Braves

By Braves Fan in DC

August 30, 2006 11:27 AM | Link to this

…NOT DEAD YET! What about Lerew?

By Stephen

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

We’ve been saying for a long time, “If the Braves are going to make a run, they’ve got to do it NOW”. Somehow, the Braves never made the run… but they’re still in the thick of things. That being said, that applies now more than it ever has. The Braves have to do it NOW.

Here’s hoping to a Giants sweep and at least 3 of 4 from the Phils!

By Jeff

August 30, 2006 11:34 AM | Link to this

Well, I don’t think that Kyle Davies is enough to prop up a pretty bad pitching staff. Look at last night’s game against the Giants. Sure, the Bravos scored thirteen runs, but the Giants scored eight. Even good hitting teams can’t score enough runs every night to out-pace poor pitching. Even if Smoltz, James and Davies (forget Hudson) pitch well in the stretch, even if Wickman is flawless, to play just one game over .500 the Braves will have to go 20-12. Possible, yes. But every team ahead of them would have to under-perform the Braves by three or four games for the Braves to have a shot at the wildcard. Again, possible, but is that really likely?

By Kevin C

August 30, 2006 11:43 AM | Link to this

Hopefully Davies will pitch good down the stretch, the only game I am concerned about is today. I know it is tempting to look ahead but the Braves have to approach every game like a playoff game from now until the end of the season—it kills me to think were we would be at with Wickman all year. He should be resigned and Smoltz needs another year added to his contract. Hudson showed last night again he is too inconsistent to be a number 1 starter

By Brent

August 30, 2006 11:44 AM | Link to this

From now on - Hudson only pitches five innings! Okay, then the bullpen blows it, but still, I’m tired of seeing Hudson get shellacked every 6th inning and Bobby sit there and act surprised.

Anyway, our bullpen is actually worse than Hudson in the 6th (sort of), but this is so daggone predictable it’s sickening.

I hope that Davies pitches well on Saturday (he should get plenty of offensive support), and that Bob Wickman re-signs on November 1.

Wickman and Smoltz are the only sure things we have.

By Tony Almeida

August 30, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

If Kyle Davies is the person who determines if we make the playoffs, I’d say pack it in, it’s football time.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

jimmy smith thinks parontoe earned some ice cream last night with that huge strikeout. did journalist mention that the rest of the bullpen is not worthy of ice cream? well, wickman, sure, but he wants pie with his ice cream. they may need 13 runs a game if the pen can’t hold anybody. when a guy walks two to start an inning why is he left in to pitch to another batter? the national league is so bad right now that the breaves may still have a chance at the wc. of course, if they have to win three games to advance …

By geauxbraves2000

August 30, 2006 11:51 AM | Link to this

Bullpen = 2.1 IP translates into 4 runs, including 3 in the ninth. Wickman, one pitch = game over. TY Wick. Now JS, sign the man!

Alright, nice game by the offense last night, maybe CJ can shut SF down for 8 and give the Wick the ball in the 9th. I don’t think the offense is going to score 10+ runs everynight so the staff has to step up.

Geaux Braves!!

By No Talent journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 11:57 AM | Link to this

Oh the Humanity!

By chris

August 30, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this

We have got to add another reliever— Troy Hawkins. Also, I think Villareal would be effective as a middle or short reliever. What is the status on Devine?

Chris

By Lew

August 30, 2006 11:59 AM | Link to this

Braves Fan In DC- Lerew is 2-5 with a 7.64 ERA at Richmond, combined starting and relieving. I wouldn’t count on his help quite yet. Go to the Braves web site and click on Roster-Minor League Affiliates for his stats.

By Craig

August 30, 2006 12:00 PM | Link to this

I’m so tired of Tyler Yates and Chris Ray. Those guys are garbage. You can’t depend on either one. With the exception of one outing Baez had been good. I’ll be glad to see him return. I just hope it’s not too late.

By Craig

August 30, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this

I meant Ken Ray…sorry

By Tony Almeida

August 30, 2006 12:04 PM | Link to this

Who is Chris Ray?

By geauxbraves2000

August 30, 2006 12:09 PM | Link to this

Chris Ray is Ken Ray’s evil twin brother. See, Ken Ray pitched the 8th last night and his evil twin Chris actually pitched the ninth.

Geaux Braves!!

By Lew

August 30, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

Let’s see now. Today we have had people suggest that we go out and get Rudy Seanez (4.82 ERA, 11.81 ERA in Aug.) and now LaTroy Hawkins (2-2 4.80 ERA 65H and 15 BB in 54IP and only 25K). We already have Paronto 3.22, McBride 3.76, Ray 4.22, Yates 4.67, Villarreal 4.17. Why do we need more crap? Do you people bother to check out performances before suggesting players to pick up?

By AZBravoFan

August 30, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

Lew, Lerew’s numbers reflect some really hideous outings while he was still injured. Since he went back to AA and returned I think he has done much better.

He was 4-2 with a 2.03 in Mississippi. 1-1 with a 3.00 and 23K in 18 innings since returning to Richmond.

By Dog the Bounty Hunter

August 30, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this

No Lew, we leave it up to you to do that, because heaven forbid if we give our opinion you will strike us down Mr. Man.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this

AZBraves Fan-He’s not ready yet. Let him finish up at Richmond, get better and build confidence. Don’t be so quick to throw him into the fire. This year’s chances are marginal at best. Let’s not stunt his development by making him a sacrificial lamb. On Yates-Craig-The guy has not performed well lately, but looked good in July. He has had Elbow reconstruction and rotator cuff surger the past two years. Let’s see what a winter’s rest with strength and conditioning can do. I think he will be a better than average reliever when healthy. The Mets gave up on him-The same team that gave up Scott Kazmir and thinks Steve Trachsel is great. This should tell you something. The jury is still out on Yates. The same with Villarreal. We may very well see something good from them.

By Robert

August 30, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

We miss Mike Hampton. Thats obvious.

Hudson is a bum. Lets trade him for someone who knows how to pitch to the NL.

Keep Smoltz. Keep Wickman. Get more bullpen.

I like Diaz is left. Next year is going to be good.

By Braves suck

August 30, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

Guys—give it up. The Braves are HORRIBLE this year. Lerew is your answer for the playoffs???? Sounds like desperate fans unwilling to see the truth. at least you won’t have the one and done feeling this year again…….chumps.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 12:25 PM | Link to this

Well Dog-If you’re so flipping smart, let’s see your take on things. If, in fact you are the complete and utter idiot I believe you to be, we will hear nothing productive from you. I may not know everything, like you say, but I guarantee I know more than you ever will.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this

still not blocked, huh?

By AZBravoFan

August 30, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

Lew, I agree we shouldn’t throw Lerew into the fire yet. Just pointing out that he’s doing better now than his numbers suggested. But I do think he could be useful in September. For instance, in a game like last night, he could have come in with the 13-4 lead, contributed 2-3 solid, low-pressure innings and not make Bobby have to use his closer in a game that should have been way out of reach.

By Dog the Bounty Hunter

August 30, 2006 12:36 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry Lew, I should know better then to challenge the almight Lewie. You know all and everybody knows less. My apologies.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 12:38 PM | Link to this

AZBravesFan-I see your point, but I would rather let him develop more. We have had to throw some not quite ready players in the fire this year and I would like to avoid that with Lerew, Devine and other pitchers in the minors. One or two minor league players are not going to cinch a playoff run and we need to look to the future this time for a change. See, Dog, that’s called debate. You offer an opinion and someone else gives their opinion. If they differ you substantiate your position and let the other’s substantiate theirs. You don’t do this, you just criticize (primarily me). But, then again, they don’t teach debate in third grade. I’m sure you’ve never gotten any further than this in your education. Moron.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Dog-Challenge me with facts, figures and substantive opinions about the topic in discussion. You never do this. Are you incapable? You’re a one trick pony, dude, and that trick is certainly nothing special.

By Dog the Bounty Hunter

August 30, 2006 12:44 PM | Link to this

Ok Lew, how do you like my show?

By AZBravoFan

August 30, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this

I’m all for bringing people along slowly. We certainly don’t need another Devine situation. Or even Yates. That guy seems to have totally lost confidence. I’m not saying Lerew should be a set-up guy or even a 6th inning guy. Just someone who can EFFECTIVELY (hopefully) eat up some innings during what should be garbage time, and if he starts having some success then maybe a couple appearances in closer games. That’s bringing along slowly, right? I just think some young, fresh, hungry players right now might provide a little spark. I mean, who else are you gonna trot out there in innings 5-8 at this point?

By Lew

August 30, 2006 12:49 PM | Link to this

Gnat The Bounty Hunter-Barely seen and not even worth swatting.

By Head Coach

August 30, 2006 12:52 PM | Link to this

Playoff’s ? did I miss something ? when did we trade for Roger Clemens ? Is A-Rod on the way to Atlanta ? you guys just kill me ,lol.

By Dog the Bounty Hunter

August 30, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this

And why would I want to discuss issues with that kind of attitude Lew? I’m not worthy of you almighty Lew.

By ugadawg

August 30, 2006 01:00 PM | Link to this

Sorry, guys, I’m just as big of a Braves’ fan as anyone here, but I don’t care what Davies does, we’re not making it to the playoffs.

Sure, the 4 games behind stat doesn’t look that bad, but the fact that there are 7 teams ahead of them does. Barring running the table, we’re just not going to pass that many teams. Heck, the Marlins and Phillies are ahead of us in the standings. Time to get ready for next year.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 01:04 PM | Link to this

No Dog-You’re not worthy of much of anything. Including any further response. Begone Gnat. AZBraves Fan-sorry for the buzzing nuisances-Lerew has an ERA of over 11 runs per game in relief. His ERA is 4 runs per game less as a starter. Maybe he needs to start.

By Dog the Bounty Hunter

August 30, 2006 01:06 PM | Link to this

Poor Lew, making up for his shortcomings by being master Blogger. Carry On Lewey. Dog Out.

By AZBravoFan

August 30, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this

That’s a good point Lew. I guess we’ll find out soon enough. I’m sure we’ll see him at some point in September.

By Brad

August 30, 2006 01:16 PM | Link to this

Don’t worry about the amount of teams ahead of the braves. What the Braves need to do is not worry about the other teams, just play baseball. I think somebody said they have to play 20-12 the rest of the way to be one game over 500. The Padres are 2 games over 500 and are leading the wildcard. so if the braves can get a little over 500, they will have a chance. Say go 22-10, which would put them 3 games over 500. At that point, it is a good chance they could win it. But they have to play really good baseball to to that.

As for Hudson, I’m wondering if he has some sort of injury. He has pitched much better lately, but he only gets to the 6th inning. Hopefully he can work out whatever it is by next season.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this

Talk about shortcomings. I guess the Gnat would know. I think Braves fans need to face the facts that there is no one to call up that is going to make the difference in a playoff run. Davies, even if he turns into the second coming of Cy Young is not going to do it. Bring up Lerew, Devine or any other minor league pitcher will not do it. Brining in David Wells, Rudy Seanez or LaTroy Hawkins is not going to hand us the Wild Card. We will either make it or not with the horses we have. I hope it will help getting Davies back, but the holes in the pitching staff are so huge at this time, that a patchwork won’t cover them. I don’t think Baez will be a factor. Maybe he will if we still stand a Snowball’s chance in the Peachtree road race by the time he returns. Hudson still can’t go 7 innings. I wonder if anyone has thought to feed him a peanut butter sandwich in the 5th inning. It might just give him some energy.

By Gregs

August 30, 2006 01:23 PM | Link to this

Head Coach I think Chipper is having a much better year than A-Rod. I dont think A-Rod would be much help.

On the Braves. Smoltz has been awesome and at this point every time he goes out there he is probably going to win. Only if we had a bullpen the whole year he’d be the no doubt Cy Young pick. Davies will be huge. Hudson is coming around, atleast he only gave up 4 runs and not 7-8 like he was for awhile. Chuck James has been good. 5th spot is a question mark. We’ll have to see what happens.

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

The ‘Breaves’, jjs? new team?? AL?

I followed your suggestion and loaded the freezer with ice cream so we can stay cool if the power goes off. Brilliant. Only jjs could think of that! :-)))

Though at this point it looks as if a canoe or the old jon boat will be of more use! :-))

By Shaun Payne

August 30, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this

Gregs,

I don’t know if Chipper is having a much better year than Arod, but they are both having great seasons. They are very close in total runs created.

By 22oz

August 30, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this

I’m gonna wait a couple more days before i get excited. i’m shocked, no doubt, that they are only 4 games out, but remember, every time they’ve gotten this close, they fall back again. i think this series will tell us something. How many more times will we say this?

By Casey

August 30, 2006 02:08 PM | Link to this

get DAVID WELLS from the sox!!!!!!!!

By an

August 30, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

Easy on Kyle. He is a great pitcher. I have watched him play since he was a junior in high school. He has come a long way since then. He is a young man with alot of talent that has done alot of growing up. His high school coach basically made it out like the team was nothing without him and put alot on him. Watching him play now he has learned that it takes the whole team not one person. just remember…that each player has to work as a whole team not as one person.

By h8-da-braves

August 30, 2006 02:17 PM | Link to this

I hope the braves get within one game of the wild card lead going into the series against the Mets in Sept(26,27,28). Then the Mets knock them out of contention. Brave fans can then have a full off season to fill up the blogs with a lifetime of if’s and maybe’s.

By an

August 30, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

Easy on Kyle. He is a great pitcher. I have watched him play since he was a junior in high school. He has come a long way since then. He is a young man with alot of talent that has done alot of growing up. His high school coach basically made it out like the team was nothing without him and put alot on him. Watching him play now he has learned that it takes the whole team not one person. just remember…that each player has to work as a whole team not as one person.

By an

August 30, 2006 02:20 PM | Link to this

Easy on Kyle. He is a great pitcher. I have watched him play since he was a junior in high school. He has come a long way since then. He is a young man with alot of talent that has done alot of growing up. His high school coach basically made it out like the team was nothing without him and put alot on him. Watching him play now he has learned that it takes the whole team not one person. just remember…that each player has to work as a whole team not as one person.

By Casey

August 30, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this

Smoltz, Wells, Hudson, Horacio, and the 5th starter could be a number of guys, then the patchwork bullpen and of course Wickman! This could be the pitching we need to make that wild card spot. With the lineup finally appearing to be hitters once again, Not a bad way to try and make that wildcard! but of course JS(homeboy)more than likely will just sit and hope for the best. Its not over till the fat lady sings fans! I DONT HEAR NO SINGING!

By TennesseePaul

August 30, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this

Shaun Payne: I can’t click on that link since it is blocked at work. However, what’s the gist of it? Does it include the number of errors as well as the over all booing received from the home town team?

By Craig

August 30, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

Stats in August:

Tyler Yates 1-3 9.64 ERA

Ken Ray 1-1 8.44 ERA

By GARY

August 30, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

Since none of the teams above the Braves for the wild card are winning much, I will predict if the Braves can win about 10 in a row they are wild card leaders. This would require no bullpen meltdowns( almost impossible), very timely clutch hitting, no injuries and no boneheaded plays( LaRoche’s famous impromtu bunt).I will keep the faith for the time being.

By tfbrave

August 30, 2006 02:40 PM | Link to this

Though I don’t like using ERA to measure the worth of a reliever here are some interesting Seanez numbers. His career ERA in AL is 5.49 in NL is 3.57 (3.31 as a Brave 98-01). His ERA on 8/1 was 3.83. He gave up 6 runs to the lowly NY Yankees and Detroit Tigers in last 2 appearances. He has 48 Ks in 46.2 IP. I don’t think he would win the WC for us, however but relying on guys from the minors has not worked. Seanez would cost a prorated amount on the minimum.

By Allen

August 30, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

Braves - don’t tease me again! Just face reality, finish the regular season and start planning for next year!

By Ron

August 30, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

h8er… guess 14 years of watching braves win has made you bitter…

By Shaun Payne

August 30, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

Evaluating Pitchers

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=878

By Skeezix

August 30, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

Davies will be a big help to our starting pitching. But with this bullpen we are dead…the rigomortis just hasn’t set in yet.

By Larry

August 30, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

Bonds= Trash, I turn the channel He cheats..and brings baseball to an all time low.

Sherholtz… treat Smoltz right, or kiss these fans goodby.

Run it like a team, instead of a corporation.

By Casey Smallwood

August 30, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

Ok……I have given up on the Braves about 5 times this year and they keep sucking me back in. I don’t know how, but they are still in the Wildcard race. That bieng said, until they can prove to me that they can win more that 1 out of 3 to the likes of the Pirates in our house I can’t let myself get sucked back in. I fully expect us to lose the next 2 games aginst the Giants. That is the way it has gone down all season long, so I don’t expect it to change now. I pray that I am wrong, but I think that this is the year that this unbelievable Playoff run comes to an end!!!!!!

By ILL-logical

August 30, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

Here is how rebound 2007 MUST go for JS to have any remaining credibility:

1. extend Andruw period. (I know how js bs’s,we can’t find the money..but you took on Hampton’s no trade when you said you would never ever do that)

2. sign Dontrell. Salty;chuck james;whatever this guy is the future,now.

3. sign Crawford(Tampa Bay). Left field;speed; leadoff and young. case closed.

All three must occur this winter for maximum results.

By holly

August 30, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this

You’re hot Lew

By Shaun Payne

August 30, 2006 03:29 PM | Link to this

Bonds= Trash, I turn the channel He cheats..and brings baseball to an all time low.

If you feel this way, I hope you turn the channel when any baseball comes on. Or at the least, I hope you did before baseball instituted its steroid policy.

Obviously the players deserve most of the blame for using steroids. But the owners and commissioner, the media and, yes, the fans deserve some blame too. The owners and commissioner because they let it go on, the media because they ignored it and the fans also because they ignored it. If we would have stopped watching and going to games, the players, owners and media would have been forced to do something. It’s not as simple as just blaming Bonds or blaming the players or the media or the owners or the commissioner.

In fact, all of the “problems” in professional sports that people complain about can be solved if we stopped watching and going to games. If revenue is still being generated, what incentive do the owners and players have to change anything?

By mark

August 30, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this

Lew, I agree that we will either make it or not with the “horses” we have. I tend to believe that we are not and have for some time now. This team has lacked any spark or promise other than the few games before the All-Star game. Our pitching staff is just to bad and our offense has been pretty darn streaky as well. We’re just not good. I also agree (with myself) that you sound pretty stressed out and are in dire need of a weekend and some beer! I also don’t think that most people have the time nor the desire to look up as many of the specific stats as you and are purely just rattling off their opinions off the top of their head.

By holly

August 30, 2006 03:36 PM | Link to this

Are you on crack Shaun? Come on

By h8-da-braves

August 30, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this

The worst part of the braves sucking is now everyone will have to hear about the 14 divisions over and over and over and over….Right Ron?

By h8-da-braves

August 30, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

There’s nothing sadder than watching a fan base live in the past.

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

I’d think that there is nothing sadder than a fan base who doesn’t have a past worth looking at.

By Keith

August 30, 2006 03:56 PM | Link to this

I’m a huge Braves fan, and boy am I pulling for them to break through, but at the same time, I’m a realist.

I hear all these things about “oh if Wickman was on the team all year think of how different things would be”.

Yeah, those people are right, the Braves would quite possibly have the wild card lead.

But the thing is, look at the Braves team now, even with Wickman. How much of a chance do you think they have, with this pitching staff and bullpen, to win a playoff series? Having Wickman from early in the season would not have changed that.

By geauxbraves2000

August 30, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this

Nice one CL :)

I am a psycho Braves fan (if you will) and my wife feels the same about the Cubs, so I also follow them. If you think we as Braves fans are stuggling, try being a Cubs fan. Wow, if it wasn’t for bad luck they’d have no luck at all.

Anyhow, CJ’s time on the mound tonight, I sure hope he can shut SF down like I said earlier. Truth being though, the offense is probably going to need at least 5 tonight to win so I hope the boys’ bats are still at least very very warm.

Geaux Braves!!

By h8-da-braves

August 30, 2006 03:59 PM | Link to this

I guess the Cubs,Cleveland that hasn’t won a Title in forever or any other city that has only one world series to talk about.

By Glenn Burns

August 30, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

Enough about the Braves! What about the weather last night. I thought it was War of the Worlds last night and Tom Cruise was in my closet.

By h8-da-braves

August 30, 2006 04:03 PM | Link to this

Was there Major league baseball in Atlanta before the braves? I guess we’re kinda spoiled in NY since we’ve had it for over 100 years.

By Kentavo

August 30, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this

Baez has had two bad outings with the Bravos. But I’d bet anyone would have a bad outing if your appendix was barking. Hopefully, he’ll return to form.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this

still not blocked, huh? oh, well … carolina lady, not all the posts today are real - there are some impostors at work. journalist did have a typo earlier, “breaves” but journalist will never do that again. speling has always been important to jimy smith. now, ice cream … two tubs are missing and baby seal is not talking. virginia madsen is not here (oh, the humanity! what was journalist thinking?). still, there is pie in the fridge and cold milk. journalist will be back later …

By holly

August 30, 2006 04:08 PM | Link to this

hahaha you’re silly gleen

By Shaun Payne

August 30, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

holly,

I’m not on crack right now.

I just think people need to realize that they contribute to some of the things they complain about in sports. That’s the price you pay for living in a capitalist society (which I’m all for).

By Lew

August 30, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this

Holly-Whatever- Mark-I promise, all it takes is a click of the mouse on search and you can find almost any stat within seconds. It’s called modern technology and is available to everyone on the blog. If more people wouls use this marvelous technology, we wouldn’t have half the questions I answer, nor would we have as many stupid trade suggestions. I have a life beyond the blog. It’s some others here I’m worried about.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this

Oh Yeah-High speed access is a plus.

By holly

August 30, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this

I understand where you are coming from. But think about it, how many people are ACTUALLY going to stop watching baseball all together because a few are on steroids? Especially the die hard fans. It’s not going to end. And fans are not going to stop watching their team because one is on drugs. All that matters is that their team is winning in their eyes. So I wouldn’t classify that as society’s fault.

By No Talent journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this

Oh the Humanity!

By Dog the Bounty Hunter

August 30, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this

Lew has a life beyond this blog? hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha, that’s a good one Lewie.

By holly

August 30, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Just kidding, don’t let that comment go to your head Lew

By Ouch

August 30, 2006 04:25 PM | Link to this

Glad to see the Braves are on one of their weird little mini-streaks. That means they’ll be ice-cold when they play the Mets next week at Shea. That should finally put an end to this wild card fantasy.

Frenchy for MVP!

By Lew

August 30, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this

What we need on this blog is mosquito repellent. Dogs and Haters and Gnats, oh my. Goodbye children. I’ll come back when mommy puts you to bed.

By Shaun Payne

August 30, 2006 04:28 PM | Link to this

I understand where you are coming from. But think about it, how many people are ACTUALLY going to stop watching baseball all together because a few are on steroids? Especially the die hard fans. It’s not going to end. And fans are not going to stop watching their team because one is on drugs. All that matters is that their team is winning in their eyes. So I wouldn’t classify that as society’s fault.

I’m not saying who is at fault. I’m just saying that people who complain about high salaries and players on steroids and those kinds of problems are contributing to the problem if they watch or go to games, particularly high salaries. I don’t have a problem with high salaries or many of the other problems because I realize the limits of capitalism and a free society. Sure I would like for the game to be pure and free of steroids, but there is always going to be something that taints the game. Actually, there is no easy solution to the steroid problem because you can’t detect many of the substances even in blood (HGH for instance). The world is not perfect, so if you aren’t willing to do your part to help solve the “problem,” don’t complain about it.

By Bobby C.

August 30, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

Will the last Braves fan to leave please turn out the lights?

By Ouch

August 30, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this

The Met’s magic number is 17.

“We better get to work,” Marcus Giles cracked.

Good prognoticating there, Jeffie!

By holly

August 30, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

Exactly. But what you said before is for people not to even go to the games or to turn the channel whenever a baseball game comes on. And all I was saying is that that is not going to work in reality. Of course, if people actually did do that, obviously their ratings would go down, but like I said, too many people love the sport to let that happen. As for high salaries, everyone in any kind of business whether it’s sports, television, singers, they all get high salaries. You can’t stop it, that’s just how life is. You’re not going to get anywhere if you protest on high salaries. But not many people are willing to do the part that you are saying.

By David

August 30, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this

For those Braves fans who have given up on them this year—-have you looked at the wild-card standings recently? I’m sure that San Diego and Cincinnati can see the Braves in their collective riew view mirrors as they are coming back to life once again as another baseball campaign is winding down. I predicted this would happen long before it has started, because I am not misguided and I know what the Braves have shown me for 14 straight consecutive seasons in a row. This Braves team has a lot of fight left in them and they will not quit! They will not be denied of their rightful place of playing playoff baseball. If the Baseball Gods continue to smile on the Braves and if Kyle Davies resembles anything remotely close to what he has shown us in the past, then the Boys of Summer (the Braves) are about to put on a showstopping show for the fans of Atlanta and for all of baseball to observe-and that is another playoff appearance (15 in a row); capped off with the crown jewel accomplishment of winning the 2006 World Series. I hope that I have the script right because I know that the Braves will make it all the way to a world series championship! Get excited, Atlanta!

By geauxbraves2000

August 30, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this

Cubs score 2 in the 11th only to see the Pirates come back and score 3. Oh the humanity!

I only bring the Cubs up because my wife is a devoted fan and she deserves better than this.

Back to the Braves. Win or lose they are still my team. Make the wildcard, alright!, don’t make the wildcard, it has been a run for the ages.

However, if they don’t win the WC, can I have some of that stored up ice cream CL?

Geaux Braves!!

By Tony Almeida

August 30, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

Maybe it’s David that’s on crack?

By Andy

August 30, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this

h8er yeah ‘living in the past’ is great—keep trolling braves boards—they still own your heart no matter the score.

By TennesseePaul

August 30, 2006 05:03 PM | Link to this

geauxbraves: Did you see how the Cubs gave up the 3 runs? Oh man, do they know how to lose or what? After nearly 100 years they have truly mastered it.

By Ouch

August 30, 2006 05:05 PM | Link to this

Let me get this straight…a team that is six games under .500 (and has rarely bested that number this year) is going to wrest the wild card from one of the two teams that’s over .500. I will laugh my butt off the day the Braves are mathematically eliminated from this race. I love that you had the glimmer of hope all season, because that will make it that much sweeter when you lose.

By JOE

August 30, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

I love the Braves but this season has been over….time to start on next year.

By geauxbraves2000

August 30, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

I’m at work TennesseePaul so I had to listen to the game on MLB gameday audio. I put my ear phones down for a spell and came back when the bases were loaded. Next thing you know, game over. You are right, they are masters at finding a way to lose a game. I truly do feel for the Cubs fans. I’ve been to a few Cubs games over the past few years and Cubs fans are definitely true fans, they really do deserve better than what they’ve gotten, if just for their loyalty.

This is a question for the Braves bashers, (who are so obcessed with this team that they have to invade this blog) for I know the regulars here already know this answer: What was the name of the other team that has won their division 14 seasons in a row? Please, someone help me, the teams name slips my mind. Maybe the Braves won’t win this year, but until your team does what the Braves have done then can you open your mouth, until then, shut up.

So, will tonight be the Braves’ first four game win streak in a while or will the L bug bite ‘em. Let’s hope for the former!!

Geaux Braves!!

By geauxbraves2000

August 30, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this

What was the name of the class I missed, oh yeah, spelling 101.

By Ouch

August 30, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

So is winning the division title 14 years in a row like being registered to vote your whole life but only actually doing it once?

By Ouch

August 30, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this

“Maybe the Braves won’t win this year, but until your team does what the Braves have done then can you open your mouth, until then, shut up.”

What, win ONE World Series? When your team has done what the Mets and the Marlins “have done then can you open your mouth, until then, shut up.”

By geauxbraves2000

August 30, 2006 05:32 PM | Link to this

Point taken Ouch, yes, the Braves have only 1 title in those 14 years. But having a chance to win those 14 years was better than not having a chance at all. If you don’t make the postseason, you can’t win the WS, and this team, although they’ve failed to win the WS 13 times, still had a chance. No other team in sport history can say they had a chance to win it all 14 seasons in a row. Yeah, I’m discourage they didn’t win more, I wouldn’ve loved to see a few more WS titles, but it didn’t happen. Oh well, try again, and that they did.

Geaux Braves!!

By geauxbraves2000

August 30, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this

Sorry about the shut up remark, I was just a little frustrated. I’m not one to stir up trouble. Gotta go, time to go home to the family.

Church night so no blogging this PM so I’m counting on you all to pull this team to a win.

Geaux Braves!!

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 05:41 PM | Link to this

Did a Mets fan actually just check Atlanta by bringing up how long the Yankees have been in New York? Jesus, what a bunch of losers. Hanging out on a blog involving a city 1000 miles away from yours just waiting for the opportunity to fling your poo at us when we fail for the first time since 1991 to have buried your team in the cellar by July. Please go watch the Jets, Islanders, Bills and Knicks lose and leave us alone. You’ve got more losing franchises than we’ve got franchises. ‘course you’ve got more losers than we have people in general, so I suppose it all evens out somehow.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this

Take it easy, Geaux. It hasn’t been church night for the Grinch since about 1991 either, but to each his or her own.

By Ouch

August 30, 2006 05:47 PM | Link to this

Grinch, there was a New Yorks Metropolitans team in New York from 1880 to 1887 (the same time as the Boston Gas-passers), not to mention the Giants and the Dodgers. Not all NY baseball is about the Stinkies.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 05:51 PM | Link to this

Good point. Sorry. Still doesn’t change the end result, though…:-)

By supa

August 30, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

the forecast for this weekend looks horrible.

friday’s game will almost certainly get rained out as tp ernesto heads to the northeast. that may actually be good news for the braves though. the phils are extremely hot right now.

By MEB

August 30, 2006 05:58 PM | Link to this

Kyle Davies and Lance Cormier pitch a double-header for the Braves on Saturday against the Phils. Oh, the humanity!

Talk about a pivitol day in the Braves season. Of course we need to win out until then. GO BRAVES!!!

By Ouch

August 30, 2006 06:03 PM | Link to this

Considering the Phils lead the season series 7-4, the Braves had better pray for rain.

By TennesseePaul

August 30, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this

Ouch: The Boston Braves started in the 1870’s officially. The Boston Braves (Beaneaters, Red Stockings, Bees, etc.) began a year or two after the Cincinatti Red Stockings. The Braves franchise is the oldest continuously operating franchise in baseball. The Reds of Cincinnatti were banished from baseball for about a decade in the 19th centry for cheating. The Braves Franchise has 3 WS titles. The only team in history to win it in three different cities. And, I think, it’s also the only team to have a BYOB policy. That while in Milwaukee.
The only thing the Mets can truly claim in New York Baseball is, they are the only team in New York today that is from New York. The Yankees are the former Orioles. They moved to NYC in 1901 and joined the Jr. league.
As for the Atlanta baseball history, they too have had many teams in the past. The most notable one would be the Crackers, who were moved to Richmond and are now the AAA Richmond Braves.

Point is, Baseball history is rich and fascinating. You should learn it.

By Ouch

August 30, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

And today’s Orioles are the former St. Louis Browns. I’m sorry, Paul, what did I say that suggested the Braves didn’t go back further than the 1880s? All I said was that the original Mets and the Beaneaters were contemporaries. But thanks so much for the fascinating lecture.

By Scott

August 30, 2006 06:13 PM | Link to this

Is Alejandro Pena available???

By NotBlockedYet?

August 30, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this

Oooooooooooooooohhh…the humanity!!!

By TennesseePaul

August 30, 2006 06:24 PM | Link to this

So glad you got that down. Now, what happened to the Mets from 1887 to 1960’s?

By NotABravesFan

August 30, 2006 06:24 PM | Link to this

Just a question for all the Braves fans…why do you even want to win the wild card? I’m not joking, or being mean-spirited, but do you really think the Braves as they currently are have ANY chance in the post-season? They’ve pretty much coughed it up every other year when they had vastly superior teams to this one, so why all the fuss just so they can make another first-round exit? Again, I’m not being sarcastic…just baffled. This is a team that just lost two games to the Pirates—does anyone honestly think they’re going to make any serious noise in playoff games? I would think the subject of conversation around here should be whether or not they can be a .500 team. THEN, maybe, start talking playoffs.

By Ouch

August 30, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

Good point, Paul. Remind me what happened to the 1969 Braves?

By Gizzard

August 30, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

Tennessee Paul…what an A$sclown!…

By TennesseePaul

August 30, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

Ouch: fascinating… do you not know? How about this one, which team holds the record for most losses in a season?

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

NotABravesFan, because it would be 15 straight seasons of making it to the post season. Nobody else has ever done 14, much less 15. No, I personally don’t think they’d last past the first 4 games, but by George, they would have made it again. Name me even 1 other team in any sport that can mathc that record. :-)

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 06:48 PM | Link to this

CL, you’re in dangerous waters with this crowd. Best just chill ‘till after the 8:00 medication call at bellvue; the blog will resume normalcy shortly thereafter.

By TennesseePaul

August 30, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

Gizzard, quit calling Ouch an @ssclown. That is no way to talk about people.

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 06:53 PM | Link to this

I guess your’re right, Grinch. I keep hoping to find a nice Mets fan somewhere, and except for Mike, I don’t think there is one as evidenced by those who behave so ugly here. Later.

By ncscoots

August 30, 2006 07:13 PM | Link to this

Yes, why SHOULD the Braves care if they make the wild card? Just three and out, right? Anyone making that assertion better check the pitching in the NL. Eight guys with ERA less than 3.50…EIGHT!!!! Three-and-a-half, fercrissake. And less than 20 with ERA under a whopping 4.00. This ain’t gonna be your father’s playoff pitching, boys and girls. Even of those pitiful few under 3.50, no more than three could make the playoffs, and one of THEM is Smoltz. So this could be a year when thunder will win in the playoffs. Braves have tremendous crush in the lineup, good OBP from the top now that Giles has found his groove, and nothing weak in the bottom third. Nobody likely (or even unlikely, such as the Braves) to make the playoffs is gonna have lights-out pitching in the NL this year, so a lumber lineup might sneak on through. And for our Mets fans who might frequent the blog, don’t bother bringing up your pitching. Trachsel? PLEASE!

By Just For the Sake of Argument

August 30, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady, The Grinch took the Lord’s name in vain a little while ago, and you didn’t upbraid him. Is that OK for him?

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

Grinch knows better.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 07:35 PM | Link to this

It was hardly in vain; I expect the messiah in question would likely agree with me about New Yorkers. However, if I offended anyone with that word and that word only, I apologize.

By el bravo x

August 30, 2006 07:36 PM | Link to this

we just need to win out!

By Just For the Sake of Argument

August 30, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this

You’re a kind and forgiving Lady. Because I’ll tell you, I don’t think this is the first commandment he’s obliterated.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 07:42 PM | Link to this

Go Chuckie J! To bad it wasn’t about three inches up and to the right…

By h8 da braves

August 30, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

Before your your run of 14 divisions (1 Title) nobody cared about the braves. It’s all about timing. They had an owner who spent a lot of money and had a cable company that exported the team(TBS) during your run. So you got some exposure. Now your in the begining stages of a return to obscurity. In a year or two no one outside of atlanta will care where the brave are in the standings or where they finish the season. I bid you farewell on your decent to oblivian.

By knowitall

August 30, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this

Me thinks Chuck James has been reading the blog and taking suggestions on pitching to Bonds.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

And I suppose you’ve spent your entire life rated spotless Christian hero? “Let he who cast the first stone…” Besides, I’m an agnostic anyway; I’m just being polite.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 07:48 PM | Link to this

H8a, for someone who doesn’t seem to think anyone cares about the Braves, you sure seem to care a lot about the Braves.

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 07:49 PM | Link to this

Just For the Sake of Argument, all I have pleaded for is more decent behavior on a public forum and for folks to be more respectful of the name of Jesus in posts. Anything else is between the poster and God. Don’t make me anything more than I am, just a Braves fan who enjoys people and blogging with them. I respect people and ask for the same. That’s all.

By h8 da braves

August 30, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this

i have a motto I live by…..Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer.

By Miss Matha Met

August 30, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

Limited in many ways and socially maladjusted - is that you savant?

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 07:55 PM | Link to this

Well, I suppose if your worst enemies (the ones you REALLY feel you need to watch) are on the Braves blog, you must lead a pretty charmed life. I happens to be a policy I agree with. See? Equanimity can be reached, as long as baseball’s not involved! Or religion, apparently.

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 07:57 PM | Link to this

Grinch, how’s your back tonight? That is a miserable hurt, isn’t it?

By h8 da braves

August 30, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

Don’t take it out of context…..we’re talking sports here.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:01 PM | Link to this

It’s better, thank you, though it’s still dreadfully unpleasant. A family member was kind enough to drop me off a variety care package of pills. And yes, though some are prescription, none are narcotic. Now if I only had one of those icy-heat patch’s…

By journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this

grinch, today jimmy smith and baby seal made a poultice solution for your back. it should arrive tomorrow - had to be shippped in a special container. apply this poultice to your back and stay off the good furniture. grinch should feel better by saturday. the “bloggers” are the same person and you must ignore him. dob was going to block him but probably forgot. when the hits on the dob get down to about 35 again he will be blocked. now, francoeur just broke the camera! good thing this is fsn and not turner south where they now have only one camera and one television program.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this

Or Virginia Madsen to rub it…Man! If I could just bend it down enough to get in and out of my car I could go get some ice cream…

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this

Have you tried some plain old aspirin? Sometimes I get more relief from them than anything else. I sorta think it takes some of the inflammation out. (I was hit by an 18-wheeler a few years past and I live with it everyday.)

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:12 PM | Link to this

How very kind of you and Baby Seal, many thanks indeed. It will be welcome. I am aware of our schitzo blogger friend(s), have been saying so for quite a while, but it’s kind of fun responding to a half dozen who are one sometimes, like playing a video game. However, your advice is sound, as always. However, I must disagree with you about Turner South’s one television program. They also have “Junkin’,” which they air during rain delays. The chubby chick’s kind of cute. Or is that the one show you were talking about as being seperate from baseball?

By journalist jimmy smith

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

oh, the humanity! carolina lady was hit by a truck?! it would take a lot of poultice to get over that. while riding the john deere? crossing the street? rollerblading? maybe grinch should try some absorbine jr. grinch will not smell very good for virginia madsen but may be able to move around again. ouch! francoeur may need some absorbine jr, too. just a minute - phone … it was virginia madsen! grinch is no fun - wants to come back to jimmy smith’s house. what to do?

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this

Dang, CL. That’s no fun at all. I got hit by a figurative 18-wheeler 48 hours ago and still have physical manefestations from it. I can only imagine what a real incident’s like, especially since I drove one for about a year (Gainey Transportation Services). I hope you’re not too debilitated? As for asprin, I switch up from asprin to ibuprofen to ketoprofen to alleve and back again; keeps the body from building up a tolerance for any one.

By NotABravesFan

August 30, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady - I understand about the “streak” and all, but I think that’s one of the reasons Atlanta fans are seen as so naive about baseball. The streak should be an embarrassment to the Braves! 14 division titles and only one World Series to show for it? That’s pitiful. And yes, you deserve credit for making the postseason all those years in a row. It’s an amazing achievement. But at the same time, there’s something in the Braves that—even though they had the talent to win it all more than a few times—made them constantly, chronically choke in the playoffs. That’s nothing to be proud of.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:22 PM | Link to this

Of course I’m no fun! I’m a semi-invalid (temporarily) and I can’t afford Haggen-Daas, which she insists on. I swear, these Hollywood women bounce from relationship to relationship so quickly for a reason…how about joint custody? On a week, off a week?

By jennifer

August 30, 2006 08:23 PM | Link to this

anyone in here think that Jason Giambi looks like a porn star from the 70s with his mustache?! LMAO

By journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

these giants are playing a strange game. with two strikes they are merely meeting the ball and punching it through the infield. what is this strange game they are playing? is tyler yates rested for tonight’s appearance? death ray? will we see baez? who before? and where is journalist bob? could this be bob tormenting so many on the blog? nah, bob is far more intelligent and has better manners.

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this

I was in a little Toyota Corolla stopped behind an 18-wheeler. Here comes another one up behind us, for some reason didn’t see the stopped traffic in front of him until it was too late, slammed into the back of my car (Highway Patrol estimated at 40mph), drove the front of my car under the trailer of the truck in front of me. The force of the initial blow broke my driver’s seat so it laid all the way back. Had it not been for that I would have been killed instantly. I remember parts of it vividly, parts I don’t remember at all. Like a video tape that has had sections removed and spliced back together. I do pretty well, but am rarely without pain. Thankful to be alive and able to take care of my daughter and mother. And blog with you guys! :-))

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:28 PM | Link to this

Man, if Todd Pratt could throw out runners like that we’d have use for him…

By journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

whoa! that is a real wreck. carolina lady is indeed fortunate. bloggers, too, to have carolina lady. grinch, virginia madsen cannot tell the difference between haagen daz and publix. buy one quart of haagen daz and fill it repeatedly with publix ice cream. this is a trick one must learn when dating movie stars (2 in 2 months) on a journalist’s salary. now, announcement - journalist jimmy smith is contemplating a job offer involving journalism and may have to leave this blog. should know soon if things are going to work out for journalist. will require relocation and a new wardrobe.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this

Jennifer, we already went through the porn-stache thing with Nick Johnson the other day, so I won’t bore others by repeating my comments. But yeah, I see what you mean. Jimmy, I noticed this performance oddity as well, perhaps our coaching staff is taking notes? Doubtful. Poor CL! I once hit a tree at roughly that speed on a motorcycle; I remember seeing it come toward me, and then waking up on the ground looking up at the sky and thinking “How peaceful,” then coming all the way to when I heard the engine still idling. I apparently just turned my head enough instinctively to take most of the impact on my left shoulder and neck (that, plus a couple more minor M/C wrecks and football make my back off and on where it is today) or I would be dead, too; but not nearly the same damage, I’m sure. That sounds horrifying. :-( Glad you’re still able to function. My inability to function on a day-to-day basis is largely mental…

By Calvin

August 30, 2006 08:41 PM | Link to this

Who switched LaRoche’s bat with Pujols bat? Boy is he hot.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:45 PM | Link to this

Jimmy! How can you take a job that has a “No DOB blog” clause in it? Money, of course, would be a good reason, but still…at least make sure they throw in a case of IBC and some premium quality cheese samplers. Who will babysit Baby Seal? Obviously, you can’t leave Baby Seal and V.M. together or there wouldn’t be enough ice cream for a 4 oz. float.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

Maybe Bobby’s saying “C’mon, Roachy” every few seconds really DOES work.

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 08:49 PM | Link to this

Journalist Jimmy Smith does not have permission to leave the blog. Ever! Period.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 08:51 PM | Link to this

“now with the news, katie couric and journalist jimmy smith … “

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:54 PM | Link to this

Did anyone else just notice at that Bonds at-bat when they showed his profile some chick in the stands behind him was gesturing to her friend using both hands vertically to show how big his head had gotten. She actually stood up to do it, oblivious to the camera. Priceless!

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 08:57 PM | Link to this

The evening news in third person; gotta love it!

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this

Did we just get six innings and counting with less than three runs from a starter not named Smoltz? Please let him throw a CG!

By MurphyRules

August 30, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this

ROACHY!!!!!!

By Calvin

August 30, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this

Seriously, what has gotten into LaRoche?

By NumbaOneFan

August 30, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this

People…. you gotta stop thinking the Bravos are going to make the wildcard, that is absolutely ludicrous. I dont care if they brought back, Glavine, Maddux and Cy Young. This season was over in June, period. Now is the tme to plan for next year and get rid of the overpriced and underachieving startes we have in Hudson, Ramirez nad Thompson. Make deals now or at anytime, for anyone. This clubs rotation and bullpen is in shambles except for a few that you can count on one hand.

By MurphyRules

August 30, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this

Hey NumbaOneFan, go ahead and give up. We could care less. Your baseball knowledge obviously is overwhelming.

By Glass Half Full

August 30, 2006 09:29 PM | Link to this

In addition to ’80s night and Disco night at the park, they should have “Porn-stache Night.” Imagine the big screen at Turner Field as they show each batter. Let’s not forget the crappy synth music accompanied by funky bass guitar as the batters approach the box…er, no pun intended.

By Glass Half Full

August 30, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this

Andruw should make it his “thing” to fall down at 1st base every time he homers.

By MEB

August 30, 2006 09:34 PM | Link to this

Carolina Lady… How is the weather there on the beautiful southern coast of North Carolina? Still praying that Ernesto will stay a wimpy hurricane/tropical storm. We are having quite the stormy night here in lower Alabama. Have had the power go off twice already.

Very enjoyable game tonight with gold stars going to Chuck James and Adam LaRouche. Need a strong showing from the bullpen to make this a perfect night. GO BRAVES!!!

By No Talent journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this

Oh the humanity!

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this

Hey, MEB! Quiet tonight. Weather people tell us to look for winds around 50 and a foot or so of rain. Winds are no problem, but that much water means a lot of flooding. I think the highest point in the whole county is about 30’. :-)))

WOW! What a play, Andruw!!!! And this is the guy some wanted to trade????? right.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

GHF, gotta wait ‘till after 10 for comments like that…:-) Fortunately, that’s only 15 minutes. Andruw also almost fell over again after swinging at an outside pitch. Man, that’s one uncouth swing. When it works, though…Man, now I got porn music in my head! Thanks a lot, GHF…

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 09:49 PM | Link to this

It sure would be nice to get a foot of rain here, wind or no.

By geauxbraves2000

August 30, 2006 09:51 PM | Link to this

Good job so far y’all, guiding the Braves to a 5-2 lead with the Wick on deck.

Geaux Braves!!

By Glass Half Full

August 30, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this

If re-signing Wickman isn’t the top priority in the offseason after picking up Smoltz’s option, of course, I’m gonna go on a killing spree! I don’t wanna hear in February how BC and JS have alotta confidence in Ken Ray as the closer or that we’ve signed Reitsma to a multi-year deal.

By Glass Half Full

August 30, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this

Any chance the Braves will make a move before the 8/31 deadline?

By Glass Half Full

August 30, 2006 09:59 PM | Link to this

If we can keep pace with the Phillies until the weekend, that series is gonna be HUGE!

By Just For the Sake of Argument

August 30, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this

Whay make any moves? All day long y’all have been brimming with optimism yet again about how suddenly the Braves are the team to beat, and the Padres and Reds and Phillies are all shaking in the spikes over the resurgent Braves. Y’all need another cold dose of reality, like another visit from the mighty Pittsburgh Pirates.

I’ll check back in a few days, when a couple of losses will see you moaning and groaning that it’s over again and Bobby Cox should be fired.

By Glass Half Full

August 30, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this

Mierda!

By MEB

August 30, 2006 10:04 PM | Link to this

DOB… or anyone that has seen Wickman at Turner Field, what music do they play and what is the video theme when he enters the game?

By geauxbraves2000

August 30, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this

Life sure is good when you have a reliable closer! WTG Wickman! WTG Braves!!

Until then, nite all.

Geaux Braves!!

By Glass Half Full

August 30, 2006 10:15 PM | Link to this

Less than 24 hours before college football begins…I’ll actually be rooting for Miss. State against S. Carolina because of that nameless Gamecocks coach.

By Goat Horns

August 30, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this

“Halo” for Adam!

Big Red “S” for Andruw!

“Smiley Face” for Chuck.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this

Trade LaRoche now, while he’s still got some value! Morons.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 10:20 PM | Link to this

Have they all gone? Is it safe to venture out on the blog street, or are they waiting to pounce on our unsuspecting selves?

By Dog the Bounty Hunter

August 30, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this

You’re an idiot Lew.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this

That interview could’ve been beyond hilarious, though. Katie was standing there in a tight, hot pink shirt barely stretched over her ta-tas (which of course his eyes never left), and actually starts the interview by saying “I feel so special just standing here next to you, it seems like everything you touch lately just turns to gold.” If he would’ve just reached out and gave ‘em a honk (with a dub-over of one of those old bicycle horns) or turned to the camera and smiled (with a dub-over of some cheesy porn music) THAT would’ve been high comedy. Instead, we had to settle for pie.

By MEB

August 30, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this

I hope everyone got to see the post game interview with Adam LaRouche. Giles got him real good with a towel full of shaving cream. Poor Adam tried to continue answering questions with his eyes obviously burning. It truly was hilarious. Giles is the kind of player that gives this team personality. Put me on the side of making him our second baseman for a long time. Not to mention having LaRouche on first. GO BRAVES!!!

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 10:28 PM | Link to this

Lew, guess that answers your question. He’s been here all night, in various forms. All day, too; I imagine. However, more important things are at hand, like why doesn’t Wickman ever finish eating before coming to the mound? Anyone notice this? It’s like he’s got to keep a wad of jerky in there or something.

By MEB

August 30, 2006 10:29 PM | Link to this

Grinch… I will have to agree that Katie was looking marvelous indeed.

Lew… Trolls are still roaming free, its a shame.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 10:31 PM | Link to this

Grinch-I don’t know. I’m still trying to figure out why Hudson doesn’t eat a peanut butter sandwich in the fifth. It might give him enough energy to make it through the sixth.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 10:35 PM | Link to this

Junkies are never hungry, except when they’re re-habbing. He’d probably trade the sandwich to someone in the stands for a adderal.

By Miss Matha Met

August 30, 2006 10:37 PM | Link to this

Limited in many ways and socially maladjusted - is that you savant?

By Lew

August 30, 2006 10:39 PM | Link to this

Grinch-I guess. There are some children on the blog that need a good dose of Ritlin, though. Or maybe just send them back to the Cuckoo’s Nest and nail them with Thorazine.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this

The day any Mets fan needs to lecture anyone on social maladjustment is the day the earth ceases turning on it’s axis. Forget the Torazine. It’s a waste of good controlled substances. Try Raid or Black Flag instead. MEB-Not trolls, mosquitoes and gnats.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 10:44 PM | Link to this

It’s only one child (possibly two) and his travels are well documented. He also craves attention, which we are currently giving to him. We, alas, have no Thorazine (and if we did, I would probably take it myself). What is that Katie chick’s last name? I’m gonna google her and find out if she’s done anything naughty.

By Lew

August 30, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this

Grinch-Good luck. I’m outta here. I’m allergic to insects.

By Dog the Bounty Hunter

August 30, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this

You people are talking about their diet habits? Does that have anything to do with baseball? No, sorry, don’t think so. TALK BASEBALL.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this

if journalist does go to work in broadcasting jounalist will have to black journalist’s hair much like bob rathbun. where does bob rathbun go to have that shoe polish applied? and now, more on the homeboy topic … journalist today called sonny perdue’s office and asked for the homeboy to see if this term is considered a polite reference to a neighborhood friend. instead, a state patrol officer told jimmy smith sonny is no homeboy and instructed journalist not to call back. so, this journalistic research reveals that homeboy is not the preferred way to address the esteemed governor or john schuerholz. “in the field, gathering the news, in third person - journalist jimmy smith” (you read it first here - will maybe hear it soon on cbs). still negotiating day care for baby seal and pie with katie couric after the broadcast.

By No Talent journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

Oh the humanity!

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, probably Kiwi island.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this

Did Y’all see the headline on ESPN’s website: “Yanks’ Wang wins 16th in game 1.” Now, THAT’s an impressive team. Hee-hee!

By TennesseePaul

August 30, 2006 11:04 PM | Link to this

What a catch by Andruw! And Adam has his average up to .290! What a year he’s having. Way to go Bravos! Good game from Chuck James as well. That’s yet another quality start from that guy. It’s just good times to see the W on the schedule.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 11:08 PM | Link to this

Sad but true, 10Paul.

By journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 11:08 PM | Link to this

kiwi island is a good guess. journalist might have guessed it would be a fruity place. now, shoe polish sandwiches - “in the former soviet union, during the worst shortages of the 1980s, shoe polish sandwiches were used as a cheap way to get intoxicated, due to the shortage of alcohol. cheap shoe polish would be spread on a slice of bread and allowed to remain on there overnight. the next day, the polish would be scraped off, but the bread would have absorbed much of the alcohol and toxins in the bread. this would then be eaten. three slices would produce a very intoxicating effect that would take the person’s mind off the stark realities of life in the twilight hours of communism…” perhaps our demented blogger is consuming shoe polish sandwiches.

By Carolina Lady

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

Why is that guy so jeaous of jimmy smith??

By No Talent journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

Oh the humanity!

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 11:12 PM | Link to this

try ‘jealous’

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this

Yeah, I saw a video of Russian 10-year-olds shooting each other up on Ebaum’s world that may be one of the most depressing things I’ve ever seen. For that matter, my Russian history teacher at Ga. Southern was always drunk in class. One of the best teachers I ever had, though; maybe because I was frequently drunk too. :-)

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

Welcome back, CL! Glad to see the storm hasn’t swept you into the currents yet. Plenty of ice cream in case the power goes out? Get Jimmy to send you Virginia Madsen in case the melting turns into an eating frenzy…

By journalist jimmy smith

August 30, 2006 11:21 PM | Link to this

maybe that is shoe polish wickman removes from his mouth at the end of the game … would stain the teeth though. many regular bloggers are absent tonight. attribute that to the blogger hereafter known as “stinky”. since the blogger cannot arrive at a handle this journalist is glad to help. later, stinky.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this

That would make sense, Jimmy, especially considering Wickman doesn’t look like he would be physically capable of polishing his own shoes. Perhaps he freezes it first, so it doesn’t run and stain his teeth. He knows he’ll never be on the field longer than five minutes anyway.

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this

Hey, Grinch. Back doing better?

Ernesto isn’t a wind problem, but it seems that it, combined with a front that has stalled over is, will be a huge rain event. Just read some stuff from the weather people that says that the 3 southernmost coastal counties (Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender) can expect upwards of 12” of rain from being in the right (or NE) quadrant as the center of the storm comes in around Myrtle Beach. That concerns me. We need rain, but we don’t need all of it in 2 days! Well, we’ll see; those things are so unpredictable! It may wind up being nothing at all! :-))

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 11:30 PM | Link to this

Or maybe he gets “Off-white” color polish. If he were Russian, though, wouldn’t he be skinnier, or maybe now be able to afford vodka after 15+ years in the Big’s? Perhaps that’s what people who have little look like when they suddenly have plenty.

By flbravesgirl

August 30, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this

Try not to float away, CL! I had a few nervous days there wondering if Ernesto was going to hit close to my home while I’m away.

Another good game, wish I could have seen Andruw’s catch. Was it as impressive as they made it sound on radio?

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this

Yes, CL, a foot in two days might even be detrimental to my humble attempts at gardening. My fish would LOVE it, however. At this point, there are probably four or five really huge ones swimming around in what’s left. Good luck and safe wishes for you. My back is better, but still a concern. I have a chiropractic appt. Tuesday with a new person (I normally go once a month at least, but haven’t been since I moved up here in April). It’s my own stupid fault. I miss my Chiro in Statesboro, not only because she’s hot (and tiny, and I’m large, and she has to crawl all over me to make adjustments) but because she always knows what’s wrong and how to fix it. What if this one’s a moron? Or competent, but grossly overpriced? Blah!

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this

Hey, flbravesgirl! I was concerned for you down there. Glad all is well!

That catch was sensational! I’m really sorry you couldn’t see it! It’s bound to be replayed so maybe you can see it then.

(I’ve got the jon boat and extra fuel on hand…..just in case….) :-))))

By TennesseePaul

August 30, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this

There are so many teams within stabbing distance of the WC… I wonder how they’d set up a playoff if 5 teams tied.

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this

I’ve been going roughly once a month for about 17 years now…my problems always come when I feel too good and/or wait too long. I’ve beat myself up too much for that, ‘course you obviously know all about that sort of thing. Hey, FlBraves girl. His catch was one of the few moments of the game I actually missed; I can offer no help. Good to know you’re not swimming in the middle of the ocean, though…

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this

10Paul, they would obviously just award it to the Braves, because they’re the Braves. ‘nuff said. Really, though, I’m sure there’s a way to narrow it down mathematically so that scenario doesn’t happen. Ask HK tommorrow and I’m sure he’ll show you a chart. :-)

By flbravesgirl

August 30, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this

CL, I’ll get tomorrow’s game on TBS. I’m sure they’ll replay it. I’m actually in NE Georgia right now so it was a little scary seeing the initial forecast cone pointed right at Tampa Bay with no one home to shutter the windows.

Grinch, sorry to read you’ve been having a rough time lately( I’m just now getting caught up on the blog). Take care of that back.

By Carolina Lady

August 30, 2006 11:52 PM | Link to this

Almost midnight. What am I doing still up?? Will hate it when that clock goes off in the morning! :-)) Good night, everyone!

By The Grinch

August 30, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this

Thank you, dear, though I fear it happens to the best of us. CL, do what I do and don’t set it in the first place! Pleasant dreams. FLB (please excuse the shortening of your monikker, it gets old typing everything out after a while), I’m glad we can still be friends despite your living in Tampa. I have ONE friend from Tampa, and we get in a Bucs/Falcons, Thrashers/Lightning fight almost daily. He’s one of my best friends, though, even though I often want to kick his behind.

By flbravesgirl

August 31, 2006 12:06 AM | Link to this

Well, Grinch, we’ve already established that I have no interest in football and ,being a native Floridian, know virtually nothing about hockey. So you have nothing to argue about with me. I live down at the southern end of the bay, rather than in Tampa or St. Pete.

By TennesseePaul

August 31, 2006 12:16 AM | Link to this

Where has hk been lately? Need some graphs and charts to put this in perspective. Plus, I like to compare his to what I have. Oh well. Good game tonight Braves! Now, let’s get that no hitter for Smoltz tomorrow. Night every one.

By The Grinch

August 31, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this

You are hereby forgiven of your sins. In Nommine Patrus… Really, though, if you could be a fly on the wall when we get into it (telephone or God help us in person during a game) you’d think we were borne to slay one another. And on top of that, he’s bald. Ha! Take that, …well I’m not disingenuous enough to use his real name on the blog. I’m fixing to go take a scalding hot shower; my back is starting (or maybe finishing) to kill me. I’ll check back in a bit. Behave, if you’re gone upon my return, though from past experience conversing with you I have little real fear of you not behaving. :-)

By The Grinch

August 31, 2006 12:18 AM | Link to this

Night, Paul.

By flbravesgirl

August 31, 2006 12:34 AM | Link to this

Shouldn’t I be telling you to behave? ;-)

Goodnight, y’all.

By Head Coach

August 31, 2006 01:14 AM | Link to this

Somebody wake me up if this team gets to .500 , otherwise…… just leave me slumbering till April.

By The Grinch

August 31, 2006 01:36 AM | Link to this

Head Coach, I normally don’t bother you, or for that matter even talk all that much baseball, but is .500 all that matters to you, really? Keep in mind before I rant that I think the Braves have had a horrible year by their standards and have more holes than a Chinese chess-board. I never expected them to still be around, nor should they be. Someone else should have run away with the wild card. That said, keep in mind nobody has. By your reasoning, a dragster that spins its wheels the first half of the track and hauls a$$ the next shouldn’t mathematically be able to catch the car in the opposite lane that’s been running on two blown cylinders the whole time. Or vice-versa. It doesn’t matter if everyone else in the NL is 3-159, if the Braves are 4-158 at the end of the season. If you want to really shed some reality on the situation, say something like whoever wins the NL playoff race will lose to the AL in the WS, which is probably true, but at least base your argument on substance, not “Individual season performance.” Hell, the Braves have had great “Individual season performances” for 14 years running and it only got them squat once. You trying to tell me, as a Braves fan, that you wouldn’t trade a dominant regular season performance for them to suddenly get hot at the right time, which they’ve failed to do in forever? C’mon, man…

By Snowball's Chance

August 31, 2006 02:10 AM | Link to this

Just finished watching Oldboy. I thought my favorite movie China Town has some perversion in it. Not even close. I don’t think Journalist Bob should watch it. By the way, there is no squid scene. That is an octopus or as they call it in a sushi bar, Tako.

By The Grinch

August 31, 2006 02:31 AM | Link to this

Hey, Snowball, what is this film you speak of? I’m taking a break from watching “The Devil’s Rejects,” so it won’t likely offend me. I’m glad you like Tako Bell, too.

By The Grinch

August 31, 2006 02:32 AM | Link to this

:-)

By The Grinch

August 31, 2006 02:45 AM | Link to this

Cool. Back to the movie…

By Head Coach

August 31, 2006 06:31 AM | Link to this

Grinch , nobody wants me too be wrong more than me. I just refuse to get sucked into hoping against hope. My Bravos have been under .500 since June 4th and the September schedule is a whole lot tougher than this months is. This is about as optimistic as I can get : July 14-10 and August looks like 16-12. After tonight there are 30 games left of which 16 are against teams with a better record and the Braves will be lucky if they finish anywhere near .500

By dadgum

August 31, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this

As I have opined many times, I still feel the wild card is out of reach and will go to a team from the Central Div. It never has been about the number of games back but the number of teams we are behind. That still holds true. Now trust me I want to see the Braves pull this out mainly because they are on nobodys radar and are getting slammed repeatedly by pundits. If the Braves do pull a rabbit out of the hat, I will be the first on this blog to admit I was wrong in my prognostication but also happy I held onto hope. It appears it will get interesting.

By mark

August 31, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this

Yes Lew I have heard of this “modern technology” of which you speak. High speed access also sounds very familiar. You missed my point because you were to worried about defending yourself and thinking of a witty comeback. My point was that maybe people are brainstorming some affordable relievers who have talent. There is such a thing as a bad year and if a guy is young and has talent and you can get him at a good price, why not take a chance on him. Plenty of players have turned their careers around with new teams.

By KC

August 31, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this

dadgum:

If you’re saying that you don’t think the Braves will win the Wild Card… I can certainly understand that. But to say it’s “out of reach” seems like a tremendous overstatement at this point.

We’re only 3 games out in the loss column (again, the loss column is the most important thing to look at in a post-season race), and if the Braves win today (with Smoltz on the mound, you’ve got to like our chances) and the Padres lose, we can move to within 2 games in the loss column. This is not out of reach by any stretch of the imagination.

By Lew

August 31, 2006 09:23 AM | Link to this

Mark-Why brainstorm about deals that make absolutely no sense whatsoever. I can rifff of the top of my head, too, but figure in terms of baseball that it is pointless. I am not defending anything, I’m answering your questions about how I came up with thew stats. Try it sometime. Being informed could only help you and the others. Who cares if they are affordable if they are no better than what we are already losing with? That is one of the worst justifications for a point of view that I’ve ever heard. However, I guess since others here have said it, I just know everything. Whatever.

By Lew

August 31, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this

Oh Yeah, Rudy Seanez is not young.

By KC

August 31, 2006 11:33 AM | Link to this

Do the Braves have a shot at the Wild Card? Definitely.

Here are the (real) Wild Card threats to the Braves chances:

1 – Houston: They’re hot right now because (with the exception of their 1-0 victory last night) their bats have heated up of late. Prior to their last game, the Astros had scored 7.5 runs per game over a 6 game stretch. That won’t continue. This is a weak hitting team, and I’m not sure they can generate enough offense to play .650-.700 baseball the rest of the way. But you never know. I certainly wouldn’t take them lightly.

2 – Philadelphia: Amazingly, they are hitting much better without Abreu than they were with him. The Phillies are scoring runs at an impressive clip. The way their playing, they’ve certainly got to be considered one of the top threats to win the WC, but once again, I’m not sure the pitching is there to carry them the rest of the way.

3 - San Diego: This is also a relatively weak hitting team. They struggle to score runs for the most part, and don’t have the starting pitching of teams like the Astros and Braves. I don’t think they have what it takes to stay atop the Wild Card standings for long.

4 - Florida: Gerardi has done an amazing job with these kids. In the end, I think they’re a mediocre offensive team, and an obviously inexperienced team. They’re good, but I think there are a few teams that are better in this WC chase.

5 – Cincinnati They simply don’t have the pitching to pull this out. Aroyo and Harang have had good seasons, but that’s not going to be enough to get it done.

Since the All-star break, the Braves have led the NL in team batting average at .281, and are second only the Phillies in runs scored since the break. They’ve been a good hitting team all year. The difference now is that Tim Hudson and C.James are coming through for us. Even Villareal chipped in two great starts. If Kyle Davies can give this rotation a lift, and my gut feeling (for whatever it’s worth) is that he will… Atlanta’s starting pitching will be as good as any in the league (rivaled only by the Astros).

If the Braves can overcome their weakness in the middle relief department for another week or two until Baez returns, I think we’ll be fine. Even with Baez, the Braves still lack depth in the bullpen, but they should have enough to get by as long as the starters are doing their jobs. If we’re got starters giving us 6-7 strong innings most of the time, and then Baez and Wickman for the 8th/9th innings… the Braves can continue to win even with thin middle relief. Especially when the offense is scoring runs.

In the end, I think the Braves starting pitching is as good as any in the league. The offense and defense are as good as any, and we’re solid at the end of the game with Wickman and Baez (when he returns). Provided that the Braves continue to perform as they are capable, and we don’t have any more significant injuries… I think the Braves have what it takes to pass a pack of competitors with far more glaring weaknesses.

By TennesseePaul

August 31, 2006 11:40 AM | Link to this

Not long after the Red Sox sent 22-year-old left-hander Jon Lester back to Boston to be evaluated by club medical officials, sources indicated that one of the club’s most promising players is dealing with more than just a bad back. Among the possibilities: Lester has cancer.

The AJ for Lester and Coco trade could have turned into the biggest bust of this centry if Lester tests positive for cancer. Sure hope he doesn’t for his sake, but I’m very pleased on yet another level that AJ wasn’t traded for Lester.

By KC

August 31, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this

Keep in mind also that while we’re 4 games out overall… we’re only 3 back in the loss column, and that’s what you have to look at in a pennant or WC race.

By John Adcox

August 31, 2006 11:46 AM | Link to this

Hey, KC:

Thanks for that! That’s a terrific, insightful, and well reasoned argument. Man, how big is that Philly series looking now? I can’t remember the last time I was this pumped for an August/September showdown.

To be honest, I’m more worried about the Astros than the Phillies, if only because of pitching. I honestly feel that the Braves can score enough to take 3 this weekend, assuming the weather holds, and the starters, especialy Davies on Saturday, can go long enough to spare exposing the bullpen before we can get to Wickman.

Hey, anyone hear anything about Baez’s progress?

John

By Lew

August 31, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

KC-You’re right. We still have a chance, especially if the starters keep up the better work. However, des[ite the points you make on the other teams (and they are valid points, for sure), I’m concerned about the number of teams ahead of us. Philly is playing well and so are the Marlins. Houston would be more of a threat in the playoffs than the rest of the season, just because with Clemens, Petite and Oswalt you know they could put a three game streak together easily. If the Central division keeps playing .500 agaist each other, it will be real tough for us unless we go on an extended streak. It is also essential we take out our own division the rest of the way. This series in Philadelphia this weekend is do or die. If we lose the series I think we are done for good.

By ncscoots

August 31, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this

Lew, you won’t see Houston in the playoffs, if your premise is that the Braves win the wild card. Unless you think the Astros will come from 6 back to beat both STL and Cincy for the division. Nor will you see Florida, Philly, or Cincy. So you come down to STL or Cincy, Mets, and SD or LA, and frankly none of those pitching staffs inspire playoff fear.

By KC

August 31, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this

John A. and Lew:

I agree that our upcoming games against Phili are more than huge. We hae 7 games remaining against them all together. We’ve got to win at least 4 or 5 of them. Unfortunately, it looks like we’ll be seeing both Myers and Hamels in this series, while Smoltz and James will both miss the series for Atlanta. This will be a big chance for Davies and Villareal to step up.

This series will also be another test of whether or not we can count on Hudson as a true ace right now, as he will probably be matched up against Hamels on Monday. Hamels is young and struggles with consistency issues, but when he’s on (and he has been more often than not lately) he’s as tough to hit as anyone in baseball. But actually… come to think of it, Hudson out-dueled Hamels a couple of weeks ago in Atlanta. Maybe he can do it again. This Phili series is scary because there’s so much at stake, but if we could find a way to take 3 of 4 in this series… that would bode extremely well for Atlanta. And with James and Smoltz lined up for the following series in NY, hopefully we could keep some momentum going. Here’s hoping.

Lew: For sure, I’m concerned about all 5 of the teams that I mentioned. Frankly, if Kyle Davies pitches well and we can get Baez healthy soon… I think the Braves are the best team in this race. However, a team can definitely over-perform for 20-30 games. So even a team with glaring weaknesses can be a serious threat with this little season (30 games or so) left to play.

By Lew

August 31, 2006 12:13 PM | Link to this

Scoots-This is true -you were right to point this out. I really meant I’m more concerned about them in general than some of the rest. They can make a big difference in the Central. The problem about having so many teams ahead of us, with several in the other division, means that someone will stay even with you if you win and someone will always gain on you if you lose. Such is the case with the central. With St. Louis, Cincinnati and the Astros playing each other, every bad scenario for the Braves will probably happen on a nightly basis. TenPaul-On the Lester situation-I, too, hope he is cancer free. However, he was not included in the deal proposed by Boston. JS added his name and was cut off at the knees. The Sox offered Crisp and Hansen. I just got my copy of Chop Talk. There was an interesting interview with LaRoche. He has started to take Ritalin for his adult ADD. Funny, it corresponds to his surge as an incredible hitting talent. Ain’t moddern pharmacology grand?

By John Hoar

August 31, 2006 12:16 PM | Link to this

OK Tennesse Pal and HK, I need your help on something. I haven’t posted in a couple of months because everyone was already posting whatever needed to be said. However, I haven’t heard anyone talking about the remaining schedule for ALL the teams with much of a chance of winning the wild card.

 So last night I looked at the remaining games for any team four games or less out of the wild card lead. I placed any game against a team less than four out as a "hard game" and any game against Washington, Cubs or Pirates as an easy game. 

 My results showed that the Marlins with 23 hard games and no easy games were probably going to be out of it. On the other hand the Reds had the easiest schedule with 16 hard games and thirteen easy ones. Subtract the easy from the hard and you came up with a total of three that they stood a real good chance of losing whereas with the Marlins the number was twenty three that they had a real good chance of losing. Add in the fact that the Reds are three games ahead of the Braves is significant too. 

 The rest of the teams were pretty close in hard and easy games and not so clear cut as the Marlin and Reds numbers. 

 I know that there are a lot of variables like who's hot, who's got or not got starting pitching, who's injured etc, but I thought this was a valid approach to try and evaluate the remaining schedule. It certainly doesn't look like the Braves are out of it. Probably as much chance of winning it as anyone IF they go on a streak.

The one that really bothers me is the Reds schedule. Would someone who knows alot more than I take a look at this aspect and give us an opinion?

By John Hoar

August 31, 2006 12:23 PM | Link to this

Very sorry about how my posts format and print out. Probalby not important enough to retype or expect anyone to be able to read. I’ll just keep on reading y’all.

By Lew

August 31, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this

KC-I think it will all come down to one thing for the Braves-starting pitching. The Braves starters must start to average 7 innings per start. Our bullpen (especially with Baez out) is way too weak to be pitching 3-4 innings on a nightly or 3 out of 4 game basis. This way lies true disaster. James start last night was indicative of what we need through the rest of the year. Hudson seriously need to look at whatever might give him the strength to make it through the 7th. Maybe he needs peanut butter or another high energy food around the 4th or 5th inning to help brace his strength. He can’t keep pitching 5 1/3 or 6 innings and espect the bullpen to hold up. A strong Kyle Davies will definitely be a plus. Does anyone know what the prognosis on Horacio is? Villarreal has helped immensely, but that last start was not confidence inspiring.

By Snowball's Chance

August 31, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this

Grinch, DOB recommended “Oldboy” a while ago. Maybe when your computer was down. Good recommendation.

I have been “watching” the games on gamecast. Not very exciting. I didn’t know about AJ’s catch until sportscenter. Did Chuck James yell “I’M CHUCK JAMES, BI….arry” when he nearly got him between the numbers? The player’s do read the blog.

By Lew

August 31, 2006 12:35 PM | Link to this

John-Good stats, if a bit hard to read. Cincinnati has 6 against the Padres, 3 with SF, 5 with Pittsburg, 7 with Cubs, 3 with Houston, 3 with the Marlins. About 50-50 hard/easier.

By KC

August 31, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Lew:

I don’t think there is a prognosis on Horacio yet. I think they’re going to test his hand out soon, and they’ll know more then. Right now I believe the official word is: he may or may not return by the end of the season. It will just depend on the progress of his recovery. The recovery time for this type of thing is apparently not as easy to predict as many other injuries. sure would be huge to get him back for the last couple weeks of the season.

By Snowball's Chance

August 31, 2006 12:41 PM | Link to this

Lew, you are right about about Hudson needing a lift. Peanut butter sounds good. Pie sounds better. How about peanut butter pie. Recipe to follow.

By Snowball's Chance

August 31, 2006 12:59 PM | Link to this

Tim Hudson’s Pick Me Up Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients 1 cups heavy whipping cream 1/4 cup sugar 8 ounces cream cheese 1 cup crunchy peanut butter 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 chocolate cookie crust, store-bought or premade semi- sweet chcolate chips strong coffee

Instructions Whip cream with 1/4 cup sugar. Mix all other ingredients until smooth and fold in whipped cream until well blended. Pour mixture into a chocolate cookie crust and chill for several hours before serving. Melt some semi- sweet chocolate chips with enough strong coffee to make a pourable mixture and pour it over the pie. It’s up to you how many chips to use.Chill until chocolate sets. Do not serve before sixth inning or Wickman and Andruw will eat it all.

By ncscoots

August 31, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this

Lew, you’re right about the Central playing each other (good news and bad news every night). There’s really only one way to get by that, and that’s win a bunch…I mean, a bunch! Rip off 20 wins in September, and you’ll WANT those guys beating each other’s brains in.

By KC

August 31, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this

Tim Hudson has averaged 6-2/3 innings per start in August. That means he’s pitching well into the 7th inning most nights. That’s not great, but certainly not bad. It’s not as though they’re having to pull him in the 5th or 6 th inning.

By ncscoots

August 31, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this

Andruw: “I’ve made better plays”. It sometimes is frightening how run-of-the-mill their skills seem to athletes like this guy. And maybe he’s right, he certainly made it look as if he had it all the way. No pause at the wall, no hand back feeling for the wall, nothing. Run to a spot, make the leap, get the ball, fire to first. No wasted motion, no theatrics. One…two…three. Out. “I’ve made better plays.” sheesh.

By LeTwan Anthony

August 31, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

LeTwan was heartened by the nice pie recipe from Snowball’s Chance. Not since the spring when we were talking about needing a bullpen have we seen a proper pie recipe. LeTwan posted one of Mama’s recipes at the time and received many favorable comments from those who tried it.

By mike

August 31, 2006 01:52 PM | Link to this

Last wild-card hope Davies? The one with the 6+ era? The giving up more than a hit an inning? Are you ready for some football?

By DonCoburleone

August 31, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this

Come on guys, I try and be as optimistic as possible but lets get real here. Every freakin’ little winning streak it’s the same thing. “Our starting pitching is one of the strongest in the NL, our offense is great, our bullpen is mediocre but if only we had had Wickman all year!” As soon as anything even remotely close to a winning streak happens, everybody jumps right on the you-know-what. Well, I’m here to burst all bubbles.

Our starting pitching, 4 out of 5 days, is no better than Cincinatti, San Diego, Colorado, Florida, Arizona, and certainly Houston. Even if you throw Smoltz in there, I could make an argument for Arizona, Florida, and Houston having a better starting 5 than the Braves. Go ahead and argue, you won’t change my mind. Our bullpen is worse than EVERY team in the wild card chase with the exception of Milwaukee (probably about equal to Arizona and Philadelphia). The offense is extremely streaky and as soon as we see a rookie we’ve never seen before it’s light’s out. The offense is hot again and the Braves are winning, so please no more building up the starting pitching (especially Hudson)… Uuuhhh, now I mentioned Hudson and I have to go off on him. HE SUCKS!!! GET BACK ON THE SPEED CUZ YOU HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO STAMINA ANYMORE!!! I mean damn, handed a f%$#ing 6 or 8 run lead whatever the hell it was and he still allows the Giants to get back in the game. That is just unacceptable! Ahhhh, I’m calming down now, just need to remember Smoltz is throwing tonight… Ahhhh, calm…

By Carolina Lady

August 31, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this

Somebody send me some waterproof pie. It’s pouring!

By mark

August 31, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this

Lew- once again your points are lost in insults. It is obvious that any opinion on this blog that differs from yours can only be seen as moronic and stupid. I can’t even imagine how frustrating it must be for someone like yourself to get on a Braves blog and read everyone’s mindless dribble and pathetic attempts to actually offer their own opinions on how they think the Braves can get better. Some people don’t have the time to completely engulf themselves in everything going on in the Braves organization from top to bottom, or care to. Maybe you should post a blog asking anyone who has not done their proper research to not waste their, or more importantly YOUR time.

By mark

August 31, 2006 02:16 PM | Link to this

Oh and by the way, we don’t need you to point out that you know everything, that’s painfully obvious.

By David O'Brien

August 31, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

New blog posted.

oh, and … Virginia Madsen

By chopper

August 31, 2006 02:30 PM | Link to this

I just got on and read all this fussing so I had to start reading for myself. I have to say Lew that it appears to be true. You have some good points but you tend to just bash and insult everyone who doesn’t share your way of thinking. While I don’t agree with a lot of the other points people were making I’m not sure I would have gone to the extremes you did. Whatever dude! Smile it’s almost the weekend, things will better next week!

By KC

August 31, 2006 02:32 PM | Link to this

DonC:

Okay… well as you said, I’m sure I won’t change your mind, but just wanted to address a couple of the things you said.

First of all, I can’t speak for everyone, but anyone who thinks I’m optimistic about the Braves chances because of one 4 game win streak, hasn’t read any of my posts over the last 3 months. I have thought a great deal of the talent on this Atlanta roster all season long. I have felt all year that the Braves had the ability to play into October.

For the Braves to be sitting where they are in the standings right now (with a sub-500) record, is a monumental feat of underachievement. But the difference between a team that has underachieved and a truly mediocre team is that one is capable of much more… and the other is not. I have been waiting for the Braves to play to their potential all season. Are they finally starting to do it? We’ll see. It’ll take more than 4 games to convince me of that, but it’s looking good so far.

You’re criticism is without merit or any factual basis. The fact of the matter is that the Braves are 3rd in the league in both batting average and runs scored. Since the all-star break, we are 1st in batting avg, and 2nd in runs scored. Spin that any way you want, but the Braves score runs. The Braves are also one of the best defensive teams in baseball. Tell me I’m wrong.

Tim Hudson has pitched very well in the month of August… just as he has in each of the last 7 years. Please don’t quote any of his season-to-date numbers. We all know he’s had a lousy season on a whole. The point is that he’s back to pitching like Tim Hudson now, and that’s what counts.

And all this praise for the Marlins rotation is making me sick. Josh Johnson is the real deal. You can’t say enough about him. After that you have the infinitely overrated Dontrelle Willis (9-10, 4.01 ERA), Scott Olson (4.24 ERA), and Ricky Nalasco (4.75 ERA).

And the Reds rotation????? What are you smoking Don??? Aroyo (3.52 ERA) and Harang (3.75 ERA) have had good seasons. But neither are “aces”, and after that… ouch. Their 3rd and 4th starters (Milton and Ramirez) both have ERA’s of over 5.00!!!

I won’t even get into comparing the rotations of the other teams you mentioned. All I can say is that you’ve just gotta open your eyes man. If Davies is half way decent in his return…granted we don’t know that yet, but if he is… the Braves will have as good a rotation as any in the league (rivaled only by Houston)… period.

By TennesseePaul

August 31, 2006 02:38 PM | Link to this

So, based solely on the current team record, not on recent success or failure, here is the break down.
The Phillies 0. The Reds 6. The Braves and Giants 12. Houston 19. Florida 20.

Now, when looking at the recent records…
Then the order goes like this: Giants 9. Padres 13. Braves 18. Florida and Arizona 20. Houston and the Reds 22. The Phillies 23.

So the Giants are the ones with the easiest schedule all around. They should be hitting some sub .500 teams in a rut. The Phillies are hitting a ton of hot teams. The Braves schedule is pretty even. They have their work cut out for them. One game at a time Bravos. Win tonight. Worry about tomorrow, tomorrow.

By Lew

August 31, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this

Mark-You’re right about one thing. Your posts ARE mindless dribble(BTW that’s DRIVEL) and no longer require any response from me or any other sentient being. Sorry you have a problem with me, but guess what? It’s YOUR problem. Get over it.

By Snowball's Chance

August 31, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

LeTwan, Glad you liked the pie recipe. The actual recipe is in a drawer somewhere so I adapted one off the net. Checking back over what I posted I never use that much sugar. I think 3/4 cup or less is fine. Mrs. Snowball is a pie chef extraordinaire. Her pies fetch hundreds of dollars at charity functions. But she doesn’t like peanut butter or chocolate. I had to come up with this one.

By David

August 31, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this

Well, looks like the Braves have caught fire!!! Aint it Great! The way that the Braves are performing now is exactly how they should have performed the entire year. They are certainly playing with a sense of urgency knowing that one loss will almost get them kicked out of the playoff race. What’s interesting about the Braves right now is that I think that the Braves fortunes for making the playoffs will hinge on how well Kyle Davies performs as he is inserted back into the lineup. If Kyle pitches lights out as he has in the past—-and the Braves can reel off, say, about 10 more wins in a row—the Braves will own the wild card position and their fate will rest entirely in their hands. I will go on record and make one prediction—-that if the Braves get into the playoffs as a wild-card participant, they will WIN THE WORLD SERIES EASILY!!! The Braves certainly don’t have any chance of winning their division—-the division run of 14 straight is over by the way—-but as far their chance of winning a world series, that opportunity is still in tact, and if the Braves continue to win and make the playoffs, they will not be stopped and they will bring home the World Series Championship just as they did in 1995. Go Braves!

By Canuckbravesfan

September 1, 2006 12:37 AM | Link to this

Does anyone know what has happened with Phil Stockman ??? I can’t believe a strained hamstring on June 24 has kept him out for over 2 months.

By Kingofqueens

September 1, 2006 02:24 AM | Link to this

David…what are you smoking? If the Braves are lucky enough to win the WC and get through the first round they’re gonna have to play the team with best record in the National League…THE NEW YORK METS!!! Just break out your Falcons or Dawgs jersey because that’s all you’ll be hearing about in October.

Braves in the playoffs? Not this year…not gonna happen.

LETS GO METS!!

By N****

September 1, 2006 02:45 AM | Link to this

get your mind off your mama’s poonanny pie LeTwan Anthony, you pervert!

By David

September 2, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this

John Smoltz is a great pitcher—there is no doubt about that! But baseball is a business and Smoltz does not make business decisions about the team. That is the job of Time Warner/AOL and John Shuerholtz; and I think they have done a fantastic job up to this point! 14 division championships in 14 years. That looks like a 1,000 batting average to me. You can’t blame Shuerholtz for the demise of the Braves. You can’t blame Bobby Cox—-Bobby is a genius for getting more out of less with such a pathetic roster. Like the great words of former Brave David Justice-What the Braves need now is for the fans to get fired up about their time, and for the fans to get behind the Braves and cheer them on to victory! Sure the Braves have lost their grip on the steering wheel of division championships, no doubt, but the wild-card is still up for grabs and I see no reason on earth why the Braves can’t get the wild-card position sewed up after the stretch run is over. Why, there are only about 20-something odd games left and if the Braves win their majority of them, get over .500 and play solid baseball, the Braves should win the wild-card and have a great chance of winning a world series. I’m hoping that the Braves go on to win the world series this year so that a great majority of those stupid fans who keep saying wait till next year will choke on their words.

By KC

September 5, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

(http://www.barney.com/usa/index.html)

By KC

September 5, 2006 03:23 PM | Link to this

[http://www.barney.com/usa/index.html]