AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USGoing to be a looong couple days at the ‘yard
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Help! Worst fears are starting to be realized with that annoying Ernesto having wiped out tonight’s series opener between the Braves and Phillies.
Because now, we’re looking at the distinct possibility of playing doubleheaders both Saturday and Sunday at Citizens Bank Park. Fortunately, there’s plenty of TVs here in the pressbox to watch college football between likely rain delays.
Nothing like spending a nasty, gray, 14-hour day in a Philadelphia pressbox with ink-stained wretches from the City of Brotherly Cheesesteaks.
There already was a scheduled DH Saturday, as most of you know, a makeup of an earlier rainout. Now, they’re going to try to compress this four-game series into two days. And that just ain’t right. Man is not meant to sit through two doubleheaders in two days, and write state-edition deadline game stories after the opener of said doubleheaders, then combined two-game stories after the nightcaps.
The Phillies want to get three gates out of four games _ like every other team would, sad to say; money rules such decisions _ it means one of the doubleheaders must be a split (separate admission for each game) doubleheader.
In other words, they’re not going to sacrifice two games which is what would happen if they played old-school straight doubleheaders both days, charging one admission for each pair of games.
Officially, they’re going to try for a split DH at 1 p.m and 7 p.m. Saturday, in which case they could then play a straight DH starting at 1 p.m. Sunday.
But if weather’s as bad as forecast calls for Saturday morning, the Phillies can only hope it’s out by early afternoon and then they could play a straight DH tomorrow beginning probably around 5 p.m.
In that scenario, the teams would then have to play a split DH Sunday, again at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Here’s the pertinent pitching info: Villarreal and Davies, in that order, are scheduled to start Saturday against Phillies’ Jon Lieber (6-9, 5.09) and RHP Scott Mathieson (1-4, 7.23).
Sunday, Braves plan to start Hudson and Cormier, in that order, against LHP Jamie Moyer (7-13, 4.50) and someone to be named tomorrow.
This is all by-the-seat-of-their-pants to a certain degree, because everything hinges on weather. If they only get three games in, Braves would come back here to play Sept. 25 on an off day after series in Colorado.
The Braves obviously don’t want to do that, and they’re in luck because MLB always wants teams to try to get games in as soon as possible _ simply because you never know what’ll happen between now and Sept. 25.
If either or both team has another rainout, they might need that date to make it up.
Long story short: We’re gonna be out here a LONG time Saturday and Sunday.
Oh, and Daryle Ward wasn’t here this afternoon, but his new unis arrived, and they’re almost as big as Wickman. “He’s a big boy,” Brian Jordan said of one-time Dodgers teammate Ward, who was stuck in traffic somewhere between here and D.C. in the storm this afternoon.
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Comments
By MEB
September 1, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady… Please get in touch with the blog as we need to know whats up.
This sounds like its going to be a long, long weekend thanks to Ernesto. GO RAVES!!!
By Zimmerman
September 1, 2006 05:57 PM | Link to this
And it’s a hard
And it’s a hard
And it’s a hard
And it a harrrrrrrrrrd
It’s a hard rainnnnnnnn’s a-gonna fall.
By David O'Brien
September 1, 2006 06:00 PM | Link to this
OK, that blog was really vanilla and kinda sucked. So I wrote it again. It’s slightly better now.
By TennesseePaul
September 1, 2006 06:01 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the update DOB. Though, I’d still rather be at a ball park with no game going than sitting in a bland cubicle working on my carpal-tunnel. “Corporate accounts payable, please hold.” “Corporate accounts payable, please hold.” “Corporate accounts payable, please hold.” …
By David O'Brien
September 1, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this
Good point, TennPaul. I’ll shut up complaining.
By David O'Brien
September 1, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this
I’d rather be at a balllpark working on my carpal tunnel than doing it in an office anytime.
By TennesseePaul
September 1, 2006 06:07 PM | Link to this
Let me ask you something, if you ever come in to work on a Monday and look down, does anyone ever come up to you and say: ‘Looks like somebody has a case of the Mondays?’
No. eh, No. No! You know, I believe a man would get his @ss beat if he said a thing like that.
By Ptown Bravo
September 1, 2006 06:10 PM | Link to this
Mr. O’Brien, this may be the one weekend out of the season I am NOT envious of your job. Eighty-eight with 17% humdity here. Buddy Guy and Blue Heron Pale Ale. Work stops….now.
Your forecast is looking like a straight DH tomorrow.. Later the better, if you don’t mind - I’ll be at Ducks v Stanford tomorrow and would love to see at least Game 2 tomorrow night. Hope you’ve got a duffel bag of music with you. BTW, does Philadelphia smell better with standing water, or worse? Is Skip on this trip? I’ll bet he’s going nuts if he is.
By GARY
September 1, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this
A few days ago the optomist side of me said in this blog that the Braves would still be in the wild card running if they could win 10 in a row. I also said they would have to have VERY TIMELY CLUTCH HITTING. The media’s new darling Adam LaRoche although has had a good second half of the season, is still not hitting a 300avg. Striking out with the base’s loaded and with the game on the line and knowing the importance of every game against of all people, Mike Stanton IS NOT TIMELY CLUTCH HITTING. This team has to fight and scratch with no bullpen blow-ups and timely clutch hitting. Anything else and wait until next year. 2 out of 3 ain’t gonna get it.
By Goat Horns
September 1, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this
One each for Smoltz, Chipper, and Adam.
Another “Dunce Cap” for Frenchy.
By TennesseePaul
September 1, 2006 06:27 PM | Link to this
Gary: My hopes and asperations for this season have dimmed over the course of time. The Post Season keeps slipping off into the distance. My goals are mainly set at this team getting up to and hopefully above .500. Having said all that, to put a positive light on things, how about looking at it as 4 out of 5? The Braves scored 6 runs yesterday. The chances of a post season run rest squarely on the starters and relievers.
By David O'Brien
September 1, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this
PTown, I hate you for your weather, wherever you are.
TennPaul, no, no one ever says “Looks like you have a case of the Mondays” at a ballpark. Ever.
Standing water is OK in Philly only because it’s not the usual 95 and humid. It’s only about 75. So the stankonia isn’t apparent.
Yes, Skip’s on the trip. No, he hasn’t taken a hostage. Yet.
By Peter
September 1, 2006 06:31 PM | Link to this
I’d rather be at a balllpark working on my carpal tunnel than doing it in an office anytime.
“That depends on what your definition of “it” is”
Sorry, couln’t resist.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 1, 2006 06:41 PM | Link to this
journalist jimmy smith has tried to reach carolina lady but was unsuccessful. it is rumored that she tried to ride out on the inoperative john deere. journalist is optimistic we will hear from carolina lady soon. now, baseball trade . . , daryle ward was not caught in traffic - he was caught in a diner eating pie. journalist interviewed him and he said, “i can’t wait to play for bobbycox”. then he said, “anyone would want to play for this organization.” then he said he couldn’t believe what a weak bench the team has and that he can hit more than the “p” players combined. then, he ate more pie.
By TennesseePaul
September 1, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
7 Game streaks: 1
6 Game streaks: 2
4 Game streaks: 2
3 Game streaks: 5
Total: 10 Streaks of scoring 5+ runs a game in consecutive games. For a combined total of 41 games.
Now, this doesn’t include the times when we’ve scored 5+ in 2 or more, lost a game, then scored 5+ again in 2 or more. We’ve done that 9 times. The offense is there to get on a winning streak. The pitching hasn’t been. 66 games played with scoring 5+ in a game. 21 of those are loses. 9 of those loses were by 1 run.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 1, 2006 06:47 PM | Link to this
dob, is the old journalist on this trip? it is best not to put him away wet. lew has arranged for a cheese sampler to be waiting at the hotel desk. remember to ask for it - goes with the wurlitzer.
By TennesseePaul
September 1, 2006 06:52 PM | Link to this
That movie is stuck in my head now. No game tonight. I know what I’m doing.
Then I realized that each day of my life is worse than the previous day. So every day that you see me is on the worst day of my life.
So today is the worst day of your life?
Yes.
Wow, that’s messed up.
By Head Coach
September 1, 2006 06:57 PM | Link to this
Grand Forks , North Dakota 71 and sunny , lol. Ya’ll enjoy the rain
By Glass Half Full
September 1, 2006 06:59 PM | Link to this
Too bad about the Braves game. Looks like Fresno St. v. Nevada is the only option.
By Head Coach
September 1, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this
O Yea , DOB. If sunday is a double header is it safe too assume that TBS will broadcast both games or am I paranoid , lol ?
By Glass Half Full
September 1, 2006 07:01 PM | Link to this
With 2 double-headers sounds like a good chance we’ll plenty of Prado, Pena, and Aybar.
By Glass Half Full
September 1, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this
That should be “see plenty”
By Glass Half Full
September 1, 2006 07:03 PM | Link to this
Will MLB and ESPN let another game be broadcasted nationally on Sunday night?
By dustin
September 1, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this
GO BRAVES!!! man i wish we would of been beating the teams we should of been sweeping, now we got some tough games coming up…and the braves have got to win at least 20 out of there last 30 to have a chance at the playoffs!!
By Carolina Lady
September 1, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this
Hello, world! Got power back and the water (14”+ of rain) is receding. Trying to clean the yard from a few tons of debris. Naturally John Deere has failed me again; the blade will not engage. That was the last straw! It is headed for the scrap heap! >:-(
Thanks for caring. It’s good to know that there are good people in this world. :-)
By Lew
September 1, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this
DOB-Just remember that a cheesesteak with Chhese Whiz is NOT a rasl Philly Cheese steak, no matter what they try to tell you. I’ve been emailing Carolina Lady and have received no reply since 10 last night when she mentioned flickering lights and putting pontoons on Mom’s wheel chair. There are reports of power outages and is likely the reason for no communication. Journalist Jimmy-The Yaks got to the cheese sampler. Wouldn’t even share it with the Musk Oxen. DOB is out of luck and must settle for Philly Cheese Steaks. He will muddle through.
By Lew
September 1, 2006 07:24 PM | Link to this
That was supposed to be a real Philly cheese steak. 68 and Sunny in Randolph, Vt. We get the rain on Sunday with a high of 56-cold and gray. Hey Ma’am-Glad you’re back, if somewhat waterlogged.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 1, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this
the rumors were right! carolina tried to ride to safety on the john deere but the propeller would not engage. now, the john deere is going to be scrapped. go for a troy-bilt next time, carolina lady. lowe’s has them. have it delivered to your door. remember to add oil before cranking! now, it does seem dob should be able to find a good cheese steak in philadelphia. too bad the cheese sampler is spoiled. we’ll have a sampler waiting for dob in milwaukee next season. there is plenty of cheese in milawaukee - beer, too.
By David O'Brien
September 1, 2006 07:42 PM | Link to this
I have no idea on Sunday TV. Man, this whole thing is SO UNORGANIZED. No press releases, no nothing. But Bobby assured me they’re going to try to play two doubleheaders, and no one is going to lie to ‘ol Bobby, are they.
As for TV, there are all kinds of restrictions, as you know, because of the national exclusivity. I just don’t know yet, whether we’ll play two Sunday, whether both will be shown … or whether I’ll find a Virginia Madseon on the streets of Philly.
By Carolina Lady
September 1, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this
David, be careful of what you find on the streets!! :-))
By journalist jimmy smith
September 1, 2006 07:56 PM | Link to this
try baskin robbins or the dairy queen …
By journalist jimmy smith
September 1, 2006 07:59 PM | Link to this
also, tell her you are packing a wurlitzer.
By Chuck
September 1, 2006 08:04 PM | Link to this
Thanks David!! The atlantabraves.com site is so slow to update info. I saw the PHL radar earlier today…looks ugly for the next 16 hrs.
Guess I’ll keep up with GAHS football reports tonight instead. The Braves need to start another streak and unfortunately doubleheaders aren’t very conducive to such…but you never know with our hot bats.
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this
Howdy, All! I’ve been sitting in Atlanta traffic on and off for the last six hours or so with a bad (but better) back. Does wonders for the mood. Glad to see you back among the living, CL; though no fun about the mower. My Toro Wheel Horse has been going strong for about ten years now, and the International Cub Cadet has good things going for it. Don’t know what size you need, though; those are both in the 14 HP 48” range. Dave, I highly reccommend staying off the streets up there; the fans are the rudest in sports and they’re the best people in town.Does the AJC provide you with an entourage now that you’ve won the Wurlitzer?
By Head Coach
September 1, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this
Thanks , DOB. I just looked at the Braves home page schedule and all the games are blacked out nationally for the weekend. TBS is sucking A.S.S. this Labor day weekend , although mondays game against the Mets is televised on T.B.S( Total Bull**Station).
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 08:30 PM | Link to this
Good thing college football’s starting up, no?
By SaltyDog55
September 1, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this
Ptown Bravo Are you a Duck? Have a son out there…well, in a few more weeks when school starts up.
By SaltyDog55
September 1, 2006 08:36 PM | Link to this
CLady So glad you’re safe. Plenty of ice cream left…nothing used for flotation, hopefully?
By Carolina Lady
September 1, 2006 08:53 PM | Link to this
Hey, Salty! Many thanks! I’m thinking an ice cream party will be in order soon! Very soon. :-))
By Head Coach
September 1, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this
One more thing. I don’t claim to be the most intelligent blogger here but , the fact that the Braves are carrying 14 pitchers of which 4 are true starters and they will be playing 7 games in the next 5 days is well…….. a trainwreck about to happen. Somebody in the clubhouse better wake the hell up and call Richmond for reinforcements.
By MBATL
September 1, 2006 09:00 PM | Link to this
The Braves and Phils were ranined out on Saturday, Jul 27. The logical thing would’ve been to make that game up Sunday (the next day) in a DH, but the Sunday game was the ESPN sunday night game, so they dared not mess with the start time, I’m guessing.
It’ll be interesting to see if they can’t complete this series, and if either of the teams is in the WC race at the end of the year; guess the Braves would have to travel to Philly to play, after the season? I don’t know how it would work.
MLB should make a priority of playing makeup games during the same trip if at all possible.
By David O'Brien
September 1, 2006 09:05 PM | Link to this
Head coach, I agree, reinforcements needed. But that’s only if they get four games in in next two days, which I have a difficult time believing they’re going to be able to do.
I see a return visit Sept. 25 in our future….
Can’t get enough Philly, right? Oh, wait, that’s not right.
Anyway … I don’t know who put that line about Virginia Madsen in my previous post. They didn’t even spell her name right. Anyway, there is only one, and she’s not walking the streets of Philly, I have a feeling.
So I’ll settle for taking my tired butt down to the gym to try to muster the strength for a workout, since the next two days are going to be ugly and entirely unhealthy.
Besides, who wants to walk the streets of Philly in rain and 35-mph winds? Not I, said the homeboy hack.
By Lew
September 1, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this
The Humanity! I must pay per view the Dawgs tomorrow. The price of playing Western Kentucky, I suppose. Having been born and raised in Philadelphia (I guess that’s why I’m opinionated and intolerant), Jimmy is correct. The Phillies fans are not normally a happy crowd. It comes from losing even more than the Mets. A good cheese steak, is however, a wondrous thing.
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 09:09 PM | Link to this
35mph winds in Philly? Duck, Dave; you might get hit with a used needle…:-)
By journalist jimmy smith
September 1, 2006 09:10 PM | Link to this
good night dob, good night mary ellen, good night john boy …
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this
I’ll be watching that game too, Lew; I stood in the cold wind and got a bad sunburn (those two things are only possible at once in Statesboro) year before last watching those D%$m Hilltoppers knock Southern out in the semifinals. They will rue that day tommorrow. There will be much rue-ing indeed. Woof! Woof!
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this
Night Journalist Jimmy Smith…
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this
That was a special Waltons episode.
By Lew
September 1, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this
Sic em-Woof Woof
By MEB
September 1, 2006 10:38 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady… So glad to have you back with us and you sound a little less underwater. I’ve seen some interesting pictures and video of the Wilmington area and it looks like there is more beachfront property available now.
Good news from the hurricane prognosticators at Colorado State, they say there will now only be 5 hurricanes that will effect the US mainland this year. This is down from the 7 they forecast earlier this year.
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this
What’s this, DOB? The blog is uncomfortably close to the sports page headline! Are you gaining noteriety? Let in not affect your hat-size…
By ssiscribe
September 1, 2006 10:46 PM | Link to this
Good evening, all, albeit most of you aren’t here due to the rainout. I’m heading out of state in the morning, so I figured I’d chime in for a bit before bed.
Really need to win as many of these in soggy Philly as possible, but doubleheaders indeed aren’t helpful for winning streaks, and this bunch need to run off four or five more in a row, on top of winning the four in a row before Thursday, to really push near the top.
But y’all, it’s a damn miracle we’re even in this thing after some of the bad baseball we’ve seen this year. Not to play what if, but, well … what if the Braves had went 10-13 instead of 3-23 during that one putrid stretch of June? You get the idea.
Anyway, wishing all of you safe travels. I’ll be watching the prep scores come in tonight. First time in a long time I haven’t been out covering a game on opening night. Took my wife to dinner downtown instead and we then rode around, checked out Atlantic Station, etc. We’ll be in Big Orange Country tomorrow afternoon, visiting relatives. Hope the Dogs, the Jackets and your favorite prep team gets it done this weekend.
CL, glad you’re safe, my dear. Hopefully, Ernesto quits raining long enough to get these games in, and so DOB doesn’t swan dive off the top of the press box.
Later on! I’ll try to post from the vast wilderness of the Great Smokies. We’ll see what happens.
—30—
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 10:49 PM | Link to this
Yes, MEB, but can they accurately predict their football program’s win total? :-) Don’t worry, C. Lady is a veteran storm-weatherer(er).
By 3trees
September 1, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this
Hello all. CL glad you’ve pulled through. My hope is that all in its path fare as well (minus the John Deer).
Moved to Philly in ‘83 with a band. 6 of us in 2 floors of a 3 story walkup in South Philly (Souf-filly). One block off the Italian Market. In summer it was foul, in winter it was marginally better. BUT, you could get great homade pasta, bread and sausage. And there were wonderful Italian restaurants (Corona Di Ferro on 11th. St.). There was a slaughter house for veal a half block away. I remember one morning the calfs got loose. We were runnng in the streets, yelling RUN!!! Decent walking town. If you can get past the Rocky statue, its a pretty good art museum (plus the Rodin just up RFK Blvd.).
Saw Los Lobos for the first time there and played the joint in W. Philly where Iggy (supposedly) ate the dog fog. Saw Mike Schmidt hit a game winning 9th inning homer off of the Cubs Lee Smith at the Vet. I’m blathering…
“I Am the Passenger And I ride and I ride I see the city’s ripped back sides I see the bright and hollow sky…”
Good luck at the park DOB (and the Braves)
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this
Scribe, tell me you were just being nice and didn’t actually pull for both Tech and Georgia at the same time…Impossible! Only thing good about Tech is the Varsity and chicks who’ll do your homework. Speaking of Tech, where’s Bob?
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this
Cool, trees. Never been there, though I most certainly love a cheesesteak. ‘course, I know whatever I’ve been eating isn’t a real one, but from what I understand they can’t even decide which one of several variations is real up there.
By The Grinch
September 1, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this
ESPN says Lester’s got lymphoma. Ouch. Poor dude; 22 and a top prospect. Well, Big Cat survived it at 40, though not without some pain.
By Carolina Lady
September 1, 2006 11:23 PM | Link to this
:-)) MEB, you’ve seen more of it than I have! Without power most of the day and working outside, I haven’t caught any of the news - only stuff from the met office. My place is a looong way off the highway and I have to maintain the little (one-lane) road that connects the two. It’s actually in very good shape, but was still a little too deep in places for me to take the car through, so I didn’t try to go anywhere.
You are one kind bunch of people! (But don’t let that go to your heads, now!) :-))
By Adam Worth
September 1, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this
Poor DOB, a little rain has him unable to cope. Maybe a some time with Ms. Madsen will help him decompress.
By flbravesgirl
September 2, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this
Glad to see you’re ok, CL! The forecast doesn’t sound too promising for tomorrow’s DH, does it?
Daryle Ward…our boys could make a serious dent in a buffet these days.
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 12:28 AM | Link to this
Hey, FLB girl! Just popped in for a sec; didn’t want you to feel completely alone. :-) Yeah, how’d you like to be the owner of a Ryan’s and see Ward, Wickman, Parantoe, Andruw, McBride, Stockton, et al approaching after a drunken foray to the Gold Club and ready to throw down on a buffet before crashing at the hotel? Yowch. Of course (pardon the pun), I have no room to talk. Many a pile of mac&cheese/fried pork chops have been massacred at my evil whim…
By David O'Brien
September 2, 2006 12:34 AM | Link to this
3Trees, good stuff, man. Sounds like you did it right in Philly.
Anybody who references Iggy Pop is OK in my book….
FLBravesgirl makes interesting observation. Between Daryle Ward, Wick and Paronto … my god, that’s about 800 pounds, actually probably a bit more. Don’t know if another team has a trio that big. Which means absolutely nothing, of course. Just something to ponder as it keeps raining … and raining … and raining….
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 12:39 AM | Link to this
Iggy Pop. Repo Man. Remember that one, Dave? Just me, or was Harry Dean Stanton beyond hilarious? “Nice day don’t mean ——…”
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 12:53 AM | Link to this
Well, hell. Gotta get some writing done anyway. Night, All.
By Bravo Nam
September 2, 2006 04:28 AM | Link to this
Open Message to Andruw Jones Thanks for another great year. You’ve been a very popular figure on the blog this year…particularly during the period when you were put on waivers. The fans know you love the Braves and are loyal to Bobby and the team. Whether it’s leaving Boras out in the cold when you negotiated your new contract a few years back or putting your body on the line, even when you’re injured, we know you’ve got the Braves at heart.
But, and this is a big BUT, if you want to remain a Brave for life, you have no choice but to turf Boras out into the cold and either represent yourself (and the reduced salary you make with the Braves is compensated in part by not having to pay an agent), have your father represent you (and keep the money in the fmaily) or find another agent.
You know Boras better than us, but one thing we all know for sure is this- the man would’ve been pretty pis**sed (to say the least) a few years back when you and your father renegotiated your new contract without him. This time around, there is no way known he’s letting you do that again. The egos of Schuerholz and Smoltz are about the size of my brain (and last time I knocked, no one was home) compared to Boras’ ego. If you wait until free agency and let Boras take the reins, you are not genuine about staying with the Braves. Period. You know, as we all do, that with Boras on the mound, he’s looking for 18-20 mil a year. Once the figure gets beyond 15 mil a year, JS isn’t even going to consider signing you. And you can appreciate, as we all can, why not. There would be so much payroll tied up in your contract that JS would have to release players and wouldn’t be able to sign free agents. And a player as competitive as you, man, that’s anathema…the last thing you want is to be the reason your team sucks.
It’s a real mystery to me as to why Boras is your agent in the first place. Nothing about either of you is compatible. You’re loyal, easy-going and want what’s best for you and the Braves- Boras is only concerned about the bottom line, team interests are not his concern.
If you want to remain a Brave, dump Boras and work out a new contract with JS this winter. It’s true- you’ll lose millions- but what price do you put on your own happiness? We love you and believe in you…and we hope you make the right decision.
Bravo Nam from Vietnam
By Bravo Nam
September 2, 2006 04:31 AM | Link to this
DOB- I know this got lost in my epistle from yesterday, but whaddya think? Badfinger, Harry Chapin and Poco- greatly underrated or rightly so?
By ncscoots
September 2, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this
finally catching up on a coupla days of the blog (I know, I know, how slack can a poster be? Hey, I’m workin’ on it, awright?). Had no doubt CLady would persevere, Ernesto was relatively mild compared to some of the stuff that can come through, though that doesn’t making cleaning up the yard any easier. Not to worry, I’m sure somebody with a (working) John Deere will be along to help eventually…any blog that gets posts from 8000 time zones away (Bravo Nam) should be getting a wurlitzer or something…Virginia Madsen: “Dave, are you are happy to see me, or is that just a wurlizer?”…will need LOTS of scorecards to keep up with the players this weekend. gonna be like the Little League participation rule…good to see Ward added to the wrestling team, now what we need is a good beanball war. We can send Wickman, Paronto, and Ward on the field, leave everybody else in the dugout, and STILL win the fight…it’s an awful thing about Lester, here’s hoping they caught it early…did we ever come up with a nickname for 3trees?…oh, well, stuff to do. gotta keep busy to keep the vision of slightly smelly and unshaven ink-stained wretches in the Philly pressbox out of my head! see ya…
By David O'Brien
September 2, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Bravo again, from Nam … gotta dig that. Hey, and we’ve finally found that link to keep the blog active between the 2-3 a.m. Grinch/TennPaul/Lew/Me/forgive-me-if-I’ve-forgot-another-night owl time slot and the 7 a.m. crowd. Perfect.
And good points on Andruw/Boras matter. Very good. If there was just a way I could assure Andruw reads it…
Grinch, would’ve responded to you but I shut the laptopimmediately after posting.
No, actually I just sat back on couch in this hotel room and started watching TV and nodded off….
Oh, and Nam, Badfinger highly underrated band. They should’ve come along at a different time other than Beatles’ heyday. Beatles can have a way of completely overwhelming all bands in their wake…. But of course, George Harrison and the rest of the Beatles were famously good pals with the Badfinger guys, too. Helped ‘em out, right? At least that was my impression….
Harry Chapin died waay too young. I think he was younger than me (I’m 42), wasn’t he, when he died? And way underrated, you are correct. Didn’t have a lot of hits, not the kind of signature stick-in-your head stuff that you think of from guys like, say, Lightfoot….
Poco, one of those bands that, if I’d gone to college 10 years earlier (I went in the early 80s) I’m sure I would’ve loved. I think you kinda needed to be listening to them when they were peaking to have been a huge fan, at least seems like that to me. Because unlike so many bands you hear forever on classic-rock radio or just everywhere in ads, movies, etc (Zep, Beatles, Stones, Doors, etc), Poco kinda slid through the cracks as years went by, in terms of mass popularity. Right? Because again, lack of huge hits.
OK, gotta get to the park to start what promises to be The Longest Day Of the Season. Lots and lots of waiting around today, I’m afraid. It’s raining, still. Hasn’t stopped since about 2 p.m. yesterday. Literally hasn’t stopped once.
By Lew
September 2, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
Morning All-DOB-Poco had a huge following among all the Eagles fans back in the middle 70’s, but were not really mainstream, even in Macon which was more country/Southern Rock than most other places. Souther, Hillman Furay did a great show opening for Manfred Mann at the Fox. You surely would have gotten into them. Poco would have been very in line with your musical tastes. Probably worth checking out even now. Did you listen to the new Wishbone Ash yet? Should be an interesting day. I guess I’ll have to watch Georgia and listen to the Braves on XM.
By Carolina Lady
September 2, 2006 11:23 AM | Link to this
Bravo Nam, excellent posts! If he ever posts again you need to meet SUDS. He’s in china and has to watch the games early in the am.
By Not-A-Blogger
September 2, 2006 11:26 AM | Link to this
Poco was a great band for a short time, then began to disband. The first two albums are among the all-time best, but quite different. One hard-driving country rock, the other more pop-oriented. Absolutely worth investigating for any lover of originality.
By Jeffrey
September 2, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
I just read that Jon Lester of the Red Sox has been diagnosed with lymphoma. As someone who has lost various family members to cancer, I wish him the best and my prayers are with him. In the supposed almost-deal between the Braves and Red Sox involving Andruw Jones, Lester was one of the main names mentioned as coming to the Braves. Despite a bad year, we may have dodged an immediate bullet by that trade not happening.
By Lew
September 2, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this
Actually, Lester was the player JS asked for and the Red Sox refused. His lymphoma is treatable, according to the Sox and treatment will begin very shortly. Definitely wish him the best. MLB in general is in need of good young pitchers.
By Shaun Payne
September 2, 2006 11:50 AM | Link to this
It’s going to be an interesting off-season. What happens if Andruw Jones and the Braves can’t come to an agreement and Schuerholz wants to trade him? Does Andruw veto a trade or will he want out? Does Schuerholz go ahead and play out the season with Jones in center, then try to trade him at the deadline if the Braves fall out? Can the Braves get what he’s worth knowing that he’ll probably scare off a lot of teams with his desire for a BIG contract next season? It’s going to be interesting to see how this plays out.
By Lee
September 2, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this
Hey Lew, Is Wishbone Ash still around? I saw them at the Fox way back in the seventies! Loved those twin guitar solos! GO BRAVES
By journalist jimmy smith
September 2, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this
has daryle ward arrived yet? he was ordering another piece of pie when this journalist saw him last. might send terry pendleton to check the diner. oh, no! then, there would two pie eaters at the diner. send someone skinny. where is cruz? pie is best after the game, not before. hope daryle ward arrives in time for the game.
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
USC’s QB is named Booty. Good grief, those TV broadcasts will have to be rated MA-14. Imagine hearing these remarks: “Booty takes a hard lick!” “Booty drilled hard from behind!” I’ll have to send my kids out of the room.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 2, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this
jimmy smith has a personal friend in a high position of authority with deere & company. in questioning him about carolina lady’s john deere mower he posed this question: has there been a hartebeest on this mower? if so, there is a recall: jd433hb. journalist hopes this information is helpful to carolina lady and to other bloggers with such a problem. now, baseball … the braves should schedule a few games against minor league teams at the beginning of the season just like some un-named division 1 college football teams do. this would give the braves a chance to improve the record and appeal to bowl selection committees. makes sense, right? now, pie … daryle ward was eyeing a fresh pan of cherry cobbler when last seen by this journalist. has he reported yet to the team?
By David -ATL
September 2, 2006 12:15 PM | Link to this
Speaking of Badfinger, A DVD I’d urge all to see is The “Concert for Bangladesh” from 1972. Fine work there by George Harrison,Eric Clapton,Billy Preston,Bob Dylan,Leon Russell and the aforementioned Badfinger. Vintage performances by several on this DVD.
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
Was that concert before Clapton wooed George’s wife Patti (aka, “layla”) away from him?
By MEB
September 2, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
DOB… does there appear to be baseball in our immediate future? The radar shows one last band of rain that should clear the Philadelphia area within an hour or two.
By Carolina Lady
September 2, 2006 12:31 PM | Link to this
LOL! jimmy, you opened SO many possible responses regarding the Deere and the Hartebeest, but I’ll just leave it there! :-)))
That sorry machine has given trouble since Day 1. During it’s first 2 years, it lived at the repair shop! Not one person who knows me or my immediate 2 or 3 rings or acquaintances has a John Deere. Not sure beyond that - but that’s a bunch of people!
I spent the extra money in the belief that I was getting a reliable machine that would serve me well. It has done the exact opposite. Can’t tell you the level of frustration it has caused. There were times I was actually reduced to tears.
Even now, a friend is trying to find the cause for the latest failure. I’m rather of the opinion that it would be better to drop a match in the gas tank and start over.
Poor DOB! Don’t envy you this weekend! Lots of good cheese and root beer on hand? Extra shirt, toiletries?
By MEB
September 2, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady… just a recommendation, get a Murray with a Briggs & Stratton engine and you won’t be disappointed. I know they are sold at Wal-Mart but they cost half of the premium brands and they do the job. With minimal care they last a long time.
By David O'Brien
September 2, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this
Anthony Lerew was brought up today for reinforcement. Probably only be here a couple days, just in case they need an extra arm. Not scheduled to start.
Still raining, but radar shows this should be ending within an hour, and after that it’s really clear. So there’s still a chance, maybe even a good chance, we’ll play two today. If I had to guess, I’d say start 2:30 or so.
Daryle Ward is here. Just talked to him. He’s not quite as large-and-in-charge as the Wickster, but he’s a big dude, for sure. Has missed no meals.
Took some shots at Washington and Frank Robinson, vs. Braves and Cox. Ward is very glad to be here.
Glass Half Full _ USC’s QB is Josh Booty’s brother. Josh was the former Marlins 3B and, after that didn’t work out, the LSU quarterback. Another brother, Abram Booty, was an LSU receiver.
By Carolina Lady
September 2, 2006 01:02 PM | Link to this
MEB, I’ve received that same recommendation from several people and know some who have them and are quite happy. The JDeere has a Briggs&Stratton and I’ve not had a problem with it, per se, but getting it started has been a major issue until my brother re-did the fuel feed system and the ignition system. Couldn’t keep a battery charge until we finally found a bare wire that must have been discharging it. Couldn’t keep air in the tires, put tubes in them. The transmission isn’t necessarily in the gear that the lever says it is; put it in Neutral and it may start backing up, etc. Name it, it’s been a problem. Now the stupid blade won’t engage and I’ve got an acre of littered lawn to clean. All I could do yesterday was use it to pull the cart that carried the debris I raked. Ask me how happy I was!!
By Metropolitan Man
September 2, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this
Could someone please ask M. Giles if he thinks the METS are still looking over their shoulders at the braves? Last time us METS fans checks, that “A” in the rear view mirror was getting smaller and smaller!
By Lew
September 2, 2006 01:15 PM | Link to this
Lee-Wishbone Ash just put out a cd “Clan Destiny”. Andy Powell is together with another guitarist. Not quite the straight out hard rock, but more ecclectic. Much more like Wishbone Four. Curse cable companies. I have been trying for 1 1/2 hours to pay per view The Dawgs and still have a blank screen, but a $25 credit. Comcast just took over Adelphia and the problems have begun. Didn’t Comcast just mess up all of Georgia’s internet this week. Is direct tv in the future?
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
A wide receiver named Booty? Hilarious.
By David O'Brien
September 2, 2006 01:18 PM | Link to this
In honor of the, uh, burlier new members of the Braves, I just purchased a Philly Cheesesteak sandwich…first bite, delicious. Damn, this stuff is good. Artery-clogging goodness.
Rain appears to be letting up, folks. For those wondering.
By JERSEY GUY
September 2, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
Doubleheaders in September are deadly to a pitching staff, especially to a mediocre Braves roster. Hopefully, Oscar can give us 5 passable innings in the Philly slop. Davies is a key to any playoff hopes that we have. He may get 5 more starts after this one, and needs to stabilize the rotation in a big hurry! One more note on the Phils: they have 0 games left this season vs teams with a winning record! GO BRAVES!
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 01:19 PM | Link to this
Good thing that UGA kid Henderson redeemed himself early. Of course, he wouldn’t have had a chance to if I was on the sidelines.
By JERSEY GUY
September 2, 2006 01:28 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, Instead of a cheesesteak, try BULLS BBQ out in Ashburn’s Alley. Tell Luzinski that he’s a Golden God!
By Lee
September 2, 2006 01:33 PM | Link to this
Lew-thanks for the info about WA. I will have to check it out, I’m listening to Argus as I’m writing this. As for the Bravos, hopefully they can win at least a couple from the Phillies! This season is just about to be rained out. Oh well, it was a great run. Time to start a new one, next year. This time though, lets have a few more WS rings for the guys fingers! K?
By Braveheart
September 2, 2006 01:37 PM | Link to this
If the Braves can sweep the Phillies twice, beat the Mets on Labor Day, and get some help from other teams, the Braves could find themselves in third place in the wildcard standings at the end of Labor Day - only 1 game behind San Diego & 1/2 game behind Cincinnati. It will be very difficult but here is what I hope will happen.
NL Wildcard Standings Through Fri 9/1 SD 68-66 .507 - Phi 67-66 .504 .5 Cin 68-67 .504 .5 FL 66-68 .493 2 Hou 66-69 .489 2.5 SF 66-69 .489 2.5 Ari 64-69 .481 3.5 Atl 63-69 .477 4 Col 62-72 .463 6 Mil 62-73 .459 6.5 —- Braves Sum GB 16.5
Sat 9/2 games involving top 10 NL wildcard teams: Atl sweeps Phi,Cin beats SD,Chi beats SF,Mil beats FL,NYM beats Hou,Ari splits Wsh,Col beats LA Cin 69-67 .507 - SD 68-67 .504 .5 Phi 67-68 .496 1.5 FL 66-69 .489 2.5 Hou 66-70 .485 3 SF 66-70 .485 3 Atl 65-69 .485 3 Ari 65-70 .481 3.5 Col 63-72 .467 5.5 Mil 63-73 .463 6 —- Braves Sum GB 7.5
Sun 9/3 games involving top 10 NL wildcard teams: Atl sweeps Phi,SD beats Cin,Chi beats SF,Mil beats FL,NYM beats Hou,Wsh beats Ari,Col beats LA SD 69-67 .507 - Cin 69-68 .504 .5 Atl 67-69 .493 2 Phi 67-70 .489 2.5 FL 66-70 .485 3 Hou 66-71 .482 3.5 SF 66-71 .482 3.5 Ari 65-71 .478 4 Col 64-72 .471 5 Mil 64-73 .467 5.5 —- Braves Sum GB 3.5
Mon 9/4 games involving top 10 NL wildcard teams: Atl beats NYM,Col beats SD,SF beats Cin,Hou beats Phi,Ari beats FL,Mil beats LA SD 69-68 .504 - Cin 69-69 .500 .5 Atl 68-69 .496 1 Hou 67-71 .486 2.5 Phi 67-71 .486 2.5 SF 67-71 .486 2.5 Ari 66-71 .482 3 FL 66-71 .482 3 Col 65-72 .474 4 Mil 65-73 .471 4.5 —- Braves Sum GB 1.5
By JERSEY GUY
September 2, 2006 01:45 PM | Link to this
Hi DOB, Will the 2nd game start on time, or be pushed back due to the current rain delay we’re in! Have 4 tix to 2nd game, and don’t want to waste the trip down the Pike. Thanks, and keep up the great work!
By Metropolitan Man
September 2, 2006 01:46 PM | Link to this
If the METS keep pace as they are doing now, they can clinch the division by next weekend…….who needs a stankee cap when the orange and blue are reviving NY!
By David O'Brien
September 2, 2006 01:57 PM | Link to this
First pitch is scheduled for 2:35!!! Let the pigeons loose.
Giles has been scratched, Orr in lineup. No reason given yet.
By Metropolitan Man
September 2, 2006 02:01 PM | Link to this
Giles is saving his enrgy to knock the METS out of 1st place. LOL!
By David O'Brien
September 2, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
Giles is “under the weather.”
Which could be said for us all, dammit.
By Lew
September 2, 2006 02:02 PM | Link to this
Lee-Argus is a good one. Warrior and Throw Down the Sword. Their first was also excellent. Used to have a casette with Argus and Pilgrimage on it. May still have it. DOB-Hope you got a cheesesteak with real cheese and not Cheez Whiz. Whoever thought up that abomination deserves a firing squad. They won’t help you lose weight, but everyone should try a REAL Philly cheesesteak every now and then,. There was a guy in Athens from Deleware that made the closest to real I had outside of Philly. Don’t know if he’s there anymore. Used to run a shop called the Sub and Steak at Little Five Points.
By Yars
September 2, 2006 02:05 PM | Link to this
Does anyone know yet if tomorrow’s second game of the double header will be televised? Turner South? Fox Sports South?
By David O'Brien
September 2, 2006 02:07 PM | Link to this
Met man, isn’t your team playing today? Don’t you have a blog, or do they ridicule you over on the Mets blog, so you come here to gloat? Whatever makes you happy, pal? Seems kinda strange that you troll these waters, however. It’s a Braves blog, you know? Braves. Atlanta Braves.
You’re strange, aren’t you? Come on. Admit it.
By David O'Brien
September 2, 2006 02:10 PM | Link to this
No decision on whether tomorrow’s game will be televised. Of course, no decision either on when or if there WILL be a second game tomorrow.
By Calvin
September 2, 2006 02:21 PM | Link to this
Mr. O’Brien, Don’t mind the kiddies that are Mets fans. This is the first time in a long time that they do not have to worry about the Braves and they do not know how to handle it. Not much to do but ignore the simpletons and let them show how ignorant and immature they really are…
By Metropolitan Man
September 2, 2006 02:22 PM | Link to this
No Dave O’brien, the METS play later. But I am enjoying your blog, its supposed to be about baseball but you guys are on cheesesteaks, football, and music. So excues me for bringing baseball back into the fold. And i’m no stranger than your fare weather fans who jump on when they win two in a row and jump off when they lose 1 game. If it wasnt for me and reality, you guys woyuld still be harping “So at least we won 14 straight titles”. But thanks for the shout out DB, keep up the good work and LETS GO METS!
By Lew
September 2, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this
Metro Man-You should try eating cheese steaks (though NY would find a way to screw them up) and maybe listen to some music. It would help you get through all those years of sniffing Braves butts. If you don’t like food and music, and we aren’t talking baseball, Why are you still here. Must be insecurity. Or psychosis.
By Calvin
September 2, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this
Has there been any word from Bobby about LaRoche sitting against lefties since Jordan is back? I saw a stat recently that said LaRoche is hitting over 350 against lefties since May. I’m not an expert or anything but that is considered “raking” in my opinion.
By Metropolitan Man
September 2, 2006 02:31 PM | Link to this
Nah Lew, cheesesteaks are a philly thing. You should be boasting that nasty expensive bbq at tooner field that skip and pete keep trying to shove down peoples throats. And if the METS were sniffing butts all those years, imagine how the braves feel looking up. That must really hurt. And I am a native NYer living in Lithonia, still cant find no good bbq here in the NEW south.
By Head coach
September 2, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this
Cool , 15 pitchers on the staff and they are going to need every one of them.
By Robert
September 2, 2006 03:20 PM | Link to this
“But Bobby assured me they’re going to try to play two doubleheaders”
I kinda wish they get the four games in, as it would provide a rare opportunity for one manager to negatively affect his team’s performance in four games in the space of about 34 hours.
However, given that 95% of what comes out of Bobby’s mouth is complete nonsense, a bet against the double double might be a good short term investment
“Has there been any word from Bobby about LaRoche sitting against lefties since Jordan is back?”
Indeed, there has
Bobby said “Hee-haw”
By Carolina Lady
September 2, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this
Robert, that is getting tiresome. Can you post about something else for a while, please? :-)
By dadgum
September 2, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this
Just spent some time on YOUTUBE. Gotta check this site out. You can search anything in the music world and watch live music video either current or back in ‘73 etc.
Found some old Harry Chapin stuff from ‘73. Man the guy’s voice is just sensational. Died way too young and with that one of the great songwriters as well. Was lucky to catch a concert of his in ‘73 in a small auditorium. Trust me I still cherish that concert. Certainly he was underrated but he recorded quite a few songs. His voice was just as recognizable as James Taylor’s maybe richer. Anyway if you go to www.youtube and search Harry Chapin you will be able to hear those vintage concerts in incredible sound quality to boot. There are worse ways to spend 10 minutes. Like maybe sitting in a press box watching it rain, in Philly no less. Ha ha.
By TennesseePaul
September 2, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this
HA! The trade paid off. Way to go Ward!
By Zimmerman
September 2, 2006 04:15 PM | Link to this
1991 Revisited
John said to Bobby Cox, “Go on a run.”
Bob say, “John, you must be puttin’ me on.”
John say, “No”; Bob say, “With what?”
John say, “I know this team needs work, but
I’m late for another book signing,
I got to run.”
Bob say, “How you want this winning done?”
John say, “Think 1991.”
By MEB
September 2, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
dadgum… thanks for the link! I spent some time watching Marshall Tucker Band play “Can’t You See.” Interesting to see the age of the audience because they are all my age.
Daryle Ward pays dividends already! Oh, the humanity, what an ugly swing by Pete Orr.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 2, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
journalist has been working in the yard only to return to the game 3-2 with “p” player pena on first and “p” player orr at the plate. “p” player orr did just as meb described - ugly, ugly, swing. strike three. side retired. oh, the humanity! did daryle ward drive in the two runs? oh, the humanity! tyler yates! and he is not throwing strikes! where is bobbycox?
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this
Why is Yates still pitching?
By Beachcomber
September 2, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this
Do you think John Smoltz would have jogged over to first on that Vittrino grounder? Lets get two guys!
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this
Morning, All! Dave, that was noble of you to come clean about dissin me last night…:-) Met Man, I lived in NY for 9 years, and while there is much, MUCH about that place to not reccomend it; I agree the food is great. However, trying to find good BBQ up there is like trying to find a good bagel or hot pretzel here. It just ain’t happenin’. So I forgive you if you don’t even know what it tastes like. Though Atlanta isn’t really southern. Journey further in Ga in any direction and you’ll be surprised at the increase in BBQ quality (especially south).
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this
We’ve got some BBQ here in Americus, Ga. that will make you slap your mother…hard…twice!
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
Alot to be said for the BBQ in Cuthbert, Ga. as well. A place called “The Piget.” They give you a bag of fries and the bottom third is saturated with grease. Outstanding.
By Beachcomber
September 2, 2006 04:56 PM | Link to this
Grinch - Well said. I know there was a BBQ discussion a couple weeks ago. Personal favorite is Bullocks in Durham, NC - fabulous stuff!
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this
Sweet Jesus, LaRoche goes deep!!!!
By TennesseePaul
September 2, 2006 04:58 PM | Link to this
WAY TO GO ADAM!
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Atlanta is about as southern as Florida. Any place where you’re regularly called “guy” isn’t southern.
By JERSEY GUY
September 2, 2006 05:01 PM | Link to this
LA ROCHE GOES YARD- BRING ON THE FAT MAN TO CLOSE IT OUT! THANK GOD GORDON’S HURT!
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this
GHF, say hi to Dan Reeves for me. And the way my mom was acting today…well, I’ll leave that one alone. :-) Yes, food isn’t food if it doesn’t call for a rib divider afterwards. Sorry if I talked your ear off, CL; it’s my nature (especially lately).
By Chuck
September 2, 2006 05:02 PM | Link to this
Grinch,
If you want good bagels in Atlanta, try Palace Bagels on North Druid Hills—best bagels I’ve ever had outside of Manhattan.
http://local.yahoo.com/details?id=13720616
I’m in North Carolina now and really miss their salt bagels.
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this
This start is looking promising…
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the tip, Chuck. I definitely developed I taste for good bagels; they’re addictive. That’s on the opposite side of ATL from me, but I used to live over that way (went to Druid Hills HS) so I should be able to find it.
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 05:08 PM | Link to this
Don’t forget Americus is also home to former UGA tight end and current Arizona Cardinal Leonard Pope.
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this
Someone compose a song about Wickman to the tune of the “Cook’s Pest Control” jingle. “Wicky, Wicky, Wicky…”
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this
Wick thought that one was gone.
By TennesseePaul
September 2, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this
Go Braves!
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this
Uh, can we like re-sign Wickman now?
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this
“Wicky, Wicky, Wicky/here comes Wicky/HIDE-all the pie.”
By Beachcomber
September 2, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this
What a huge win. Their ace versus our emergency guy and we pull it out. Wickman got away with a hanger but just pitched smart in the ninth. He sets up hitters much like Maddux. Sweet win!!!
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 05:18 PM | Link to this
Now all we have to do is win tonight and twice tomorrow. Shouldn’t be too tough.
By JERSEY GUY
September 2, 2006 05:21 PM | Link to this
What a difference with Wickman in there for “crunch time”. No drama, no walks, just veteran relief pitching at its best! LETS GO FOR THE SWEEP!
By Yars
September 2, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this
Braves win! Way to go LaRoche! Way to go Wickman! Way to hustle to 1B on that hit to SS, Frenchy! Imagine if we had Wickman back in May…. I now have time to go to Krystals, pick up a 12 pack of Coors, and then relax and wait for game 2.
By Ron Roberts
September 2, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this
ESPN radio is reporting that tonight’s game has been re-scheduled for tomorrow night, since today’s got backed up.
Ya know what’s so pleasant about Adam LaRoche’s performance since the All-Star break?
Some of this blog’s biggest a-holes were the ones bashing him, calling for his head, cracking ADHD jokes ad nauseum… and now they’ve been exposed for their ignorance and lack of baseball sense.
Thanks for shuttin’ ‘em up, Adam. Been a more pleasant blogging experience the past few months, all-in-all.
And folks, take notice…. his batting average is at .294…. he’s flirting with a .300 season with 30+ homers and nearly 100 RBI.
By MBATL
September 2, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this
Wickman is a great leader by example for our young relievers; he can throw his pitches for strikes (which takes skill), and he TRUSTS his pitches (which takes confidence!). You don’t see him nibbling around because he trusts his stuff.
Great to see Devine strike out a couple (actually, I didn’t see it, but caught up on MLB.COM); and great to see Adam keep up the great work.
By Goat Horns
September 2, 2006 05:24 PM | Link to this
Extra Large “Halo” for Adam!
A “Gold Star” each for Ward, Frenchy, and Bob!
A “Smiley Face” for Joey.
An “MIA” for Chipper & Andruw.**
**(When you are paid the big bucks you have to produce when the game is on the line. It is time for the “Big Dogs” to step up and lead the way!)
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 05:28 PM | Link to this
Yars, Krystal and Coors? Better get some metamucil while you’re at it! GHF, I expect royalties if you use that jingle…
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this
Unless you get sued by Cook’s. Gotta run, Y’all; later on.
By Ron Roberts
September 2, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this
I can’t find a confirmation anywhere else that the ESPN radio report about tonight’s Game 2 being scratched, though… so take that with a grain of salt.
By MBATL
September 2, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this
Ron, I’d be really surprised if they postponed tonight, as I think there are 2 scheduled for tomorrow too… unless it’s raining, I would think they’ll play another one tonight.
By Lew
September 2, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this
So much for BC benching LaRoche for Jordan,and I guess he made the right decision sending up Ward. Well, I guess certain blog lurkers will have to settle for only THREE possibilities for BC to lose a game today. He sure didn’t mess it up in the first game. I agree. Sign Wickman now and give him lots off cheese steaks as a bonus. Feed him well.
By Lew
September 2, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this
Excuse me-Two or three times the rest of the weekend.
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 05:37 PM | Link to this
I normally sing something to the effect of “Wicky, Wicky, Wicky, why is the ball sticky? Aww, Wicky—that is gross.”
By Lew
September 2, 2006 05:40 PM | Link to this
MLB Extra Innings has the second Braves game listed tonight. Pretty good indication it will be played. They said during the game that no decision has been made about 2 tomorrow. They might play it on Sept. 25. This would be after a road trip, so it may be better to play it tomorrow. There are only 2 off days this month.
By JERSEY GUY
September 2, 2006 05:44 PM | Link to this
Adam LaRoche has finally “arrived” as a top flight run producing first baseman. Bobby would have pinch hit for him vs a lefty in first half of season. Check his post all star break numbers- they are awesome! I can handle his ADD, if he keeps crunching lefthanders! Way to go Roche!
By Glass Half Full
September 2, 2006 05:46 PM | Link to this
Too bad Erin Andrews won’t be working the Notre Dame/GT game, huh?
By Calvin
September 2, 2006 06:42 PM | Link to this
Any word on if tonights game will be televised via TBS or TS?
By Lew
September 2, 2006 06:51 PM | Link to this
Calvin-Turner South. They did the first game and said they would do the second.
By Thomas
September 2, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this
What happend to Marcus Giles
By journalist jimmy smith
September 2, 2006 07:19 PM | Link to this
uh, chipper just hit one! he is not wearing his necklace! this homerun was not magnet-assisted. now, andruw … did torborg mention that andruw has altered his stance? oh, popup. now, bobby is picking his nose! it is like old times! how long has it been since bobby was seen digging around in there on camera? this bodes well for the atlanta braves. some normalcy is returning to this team. now, new player ward … pie seems to agree with him.
By Lew
September 2, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this
Journalist Jimmy-Either pie or cheese steaks. Maybe both.
By Booger
September 2, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this
Bobby is picking tonight on camera. Mrs. Cox had him almost cured but the pressures of the double header must have gotten to him. He was in to the first knuckle a minute or so ago. That could explain why the ball was sticky for Wicky earlier. This is snot unsusual on a Bobby Cox team. It is reminiscent of earlier Braves teams. Will this resumption of nose picking be helpful to the team? You pick.
By The Grinch
September 2, 2006 08:05 PM | Link to this
Man, Tennessee is SPANKIN’ Cal tonight. When will people finally admit the SEC is the best conference in the country?
By TennesseePaul
September 2, 2006 08:07 PM | Link to this
Geez. Davies is struggling. Now really the kind of lift I was hoping for.
Let’s Go Braves!
By TennesseePaul
September 2, 2006 08:09 PM | Link to this
Alright. Time to take Davies out. He’s terrible tonight.
By David O'Brien
September 2, 2006 08:11 PM | Link to this
Folks, I would tell you if the info changed. Tonight’s game was never in doubt, despite what erroneous info someone heard on ESPN radio.
Straight doubleheader tomorrow, starting at 1:35. Turner South first game, no TV (as of now) for second game. That’s probably not going to change (second game not being televised, I mean).
Kyle Davies, not encouraging. Bad performance so far. And getting worse by the inning.
Where’s ‘ol Tom A Hawk to keep telling us all how bad the Ward trade was? Just curious. Kinda miss him.
By Thomas
September 2, 2006 08:24 PM | Link to this
What happend to Marcus Giles?
By TennesseePaul
September 2, 2006 08:46 PM | Link to this
Well this went down the crapper real fast.
By TennesseePaul
September 2, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this
If they can make an out on the basepaths, the Phillies will have hit a thousand in the inning.
By Calvin
September 2, 2006 08:54 PM | Link to this
DOB, I just read on the ajc website that the second game will be carried by TBS.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 2, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this
need an 8-run homer from laroche.
By Calvin
September 2, 2006 08:55 PM | Link to this
Thomas, MG is feeling “under the weather”. Apparently, he is a little sick or something.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 2, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this
they have 14 hits in four innings. let’s talk lawn tractors - carolina lady must buy a new one. journalist jimmy smith votes for troy-bilt. red with racing stripes. and pie, hot pie with ice cream on top. cold milk. is this game over yet?
By Vol
September 2, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this
Back to back DH’s these two teams and the starters go a combined 2.1 IP. That’s probably not what you want. I guess I can live with a split today just because the Vols scored the first 35 points of the game against #9 Cal today. Small consolation to everyone else on the blog.
By Vol
September 2, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this
I sure hope the second game is on TBS like Calvin noted from the ajc site, but I just don’t see it happening. We actually get a couple of weekday TBS games (including the famous Wed 1PM when everybody is at work) and then they screw us on the weekend.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 2, 2006 09:09 PM | Link to this
we have no pitching! not even a mop-up man. bring in bobby dews!
By Vol
September 2, 2006 09:11 PM | Link to this
I guess we are seeing why Bobby didn’t want to call up Lerew any sooner even with all of the pitching problems.
Is anyone out there or am I blogging to myself? Some good college football games on and a Braves blowout. What am I doing?
By Vol
September 2, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this
JJS, I am leaving it to you.
By nathan
September 2, 2006 09:14 PM | Link to this
I just got home from a long day out of town.
Looks like game one went well.
Same can’t be said for game two! LOL
Anybody still think Kyle Davies is the answer for the rest of this year and next?
I don’t. Never did. Never will. His rehab was encourageing. But I suppose MLB has been littered with guys that dominate at AAA and get hammered in the majors.
Looks to me as though he’ll fall right into that AAAA category.
By Don
September 2, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this
To be blunt, Davies Sucksssssss!!!!! I’m losing the faith that this guy is going to amount to anything.
By Don
September 2, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this
Also, one of the storylines for this year, every time the Braves pull some game out or build momentum in some phase of the game, some player or players pull the rug out from under the team and any momentum temporarily gained is totally lost.
By Lew
September 2, 2006 09:23 PM | Link to this
A few minutes ago, Jeff Torborg said he wasn’t sure how, after using all these relievers, BC would face tomorrow’s games without a bullpen. I would imagine he will look at it the same as he did today without a bullpen and the rest of the season as well. Nathan-The other day you mentioned living in the land of 40 below weather. Where are you? That sounds like Vermont weather.
By LeTwan Anthony
September 2, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this
Cherry Pie Recipe: — uses fresh cherries! 1 - 9 inch pie. Cook Time: 50 Minutes. Serves: 8 INGREDIENTS: 1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie 4 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 cup white sugar 4 cups pitted cherries 1/4 teaspoon almond extract 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 tablespoons butter
DIRECTIONS: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (205 degrees C). Place bottom crust in piepan. Set top crust aside, covered. In a large mixing bowl combine tapioca, salt, sugar, cherries and extracts. Let stand 15 minutes. Turn out into bottom crust and dot with butter. Cover with top crust, flute edges and cut vents in top. Place pie on a foil lined cookie sheet —- in case of drips! Bake for 50 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown.
By Carolina Lady
September 2, 2006 09:45 PM | Link to this
OK. I need a poll/pole: what kind of riding lawnmower do you recommend: jimmy: Troy-bilt
MEB: Murray
??:
By Hartebeest
September 2, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this
Nothing runs like a Deere.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 2, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this
a general from the war between the states was the closer tonight for the phillies - that face was familiar. was that the rock of chicamauga? jimmy smith does not know the northern generals so well but that was surely one of them. nice beard. fearsome looking. pitching for a team from philadelphia. too bad we could not pitch robert e. lee tonight.
By Carolina Lady
September 2, 2006 10:19 PM | Link to this
Hartebeest! You ain’t funny!!! >:(
By Tom A. Hawk
September 2, 2006 10:20 PM | Link to this
Dave, you’re not near as condescending after a 16-4 loss. I kinda miss that.
I didn’t say Ward would go 0-for-September. All I said was it was the latest in a long line of “too little, too late” moves this season from John Almighty.
Ward is 1-for-13 against lefties, now, though. Just what the Braves needed!
And despite Ward’s heroics, if the Phillies had had Tom Gordon available in the first game, it would have been a Phillies sweep Saturday.
By nathan
September 2, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this
Lew
Frosty old….ND!
Sad, but true! It’s actually been HOTTER than hell here all summer. We’ve had about 3 inches of rain since April. Pretty soon we’ll be refered to as the “desert up north”
Oh, well. If this drought continues through winter, I won’t have to use the snow blower I bought last spring. At the time it seemed like a “good deal”. I guess it’s only a good deal if you ever get to use it! LOL
and c’mon Carolina Lady….that reply from hartebeest was too funny! :-)
By Carolina Lady
September 2, 2006 10:57 PM | Link to this
Now, Nathan. Given this lady’s present state of mind about John Deere products, mine in particular, and given that because of the nonperformance of said John Deere product this lady is not in a particularly good mood, there is no way I could laugh. (much)
:-)))
By Ralph Deere
September 2, 2006 11:22 PM | Link to this
Ms. Lady, a concerned blogger referred me to this site. I would like to address your concerns with respect to your John Deere product, help get resolution to your concerns, and end this public disparagement of our John Deere products. First, I understand the Deere is hard to start - but you have had the ignition and fuel systems altered from factory settings. This could jeopardize the Deere warranty. Second, we must determine if the technician(s) (do I understand one was a dead giraffe?) have factory training and are certified to work on the Deere product. This could jeopardize the Deere warranty. Three, I understand the blade did not engage underwater. The Deere is not designed to operate as a watercraft. This could jeopardize the Deere warranty. In the spirit of good will and appreciation for your business I am instructing our factory to send you a brand new … … … set of number decals that you may place on your Deere. Park your inoperative Deere at your driveway entrance and you will hamdsomely display your street number to all passersby - that is until the grass grows and obscures the numbers. The Deere may also serve as an over-sized planter. Feel free to fill with dirt and plant bulbs for the fall season. I trust this post has been helpful to you and that it will improve your estimation of the Deere and all the little Deeres and dear old John Deere our founding Deere. Thank you. Ralph Deere.
By Lee
September 2, 2006 11:26 PM | Link to this
Hey, anybody watching the GT vs. ND game? ND-14,GT-10. 2:03 left in the game.
By MEB
September 2, 2006 11:31 PM | Link to this
Just got back from Troy lambasting Alabama State 38-0 (Go Trojans!!!) and I find that the Braves got beat by a couple of touchdowns. Whats up? Could we not control the Phillies ground game or did we lose a linebacker or two to injury?
I heard the LaRouche home run to win the game on the way to Troy and I got all pumped up. You know its hard to get excited for college football when its 92 degrees outside. The halftime show by the ASU band was incredible. Next week my Trojans get to go to Tallahassee to meet some team called the Seminoles. If all goes well I’ll be there.
By David O'Brien
September 2, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this
Good point, Tom. You’re right.
But on a serious note …
FOLKS, THIS JUST IN: Giles has a possible heart-valve condition that might require a relatively minor procedure to fix. He said he was told by the Philly doctor who saw him today (he was at the hospital most of the day) that she (the doc) thinks he had a valve that didn’t close properly after he was born (again, I’m going on what he said) and that the procedure to fix it involves going up through an artery in his groin to get to the valve and stapling it shut.
He said they told him it’d be only about a week to recover from it. But first, he’s going to be examined the cardiologist the Braves use in Atlanta, a noted specialist. Gonna determine if he agrees with the diagnosis and then what to do.
Long story short: Great for Giles’ sake that it was discovered now, if that’s the condition he has. It could have eventually caused a stroke, he was told, or a blood clot could have gotten through to his heart.
But it looks like he’ll be out at least a few weeks, I’d imagine. But we’ll know a lot more by Monday.
What a day, huh? Started out great for the Braves, ended with one of the ugliest pitching performances I can recall. Davies was just awful. Lerew was horrendous.
Can’t believe they pitched Devine in both games, but hey, he didn’t give up a run in two innings. Looked shaky in that first game, with two walks and a balk. Looked a lot better in the second.
Of course, it’s all relative. When you’re talking about a game where backup catcher Brayan Pena is playing third base for the last four innings, you’re talking about a game that was so far out of reach, it’s hardly worth discussing in great detail.
By Carolina Lady
September 2, 2006 11:42 PM | Link to this
FUNNY!!! :-))) Haven’t laughed this hard all day!
Options I considered were:
(1) parking it out by the highway with a sign to the effect that this is a pile of junk and beware of J Deere products
(2) dropping a match in the gas tank
(3) getting out the 12-gauge for some target practice
(4) seeing if it would float (it doesn’t)
(5) still under consideration…..
By Carolina Lady
September 2, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this
I should have mentioned in my last post I was responding to Ralph Deere.
Marcus: that is scary and I truly hope he returns hale and hearty, on top of the world!
By flbravesgirl
September 2, 2006 11:53 PM | Link to this
DOB, thanks for the update on Marcus. Sounds very scary. I hope it is indeed a minor procedure (although being the daughter of a nurse, I know there’s really no such thing as a “minor” heart procedure).
By Carolina Lady
September 2, 2006 11:59 PM | Link to this
Hey, flbravesgirl! I agree. I wouldn’t call any invasive procedure into the heart “minor”! Staple it shut?? Hmm. Time for some prayer for Marcus!
By Jman
September 3, 2006 12:00 AM | Link to this
Thank God college football is finally here!!!
GO BIG ORANGE!!!!
By Carolina Lady
September 3, 2006 12:10 AM | Link to this
Good night, all! (Get some rest, DOB!)
By flbravesgirl
September 3, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this
Aside from the actual heart procedure (stapling?! eww), he’ll be in a lot of pain from the incision. I’m guessing they’d go into the femoral artery, which means he’d be black and blue from stomach to mid-thigh probably and incredibly sore. A week sounds too short; DOB’s guess of a couple of weeks is probably closer.
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 12:17 AM | Link to this
College football is what The Grinch has been watching all night, and sounds like it was the right choice. CL, I have not used Troy-bilt. You may recall I reccommended Toro and International. I have had two murrays, and while the engines ran good they are really only suitable if you have a level yard (where the money is saved involves the steel and lack of welding in the deck. Don’t hit a bump! Hey, FLB. Jman, don’t get too excited. Good game by the great pumpkin, but was only playing a PAC-10 team. SEC is a different story. Dawgs will cover.
By gotigers72
September 3, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this
Same ol’, same ol’ for Kyle Davies. Won’t somebody tell him that he will NEVER be a successful ML pitcher until A] HE LEARNS TO GET THE BALL DOWN IN THE ZONE B] HE LEARNS TO PITCH AHEAD IN THE COUNT AND C] HE LEARNS TO THROW LESS THAN 1,000 PITCHES IN 5 INNINGS. Saw where his ERA since his first three games [a total of 26 games] is 6.75. His ERA this year alone is over 7. Looks like he would have learned those fundamental things I mentioned by now. He got away with that junk in the minors, but he won’t get away with it with the big boys in the majors.
I didn’t see Lerew pitch, but I imagine his problems stemmed from the same things. 3 walks tells me he wasn’t pitching ahead. Devine’s work was encouraging.
Sorry to hear about Marcus. He’s one of my favorite Braves. Always plays with enthusiasm and heart. I love to watch him dive for a ground ball and come up and throw the guy out. He does that a lot.
By flbravesgirl
September 3, 2006 12:31 AM | Link to this
Everybody say a prayer for Marcus (or send positive vibes his way or whatever your beliefs call for).
I’ll sign out now since I need to get up early for the 10-hour drive home…bleh.
Goodnight y’all.
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 12:33 AM | Link to this
FLBravesgirl, agreed on all counts. I, too, have a sister who’s a nurse, and not only is no heart procedure minor, no surgery of any kind is. Any time you have to be put under, bad things can happen.
I was only trying to point out it’s “relatively” minor, as far as heart procedures are concerned. And by one week for recovery, I’m sure doctors probably told him a week before he could do anything strenuous. But I’d imagine it’d be another week or two beyond that before he could play baseball.
But it’s just guessing right now. Monday, we should know plenty more.
Didn’t mean to downplay the matter. His season could be over. But it could’ve been much, much worse if it had gone undetected.
Just got back to the hotel in time to see Neil Young perform on rerun of Saturday Night Live. He sang “It’s a Dream” from Prairie Wind CD, with an orchestra and band accompanying. Outstanding. I imagine he’ll sing another before the show’s over, in 15 minutes or so, if anybody wants to turn it on and check it out.
Later
By Tom A. Hawk
September 3, 2006 12:33 AM | Link to this
Dodgers 13, Rockies 5 in the sixth.
You know, I realize Betemit hasn’t torn up the league since the trade, but the Dodgers certainly have. They’re 26-7 in their last 33 games, almost an .800 winning percentage.
But we don’t miss Wilson. We’ve got Daryle Ward now. And Ward’s only 31, with unlimited upside.
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 12:38 AM | Link to this
Now, DOB, you’re using false logic. Neil will play again, regardless of whether we feel like watching or not. I see you were not an engineering major (neither was I; just being a Richard-head)! :-)
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 12:41 AM | Link to this
Geez, then I flip it over to PBS and there’s Wilco performing on Austin City Limits…
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 12:45 AM | Link to this
Wow. Is this kid obsessed, or what? Last time we had someone this obsessed by a relatively minor trade, his screen name was … oh, I’m not even going to bring it up.
Wilson Betemit, Daryle Ward. I can see where the two are directly related. Good point.
By Lew
September 3, 2006 12:49 AM | Link to this
I just caaught Pink Floyd’s Pulse on PBS. Much better than the game.
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 12:53 AM | Link to this
I see why you “kinda missed him.” Daryle Ward improves the size of our team. He can recognize a good cut of meat, and that’s what’s important after all. That, and he can jack one out every now and then, which is plenty to ask from a pinch hitter.
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 12:55 AM | Link to this
Lew, Pink Floyd have proven over many, many years that they can handle their drugs. Monitoring their pulse now proves nothing.
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 12:59 AM | Link to this
C’mon Grinch, the guy only went 1-for-2 with a two-run single in his first day with the team, the single accounting for half the runs in the 4-3 win. He did NOTHING to help prevent the blowout loss in the nightcap, though. Failure.
By Tom A. Hawk
September 3, 2006 12:59 AM | Link to this
No, they’re not related except they were both involved in a long string of failed trades by The Wizard.
It’s nice the Homeboy could make the Dodgers stronger, though, both through action (Betemit) and inaction (Maddux).
You’ll not provoke me into a screeching tirade, DOB, like you enjoy doing with other bloggers who dare to see differently. You’ve got enough groupies on here who think you can do no wrong, anyway. We’ll just agree to disagree. I realize you have to be very careful in criticizing the Braves or their policies. I’m sure if you felt free to speak your mind, you’d blast the mismanagement of this team from the very top. After all, everyone keeps saying how much talent there is on the ‘06 Braves. So where do we place the blame for this horrid season, besides an inordinate amount of injuries? Could it be that Mr. Built-to-Win wasn’t this year?
Shhhhhh. Not too loud. John Almighty sees all, hears all.
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 01:08 AM | Link to this
I see how my post could have been misconstrued upon further review; I actually meant that to be a Pro-Daryle Ward post. Really. I was applying sarcasm (which I know I rarely do) to suggest Tom A. Hawk was getting carried away (no offence, dude; just call ‘em like I see ‘em); I loved Betamit as much as most and I hated to see him go. Is it a dead horse? Yes, I vote. Is Daryl worth a sore armed pitcher? Yes, again.
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 01:15 AM | Link to this
You’ve got it figured out, my man. If only I felt free to speak my mind….
I’ve never criticized John here. Never once pointed out what a huge mistake he made not signing a closer last winter. What a huge mistake he made trusting that Chris Reitsma could do the job. What a mistake he made not picking up Livan Hernandez or another starter before or after the waiver deadline. What a mistake he made not signing Conine last winter, and another mistake not getting him recently when he became available and the Phils got him.
I didn’t write a lengthy blog about how John S. screwed up for the past few years by not adjusting the blueprint that served him so well when he had the Big 3 and sometimes Big 4 starters for more than a decade, when the Braves could get by with a patchwork bullpen, which has bit them in the ass the past few years because they don’t have those Big 3 starters anymore.
I didn’t write a blog recently about how John should’ve told Andruw privately why he was on waivers, how he could’ve avoided a lot of problems by just talking to the center fielder and explaining the relatively routine procedure to him.
I didn’t blog last week about how John should have put aside his ego and talked to Smoltz about his option and should make an exception to their longstanding policy of not discussing such matters before the season ended.
I didn’t write how little the Braves got for Johnny Estrada the day they made the trade for Villarreal and Cormier last winter when I was at the winter meetings and wrote that Estrada, an All-Star and Silver Slugger just a year earlier, had brought only two undistinguished relievers in return.
You’re right. I just wish I had the sack to criticize the GM about the important stuff, like why on earth he’d trade an injured A-ball pitching prospect for a veteran pinch-hitter who was only 1-for-12 against left-handers (that was your gem of the week, Tom, pointing out that irrelevent fact about a guy they got primarily to pinch-hit against right-handed pitchers).
I’ll try to muster your courage and question something the GM’s done. Someday. But I’m just not ready yet. Not like you.
By Tom A. Hawk
September 3, 2006 01:16 AM | Link to this
Always strive for clarity, bloggers! You don’t want your hero to be angry with you.
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 01:24 AM | Link to this
Grinch, I understood your post perfectly. Was seconding it, and applying more sarcasm. I know you “get it.” Unlike some. Actually, unlike one (don’t want to throw others under the bus with this one-trick pony we’ve had criticizing this minor trade for three days and trying to get my goat by writing “Shhh … not too loud. John almight sees all. Hears all.” Good one.
John S. is a damn good GM, but this isn’t one of his better years. Period.
We all know that. But unlike you, most of us realize why it’s not one of his better years. You don’t know the game, that’s all. Nothing personal. But anyone who’d not recognize that getting Darryl Ward, who ranks among the NL’s best pinch-hitters this year in every category _ average, hits, homers _ and who has raked all year vs. right-handers, getting him in exchange for a guy who hasn’t gotten out of A-ball since he was drafted three years ago, and who just had Tommy John surgery this summer, is a damn good trade.
So while Rome burns, you obsess over that trade and your entirely wrong evaluation of it.
I’ll go watch Wilco on Austin City Limits.
By Hal
September 3, 2006 01:28 AM | Link to this
Nathan ; Im just north of you and our weather mirrors yours .Hot as he@@ and no rain since ohhh last year lol
You live in this part of the world now i can understand your negativity lol
Speaking of negatives Davies dident seem to be the answer some thought he would be did he?
a lot of things tried by managment this year dont seem to have been the answer ,the books selling good though lol
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 01:30 AM | Link to this
Tom, do you really want to p** me off? My heros have mostly died off. I just didn’t want to be misunderstood. I assure you, I don’t modify my opinions to get the approval of people I don’t know. Much like I avoided singling you out up ‘till now, ‘cause I’m not interested in being a dick. Since you seem to be, though, I’ll be your huckleberry. Start the show; I’ll be glad to finish it, B***.
By Ouch
September 3, 2006 01:31 AM | Link to this
Seems like just a couple of days ago I was reading on this blog how Kyle Davies’ return would propel the Braves into the playoffs.
By Bobby C.
September 3, 2006 01:35 AM | Link to this
Will the last Braves fan to leave please turn out the lights?
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 01:40 AM | Link to this
I’m waiting…
By nathan
September 3, 2006 01:41 AM | Link to this
wow! nye-night!
you guys should get some sleep too. it reads like you need some!
By nathan
September 3, 2006 01:46 AM | Link to this
Actually, I’ll add this before I “sign off”.
I just stopped by the Braves official site. And they have the little box that shows the starting pitchers for the next game.
Anyhow, I saw Tim Hudson’s picture and I got all excited! HOW FRICKIN SAD IS THAT? This rotation is so week……Even he’s exciting these days! LOL!
The next thing you know, I’m gonna do a back flip if I see Pete Orr in the lineup!
Just thought I’d share that with y’all!
PS…..since I’ve stated that I live up north, am I still allowed to use the term “y’all”?
Good night everybody.
By nathan
September 3, 2006 01:48 AM | Link to this
obviously, I meant to type “weak”, not “week”.
good night
By Tom A. Hawk
September 3, 2006 01:57 AM | Link to this
Try to focus, DOB. For the last time, I’m not upset over the trade itself. In getting his hit today, Ward probably already has done more for the Braves than the pitcher the Braves gave up ever will do for the Nats. At least I hope that’s the case. What I’m upset about is that all season long — and this trade is just the latest example — Schuerholz has waited too long and then done too little to give this team a chance to compete, and he’s let a proud legacy die a pretty undignified death. I see Rome burning clearly, Dave, and I’ve got a pretty good idea whose fiddling (or lack of fiddling) made the conflagration worse.
But you’re right. I’m just a baseball fan. There’s a vast universe about the game I don’t know, and Schuerholz has been a great GM. That’s what makes this season all the more baffling and frustrating. See, I do know a damn good team underachieving mightily when I see it, and I’m smart enough not to lay the blame on Daryle Ward or any of the other players. For the last time, get that straight, at least.
Finally, I didn’t try to do any goat-getting before you were guilty of the same thing yourself. If I annoy you and you believe me too ignorant and obsessive to be of any interest, then just ignore me or block me. I’m obviously not worth a response from a baseball man of your stature.
I’ll go now and leave the blog to you and the other geniuses of the game who think alike and blog alike.
By Tom A. Hawk
September 3, 2006 02:07 AM | Link to this
In spite of your name-calling, Grinch, I’d like to apologize to you. It was wrong of me to offend other bloggers just because the blogmeister ridiculed me. I’m sorry.
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 02:11 AM | Link to this
People, we have witnessed (those who stuck around) a man of great integrity. Anyone seen Full Metal Jacket? Much like when Rafter Man runs the camera on a guy who is sitting next to a dead VC. “Ladies and gentleman, we have witnessed the passing of a man who’s worthy of being killed. We will not see his like again.” Well, such goeth Tom A. Hawk, a man who’s message was futile to begin with, but was ultimately solved by a good dose of democracy. Or, if you prefer, a dumbass who’s tired schtick failed in the finer hours of the blog, when realistic minds prevail.
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 02:13 AM | Link to this
Oops, my bad. I posted that before your apology. Never mind, then, dude. Rock on in your own opinion.
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 02:21 AM | Link to this
I wipe away a tear, overwhelmed.
The blog is not worthy of such prose, Grinch. Great stuff.
“This is my rifle, this is my gun…”
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 02:35 AM | Link to this
“What’s your name, Fatbody?” “Bob. Bob Wickman.” “Bob Wickman? Wickman, what. The last man to put the candle out when you catch two people F&%#@$G? That name sounds like royalty. Are you royalty? “Sir, no sir.” B&%%$#@T! I bet the ones who survived your in-f%$#@$% got hemophillia. Can you throw a strike? “Sir, yes sir!” B&%%$#@T, I can’t hear you! “SIR YES SIR!” Well, I’ll be Dammed. Do you think you’re Mickey F-ing Spillane? “Sir, no Sir!” Alright, then, throw a f-ing strike! Don’t THINK I won’t be right on your a$$, Wickman! You WILL do as I say!
By Kzam
September 3, 2006 02:45 AM | Link to this
DOB
You seem to get your feathers ruffled any time someone suggests you are a “homer.” Generally, I feel you tell it like it is but labeling John Smoltz a Cy Young candidate a few days ago was a bit of a stretch. I haven’t heard his name mentioned by any other media source.
By The Grinch
September 3, 2006 03:19 AM | Link to this
Later, All.
By Zimmerman
September 3, 2006 04:20 AM | Link to this
1991 Revisited
Now the third sacker on one June night
Told the first baseman that things weren’t right.
“Your attention span,” he said, “is much too slight,
It reflects badly on me, the team’s white knight.”
First baseman said, “Hmm, you’re right.
Let me ask the team doctor what can be done.”
The pills the doc gave him helped him hit a ton,
Even better than Bream in 1991.
By Zimmerman
September 3, 2006 04:38 AM | Link to this
Now the beat writer, he was very bored
Keeping up interest in a team so poor.
Superior knowledge on his blog he’d lord,
But dissenting opinion really made him sore
And would bring his trusty minions on the run,
To screech, “Hey, man, quit messin’ with our fun
Like that pesky Puckett in 1991!”
By David -ATL
September 3, 2006 05:48 AM | Link to this
Grinch,the best post of the season at 2:11AM,classic stuff.
By Bravo Nam
September 3, 2006 05:52 AM | Link to this
Mr. Tom Hawk, I’d like to introduce you to Mr. Don (Wilson is my Love Child). You two are made for each other. There were too many ludicrous comments to keep up with- a couple of gems- “Ward is 1-for-13 against lefties, now, though. Just what the Braves needed!” Hawkeye (or would you rather Eagle-eye)- how many times does the point have to be made that he was not brought in as a pinch-hitter for lefties…but righties!
“And despite Ward’s heroics, if the Phillies had had Tom Gordon available in the first game, it would have been a Phillies sweep Saturday.” The relish with which you make this observation makes you seem more like a Mutts fan. What’s with the what ifs big fella? So, even when Ward does something right you’re trying to boost you’re argument by throwing in a what if? We can all play that game…what if the Braves had Bob Wickman from the start of the year, what if…
In Australia, we have a word for guys like you- mate, you’re a “tosser”, a fair dinkum “tosser”. I don’t know who I have more disdain for- a person cloaked in a Braves uniform who is anything but a braves fan, or a Mutts loser who comes on to this blog because his pitiful ego needs to boost itself a bit further by kicking a dog when it’s down?
And to the Mutts tossers who come on to this blog- girls, boys, dogs, whoever you are- show some class- you’ve won the division, you outplayed the Braves in the 2006 regular season- we know it, you know it- but that’s not enough for you all, you want to rub our noses in the dirt. Two things for you: when you’ve won 14 division titles in a row, then you earn the right to be audacious little pr*icks, and secondly, get down on your knees and pray that the Bravos don’t get the Wild Card.
On a more positive note, thanks to everyone for your thoughts on Poco, Badfinger and Harry Chapin. One last point on this- Badfinger’s “Straight Up” is regarded by soem critics in the rock industry as one of the top 10 albums of all-time, and you’ll understand why when you listen to it- when you consider the year it was produced, it really is mind boggling how brilliant the album is- yes, it has the mega hit “Day After Day” and “Baby Blue”, but their best track ever may very well be: “Name of the Game”.
By the way DOB, I notice in one of your comments a while back you said that Ward had made some shots at Washington and Frank- are you able to elaborate on any comments he made about the Nationals/Braves?
By Bravo Nam
September 3, 2006 06:04 AM | Link to this
A thought on Andruw. If JS is genuine about retaining AJ and AJ is genuine about remaining with the Braves, their only option is to get a deal done this winter. After that, it’s too late. During the year is not an option, coz as we all know, JS does not negotiate contracts during the year. Once AJ hits free agency, he’s gone. So, it has to be this winter folks.
The other interesting scenario could come middle of next year. If the Braves are in the hunt, JS will keep AJ. But, if the Braves are out of contention, what does JS do? He obviously goes for a trade, but will Andruw agree to a trade? Could go either man…but bottom line is that if JS does not sign AJ this winter, there is a strong possibility we could lose AJ for nothing the following year.
Houston to JS, Houston to JS…sign AJ this winter…if you don’t, work very hard on improving your bedside manner with AJ, starting today- coz come July 31 next year, if you’re looking to trade AJ, your chances of consummating one look a whole lot brighter if you can swallow your ego and establish a cordial rather than terse relationship with your champion slugger.
By Adam Worth
September 3, 2006 06:07 AM | Link to this
Wow, Dob is prickly. Tom A. Hawk must have struck a nerve.
And Grinch, your language might get you banned from the blog. Watch out.
By NLCHAMPS
September 3, 2006 06:50 AM | Link to this
Bravo Nam….You sure spend a lot of time telling Met fans how they should behave. The BLOG is a forum for everyone to express themselves. There will be some views you don’t agree with but you’ll have to deal with it. As for the “We won 14 in a row talk”, How long are you and the rest of the brave fans gonna live off that? It wasn’t 14 World series you know. There a many teams that have won more Titles than the braves. Should those teams be allowed to prevent you and other fans from expressing themselves??? World Title are what it’s all about. If the Mets fail to win the world Series winning the division didn’t mean SHI$&*@T.
By Bravo Nam
September 3, 2006 07:31 AM | Link to this
NLCHAMPS…I don’t have a problem with Braves fans agreeing/disagreeing or whatever on this blog. I do have a problem with Mutts fans coming onto our blog and prancing around like show ponies. Agreed…14 Division titles isn’t everything…but it is sustained excellence. And until the Mutts achieve sustained excellence over a long period of time (and the measure of sustained excellence is more than just WS titles), I’d prefer not to have to read ongoing vitriolic comments, grandstanding and shameless bragging on the Braves blog from fans of a team that are only now tasting some success.
Yes, it’s a free world and anyone can write on this blog. Just as you have a right to come to this blog and trumpet how great the Mutts are…we too have the right to tell you you’re not welcome (unless you’ve actually got some constructive things to say)…if you choose to come to a website of an opposition team, don’t expect to receive the red carpet treatment.
And if I’ve hurt your feelings because of the nasty things I’ve said about Mutts fans on this blog, there’s a really simple solution open to you…hit the road Jack!
By doc
September 3, 2006 07:49 AM | Link to this
well guys, i am sure that js is more frustrated than any of us could imagine as he trys to do what he does so well on a shoestring budget for ownership that doesnt want him to spend its money as a new ownership group comes in that may only want this property so it can hold it briefly to make more money. times have changed and it isnt john’s fault that it has but he is going to have to walk a bit on the wild side with all of us until a real owner is allowed to come in here in three years by tax law that could change at any minute.
hate to burst balloons here but look to the hawks if you want to see how things will be run for a while or how bad it could get especially if there is a new gm until sir arthur can have his shot if he is still interested. this could be a sham opearation for a few years in spite of our whinings. with all that said it would be a different season if this team had not hit the wall in june after its death march of away games to start the season.
By berigan
September 3, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this
Hope Marcus will be aok if he needs the surgery. First David Ortiz’s heart problems, then Jon Lester’s Cancer, now Giles heart trouble. Puts everything in perspective, doesn’t it? If the braves don’t make the playoffs, no one dies, and there is always next year…
By ncscoots
September 3, 2006 08:07 AM | Link to this
Yesterday only underscores, boldfaces, and italicizes what must be the Braves off-season priority: it’s the pitching, stupid. When I look at the offense for next year I see at least four guys capable of hittling .300+ (Giles, Renteria, Chipper, McCann), at least four guys capable of hitting 30+ homers (Chipper, Andruw, LaRoche, and Francoeur), another capable of 20+ (McCann), and, shoot, for that matter, Giles and Renteria could hit 15 apiece. Throw Thorman’s power in the mix hitting eighth would be absolutely sick, but even with a light-hitting defensive wiz in the eight-hole, this would still be a 900-run offense. The bench needs some upgrade, yes, but that everyday eight, good grief, I’d take that offense over any in the NL, including the Mets. ANY kind of above-average starting pitching, and that 2007 team would be scary. To me, that means getting a solid 3-4 starter in the offseason. If that means Ramirez/Davies/James/Lerew/whoever goes bye-bye, so be it. I know they can’t sign some $10MM pitcher, but there has to be a solid, 200-inning, 12-15-game-winner out there SOMEWHERE at a budgetable price. I’m actually less worried about the bullpen, since good starters would reduce the exposure of the ‘pen, regardless of who’s down there.
By Head Coach
September 3, 2006 08:22 AM | Link to this
Morning blog denizens . I am very concerned to hear of Giles heart valve condition. Having suffered a heart attack a few years ago my prayers and hopes for a speedy recovery go out to Gilly. Ditto David , why did Devine pitch in both games ? Bobby must be losing it ,lol. With 28 games left and the postseason hopes looooong gone( they have been a sub .500 team for three months ) I think that this is an opportunity , if the Braves choose to take it. Gilly is on the DL and its a chance to audition for a leadoff hitter , give Lerew , Devine and Davies a chance to pitch , call up Will Startup and Gregor Blanco for a look and give this team a jumpstart on 2007. All this talk of chasing the wildcard is counterproductive and it is getting a bit ridiculous. Georgia 48 W.Kentucky 12 way to go BULLDOGS !!! WOOF ! TBS is televising the second game of todays doubleheader , way cool. Now I dont have to watch football all day , lol.
By NLCHAMPS
September 3, 2006 08:32 AM | Link to this
Being just a dumb American I think I’ll stick around and remind you when ever possible that you’re living in the past, World Titles are what matters, and that the braves will not win the wild card. As for getting my feeling hurt, I don’t take you serious enough for that to happen. Maybe australians lean more on the sensitive side that I thought. I didn’t know you liked baseball. I thought australians where into Rugby and Kangaroos.
By Lew
September 3, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
Champs-When the Mets get dumped, either during the NL playoffs, or certainly in the WS (No matter what team they play), I’ll remind you of your statement about how the Division Title don’t mean s##t. Maybe then all of you Mets fans will just fade away. Why do you care if we live in the past? Are you some kind of Dickensian ghost sent as our collective conscience? Do you actually think we need your help in putting this year in perspective. Take my word for it, we do not need the help of you or any other Mets fans to contemplate our wretchedness. Yes, it looks like the Mets will win the East Division. You may even beat a week field and win the NL. Ican name at least 6 AL teams that will kick your collective behinds back to Flushing Meadows (quite an appropriate name, don’t you think, considering all the s##t we have had to listen to fromMets fans this year). I haven’t understood just why so many Mets fans decide they need to come on Braves sites , thump their chests and grab their crotches and shout in our ears as though we were deaf, about how great they are. Whoopie. Y’all are great. I’m truly so happy for you. Don’t let the door hit you in the butt as you leave. Talk to me in November about how great your season was. You ain’t won nothing yet and probably won’t. You certainly will never approach 14 Championships in a row. Probably not even two.
By dadgum
September 3, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this
NAM…..Good post on the Andruw situation. The longer it takes to sign or trade him the uglier this thing will get. I still feel that he needs to be signed prior to the winter meetings. If both sides are serious ( and I feel they are) then this should be able to be put to bed by that time. Boras is a greedy agent and he will drag Andruw through the ordeal of negotiations promising him great rewards on the other side.
If Andruw wants to remain a Brave the rest of his career he has that chance but he must realize that by allowing Boras to negotiate on his behalf he is seriously jepordizing that possibility. Regardless, the Braves aren’t going to give him too much more than he is making now but would look at a 5 year deal most likely. That would keep him a Brave into the sunset of his career. This isn’t the old Ted days of “give’em what they ask for”. Boras knows the Braves won’t be able to match what they ask. He will be driving up Andruw’s price on the market next year. See Boras I would guess wants to drag this out as long as possible.
In any case the decision is ultimately Andruw’s and he can deal with Boras or fire him or negotiate without him. From a playing standpoint ‘07 would be a lot better year knowing he had a secure 5 year deal at say an average of 14 mil as opposed to playing not knowing what lurks in the future.
I like Andruw and it is hard to replace 30+ homers. 5 tool player, and Gold Glover to boot roaming CF but for the sake of Andruw and the Braves I would like to see this thing put to bed this winter or fall. I can’t see Andruw turning down 14 mil/yr for 5 years (if that is what it will be)if he does then I think Andruw needs to let the Braves know asap so they can work out some deal or trade to get this team where it needs to be prior to ‘07.
By Lew
September 3, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
Dadgum-Thanks for backing me up on Tull the other day. Its hard to say a band is irrelevant after 38 years and over 30 albums. Andruw may be knocking his value down even as we speak. His batting average is plummeting and he has shown that the constant wear and tear is getting to him. I really wonder how good his knee feels. Let’s all hope that Marcus is going to be all right. Like mentioned before, any surgery is serious. We wish him well and a speedy recovery.
By dadgum
September 3, 2006 10:36 AM | Link to this
NCSCOOTS…agreed on the most pressing need - starting pitching. After yesterday I think any notion of Davies helping us for any mythical wild card run is gone. Bobby most likely will give him another shot to get his confidence back though. Hudson, Hampton, Smoltz, HoRam, James those are the 5 guys we have as starters right now looking ahead to ‘07 and with the exception of Smoltz they all scare me. I have little confidence that group will be effective given injuries etc. Smoltz is a great competitor and I will give him a pass but I tell you his age is starting to bother me after ‘07.
However, if we are going to go after a #3 starter we have to be careful what we give up. Things could look good on paper but nothing matters except the on-field results i.e. Hudson. Point being we can get what we think is a good trade and it may end up that way or not. So yes we will assume the Braves will get that #3 15 win guy potential by giving up say Giles and we will assume some mix of those 5 mentioned above actually play to their potential after injuries or off years. Get the Andruw thing settled early, get the assundried secondary moves/trades done and if we get our share of luck then ‘07 could be great.
By Goat Horns
September 3, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this
Big set of horns for Kyle.
Another set for Chipper and Ken (I can’t remember his last good outing) Ray.
Another “Smiley Face” for Joey. He and Chad can have chocolate pie, none for the rest.
By ncscoots
September 3, 2006 10:53 AM | Link to this
dadgum, sure, any trade could turn out to be a bust. On the other hand, any young unproven pitcher can go bust, too. Truthfully, I think the young pitchers Braves have right now and coming up all have a lot of potential. But I’d rather the question we’re asking in April is “Will the veteran (fill-in-the-blank) perform to his historical norms?”, rather than “Will (fill-in-the-blank) live up to his potential?” I just tthink there’s a higher probability of a good vet pitching as well as he has in the past than there is of a relatively young pitcher performing consistently well. But, hey, I’m not paid to evaluate talent, and the Braves brain trust may feel that Ramirez/Davies/James et al are better than what would be available from other teams. If that be case, I’m good with it.
By NLCHAMPS
September 3, 2006 11:04 AM | Link to this
Lew…..Do you know how many brave fans have thumped their chest and grabbed thier crotches during their run. How many derogotory comments about the Mets, NY and thier fans I’ve heard. Too many to remember. Now that it’s turned around you don’t want to hear it. Yeah I’m a little giddy about my team. Your comments about the Mets not having a chance are not accurate. They have speed, Power,defense and a great bullpen. Yes their pitching is not as strong as I’d like but it’s OK. I like our chances……GO METS!!
By Lew
September 3, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
Davies outing last night was certainly not good. Even considering him to be the long awaited missing piece to this season was really pretty naive to begin with. Don’t give up on him or his career qwuite yet, though. The guy just came back from a nasty surgery and several rehab starts in AAA are not indicative of anything much. He’ll be back. Whether or not he will be the second coming of Maddux was a debatable proposition to begin with. Give the kid a chance. Did you really think we were going anywhere this season, anyway?
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 11:14 AM | Link to this
Strong post, Lew. HIt it right on the head. Hey, sure they’re beyond tiresome at this point, but let ‘em have their fun, I guess, right? I mean, they’ve been a sad-sack team playing in the immense shadow of the 20-whatever time World Champion Yankees for a long, long time. A looong time.
So I guess it’s understandable they’d feel the need to come to the Braves blog or anywhere else they can get a reaction and feel superior for a few months this one summer. No worries.
By Lew
September 3, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this
Champs-This is the last time I will respond to you. I don’t know of any Braves fan who has gone to a Mets site and posted anything to Mets fans. Why would we care? If you REALLY read this blog, other than to see your own name in print, you would have noticed that Braves fans are pretty damned hard on the Braves, their players, management and front office. No one needs your help. Go away. I promise you will not see us on Mets sites. I will relate an anecdote to you about competition, not that it will make an impression on you, but… I am a UGA alum. I saw every game that Herscel Walker played at Georgia at Sanford Stadium. In four years we never lost in Athens. I saw my first loss there with Bo Jackson and the Auburn Tigers, a team that the Dawgs had beaten for several years straight. They beat us 10-7 on a horrendously cold and wet day. They had lost only one game that year-To Texas. After beating us on our home turf, and knowing we were scheduled to play Texas in the Cotton Bowl, the Auburn players had only one thing to say to us as they exited the field. I heard Bo Jackson and others voice the same statement-“Take out Texas for us!” That, Champs is true class and sportsmanship. I doubt that the Mets fans will understand. Fugeddabbadit.
By NLCHAMPS
September 3, 2006 11:28 AM | Link to this
DOB….In case you haven’t noticed the Yankees cast a shadow on EVERY team in baseball. The Mets came into the league in 1962 along with the Astros. Do they have any titles? In fact we’ve been to the big show four times before they got there last year. Yes, the Yankees have a great history that spans more than a century but Met fans aren’t humbled by it. I think it’s something to aspire to. Everytime you and the rest of the brave fans run out of “Comebacks” the best that you can come up with is using the “They’re not the Yankees” line. You need to use another teams accomplishments to cover up your teams failures…….PATHETIC **DOB.
By Lew
September 3, 2006 11:38 AM | Link to this
Champs-Do you see the irony of your statement about using other teams accomplishments to cover uo your own team’s failures? ENOUGH!!! Scoots-Glad to have you back, buddy. Hope you weathered the storm in good shape. I, too believe that the road to success goes through the pitching. I’m really concerned, though, not just for the Braves’ staff, but pitching in general. Yesterday, there were 16 of the 30 teams that gave up 5 or more runs. As a kid in Philadelphia (as a fan of some pretty pitiful teams), I remember a barber once telling me that if you gave the Phillies staff four runs to work with, they would win most of the time. Boy, have times changed. Call it the addition of the DH. Call it the dillution of talent because there are so many more teams.Call it the building of bandbox stadiums. Whatever, the pitching in general stinks. I do not think there will be any improvement overall until the mound is raised again, bring the competiton back to a middle ground. Going back to a four man rotation might help, also. The Players Assn. probably would lobby against the four man rotation, though.
By Carolina Lady
September 3, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this
NLChamps, you said: ” the Yankees have a great history that spans more than a century but Met fans aren’t humbled by it. I think it’s something to aspire to.”
Someone previously mentioned that 14 years of Division Championships points to Excellence in level of play and success in competition. That excellence and success would also be inspiring in an honest evaluation. An accomplishment that has never been duplicated by anyone in any sport is not deserving of the derision cast by petty jealousy. The Mets will have one this year; only 13 continuous years to go before you can match it and thereby earn the right to look the Braves in the eye. Good luck.
By NLCHAMPS
September 3, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this
I’ll check back after the METS win the World Series. Then based on yours and other braves fans posts, we’ll see how much class you realy have lew. See you after the series.
By Lew
September 3, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
After the Series. Amen and Selah. Good Morning, Ma’am-Is the front yard looking any better?
By Jon
September 3, 2006 12:30 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, did I read that right? Is the second game of the double-header today really going to be on TBS? Is my day going to be made after all? If so, then great!!!! It seems as if there are never any games televised anymore to where I can watch them, I only get TBS up here in Kentucky and those games are far and few between anymore.
By doc
September 3, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this
maybe i am talking out of school about giles as i am reading between the lines a bit. it sounds like he has what is called a septal defect, a hole in the wall of his heart rather than a valve issue. it is one of the lesser proceedures to close it they do it on kids all the time as some are now discovered almost before a child is born if it is large. all of us has a similar process happen when we transit from the womb to the world.
the problem is corrected similar to what they do with doing the diagnostic study of the heart arteries before an operation or before a stint. it is probably most similar to that though in his case it can be done through the venous system which has fewer complications because it doesnt have the continual high pressure. i am not minimalizing this at all but there is some reassurance he will come back strong and possibly sooner than most would expect. it has been a crazy year for injuries for sure.
best wishes to giles, plays with a lot of heart in spite of the defect, go figure.
By Lew
September 3, 2006 12:34 PM | Link to this
Yes Jon-It was even listed on the Braves’ site. Two more chances on tv to see our bullpen in action. Please let our starters go 7 or more. Please. Please?
By Jon
September 3, 2006 12:50 PM | Link to this
Thanks Lew!
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this
Chipper’s out of the lineup because of that same strained side muscle. Bobby Cox said he’d try to play the second game.
Aybar batting third and playing 3B for the first game.
Prado’s at 1B and leading off. We won’t have any news on Giles until Monday, probably, but Bobby said they were able to get him set up for at least some of the tests he’s gotta do today.
Oh, and Mets aren’t pitching Glavine in third game, as originally announced. Giving him an extra day of rest, so Oliver Perez will go third game.
Matchups: James vs. Trachsel tomorrow, Smoltz vs. Dave Williams on Tuesday, Villarreal or Davies vs. Perez on Wednesday.
And no, TBS IS NOT SHOWING SECOND GAME TODAY. NO TV for second game.
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 12:57 PM | Link to this
Oh, and Moylan is back yet again for bullpen depth.
Cox said if he had to, he’d think about using LaRoche to pitch for an inning. But it’s unlikely. LaRoche hasn’t pitched in four years, and even then only a couple of outings in minors. Hasn’t pitched regularly since he was a junior-college closer, and he stopped doing his occasional bullpen sessions a few months ago when he decided he was never going to get his wish of pitching in a game.
By Vol
September 3, 2006 01:42 PM | Link to this
Maybe the Renteria HR will hold up all day. For both games.
By Vol
September 3, 2006 01:44 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the TBS update, DOB. I never got my hopes up, but I have to say I was a little disappointed to see the same Tom Hanks movie on today that was on Saturday when I checked for the game. Why do they hate us so much?
By In Cold Blood
September 3, 2006 01:53 PM | Link to this
“An accomplishment that has never been duplicated by anyone in any sport…
C’mon, CL, I think the Yankees winning five straight World Series — not once, but twice — is a far greater accomplishment than the Braves winning 14 straight division titles (most years in a very weak division) and then flaming out in the postseason.
Check the Packers and Celtics of the 60s and John Wooden’s UCLA teams for further edification on true streaks of sustained excellence.
By Bravo Nam
September 3, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this
Gee, if we win this 1st game, we’ll pull one out of the fire. No McCann, Jones or Giles. I wondered why Cox would pull McCann with Jones and Giles out, then realised that he’s probably relying on Hudson to put on a stronger pitching performance than Cormier, and so will back Cormier with bringing McCann and Jones back in. The tonic for the whole team would be if Hudson can complete a full nine inning performance.
By JJMB
September 3, 2006 02:06 PM | Link to this
doc, How is the “transit from the womb to the world” similar to having a hole in the heart wall?
By Bravo Nam
September 3, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this
Irrespective of how we do in this DH, one’s gotta wonder how playing two DHs in a row is going to affect the performance of the team in the coming week.
By MEB
September 3, 2006 02:25 PM | Link to this
In Cold Blood… Hey, that sounds gross and creepy. There is no arguing the greatness of the Yankees, Packers, Celtics, Canadians, or Bruins. What none of these teams have done is win their conference, division, league, title, blue ribbon, gold ring, or pennant for 14 straight years. One thing about records is you can argue over which is the most impressive but all the arguing in the world doesn’t change the fact that the Braves won for 14 straight years.
Where do you come up with a statement like the Braves did it in “a very weak division.” I guess the Braves should put an asterisk next to all 14 of those years because In Cold Blood said it was a weak division. What’s flamed out around here is your argument.
By Calvin
September 3, 2006 02:29 PM | Link to this
lol Howard is killing Hudson.
By Vol
September 3, 2006 02:34 PM | Link to this
Agassi done, Braves behind and playing short-handed. Another other bad news?
By Clyde
September 3, 2006 02:39 PM | Link to this
I wonder if Oakland would give us Charles Thomas back for Hudson.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By Tom
September 3, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
Who is pitching for the Phillies? I can’t quite make the name, but it sure looks like Pedro, maybe Clemens…or Schilling. Did the Phillies pick up one of those guys….it can’t be 43 year old (70mph fastball) Moyer. What the hell?????????
By Goat Horns
September 3, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this
Chipper gets some horns before the game is even over because he is not playing.
How can a self proclaimed “leader” on this club not play every game this weekend?
I expect $12 million/year players to be on the field, especially in a game of this magnitude.
If he is not hurt bad enough to go on the DL then he needs to lace them up and be on the field the rest of the season or until we are officially eliminated!
Leaders don’t sit out the important games!
By MEB
September 3, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this
Maybe Ryan Howawd can get Hudson to pitch for him during next years Home Run Derby. YIKES!!!
By Calvin
September 3, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this
Maybe Hudson should just walk Howard from now on? lol
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 03:19 PM | Link to this
Now we have to win Game 2 to be in exactly the same spot we were in on Friday.
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 03:26 PM | Link to this
OK, my fellow armchair GMs, in the offseason should Giles be traded for a left fielder with more “pop” or a starting pitcher? Before last night, I was inclined towards the outfielder, but now I’m not sure about Davies. Plus HoRam is often injured, Hudson is consistently inconistent, Smoltz rules, but he is 83, James could become very good if not great, and Hampton is coming off major surgery. Too many question marks in that 07 rotation for me.
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
Wait a minute. Did Pratt just hit a homerun?
By Vol
September 3, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this
No TV here. Did I read it wrong, or did Tim Hudson just bat for himself in the 8th inning down by 3???????
I know we are playing a lot of games, but HUH?
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this
Brayan Pena pinch hit for Hudson
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this
Why can’t Turner South just show game 2? Everybody’s already at the park. Besides, no one is interested in watching “Beyond the Glory,” “Junkin’,” or a replay of Bowling Green vs. East Carolina University from 1982.
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this
Did I just see that? Diaz goes deep, Braves take the lead. Sticky Wicky up in the pen!
By MEB
September 3, 2006 04:04 PM | Link to this
I can’t believe what I just saw!
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this
Assuming we win this one, maybe the Phillies won’t be able to get off the mat for Game 2.
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 04:07 PM | Link to this
Finally, more human life on this blog. I’ve been dancing with myself here for an hour…and, yes, I know what that song is about, and no, I wasn’t actually dancing with myself.
By MEB
September 3, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this
You know a defeat like this could crush a teams moral and psyche. Hey, with the Phillies in front of us for the wildcard this win will be huge.
Dang, I thought McCann cranked one out.
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this
Ward is making peanuts this year. He’ll probably be affordable if JS wants to bring him back.
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
If Wicky gets it done, the worst case scenario is we stand exactly where we were on Friday should the Braves lose game 2.
By jounalist jimmy smith
September 3, 2006 04:14 PM | Link to this
oh, the humanity! the braves are stealing this game away from the phillies! the braves lead and now wickman will enter the game. what a turn of events! go wickman! go braves! pie for everyone.
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 04:16 PM | Link to this
That was ugly.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 3, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
our big pitcher is on the ground! oh, what a tumble! now, strike out the side.
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 04:18 PM | Link to this
Randall Simon? Watch out sausages!
By Ptown Bravo
September 3, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
Salty, I was a Duck for two disgraceful semesters - finished up a Fightin’ Rainbow Warrior. Eugene ain’t exactly paradise, but your son should thrive on that campus. Aside from perhaps a few big league programs in the SEC, the UofO recruits the finest co-eds in the nation. In the PAC10, only ASU would come close (tough to beat those Tempe winter terms). There is, however, no competition when it comes to cheerleaders. DOB, you can keep your proud Jayhawk winning tradition, we’ve got those perfect round pompoms shakin’ the Pit.
Tough day to be a student-athlete at Autzen Stadium yesterday; tougher day still to be a beleagured beat writer choking on stankonia and the vitriol of terminally unemployed, stay-at-home GM’s. Could be worse, pal, you could be back at the Sentinel hashing out the Loria v. Girardia brouhaha. Kinda makes the HB/HD episode seem quaint.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 3, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this
if there were any sausages out there wickman would have already eaten them. oh, the humanity! from the jaws of victory …
By Phil A. Delphia
September 3, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this
Wicky-wicky-woo! Wicky-wicky-woo!
By Goat Horns
September 3, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this
OUCH!
Horns for Langerhans.
By MEB
September 3, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this
Well… I’ve tasted better crow, but I can’t remember when. Somehow I just knew it was too good to be true. Think I’ll take a nap.
By Emergency Broadcast Sysytem
September 3, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this
Nerd radar indicates an approaching tornado of Mets fans approaching this blog rapidly. Seek shelter immediately offline.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 3, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this
meb, don’t nap now - nightmares. would prado have stopped that ball? guess we won’t know. that was a rag-tag infield in the ninth, wasn’t it? one more game to go … journalist is now depressed.
By Phil A. Delphia
September 3, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this
Has there ever been a better matchup of heavyweights than Wickman vs. Simon? Wickman was afraid to throw a punch, unfortunately.
By Train Wreck Bystander
September 3, 2006 04:43 PM | Link to this
That game was like a punch in the gut.
I still believe this team can climb back to .500, though.
By Lew
September 3, 2006 04:47 PM | Link to this
Horny Goat-Why Horns for Langerhans? I don’t think he could have thrown the guy out with a perfect throw. Besides, if you have to count on an outfield assist to save the game, someone didn’t do their job before that.
By Noc-A-Homa
September 3, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this
It’s too bad Cox couldn’t afford to walk Victorino and set up a force at any base, but that brings Utley to the plate and — more importantly — puts Ryan Howard on deck.
By Noc-A-Homa
September 3, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this
Lew, the horrendous throw also put runners on second and third and forced the infield to play in.
By Zimmerman
September 3, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this
Look out, Ryan’s Howard’s coming through!
And it’s all over now, red-and-blue.
By Lew
September 3, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this
NocAHoma-Definitely, but if I’m giving out horns, it’s to Hudson for still another sterling performance from our “Ace”, or Wicky for not having it today(though he has earned a blown save with his performance to this point-Re-Sign him!), or maybe horns for whoever didn’t give Hubbard a cheese steak to lure Wicky closer to first on that play-but Langerhans? Like I said, if your game plan is to win with outfield assists, you are in deep trouble.
By Head Coach
September 3, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this
David the Braves home page schedule has the game televised on TBS ??? Are they screwing with us or are you getting your info wrong ?
By Lew
September 3, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this
Head Coach-TBS is running Runaway Bride right now and it won’t be over when they start the second game. They are screwing with us again. How much you wanna bet it has to do with the ESPN contract for Sunday Night Baseball?
By Ouch
September 3, 2006 05:06 PM | Link to this
Wow, even my name doesn’t express it correctly. It’s gotten so pathetic I don’t even feel good anymore when y’all lose.
By Noc-A-Homa
September 3, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this
That’s true, Lew, but in this case an outfielder’s error helped ensure defeat. If he doesn’t air-mail the throw home, then it’s runners on first and scond and it still takes a hit for the Phillies to win. I think Langerhans deserves at least one goat horn. After all, the Braves had managed to overcome Hudson’s crappiness and were poised for a win.
Considering the Braves have trailed going into the ninth in all three games of this series, we can consider ourselves damn lucky to have won even once. I’m surprised this awful Phillies bullpen was able to close out that 16-4 win last night.
By Greg
September 3, 2006 05:14 PM | Link to this
The Braves need to have won this series against the Phillies and now have to settle for a split. The have to sweep the Pets oh! I mean the Mets. They still have a shot, but their work is cut out for them in New York and in the last game in this series against the Phillies. Somehow I kinda felt the Braves were going to drop this game when up 7-6 because of how their bullpen is. The needed to have scored 5-6 runs because of their bullpen. I still like Wickman he can’t rescue the Braves all the time, Hudson should have pitched Howard better or not pitch to him at all because Howard is a MVP. Matter fact I’m so sick of Hudson, he is not work the money the Braves paid for him, I had reservation about him last year. I don’t like AL pitchers come to the NL anyway!!! I hope the trade his bald headed skinny nazi looking a*. The Phillies bullpen sucks as bad as the Braves though!!! damn!!!
By Head Coach
September 3, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this
Yea, Lew Total Bull.s.h.it Station(TBS) is really worth watching right now , lol. The Braves game is on and they are running the TV ratings right into the ground with movie reruns. Somebody needs to be fired. Ditto for whoever listed the game on the Braves website.
By Ouch
September 3, 2006 05:20 PM | Link to this
“Sweep the Mets.” Now that’s funny. Is that before or after Schuerholz gets Dontrelle Willis, Johan Santana and Ryan Howard?
By Ouch
September 3, 2006 05:25 PM | Link to this
“We better get to work,” Marcus Giles cracked.
By Train Wreck Bystander
September 3, 2006 05:30 PM | Link to this
Shame on TBS for not airing the game.
C’mon, they rained out Friday’s game hours early, so it’s not like they had to run Bloopers all night. They could have shelved the movie, started running Bloopers today instead of that movie and then cut to Philly.
But what do I know?
By Ouch
September 3, 2006 05:39 PM | Link to this
I thought Braves games pretty much were bloopers these days.
By dadgum
September 3, 2006 06:18 PM | Link to this
Hey don’t worry about the game not being on. It is a test to see how you are going to react next year when TBS only shows 40 total games. Not sure that is the number but it is something like that. I know Turner South or whatever it is called picks up quite a few games but their coverage is spotty nationally. Here in Richmond we get so few Braves games that it is hard to follow with any consistency. We have been spoiled for years so I guess it is time to find that sports bar with a strong Braves following to catch some games next year.
By Train Wreck Bystander
September 3, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
Well, I am in the Turner South broadcast area. So I have been seeing every game, and I expect to see every game next year.
But this is the make-up for Friday’s rainout - the TBS game - and it seems sort of common that they don’t air it.
By supergrass
September 3, 2006 07:00 PM | Link to this
someone, mlb/braves/tbs, really dropped the ball with the lack of broadcasting for the braves games. its really disappointing. and not many cable companies offer turnersouth. i think its on dishnetwork and directtv but where i live i cant get satellite. it really sucks. the marlins are 68-68, .500 - unbelievable
By Ptown Bravo
September 3, 2006 07:20 PM | Link to this
McCay McFilthy.
By Beachcomber
September 3, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this
There was an “urban legend” circulated earlier that the game would be on TBS. Listening on MLBAudio makes you remember how good baseball is on the radio. Nice job by McBride.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 3, 2006 07:43 PM | Link to this
journalist has just returned home from a party to find the braves still playing. will the big closer be able to save this game? we must keep him off the ground. p.s. watch the bunt (wink, wink).
By Train Wreck Bystander
September 3, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this
The Braves website lists TBS as the TV provider for the 2nd game; it’s no “urban legend”.
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 07:50 PM | Link to this
Well maybe if everybody p** and moans enough to TBS like when they moved Pete and Skip to T-South only a few years ago the situation will be rectified.
By Braves20
September 3, 2006 08:03 PM | Link to this
BTW - Guess what - they were wrong! Thank God for MLB audio - Pete and Skip to boot. Good job by Wickman although he apparently forgot the lesson we all learned at about age 10 in LL about going straight to first on a ball hit to the right side.
By bob
September 3, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this
What I want to know is why Bobby Cox didn’t walk Shane Victorino and play back for the double play?
By Glass Half Full
September 3, 2006 08:09 PM | Link to this
Redemption for Wicky. We knew sooner or later he’d blow a save. First one in 11 chances. I’ll take that over Sosa/Reitsma/Ray/Kolb any day.
By Bob
September 3, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this
If you load the bases and play back for the double play, you have a chance to get out of the inning. Bad coaching by Bobby Cox.
By Thomas
September 3, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this
We won the second game at least.
By dadgum
September 3, 2006 08:33 PM | Link to this
Looks like Chipper has reinjured his side again in the second game. Could be a long September for Chipper. Let’s hope the DL is not in the plans and it is just “day to day”.
By Goat Horns
September 3, 2006 08:34 PM | Link to this
Big Halo for Lance (Who would have thunk it!)
Gold “Stars” for McBride, Thorman, Chad, and Wick (Way to bounce back).
Cherry Cheescake for all!
Lew,
I did not expect Langy to save the game by throwing out the runner. Langerhans made a mental mistake as well as a physical mistake. He had no shot at the runner. In my opinion the proper play was to conceed the run and throw to third base. We would have had a good chance of getting out of the inning without any more runs and could have won in extras. The physical mistake was missing the cutoff. He tried to do too much.
I agree that Hudson was not very good (again) but he did give us 7 innings and saved the bullpen. Thus I spared him the horns.
By dadgum
September 3, 2006 08:47 PM | Link to this
Let’s hope what we are seeing from Hudson this year is not what he is going to do from now on. The dude is simply not getting the job done on the level the Braves need him to provide. You can’t keep having average outings then follow that up with a poor outing with maybe a good game every fifth outing. He was atrocious today from all accounts. I have to assume the Braves will keep him next year as I am not sure what you would get for him given his contract and the fact this year might just be an abberation. It will be imperative the Braves get stellar years from Hampton and Hudson to be in the division hunt again. Now that is one scary thought fellow bloggers. Gotta believe Bobby and JS are thinking the same thing.
By MEB
September 3, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady has been gone all day, I wonder if she has acquired a new lawnmower? Did she witness our Braves heroic comeback and untimely meltdown? Did she listen to our gritty and determined victory in the nightcap? So many questions that only she knows.
Was game two today the only game this year not televised this year? I do believe I have seen every game (very often recorded) this year.
By Tom A. Hawk
September 3, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this
Bob,
That was not bad coaching by Bobby Cox. If Cox walks Victorino, he does set up a force at any base, but he also brings up Chase Utley, a better and more experienced hitter than Victorino, and puts Ryan Howard on deck. Do you really want to take the chance on putting Howard at the plate again in that situation? Cox gave the Braves their best chance to preserve the tie by pitching to Victorino, and Victorino got the job done. Tip your hat to him.
The teams in the opposite dugout from the Braves deserve credit sometimes.
I can’t help but notice that when Daryle Ward takes an 0-for-5 collar in a doubleheader, DOB doesn’t seem nearly so eager to get on with his blog buddies and twist my words and make fun.
By doc
September 3, 2006 09:28 PM | Link to this
jjmb there are holes in strategic places that are open to facilitate oxygenation of the fetus in utero that close as we go from the “womb to the world”. when they dont docs have to close them. now a days with modern technologies they are less invasive and therefore safer. sorry if i confused you. we’ll know more tomorrow when he gets with the braves cardiologist.
again, strange year for injuries and a whole lot of them including hampton from last year.
By TennesseePaul
September 3, 2006 09:36 PM | Link to this
Well that’s too bad Wicky blew it. But still, he’s better than everyone else down there and at least that showed we could do it against a team above us. And Cormier is getting better and better with each start. Very well done. Lastly, I’ve just about had it with Hudson. This guy hasn’t gone head to head with a slugger and come out on top. Bonds can barely stand up on his weak little knees yet he’s still able to smack Hudson around. And Howard. For crying out loud.
Hope Giles gets better and is safe and sound.
GO BRAVES
By Ron Roberts
September 3, 2006 09:47 PM | Link to this
Alright, I’ve pretty much decided (and I was leaning this way,anyhow before today, butnot as sure as now) that Lance Cormier and Oscar Villareal deserve to be in the rotation through the end of the season. With the way they’ve both pitched, and with Smoltz and Chucky James doing their thing (more often than not), these four guys (notice I leave out freaking Hudson) give this team a chance every time out. That’s all you can ask with the offense we can put up.
As for Davies, I’m hopeful for his future, but have been scratching my head wondering what fans were looking forward to when the guy left with an era NORTH of 5 before his injury. I say let the guy finish out in Richmond (I believe we still have options on him) and bolster his confidence then pencil him into the “competition” for a roster spot for next season, myself.
By Lew
September 3, 2006 10:23 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Cormier did good. Definitely deserving of another shot.He and Villarreal may just make that particular trade work pretty well. Goat, I guess you’re right. They just all deserve horns for that first game. That one hurt.
By JJMB
September 3, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this
Thanks, doc. There are “holes” inside the fetus, then. What an amazing universe.
By David O'Brien
September 3, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this
Hey folks, Chipper’s side is fairly bad and he’s almost certainly going to miss the entire Mets series and maybe more. He didn’t seem at all optimistic, and neither did Bobby. There’s no DL, only because no need to with expanded rosters.
Saw where Ben Rothleisberger, and I’m sure i’m messing up the spelling, had an emergency appendectomy. Reminded me to tell you folks that Bobby said Baez is coming along slowly in recovery from his appendectomy. No date for return.
In case anyone’s wondering, they have no idea when or if Thomson is going to pitch again this season. He tried throwing a couple of sets of something or other off the mound yesterday (Cox’s words, basically) and had to stop on the second set.
And Horacio also coming along slowly from finger injury. Still only throwing using thumb and index finger, no pressure permitted on middle finger.
In other words, pretty much all bad news on health front. And no news yet on Giles.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 12:02 AM | Link to this
On a brighter note, I approached a personal record for cups of pressbox coffee consumed in one weekend. At last count, 17. (In addition to my pot of coffee at the hotel before leaving each morning).
By Ron Roberts
September 4, 2006 12:05 AM | Link to this
Geez, Chipper….
Shut it down for the year; these DL stints are killing any chance this team had, all year, anyhow… get it right for 2007.
Maybe Schuerholz will have learned the errors of his off-season ways and spend wisely to upgrade the bullpen and rotation by next spring.
‘Cause folks, this Braves team’s offense is better, statistically, than the Mets, and their pitching’s so shaky that it won’t take much to catch ‘em on that front, either. But then, the Phillies’ fans are probably thinking the same thing (and rightfully, so.)
In any event, I’m sick of the Chipper’s hurt stories and long stretches of him on the bench watching as we lose ground this year, so just shut it down and let the kids get some playing time in. I’d almost rather hear ‘em say “Listen, we know we hardly have a shot at the playoffs, so we’re just gonna throw our best available kids out there and see what they can do and get ready and healthy for next season.”
‘Cause the letdowns have come, time and again, this season to the point that these blogs (and believer-fans) are down to miniscule numbers.
Hell, we can’t even get daily blogs like we were getting earlier in the season.
By Carolina Lady
September 4, 2006 12:07 AM | Link to this
Salute, DOB! You deserve a bouquet for the job you put in this weekend! Thanks!!
By Carolina Lady
September 4, 2006 12:09 AM | Link to this
Yeah, it’s a shame that Chipper choses to injure himself so much. He should pick different times to do that to himself.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 12:09 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, I agree with you on Cormier and Villarreal staying in rotation. But I think they should (and will) give Davies another crack at showing that his Triple-A performances weren’t a fluke. Of course, there’s a big difference between Triple-A and the majors, as we all know.
Something about him, something is missing. He just is so inconsistent. But have to keep telling myself how young he is, how much guys like Maddux and Glavine struggled in their first year, and this is still basically Davies’ first year (hasn’t had a full season’s worth in majors).
But next year, there really won’t be any excuses. Just tough to look at what he’s done and get excited about his chances next year.
By flbravesgirl
September 4, 2006 12:18 AM | Link to this
Are we trying to match the Red Sox on the injury/illness front? Ouch. Thanks for the updates, DOB. I’m still hoping for good news on Marcus.
I’m sure they’re all pretty tired after this marathon weekend too… and now on to NY. Oh joy. (I’d think you were tired too, DOB, but after 17 cups of coffee plus, you probably don’t even blink let alone sleep.)
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this
Ron, there were no daily blogs this weekend because I literally spent 12 hours a day at the ballpark, covering and scoring two games, writing notebooks each day, doing the extended scoutbox for tomorrow’s series, covering a breaking story last night at 11 p.m. regarding Giles, and writing game stories for our state edition (due at 7 p.m.) each day after the first game, then writing an entirely new story covering both games after the doubleheader nightcaps.
That, and the lack of high numbers on the blog this weekend, told me that the priority was to pay attention to the games and try to write decent game stories and rewrites after the second games.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 12:32 AM | Link to this
How ‘bout the Marlins? From 20 games down to .500 _ with a $15 mill payroll. Astounding. Good for them.
Couple of the pitching matchups for the Mets series actually look reasonably good for Braves, since they’ve got Oliver Perez going in last game and Smoltz facing Williams in middle.
Then again, Mets have won 13 of last 14 home games. Yes, 13 of 14. They’re lineup is just ridiculous. They score 9 _yes NINE _ runs per nine innings pitched by Trachsel in his past 16 starts, hence his 12-1 record in that span despite a 4.96 ERA.
Monday _ LHP Chuck James (7-3, 4.02) vs. RHP Steve Trachsel (14-5, 4.98); Tuesday _ RHP John Smoltz (12-7, 3.60) vs. LHP Dave Williams (2-0, 3.79); Wednesday _ RHP Oscar Villarreal (9-1, 4.25) or RHP Kyle Davies (2-4, 7.20) vs. LHP Oliver Perez (0-1, 13.50)
By Calvin
September 4, 2006 01:20 AM | Link to this
Hey Mr. Obrien, Can you back up the Braves being on TBS that mlb.com as well as ajc is projecting the game to be on Monday night? I can’t believe TBS would put the Braves game on Monday night when they have that Friends show on for like 8 hrs..or whatever..
By jen
September 4, 2006 01:36 AM | Link to this
OK, we have one guess for a ventricular septal defect. I’ll throw mine out there and say Marcus has a patent ductus arteriosus. It’s a blood vessel in a fetus that shunts blood from the pulmonary artery to the aorta and allows it to skip the lungs, since obvious a fetus doesn’t actually breathe. It closes within 3 weeks after birth when the baby starts breathing actual air. His apparently never closed all the way.
By ncscoots
September 4, 2006 06:48 AM | Link to this
Celebrating the sweat of the working man, and thoughts on the overnights…do we have a pool on the Giles heart problem, with entries so far for VSD and PDA? or maybe it’s just our way of deflecting the anxiety…Juan Valdez salutes DOB’s yeoman effort over the weekend. No, not the GAMES, the attempt to raise Colombia’s gross national product by a few percentage points…numbness, obliques, fingers, cardiac problems, doesn’t anybody have just a plain old-fashioned separated shoulder or something anymore? DL has killed the Braves this year…Wickman is human, woe be to us. Guess he had pie between games, though…Hudson is maddening. His stuff says he should be getting people out, but he doesn’t. Another seemingly inexplicable thing about life that always makes me believe humans are God’s personal Comedy Channel…I actually like the pitching matchups in the Mets series. But will the guys have any gas left after two doubleheaders? No Giles and Chipper really hurts, too. Pitching has to step up against a tough lineup…Ryan Howard is just wicked sick. I mean, just patently ridiculous…to all those folks who work for a living, have a good day. It’s a celebration of one of the things that makes this country great, so give that a little thought around the grill today.
By berigan
September 4, 2006 07:36 AM | Link to this
You know, IF the Marlins somehow snuck into the playoffs, with that bunch of hard throwers, they just might be the team no one in the NL would want to face. They might be the best chance of an NL team beating an AL team(You know, 10% vs.01% if the Mets get to the W.S.)
By MEB
September 4, 2006 07:42 AM | Link to this
ncscoots… the diversity of this blog never ceases to amaze me. Much like the diversity of injuries on the Braves this year as you noted. Praying that all is well with Marcus Giles and that this procedure will indeed be minor.
Did you see the tragic story this morning of the “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin? All of those years handling some of the most dangerous critters on the planet and he is killed by a stingray barb to his heart.
By doc
September 4, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this
dob. i hope you are right about davies and giving him another year knowing he has had a difficult year and injury. what i have seen in him reminds me too much of jason marquis also an enigma. just think that davies has a hard time adjusting to the major league level where throwing isnt going to get it anymore and he has to come up with a bit more finess of locating and changing speeds. he gets to trying to throw it by folks, gets his adrenalin up and with it the pitches come up in the trike zone and then they start flying out. he also doesnt throw strikes enough. sad thing, he realizes it and states it after games he pitches well only to fall back into the same pattern the next time out.
what the big three had was the ability to manage a game, they still do and that is what davies hasnt a clue to do. it is somehow keeping the ball in the park when you dont have your best without throwing up and out of the strike zone hence giving up the free passes that seem to hurt davies as well as a lot of the younger pitchers. some of it goes to growing up having to learn how to pitch to folks playing with “ping drivers”, geez, i hate the metal. major league baseball ought to fund the ncaa for good ole ash louisville sluggers as part of its program to elevate its own game.
By doc
September 4, 2006 08:36 AM | Link to this
ooh we’re getting technical coming up with pda vs septal defects of asd or vsd. cool. asd isnt ruled out and may be the more common of the three. feel it would have affected his overall preformance to have had a pda and think they may have done a doppler/ultra sound after they heard a mumur.
dave, congrats for the new coffee record, cant beleive the binges i would have walking the halls of grady during my residency. one knew where the coffee was going to be fresh brewed at all times during the day and night with the best bets being in the surgical er or surgical icu. that was often the only liquids consumed in a day and it didnt have to be fresh; had some really bad stuff in my day but it did the trick.
whoever is talking about the marlins, they are the best team in the nl since they stated out what 10 and 30 for the season. since june, they are 20 games over .500 and still rolling. wouldnt that be juciy for mr. big met fan that the mets were destined to lose to the marlins and the fish go on to the world series so girardi could match wits with his mentor torre as the marlins sweep the yankees in four. i would at least sit down and watch that one for ten days. yeah a dream but a pretty funny one; 14 mil against 200 plus mil. david against who? yeah, i can be irreverant as well. oh, would mr met fan be tucking his tail or would it be his head without a brain.
btw spent some time with my daughter this weekend listening to her ipod. there is some pretty cool music going, just too many band names with way to many words to keep up with coming from the beetles, stones, cream era to begin to share here. i’ll have to make a study list but it is almost like there is a boutique musical indutry out there that is revolutionizing itself.
By Head Coach
September 4, 2006 08:45 AM | Link to this
Just ridiculous ! Why in the name of God did Tim Hudson pitch to Ryan Howard ? WHY ?????? Orr and Prado went a combines 3 for 15 leading off this past weekend and Gregor Blanco is playing in Richmond tearing up triple A pitching. Why ? Well , for starters somebody is asleep at the wheel in the front office. It’s getting almost laughable at this point. On a more sober note……. Steve Irwin tempted fate once to often and was tragically killed by a stingray while filming off the waters of Australia. He was 44 and the world has lost a great conservationist and wildlife champion. He will be missed.
By Lew
September 4, 2006 09:22 AM | Link to this
Let’s hear it for the Croc Hunter. The guy had guts-no doubt. I have no clue what Marcus’ problem is. I just hope he’s ok. I would imagine that this will negate his trade value over the winter, so maybe when he recovers, he will still be a Brave. That would be good. I hope Hudson’s performance yesterday finally shows the fanatic few that he has not turned it around. I think someone said it was better because he went 7 innings. I, too am glad he finally went 7. Must have eaten his peanut butter pie in the fourth. However, six runs in 7 innings is terrible. Wish someone could figure out what his problem is.
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 09:26 AM | Link to this
Hopefully everyone will enjoy their Labor Day. I see where the Braves are actually on here tonight so I guess I will tune in. It would be good to have the excitement of one more run to get close to the wild card. Excitement-wild card, now that is a correlation isn’t it. Hey we’ll take it after this crazy wacky season.
It saddens me to hear of Steve Irwin’s passing but like many people before him he died doing what he loved the most. It was ironic to be certain but we can’t dismiss his devotion to his cause. Reminds me of the great Garth Brooks song The Dance…”I’m glad I didn’t know the way it all would end the way it all would go… our lives are seldom left to chance I could have missed the pain but I’d of had to miss the dance.” Man is that so true. Carry on blogger friends and do it with passion whatever it is you do that you do so well.
By SaltyDog55
September 4, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
ncscoots “…humans are God’s personal Comedy Channel”; that an absolutely great line…super blog in fact! Enjoy your grill…and Go Tigers! (Tough break for Waters…darn it).
By MEB
September 4, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this
Lew… I really think Marcus will be back within a couple of weeks and physically he will be better than ever. The loss of playing time will reduce his numbers for this season but shouldn’t effect his trade value. I’m still of the opinion that he is an all-star caliber second baseman and is of tremendous value to this team. I don’t want to see him traded period. How we approach our issues in left field, leadoff hitter, and pitching (starting and bullpen) is going to make for an interesting 2007.
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Lew…..the docs feel he will be fine in short time but who knows. Giles most likely would still be an attractive trade piece when coupled with a prospect.
At the risk of overstating the obvious none of our starting pitchers or those projected to be in 2007 warrants the “wait till next year” chant. Granted Smoltz is just fantastic but he won’t matter a whole lot without solid starters around him. We have to get at least one solid starter in a trade and no team is going to just hand over that caliber of pitcher (unless free agent)without serious boot in return. Having said that we also need to keep cultivating the youth that we have so that they get better. i.e James, Davies, HoRam. But to start next season we have too much of the unknown so we have to make that trade that will give us (at least on paper)a little more stability.
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this
MEB…….I don’t want to see Giles traded either but somebody is going to go this offseason. Might be Giles, might be Andruw, might be any number of players from Salty to Thorman to Langerhans to Prado etc. etc. Many more won’t be resigned ie. Thomson, Baez, Jordan. My guess is we will have so many new players that the team will look decidedly different. Quite often change is good and when you finish perhaps 20 games out in your own division you can certainly bet change is going to come.
By Lew
September 4, 2006 09:54 AM | Link to this
Y’all-I hope he is all right and when he comes back I have no doubt of his ability. However, this might just make other teams a bit gun shy about picking him up. I really think it ensures he will remain a Brave. Hope so, anyway. I know all along I’ve proposed Marcus as our most tradeable player, but I sure would hate to see him go. I wish everyone played with his intensity. I’m not ready to give up on Kyle Davies, either. He’s still a kid. He’ll come around. I hope we all realize now that the Braves are likely a .500 team at best this season. I know there’s still a shot, but even with Chipper in there, we’re .500 for the past week, the past two weeks and the past 40 games. I hate to say it, but y’all-We ain’t gonna do it this year. The only positives I can pull from this weekend is Cormier’s performance and the fact that Ryan Howard’s on my fantasy team.
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 09:55 AM | Link to this
In The Dance I think it is “better” not “seldom”.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
I’m rumbling down the tracks here on Amtrak, using the broadband wireless card to send this while traveling from Philly to New York….
Amazing how far this industry I’m in has come in the past 10-15 years. I can remember like it was yesterday (though it was actually 16-17 years ago) covering high school football games around South Florida, from Miami up to Belle Glade, and having to find a decent pay phone afterward in order to use those old rubber couplers (I don’t know if most of you will have any idea what I’m talking about). Seems so archaic now, I’d have to hold the phone in the couplers and hope to keep a good seal, a good connection, while the story slowly transmitted. And if it wasn’t a clean line, there’d be garble in the story and you’d have to send again. And you’re on deadline, sending from some parking lot in a seedy area of Belle Glade, Fla. … wow. Don’t miss that one bit.
So anyway, now I’m here downloading stats and blogging, with absolutely no physical connection between the laptop and a phone. What I would’ve paid to have one of these damn things back covering prep sports….
By Lew
September 4, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
DOB-If it was easy back then, you wouldn’t have been paying those dues that led to the Wurlitzer. Now if someone could figure out what’s wrong with Hudson’s wireless connection…..
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 10:12 AM | Link to this
Lew you are correct we are not going to make up 5 games in the wild card and being behind 6 teams especially with all our injuries to boot.
Giles has a correctable heart valve problem and should be 100% although I doubt seriously the Braves will play him anymore this year. Perhaps in the last week to assure other teams he is fine. He may not be traded but somebody that plays 2nd is gone. Perhaps we will trade away a prospect like Prado or Escobar instead. Depends on what we are looking at in return I guess.
To reiterate, the Braves can’t finish 20 games or so out and stand pat while hoping what we have in our starting rotation will bare fruit in ‘07. Too big a risk. Granted everything could just miraculously fall into place but my guess is that nobody is betting on that happening. The Braves great scouting dept., I am sure, has a good list of targets with some obvious and some not. We will see what happens. Frankly I want to get this regular season done so the off season excitement can begin.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this
Just read that and realized I sounded a bit like the Caveman skid on Saturday Night Live …. “I’m just simple cave man, I do not understand your flying machines….”
Oh, well. Dammit, I’m tired and bleary-eyed. By the time I reach Flushing (simply the most appropriate place name ever for a stadium _ at least that godawful stadium) I will be ready to roll. Hopefully.
I agree with you folks on Giles. This heart-valve thing, I don’t think it’ll affect his future, but you just never know. We should have a better idea today or tomorrow, after all the tests. But it’s something that possibly _ POSSIBLY _ could diminish him at least a bit in other teams’ eyes, especially since his final numbers this season aren’t going to be up to his standards because of the slow start and missed time.
He and Andruw are their most marketable players, at least among those they might be inclined to trade (by that I mean, they’re not going to trade Brian McCann). Edgar might also draw some interesting offers, because he’s going to have a .300 season and he’s very affordable due to the chunk of change that Boston is paying of his contract.
Braves could do something we’re not suspecting in order to get the leadoff man they need next season (Giles can do the role, but he doesn’t like it and he does miss a lot of games with nagging injuries). If they could fill the need with a shortstop, who knows? Personally, I’d keep Renteria because he’s so good in the 2-hole, and that means finding a leadoff man who either plays 2B, CF or LF, probably, depending on how seriously they’ll listen to offers for Andruw this winter.
If they get offers as great or greater than they anticipate getting for Andruw at a later date, say offers that might decline should he have a lackluster first half next season, Braves might seriously consider moving him this winter. You just never know. Too hard to predict right now.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
Dadgum, I agree 100 percent on the need for another proven, reliable, durable starter this winter. And that’s certainly something you’d have to give up a top prospect and/or proven player to get in return. But they’ve gotta do it.
As has been pointed out, this offense was good enough this season to contend, perhaps even good enough to push the Mets _ but only if the pitching had been far, far better than it’s been.
Mets lineup is outstanding, and Delgado has joined the party now, raking since the break. But their pitching still is suspect, and if they come up against the likes of Houston’s Big 3 in the postseaon, Mets might not even make the World Series, though Mets clearly are the best team in the NL.
Dodgers, if they can keep up their second-half surge, could also give them fits. And don’t count out San Diego, as Wells can join Peacy and Young to give them a formidable trio.
As we’ve seen in recent years, the team with the hot 2-3 starting pitchers is almost always going to advance in the postseason.
By doc
September 4, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
hot stove league, warming up in september, wow.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 10:31 AM | Link to this
That’s PEAVY. It’s very bumpy on this section of the ride….
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 10:32 AM | Link to this
DOB, you are right on the mark about Andruw. I mean you have gone yard dude. Not an inside the park type either which I doubt you could make.
I would like to add one thing though. This whole thing is up to Andruw. If he doesn’t give JS the nod that he wants to work fast(prior to winter meetings)in working a new contract that the Braves can afford then I think JS has no option but to work a trade if it brings our aforementioned needs in return. This of course assumes Andruw will waive his veto power for said trade. If it is to an upside team like the Dodgers he most likely will. I agree I certainly wouldn’t hold out into ‘07 as his marketability could diminish. We have too many glaring needs to address prior to ‘07 to pass on any trade that would fill those needs.
By Lew
September 4, 2006 10:33 AM | Link to this
Dadgum-I agree totally about the need for some offseason change. I was just thinking other teams might take Marcus’ condition and his sub-par performance and run scared. Baseball front offices don’t always think logically or make much sense sometimes, for that matter. This dementia leads to Steve Carlton for Rick Wise type trades, or blowing a season because of not offering a closer an extra year. Whatever. As you say, the offseason should be interesting. I was deadset against moving Andruw, but now I’m not so sure. I think the injuries are starting to rear their ugly head and I am no longer certain he will be worth the megabucks. His offensive numbers are falling radically and we’ve had excellent defensive centerfielders before Andruw (Otis and Marquis). We shall see, but I would like to see another frontline starter. If such a creature even exists anymore. I think I am going to start advocating a raising of the mound to bring some sanity back to the game.
By MEB
September 4, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this
Lew… “Now if someone could figure out what’s wrong with Hudson’s wireless connection.” Now that’s a funny line!
I really think his issues are software related and not hardware. Although if we had to do it all over again we should have pitched Howard like the old Barry Bonds, with nothing over the plate.
By Lew
September 4, 2006 10:45 AM | Link to this
MEB-If nothing else, after the second HR, Howard should have had one thrown high and tight and put him on the seat of his pants. Do you think Don Drysdale or Bob Gibson ever gave up 3 HR to the same person in a game? Software, indeed. Seems to me some hardware in the thinking department might be what the Geek ordered.
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 10:48 AM | Link to this
Yeah Lew, I agree, I think some teams would run a little scared with Giles regardless of his recovery. It may be eased a little if we include a prospect though. Too many scenarios out there and they all are possible we will just have to wait and see.
Also I don’t want the Braves to trade Andruw unless it helps the team secure a PRD pitcher (proven,reliable,durable per DOB) and a PRD leadoff guy. Most likely this would involve a three team deal unless the free agent market is active there or we move someone else to secure the leadoff spot.
By Greg
September 4, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this
I predict the Mets lose in four to the Padres in the Wild Card game. Their best pitcher is now Maine (Pedro is now a finesse guy. Glavine is tired). And Chris Young and Jake Peavy will handcuff their hitters. When Peavy is hot, there’s not a better power pitcher in the Majors. And Young is now living up to his potential.
Mets fans are about to get a lesson in what Braves fans know: Two hot starters can shut you down in the Wild Card series. It will be fun to watch somebody else’s playoff aspirations die in that ridiculous five-game series.
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
Oh Lew…as to Tull…not sure if you have gone to YOUTUBE.COM and searched Jethro Tull. Good sound quality and you can pull up many of their great songs live from the ‘70’s. Also Tull was on Regis playing acoustic and interviewed that is on there as well. You probably have somewhere between 75-100 live concert songs. Particularly interesting is the just uploaded concert from Wolf Trap in DC last week with some chick playing violin on Tull’s version of Kashmir from ZEP. Outstanding!!
Also I am and always have been so into ZEP. There is an 8 part interview with Plant from the SXSW festival in Austin from 2005. The man is simply well spoken, affable, and smart as hell. Each part is about 4-5 minutes. Enjoy.
By Lew
September 4, 2006 11:06 AM | Link to this
Dadgum-I have 29 Tull albums. I thought I had everything besides the Greates Hits and one solo by Ian Anderson, but never heard them do Kasmir. Sounds pretty interesting. I just picked up their Live At The Isle Of Wight cd. Came out in ‘04, though it’s a 70 concert. It was England’s version of Woodstocck and was Hendrix’s last gig. Ian Anderson actually dedicates the cd to Jimi. There’s nothing post Aqualung on the cd and only My God from Aqualung. Lots of songs from Benefit, which may be my favorite Tull album. Martin Barre is the most overlooked guitarist in rock music, in my opinion. I got luck and saw Zep at the Launching Pad during the Houses of the Holy Tour. Glad I saw them along with 55,000 of my closest friends.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 4, 2006 11:18 AM | Link to this
“this blog is your blog, this blog is my blog, this blog is slow for you and me …” why was journalist thinking burl ives when wicky fell yesterday at first base? that was a big man down and the braves are lucky he got back up. the phillies are lucky the field was not damaged. now, chipper’s oblique - just in time for the mets! carolina lady is right! chipper must refrain from further oblique injuries during the big series. doc, can this fully heal, or will he suffer more oblique injuries as he plays on?
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 11:42 AM | Link to this
The Tull Kashmir is all instrumental and about a 5 minute rendition. The violinist is world renown but without going back to the clip I don’t recall the name. Let me know what you think of YouTube.com. Kinda cool.
By Clyde
September 4, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this
With Giles and Chipper gone it would be nice to have Betemit to play in one of thier places. i don’t see us making the playoffs with Aybar, Prado and Orr.
FIRE BILLY AND WOODY
By No-Trade Zone
September 4, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
Quiet, Clyde! No criticizing the Betemit trade! You’re forgetting about Aybar’s tremendous upside!
By Head Coach
September 4, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this
Gregor Blanco : 138 games 517 AB 87 Runs 150 hits 28 doubles 4 triples 0 homeruns 28 RBI 186 total bases 93 walks 109 strikeouts 31 stolen bases 14 caught stealing .398 On base percentage .352 SLG and a .290 batting average along with 8 errors all season. He is rated the top defensive player in the organization. Leadoff hitter ? absolutely ! Why do we need to go trade for somebody elses overpaid veteran when the answer is right in our own Minor league system ? Why ?
By Ron Roberts
September 4, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady… when did I say Chipper “chooses” when to get injured? It just happens so frustratingly often and sets momentum back, it seems… I never implied he “chose” to injure himself. So the sarcasm was unnecessary.
DOB… bro, I’m not pointin’ fingers at ya, man… I see your byline on just about everything written about the Braves lately; but we had daily post-game blogs for awhile (no bylines on those; I assume they were Guy’s doing, but maybe not) and hell, the Chop Chick hasn’t been around since, what, early August?
Nah, you do a fine job covering the team; but your co-workers seem to be falling off the beat as the season progresses, and I was just pointing that out. Atlanta’s a major league city and there should be more than one writer covering the Braves for you guys. No disrespect to ya.
And one day I’ll have to share some of my high school football-covering stories… hell, I’d have been glad to have had the technology to link to a payphone to get a story in!
By Ron Roberts
September 4, 2006 02:41 PM | Link to this
Something else I thought about regarding Kyle Davies and his AAA stint…
…if AAA is now basically a division of baseball where the top prospects don’t play, and the guys not good enough to be MLB players are biding their time, or washed-up guys are vying for a comeback, why didn’t Davies spend more time rehabbing at AA Mississippi?
As far as next season goes, the lineup’s fine, but we’ll probably see a departure of Giles (my hunch, anyhow, since he’s tradeable goods and his services *can be replaced at or below cost)and with (my fuzzy math projecting) $8-12 million to *upgrade this team, I think the rotation’s the target for help, if we talk Wickman into staying.
By TheSouthernJackAss
September 4, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this
Ahh…the “curse” of TheSouthernJackAss—may it forever haunt this blog, and the Hatelanta Braves!!!…GO AWAY!!!…
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 03:48 PM | Link to this
Seems like I always chime on when everyone else is off. Not sure what that means. Looks like the blog with DOB holding fort at 1:30AM is rocking. My 1:30 days are slim I will assure you. If I am on at 1:30 it means I am probably not speaking English or Southern at that point or not typing in either or I have been kicked out of….oh never mind. I digress…..
Ron….we will most likely sign Wickman as he will come in a relative bargain say 5 mil for two years. He has auditioned well for the Braves and his track record is exemplary. NOt sure we could do better at that price anywhere else. In addition Wickman has said he wants to pitch next year for the Braves. Sounds like a done deal to me. Baez most likely will not be resigned it appears at this point. Agreed the starting rotation is the key….much like just about every year with every organization. Unfortunately the Mets have the same needs and unless they resign Maddux ditto the Dodgers. Those two teams with open wallets are hard to outbid in the free agent market. Thus, the Braves are most likely to acquire said pitchers via trade.
By dadgum
September 4, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this
Gotta go check out YouTube.com. Remember Cabrera’s single w/ Bream scoring well it is on video there. Saw a great live Cat’s in the Cradle from Chapin in ‘73 on there. Maybe YouTube is soooo last year or whatever but I have just discovered it and think it is cool. Gonna try to find some World Party video DOB. Will report back….outta here captain.
By robdawg06
September 4, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
I think I’ve finally figured it out. Bobby remains the manager as long as Skip remains the commentator. They will probably retire together (not quick enough for me either). Let’s take a look at Bobby’s managing : Leaves Tim Hudson in games beyond the 5th inning after Tim has consistently shown he tires after the 5th inning. Why pitch to Ryan Howard ? Walk him. He’s hot like Bonds was a few years back,like Beltran was against us in the playoffs with the Astros,and like Pujols pretty much stays. The right move is to walk Howard. Then we’ve got Skipp Carey ( Skip Caray I know but he botches names then so can we). A real genious that only knows Braves baseball. He doesn’t know who Andre Agassi is even though Agassi has been playing tennis and ranked in the top 10 since 1990 (ranked #1 a few of those years). He called him Alex Agassi. I guess he would call Peyton Manning “Painting Manning” ? Geez. Where’s Joe Buck when you really need him ?
By Lew
September 4, 2006 04:55 PM | Link to this
Dadgum-I was going to reply when a new blog was posted, but that may not be today. YouTube was good. The Tull video of Kashmir was great. I was not familiar with the violinist, but my wife, who is more into Classical music, had heard of her. Thanks for the tip. I’m thinking Wickman is going to cost closer to $5mil for one season. Like what he made this year. Especially with the record he has posted in Atlanta.
By Ouch
September 4, 2006 06:04 PM | Link to this
“Perhaps if the Braves drank a little more they’d have won more than one World Series after 14 straight playoff appearances.”
—Jeff Passan in today’s Yahoo! Sports Mailbag
Jeff Passan has just become my favorite baseball writer after Tom Verducci.
By Perhaps if the Braves drank a little more they’d have won more than one World Series after 14 stra
September 4, 2006 06:09 PM | Link to this
My new screen name!
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 06:11 PM | Link to this
THIS JUST IN: Marcus Giles scare is over. He apparently has nothing more than acid reflux. Cardiologist in Atlanta gave him full battery of tests including a stress test, and he’s been cleared to play. He’s supposed to land at about 6:30 tonight, so can’t talk to him before game. Bobby said he’d talk to him to determine if he wants to get in the game tonight.
Anyway, just wanted you all to know. Gotta write a story about it right now, but I’m gonna try to get a new blog up later if I have time. They don’t do the 4 p.m. blitz thing on holidays, so they didn’t ask for new blogs today, but I know this one’s getting slow, and bogged-down blogs aren’t cool.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 06:16 PM | Link to this
They’re playing the trippy video for Gnarls Barkley’s “Crazy” on the video board here at the stadium, and it’s CRANKED. They’ve got the little VH1 logo down in the corner, obviously have a deal with them to use videos.
Anyway, the song you’re probably sick of, but that video is outstanding. Like a liquid Rorschach test on acid.
By ncscoots
September 4, 2006 06:20 PM | Link to this
Oh, my, I am now certain that the apocalypse is near: I find myself agreeing with Head Coach! Blanco’s numbers would certainly seem to merit a look, unless there’s something lurking in the background of which we are unaware. We need a scouting report, DOB, inside skinny, dude…whilst abiding, naturally.
By Ouch
September 4, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this
Here’s the whole letter:
Why are the ‘86 Mets celebrated? Sure, they won 106 games and the World Series, but, as your article even states, they were and are a very dysfunctional lot at best. Drinking, drugs, adultery, gambling, insubordination to name just a few. This is celebrated? If they worked in the real world, they would’ve been fired no matter how well they did their job. Why celebrate these guys at all? How about an organization like the Atlanta Braves? How much trouble have any of their players got in over their 15-year run? That is an organization of class, respect and professionalism. That is certainly the one I would have my kids look at.
Chris W. Kennesaw, Ga.
Perhaps if the Braves drank a little more they’d have won more than one World Series after 14 straight playoff appearances.
By ncscoots
September 4, 2006 06:32 PM | Link to this
house number on the Giles pool, no winner, ladies and gentlemen. All pool money will be donated to a worthy cause, and thank goodness for it. Glad the kid’s OK.
By Lew
September 4, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this
Now there’s a trivia question. How many members of the 1986 Mets went through rehab?
By MEB
September 4, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this
Lets see Marcus went to a doctor in Philadelphia and was diagnosed with a heart condition . This diagnosis caused Marcus to miss how many games this weekend? Obviously the doctor is a Phillies fan and from what I hear they will do anything to get in the playoffs.
Just kidding, our prayer were answered. Acid reflux is no fun but it beats having a heart condition.
By doc
September 4, 2006 08:08 PM | Link to this
wow, lets get that docs name who gave him such a wild goose chase. what in the h—- did that doc base that decision on? that is one doc that is really out to lunch. i have heard of a lot of really bad diagnosis but that one is really obtuse. chest pain is almost reflux in that population after a brief exam and blood work until proven otherwise by a doppler if there is any concern. valvular problem? maybe they were trying to say there is a lax valvular mechanism at the junction between the swallowing tube, the esophagus, and the stomach. simply amazing unless as suggested above a serious phillie fan. good for giles though he has had his trials and tribulations this season. meb you pegged it, i hope the incompetence isnt that bad.
By doc
September 4, 2006 08:09 PM | Link to this
if the mets were in the real world of business they would be called enron!
By berigan
September 4, 2006 08:17 PM | Link to this
I know Marcus went to an excellent doctor, but I hope the guy REALLY checked out the valve! My Best friend’s mother had “Acid Reflux” for years, even had surgery for it. Well, she was still having pain in the middle of her chest, and one night she was rushed to the hospital, and nearly died. Well, long story slightly shorter, it was a heart valve, her blood was flowing the wrong way for years. She had a stroke, and can’t talk much these days…..
By journalist jimmy smith
September 4, 2006 08:56 PM | Link to this
h-m-o, that’s right … hmo. was marcus out of network when the diagnosis was made? maybe his hmo will only approve acid reflux. marcus must gerd against getting overconfident and continue to monitor his health. it is good news that he does not have a heart problem!
By robdawg06
September 4, 2006 09:09 PM | Link to this
Adam LaRoche has carried the Braves the past month. I’d like an explanation from Bobby as to why Matt Diaz doesn’t play every day ? Does Bobby have a man-crush on Langerhans and therefore plays him like he did in the past with Gerald Williams and Keith Lockhart ? A guy hitting .300 should play every day until he slumps. And Diaz has proven he can hit lefties too. Add that to the mismanagement along with Hudson. There’s your great (not) manager…
By Calvin
September 4, 2006 09:42 PM | Link to this
One wonders were the mets fans that seem to infest this blog when the Braves lose, are at. Good job by James tonight.
By JJMB
September 4, 2006 09:43 PM | Link to this
robdawg06, I can’t agree with you more!
By ncscoots
September 4, 2006 09:55 PM | Link to this
robdawg, a little off there, my friend. Diaz was brought in to hit lefties. I assume you meant “proven he can hit righties” unless, of course, you’re just totally confused. On another suject, did McBride start eating Wheaties when we weren’t looking? The kid was throwing pure slime tonight. Where’s he been hiding that curve ball that he threw to Reyes? Filthy.
By Head Coach
September 4, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this
Awesome job by James tonight ! The Mets get shut out at home for the first time this season and Bobby Cox gets a milestone victory. What an enjoyable game to watch.
By ncscoots
September 4, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this
Yeah, props to CJB, but thank the great D behind him, too. But let’s not let him pitch in Cincy or any of the other little bandbox stadiums, OK? Lots of flyballs tonight to the big part of the park!
By Calvin
September 4, 2006 11:02 PM | Link to this
Wow. Back to back games on TBS on a weeknight. That is shocking.
By Goat Horns
September 4, 2006 11:08 PM | Link to this
Big “Halo” to Chucky! (He might win double figure games despite joining the rotation late)!
Gold “Star” for McBride (WOW)!
“Stars” to the Brave’s entire defense (Best defensive game of the year?)
A big “Serving of Cherry Cobbler” for a Braves team that could have folded after a very tough loss; but instead is still battling!
By geauxbraves2000
September 4, 2006 11:34 PM | Link to this
Ouch, why are you so obsessed with the Braves wining only one world series? Yes, they only won one, we all know that. What can we as Braves fans do about that? We are fans, not players, we weren’t on the field, we just rooted for our team as I’m sure you root for yours. I would’ve liked to seen more WS Championships, but it just didn’t happen. Let it go, we all know the Braves won 14 consecutive divisions and only one WS. The whole baseball world is aware of that fact.
What happens if the Mets lose in the first round, does that take anything away from them? No, they are a great team this year, and obviously the best team in the NL. Congratulations to them for finally knocking off the Braves. I wish the Mets and their fans luck in the postseason. But if they get knocked out in the first round it doesn’t mean a better team beat them, it just means they didn’t play up to their potential for a few games.
Anyhow, awesome game tonight Braves, great pitching, good defense, enough offense to win. It was a pleasure watching the Braves play tonight.
Geaux Braves!!
By TennesseePaul
September 4, 2006 11:35 PM | Link to this
Really impressed with James tonight. Such a fine job. I hope he keeps this up. He just keeps getting better and better. Even when he’s off, he’s keeping the score down (the other day he walked every one, but managed to only surrender 1 run).
GO BRAVES
I would have thought more Mets fans would have been on here talking schmack. Whatever. Great game. I hope Smoltz can follow it up with another gem tomorrow.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this
Damn, was Chuck James good enough tonight, or what? Wow.
OK, so there’s three spots in next year’s rotation settled _ Smoltz, James, Hampton. Oh, and Hudson. Four spots.
I’m sold on James. I’ll take the plunge. The dude’s doing just what he did throughout his minor league career. He’s for real. Aggressiveness and big … uh, stones will get you a long way, a lot more than a 100-mph fastball and a clueless mind or fragile psyche will, anytime.
Hey, I guess it’s a good thing I didn’t bother doing a new blog. Is it that slow because of the holiday, or is the blog so bogged down nobody bothered?
By flbravesgirl
September 4, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this
Terrific game. Great job by Chucky, excellent defense and nice work by the offense taking advantage of NY mistakes. Very impressive inning for McBride too.
I am so, so relieved to hear about Marcus. (Did the doctors in Philly get their MDs out of cereal boxes?!) So glad he’s OK.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this
TennPaul, I guess he shut them up here much as he did at Shea. They were loud as hell here early, but by the fifth inning the only high-volume noise was boos for Trachsel (the reaction when a pitcher leaves the game here after a bad game, to a chorus of boos, is so dramatically different to the generally polite applause or no response that pitchers get when they’re pulled at Turner Field.)
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 11:48 PM | Link to this
it was some emergency-room trauma doctor that scared him with the heart-valve talk Saturday in philly.
i can’t even right the level of disgust that certain braves officials conveyed when talking about how big this story got and about the quick diagnosis in philly, etc…
OK, gonna go catch the 7 Train. I’m packing heat, so it’s cool.
I’ll check blog when I get back to the hotel.
By David O'Brien
September 4, 2006 11:49 PM | Link to this
oops, i meant “write” not “right”
riiight
By flbravesgirl
September 4, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this
Probably because of the holiday, DOB.
Continuing the good Braves-related news… We’re actually getting all 3 games of this series on TBS. Is the world coming to an end? Don’t they have movies to rerun for the 50th time?
By David O'Brien
September 5, 2006 02:16 AM | Link to this
Head coach, while Gregor is definitely on the radar _ the Braves really like him _ and while he’ll get a look in spring training, you cannot go into a season with your projected leadoff hitter a kid who’s NEVER WORN A MAJOR LEAGUE UNI. You just can’t. There is nothing whatsoever to tell us he’s ready to lead off for a major league team.
By The Grinch
September 5, 2006 02:28 AM | Link to this
I’m alive…but barely…oh, weekend…synopsis to follow…but not now. ‘night
By Head Coach
September 5, 2006 06:55 AM | Link to this
Which is why you call Gregor Blanco up right now and throw him to the wolves the last 25 games of the season. See what he can do against major league pitching. David , you seem to forget that neither McCann or Francoeur had seen major league caliber competition and they both came up from double AA Mississippi. Of course it’s not going to happen because Diaz is playing so well and the Braves wont concede anything. TBS is televising all three games against the Mets ? I think I’m gonna faint !
By dadgum
September 5, 2006 07:33 AM | Link to this
Remember when I said the Braves have some interesting starting rotations next year. I mean given injuries,inexperience,age. Well the James kid just might be off that list and onto the comfortable part of the rotation. You know…uh like someone we can count on to be consistent and get to the 7th inning+. Great job by James and McBride.
By Don
September 5, 2006 08:09 AM | Link to this
Davies vs. Villareal - Hummmmm, let’s think, one guy who stinks vs. one guy who isn’t so good but is getting the job done. Not a hard decision to me. Villareal and Cormier should get credit for the worthy pitching they both have done so far in starting roles. If only the star, ie Hudson, were so equally effective. DOB, maybe in the post above you forgot Hudson for a reason, he stinks too.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 08:25 AM | Link to this
Don,
I wouldn’t say Hudson stinks but he’s not performing up to his pay. That’s one think Schuerholz deserves some criticism for: signing Hudson for as much as he did.
Hudson is an okay starter, but if Schuerholz is going to bring up how it’s difficult to compete with a lower payroll, he can’t pay big bucks to slightly above average starters.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 08:34 AM | Link to this
Head Coach,
Financial it doesn’t make sense to bring in Blanco, unless you know he’s going to be a star. The Braves already have plenty of good options in the outfield.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 08:43 AM | Link to this
I meant, financially it doesn’t make sense to bring up Blanco. It’s still early.
By Don
September 5, 2006 08:44 AM | Link to this
Shaun Payne,
To clarify, I agree that Hudson does not stink in comparison to other major leaguers. However, I was referring to Hudson’s performance in relation to the compensation he currently receives and will receive next year ($12-$13 million!?!?). In that regard, I believe he does indeed stink.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 08:55 AM | Link to this
Don,
Yeah. I agree about Hudson. It would make sense for a team like the Yankees or Red Sox to spend that kind of money on Hudson because they can afford to take chances and over-spend, but not most other teams. We hear Schuerholz talk about the challenges of competing with a lower payroll, but he makes choices like the Hudson signing.
And notice I said signing and not trade. I don’t think trading for Hudson was bad because that was only one year and his salary wasn’t rediculous. Signing him to a rather expensive extension was the mistake.
By KC
September 5, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this
Shaun:
Don’t be ridiculous. Even though Hudson’s performance this season has been mediocre at best, Hudson wasn’t an “average” starter by any stretch of the imagination when we traded for him and re-signed him. When JS picked him up (in exchange for several players who have really haven’t done much), he was 29 year old ACE who was coming off one (by his standards) substandard season in which he was hampered by a ribcage injury all season, and still managed to post a very respectable 3.53 ERA. At the time, only Pedro Martinez had a higher winning percentage since Hudson entered the league. It is beyond foolish for any of us to play Tuesday morning quarter back on something like this and pretend that we all didn’t think it was a great move when JS traded for him and resigned him.
Locking up Tim Hudson was an excellent decision. Have the results been great? Certainly not this year. That’s life. You can’t predict the future. All you can do is make the best bet with the facts in hand, and Tim Hudson was a pretty damn good bet. If the sun decides to set in the east tomorrow… I’ll be surprised, but I won’t second guess myself for believing it would set in the west.
Let’s hope Hudson can do something next year to make the Braves glad they gave him that contract. Either way, criticizing Shuerholz signing Hudson is asinine.
By Ron Roberts
September 5, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
The way James pitched last night (and most of the season, frankly, aside from one little slide), I’d be willing to part with Tim Hudson if there were a Kansas City or Pittsburgh who’d just like to have a marque name on their rotation and pay off half his salary to make it plausible. But that’s just me… don’t jump me with that’s a horrible idea, ‘cause I’m not saying it makes sense, I’d just do it ‘cause I’ve worn thin of his inability to be a premiere pitcher when he gets paid like one, and it’s his premiere pay and his holding a spot in the rotation that might prevent us from getting a marque name this offseason to add to the rotation.
For what it’s worth… look at the certainties the Braves have for the rotation (minus Hudson)….
John Smoltz
Chuck James
Mike Hampton
Now look at the everybody else that can fill the two roles left….
…Horacio Ramirez (who looks brilliant at times, and injuries aside, was the 3rd most consistent pitcher the Braves had.
…Kyle Davies (who has the potential to be another Tom Glavine, say the scouts)
…Oscar Villareal (who’s done quite well, frankly in a starting role)
…Lance Cormier (see: Villareal)
So it truly begs the question… do we need Tim Hudson? And his salary?
By Don
September 5, 2006 09:11 AM | Link to this
Shaun Payne,
I really don’t hold Schuerholz accountable for Hudson’s demise. Schuerholz seemingly acquired a top notch, youthful pitcher who has unfortunately digressed since coming to the Braves. To me, this Hudson underperformance is a Hudson problem, not a Schuerholz gaff.
By KC
September 5, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this
P.S.
Hudson was considered by most to be one of the top 5 pitchers in the game when we picked him up. Hudson and his agent set a March 15th deadline to complete a deal. They did not wish to have the negotiations as a distraction to the season for Hudson. If JS had not re-signed him to what was (by MLB standards for an ace) a very moderate contract when we did, he would have filed for free agency the following year, and we would have lost him.
Tim Hudson gave the Braves a discount, and JS would have been a fool to let him get away. Any GM in baseball in JS’s shoes would have done exactly the same thing (only perhaps not quite as well).
By KC
September 5, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts:
I agree that Kyle Davies has a chance to be very good, but I haven’t heard him compared to Tom Glavine. It’s Chuck James who usually draws those comparisons. Davies is a little more in the in the Kevin Millwood mold.
By Ron Roberts
September 5, 2006 09:21 AM | Link to this
…but let’s all remember (or know, if you didn’t, before…)….
Tim Hudson had spent a good deal of his prior season before coming to Atlanta on the DL with back problems. If you or I have back problems, we need to be in better shape… when an athlete already in good shape has back problems, it raises red flags, you’d think.
A team having to watch its bottom line would be more wary of such moves, you’d think. Somebody said it before,and it bears repeating… the Yanks and Sox can afford to take chances on such high-priced players. The Braves apparently cannot.
I’ve been iffy about the transaction from day one (I wish these blogs were archived that far back to prove my point, but my ego doesn’t need the confirmation…lol) and it was that back pain DL stint that did it for me.
Heck, look at how Mark Mulder’s fared since leaving Oakland. He’s not exactly “ace” material for the Cardinals, either. Maybe it was the ballpark or air there. Either way, both he and Hudson haven’t lived up to billing and hype.
By Ron Roberts
September 5, 2006 09:29 AM | Link to this
And that’s another thing….
…why weren’t we out there trying to get Kevin Millwood this offseason? Damn, he was lights-out for us his last year here, and last year in Cleveland.
Was it because a certain GM wouldn’t like to pseudo-admit letting him go wasn’t wise, to begin with? I dunno…. I’m on the fence when it comes to that trade… Estrada was good (while he lasted) but Millwood was pitching and I thought that was the staple of the Braves blueprint. It was around that time we went away from it and had a rotation the likes of Russ Ortiz, Jared Wright, Jon Thomson, etc.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 09:30 AM | Link to this
KC,
The Hudson trade was pretty good, but signing him for as much as they did wasn’t so great when you’re supposedly having payroll difficulties. Yeah, signing Hudson makes sense if you can afford to be stuck with that kind of contract for a decent-but-not-great starter.
As far as Hudson’s winning percentage, you are ignoring context—he pitched for A’s teams that won at least 86 games every year and his home park was a pitcher’s park.
I’m not trying to critcize Hudson; he’s a good pitcher but he doesn’t look like probable Hall-of-Famer. I used to think he could become another Greg Maddux, and maybe he will, but if you dig a little deeper you’ll discover he’s more of a Jack McDowell, Mike Mussina, Jack Morris type. Hudson is a good example of getting fooled by “traditional” stats. (I was fooled and thought Hudson would be a Cy Young candidate every year, too. But there are problems with almost every traditional stat commonly used to evaluate pitchers.)
By Deep-Sixed in '06
September 5, 2006 09:33 AM | Link to this
It’s a very healthy sign that despite last night’s win, not even the most delusional bloggers on this site are talking wild card anymore. Everyone seems to be out of the denial stage and embracing the acceptance stage. That’s great. Now we can all get on with our lives and see that there are other options in October to watching the Braves’ postseason implosions.
Repeat after me: “I’m OK… you’re OK … Bobby Cox is OK.”
By KC
September 5, 2006 09:34 AM | Link to this
Ron:
The Braves are not dirt poor. Teams like the Braves or Astros have enough money to keep or add a few big names to the roster at any given time. They can’t afford to spend freely as the Mets or Dodgers can, and they can’t spend frivolously as the Yankees do, but they can sometimes make a fair (not top dollar, but fair) offer to sign or re-sign a marquee player, as they did with Hudson.
You say that Hudson was a risk because of his back. Hudson’s health isn’t the issue here is it? Have you heard anything about Hudson’s back lately? I haven’t. And come on now, tell me that you were deeply concerned when the Braves traded for and re-signed Hudson. Tell me you threw up your hands in disgust when you heard the news that we signed Hudson and said “great! That’s a waste of money”. Come on, tell me that Ron… I’m dying to hear it.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 09:40 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts,
Millwood is a lot like Hudson—a solid pitcher but not as good as some of his “traditional” stats seem to indicate. He’s shown flashes of brilliance, like Hudson, but he’s not a probable Hall-of-Famer.
By Dr. Robert Hartley
September 5, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Very challenging observations, KC. Ron, how do you feel about what KC just said?
Quickly — my 10 o’clock with Mr. Carlin is coming up fast.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 09:51 AM | Link to this
Why traditional pitching stats (ERA, W-L) are unreliable
http://www.sju.edu/~sforman/research/talks/baseball_2004-10-07/node21.html
By KC
September 5, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this
Shaun, I’m sure you’re right. I must have been paying too much attention to what his “traditional” statistics indicated. Like his 102-39 career record at that time. But as you pointed out, that must have been because he was on an 85 win a season (3 games over .500) team with an offense that routinely finished in the bottom half of all major offensive categories in the AL. I was also paying too much attention to his 3.30 career ERA (3.04 in his last 3 years in Oakland). I forgot to check his on-base percentage in inter-league play.
If you and Ron thought signing Hudson was a bad or even a “risky” move… you’re a lot smarter than me, and apparently smarter than JS, the entire Braves front office, clubhouse, and the vast majority of baseball who thought that deal would once again give the Braves the best rotation in baseball.
By David O'Brien
September 5, 2006 09:53 AM | Link to this
KC, Don, I agree 100 percent on your takes on Hudson. Sometimes, we look for places to put blame when someone fails to meet expectations. In this case, the guy has just plained underperformed. And while his last season in Oakland was one of his worst, and his strikeouts-to-walks ratio had declined before the trade, NO ONE in baseball circles had anything but praise for the Braves when they made that trade. No one. I was at the winter meetings when it happened, in Anaheim.
And the deadline Hudson set for extension was March 1, not March 15. Before the first spring training game.
And again, if you remember the reaction when he signed, many national media types questioned Hudson’s decision to take so much BELOW market value in average-annual value of his contract compared to what other pitchers were getting. I didn’t buy that because he was still setting himself up for life and getting long-term security of a four-year deal when Braves were way reluctant to go more than three, and he was getting chance to move back home for him and his wife. But there was NO ONE out there, fans or media members, who criticized the Braves for giving him that extension until last season, when I and many of you rightfully pointed out that Braves were really going to look bad if Hudson continued to pitch like he was pitching last year when he was at his worst, before going on DL. Which, of course, he has (continued to pitch that way most nights this year).
So it looks bad now. And will for several years, if he doesn’t snap out of it. But thing is, it’s just hindsight by all of us. Teams don’t have that luxury, hindsight, when making moves. Braves thought they were getting a staff ace, team officials and everyone from Smoltz to Chipper said same thing. And they were getting Hudson for below-market value for a guy who’d led AL in wins over a five-year span.
Ron, it was Hudson’s side, not his back, that had caused problems a couple years in a row with Oakland. And his side that caused problem last season with Braves.
This year, it’s just been mediocrity a lot of nights, not health issues.
By Huddy
September 5, 2006 09:57 AM | Link to this
Shaun Payne, I’m gonna get Chad Paronto to kick your A-S-S!
You think it’s so easy? Let’s see you get a fastball past Ryan Howard!
By Dial-Up Dinosaur
September 5, 2006 10:01 AM | Link to this
DOB: Frist, get a new blog up, THEN you can correct all the Huddy Haters!
By David O'Brien
September 5, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
Oh, and I promise, going to do a new blog right now. First day in five that I didn’t have to get up at 7 for travel or to get to park early for a doubleheader. Some semblance of normalcy today.
Bad news: Rain headed this way (New York). And lot of it. Game tonight doesn’t look promising. If I have to change travel plans again tomorrow to accomodate another doubleheader, I’m jumping off the Tri-Borough Bridge.
By KC
September 5, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
ERA is sometimes an unreliable measure of a relief pitcher, but that is not so of a starter. ERA is a record of how many earned runs a pitcher allows per 9 innings, and there is no more reliable measure.
The only time ERA distorts the measurement of a starting pitcher is when he has an occasional terrible amongst many quite brilliant starts, or if is asked to “take one for the team” once or twice in a season. Horacio Ramirez was a pretty good example of that this season. He was much more valuable to the Braves than his ERA would indicate.
But even in those cases, we’re talking about an ERA being too high to give an accurate picture of a player. Never, is an ERA “too low” to give an accurate read on a players performance. Baseball is about two things: score runs, and keep the other team from scoring. Period. A pitcher who is better than most at keeping the other team from scoring runs, is an ace. That’s what Hudson was when we signed him, and *hopefully, he can bounce back and be that once again.
By Lew
September 5, 2006 10:03 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts-You might just have a point about Hudson and the difference in stadiums. Isn’t the Oakland Col. a pretty huge place with lots of foul territory? The thing about Hudson’s decline, however, is due to the fact that a ground ball pitcher ain’t throwing ground balls anymore. We really didn’t give up anything to get Hudson and he was cheap for the first three years of his contract(through next year). If he can turn it around before he gets expensive in 08, maybe it will work out ok. I haven’t really seen anything to indicate this will happen. Maybe his last outing, giving up 6 runs in 7 innings will convince even the most optimistic that he hasn’t improved like some thought he has.
By KC
September 5, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
Meant to say “four games over .500” in my earlier post.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 10:09 AM | Link to this
Shaun, I’m sure you’re right. I must have been paying too much attention to what his “traditional” statistics indicated. Like his 102-39 career record at that time. But as you pointed out, that must have been because he was on an 85 win a season (3 games over .500) team with an offense that routinely finished in the bottom half of all major offensive categories in the AL. I was also paying too much attention to his 3.30 career ERA (3.04 in his last 3 years in Oakland). I forgot to check his on-base percentage in inter-league play.
If you and Ron thought signing Hudson was a bad or even a “risky” move… you’re a lot smarter than me, and apparently smarter than JS, the entire Braves front office, clubhouse, and the vast majority of baseball who thought that deal would once again give the Braves the best rotation in baseball.
KC,
If you check out the link in my last post, you’ll see what I mean.
http://www.sju.edu/~sforman/research/talks/baseball_2004-10-07/node21.html
And Oakland scored a decent amount of runs during Hudson’s good years (especially when you consider their home park).
By Dial-Up Dinosaur
September 5, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
DOB: First, get a new blog up, THEN you can jump off the Tri-Borough Bridge!
By 3trees
September 5, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
Don’t give up on the blog, DOB. Weekend holiday and all.
Really nice game from the Bravos last night. That play that Diaz made on the Wright’s ball off the wall was very good. I know he’s suppose to be “adequate” in left, but every game I’ve seen, he’s been better than that. I really like Langerhans and he really helped us down the stretch with his bat last year, but he’s got to swing it better if he hopes to stick.
Gotta agree with Head Coach - let’s see some of these kids PLAY! I’ve got to check out Gregor Blanco. Is that a Russian white wine?
While in the Mts. of north GA this weekend, I heard a Flatlanders CD that I didn’t know of, but didn’t catch the title. It was newer sounding with really good playing, more rockin’ (yeah, it still had the saw). Any ideas folks?
Go Smoltz (Braves) and good news on Giles
By KC
September 5, 2006 10:11 AM | Link to this
Lew:
I think Hudson pitched extremely well the other night. He was just unlucky… that the hitters swung at the belt high pitches, and didn’t swing at the ones in the dirt, that’s all. (Just kidding) :o)
By H.L. Mencken
September 5, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this
Hey, number geeks!
Remember what I said about there being three kinds of untruths: Lies, damn lies and statistics.
And now, just shut the hell up!
By Benjamin Disraeli
September 5, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this
Wait a minute! I thought I said that!
In any event, I second Mr. Mencken’s motion: Shut the hell up!
By Rodger
September 5, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this
DOB-hate to see you go, but if you’ve got to jump, can you make sure and take some of the Mets fans from the blog with you?
By KC
September 5, 2006 10:20 AM | Link to this
Hudson posted an ERA of about 3.50 in each of his last two seasons. That was considered a disappointment for a still fairly young pitcher who had previously established himself as a perennial CY Young contender. Having said that… 3.50 is still pretty good.
At this point, that’s what I’m hoping for from Hudson for the remainder of his years in Atlanta. If Huddy can give us that much (a 3.50 ERA), I think he will still be an asset to this team. That ERA (with this offense and Wickman in the pen) would be enough to win 15-20 games next season. If you put that with Smoltz, Hampton, James and Ramirez… sure, I’ll take that. Here’s hoping.
By KC
September 5, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
Shaun, I did check out the link. There were no ancient Chinese secrets there. ERA is not always a perfect measure of a pitcer, but it’s still the most reliebale measurment of a pitcher that there is.
By Head Coach
September 5, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
Ya’ll want a good laugh or cry ? Check out Mike Lopresti’s article in the baseball section of the U.S.A. Today online. I laughed my butt off.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 10:25 AM | Link to this
KC,
I’ve recently discovered that ERA is much more unreliable than I once thought and that pitching is much more defense and luck than I once thought.
ERA IS unreliable with starters and relievers because it doesn’t take into account defense. If you have Andruw Jones playing center as opposed to Bernie Williams, everything else being equal, the pitcher with AJ behind him is going to have a better ERA. Also, ERA doesn’t take the pitcher’s ballpark into account.
By William Faulkner
September 5, 2006 10:29 AM | Link to this
Good working title for a Bob Gibson biography: The Mound and the Fury.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
KC,
No, actually Run Average (not earned runs, but all runs) is better. And there is something called DIPS ERA, Defense-Independent “ERA” that is even better. (You can find the DIPS leaders on espn.com.)
But, I will admit that I thought the Hudson trade and signing were good things for the Braves. I have no idea what I would have though had I known what I know now about evaluating pitchers, but maybe I would have thought it was a good move.
By Zimmerman
September 5, 2006 10:38 AM | Link to this
Oh, my God, am I here all alone?
By Don Rickles
September 5, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this
KC and Shaun Payne,
Without question, you two are the leading DIPS on this blog.
Now, let me echo Mencken and Disraeli and Zimmerman: Shut the hell up!
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 10:55 AM | Link to this
KC,
The Big problem with ERA:
Pitchers really only control strikeouts, walks and homeruns/some extra-base hits. All a pitcher can really do is make their pitches. He can’t really control whether a ground ball finds a hole or a glove or whether a fly ball is just out of the reach of an outfielder or it falls into a glove.
DIPS take into account all the things pitchers can control—strikeouts, walks, homeruns—and is a much better predictor of actually ERA than a pitcher’s previous ERA.
Also, say a pitcher walks a batter and that batter reaches third with two outs and a fielder makes an error on what would be the third out. That run is not going to show up in his ERA, but shouldn’t it count for something? Afterall, the pitcher did walk the batter. This is a big reason why Run Average, although not perfect, is better than Earned Run Average. DIPS is the best though.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
Mencken and Disraeli and Zimmerman and Don Rickles,
If you are baseball fans it’s worth knowing the Big problem with ERA:
Pitchers really only control strikeouts, walks and homeruns/some extra-base hits. All a pitcher can really do is make their pitches. He can’t really control whether a ground ball finds a hole or a glove or whether a fly ball is just out of the reach of an outfielder or it falls into a glove.
DIPS take into account all the things pitchers can control—strikeouts, walks, homeruns—and is a much better predictor of actually ERA than a pitcher’s previous ERA.
Also, say a pitcher walks a batter and that batter reaches third with two outs and a fielder makes an error on what would be the third out. That run is not going to show up in his ERA, but shouldn’t it count for something? Afterall, the pitcher did walk the batter. This is a big reason why Run Average, although not perfect, is better than Earned Run Average. DIPS is the best though.
By Lew
September 5, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
KC-Dude, I’m sorry, but 6 runs in 7 innings is NOT pitching extremely well! Giving up 3 HR to a single player is NOT pitching extremely well! Do you think Drysdale or Gibson gave up 3 HR to a player in one game? I guess not. That player would have been dusting off the seat of his pants after being brushed back forcefully. Unlucky that players swung at belt high pitches? You’re SUPPOSED to swing at belt high pitches. Belt high pitches commonly end up exactly where Howard deposited them. Man, there is no way to spin this one. Hudson was atrocious, just like he has been most of the season. If nothing else, the third time he should never have had anything to hit. It’s time time call it like it is, not invent platitudes. He ain’t no Ace.
By KC
September 5, 2006 11:12 AM | Link to this
Overall, I think coming out of Phili with a split over the weekend was an accomplishment, not a failure. The Philies lined up their 1-4 starters for this series, where as both Smoltz and James missed that series for Atlanta. With that in mind, it’s hard to call a split a failure… but it was a disappointment.
For 2 of our last 3 losses to come as a result of our 1,2 starters each giving up 6 ER in the most recent starts, is very disappointing. Obviously, the game 1 loss Sunday was awfully hard to stomach given that we had battled back for the lead only to lose it… but it had to happen some time. Wickman couldn’t be perfect forever. We should be 3 games back right now, and still right in the thick of things, but Hudson and amazingly John Smoltz didn’t come through when we needed them.
Anyway, it looks like 85 games is what it will take to win the Wild Card this year. To get there, the Braves will have to go 19-6 in their remaining games. Likely? No. Possible? Sure. Some have said it will take a miracle at this point for the Braves to win it this year. I think that’s an overstatement. I don’t think it would take a miracle for a team with this much talent to play .760 baseball over a 25 game span. However, it will certainly take a much better effort than anything we’ve seen out of this team this season.
It would be helpful to get Giles back in the lineup ASAP, Baez back in the bullpen in the next week or so, and Chipper back within 10 days (though that may be hoping for a lot). No margin for error at all anymore. Smoltz and Hudson have got to come through each and every start from here on out. Davies has got to settle in, and we’ve got overcome these injuries for a couple of weeks until we can get everyone back.
We will most likely win this series tonight with Smoltz on the mound (I can’t even fathom to consecutive poor starts from him), and will have an opportunity to sweep the series. It would be great to carry that momentum into 4 game series with the Cubs. If the Braves could sweep the Chicago, and carry a nice little 8 game win streak into their next series against the Philies… they would definitely have a chance at this thing. Such a streak would get the Braves over .500, and would put them in position where a 13-6 finish (.684 baseball) would likely get it done. A sweep of the Mets and Cubs would put the Braves right there in the thick of things, but if we lose any more than 1 of our next 6 games… the season will be officially over in my mind. But right now… it ain’t over till it’s over.
By KC
September 5, 2006 11:15 AM | Link to this
LEW!!!!!!!!
Calm down. I said I was just kidding about Hudson’s start. It was a joke.
By TennesseePaul
September 5, 2006 11:17 AM | Link to this
Shuan Payne: So you would look at a pitcher with the following: 19-2 1.63 ERA and say that doesn’t tell you much if anything. That that line is unreliable to the point of not knowing if you’ve got a good pitcher? There are holes in those stats, but they aren’t completely unreliable. Like KC said, if the “unreliable” stat is extrodrinarily low, then the guy is more than likely a good pitcher. 19-2 with a 1.63 ERA. That was Greg Maddux.
Tim Hudson is making 4 million this year. He signed a contract which averages a little over 8 million a year for the five years he’s here. And DOB already pointed out the health issues. I do recall ESPN praising JS for the deal… Something to the tone of: JS runs circles around every other GM in the majors. When everyone else is trying to construct a team on the free agent market, JS adds two aces to his rotation and lowers his payroll by $10 million in the process. Smoltz was resigned that same offseason. Point is, everyone was behind this deal and was amazed JS pulled it off for nothing.
By Lew
September 5, 2006 11:20 AM | Link to this
KC-Sorry man, I saw the first part of your post and almost had a stroke. Glad you were joking. I would have had serious doubts about your sanity. You’re usually so positive, that I failed to see the caveat. I guess there’s no psychiatric help in your future. I may need to see a cardiologist though.
By KC
September 5, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
Shaun:
You’re point is a valid one. A pitcher can get hit hard and not give up many runs, or he could pitch extremely well and give up several runs. However, over the course of 200-plus innings, those things even out. If someone has an ERA of around 3.00 over 230 innings… they’re good… damn good.
By KC
September 5, 2006 11:29 AM | Link to this
Lew: That’s okay. I figured I could probably get a rise out of you with those comments until you noticed the “just kidding” tag. lol!
By 3trees
September 5, 2006 11:32 AM | Link to this
DOB - If you gotta jump, pick the Brooklyn, its much better looking, offers better views and you can actually walk to where you want to jump. The Hells Gate Bridge is a really nice old steel arched bridge in the East River and the waters there are treacherous. Or maybe the Washington, I think that’s the one Tarzan jumped off of in the movie, but I can’t recall. Of course he survived that (he was Johnny Weissmuller after all), so you’d only have to get back to Washington Heights and then over to Queens and the connections to do that would REALLY make you want to find a bridge. Maybe just take the tram over to Roosevelt Island?
But here’s hoping you don’t jump (now if you could throw Hudson in the Hudson…). Who else would want to be the ring leader of the Braves/Music blog?
By TennesseePaul
September 5, 2006 11:41 AM | Link to this
Still thinking about James performance last night. That was incredible. What a lift that must be to the team. He one hit the best team in the league. I read the MLB.com Braves Mailbag and that guy had said James is the most likely to be traded of all the starters because he sees more upside in HoRam than in James. I certainly hope that doesn’t happen. Not unless they get back an entire team of all stars. I like what Chuck James is doing. A rotation with Smotlz, Hampton and James is a good rotation. We are now pretty much left with the question of fifth starter. That’s a good position to be in. And it’s a tough call. HoRam would get the initial nod, due to his Major League service and Cox as the skipper. But, HoRam does have the finger injury which could take a while to heal. Plus, HoRam is a lefty which would mean 3 lefties in the rotation. Those two caveats make Davies a strong possibility. I dunno. But next year looks promising.
Now, this year, the year at hand, this team needs to focus on the game at hand, and win it. Get back over .500. The rest will take care of itself. But they must get back over .500. That’d be 16 straight winning seasons.
By Lew
September 5, 2006 11:52 AM | Link to this
Does anybody know what’s happeneing? The TV Guide says the Braves are on TBS tonight, but the Braves’ Website says Turner South. Don’t you just love everyone on the same page?
By KC
September 5, 2006 12:05 PM | Link to this
TennPaul:
I don’t know… I think if Davies doesn’t impress in a major way over the final 3-4 weeks or so of the season, he’ll start the 2007 season at AAA. There’s a chance that if Davies does impress… the Braves temporarily move C.James back to the bullpen (again, temporarily). But at the moment, I think the most likely scenario is that Davies will start next season at Richmond and will be serve as an insurance policy against injury to any of our starters.
I don’t see the Braves trading any of their starters this winter. Maybe if the Yankees or Red Sox have interest in Hudson, Huddy could be on the move. I think interest in Hudson is a distinct possibility. I think there are a number of teams in baseball that would be willing to take a chance on Hudson. But Huddy is the only Braves starter that might be dealt this winter.
Personally, I would love to see us take a shot at signing Schmidt or Zito. If we landed either, we could trade both Hudson and Giles to clear salary room. Looking at next season, I think we have less of a need for starting pitching than nearly any team in baseball, but there’s always room for a genuine ace. I’m sure we won’t be serious players for either free agent pitcher, but it’s something I would like to see.
By Lew
September 5, 2006 12:18 PM | Link to this
KC-If we could get something-Anything-for Hudson, it would be great. About Schmidt. The other night, watching the TS feed on MLB Extra Innings, Jeff Torborg was talking about Schmidt during his start. He kept saying that Schmidt and the Giants management kept telling him that Schmidt HATES pitching at Turner Field. He then proceded to get lit up real bad. I wouldn’t expect that Schmidt would sign with the Braves. Zito may be too expensive, also. I definitely see the Braves having enough to re-sign Wickman. The attrition of such stalwarts as Reitsm, Thomson, Sosa, Remlinger, et al, should give the Braves about 8-9 million after the raises due to other players next year. This includes keeping Marcus, which I believe that the Braves just might do. I think Giles would be willing to sign a 3 year or so contract for about $12-13 million. A good hometown discount. I also think this year was an abberration for Giles-even if he has to lead off again.
By David O'Brien
September 5, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this
KC, Chuck James isn’t going back to the bullpen. No way.
And he’s much tougher against righties than lefties, so the situational lefty thing is irrlevelent. You gonna move a guy who’s 4-0 with a 1.85 ERA and .213 opp average in his past six starts BACK TO THE BULLPEN? No way, no how.
NEW BLOG IS POSTED, by the way. You ungrateful heathens (wink)
By David O'Brien
September 5, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
The damn game is on Turner South tonight, and I agree it’s absurd how everyone can get this so screwed up so many times, the TV listings thing.
Now go to the NEW BLOG.
By flbravesgirl
September 5, 2006 12:24 PM | Link to this
Lew, Chip & Joe said last night that tonight’s game was on TBS. I don’t think it was originally scheduled for TBS so that’s probably why there’s some confusion. Maybe it was added to make up for losing Fri. to the rain-out?
By doc
September 5, 2006 12:26 PM | Link to this
dob. glad to see you clarifying the points on hudson. it is amazing how folks rewrite history for their own arguments. didnt hear a peep of negativity when the trade got done and he looked like superman untl he reinjured himself last year. he and smoltz were as good a one two punch into june as there has been. still think he might come around and wonder if a nagging injury is the real culprit, if not it is mechanics or the head.
for those that think there is money to be spent i wonder how you can expect that during a time where there is only disinterested ownership, we should be grateful we have huddy and as most said he signed for less than market value to be close to his alabama home. lets look for a comeback as it is as good as we are going to get for now.
like james, reticent on davies. got to get some pitchers healthy period. what is the outlook on the new pitching coach? everyone satisfied with what he is teaching?
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 12:43 PM | Link to this
KC and Tennessee Paul,
A good ERA doesn’t necessarily mean a good pitcher. True Maddux posting a 1.63 ERA was impressive. Yeah, it’s virtually impossible for a bad pitcher to post a very low ERA but it’s possible at least in theory. Usually ERA fools you when your talking a pitcher that posts a good ERA not a great one.
If a pitcher posts an ERA around 3.00 over 230 innings, he may be a good pitcher or a bad pitcher. It depends on context.
If there’s one thing to learn about stats it’s that you must pay attention to context. I think that’s why a lot of people choose to ignore stats and criticize people who study stats: they are too lazy to understand context and they don’t understand that most intelligent people who study stats also study context and which stats are important and why.
By Shaun Payne
September 5, 2006 12:48 PM | Link to this
KC and Tennessee Paul,
Oh, and ERA is an okay indicator of pitcher performance, but it’s not great. Maybe unreliable is a little too harsh when talking ERA.
By robdawg06
September 5, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the correction scoots. My bad. My point was and still is that Matt Diaz needs to start EVERYDAY. Trade Langerhans for some bats & balls or something ala Lightenberg style reversed. Braves announcers were saying “The Royals misused Diaz when they had him.” Hell, the Braves are doing the same thing… Brilliant !
By robdawg06
September 5, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
I’ll sing the praises of Wilson Betemit again. Stupid trade by the Braves. This guy is Edgar Renteria incarnate for 1/50 th the money. At least the Dodgers know talent when they see it…They get a 5-tool player in Betemit for Danys Baez raggedy arm ? Wow ! DOB, what’s your thoughts on the Braves chances of winning the Wild Card ?