7-4, I would bet my family has been in the SOUTH longer than yours.
By Rodger
August 16, 2006 10:27 PM | Link to this
someone start polishing the forks
By 10-7-4
August 16, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this
As far as I know mine has never been anywhere else. Native American on my Dad’s side. OH, the 3 new planets will be Ceres,Charon, and UB313. I’m not in favor of adding. How bout u.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 10:32 PM | Link to this
35, they’re going to get rid of JJMB’s anus? Sorry, it’s one of those evenings. JJ, I agree. Is there any cooler moment in movie history when those a-holes in that black ‘68 charger buckle their seat belts and go on a serious chase with Steve McQueen during “Bullit?” They had a 440 magnum and he had a 390 4-speed in his ‘68 Mustang. Good stuff; I could (and have) play it over again and again in a loop. Cars and life will never be the same again…true sailing is dead. How ‘bout 2-lane blacktop?
By 10-7-4
August 16, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this
No, No, No, Grinch. He’s a good ole boy, why would they do that???
By JJMB
August 16, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this
Grinch, that’s the Bullit was great. That Charger was the “t**.” Did you ever see “Vanishing Point?”
1074, pulling the na card, huh? My family only fought in the Revolutionary War, sold cannon balls to Washington, and fought and died in the War Between the States.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this
I’ll tell you though; when I went on that date the other night and got to drive that BMW M5; man, that thing was a masterpeice. Power in abundance in every spot you wanted it. Handling like it was on a rail. Brakes that would make any a-hole look like he knew what he was doing. That, plus monster A/C, 800 watts and cooled seats would make you think this car was worth whatever her daddy paid for it. But it wasn’t. I’m an American, Dammit, and I want most of my mechanics to come close to malfunctioning. I’ve got another date this saturday (same girl), and I intend to scare her; tire smoke billowing. Happy B-day 2 me. I’ll have that edge that daddy doesn’t and I’ll subsequently br rewarded. :-)
By JJMB
August 16, 2006 10:43 PM | Link to this
OH, 1074, as far as the planetary thing. I tend to favor the “if it has enough mass(gravity) to form a sphere, it’s probably a planetoid.”
By 10-7-4
August 16, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this
Wow —all that and you don’t drink sweet tea. Go figure.
By Jay
August 16, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this
The Grinch has managed to be less interesting to listen to than the Braves.
By Tonight on HBO
August 16, 2006 10:45 PM | Link to this
Everybody Loves Dave
Episode 4: “Boob on the Tube”
Braves beat writer Dave (Dave O’Brien) meets Mike Lupica (himself) at a party in New York, and finds himself yet again having to defend the declining managerial skills of Bobby Cox (Head Coach). Lupica challenges Dave to defend his views on an episode of “The Sports Reporters,” where Dave, taking a pummeling from Lupica, Bob Ryan and Mitch Albom (themselves) and sensing defeat, becomers so tongue-tied he stumbles repeatedly over the word “microcosm.” Things don’t get much better for him at home, where Brother Grinch and Father Frank (The Southern JackAss) lie in wait to revel in his humiliation. “I could have eaten a bowl of Alpha Bits and crapped a better interview!” Frank boasts, a line that might get this show’s writers into a little legal trouble. Dave finally finds relief in the denouement when a sympathetic Debra (Patricia Heaton — no way in hell Dave could possibly have a real-life wife this damn gorgeous) takes him upstairs and shows him the difference between microcosm and orgasm. (TV-MA, for the tastefully done denouement)
By Rodger
August 16, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this
Thank God there’s still cars, women & music to talk about. I think we can all stop trying to fool ourselves about the baseball season tho…
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this
35, I’m too drunk to stick to astronomy. I’ll tip my hat to you though, ‘cause I like you. JJMB, “Vanishing Point.” Man, how about some uppers, route 56 and a white Hemi-Cuda/Challenger (can’t remember which). AAAARRRRGGGGHHHHH! Where is life going to? I miss it so…NOSTALGIA! I’m fixing to go do some burnouts in my driveway, just ‘cause I can. It may not be that way for long.
By Head Coach
August 16, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this
I personally favor the 1966 Mercury Comet Cyclone GT. The hot Cyclone was a tarmac screaming monster powered by a 390 cubic inch , 335 horsepower 4-bbl v-8 big block. I owned one in high school and she got me more speeding tickets than I care to admit. She was candy apple red with a four in the floor manual stick shift. Why did I sell her ?? lol . O yea I went into the military.
By JJMB
August 16, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this
Grinch, I meant to type that the chase scene in Bullit was great. Two Lane Black Top was great. Brewster McCloud was great. Check out Vanishing Point if you get the chance.
BMWs Porche’s, you can’t beat them. I drove a 911 that was pure rocketship.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 10:58 PM | Link to this
Hey Jay, It just so happens I spent most of my interesting anecdotes at your last family reunion, reminding your brothers and sisters who got there first. Take a hike, before you get really embarrassed.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this
Head Coach, that was a hot car. I never had the pleasure of driving one myself, but I did get dusted by one when I was driving my trusty ‘79 Trans Am 400 auto; made me feel bad.
By 10-7-4
August 16, 2006 11:03 PM | Link to this
Grinch—Drudge Report is running a video of “crazed fan takes race car for spin”. So just, where were you this past few days??
By Jay
August 16, 2006 11:04 PM | Link to this
Nice comeback Grinch. I challenge anyone to decipher the meaning of your comment, much less any insult contained therein.
The only one who should be embarrassed is your English teacher (I didn’t use the word “professor” because I’m sure you didn’t go to college).
By JJMB
August 16, 2006 11:04 PM | Link to this
Man oh man, that 70 cuda.
Coach, that Mercury sounds mean. I had it’s weak sister, a 302cu 210hp Montego in hs. It laid longer rubber one day than my friends 70 roadrunner (although he had posi, and I didn’t-still p** him off).
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this
Now Jay; I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Not only could anyone on this blog(which includes a certain number of cretins) decipher my meaning and explain it to you, like your social workers and psychiatrists have to do on a regular basis, I’m going to go a step further. I’d be willing to bet that the difference between my education during the sixth grade has so far passed whatever cognitive misfire you’re holding onto now, despite my drunkeness, that I’m willing to let you start the show. Impress me, or embarrass yourself even further.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this
Kick it out to the open, B***.
By Jay
August 16, 2006 11:20 PM | Link to this
Apparently your genius is such to prevent you from writing a coherent (or gramatically passable) sentence. I’ll stop now to save myself from any further humiliation from your razor-sharp wit.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 11:24 PM | Link to this
Since Jay is being a b-boy, I just thought the fastest car I ever had from stoplight to stoplight was a ‘77 Cobra II mustang; basically a pinto with a ‘69 302 motor and a hell of a low rear end gear. Top end was about 95 mph, but unstoppable red-to-red, if you could keep those little 13 inch wheels from spinning. Jesus, We all need to get together for a beer or 12.
By Jay
August 16, 2006 11:30 PM | Link to this
Lighten up man, I’ll drink 12 beers with you. That’s what it will take to talk about the Braves nowadays.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this
Just as I thought, Jay; best sneak off. You nip-at-the-heels little pussies amaze me. “Check” my education. I’ve forgotten more drunk than you’ll ever learn. But if you wish to change the venue and try an area you might be better suited for (anything other than education), give me a holla at voton1066@yahoo.com. I’ll meet you wherever you want. Punk a* b***.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this
Fair enough, Jay. I’m an ok dude. Holla at me if you feel like it.
By Jay
August 16, 2006 11:37 PM | Link to this
I recind my peace offering. You, sir, have the intelligence of Mets fan.
BTW, nice job rebutting my argument about you being an idiot. I’ll write you at stupidhick.com as you have suggested.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this
Sorry, really; I’ve just been teated by so many a-holes lately. I’m basically a happy, well-adjusted dude who just likes to have a good time. Sorry J, for that post to come right after yours; I didn’t read it first. We ALL ought to hang out and have a few. All BS aside.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 11:46 PM | Link to this
C’mon, dude; I’m a decent guy as I’m sure you are. Let’s make peace. It was just bad timing. The world is F-uped enough without our own internal bickering. Let’s hoist a few, and be merry.
By chopthis
August 16, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this
It’s like the Algonquin Round Table in here tonight.
I’m gonna go watch “Everybody Loves Dave.” Can’t get enough o’ that Patricia Heaton.
By Jay
August 16, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
It’s a sad state of affairs when I have to get loaded to enjoy a John Smoltz start. I gotta be up in four hours too. F*******#*ng Braves.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 16, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this
Well, it definitely looks like this is over. Its time for the facade to end. Release Pratt and Orr they no longer serve a purpose. Not that they ever did. McCann no longer needs Pratt as a “veteran mentor”. McCann is better now than Pratt ever was during any part of his career. Call up B. Pena and give the kid his rightful shot. Put we fans and Orr out of him misery and bring up Prado so we can see what the kid is made of. Throw Lerew into the fire. He can’t be any worse than what we have seen lately.
You can’t expect Smoltz to do it every game. We had to have a Cy Young like performance tonight and instead got the same type of performances we have been witness to all year.
I think these guys have given up and just can’t admit to themselves. I think Francoeur has a lot of growing up to do in the baseball sense but there is no need to slam this kid tonight. Other than Diaz and Chipper he was the only one not with his head up his a**. LaRoche gave it his all tonight too.
This team doesn’t have confidence in each other. How can you feel confident with Langerhans in the lineup and Bobby just itching to get Pratt and Orr in. Why in the world is Pratt on this team. Just blows my mind!
This streak hasn’t been ended. Its been demolished. I never thought this team lie down like Jenna Jameison at a movie shoot. I always thought the streak would have to be takne away. Instead, it was given in a nice neat little package. I wanna still believe this team is better than what they have shown. But, its getting harder and harder to feel that way. They just have no heart. I just don’t see the gut check good teams have. You see it from the Red Sox, Yankees, Angels, and White Sox. When they need that big win, they get it. When the Braves need it , they lose to back to back games to two pitchers that aren’t even good AA pitchers. Shameful! Shameful!
DOB, how was that lockeroom after the game? Was guys upset or were they like they always are and just joking around like they don’t have a care in the world. Don’t tell me they care and the losing bothers them because I don’t see where it does. I see guys who strikeout in a clutch run scoring situation and just simply hand the helmet to the bat boy, smile, and walk out to their position. I’ve seen it a million times this year.
I honeslty believe the new owners need to take a serious look at the entire orginization. That’s right. From JS to Cox to the scrubs in the pen. My fear is though that the new owners won’t care that much and next year will be 10 times worse than this year.
By The Grinch
August 16, 2006 11:54 PM | Link to this
Sorry, Jay, all BS aside. I got nasty when you did, but carried it further than i should. I’m not your enemy. Just a drunk a*****. 12 packs in the future.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 16, 2006 11:55 PM | Link to this
To all I argued with on this blog that the Braves were good and could make a run to the playoffs, I humbily apologize. You were right and I was totally wrong. Carroll, Chop This, and all others were completely right. Thank God we are not in the AL. We would be an easy 20 games under .500 right now.
By Jay
August 17, 2006 12:00 AM | Link to this
Grinch, me too dude, no foul. This Braves sh*t gets to me way more than it should, more than the players it seems. That’s what separates the real fans.
By chopthis
August 17, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
Welcome back to planet Earth, Robert.
Cheer up. You can still root for Braves West.
Think Blue!
By Jay
August 17, 2006 12:04 AM | Link to this
No harm no foul Grinch, the Braves’s failure just effects me way too much. I’ll buy you a drink sometime. As long as Cormier isn’t pitching.
By AZBravoFan
August 17, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this
Count me among those running up the white flag. It’s just not happening this year. With Smoltz sandwiched between AAA starters, if he doesn’t win it’s an automatic 3 game losing streak. And damn if the offense didn’t try to bail him out again, only to have Ray put it back out of reach. Good night. See ya next spring.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 17, 2006 12:12 AM | Link to this
Other than Chipper, McCann, Diaz, and Smoltz this team needs to do some really deep soul searching. Their play has been deplorable. Yes, there have been injuries. But, this is more than that. They just don’t have heart. Ask me what this team needs and I will tell you what Gene Hackman said in the Replacement, “Heart. If we want to win, we will need heart.”
By flbravesgirl
August 17, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this
I guess all I have left to root for is McCann getting the batting title. I can’t give up completely but my belief in the team is very slim right now.
By Tony Almeida
August 17, 2006 12:22 AM | Link to this
So DOB. Why don’t you press Booby Cox why he’s depriving McCann of the Batting Title?? Apparently if anybody needed a day off every 3 or 4 games it’s Renteria. Don’t be the nice guy man, get the REAL scoop. That’s just ignorant managing if you ask me.
By the way, McGraw RULES!!
By journalist jimmy smith
August 17, 2006 12:25 AM | Link to this
jimmy smith and I
Things happen to him, the other one, to jimmy smith.
jimmy Smith strolls about the Ted and stops, almost mechanically now perhaps, to look at the blank scoreboard, the giant coke bottle; news of jimmy smith reaches me on this blog. I can see his entries, I can google him.
Jimmy Smith likes pie, P-players, baby seals, the taste of pudding and talking to Carolina Lady. He shares these preferences, but with a vanity that turns them into the attributes of a journalist. It would be an exaggeration to say that our relationship is a hostile one. I live, I go on living, so that jimmy smith may contrive his entries on this blog. I do not find it hard to admit that jimmy smith has achieved some valid entries, but these entries cannot save me, perhaps because what is good no longer belongs to anyone, not even to jimmy smith, the other one, but to this blog which will remain eternally posted in cyberspace.
In any case, I am destined to perish, definitively, and only some instant of myself may live on in jimmy smith. Little by little, I yield him ground, the whole terrain, though I am quite aware of his habit of magnifying and falsifying (is he REALLY Ugandan).
Spinoza realized that all things strive to persist in their own nature: a grinch eternally wishes to be a grinch and the jackass a jackass.
I shall subsist in jimmy smith, not in myself (assuming I am someone), and yet I recognize myself less in his entries than in many another, or than intricate flourishes played (loudly) on a Stratocaster.
Years ago I tried to free myself from him, and I went from the mythologies of baseball to games with time and infinity (cosms, in other words). But now those games belong to jimmy smith, and I will have to think up something else. Thus, my life truly is an entry on a blog which in a few days will be obliterated but which can be found again with an advanced search.
I don’t know which one of the two jimmy smiths is writing this page.
By Dog the Bounty Hunter
August 17, 2006 12:29 AM | Link to this
Journalist Jimmy Smith, SHUT UP, you’re annoying.
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this
Sheeesh Robert. This team is disgraceful, no doubt, but still cheer for them. They must, must finish the season .500 or better. Anything less is just depressing. I agree with the heart comments. I hear DOB saying they have it, but honestly, it’s not showing. I can’t believe they really have it when they go up and swing at balls in the dirt (Francoeur) and then hop and skip back to the dug out like they just got a chicks number. Sometimes they look oblivious. Sometimes. I only get to see them sometimes. Most of the time it’s Gameday, and then I don’t know what’s going on. I can say the pitching is awful. How can we consistantly score 5+ runs a game and lose? This post season better be directed at the bullpen. And here’s to hoping Davies, James, Hudson, Hampton and Smoltz all do so well we don’t know what to do with them. (Davies had a quality start tonight)
Cheer for the Dodgers? Shudder. I can’t even fathom that. It’s just… I need to go wash the dirt off; the thought of it is so sickening. I went last night and found my self cheering for the Marlins simply because they aren’t the Dodgers.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 17, 2006 12:35 AM | Link to this
jimmy smith not supposed to be here tonight. jimmy smith lay in weeds because braves lose. favorite term of jimmy smith now, “lay in weeds”. sound intelligent like journalist supposed be. real journalists in short supply like braves starters.
jimmy smith victim of identity theft on blog? maybe two jimmy smith? maybe more? not every jimmy smith post from jimmy smith. not every non jimmy smith post from non jimmy smith. maybe jimmy smith beside himself.
By Jay
August 17, 2006 12:40 AM | Link to this
Jimmy Smith = Moron? John Schuerholz = Jimmy Smith?
By Dog the Bounty Hunter
August 17, 2006 12:43 AM | Link to this
Journalist Jimmy Smith, go get high on your “weeds”, dont come back, you’re annoying, buhbye.
By David O'Brien
August 17, 2006 12:44 AM | Link to this
So I get on the subway at decrepit, rat-infested, crime-ringed RFK Stadium, last Blue Line train out, just before they shut ‘er down at midnight. And two stops into my seven-stop journey, a young lady boards the train.
Yours truly can’t help but notice that this heavily tattoed punker chick _ skulls and other assorted ink all over her arms, barely an inch uncovered _ with her severely short and purple-tinged hair, is wearing along with her black tights, a black T-shirt with a certain performer’s name and likness on it.
“Johnny Cash, The Man In Black” it says down the left side of the shirt, over her breast. The Man’s picture is on the back.
So she walks past me in the near-empty train, and I smile, and she smiles and, in heavily slurred speech, says: “Hi, how arrrrryouu?”
With her shirt in mind, I answer in my deepest baritone, “I’m doing fine, darlin’. And yourself?”
“Great. I just came from (indecipherable bar name),” she slurs.
“Like your shirt,” I say, again with a exaggerated deep tone, and she’s perking up, intrigued, no she really is. “That’s my man. Since way before that movie came out. That’s my man. John.”
“You like Jahneey Caash?” she says, smiling and giggling. “I love Jahneey Caash, and Ima goth punk.”
“Well, I understand a lot of your kind like Johnny,” I say, the wheels in my weary head beginning to turn. “So, where you headed tonight?”
“Wheremi going to watch the movie?” she says, indicating she might be on some hallucinogenic substance, causing my first statement about The Man to circle back around her cranium and join the question I just asked her.
“No, where are you going tonight, right now?”
“I’ve got go to (indecipherable)” she says. “Do I need to get off here.”
“No idea. I’m not from around here, babe.”
“I think this where I’m spose to get off,” she says, then rises and stumbles toward the door as the train slows. “I’ll see you later.”
End of story. “
By Tony Almeida
August 17, 2006 12:48 AM | Link to this
So DOB, you struck out, why would you tell everybody that? Atleast lie and say you scored in the end. SCORE SCORE SCORE!!!
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 12:49 AM | Link to this
Saddly, that’s the best thing one could say about the game tonight.
Go get ‘er DOB.
By JJMB
August 17, 2006 12:51 AM | Link to this
DOB, you need to take a sex vacation down in Costa Rica. It’s legal, and lots of young talent.
By David O'Brien
August 17, 2006 12:53 AM | Link to this
Robert, clubhouse after the game was a morgue, just like it’s been after every loss for the past month or more. Really, you could hear a pin drop. Nobody screws around in there after a loss like that, especially this late, now that they know it’s slipping away.
Only people usually cutting up or smiling are us reporters, who sometimes have to stop ourselves before we enter the clubhouse, because we’re out there busting each other’s you-know-whats and joking about whatever, and all of a sudden they open the clubhouse and we have to put on the stone face as we walk past players to Cox’s office.
But no, I can assure you this isn’t a team with guys who don’t care, who are goofing around or whatever. They look miserable in there, at least during the 20-30 minutes or so we’re in there talking to players, etc.
By Deep Throat
August 17, 2006 12:54 AM | Link to this
Damn it, Dave! I’ve been here at Archibald’s two hours waiting for you! Apparently taking part of uncovering the greatest sports scandal since steroids does not interest you. So I’ll give the story to Jeff Schultz instead. Got his e-mail?
Investigative reporting isn’t your strong suit, is it?
You don’t deserve Patricia Heaton!
By Jay
August 17, 2006 12:54 AM | Link to this
Tony Almeida, the Braves need Vic Mackey. Not Jeff Fu#*-wad and Tim bust-son. Jack Bauer should lead-off.
By Tony Almeida
August 17, 2006 01:00 AM | Link to this
The proposed batting lineup for next season:
By report card
August 17, 2006 01:01 AM | Link to this
Predictions
By David O’Brien | Monday, February 13, 2006, 03:50 PM
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Since there’s really nothing new to report until we get down to Orlando, let’s make a few predicitions entering spring training. You tell me what you think, if you agree or disagree.
Predicted order of finish in the NL East:
Braves
Mets
Phillies
Nationals
Marlins
Other division winners:
NL Central: Cards; NL West: Padres; AL East: Yankees; AL Central: White Sox; AL West: A’s
Wild cards: Mets, Angels.
Pennant winners: Cardinals, White Sox
World Series champion: Cardinals over White Sox.
MVP: NL, Albert Pujols; AL, Travis Hafner
Cy Young: NL, Roy Oswalt; AL, Johan Santana
Rookie: NL, Jeremy Hermida (yes, there are a few good local guys not playing for the Braves); AL, Delmon Young (D-Rays can only keep ‘em till they get expensive).
Home run leader: NL, Andruw Jones; AL, A-Rod
By Jay
August 17, 2006 01:02 AM | Link to this
Crazy Bastard,
this is a baseball dicussion board, please f-off.
Sincerely F-U
By Jay
August 17, 2006 01:09 AM | Link to this
David O’Brien
While I appreciate your optimism, I see no reason why the Braves should be in a substantially different position next year. The Mets are superior now, and in a superior position monetarily and in the farm system. Plus, Hermida isn’t even considered a rookie.
By TheSouthernJackAss
August 17, 2006 01:11 AM | Link to this
I hear that the only piece of a$s DOB ever got was when his finger slipped thru the toilet paper!!!…GO TIGERS!!!…
By Snowball's Chance
August 17, 2006 01:27 AM | Link to this
DOB, I asked for a view of the scenery in Montreal, but that was a nice vignette. If you like goth check out suicidegirls.com a success story from the great NW. We don’t have Major league basaeball or football but we do have the greatest per capita titty bars around. The newest thing is Karioke with nude dancers backing you up. What should be my closing song?
By The Grinch
August 17, 2006 01:28 AM | Link to this
Hey Dog (BH); go see if your g-friend is finished with the rest of he block…wash her down then come see me; got a suprise for ya.
By The Grinch
August 17, 2006 01:35 AM | Link to this
Jimmy, if you wish back-up I’m ready to roll..
By Snowball's Chance
August 17, 2006 01:37 AM | Link to this
Grinch, how’s it going
By The Grinch
August 17, 2006 01:37 AM | Link to this
You too, DOB…
By Moe
August 17, 2006 01:42 AM | Link to this
Interesting vignette DOB.
What the heck are you doing taking the metro that late at night? It seems like AJC should pay cabfare - even arrange a limo pickup (not all that expensive, especially if a couple of scribes share the ride).
By Snowball's Chance
August 17, 2006 01:49 AM | Link to this
Grinch, I enjoyed your Gordon Lightfoot reference last night.
By Snowball's Chance
August 17, 2006 02:15 AM | Link to this
Oh well, I am talking to myself, DOB do you have “return of the grievous angel”? Emmy Lou and Lucinda singing harmony. Whoa
By Snowball's Chance
August 17, 2006 02:15 AM | Link to this
Oh well, I am talking to myself, DOB do you have “return of the grievous angel”? Emmy Lou and Lucinda singing harmony. Whoa
By Head Coach
August 17, 2006 03:02 AM | Link to this
O.K. we all know the Braves postseason hopes are blown to hell. So , Do you guys think I’m crazy when I say the A.L. looks like the superior league for the last ten years running ? Do you think the N.L. should just institute the Designated hitter and level the playing field ? I believe the fact that pitchers having to pitch to nine guys who can swing the bat has led to the proliferation of power pichers in the A.L. , which of course makes for more offense and seems to have attracted more power hitters who want to play in the A.L. , therefore making it the superior league for pitching and hitting. Now I am old school and have no problem with the pitcher batting but it seems to have left the N.L. light years behind the A.L. , Am I nuts , lol ????
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 17, 2006 08:00 AM | Link to this
No, Head Cocah. Can you imagine this pitching staff having to pitch to another hitter? They have enough trouble getting out the pitcher. I guarantee when they play the Cubs that Zambrano will hit a HR.
By David O'Brien
August 17, 2006 08:52 AM | Link to this
Snowball’s chance, Return of the Grievious Angel. Phenomenal. Are there two sweeter voices than Emmylou and Lucinda? No. Neko Case is right there, though.
Tony Almeida, scorethis.
TommyB, 16th and K. Niiiice. Good recommendation. Found it.
By David O'Brien
August 17, 2006 08:58 AM | Link to this
By Jay
August 17, 2006 01:09 AM | Link to this
David O’Brien
While I appreciate your optimism, I see no reason why the Braves should be in a substantially different position next year. The Mets are superior now, and in a superior position monetarily and in the farm system. Plus, Hermida isn’t even considered a rookie.
MY REPLY: Jay, Braves had a ton of pitching injuries and Jorge Sosa this year. Next season, assuming they get a closer (won’t make that same mistake again, I trust) and assuming Hudson doesn’t repeat worst season of his career, pitching staff should be far better with healthy Hampton and Davies and with James having a year of experience.
Mets? Pedro’s already falling apart (look at his second half) and Glav will turn 41. And you obviously don’t know what you’re talking about if you think Mets minor league system has more talent.
What does Hermida’s status have to do with anything? What’s the capital of South Dakota?
By Lew
August 17, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
DOB-Check out Tony Joe White’s “Heroines”, it’s got duets with EmmyLou and Lucinda.
By David O'Brien
August 17, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
Moe, thanks for your concern. Didn’t know you cared so much.
I was on metro because there are no cabs outside RFK at midnight, and I didn’t want to wait and hope one showed up after I called. Besides, I ain’t scared, my friend. I’m a man of the people, walking among the masses (washed and unwashed), pulling my trusty computer. They can sense I’m a working man, and nothing more (OK, I’ll stop the BS. I just don’t mind those situations. Something alluring about a gritty subway and the motley assemblage that rides them late and night, anyway. You should check out the Montreal subway late at night. That’s the best people-watching imaginable)
By Lew
August 17, 2006 09:06 AM | Link to this
DOB-Check out Tony Joe White’s “Heroines”, it’s got duets with EmmyLou and Lucinda.
By Lew
August 17, 2006 09:09 AM | Link to this
Sorry for the double post. The blog is doing weird things.
By dadgum
August 17, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this
Coach, adding the DH takes the strategy out of the game. The NL is simply a better brand of baseball and shame on the AL for ever instituting it to start with. The AL will never resind it because the players’ union will file a grievance with MLB and it will get embroiled in some big fiasco. I would be the very first person to sign a petition to abolish the DH. The DH exists to put more offense in the game obviously but in truth what it does is give more players jobs especially those that can hit but can’t field a lick anymore. What we are really saying here is that you have the Pepsi -AL vs. the Coke-NL and I will take the real thing everytime and yes I can tell the difference.
By Lew
August 17, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
Dadgum-I’ll go along with you. They should abolish the DH, but it’s doubtful it will be done. What really kills me is how everyone wants that speedy leadoff hitter and wants the Braves to play little ball, and then gripes that the NL can’t compete with the AL boomers. Makes no sense to me. You’ve gotta go one way or the other.
By dadgum
August 17, 2006 09:31 AM | Link to this
MBATL and to someone earlier in the posts, Bobby Cox made a huge mistake PERIOD by not playing McCann in a must win game. Yes, I do feel he will be ridiculed on the talk shows around the sports world today. Yes, I do feel he needs to say something besides “just time for a rest”. He can rest on the off day or very soon when the Braves are math. eliminated. With many more decisions like that I don’t care if Cox returns or not. Also he is going to start hearing a lot of boo-birds if that keeps up. I mean the man just befuddles me sometimes almost like he’s losing it upstairs.
I’ll bet my last dollar there isn’t another manager that would have let McCann sit last night especially in favor of a sub.200 hitter after one of his top hitters was scratched to boot. Come on, get real. Call it what it was. JUST A STUPID BONEHEADED A*SS MOVE. And yes I do think Cox has to answer to more than just JS.
By Lew
August 17, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
Dadgum, It has been reported that McCann was given the choice of last night or today and he chose to sit against the lefty last night. What I question was the decision to sit Renteria the other night, after Andruw had to be scratched. I know that we still would have lost to Pedro @#%$**&@#$Astacio, but I think we would have had a better chance with Edgar in there instead of Pena.
By Sonny
August 17, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
Guys, even if we did make the postseason by some grand miracle, we don’t have the starting pitching, bullpen or consistent hitting to do any damage. Guys are what they are at this point in the year. Unfortunately it’s time to face the facts, this season is over.
07 wish list:
CATCHER - McCann only bright spot on the team this year. Leads by example with his stellar defense and timely hitting.
1B - Need more consistent power from the position (Laroche’s ADD may be the reason he’s not consistent. Seriously.)
2B - Giles only has value if he can hit 2nd.
SS - Reneteria secure at SS, but cut down on the errors bro.
3B - Time to groom Chipper’s replacement, he won’t be back in 08. $15 mil for a guy that’s always hurt just won’t cut it on a penny pitching team
LF - Langerhans regressed badly this year, and I don’t know if Diaz is the answer either. (the guy takes some nasty looking swings at balls)
CF - We’ve got Andruw for one more year. We’ll miss you A.
RF - Francouer HAS TO BE MORE SELECTIVE at the damn plate. Being agressive is one thing, but having a OBP in the mid 200’s is a joke.
BULLPEN - Get rid of everyone but Wickman and Baez. And get a priest to purify the clubhouse for pete’s sakes, I don’t want their ghosts hanging around next year.
STARTING PITCHING - Trade Hudson, and cross your fingers that Smoltz, Hampton, Davies, Ramirez and James get the job done in 07. Hit the gym fellas, because these freakish nagging injuries shouldn’t happen to elite athletes.
By dadgum
August 17, 2006 09:45 AM | Link to this
Let me add that the DH if removed would still leave the AL as the stronger league but the playing field would be more level. It would be interesting to se if that clown Guillen in Chicago would still have been manager of the year with having to use his brain.
By Savannah Guy
August 17, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this
So Much For Consistency
The recently stated Braves goal was to play as well at home as they do on the road. On this road trip, they have achieved that goal. Guess they’re starting to feel at home on the road.
The longest Braves streak this year has been the one on Chippers knee…or was that Thompsons shoulder? Or Hamptons…forearm? Or Ramirez’ forehead? Kyle Davies…whatever? Perhaps it is that streak on Bobby Cox’s a* caused by sitting on the bench spectating way too long when he should be yanking pitchers. but then, who would he go to? come to think of it, the Braves have been very consistant this year.
Well Ladies and Gentlemen, the fat lady has done the math and is walking to the stage.
By dadgum
August 17, 2006 10:04 AM | Link to this
Lew, I hear you bro but what kind of manager move is that. I am more pi*ssed off now that I heard that. Cox just doesn’t make any sense with that gesture. McCann has to hit lh pitching sometime and just because he may hit less against lefties doesn’t mean he should be given the chance to sit out in that situation. Bobby should never have given him the option. Remember we were saying the same thing about LaRouche once upon a time. I wonder if McCann said that he didn’t want to sit at all. Just curious there.
Yeah, see all this started with the Renteria decision. All Bobby’s moves have come back to roost. True, Astacio turned into Maddux for a night and it didn’t matter. Cox can thank Astacio for bailing his stupid move out. I don’t care if Renteria was struggling near the .200 mark over his last couple of weeks you go with the strength man. Bobby is giving him an off night and for what exactly. Like they are on cruise control or something. They are on cruise alright. The ship is leaving port. Would the last one left please turn out the lights!
By dadgum
August 17, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
Here is another thing that irks me…my daughter asked me if we could go to the game last night in DC. (2 hr, traffic etc.). My mind thought yeah but then the logistic hassles popped up and it turned into a maybe then I thought about the product on the field that I would be paying good money to see then it turned into a deck/beer/listening thing.
Can you even imagine how pi*ssed I would have been to fight that cesspool in DC to find that Cox had sat MCCann and Andrew was still lame. Glad I wasn’t there to see that.
By Rodger
August 17, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
Sonny
I’m with you on the ‘pen! Bring on the Exorcist!
By David O'Brien
August 17, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this
Sonny, couple of rather significant issues with your “wish list”:
WHAT? He has nine errors. NINE. He has the fifth-best fielding percentage among NL shortstops and might win another Gold Glove.
Rafael Furcal has a league-high 22 errors this season for L.A., after making 69 over the past three seasons with the Braves. Yes, 69 in three seasons. Edgar has nine. Cut it down to what, two?
He’s making $11 mill next year and $11 mill in ‘08. Where’s he going to be? Braves are going to trade him? They want to trade him? Riiight.
By Rodger
August 17, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
But DOB, Chipper only hit 3 home runs in the last 2 1/2 weeks!
By Voice of Reason
August 17, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
Good morning to all, what the &%$@#! happened last night? Kenny Ray, we hardly knew ya… I thought Pratt was supposed to be the savvy veteran, the cerebral catcher. Why, for the love of all things good and wonderful, did he allow Ray to throw 4 straight change-ups? 4 straight change-ups! Off speed isn’t off speed when you see it 4 times in a row! It’s just a slow hittable pitch. To quote the great Ugandan wordsmith jimmy, “Oh, the humanity!” From henceforth, he shall be known as Ken Let’s serve it up on a tRay.
By chopthis
August 17, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
Looking back over the posts, I’d have to say this is the worst single day of blogs in quite a while. We bloggers each have to look at ourselves in the mirror and pick up our efforts if we want to still be posting come October. We can’t keep having this inconsistent “good blog one day, bad blog the next” kind of performance. We must post well every single day the rest of the season to have a chance.
I count myself among the guilty. Only Tonight on HBO showed any originality or flair yesterday. Well, one blogger simply can’t carry the whole load for the rest of us.
No more days off for rest, either, guys. No more McCanning it out there in cyberspace. If you’re tired or hurt, you’re just gonna have to post anyway, because that’s what separates the men from the boys. There’s no tomorrow anymore for this blog.
And no more bickering with each other. That hurts team spirit more than losing. So put a lid on your petty arguing, Grinch and Jay! Hey, flbravesgirl, learn to take a damn joke! If your blogmates can’t tease you a little bit, then who can? Individual selfishness like you displayed yesterday can destroy the whole team.
Teamwork as well as outstanding individual effort and selflessness can still pull us through. Let me see this spirit in your posts: If it is to be, it must be me.
OK, let’s get at those keyboards!
By chopthis
August 17, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
One more thing: Dave, quit bickering with the so-called experts out there. It only encourages them to keep bringing down the quality of our blog with their dumb-a*s posts. They’re flying blind, throwing anything out there they think will get a response. Don’t dignify them.
There’s no more margin for error. We gotta weed out the quitters and the morons, and then we’ll have a blog that can compete with anyone. We’ll have the makings then of champions.
We’ll be sorta like the Junction Boys!
By Rodger
August 17, 2006 10:40 AM | Link to this
Hey chopthis:
CHOPTHIS
Please don’t put all your $$ on the mutts to win it all-we need you to be able to pay for internet access so we can keep hearing from you!
By dadgum
August 17, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
Sonny, as to your lineup thoughts. Let’s just say I strongly disagree on some of them. Mainly Larouche. Absolutely great defense. He can pick it as they say. Power numbers are fine. Braves would never consider moving him. Injuries or not Chipper is entrenched in the lineup and budget to at least 2009. Exactly who would you see playing 3rd base better? Scott”I’m hurt” Rolen. Didn’t think so….
The only infield slot open for discussion is Giles. Given the Braves are definitely not going to make the palyoffs, Giles will be leaving Atlanta in the off season and Prado or Alybar will take over there. We may get a #2 pitcher and/or LF for him. Salty will be traded as well with Thorman for more pitching. Pratt will not be resigned. Ditto Thomson and Baez. Money will begin to be freed up for the following reason…..
ANDRUW JONES…once thought a permanent fixture is now teetering on that seesaw that comes with looming free agency. The Braves want to resign him no question but I think they will make an early determination on that so they can be players immediately in the trade market. With the Braves sinking like they are begs for changes in ‘07 but only to the point they need to be made. To handicap it I would say it is 50/50 whether Andruw is even in a Braves’ uniform in ‘07. I just can’t see Andruw playing next year without a new contract so if he is on the opening day roster I feel he will be there through 2010. The Braves have too much to gamble to let him play in his free agency year and not get anything for him. The 10/5 thing hurts us but if we know we won’t be able to sign him then we should work a trade early and my guess is that Andruw will waive the veto if the situation is good for him to win a championship.
Get the picthing looking as good as you can on paper. That is all you can do. What happens on the field after that is to be seen. Make some good trades for starting pitching and pray. Injuries play such a huge part.
By 10-7-4
August 17, 2006 11:02 AM | Link to this
DOB—Pierre.[capital city of South Dakota]
By dadgum
August 17, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
Here is something to ponder. Francouer obviously is swinging at a lot of first pitches and I recall reading where Chipper has been mentoring him on staying aggressive. Yet, Chipper has been saying that he goes to the plate looking for 1 pitch from every picther that he faces and doesn’t commit to the swing until he gets it. NOw unless I have my info wrong, and I admit that I may, it would be real wise for Francouer to start studying pitchers or at least be more selective as he matures. Can’t believe that one pitch Francouer may be looking for is coming 80% of the time on the first pitch. To those that point out that he leads the NL in first pitch homers all I have to say is that he should.
By Voice of Reason
August 17, 2006 11:07 AM | Link to this
Francouer does go to the plate looking for 1 specific pitch from the pitcher: a spherical one. And he does see that 80% of the time.
By Vince
August 17, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this
In Alabama it’s ok to marry your cosm.
Yes, it is. And it’s ok to marry your sistem too :>)
By Sonny
August 17, 2006 11:19 AM | Link to this
DOB…Sonny here…I thought Chipper was a free agent after 07? I didn’t realize we had him locked up until 08. Oh well, he still needs to find a way to be on the field, I can only imagine the wild card push we could of made had he stayed healthy.
About Reneteria, I guess I’ve watched every game that he’s had an error, because it sure seems like a lot more than 9. Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy and think he’s an improvement over Furcal…the problem is we lost our leadoff hitter and our offense has struggled all year because of it.
Keep up the good work DOB.
By Sonny
August 17, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
DOB…Sonny here…I thought Chipper was a free agent after 07? I didn’t realize we had him locked up until 08. Oh well, he still needs to find a way to be on the field, I can only imagine the wild card push we could of made had he stayed healthy.
About Reneteria, I guess I’ve watched every game that he’s had an error, because it sure seems like a lot more than 9. Don’t get me wrong, I love the guy and think he’s an improvement over Furcal…the problem is we lost our leadoff hitter and our offense has struggled all year because of it.
Keep up the good work DOB.
By dadgum
August 17, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this
Look for Bryan Pena to be called up in Sept. along with Thorman and Prado from Richmond. They will get a good look at Prado at 2nd and start resting Giles so as he doesn’t get hurt and ruin his trade value. Thorman will get some playing time in front of scouts for a future trade. Pena will catch some but Pratt only has through August as backup after which he will sit the bench awaiting his release.
Pena is a very good catcher and should be in Atlanta again next year which is why I feel that Salty is definitely gone. Atlanta is set at catcher for many years to come.
By 10-7-4
August 17, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this
Sonny— Before I address your post, let me warn, all bloggers beware. Someone is posting using our ‘names’. Everyone knows that I don’t know what the Capital of S. Dakota is. Now—- I concur about McCann.I believe Giles has good value no matter where he hits. Obviously he seems to be better in the #2 hole.My thoughts on Renteria—{see DOB response}.Third base, well I agree that it is time to be looking ahead but Chipper, when healthy, is very solid. Gotta find a way to keep him in lineup.RF-Frenchy has had a good season for youngster in his first full campaign.Most every team would love to have him. CF-A. Jones will be in his free agent year, so look for big numbers from him. LF-Diaz-.344 & 5 hr’s in 195 ab. Might deserve a good look. Now to the fun—bullpen will require major work. Wickman could be answer to closer role. Probably won,t have him and Baez both, so we need some guys who can give us some innings without burning the house down. Like I say, this should be our major focus. Starting pitching could be solid if things fall into place but could also be a pain if just one or two guys don’t give us what we are wanting from them. Everyone always says “you can never have enough pitching”. Gonna be a good ‘hot stove league here this off-season that’s for sure.
By dadgum
August 17, 2006 11:53 AM | Link to this
Ok bloggers catch you later tonight. Just wondering here…….how much longer does anyone think the JS/BC show will be in town? I give it through 2008.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 17, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this
35, this journalist has not been posting the remarks you find above. there is an impostor posting as jimmy smith and jimmy smith thinks jimmy smith knows who it is.
By 10-7-4
August 17, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this
Sir journalist, Jimmy Smith—we all know a rose would smell as sweet by any other name but if it ‘ain’t’ from the real journalist Jimmy, then it ‘ain’t’ journalism.
By Bammer
August 17, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this
DOB, saw you mentioned Devine at Mississippi. Is he a likely September call-up? What about Lerew? September is looking more and more like a month-long audition for next season.
By David O'Brien
August 17, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this
my head is spinning over all the Jorge conundrums involving 35 imposters and would-be jimmy smiths. Roger, rodger?
Will find out shortly if Andruw’s in lineup, but he told me before he went out to test it in BP that it felt a lot better today. Bobby had Langerhans in original lineup and McCann batting cleanup, but was ready to change it if Andruw told him he could play. Stay tuned.
By the way, it IS amazing how often Pratt ends up coming to bat in crucial situation when McCann gets a rest, isn’t it? Like last night, when he hit into double play with two on and one out. If McCann is hitting there, good chance he drives in a run, and at very least doesn’t hit into double play. If he drives in two, changes whole complexion of game, since it puts Braves up 2-0.
Oh, well
By David O'Brien
August 17, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Sonny.
BTW, Cox said Kyle Davies would make at least one more rehab start. And the Braves will go back to 12 pitches and bring up another hitter in six days; don’t know who the hitter will be.
By BAMA Brave
August 17, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
Now that wildcard hopes are fading fast, who gets the September call up. As usual, Richmond will not be tasting post-season action (30 games under .500). Other than Thurmond and maybe Bryan Pena, no one else is a threat for a major league spot. Mississippi? Salty maybe. Hey, wait a minute. I saw after last night’s peformance that Kyle Davies is hitting .400. He might be the answer to our up and down offense.
By 10-7-4
August 17, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this
Afternoon DOB—Drunky Clint upon hearing of your appreciation of ‘The Man In Black’ informs me that his uncle once performed with J.C. at the Tenn. State PEN. Happened in late 70’s according to him. He says Linda Rostadt was also there. Don’t know when to believe him or not.
By Jim
August 17, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
If we could merge the 4 left field candidates into one person, he’d be a switch hitter with the plate discipline of Kelly Johnson, the power of Thorman, and the defense of Langerhans. I think Diaz will return as a righthanded pinch hitter/platoon player. If we sacrifice some defense, Kelly Johnson could be the best option for leadoff hitter next year. He has good plate discipline, gets his share of walks, has some power, and has some speed. I agree that Thorman will probably be traded, but I think he is potentially a much better player than what his trade value might bring this year.
Let’s just remember that a substantial portion of this team is just as young and inexperienced as any team in the league and may take a little more time to develop.
By Snowball's Chance
August 17, 2006 12:58 PM | Link to this
Lew, I’ve got “Heroines” on order. Tony Joe White has always flown under the radar. Hard guy to pidgeon hole.
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
So, it is cold and quiet in the locker room. Not that I’m pleased to hear they are all bummed, but it is good news. At least they realize the gravity of the situation. This year should really embiggen the soul. Next year they should be able to come out and field a perfectly chromulant team and erase this year from our memories. In the mean time, I’ll cheer for McCann and Chipper to win, tie, or take the top two spots in the Batting title race. I’ll Cheer for Smoltz to get a lot more wins. I’ll cheer for Francoeur to learn the strike zone and plate discipline. And I’ll cheer for Andruw to reach 40+ this year and sign a new reasonable contract which keeps him here for the rest of his career. (Yes, I still think it’s possible. I do not think he is breaking down. And I still see Left Field fas a place he could go when he does reach 45 and can’t play like he did at 25.)
the Braves will go back to 12 pitches
This is good news. Last night they stuck with about 3 pitches and they were schmacked all over creation. I’m interested to see what the 9 new pitches are. We got Fastball, change, slider already…
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this
Sonny: I’m not sure I’d agree with the assesment that the offense has struggled. We scored 6 runs last night. We average over 5 runs a game. We’re losing mainly because our pitching has struggled all season. This is a result of injuries and inconsistancy. If the starters were healthy and consistant, the bullpen wouldn’t be in such bad shape, or at least, we wouldn’t have to see it as often to realize how bad it is. That bullpen… other teams are standing in the batters box quoting Dubya… Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, you ain’t gonna fool me again.
By 10-7-4
August 17, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this
Snowball’s Chance—be carefull what you order through the mail. They x/ray that stuff, and sometimes have the sniffing dog’s.
By Mets Stink
August 17, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this
McCann’s Back! 1-0 Braves
By Antonio McNugget
August 17, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this
This is more than likely rehash but please someone try to help me here. DOB anyone
What exactly is Todd Pratts value to an organization. He cannot hit .200 he isnt great at throwing out runners stealing. Is he a good cook? Does he give a good massage? I dont understand.
By Lew
August 17, 2006 01:41 PM | Link to this
35-You been talking to Clint again? Snowball-When you get it, check out “Fireflies In the Storm” with Jessi Colter. It’s the best song on the album. It also has duets with Shelby Lynne, EmmyLou and Lucinda Williams. See Dave-It ain’t just Night Ranger.
By Rick Roberts
August 17, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this
Your article is right on. Why management cannot see this is, or admit it, is curious. If John cannot get more money, then say so; no doubt they want to keep fans coming to games this way; but, it really is a charade and they underestimate, if not, degrade the intelligence of their fan base. Looks like a CYA to me. Which, is uncharacteristic of past Braves’ mangagement style—must be easier when winning? Anyway, the season is shot and the vast majority of fans know it—football is here and we’re ready for that. Just quit the optimistic headlines on Braves News. For one, I get irritated whenever I see a headline stating optimism for the playoffs this year. It cannot happen—John Smoltz saw this long ago, but was apparently cautioned by management to be more optimistic. If I were John, I would demand a trade to Detroit for my final MLB year. Something is wrong in the organization now—maybe we’ll find out later what it is. Confusion, stubbornness, complacency, and lack of honesty abound. Management/ownership needs to get its act together or we’ll suffer again next year.
By basketball coach
August 17, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this
I have a quick question for DOB (and whomever else):
Many a blogger has opined that next year will be a solid year for the Braves, so long as a few changes and assumptions are made (such as aquiring a solid leadoff hitter, Hudson returning to form, Wickman resigning, etc.).
I am one of those who believe that the Braves are still a solid team, and that their bad season is due largely to a terrible bullpen to start the season and very bad luck with the starting pitching to end the season. So I also share the view of DOB that the Braves will be very solid next year.
But, when we talk about the Braves being “good” and “solid” next year, are we talking about the Braves winning the wildcard, or will the Braves be in a position to legitimately contend for a World Series (if the aforementioned changes are made and assumptions are realized)?
Thanks DOB.
By John Malkovich
August 17, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this
Being Adam LaRoche…
Ok 2 outs. 2 outs. concentrate. 2 outs. Isn’t it lunchtime. I like french fries. uh, 2 outs. concentrate. we’re going to florida tonight. did i pack my toothbrush? i like florida orange juice. is it raining in atlanta? did i lock my car? ok, 1 out. 1 out…
By John Malkovich
August 17, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this
Ten Paul -
You listed Fastball, change, slider.
We will add: curve, screwball, knuckleball, eephus pitch, spitball, circle change, cut fastball, brushback pitch and pitchout.
There, that’s our entire repertoire.
By basketball coach
August 17, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
Rick Roberts (and the other “realists”),
What do you think of the fact that, as mediocre as the Braves have been for the last month or so, they haven’t lost any ground in the wildcard. They have remained 5 to 6 games back for the duration of this stretch of ineptitude.
To me, this would suggest that the teams ahead of the Braves are equally mediocre as the Braves. Which, in turn, would suggest that if the Braves were to have one good week, if they were to have a solid win streak of 6 or 7 games (which is by no means a herculean display), they would find themselves 2 or 3 games back.
A 2 or 3 game defecit in the final weeks of the season would be an easily surmountable defecit.
Just a thought.
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
I think the vulcan change is in there as well. Don’t forget the 56 footer, skipper, bouncer, dirt ball, well, there are a lot which is why I’m curious.
By flbravesgirl
August 17, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this
So far so good for Villareal. Thank goodness for McCann. How much worse would this season have been without him?
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this
What’s Villareal looking like? Is it a lot of strikes our is he getting high counts on the batters? I got nothin’ over here. I did hear McCann hit one out. I love that guy.
By Rodger
August 17, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this
Don’t forget just setting the ball on a batting tee…
By BB
August 17, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this
only 51 pitches through 4 innings, Villareal looking sharp so far.
By Mets Stink
August 17, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this
Villereal looks good. Low pitch count. I’m watching game tracker, so I don’t know if they are hiting the ball hard. 4IP, 1H, 0BB, 3Ks
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this
How many K’s and BB’s? This could be a blessing… Don’t wanna jinx it though.
GO BRAVES
By David O'Brien
August 17, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this
Villarreal very impressive. Damn, considering how well he did in that 4-2/3 inning in Tampa Bay, maybe he’s been miscast all season…. naah. I won’t go that far. Don’t know how he’d fare starting regularly
Andruw’s knee still not quite up to speed. Bobby wants to be cautious. Sure hurts them not having him in lineup here. He rakes against the Nats and at this place.
I’ll try to get a blog up later, but so much to do today on getaway day, day game, and got to get to Reagan Airport for 8 p.m. flight, and don’t know how security’s going to be. Anyway, I’ll post one later. This one’s still moving at decent speed (we must be losing some bloggers as the Braves fade…
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
Ah Thanks All. Sweet!
Ball on a Tee… lol That one’s the real tough one for Pratt sometimes. He’ll go up there and try to foul it off until he can get something better.
By Rodger
August 17, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this
That’s it! Put Giles batting cleanup-AJ leadoff…oops, that’s been done before.
By Head Coach
August 17, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
LOL, Adam did look like forrest gump , didnt he ? Hey Savannah , the fat lady sang way back in May and she is way ahead of the curve. The DH should be abolished and yes I do like the N.L brand of baseball better than the A.L. even if it does mean less offense. Having a fast leadoff hitter only enhances a power hitting lineup. My wish list for the 40 man expansion on September 1st : Gregor Blanco , Yunel Escobar , Anthony Lerew , Will Startup , Breyan Pena , Martin Prado , Scott Thorman , Joey Devine and Jason Schiell. Get Ramirez , Jordan , Thomson , Davies , Phil Stockman and Willy Aybar off the DL and thats 40. Thats 20 pitchers and 20 position players , throw them all in the mix for the remaining games and see what we get for 2007. Go Braves ! O’yea Braves 4 Nationals 0 in the fifth. Looks like the split I predicted.
By The Grinch
August 17, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this
Hey, Snowball; I was blacked out last night and don’t even remember that post. Sorry for not acknowledging you. Lightfoot was the man; sometimes a much, much cooler version of Jimmy Buffett, sometimes one of the most powerful and haunting songwriters of the 70’s. Still get a tear in the eye during “Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Got to go to the gym; see y’all later.
By John Malkovich
August 17, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this
DOB - You’re losing bloggers because of the new blog security restrictions. There is a long line waiting to get in. I can see Jimmy Smith around the corner. They won’t allow any liquids, so no more beer while blogging. We lost quite a few just beacause of that.
By Braves20
August 17, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this
Tenn Paul - Good one on Todd Mendoza. Like the Beachcomber said on a previous blog, afternoon baseball is a sweet way to pass the work day!
By Rodger
August 17, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this
No beer while blogging? Damn good thing I’m at work!
By John Malkovich
August 17, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this
Oscar Villareal is the new Pedro Astacio.
By flbravesgirl
August 17, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
5 shutout innings for Oscar. 1 hit, 1 BB. I’m amazed.
By Lew
August 17, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
Well, 5 innings of 1 hit ball is at least worth another start for Villarreal. Maybe he’s found his calling. Grinch-I’m surprised you remember anything from last night. You definitely traveled to altered states.
By Head Coach
August 17, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this
No beer ? Dang , good thing I already drank my six pack.
By BB
August 17, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this
interesting to watch a starting pitcher go from the stretch the entire game. But hey, if it works, stick with it.
By Mets Stink
August 17, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this
Paronto is in the game. BC should have let Villareal go 1 more inning.
By Mets Stink
August 17, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
Paronto is in the game. BC should have let Villareal go 1 more.
By Lew
August 17, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this
John Malkovich-That’s Pedro#$&&+*&#$Astacio.
By Head Coach
August 17, 2006 02:48 PM | Link to this
Metboy , Paronto hasn’t given up a run since July.
By TommyB
August 17, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this
Afternoon All,
I’m now working from home the rest of the day (so I can keep the game on). No time to catch up on what’s been posted so far but…
I just saw this over on Sabernomics and thought it interesting enough to pass along:
“Yesterday, the Braves sent Scott Thorman back to Richmond. It’s an interesting move, but understandable given available options, injuries, and the horrendous pitching. But, when looking at the stats, I also noticed this:
Thorman: .255/.290/.461/.751 Francoeur: .256/.281/.447/.728”
By TommyB
August 17, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this
Better Format:
Thorman: .255/.290/.461/.751
Francoeur: .256/.281/.447/.728
By TommyB
August 17, 2006 03:05 PM | Link to this
Better Format:
Thorman: .255/.290/.461/.751
Francoeur: .256/.281/.447/.728
By Head Coach
August 17, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this
Hey Tommy , Thorman doesn’t have a TV commercial.
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this
I like that commercial. Plus, Thor is Canadian, so… you know.
Interesting stats. I’d wager that Thorman’s numbers would be higher even still had he played as much as Francoeur. But those numbers don’t show the defensive level. And I think LaRoche and Francoeur have him beat in that catagory.
By brian
August 17, 2006 03:15 PM | Link to this
not to be confused with glass half full, but what if villareal pitches as a starter like sosa did last year? Davies comes back strong in 2 weeks and james and hudson get some consistancy? Besides a bad grammatical sentence we may also have an actual starting 5 with smoltz. Combine that with the much improved bullpen. Assume both Jones’s stay healthy……….
Wild card possibly?
By Brian O'Brien
August 17, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this
ok, here’s my lineup. I think the Braves should go with an all O’Brien team:
1- Dave O’Brien (It’s his blog, afterall, so he leads off, likes strong coffee).
2- Dan O’Brien (Olympic athlete, prefers decath).
3- Davey O’Brien (TCU quarterback in ’30s, won Heisman)
4- Conan O’Brien (Funny, was in a white stripes video)
5- Miles O’Brien (CNN, knows a lot about space flights)
6- Soledad O’Brien (CNN, is she married to Miles?)
7- Tim O’Brien (author, books about Vietnam War)
8- Edna O’Brien (author, country girl)
9- Edmond O’Brien (actor, was in the Wild Bunch and other cool movies)
Closer- Pat O’Brien (former sportscaster, dude is nasty!)
By ncscoots
August 17, 2006 03:22 PM | Link to this
so right, TPaul, but I admit I’m an unabashed Thor fan (don’t even care he’s Canuck, eh?). I’d hate to see him traded this winter, even though I know Braves need pitching more than they need more crush in the lineup.
By ncscoots
August 17, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this
brian, I love your fan-ness, dude, but please! If we’re reduced to hoping Villareal will be a pitching savior, what does that REALLY say about Braves’ postseason chances?
By Chop Chop
August 17, 2006 03:28 PM | Link to this
DOB, I’ll admit that I’m one of the bloggers that’s scaling back because of the Braves’ malaise. I’m a big fan of the team, but when I keep seeing the same inconsistency over and over again, I just find it hard to work up a worthwhile blog. There are times when I wish that I could be a fairweather fan, but my lifelong allegiance to the Falcons and Hawks makes it a little easier to accept a bad year from the Braves.
By Robert
August 17, 2006 03:31 PM | Link to this
When asked recently if perhaps letting Mazzone go has proven to be a mistake, here’s what donkey boy had to say
“Without Roger, we wouldnt even have the wins we have”
What? Is he suggesting McDowell is a better pitching coach than Mazzone?
Maybe they wouldnt have the wins they have.Maybe they’d have some different wins. I think they might, however, have a few wins they dont have.
Typical Bobby Cox comment, in that it makes no sense whatsoever
When will this town realize what has been wrong with the Braves this season is the same thing that has been wrong since 1991
Donkey in the dugout
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 03:32 PM | Link to this
ncscoots: I hope they don’t trade him either. I bet they could get some pitching for Giles and Langerhans, or Giles and Diaz. Toss in Orr if you must. But we should have a lot of pitching next year. Maybe too much, though with the injuries this year, you can never have too much.
By Robert
August 17, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this
DOB - you said you’d take suggestions to Bobby
Suggest to him that he resign as manager
Please god, get this man out of the dugout
By Chop Chop
August 17, 2006 03:35 PM | Link to this
Don’t forget about former Jets QB Ken O’Brien, O’Brien.
After all, he played with Mark Gastineau in New York. Gastineau married Brigitte Nielsen when she looked like a she. Brigitte and Flavor Flav had a love thang. Flavor Flav was in Public Enemy, which leads me to Chuck D. Chuck D is one cool dude. Thus, Ken O’Brien is certainly a notable O’Brien. He should be a spot starter in that lineup.
By ncscoots
August 17, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this
10Paul, yeah, we’ll have a lot of starting pitching, anyway, but will we have enough good starting pitching? so many question marks, I think I might like some suspenders to go with that belt, and trade for another starter. Don’t know, there are so many different ways to go for Braves this winter that it’s kinda hard to figure. And that’s just with the variations and permutations that we fans can see, not counting the scenarios under the radar that only Braves’ management has dancing in their heads.
By Voice of Reason
August 17, 2006 03:39 PM | Link to this
Is it my imagination or does Austin Kearns have the biggest ears ever seen on a ballayer?
By MEB
August 17, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this
Robert, or should we call you Bobby? Enough already! Lets enjoy this shutout for a moment or two.
By Bammer
August 17, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this
Wick has presence, yes?
By Head Coach
August 17, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this
Great pitching today. Good win for the team , This will help the team moral. Villareal actually earns a win for a change. Now we get to see some real pitching in Florida.
By Braves20
August 17, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this
You hope that the rest of the pen was watching the ninth. Guy physically fit as me (and I’m not) goes in faces the heart of the order and throws strikes - about six minutes later, there are three outs. Contrast that to Ray’s perforamnce last night. Everybody is going to get knicked for a homer now and again but when you walk two guys ahead of it - kinda puts a game out of reach. Lets take three in the worst outdoor baseball stadium in MLB this weekend.
By Hillbilly John
August 17, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this
I think there’s a donkey on this blog. I mean, a burro.
By ncscoots
August 17, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this
Smoltz gets shelled, and Villareal plays shutout stopper…I fully expect that tomorrow Cuban coffee will be weak and to see cats living with dogs, because, truly, ladies and gentlemen, the apocalyse is near! :-)
By Lew
August 17, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this
How about that. The bullpen pitched a shutout.
By Thomas
August 17, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this
What did I tell you, Villareal threw three scorless innings needing only 65 pitches, only allowed one hit. Braves found there starter.
By Ganar Gigante
August 17, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this
Todo sobre el show que hizo famoso a Oscar Villareal, con sus concursos, bellas mujeres y diversion.
By Thomas
August 17, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this
five scorless innings sorry.
By Snowball's Chance
August 17, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this
35, I only get cigars through the mail. I stick with homegrown for other needs.
Lew, I’m looking forward to that cd
Grinch, no problem. I have a three hour advantage posting from the left coast.
Good game. Those two slides at home couldn’t have been closer. I think the calls were right. It shows that Giles and Langerhans were improvising out there. I remember a similar play at home earlier in the year when Francouer went out of his way to lay into the catcher and was called out when an inside slide would have made him easily safe.
By Fun with Numbers
August 17, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this
Renteria went 24 consecutive at bats without a hit.
The odds of a .300 hitter making outs in a given 24 consecutive at bats is less than 2 in 10,000.
So Matt Diaz getting 10 straight hits is about 10 times less likely than Renteria making 24 consecutive outs.
By Mets Stink
August 17, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this
Have the Braves really found a starter? It is Oscar Villareal we’re talking about, right? He had a good day, and probably deserves another start, but as soon as Davies is back, Oscar should go right back to the long releif role. That’s when he’s been his best.
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 04:42 PM | Link to this
I think I’d rather have Davies replace Cormier at this point.
By yes
August 17, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
Cormier is suppose to get the start on sunday. why people? why?
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this
Here’s something interesting… This is the third shutout the Braves have posted. The last one came on May 1st. This is the most runs the Braves have scored when shutting out the opponent this season. Previous shutouts were of the 2-0 type. In Villarreal’s first start, he still recieved less run support than Chuck James averages. James recieves 6.3 runs per game he starts. In those games, the Braves give up 4.8 runs.
Pitcher RS RA
Barry 5.0 8.0
Cormier 1.7 4.3
Davies 7.3 6.1
Hudson 5.5 5.0
James 6.3 4.8
Ramirez 5.4 4.8
Shiell 3.3 7.3
Smith 0.0 13.0
Smoltz 4.9 4.3
Sosa 4.2 5.2
Thomson 5.2 5.9
Villarreal 5.0 0
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this
Those numbers are what the team does as a whole in games started by that pitcher. Not all runs are from the pitcher, nor are they all scored while the pitcher is in the line up.
Cormier gets the worst run support on the team. If we’d score for him, like we do for everyone else, we’d win more. I don’t blame him though. He gets team B to bat for him. Orr, Pena, Langerhans, and Pratt. Poor guy, can’t catch a break.
By geauxbraves2000
August 17, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this
Great game by the Braves today. I usually am an in game blogger, but I spent most of the game looking for my cell phone. Has anyone seen it?
Anyhow, it sure is nice to see a guy go out in the 9th and throw strikes. It’s amazing how that throwing stikes thing gets people out, huh?
Okay, good game Braves, now off to FL where a sweep is almost desparately needed.
Geaux Braves.
By Rob S.
August 17, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this
DOB - Absolute nonsense. You can get sweet tea anywhere in Orlando and it’s normally good, if not great. And there’s a few places that have great sweet tea.
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this
This is also the first spot starter that has performed well. Sheesh, this is too tempting to get excited about. But, you know, if this holds through the rest of the season, and we perform like we did today every game from here on out, we could end the season with 97 wins. It’d be one of the greatest finishes in the history of the game. Not to mention the longest winning streak ever. I’d be happy with a .500 record at this point though. We have to go 35-6 the rest of the way, and I haven’t seen anything that shows we have a chance of doing it. But, we’ve had great runs in the past. We just need to shutout the other team, or score 8 or 10+ runs. (we are undefeated when scoring 8 as well as 10+)
By MBATL
August 17, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this
dadgum, this is going all the way back to this a.m., as for a change I actually had to work this afternoon. Bummer.
Anyway, I was a little strong in comments about playing Pratt last night; however, there are 40+ games to play, and you can’t call every one a “Must Win.” We’ll get a lot more out of McCann by resting him every 5th day or so than by grinding him through 45 straight. And we’re in the middle of a 2 week stretch with no off days, so might as well sit McCann against a lefty when you have the chance.
As to why Pratt vs. Pena, I don’t really know.
By TennesseePaul
August 17, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this
We have a little over 6 weeks left. If we just lost 1 a week from here on out, we’d be sitting pretty. It’s possible. We just have to have the best pitching of the season in the final month and a half. Not sure if that’d get us to the post season… it should, but who knows. At any rate, it’d give us 90 wins, and that’d make me happy. Happy enought to continue blogging here all by myself.
Hello…
By krath
August 17, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this
Oscar threw pretty well today. One hit in five innings ain’t bad. That doesn’t mean he is now officially qualified to anchor the starting rotation or anything like that…. but it just illustrates that when you are in the bind the Braves are in….. you don’t have much to lose by trying Oscar.
Ahem…. and to the blogger the other night who basically told me I was not thinking clearly when I suggested that Oscar should be considered for a start or two until we got some of our wounded back……he didn’t do too bad for someone who you said should take a back seat to Kevin Barry for the start.
By 10-7-4
August 17, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this
Lew— I get to talk to Drunky Clint several times per week. Snowball’s Chance—thanks for the clary..I was a bit corn fused. Rob S.—careful or the ‘my way or the highway police’ will get you for your endorsement of the dreaded ‘sweet tea’ Gotta run .. will catch ‘youse guys’ later with some big news.
By DonCoburleone
August 17, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this
Wow, a 4 game split with the Nationals, yay… we are totally headed to the playoffs now…
By Calvin
August 17, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this
who saw 9 scoreless innings from the bullpen today? If you did, you should play the lottery.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 17, 2006 07:18 PM | Link to this
Well, I will say this about Oscar Villeareal. He did something that Schiell, Barry, Cormier, Thomson, and Sosa could not do in just one start. He pitched five solid innings and arguably could have given one more if not two more good innings. I think he definitely deserves the 5th spot in the rotation once Davies comes back. No matter what he does in his next start. I actually think the 13 man pitching rotation is a good idea until the callups on Sept.1. Yes, it leaves the bench empty handed but with the pitching situtation like it is, you almost have to say its a must. I say use Villeareal and Barry as co-starter.
I hope Andruw gets better because this isn’t good with him not in the lineup.
I also have to ask this question about Frenchy. If the Braves had had a decent bullpen all year with a closer, good starting pitching, no injuries, and Chipper not being on the DL twice would his plate discipline be near the subject it is right now? In other words, if this team was 12 games over .500 comfortably ahead in the wild card and chasing the Mets would his lack of patience even matter to anyone?
By The Grinch
August 17, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this
Robert(JIB), I’d have to say no. Especially with a city used to having a winning team all sorts of things get magnified, and Frenchy’s discipline is just one of them. If we were doing better, everyone would be talking about how great his power, RBI production and throwing arm are. I want to apologize about my ramblings last night; my back was bothering me and I took a couple of Vicodins on top of a healthy round of alcohol. I just looked back and realized half of what I said made no sense, gramatically or otherwise. Oops. Can you guys beleive the Vulture has only one win less than Smoltz?
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 17, 2006 07:40 PM | Link to this
I read where someone on this blog said RBI numbers weren’t that important. What?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What are you smoking?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How can you say that RBI don’t matter. Really? So, you are saying that it doesn’t matter if a guy drives in runs. With all due respect that makes no sense at all! NONE! Runs scored and RBI are very important. I think along with that avg w/RISP are important too. OBP is huge as well. However, I think its much more important for guys hitting in the top part of the lineup than I do in bottom part. Lets be honest. Frenchy has basically hit sixth all year. If he were in the cleanup spot, he would probably have 115+RBI right now. That is HUGE production. Does he have the plate discipline of a 3 year old? Yes, he does. However, he drives in runs and if he does learn some patience we could be looking at a guy who along with McCann that in 15 years will be talked about as two of the greatest players to ever live.
By The Grinch
August 17, 2006 08:00 PM | Link to this
Umm, I was agreeing with you, dude.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 17, 2006 08:16 PM | Link to this
Sorry, Grinch. I wasn’t referring to you.
By krath
August 17, 2006 08:21 PM | Link to this
My wife and I were watching the game last night when the broadcast team was talking about a “Frenchy Statue Giveaway” at next Tuesday’s Pirate game. Seems they are giving away these mini Frenchy statues to the first 15,000 who come thru the gates. I made the comment that maybe if they put the statue in the batters box, it might take a pitch or two.
My wife replied, “nahhh….the statue would be hacking away to!”
I did think that was funny :)
By The Grinch
August 17, 2006 08:38 PM | Link to this
That was cute. Braves-Pirates? They’ll probably have a few of those statues left over.
By journalist jimmy smith
August 17, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this
uhhhhhhhhhh…….i just woke up with my finger in my mama’s pie!
By journalist jimmy smith
August 17, 2006 08:52 PM | Link to this
ohhhhhhhh,,,,,,i just woke up with my finger in my mama’s pie!
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
August 17, 2006 09:10 PM | Link to this
Krath, that was funny. And probably true.
By Tyrone
August 18, 2006 12:30 AM | Link to this
Dat is funny fo sho krath. Your wife said da same damn thing to me da week fo last when me and her wuz watchin’ da game today!!
By Tyrone
August 18, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this
Dat is funny fo sho krath. Your wife said da same damn thing to me da week fo last when me and her wuz watchin’ da Braves play!!