Braves

By Tony Almeida

September 7, 2006 02:36 PM | Link to this

Tim McGraw is the new “Man in Black”, just an FYI.

By Chris

September 7, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this

Dammit, now I want BBQ.

By 22oz

September 7, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this

MMMMMMMMMM, BBQ would be good right about now. I’ll definitely have to stop by Skip and Pete’s next Thursday. They do a pretty good job for a $10 sandwich.

By Lew

September 7, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

DOB-I don’t know about funny or interesting, but is there any possibility we could trade Reitsma and Jordan for the Marlin’s pitching staff. I think it would really make a difference next year, if not during our stretch run this season. If the negotiations get too tough, we could throw in Marcus and a bottle of MyAtlanta. I want BBQ too.

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this

Yeah, if you’re into pretty black leather caps bent just perfectly, and soul-less music sung with your pretty wife….

By Merle

September 7, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this

In defense of Mets fans coming to this site, I do like to check out the hometown papers of the clubs we’re playing. It gives you a better read on the opposing team and a less biased picture of your own squad. I’m guessing that for others, the schadenfreude is just too strong to resist typing “Met Roole” in all caps bold.

The limit of my schadenfreude is enjoying Braves fans go through the same delusions we had every year, that some how we could eeke out a trip to the playoffs despite, say, having a losing record late in the season. Just be glad your front office didn’t have a brain fart strong enough to do something like trade away Scott Kazmir.

Ugh, just thinking about it I may have to go throw up.

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this

Lew, I definitely like that trade proposal. Maybe we’ll run it by John S. (GM John).

Wherever that team goes, it’s taking a pitching rotation that’s set for five years, barring injury. What a group, and none of them (except Dontrelle) making any money for three years.

By Head Coach

September 7, 2006 02:57 PM | Link to this

BBQ and Skynyrd , skinny dipping and racing cars. Siting out on the grass on a blanket with my high school sweetheart in Fort Payne listening to Alabama in concert outdoors , I’m getting homesick, lol.

By Tony Almeida

September 7, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this

Damnit DOB, open your mind a little. They have plenty of soul, thats why they called their tour “Soul 2 Soul” tour. Did a nice little number by Merle Haggard too. Don’t be a hater DOB!!

And Faith is not pretty, she’s DROP DEAD GORGEOUS.

By Mike Lum

September 7, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

Smoking hot wife, DOB.

By D the M

September 7, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

I hate the Mets. I think they suck, and I do not wish them well. And I’d like a beer, please.

By Lew

September 7, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

Merle-Just be glad they had the foresight to send him to St.Petersburg instead of to the Braves or Marlins. Look for the silver lining, dude, abide and eat BBq.

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 02:59 PM | Link to this

Merle, funny you mention Kazmir. Because when someone suggested trading Chuck James the other day on the blog, it made me think of how bad it can work out, trading a quality young starting pitcher. James has a way to go to be as good as Kazmir, but it’s the same principle. You just don’t trade away quality starting pitchers when they’re young and cheap, especially not lefties.

By rammerjammer

September 7, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

Davies, two games and two shellings. DOB, what’s up with that??? Is he hurt? Is he dressing next to Devine? Is Lerew wearing his uniform?

I tell ya, next year’s rotation is looking more like this year’s bullpen when we broke spring camp. After Smoltz and James it’s all question marks.

Homeboy’s got a real dilemma. We don’t need another starter if Hudson, Hampton and Davies live up to expectations. But if they falter, we’re in deep doodoo.

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 03:01 PM | Link to this

Yes, she is, Tony. Yes, she is.

By NLCHAMPS

September 7, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

For the first time I agree with DOB if reference to the trade of Kazmir. It’s hurts just to think of it…..Ouch.

By DonCoburleone

September 7, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

I swear to god, if I have to hear(cuz there is no way in hell i’ll watch it) about another fking subway series this year I am going to vomit. That was nightmarish the first time in ‘99 and it would be even worse now. LETS GO TIGERS, LETS GO TWINS, LETS GO OAKLAND, LETS GO CARDINALS, LETS GO WHOEVER THE HE!! MAKES THE WILDCARD IN THE NL. **Just please, somebody beat those damn NY teams!!!

Except of course for the Dodgers, they are on the same level as the Yankees and Muts…

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this

Yes, she is. Yes, she definitely is. Smoking hot, drop-dead gorgeous. No argument here. Not open for debate.

By Lew

September 7, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this

Head Coach-Skynyrd sounds good. Maybe I’ll go listen to Mr.Breeze. Hell, maybe I’ll just break out JJCale and listen to the original. Maybe both of them. It is sunny and 74 in Vermont with the leaves starting to change. A good day to enjoy without some malcontent harshing the ole mellow. Abide, Dudes, the music calls after a walk in the potatoes. Later.

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 03:08 PM | Link to this

Yeah, DonC, but think of me covering the Series. L.A. for four days in the middle, or Shea for four days? Thankyaverymuch.

By rammerjammer

September 7, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

Davies, two games and two shellings. DOB, what’s up with that??? Is he hurt? Is he dressing next to Devine? Is Lerew wearing his uniform?

I tell ya, next year’s rotation is looking more like this year’s bullpen when we broke spring camp. After Smoltz and James it’s all question marks.

Homeboy’s got a real dilemma. We don’t need another starter if Hudson, Hampton and Davies live up to expectations. But if they falter, we’re in deep doodoo.

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

Damn, Lew, that sounds outstanding. 74 in Vermont and a walk in the potatoes, with J.J. Cale on the speakers.

I think I’m gonna go unpack my bags … actually, I’ll wait. I’m gonna go sit outside on the patio, smoke a Cohiba, and listen to the new Tom Petty CD.

By DonCoburleone

September 7, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

Sorry, that subway series was 2000, not ‘99… 1999 was a different nightmare…

By NLCHAMPS

September 7, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this

DOB, You don’t have to hang around Shea Stadium all the time. Manhatten is beautiful in the fall and there’s plenty to do there. I’d love a subway series. It’s time for some payback!

By DonCoburleone

September 7, 2006 03:18 PM | Link to this

No offense DOB, but your preference of WS destinations doesn’t change my hatred of the Dodgers…

By john

September 7, 2006 03:27 PM | Link to this

hey every since smoltz started talking contracts, he has shown why they haven’t pick up his contract. and why was he throwing 125 pitches through only 6 innings? even if we made the playoffs (LOL) he would breakdown… PLEASE LET SMOLTZ GO NEXT YEAR… PRETTY PRETTY PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

By NLCHAMPS

September 7, 2006 03:40 PM | Link to this

8 is the Magic number……I think we’ll clinch the the end of next week. What do you guys think?

By DonCoburleone

September 7, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

I will be rooting for the Twins, A’s, Tigers, and whoever wins the NL wildcard. I’d love to see a Tigers - Padres World Series. That would certainly shut up all those GD football homers who claim their sport has ALL the parody and you can’t win in baseball unless you’re a NY, Boston, Chicago, or LA area team… Don’t get me wrong, I love football as much as the next guy, but to say the NFL is this great league because every team has a shot to win the Super Bowl at the start of the season is a joke! The Detroit Tigers are a bigger surprise this year in baseball than you will see this year from any team in football, I guarantee it!

It just p** me off, NFL guys are so quick to point out teams like the Royals, Brewers, Pirates, Phillies, Rockies, Orioles and Devil Rays as having NO CHANCE at the beginning of the season, as if their aren’t any NFL teams with NO CHANCE. Well, what about the Bills, 49ers, Jets, Lions, Browns, Titans and Cardinals? They all have NO SHOT (and if there is any shot, it is about the same as Detroit’s chances were at the beginning of the baseball season). I just wish everyone wouldn’t bash baseball for it’s “unequal playing field.” I agree the system is not perfect, but neither is the NFL’s!

By StartANewStreak

September 7, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this

john, why in the world would we let Smoltz go? And who do you suggest replace him (for the price he’ll be paid next year)?

By 22oz

September 7, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this

Two things are for certain: 1) Chipper needs to sit the rest of the season. 2) Tim McGraw wears a plastic toy cowboy hat, and hasn’t been good since he had a mullet and a mustache.

By Tony Almeida

September 7, 2006 03:52 PM | Link to this

26 #1 singles, 35 million records sold, number one country tour this year….yeah he just plain sucks.

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 03:54 PM | Link to this

Roger, if you’re still here I was drunk, drugged AND frustrated, but the main point of my second big post last night was to stir some people up enough to jump into the fray so I wouldn’t have to go back and forth with the 12-headed stinky myself. I know, I know, I should have just done something else, but I never said I was perfect. Being easily goaded (especially at 3 am after much imbibing) is one of my weaknesses. Don’t ever take me too seriously. Now, as for pie…

By DonCoburleone

September 7, 2006 03:55 PM | Link to this

John, Let Smoltz go??? Are you insane??? Who’s our No.1 next year?

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 03:57 PM | Link to this

Tony, does that mean you have a bunch of Micheal Jackson and Brittany Spears records? If we go by sales alone they ROCK! :-) Just playing devil’s advocate though, dude, don’t take me seriously. I honestly don’t even know what Tim McGraw sounds like. He may be good for all I know. I do know I’ll clear out some space for his old lady if they ever slit up.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this

zamfir is a pitcher and was traded? when did this happen? how did journalist jimmy smith miss this? must have been all the distractions from the stinky blogger. what is zamfir’s best pitch? d? does zamfir play the pan flute in the dugout? could zamfir be traded to the braves next season? what pet name would bobby call zamfir? zammy? sounds like sammy. firry? sounds furry. flutie? plays football. no, zamfir cannot play for bobbycox - unless he is playing the pan flute. imagine the pan flute music when zamfir enters the game! does zamfir wear a cowboy hat, too? does he play old maid? like to hunt? have indigestion or toe issues? the braves must gerd against having more players with acid reflux. maybe it is time to change the food in the clubhouse. too much chili? where is the best chili in atlanta? journalist has many questions today and many of the most famous bloggers are missing. now, baseball … never consider letting glavine come back to atlanta. let him remain with the mets. by the way, glavine may have a playoff surprise for the mets, right? (wink, wink)

By Choppin Bob

September 7, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this

its bad enough the regulars hear can incite a riot with mets fans, but DOB has topped us all today. why dont you just tell them they live in a graffiti filled city with painted satellite dishes on their roofs! although the bravos have done plenty to make me puke these past 5 months, i have been able to keep all solids and liquids down. DOB - 980 days, you?

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this

Split up; excuse me. Major Freudian slip.

By ncscoots

September 7, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this

gawd, here it is not even October, and I can’t think of a single new Braves-related subject that we haven’t already chewed to pulp. The potential problems for 2007 are evident, but solutions are murky. Just too many ways to play for improvement, and I’ll admit that this losing thing makes one think differently about the approach for next season. Weird. I mean, I knew that the Braves would fail to win the division one year, but to see them 20 games out is just about unfathomable. Just kicks your perspective sincerely out of whack, mine anyway. Thank goodness for pie…and, oh, Virginia Madsen.

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 04:01 PM | Link to this

Jimmy…surely you’re not suggesting Glavine’s famous circle-change won’t positively baffle everyone he faces in the post-season…

By Tony Almeida

September 7, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this

No Brittany, now that K-Fed, he’s gonna turn into something big, mark my words.

By berigan

September 7, 2006 04:06 PM | Link to this

What’s really funny is I’d really like to root for the Mets, since the NL is a weaker division than the AL, but all the weak Met’s fans(I think DOB hit the nail on the head-a real Mets fan would want to talk to other Met’s fans) talking how great they are when the Mets could be 3 and outed by the Dodgers, Padres (Or more than likely against the Marlins if they sneak in the WC)is just strange. I know I sure didn’t go around crowing about the big bad Braves on Mets boards in the past. And any Braves “Fan” that did that would do that is stupid.

Actually, I’m such a fan of Baseball, that I bet I still would root for the Mets in the World Series if they were playing the White Sox or the Yankees, since they would clearly be the underdogs. I’d root for the Tigers or Twins though if they get in.

By rian

September 7, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

DOB - by far the best blog of the year. AJC should find a way to screen these guys out before they actually post. I do not know how, but I am sure with all the technology the mighty AJC posesses you could figure it out. Just put METS on the list of banned word…something. BRAVES, BBQ, SWEET TEA, and PIE…and a little music. NO MORE METS TALK!!!

By So. Cal Braves Fan

September 7, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this

The Mets are hosed. Everyone knows the Wild Card goes to the World Series

By Thomas

September 7, 2006 04:11 PM | Link to this

When is Baez coming back?

By geauxbraves2000

September 7, 2006 04:17 PM | Link to this

I think the Mets are going to lose every game they play from here on out and the Braves are going to win every game they play, they are going to win the division, and will march through the playoffs straight to a WS Championship.

Okay, maybe not. The Mets should have the East wrapped up by next week.

I agree with others about shutting Smoltz down for the rest of the year, no need to wear his 39 year old arm out for no reason. Sit the regulars, let the kids play. It’d be something though if the kids did play and reeled off quite a winning streak, wouldn’t it.

Geaux Braves!!

By Kingofqueens

September 7, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this

You know Dave it’s articles like this that make me wanna come here even more. Yeah I’m a Mets fan in NYC and this is an Atlanta based Braves site, but the Braves have been the bane of my existance since they came into the NL east. Forgive me for coming on here and doing a peacock strut because we’re 20.5 games ahead of your beloved Braves. But I remember all too well Kenny Rogers in 1999…and too many comeback wins against John Franco and Armando Benitez. I put the Braves’ flame out of 2006 right up there with the Red Sox comeback against the Yankees in 2004.

HOW SWEET IT IS!!!!

LETS GO METS!! 2006 NL EAST CHAMPIONS

By ncscoots

September 7, 2006 04:21 PM | Link to this

rian, screening out is a bad idea. Next thing you know, YOU are the one being screened! Shoot, I don’t mind dissension, disagreement, or even the occasional bone-headed opinion here. Makes the world go round, IMO. But for those folks, Mets fans or otherwise, who couldn’t field a point of view with an outfielder’s glove, I have little use and less time. My regret is that we here on the blog are sometimes unable to ignore the idiocy or practice restraint in the face of provocation. BTW, count me among the guilty on that score, too, I can talk that talk, but sometimes I have trouble walking the walk, I admit it. But our best and most effective tool against those posters who would talk smack and contribute nothing else is…no comment.

By Head Coach

September 7, 2006 04:22 PM | Link to this

Smoltz , Hudson , James , Hampton , Davies , Ramirez , Cormier , Lerew….. guys , the rotation will be just fine in 2007.

By Adam Worth

September 7, 2006 04:23 PM | Link to this

StartANewStreak, Smoltz has overplayed his hand. He’s been wearing his heart on his sleeve about bullpen help and his teammates efforts and may have stepped on some toes. At 8 mill, the Braves could try to trade him in the offseason, but he’ll 10/5 it if he doesn’t go somewhere he wants to for good coin. I think he feels betrayed by the organization because he made the contract concession in order to be a starter again. Couple that with JS’s old school / imperious manner and the war of the homeboys might be underway. Just my opinion. DOB, I didn’t care for yesterday’s offering, but I generally have enjoyed your columns at a rate just below Chipper’s career OPS. I’m sorry for contributing to the mayhem, though I don’t think I am the main culprit in recent events. (And I don’t like the METS. I’m just a disenchanted Braves Fan.) I’m Sorry for (fill in the blank). That was a blank-it apology.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 04:26 PM | Link to this

journalist remembers 2002 nlds when glavine pitched 2.2 innings and gave up 7 hits and 7 earned runs. power pitchers rule in the 5-game series. still, we will see how glavine does (wink, wink).

By StartANewStreak

September 7, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this

Yesterday’s games were pretty much forgettable, but the one thing I was happy to see was Joey Devine have a pretty good outing. His stuff looked really sharp, and he was gutsy enough to hit Julio with a pitch after Green’s HR. Not that I want anyone to hit Julio, but he is a Met, and it did show that the kid can get gritty.

By So. Cal Braves Fan

September 7, 2006 04:29 PM | Link to this

The Mets are just one more cab ride from the curb! Take the tunnel if you want to have a chance Mets

By Head Coach

September 7, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this

C,mon Scoot , let them enjoy the moment. The division is all the Mets are going to get. The entire rotation is smoke and mirrors , junkballers and a couple of pitchers in Glavine and Martinez who are past their prime. The Mets have a kicka.s.s lineup , bullpen and closer but that rotation wouldnt scare a little league team.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this

stinky is trying to reform. maybe he has good qualities, too. nah, probably not. ncscoots is wise. the stink is best left in the room by itself. now, baseball … what this team needs is a young steve avery. find one and see how much better the braves are in 2007.

By Rodger

September 7, 2006 04:31 PM | Link to this

If Devine hit someone after every HR he gave up…no, wait, most of them ended the game.

By Lew

September 7, 2006 04:32 PM | Link to this

Scoots-We must hope that the Dodgers do not win and go to the playoffs. DOB would prefer the weather there, but the proximity to Virginia Madsen and Diane Lane would be excrutiating for the poor boy. He would gain 20 pounds eating pie in frustration. The amount of coffee he would consume is not safe to think about. No, we should pull for the Marlins. He is used to rain. Besides, any team with a pitcher named Annabelle who throws no hitters is worthy of Chamionships. Look how many extra playoff seats would be available for we true baseball fans. Even more seats than if the Braves had won. The Humanity! JJCale is good, letting it hang out after midnight (or before as the case may be. The potatoes are good and the Green Mountains are wondrous things in the fall. Journalist Jimmy-Look at it like this-if Zamfir pitches, then he will join Bronson Arroyo as the only two (that I know of) pitchers with their own personally written them music.

By **Kingofqueens**

September 7, 2006 04:35 PM | Link to this

Hey Head Coach…it’s something how your team got 1 run in two games off of our “smoke and mirrors” starters. What does that say about your team?

By Lew

September 7, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

Smoke and Mirrors Starters-A good term. Many pitchers this year have pitched like they were smoking something. I once heard that Doc Ellis pitched a no hitter (with 8 walks) while taking LSD. But wasn’t it former Mets pitchers that used the Mirrors? Another Doc, I seem to remember.

By 22oz

September 7, 2006 04:41 PM | Link to this

King of Queens, your question is easy to answer, we had a smoke and mirrors lineup. Francoeur was batting third for pete’s sake.

By For Truth

September 7, 2006 04:48 PM | Link to this

Hey David, since it is home cookin’ day. Let me serve it up, because now it is time for a reckoning.

As a Georgia native and lifelong supporter of the local teams, escpecially the ATLANTA BRAVES in the STATE OF GEORGIA:

Let’s talk about the gutless NY and Philly born/allied suckups in sports talk radio here in Atlanta who would rather spend their time talking about the MLBNYY instead of the local team. The ones who at best are “tongue and cheek” when they say anything about the Braves and speak in the third person in order to avoid an association with loyalty to the home team. The same ones that think Stan Kasten, who is now helping and supporting our competition, The Nationals, walks on water. The same ones who don’t say a peep about Liberty Media purchasing a successful franchise for tax purposes approved by the worst baseball commissioner in history because they might want a job there some day. In fact they even believe Stan Kasten when he spins this as a non-event. I guess Stan might have a job for them some day. Stan was connected to the success within management structure of this team, but Ted Turner loved this team and Atlanta. Stan is going to make his next buck in DC, but will never have more money than and will never get a stadium named after him like Ted. Look how corporate media impacted Ted and his relationship/ownership. The words TAX SALE and ATLANTA BRAVES should have never, ever, appeared in a sentence. Why would someone in sportstalk ever address this?

But with Bud Selig (Seligate), any disaster is possible (roids, games ending in ties, DH continues to exist, allstar exhibition influencing real games, salary management that biases success toward NYY and now the entire AL vs. NL, wild-cards which basically nullify the significance of a 162 game regular season with 3 wins). I guess in talk radio if you truly criticize Bud, you by proxy criticize the most instrumental policy making advocate of the Yankees, which hurts your career. Right? OK, got it.

Our sportstalk lotto is a bust. Your lack of any allegiance to this successful Atlanta Braves organization is baffling. Your passion for OUR HOME TEAM is in a coma. Be honest with yourself, you are relieved to not have to talk about THE ATLANTA BRAVES, because it allows you to really support the team from the place you left that is so great. If any of this is bothering you, I am sure you can explain all of this away after you speak to your producers and editors in or from New York.

Atlanta Georgia is the “Greatest Transplant City in the History of the World.” In reality, our record of improvement as a growth city from where we were 15 years ago is unmatched and you could argue that even the Yankees have spent ungodly amounts of money for little incremental improvement. In 1995, that was the last year Braves and Yankees salaries had parity. Parity = BRAVES WIN. Look it up.

Of course it is more convenient for you jerks to fan the flames of the lost and weak bandwagon riding people who show up to 1 to 3 games a year with fresh gear, and from that moment on you seldom hear. I forgot, that means you appeal to a broader audience. While you are sitting on the bench waiting for your career to develop here in little old Atlanta, grow a pair.

You don’t drive for local team support. You sell out. You are a sell out. Sleep well tonight sell out.

I just can’t wait for the day the market matures in Atlanta and you are pushed out. Look at the players on the team! The kids of the transplants are pulling for the Braves or thanks to you, probably not watching baseball as much. You are failing to connect the next generation to the game. Maybe in 10 years each borough in New York will have a major league team and you can just incestuously reproduce and support NYLB there. Smart career move on your part.

Thanks so much for all that you do for yourself and not for THE ATLANTA BRAVES, THE CITY OF ATLANTA, AND THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

By Adam Worth

September 7, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, I agree 100% that power pitchers rule in a 5 game series. I also like 270 lb big uglies in the 7th, 8th and 9th. But I did shower today.

By Sane Jane

September 7, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this

I am less bothered by peacock-strutting Mets fans (let them have their once-in-fourteen-years division moment) than I am by “disenchanted” Braves fans who can’t bear to stand by their team after one losing season?

Let Smoltz go? Davies is washed up after two starts?

Gentlemen, ease back from the ledge.

Journalist & Grinch, you are cracking me up with the reminders of Glavine’s circle change & playoff prowess. (He has been absent from postseason for a few years now) But let’s not go inviting Karmic cahoots, lest he come out and throw 7 innings of 2-hit ball and make fools of us all.

By Head Coach

September 7, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

Yes, this team stinks and no its not the playoffs. Glavine 4.13 ERA , Trachsel 5.02 ERA , Hernandez 5.15 ERA , Perez 6.58 ERA , Williams 5.68 ERA and Pedro is on the DL. I’m scared , lol. Like I said before enjoy your division title , its all you gonna get.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

huh?

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 04:52 PM | Link to this

Scoot’s wisdom reminds me…where is Bob? Has anyone seen Bob? The integrity of the blog took a sharp hit when he left. Jimmy, I’ll keep an eye out for a young Steve Avery when I go out to the garden in a few to grab tomatoes. Where do they normally hide?

By reginald

September 7, 2006 04:54 PM | Link to this

Well, this is the end of an era. The Braves do not appear to have the division title in their hands this year. So much for lowering their payroll. So is it worth having a losing record and roller coaster season, maybe management had their minds on the Marlins’ vacation resorts instead of the condition of their roster. Having a leadoff hitter would have helped. Easily could have been resolved by resigned Furcal during the last season. Yet they waited until his stock increased and he was in demand. There are not any “WINNERS ATTITUDE” type of players on the roster. Every player on the team, except John Smoltz, seems to be in search of his own identity and place on the team. It seems that the team comes to the ballpark to find someone to carry it to victory. Which player on the Braves is a motivator, creator and spokesperson who can aid the younger players. The younger players needed a true leader to make them believers to win. It there such a helper on the team? No! Sometimes to spend money on a player who can make a difference to the team is very important. Why not keep Furcal, Sheffield, David Justice, Jermaine Dye and D. J Drew? All of these guys provided hits and drew excitement to Braves baseball. Now, this season the only thing we have to look to is next season.

By Sane Jane

September 7, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

For Truth,

I admire your passion & conviction, and I hope your post was a catharsis & had therapeutic value… because I guarantee that no one will read that massive tome.

If it takes up the entire screen while I scroll… move along. Nothing to see here.

By ncscoots

September 7, 2006 04:57 PM | Link to this

reginald, I’m afraid that motivation can’t make your curveball break or your fastball hit the outside black, unfortunately. If it could, Toby whatsisname would have been hired as a consultant LONG ago!

By ncscoots

September 7, 2006 04:59 PM | Link to this

Sorry, I meant Tony whatsisname…

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 05:00 PM | Link to this

Jane, if there is justice in this world then Glavine’s karma from selling out will continue to bite him for quite some time. The hardest I laughed in years was when he got in that cab wreck and lost his two front teeth. That was a nasty comment, Lew, that probably less than three people (and unfortunately no Mets fans) actually caught. For shame. :-) Jimmy, Adam Worth is trying to prove to you that he isn’t stinky.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 05:04 PM | Link to this

more than one adam worth? identity theft again by the stinky blogger? or perhaps the stinky blogger setting a trap for the wily journalist? no matter. journalist once blogged civily with sja for a number of weeks. sja was a gentleman jackass during that time and quite witty. then, the sja threw a shoe and hurt a toe. he turned vile and contemptuous and made fun of dob on dob’s own blog. this was pre-wurlitzer when dob had low self esteem. still, a day in sunday school and sja might be rehabilitated. now, glavine … perhaps braves fans will remember bobby insisting on giving glavine a second playoff start … “looked good to me -just threw one bad pitch all day”. oh, the humanity!

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 05:10 PM | Link to this

Hard to tell who’s who, anymore, huh? I even jumped on Tomahwakin’ last night, after noticing for the first time his name was mispelled. I went back and realized it was always that way. Oops! It’s like being in a bad spy drama.

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 05:11 PM | Link to this

Time for a nap. Peace and prosperity to all.

By No Talent journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 05:12 PM | Link to this

Oh the humanity!

By superadam

September 7, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

Hey I asked for some musical help the other day and figured out who I was thinking of, it was The Hangdogs, Goodnight Texas was the song I was looking for, anyone heard of them, they are actually mighty good….Next question DOB, where is the best BBQ in Atlanta, I am a rolling bones fan, except they have no stew, a good BBQ joint needs a good brunswick stew

By jc

September 7, 2006 05:13 PM | Link to this

Great blog DOB. JOHN ROCKER FOR MAYOR OF NY 2008!!!!!

By Lew

September 7, 2006 05:15 PM | Link to this

Grinch-Yes, smoke and mirrors are popular themes these days. In 86 as well, don’t you think. Yes Gooden days and Strawberry sundays they were.

By DonCoburleone

September 7, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

The only drastic thing that should be considered in the offseason is trading Andruw Jones. The Braves probably won’t be able to keep him after next season anyway, and I believe the market would be pretty good for a gold-glove power hitting center fielder. The only thing I worry about is Carlos Lee and Alfonso Soriano being signed by teams who are desperate for power(ie BoSox, Angels, Cardinals, Dodgers, Cubs). Which would in turn hurt Jones’ potential trade market… I wouldn’t completely rule out the Angels and Red Sox though, I believe they’d be the most likely. But after this season, I am of the opinion that 1 or 2 drastic changes would be good for this franchise…

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 05:22 PM | Link to this

well, say the braves did make the playoffs. here’s what it would look like. hudson would get the start just like he did to begin the season. orr would bat leadoff and play second base, renteria would bat second and play ss, we have no three hitter with chipper hurt so bobby might try francoeur (rf)there again, andruw would play center and bat cleanup. laroche would play first and bat fifth unless bobby decided to do like last year and give jordan a start. bobby likes that veteran presence. then, we might get an aybar or a prado or a pena to play third and bat sixth. langy sat last year though he was the hottest hitter so bobby would probably start him this year in left though he leads the team in futility. next, pratt. yes, pratt - works well with hudson and gives you a veteran presence. estrada got the start last year instead of mccann. there you have it and it’s not too far from realistic if you consider bobby’s playoff lineups. wonder if dob has ordered a pie yet in chicago?

By For Truth

September 7, 2006 05:23 PM | Link to this

Sane Jane:

You seem quite bright, and you make a good point about the attention span of people in general. Short sound bites that are generally meaningless do work best. It was not for you anyway.

By Adam Worth

September 7, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

Sane Jane, I appreciate the fact that you stand by your team through thick or thin. So do I. I may have trouble falling in line with someone like yourself, but I never pull for anybody else (at the Major League Level). I’m not just disapointed with the results of this season, I am disapointed with what’s been going on for 5 or 6 seasons. The Braves have been in decline for an awful long time. You wrote of the passion of one blogger. Where’s the passion been in the GM’s Office. I know he has constraints from Time Warner, but JS is also constrained by no small amount of hubris. He lolly-gagged around in the offseason and left his team out to dry with no closer or leadoff man.
Renteria is good, but I’d have taken my chances with a blue chip reliever and a farm hand at second. (I know that hindsight is 20/20). Forgive me for offending you, Sane Jane. I am not the man I want to be a lot of the time.

By StartANewStreak

September 7, 2006 05:26 PM | Link to this

Based on the potential plethora of starting pitchers the Braves will have next year (Smoltz, Hudson, Hampton, Rameriez, James, Davies) and our obvious inability to A)find good bullpen help and B)not overuse the good ones we find, I wonder if Cox would consider going to a 6-man rotation next season. Potential benefits would include 5 days off between starts, which could help to keep our starters healthy. Plus, knowing they’ll have that extra day off maybe our starters would be able to go a little later into games, relieving what would have to be a thinner bullpen in order to accomodate the starters. In addition, anyone actually in the bullpen would have to be good enough that we can trust going to them, not one of these “Well, everyone I rely on has pitched 3 days straight, and this mop-up guy needs some work, lets hope he doesn’t blow the game open” kind of decisions. You basically eliminate your worst bullpen pitcher, while giving your starters more rest. Any thoughts?

By ed

September 7, 2006 05:31 PM | Link to this

Grinch,

I totally got what Lew was saying. Between that “Doc” and Strawberry, it’s a wonder the Mets could keep the foul lines on the field. Guess they just couldn’t find a straw big enough.

By Lew

September 7, 2006 05:33 PM | Link to this

Ed-A man after my own heart. Trivia question-How many Mets have been in 12 step programs?

By Adam Worth

September 7, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this

Jimmy, the stinky blogger has not been that active lately, but he has tried to make some sort of amends. Did SJA ever do that?

By Lew

September 7, 2006 05:45 PM | Link to this

Interesting article on the Braves site about retaining Wickman’s services. It looks like a good possibility. Parontoe speaks in the article about how he was originally intimidated by Wickman’s size when they were on the Indians together. Why? Has Parontoe gained weight since then?

By Steve Bartkowski

September 7, 2006 05:48 PM | Link to this

Tim McGraw is not the new man in black. He is a sissy. It’s a shame what country music has become. Dwight Yokam is the only one worth listning to on new country radio. Any self respecting Southerner should know that. Remember Garth Brooks prancing around on a stage with a Madonna microphone clapping his hands above his head yelling “C’mon Y’all”. That’s real country folks. Rascal Flatts are doing some show for the opening of the NFL season. That’s the same as getting the Village People to do the show. Also, country artists, and I use the term artist loosly, try writing a song that doesn’t sound like it was written for 8 year olds. The Local has good pulled pork and Mets Fans suck. Guidos (If thats how you spell it) go home. Our women don’t like your cheesy lines. Go Birds.

By Tim McGraw

September 7, 2006 06:00 PM | Link to this

Come on, man, I’m as country as it gets. I stole a horse in NYC with ole Chesney, for god’s sake. I’m an outlaw. Plus, I shave my chest. That’s just what cowboys do.

I ruin great Ryan Adams songs. I sing about Indians and compare women to rain. Me and Toby Keith are like Willie and Waylon - singing songs for the poor man, like my one about makin’ love to my wife and Toby’s about killin foreigners.

Maybe you guys didn’t notice that I wear boots and a cowboy hat, what else do I need to do? Cowboy up, fellas.

By dadgum

September 7, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. Gotta wonder how many people really know how great they are. Petty didn’t really follow any script kind of his own thing type of guy. His band is all class and very underrated. Last Dance with Mary Jane, Room at the Top of the World, Kings Highway, Running Down A dream, The Last DJ, I could go on and on. Simply great stuff. I haven’t listened to the new cd but gotta believe it is going to be great. DOB….Get back with a review on the new Petty .

By DonCoburleone

September 7, 2006 06:05 PM | Link to this

Before I say this, please know I hate the Muts but what I’m about to say is from the head, not the heart: Whoever’s crowing about the Muts not doing anything in the playoffs, ARE YOU HIGH? Please look at the current list of teams that would be in the NL postseason: Cardinals, Dodgers, and Padres… Wow, scary. The Muts don’t stand a chance! Pleeeeease, with the Mets lineup I would take them over all 3 of those teams if it were me and 4 of my softball buddies in the rotation. They are not 10 games up on the rest of the league for no reason ladies and gent’s… The Muts not getting to the World Series this year would be a MAJOR choke job.

By Lew

September 7, 2006 06:19 PM | Link to this

Dadgum-Thanks for the YouTube tip-The Tull Kashmir video was great. Just picked up Petty’s You’re Gonna Get It. That and Damn the Torpedoes were his best.

By Metropolitan Man

September 7, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

Now DOB has a nice southern way of spewing anti NY venom. You brought out all of these nasty comments from fans becasue of the true meaning of this weeks METS and braves series blogs. Once again I live here in Lithonia (NY transplant) and read this local paper online everyday just as the ny daily news, ny newsday, ny post and 1010 wins. I respond to all, but with your articles leading your southern brethern to a blind fight will always garner these types of back and forth responses. The one thing we start off doing is talking sports, then it gravitates with your agitation….your love for your team so to speak. But the same goes on this side for any fan of any team not rooting for the braves living in atlanta. We all know the free speech song so we wont even go there.
And to clear up 1 thing we all know NY has had the greatest diversity from all walks of the globe for centuries. You guys are now a little NY for what?? 15 years. That is nothing to harp about, its taken you forever to try diversity. But for all METS fans who were offended by DOB’S blantant attempt to disrespect us in his own special southern way, stay strong and blog anywhere you feel you have an opinion to give. Peace out DOB and all baseball fans everywhere!!!!

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 06:30 PM | Link to this

22oz. you’re absolutely right _ Tim McGraw does wear a plastic toy cowboy hat. Don’t know why I even set it was perfectly bent leather. It’s plastic. It’s stupid.

And as hot as his wife is, June Carter in her younger years was at least as hot, and infinitely cooler and more interesting.

Hey, got a great CD rec for you folks, a new band from North Carolina called Roman Candle. Rooty, jangly Americana with great songs, great little stories, and the leader singer has a distinctive and well-suited voice. Good stuff. CD’s called “The Wee Hours Revue.” By Roman Candle, from Chapel Hill.

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 06:35 PM | Link to this

And Tony, citing records sold and No. 1 hits means absolutely nothing in terms of quality and integrity and musicianship. You should know that. This audience, at least most of them, certainly knows that.

So I guess if McGraw sells more records than Merle Haggard or Waylon Jennings, it means he’s a better country musician than those two? And if Celine Dion sells more records than, say, Lucinda Williams, then Celine Dion is better?

So you just go with what’s massively popular, then? So whatever movie sells the most tickets is the best movie?

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this

Grinch, I responded to Tony’s post about McGraw, then I keep scrolling down a bit and see your post. I swear, I had no idea you wrote that. Sounds like I’m repeating your post. Not the case. At least not intentionally. But in total agreement with you.

C’mon, Grinch, you know Brittney Spears is a better artist than ol’ Emmylou Harris, don’t ya? And J-Lo, she’s better than, say Nina Simone, since Nina Simone never sold many records by comparison.

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 06:40 PM | Link to this

But Grinch, I would disagree with you on early Michael Jackson. The dude was absolutely talented singer and dancer, just too bad he was a total freak and we eventually saw every manifestation of that. He hasn’t made any good music in 20 years, but for fans of R&B, he made a couple of gems early on, especially the “Off The Wall” album.

By summerteeth

September 7, 2006 06:45 PM | Link to this

Dave,

You a Hobex fan yet?

ST

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 06:47 PM | Link to this

C.B., very funny post. Excellent economy of words and hilarious.

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 06:49 PM | Link to this

Oh, and Grinch, that “slip” made me smile. Then I saw you caught it yourself.

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 06:54 PM | Link to this

Superadam, I do like the Hangdogs. Don’t have the CD, but have heard them and very impressed.

As for best BBQ, we’ve had about 50 suggestions here in recent weeks (months?) about best places nationwide, statewide, and in Atlanta metro area. I’ll let others chime in, since I haven’t been out to the ones outside Atlanta (I can tell you plenty in KC or NC, places in areas I lived for long periods).

For me (as Bobby would say), I love the Fox Bros. BBQ at Smith’s Olde Bar. Just outstanding. And you can eat it while watching a band upstairs or sitting in a booth downstairs, amongst a very cool, casual and totally unpretentious crowd. Great spot.

By brewerfaninATL

September 7, 2006 07:02 PM | Link to this

Man, I just sigh as I watch yet another year, up to #24 now, go by without another playoff series from my Brewers! At first, 1982 doesn’t seem THAT long ago, but then I realize that the great musicians playing on the radio then were Kajagoogoo (“Too Shy”) and Men At Work (“Who Could it Be Now?”) and I can’t help but think that it WAS that long ago! Oh well, as I prepare to listen to dust off my Rubik’s Cube, I’ll just laugh my @$$ off and realize that at least we reached the World Series in the past 25 years and the hated Cubbies haven’t even sniffed one in over 60! Maybe being a Brewers fan AIN’T so bad after all!

By David O'Brien

September 7, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

Just noticed the back-to-back posts by Bartkowski and McGraw, the funniest stuff of the day.

Meanwhile, I’m showing fatigue from the trip, typo-ing everywhere. “Leader” singer and “rooty” instead of rootsy, and “set” instead of said … just screwups everywhere. I stink. I’m done.

By jc

September 7, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this

Nobody ever shows love to the blues around here. Robert Cray anyone?

By jc

September 7, 2006 07:05 PM | Link to this

Nobody ever shows love to the blues around here. Robert Cray anyone?

By summerteeth

September 7, 2006 07:07 PM | Link to this

Love Men at Work. Great albums.

I am into Hall & Oates these days. Love those guys. Been listening to the Beach Boys lately. Man, Pet Sounds is timeless.

By geauxbraves2000

September 7, 2006 07:10 PM | Link to this

I would love to get in this conversation about CDs and music and the like, but my taste is so much different that most on this blog, Rod Stewart, Elton, Shania (just cause she is sooo good looking, wow!), some Clapton, along those lines. I must confess, most of the artists mentioned here I’ve never heard of.

Now, movies, I can talk movies with just about any one, have nearly 900 in my collection and have probably watched at least twice that many. But, that’s another day.

That’s all I go. Oh, I still love the Braves. It has been a disappointing year, yes, nonetheless, I stand behind my team 100%.

Geaux Braves!!

By summerteeth

September 7, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this

I am starting it right here so when someone at the Ted holds up a sign, you kno where it came from…

It’s time to…

INDIAN UP!

Can I say that?

By summerteeth

September 7, 2006 07:11 PM | Link to this

I am starting it right here so when someone at the Ted holds up a sign, you kno where it came from…

It’s time to…

INDIAN UP!

Can I say that?

By DonCoburleone

September 7, 2006 07:12 PM | Link to this

Is it March, 2007 yet?

By Marlin and Mets

September 7, 2006 07:15 PM | Link to this

THE BRAVES SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The whole NL East has caught up with the Braves. GOODBYE BRAVES; SMOLTZ, SUCKS, CHIPPER JONES, SUCKS, Hell the whole team sucks. Andruw Jones will be in New York when he’s a free agent playing for the Yankees. You know the BRAVES LETS ALL OF THERE GOOD PLAYERS GO, Jermaine Dye, Rafael Furcal, Wilson Betimit, Gary Sheffield, YOU KNOW IF YOU DON’T FIT THAT CERTAIN MOLE, YOU WON’T LAST IN JIM CROW ATLANTA. lOOK AT ALL OF THE TEAMS THAT ARE WINNING, and look at the SORRY BRAVES, time has caught to yall, AIN’T THAT A B***!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By jc

September 7, 2006 07:16 PM | Link to this

SVR? Muddy Waters? Jimmy Rodgers? Anyone?

By Steve Bartkowski

September 7, 2006 07:23 PM | Link to this

Thats alright if we suck, Marlin. Your a grown man with hair gel and colonge. All of our women still think you suck. Plus our bbq is better. I can most certainly fit in a mole hole.

By Tony Almeida

September 7, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this

Now Davie, I’m not saying he’s better then anybody, but when you sell that many records and constantly sell out tours, he’s gotta be doing something right? Just because he’s not certain people’s type of music doesn’t mean he’s complete crap either, it’s all about respect…

Spent forty-eight dollars last night at the county fair I throwed out my shoulder when i won her that teddy bear I’ve been sayin sugar pie, honey, darling and dear, I ain’t seen the BRAVES play a game all year I’m gonna get fired, if I don’t get some sleep8 *My long lost buddies say I’m gettin in too deep Because I like it, I love it, I want some more of it

Now how can you not like that, even has the Braves in it…

By I Loathe New York

September 7, 2006 07:27 PM | Link to this

What kind of a mole is that?

By stew

September 7, 2006 07:28 PM | Link to this

Somehow, Cox falls in love with certain players past their prime. Remember Jeff Reardon in 92 how he blew that series for us. How about Remlinger this year? Did he deserve to make the team out of spring training? What about Reitsma? How many times does a player have to fail before we’ll release him? Why did BJ get an AB in an 8-0 loss yesterday? Aren’t they finished with him? Let’s dump Langy. How about a big-time HR hitter in LF. WE DON’T NEED DEFENSE IN LF WE NEED OFFENSE AND NO PUNCH AND JUDYS BATTING .340 WITH NO HRS. LET’S GET OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT. LET’S GET SOMETHING ELSE STRAIGHT. THE METS SUCK! THE BRAVES BEAT THEM ALL OVER THE FIELD.

By DonCoburleone

September 7, 2006 07:29 PM | Link to this

BrewerfaninATL you are right, the Brewer’s aren’t the Cubs, thank god. But, I do have to correct you, they did sniff the World Series in 2003… Must I bring up the 3-1 NL championship series lead, the 4 run lead in the 8th inning of game 6, the Alex Gonzalez error, and, of course, who could forget good old Bartman! I’ve got a friend who’s a die-hard Cubs fan, I thought he was going to go on a killing spree when they lost that series. It is so fun to give him s** for it now though…

By jc

September 7, 2006 07:31 PM | Link to this

Tony you’re starting to scare me dude. Even the chicks don’t like McGraw for his music…

By Steve Bartkowski

September 7, 2006 07:33 PM | Link to this

The mole that the players don’t fit in Atlanta according to Marlin and Mets

By Steve Bartkowski

September 7, 2006 07:34 PM | Link to this

Sorry Loathe, just realized you were making fun of him to

By I Loathe New York

September 7, 2006 07:37 PM | Link to this

Marlin and Mets, calm down now, the orderlies will be by soon to shut down the library and pass out the medication.

By DonCoburleone

September 7, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this

All these singers you guys have mentioned suck! Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings are the only tolerable country singers… And DOB you are right, Michael Jackson was a musical talent the likes of which no one had ever seen before or shall ever see again. It’s just too bad he went kookoo on everybody… Also, DOB, I heard you mention the Dropkick Murphy’s on a previous blog, OI OI OI!

By jc

September 7, 2006 07:42 PM | Link to this

Ten to one says Marlin and Met couldn’t name three players on either team if his Daddy’s parole depended on it

By Steve Bartkowski

September 7, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this

Tony, He sells records to the lost american sheep that dont know any better. Mcdonalds eating, WAL MART shopping, Jeans to church wearing, P** on Ford Decal displaying, Hershel’s gonna start on Saturday Gee shux I live in Grayson hate my wife but love my kids people are the ones that buy his records. If money and selling out tours were the criteria for being a great musician then NSYNC would be great. Its not even a case of different strokes for diff folks. Tim McGraw is Heinous. Go up further and read my other blog, Tony The Tiger

By jc

September 7, 2006 07:45 PM | Link to this

C’mon you guys know Billy Ray Cyrus is right there with Waylon

By I Loathe New York

September 7, 2006 07:47 PM | Link to this

DOB, here’s something for you to think about when you’re out on the road covering the games:

It’s those big wheels are ready to roll. We’ve be flyin’ high and so low. Lord, and all this madness, ain’t as crazy as it seems. Everywhere, they stop and stare. I’m just a stranger on this road. Oh, I stand alone, only in my dream. Highway song.. you sing it on and on.. on and on.. Highway song.. is as lonely.. as the road I’m on..

By Carolina Lady

September 7, 2006 07:51 PM | Link to this

My cousin Melissa is married to a sound man in Nashville (Grider) who said that many of today’s ‘singers’ owe their success to computers. I don’t doubt it at all!

By I Loathe New York

September 7, 2006 07:53 PM | Link to this

I didn’t have all those lyrics jumbled together like that, I’ve got to learn to use this post better.

By NLCHAMPS

September 7, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this

3-0 Mets over the Dodgers. Explain to me why the Mets have to worry about the Dodgers again??

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

September 7, 2006 08:03 PM | Link to this

Good evening, all. I haven’t been here for awhile. I went out of town over the weekend to see my mother who had been in the hospital for over a month. Also, my computer was out of service due to some issues with a stepson who has an addiciton that caused viruses to run rampant through my computer.

Anyway, I wanted to first say thank you to Braves Nam for the nice compliment last Friday. I really appreciate it. I don’t like race being used as a crutch when it shouldn’t be. I also have to say that I really missed Journalist Jimmy, Grinch, Latwan, KC, Lew, Carolina Lady, and even Shaun and his never ending promotion of THAT book.

Now, to my Braves. The season is over. No way they make the playoffs. They would have to win a minimum of 19 of their remaining 23 games and probably would have to win at least 20 to have a realistic shot. And lets be real! That isn’t happening. I have to say that I am disappointed and upset, but I also just think that fate has finally come against us. In no season over the last 15 have I seen as many injuries and flukes as this year. I have never seen a starting rotation as decimated with injury as this one has been. With the fact Chipper and Andurw have been hurt and the loss of McCann for those two weeks in June we have just not been fortunate this year. That is to not make excuses but it is pure fact. Other teams have to deal with things like this all the time and it was simply finally the Braves’ turn. Nothing more. Nothing less. It would be nice to see them finish strong but I don’t really see it happening.

I think the kids should play these last three weeks. Prado, Aybar, T. Pena, and Salty need to play to see if they truly have what it takes to be big leaguers. Thorman, Diaz, and B. Pena need to get some playing time in hopes of upping their trade value. They could be some very valuable pieces in trades that fill some very much needed holes on this team. They really need to see what they have especially in Prado and Aybar before cutting the strings with Giles.

Davies, Lerew, James, Hudson, and Cormier should be the rotation the rest of the year. Smoltz should be shutdown. After these last two starts he has no chance of a Cy Young and this team isn’t going to the playoffs. We need to see if Davies, Lerew, and Cormier have what it takes to be a solid starter. Because if not, then another starter must be acquired during the off season. I know Horacio will be coming back but I think he or Davies could be very useful trade bait. If no other reason than to be insurance against the returning Hampton and Smoltz who will be 40 next season.

Our bullpen next season could feature Davies, Cormier, Villereal, Paronto, Wickman (whom I assume will be resigned), and perhaps Yates. I think counting on Boyer and Foster is risky. Definitely need to acquire at least two more arms through trades.

IMO Giles, Thorman, Diaz, Langerhans, Ramirez or Davies, T. Pena, and B. Pena all have to shopped for potential trades. This team has to have relivers and a leadoff hitter with great speed. Not good speed. Great speed! I know everyone thinks that getting Carl Crawford is unrealistic. But, I don’t. I think a deal involving B. Pena or Salty, Davies or Ramirez, and Thorman would be very tempting to the Rays. They have enough outfielders to withstand the loss of Crawford. Yes, he’s a fan favorite and their best player but he is also expensive by their standards. Carl Crawford would make this offense unstoppable and every bit as good as the Mets or Phillies. Thorman would fill their pressing need for a 1B. Pena or Salty would fill theiir need at catcher. Navarro isn’t cutting it. And Davies or Horacio would fill their need for pitching and young and cheap pitching at that! It wouldn’t hurt to make the offer.

Giles could definitely bring some pitching or a leadoff hitter. I think plenty of teams would offer some good young prospects for Diaz and T. Pena. Pitching prospects preferably.

And lastly Andruw must be shopped. JS has to find out what he could get for him. If the Angels would give us a couple of their young pitchers and Howie Kendrick or Figgins, the Braves would have to jump at that. The Dodgers, Red Sox, White Sox, Tigers, Blue Jays, Orioles, Astros, Cubs, and Mariners all have young players that could help this team in the present and future and all of them would be able to positively do something the Braves can’t and that’s resign Andruw after next season. You have to pursue the possiblity.

By TheSouthernJackAss

September 7, 2006 08:10 PM | Link to this

Hey I was just wondering—What do you’s “Rubes” do on a Friday or Saturday night as far as a “date” if you’s don’t have a sister, or an aunt, or a first cousin, or if you’s daddy doesn’t own a sheep farm??…Just wondered about that…Is DOB still virginal??…I heard he was doin’ ok with some hippy chick on the subway until he tried to insert one of his prized Cash CD’s into her funbox…all hell broke loose…jimmy smith, do you have a sister???…GO ALLMAN BROS!!!…

By jc

September 7, 2006 08:18 PM | Link to this

Allman Bros. with the great Dickey Betts. Getting bluesier anyway…

By I Loathe New York

September 7, 2006 08:20 PM | Link to this

What about the great Duayne Allman?

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 08:25 PM | Link to this

Back from nap. Highway Song; good stuff. I still don’t know if they ripped off Skynyrd with the solos at the end (a little too Free-Bird-esque) or vice-versa, but it doesn’t really matter. DOB, yeah, I bought “Thriller” when it came out like everyone else; didn’t know he was gonna be the nuttiest fruit in the basket at that time…I was reffering to his recent stuff. And true, Faith Hill is an airhead (not that that ever slowed me down)…:-) Nina Simone’s voice is an absolute wonder. Sounds like it’s pouring out of a crack in the earth. And Tony, did McGraw really sing that heinous song you quoted? That’s what drunk chicks in South Ga used to play in redneck bars at closing time to let everyone left know they put out. Lord have mercy, son.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 08:26 PM | Link to this

yes! sja is back as sja. first, someone tell sja that tonight is thursday night. sja has never had a date so he is unfamiliar with the weekend calendar. always went to sunday school on monday and no one told him any better. dob will be glad to have sja back. they don’t get along very well. usually talk about goats and stuff. sja knows his baseball however and is a savant. bob would credit him with 3 digits and bad manners. still, if we can get him to talk baseball he can be entertaining. watch out grinch sja will come at you from many directions and with many identities. he/she (depends on the day of the week) does not get along well with others. this was on his report card. he and rr often share goat insults. this is about all this journalist can say now about sja. now, baseball … maybe the braves can trade for the pitcher named annabelle. no hitter last night. orr and future considerations. sounds like a trade to this journalist.

By Adam Worth

September 7, 2006 08:29 PM | Link to this

Steve Bartkowski, you had me at Dwight Yokam.

BrewerfaninATL, The best ballgame experience I ever had came in County Stadium. I had spent the earlier part of the day on a tour of Miller Brewery. Lots of people gave me and my buddy (whose name escapes me) their tokens for free beer to us because we were wearing the USN uniform.
Between the tour and the game we managed to find a bar, but we neglected eating antything.
As luck would have it, we hooked up with a bar from Manitowoc (pronounced MANIWOCK) that had chartered a bus. They sold me and my friend boxseat tickets for 6 dollars with all the beer, brats and burgers we could eat. I had 3 brats and 3 burgers and I don’t know how much more beer. The game was great. The Brewcrew won 15-12 over Seattle. (Side note:Thurman Munson was on Seattle and the game was billed as some sort of Thurman Munson tribute).
I somehow got to the VFW that night and got back to NTC Great Lakes around 4 AM. I don’t remember getting to the VFW in Milwaukee, but I had two two shots of something before boarding a bus to get back to base. In spite of the ungodly hangover that I had the next day, I still have a soft spot for Milwaukee and all of Wisconson.
I even married a girl of Wisconson lineage.

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 08:31 PM | Link to this

SJA: duh? Why do you think they call them second and third cousins? They’re ranked for a reason. Glad to have you back Robert. Oops, I forgot I’ve been compared to John Rocker lately. I guess I should make some sort of offensive remark. :-) Speaking of which, whoever asked if it was ok if they could say “Indian Up” earlier, this is the franchise that proudly sported Knock-a-homa.

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 08:35 PM | Link to this

Ed and Lew, good stuff about Doc and Straw; those two always seemed to be “playing behind the 8-ball” for some reason…

By Andee

September 7, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

I’m a Mets fan, and FWIW I find all the trolling behavior by fans of my team to be extremely embarrassing and uncalled-for. The Mets board I participate in (and have for the last decade) is invitation-only — that’s how far we go to keep out the trolls. And when we had an open board, OMG were we crawling with them. Especially Yankees fans, eeesh. Typically a fan’s average IQ seems to correlate almost inversely with a team’s won-loss record, and I am not especially relishing the thought of hordes of armpit-scratchng hominids donning Mets gear.

Mets fans, if you’re going to post on other teams’ boards, show a little respect! Think of how you’d like it if the shoe was on the other foot and you had to deal with hordes of Yankee-fan trolls (or anyone else’s) on a Mets board. Be better than that. Intelligent debate is one thing, mindless nyaah-ing quite another.

Anyway, I tip my orange and blue cap to 14 straight divisional titles. That is an impressivly rare feat, and I find it hard to fathom that a team with that kind of track record won’t be “back” very soon. Omar M. just happened to get very lucky this year that a lot of our throw-ins and scrap heap players — John Maine, Endy Chavez, Darren Oliver, etc. — panned out so nicely when our “big names” were injured or slumping. Sound familiar, Braves fans?

And I certainly won’t be nyaah-ing about “only one” championship for the Braves during their run, not when my team hasn’t won even that many since 1986 and this year is hardly in the bag either. Not all of us Mets fans are smug morons, although I certainly couldn’t blame some of you for getting that impression lately.

By 2 homo boys

September 7, 2006 08:37 PM | Link to this

Well my boyfriend and I are finally gonna do it,we are leaving this weekend to go to Mass.and get married.He is 31.male and i am 42 male. we are really lookking forward to this,something we have been planning for a long time.we will return back to Atlanta and continue to be Braves fan and prepare for next season,let the no good Muts gloat this year about stopping our winning streak at 14,they better enjoy it while they can,come next year the Braves are gonna start all over and work towards another 14 yr run and they will be even stronger especially if JS signs Wickman to be the closer for 2 or 3 yrs.Good bye Braves for this yr,the 14 yrs have been fun,but we are even more excited about next year and starting it again. You know what is gonna make it even better is if we sign Tommy Glavine to come back to the Braves and he wins his 300th game in a Braves uniform.He said the other day he wouldn’t rule out returning back to the Braves. To all our Gay friends we say,Long live the Homos,Homos are great and we are proud to be homos,I love my boyfriend and he is gonna be a gret lover and i can’t wait t marry him.Take care everyone,see you when we get back.

By I Loathe New York

September 7, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this

Grinch, agree with you on the lead at the end of Highway Song. Another song that copied the Skynyrd Free Bird ending was Green Grass and High Tides Forever.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this

robert(jitb), welcome back. hope everything is okay with your mom. and with your computer. journalist bob’s computer got sick and we never heard from journalist bob again. probably asleep right now. much of what you say journalist can agree on but journalist thinks we need no trials to determine if another starter is needed. this team needs pitching. pitching. pitching. just like we talked in the spring - they need pitching. remember when bloggers wanted to trade thomson because we had so many pitchers? well, thomson turned into a weenie but a team never has too much pitching. all those aaa starters should remind us of that. did you hear about the terrible toe dislocation suffered by ken griffey, jr in cincinnati? toes are not to be trifled with.

By el bravo x

September 7, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this

Today is the first day in six months that that I do not care about baseball. Unfortunately this feeling will last less than 24 hours. If I had a band, I would call it ‘24 Hours’…

By Nitro Metro

September 7, 2006 08:39 PM | Link to this

I am a Mets fan, I also am a Bobby Cox fan. Say what you want to say about him, without Cox the Braves could not have been able to achive the excellence they have achived under the great coaching of Bobby Cox. I also am a fan of baseball and we should all respect and thank Bobby Cox for a great run he accomplished for the last 14 years. Yes I love to see the Mets win the world Series and yes I want a challange from the Braves next year.Everything has to come to an end someday folks, everything.. God bless America.

By Adam Worth

September 7, 2006 08:47 PM | Link to this

serenity now, serenity now…

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 08:48 PM | Link to this

Wait a minute, was that two respectful Mets posts back to back? The signal for the apocalypse is upon us! Seriously (if you guys aren’t being sarcastic), nice to know not everyone up there is stuck in 8th grade.

By dadgum

September 7, 2006 08:54 PM | Link to this

I just remembered a little BBQ/rib joint in East Texas near Tyler. I think it was called Country Tavern and out about 20 miles from town. It was dark inside mainly because it was so people couldn’t be seen with who they were with. Got it…good. Damn good ribs and ah…conversation.

Seen Elton John numerous times since mid 70’s. The man and band definitely don’t disappoint. So many songs I can’t begin to name a favorite but Funeral For A Friend was right there with Stairway To Heaven but didn’t quite have the staying power of STH. It was his rock anthem in the mode of Freebird and STH. Elton has had the staying power but gets lost in any talk about the super groups.

Lew….thought you would like the Tull/kashmir arrangement and YouTube. I liked Tull a lot simply because they were original and sounded diffrent than the super groups of the day. I agree with DOB on Jackson simply a phenomenal talent. He was to music like Lebron is to basketball now. Say what you will, and he is a SUPER FREAK, but the man had talent and charisma, Disagree with DOB on Garth though. Gotta give the man props for The Dance and Thunder Rolls just to name a couple. Liked the chic in McGraw’s INDIAN OUTLAW video but aside from that not much to like aside from Faith of course.

The Beach Boys……Brian Wilson was/is a genius. Right up there with Cash,Elvis,Hendrix, et al. Brian Wilson influenced so many people from Zeppelin to the Allman Brothers. I will put Brian Wilson in the top 5 most influential artists to ever come from the USA. PET SOUNDS may be in the Top 5 best albums ever recorded by anyone anywhere anytime any genre of music.

By Nitro Metro

September 7, 2006 09:04 PM | Link to this

To The Grinch, I am not sarcastic I ment what I wrote sir.

By JJMB

September 7, 2006 09:07 PM | Link to this

Green Grass and High Tides Forever. The best southern rock song of all time.

By ncscoots

September 7, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this

Carl Crawford is an outstanding player, but haven’t we run that conversation already about eighty-six thousand times on the blog? Besides, it’s interesting to check his stats when hitting leadoff, and bubba, they just ain’t that good. Do you REALLY want to trade for another guy who doesn’t seem to like hitting leadoff? Besides, “speed” is overrated. Give me Giles hitting 40 doubles a year anytime over 40 stolen base attempts from some slap hitter with “speed”.

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 09:08 PM | Link to this

Here’s to you then. Good luck in the post season. And you too, Andee.

By Glass Half Full

September 7, 2006 09:09 PM | Link to this

Talk about great albums…”Late for the Sky,” “The Pretender,” and “Running on Empty” by Jackson Browne.

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 09:11 PM | Link to this

Good tune, JJ…many excellent southern rock songs there are, though. I couldn’t just pick one; when I listen to that genre I tend to just go off into a different place.

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 09:13 PM | Link to this

Howdy, GHF. Time to go fire up the grill and see what the Dolphins/Steelers are doing. Later, Y’all.

By Glass Half Full

September 7, 2006 09:16 PM | Link to this

I was a huge fan of the ‘86 Mets as a 10 year old. Little did I know that most of the team was whacked on blow. I can do without these Mets though mainly because of Pedro. For some reason, just looking at that guy makes me wanna go on a killing spree.

By Glass Half Full

September 7, 2006 09:18 PM | Link to this

Not much of an offensive game…Charlie Batch just threw a TD, but there’s been no real offense on either side yet.

By Glass Half Full

September 7, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this

Most Coors commercials are amusing. Too bad the beer takes like it’s 70% water.

By Glass Half Full

September 7, 2006 09:22 PM | Link to this

There are alotta boats in the Miami area. Culpepper should be careful.

By TheSouthernJackAss

September 7, 2006 09:23 PM | Link to this

Well ain’t this a sickening development—Mets fans and Braves fans suckin’ up to each other, havin’ all that respect and stuff—and right after ol’ DOB so graphically described you’s New Yawka’s fair city in his last blog…$hithole of the east!…Sounded like DUB had a little help from John Rocker on that article…I sure hope y’all northerners don’t try to start breedin’ with these rubes and end up with a bunch o’ fast talkin’, slow thinkin’ gutter monkeys!!!…Oh, and concerning my earlier question about what you’s rubes do for a date if you’s don’t have close kin, or sheep, well the “2 homo boys” just answered that one for me—hey Homos, maybe DOB and the AJC will send you’s “guys” over a gift basket chock full o’ Preparation-H and lip balm for you’s honeymoon, you’s probably need it!!!…I need to go puke now!!!…GO HOMOS!!!…

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

September 7, 2006 09:31 PM | Link to this

I have to say congratulations to the Mets. They have finally displaced the Braves. Nothing but credit goes their way. However, lets put this into perspective. First of all, the Mets had a good 30 more million dollars of payroll to deal with. Its not an excuse. It a pure and simple fact. They finally acquired a GM that knows how to spend money wisely (somewhat). They finally got a manager that is a players’ manager but a disciplinary at the same time ala Cox, Torre, and Guillen.

I know people hate hearing about the payroll, but lets be honest. If the Braves payroll was 90 mil instead of 80 mil then Billy Wagner would be a Brave right now. If the payroll were 85 mil instead of 80 we would have Todd Jones or maybe even Trevor Hoffman. Its a fact. Not crying or whining, but I’m simply stating fact.

As I stated earlier, injuries have killed this team. Well, that and that Single A bullpen we had for the first half of the season. I mean think about the guys on this roster that have missed at least two weeks or more this year. Let’s start with McCann. This team was getting on a roll when McCann got hurt in Phoenix. After his injury was when they went into the tank and that awful June. McCann missed two weeks. Renteria missed two weeks in April. Chipper has been on the DL twice and missed another combined two weeks of games. Thomson has missed roughly 80% of the season. Horacio has missed two months. Davies missed three very valuable months. Stockman has been out two months now. Baez has and will be out for two weeks. Giles has missed almost a month all together. Aybar was gone for two weeks off of the bench. Boyer, Foster, and Kelly Jonson have been gone all year. Again, this not an excuse but a simple fact that help explains this season.

People want to blame Francoeur, Chipper, Andruw, LaRoche (for some stupid reason), and Giles for this team’s failures but this offense has been on its game much more often than not. The pitching has been the biggest problem. The bullpen is awful. Wickman and Baez improved it but nowhere near the point it needs to be. The starting rotation has been in shambles almost all year. The envisoned rotation this year was going to be Smoltz, Hudson, Ramirez, Davies, and Sosa with Thomson either as a safety or traded. Well, Smoltz has been great for the most part. Hudson has been lost all year. Sosa was forgettable. Well, actually he wasn’t and that is what hurts the most. Just can’t the image of him turning around watching yet another ball fly out of the park out of my mind. Davies and Thomson have basically been hurt all year. Horacio has missed a good 15 starts. Heck, there are at least 7 or 8 wins right there. The pitching has just been horrible. It is a major cause for the problems of this season. I don’t care if anyone wants to face it or not. It is. As much as Chipper being hurt multiple times hurts the team and Giles being forece to leadoff not to mention the ridiculousness of having Jordan and Pratt have substantial playing time, the one issue that has plagued this team the most all year is the pitching.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

September 7, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this

By the way I sincerely hope the Marlins get into the playoffs since the Braves aren’t.

Also, DOB. What was the attitude and the demeanor of the players after yesterday’s embarrassment? It sounded like Cox has finally had enough.

By Carolina Lady

September 7, 2006 09:37 PM | Link to this

RJIB, it is good to have you back! Best wishes (and prayers) for your Mom; hope she’s hale and hearty really soon.

By ournalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 09:41 PM | Link to this

lawn tractor report, please.

By MiaBchBravesFan

September 7, 2006 09:44 PM | Link to this

Well, that sweep pretty much sews it up. It’s time now to reflect on how truly fortunate we have been for the past 16 years. Smoltz-Glavine-Maddux was the tip of the championship iceberg; there were many players that made rooting for the Braves an absolute pleasure because of their class and ability. From JS, to Bobby, to Leo, to all the players and members of the extended Braves family, I thank you for bringing me great joy down here in Marlin land (ugh!).

But before I focus on our very bright future, I wish to vent on the awful mistakes of this past calendar year. I can pin-point three mistakes that were absolutely critical to our present conditon, as well as our long-term future.

As it has been mentioned repeatedly, the pre-season non-signing of Bob Wickman was the death knell to our season. Out of the 28 blown saves this season, I feel totally confident that Wickman could have salvaged just 10 of those, which would place us in first place in the Wild Card race. The loss of Wickman then was a turnaround of 24 hours that could have seen him in a Braves’ uniform.

What a difference a day makes!

If money was an issue, we could’ve saved major coin by NOT trading Andy Marte for Edgar Renteria. No slam against Renteria, but I was perfectly comfortable with Wilson Betemit at short - limited range and all - and Marte waiting in the wings to soon replace a fragile Chris Chandler-like Chipper Jones, who I am quite sure would’ve said yes to a trade to Tampa Bay or Houston.

Naturally, in the equation mentioned above, Betemit would have never had to leave Atlanta for Willy Aybar and a soon-to-leave-via-free-agency Danys Baez. Even if we would have finished out of the WC race, I would have loved the future infield of LaRoche-Orr/Prado-Betemit/T. Peña-Marte.

Ah, what could’ve been!

As I mentioned in another blog, the trades of Betemit and Marte will come back to ferociously haunt JS for many many years to come, just like the memory of the name Jeff Bagwell freaks Red Sox fans out.

Andruw Jones needs to leave too. Even though he is defensively the gold standard in CF, his lack of hustle and desire to pull everything and not be a complete hitter (I am sure he drives TP and Bobby batty with his obstinate ways!) makes him a liability. I can live with Ryan Langerhans and the new CF. He’s no ‘Druw - no one is -but he is a grinder, a good defensive outfielder, a good hitter in training, and an asset to the team - Bobby’s kind of player, a hustler.

The OF needs room for the likes of Langerhans-Kelly Johnson-Jeff Francoeur-Matt Diaz-Scott Thorman (who can spell LaRoche at first), and I am sure that Andruw can fetch a lot of good pitching.

I feel good about the rotation next year, as well as the bullpen. During our stretch, the pitching staff has never endured the spate of injuries that the 2006 edition has endured. We should be in very good shape there next year, with the return of Mike Hampton and the mercurial Horacio Ramirez, who needs to see a voodoo doctor, or something.

Hey, I’d like a shot at JS’s job…

By Carolina Lady

September 7, 2006 09:46 PM | Link to this

ournalist jimmy smith, the JDeere was saved from certain demolition at the hands of this lady by a kindly neighbor down the road. $90 worth of parts and several days work by this wonderful old gentleman has the JDeere in operable condition and is even shiny clean. JD now sports 2 new front tires, a new belt to drive the blade, and various other parts that this lady couldn’t identify if her life depended on it! Cleanup resumes tomorrow afternoon if the rain holds off long enough. All are invited. :-))

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 09:54 PM | Link to this

That NFL game is exactly as it should be: lots of defense, defense, defense. 45-38 games involve teams with bad defenses. Those’re like watching baseball games with bad pitching. Technically more exciting, but…

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 09:57 PM | Link to this

Only if there are brownies involved, CL. The Grinch does not clean yards without a brownie reward. Brownies and cold milk. Yum.

By Carolina Lady

September 7, 2006 10:01 PM | Link to this

Brownies, pie, cold milk, sweet tea, and ice old watermelon for all! :-))

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this

pie. pudding. there are other options. brownies are good, though.

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 10:05 PM | Link to this

Man. All I get when MY yard gets destroyed is beer and a sunburn. Though I did just get a nice watermelon out of the garden a little while ago. No young Steve Avery there, alas, Jimmy Smith. I even looked behind the habaneros (Mmmmm….I sense a chilli in my future).

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 10:09 PM | Link to this

maybe hk can graph this for us. journalist penn has not been heard from. where is everyone?

yes, there will be playoffs for the atlanta braves this year! journalist is making oblique reference to the old maid tournament. who will be the old maid champion? who will be eliminated in the first round this year? see, still, there can be exciement.

By JJMB

September 7, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this

oh man, Costas’ hair. Remind me to never die my hair.

By Carolina Lady

September 7, 2006 10:13 PM | Link to this

I think we need send a Search and Rescue team to look for journalist Bob. He’s been missing entirely too long!

ournalist jimmy smith, we must be very careful that the exciement doesn’t get out of hand! Exciement is not to be trifled with!

DOB has did an excellent job on the travel marathon, don’t you think?

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 10:14 PM | Link to this

The question is, does Chipper, uh, cheat? Old maid tournaments must maintain their integrity. And do they still check for steroids? Speaking of food…

By The Grinch

September 7, 2006 10:17 PM | Link to this

Stop it, CL! Please fly that flag from a different poll; I have enough trouble spelling as it is. :-) JJMB, I agree. Check out Mel Kiper Jr.’s sometime. Gotta go; food.

By Lew

September 7, 2006 10:18 PM | Link to this

Brownies. Ma’am that’s dangerous talk for we diabetic types. We will not speak of how many are secretly consumed. JC-If you like blues, check out “Green and Blues” by Bernie Marsden, a British blues-rocker. It is all cover tunes of Peter Green songs, both early Fleetwood Mac and with Mayall and the Bluesbreakers. Also, Ian Gillan, lead singer for Deep Purple just put out a solo. He plays some interesting songs with Joe Satriani and others, but thereis one cut call “when a BlindMan Cries” an old DP blues ballad with Jeff Healey on guitar. It smokes.

By Calvin

September 7, 2006 10:21 PM | Link to this

Great blog Mr. O’Brien, great blog.

Question. What exactly can the Braves to do better the bullpen? I mean, there probably isn’t very much out there via the trade market as we saw during the trading deadline. I know we can’t go into another year hoping for a repeat of 2002 when a bunch of journeymen and Smoltz made the best bullpen in baseball.

By Carolina Lady

September 7, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this

Sorry, Grinch! I’ll try to be a better roll model in the future; their must be others who have that difficulty, as well.

By No Talent Loser journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this

Oh the humanity!

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

September 7, 2006 10:26 PM | Link to this

It would be nice if Smoltz would go back to the closer’s role. We could withstand him doing it with the abundance of starters we have. We could trade or sign another top starter with extra money that would have went to a closer. But, unfortunately I don’t see Smoltz doing that. He said there is less stress on his elbow starting than there is being a closer. Maybe he’s telling the truth but I think it has more to do with he doesn’t want to close and really doesn’t like it. Don’t forget he was none too happy when Bobby placed him in the bullpen.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 10:33 PM | Link to this

lew, carolina lady likes zamfir. now, the old maid tournament and tournament injuries. it is reported that users of brownies sometimes are predisposed to oblique injury. this is not spoken of though in polite company and journalist is suggesting nothing. these oblique injuries do seem to happen to those who are brownie users. where is the commissioner of old maid?

By Carolina Lady

September 7, 2006 10:40 PM | Link to this

jjs, the last tournament that this lady would enter would be an ‘Old Maid’ tournament! I understand that entrants must be of a certain age and I do not qualify. Just wanted to clary those four points.

By 3trees

September 7, 2006 10:42 PM | Link to this

Well, my end of the run story goes sumpin’ like this: In ‘91 and living in Brooklyn (no, I’m not a Mets fan), I decided to finally get a Braves cap. I’ve been wearing that cap for 15 years, gigs, softball, hiking, whatever. Its falling apart (partly ‘cause I took out that stupid webbing that’s suppose to make it stand it up - hate that look), sweat stained and slap wore out. Anyway, looks like it gets retired this year. I buy another this winter and, hopefully, we start another streak, although questions abound for this team.

Great luck, a friend just gave me 4 tickets for Sunday’s game. Field Box seats, just beyond 1st base! Never sat that close at the Ted (to start a game).

“New country”, jeez. I don’t begrudge them their success, but I can’t listen to it. Tell me the last time you heard a song like “Sidewalks of Chicago” from any of these “artists”? Puuuleez!

Peace

By ssiscribe

September 7, 2006 10:52 PM | Link to this

Ah man, this sucks so hard, not being in the race. Been a long, long time, my friends, since baseball season ended so damn early. This truly sucks.

Congrats to the Mets, and to the few classy fans of the Flushing denzines who have come onto here and talked baseball, and who have been respectful. Those who have bombarded us with dribble, go the hell away. I worry about the Mets’ pitching in the playoffs, to be honest and non-biased. My heart is pulling for STL, since I know a guy on the team and would love to see him pitch in the World Series.

Alright, enough about that. Let’s see if the Bravos can take care of the hapless Cubs this weekend, and try to build a streak from there. Nothing like going into Thrashers’ season feeling good about oneself …

Needing to get to Smith’s for some BBQ and some music. DOB, we should have a “Braves Blogosphere and Man in Black” meet-n-greet at Smith’s one Friday or Saturday night once baseball season is done. Just a time for everybody to get together, eat BBQ, listen to tunes and just hang. Whatdaya think?

—30—

By Carolina Lady

September 7, 2006 10:54 PM | Link to this

Hey, trees! Christen that new cap well! :-) I call the new stuff ‘Pop Country’ cause the new singers don’t really know what real country is. What they do is like a bad imitation. There are a couple of people whose voices I like, for example, Trace Adkins has a good sound and, with the right songs, could be very enjoyable. I loved his song ‘Arlington.’ Actually I like many types of music from classics to (some) pop; absolutely NO rap, please! Not my cup of tea! :-))

My relative’s husband works in the music industry as a sound engineer and so many singers today owe their careers to computer enhancement and a good sound man! DOB, cover your eyes - he said one person who has an absolutely pure recording voice is Carrie Underwood. He did her ‘Jesus Take the Wheel’ video. Interesting stories! :-))

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 10:55 PM | Link to this

now, carolina lady … you know that chipper is in the old maid tournament. and chipper has the oblique injury. journalist would never suggest that of carolina lady especially after the unfortunate kitty hawk incident. the seasons are changing, is carolina lady seeing any looms by the water? a blogger was asking earlier about moles - could that be what ate jimmy smith’s hostas? well, the sja is back and everyone must be on their toes. that is another reason that toe health is essential.

By Adam Worth

September 7, 2006 11:05 PM | Link to this

You’re still a Donkey Jimmy Smith. Oh the humanity! You Donkey!

By Carolina Lady

September 7, 2006 11:05 PM | Link to this

jjs, kitty hawk was funny! Looms and everything else are by the water. Water is everywhere!! There is still much flooding and the rivers have not yet crested in most places. Many homes flooded, untold numbers of vehicles - even by DOBmath.

I counted 32 raccoons on the back porch this evening - and that’s by regular math! I think that’s the most I’ve ever seen at one time. Old Maggie, Front Foot, Scooper, and Miss Kitty were present, most of this year’s juveniles, and all 14 of this year’s babies were there. What a crowd! (The banana pudding was the first thing to go!)

An incredibly beautiful moon rose over the ocean tonight! Wish all could have seen it!

By 2 homo boys

September 7, 2006 11:10 PM | Link to this

This is for The Southern Jackass, You are a sorry no good Bastard,yes we are gay,so you pious p** if you ain’t never tried it then don’t knock it.you are the one who needs preparation H because you got diarhea of the mouth and your mouth has mor s** running out of it then Carter got liver pills.you will never see the day that you could ever come up to par.you are nothing but a wanna be f*,we are true f* but you are nothing more than a wanna be and afraid to come out,we are not afraid,we don’t hide,one can tell you are nothing but a no good Muts fans,take your wanna be a* back to that stink hole New York.and when you get there go f*** your self and smell our farts.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 7, 2006 11:13 PM | Link to this

that you sja? come out of the closet. who is adam worth? what is adam worth? not much on this blog. old maggie, front foot, and scooper all have blogged here this week. well, the stinky blogger is stinkin’ up the place so journalist will sign off. stinky can blog with stinky. g’night.

By Scalp'em Braves

September 7, 2006 11:14 PM | Link to this

Dave - great topic today - why should we talk about baseball? In the last week and a half, our beloved Bravos have stunk up every park they have played in. Let’s leave the debates about who to play, where to play them, who to trade, who is untouchable, until the January meetings and spring training.

Random thoughts….

I was talking to a good friend of mine who is a major Muts fan (yes, we can be friends with them, at least outside of baseball season). He has been, well, quiet, most of th season - he kept waiting for the Braves to break out and ruin the season for our buddies from the north, as the Bravos have done for, um… let’s see, 14 YEARS IN A ROW!! Anyway, he’s been insufferable lately. He even asked me why “Larry” faked an injury during this last series - “Scared of us, huh?” Forget the fact that Chipper has been dubbed the “Mets Killer” all these years. But, that’s not what I wanted to talk about. I want to talk about BBQ, and how our unannointed brethren from the north know not DICK about BBQ.

Last Saturday (during the semi seige the Phillies were laying on us, and waiting for our split screen viewing of Auburn mauling a left coast team, while his beloved Notre Dame barely beat GT), we went to his house for what he called a “Barbeque”. The guy fired up his charcoal grill, and cooked HAMBURGERS AND HOT DOGS!!! I asked him, YOU CALL THIS BARBEQUE????? YOU GOTTA BE FREAKEN KIDDING ME!!!!!!! In my genteel, southern, mannerly way, I explained that BBQ consists of a large hunk of PORK, or RIBS, on a grill, slowly smoked for hours, with a HOMEMADE, SECRET SAUCE and what a labor of love, sweat and fallen trees (chopped finely into chips, of course) BBQ is. BBQ is not the act of cooking, you Yonkees. It is a process, finely tuned and developed in backyards all over the south. Daddies teach their sons, sons teach their sons, and so on.

By the way, for you voyueristic Muts fans who come here to read of Braves die-hard fans agony over this season (Yes, you are better than us this year, for the first time in 15 years), if you ever visit our friendly part of the country, and happen to wander into a BBQ restaurant, while your accent will immediately give you away as an outsider, do not, I repeat, DO NOT tell your waitress that you want Pork BBQ, or Pork ribs. Down heah, suh, if you want pork, just say “I would like a BBQ sandwich, mixed meat, chopped, with extra pickles on the side”, or say, “I’ll take a half a slab, with white bread”. Rest assured, you will receive pork. And by the way, don’t ask the waitress to have the ribs cut up or separated - the nice folks in the kitchen will do that for you without asking. We’re that way down here. Now, if you want beef BBQ or ribs, specify so, or get your but to Texas, where that is all they know.

Dave, saw your comment on JJ Cale - that is one cool cat. How many of those who come here know that JJ wrote and first recorded “Cocaine”, made famous by Clapton (although not now PC, still one smooth melody). I listen to XM Radio a lot (as much to be able to hear Braves games when I am traveling in the hinterlands of Alabama, where no station carries the games). The “Deep Tracks” channel plays awesome tunes you never hear on “Classic (read - Crass, over played) Rock” stations. JJ’s songs are a staple on that channel.

Listened to a Neil Young CD on the way home tonight… is there a better written, liltingly melodic, more heartfelt, and inspiring love song, ever, than “Harvest Moon”?

This may be sacrosanct on this site, but, with the way the Braves are playing now, and the absolute hopelessness I experience at least 2 out of every 3 games they play lately, I am so glad college football is here. WAR DAMN EAGLE!!!

I’m out.

By Adam Worth

September 7, 2006 11:17 PM | Link to this

Goodnight Donkey. Go dream about pudding, or think about how you can make up a kidnapping tomorrow. Poor thing has no life so has to live it thru the Braves Blog. Get help Jimmy Sue. You need it.

By Robert(Justice Is The Best)

September 7, 2006 11:19 PM | Link to this

Mets fans, be glad your team has won the division but be warned. Your team has flaws and the postseason will expose them. Just ask the Braves. Your starting rotation is awful. Pedro is fragile, Glavine isn’t that great in the postseason (I still love Tommy but its the truth.), and the rest of your hopes are reliant on Trachsel, Oliver Perez, and Dave Williams. When you compare that rotation to the Marlins, Dodgers, Padres, or even the Cardinals it doesn’t look to good. If the Astros sneak in, you will be gone in the first round. Your offense is the best in the league but offense doesn’t get you WS rings. Pitching does. If it was all about offense, then the Cards would have won last year and the Braves in ‘03, and your very own Mets of ‘99. Pitching is the key. Your bullpen is excellent but that rotation is awful and the Marlins, Phillies, Dodgers, Cardinals, and even the Padres have enough offense to blow it up.

I”m just saying…….

By JJMB

September 7, 2006 11:38 PM | Link to this

As for Neil Young… “Well, I hope Neil Young will remember, A Southern man don’t need him around anyhow.”

And you’re from Alabama? Hanging around too many yankees, it seems.

By flbravesgirl

September 7, 2006 11:41 PM | Link to this

Are we back to normal now? (Or at least as normal as we ever get here on the blog,lol)

Nice article by Mark Bradley. I’m amazed by this since the columnists here usually really annoy me.

Also, Lew mentioned the article about Wickman on the Braves’ site earlier. Sounds like he’d like to stay in Atlanta. The line that caught my eye was Paronto saying he was intimidated by Wickman’s size at first. Excuse me?! Had to laugh at that one.

By Andee

September 7, 2006 11:50 PM | Link to this

Thank you, Grinch. And no, I wasn’t being a bit snarky.

Now, to a general question I can pose to fans of all NL East teams: How much does payroll matter? I mean, look at the Marlins with their no-budget, post-fire-sale team, challenging for a playoff berth. Being a sucker for underdogs I have to love that.

The Mets have always had plenty of high-profile, expensive players, at least since the team last changed hands in the early 80s. But they haven’t always won, and sometimes they’ve just been flat-out cringeworthy. Ever see a book called The Worst Team Money Could Buy? It’s about the 1992 Mets and what a high-profile disaster they were. And we seemed to have a redux of that in New York a few years ago with the Alomar/Vaughn Mets — rotisserie baseball come to life (if you can call it that).

Yeah, having Billy Wagner as closer instead of Braden Looper makes a difference. But even Wagner has been shaky sometimes — he’s no Smoltz! Besides, you have to get to Wagner first. Our true bullpen weapons have been guys like Aaron Heilman, Duaner Sanchez (before his season-ending taxi accident), and Darren Oliver. The latter, in fact, was out of baseball and selling real estate when the Mets took a flyer on him. Anyone could have had him for a song, the Braves included. But we wound up with him. And who knows, next year he might stink again. That’s the nature of middle relievers. You have to get lucky.

Same with all your role players. That’s what every winning team needs, a “second roster” made up of good understudies. We’ve had injuries and slumps out the yingyang, but they’ve gone largely unnoticed outside the sphere of Mets fans because of the quality of our fill-ins. If you’d had a Jose Valentin or Endy Chavez, maybe Chipper’s and Andruw’s problems wouldn’t have been quite so glaring. Those guys weren’t expensive or hard to get; they just happened to be there when we needed them. Gotta have that rabbit’s foot.

By Carolina Lady

September 7, 2006 11:57 PM | Link to this

Interesting article from USA Today site:

“Center fielder Andruw Jones is restless and irritated. After finally achieving offensively last season what everyone thought he should have been doing his entire career, Jones is slumping again.

Of course, his knees hurt. That has been the case since high school and will never go away. This season, his shoulders hurt, too, and that combination is messing up his swing. Desperate to contribute hits, Jones is taking mammoth swings, driving his knees to the ground at home plate. No relief there.

But it’s more than that. Jones can’t find bats he likes. For more than a month, he has been going through batch after batch of bats, plunking them with his knuckles as he holds them to his ear, trying to find some that won’t shatter when he does connect.

Yes, he famously launched a home run over the center field wall at Turner Field as the barrel of his broken bat nearly made it to the outfield as well, but that doesn’t normally happen. So after telling the Braves’ clubhouse attendants to junk yet another shipment of his own bats, Jones is experimenting with teammates’ models.

On top of this, the Braves’ poor pitching has added to his exasperation. Jones’s eyesight is so keen he can see what pitch the catcher is calling from his post in center field. That’s how he knows how to position himself to make those spectacular catches. If you catch him out there rolling his eyes, it means he doesn’t agree with the pitch selection.”

By Scalp'em Braves

September 8, 2006 12:01 AM | Link to this

JJMB - you seriously do not understand the distaste that Neil Young had for the South, and in particular, the state of Alabama, - in his song, “Alabama”, he said “Alabama, you’ve got the weight on your shoulders, and the world on your back”, referring to the oppressive policies of the then governor, and general populace, against minorities, and the “pointy headed bureaucrats” from Washington. Thank goodness we have come a long way from that. Despite popular northern liberal beliefs to the contrary, we actually wear shoes, go to the dentist every six months to preserve a full set of natural choppers, have museums, ballet, symphony and Broadway theater productions, in addition to our ubiquitous tractor pulls, BASS tournament weigh-ins (in front of 18,000 fans screaming in response to a guy pulling a 6 pound fish out of a live well), and the roar of cars zipping around a track at nearly 200 MPH.

I’ll bet Neil has changed his opinion of Alabama. I have certainly accepted Neil as one of the greatest song writers of my generation. I may not have always agreed with his views, but I accepted them as his opinions of what was going on. And yes, I think “Harvest Moon” is an absolute classic, irrespective of my opinion that he can’t sing worth a tinker’s damn. This goes back to what Dave and I were arguing the other day about clarity of voice versus emotion/substance of the message being conveyed. I’m a Southern Man, damned proud of it, and I can set aside criticisms one may cast at me, or my fellow Southerners, from 30 years ago, and recognize a great artist.

By TheSouthernJackAss

September 8, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this

OK couple points here, first, for jimmy smith, it ain’t me messin’ with you dude, if it were, you would know it. I do believe this Adom Worthless is one of the 2 homo boys…and for the 2 homos, you boys would know better than anyone when it comes to stinky holes!…damn right I’m a bastard!…meanest damn bastard walkin’ God’s good earth…if I get my hands on you homos I’ll reach down your damn gizzards and pull your spleens out…show em to you, so you better go somewhere and get your panties untangled before you get hurt!!!…I ain’t from New York, and I sure as hell ain’t no f* lovin’ Mets fan…Mets are going to take the place of the Braves this postseason by choking 3 and out in the first damn round…enjoy it beeyatches!!!…GO TO HELL!!!…

By The Grinch

September 8, 2006 12:04 AM | Link to this

Scalp ‘em, I, too have heard northeners refer to cookouts as BBQ’s. Sad thing. However, I am real curious as to where you find a place that separates your ribs for you outside of Appleby’s or a hospital. Then I noticed you’re from Alabama and an Auburn fan to boot. I’m afraid we must agree to disagree, my friend. Go Dawgs!

Hey, FLB; I expect it’s about to get worse here actually. I don’t intend to be in on it tonight, however. Glad to see you’ve stuck around, though. A quick hour of work and off to bed for me. Later, all.

By The Grinch

September 8, 2006 12:12 AM | Link to this

My goodness, the posts are becoming polarized. Scalp ‘em, I hope you took my last post tongue-in-cheek; it was meant that way (not sarcastic, but definitely mild). Yeah, Andee, payroll is definitely confusing, and we have often won in the past with low-price no-names and has-beens stepping up in important roles; it just backfired on us this year.

By The Grinch

September 8, 2006 12:13 AM | Link to this

I really gotta get some work done. Night.

By Andee

September 8, 2006 12:16 AM | Link to this

Robert (Justice is the Best), there’s actually some controversy about who the Mets will go with for their starting 3 in the postseason (and BTW, we won’t face the Marlins or any other NL East team in the first round if they win the WC). If Pedro and Glavine are healthy they will be 1-2, but personally I think Maine and not El Duque or Trachsel should be the #3. Yeah, El Duque has the big name but he’s been extremely inconsistent, Trachsel frankly has been awful but for the run support he’s inexplicably managed to come by, and Maine has been far more reliable than either. But I don’t know if Willie will have the nads to give a no-name like Maine that job. Probably not.

In any case, I’m pretty sure Willie will have some combination of second-tier starters (Perez, Williams, and whoever else isn’t chosen for #3) ready to go if any of the starters “blows up.” That’s one advantage we have over other teams — if one guy can’t do it, we have another who can. Other than that you win games in the postseason the same way you do the rest of the year. As long as our bats don’t go to sleep in October (as I saw happen to the Braves multiple times), we should be OK.

By Scalp'em Braves

September 8, 2006 12:21 AM | Link to this

Grinch - Brother, come on over to ‘Bama - ain’t no such thing as a slab of ribs that is placed before you as an uncut hunk. Over here, we want you to pick up your “pigsickle” and savor it, as opposed to having to saw it apart or wrestle with it. I went to the original Dreamland restaurant in Tuscaloosa many years ago with a buddy - he told the waiter that he wanted his ribs cut so that he didn’t have to worry with that - the waiter replied “Gawd, you a virgin?” The ribs there are always cut (and the only side you get there is white bread and sauce pooled on your plate - no baked beans, no slaw, no nothing, other than cold beer or sweet tea).

As for your college football allegiance, I can honestly say that the Dawgs are my favorite rivals - The AU-UGA rivalry is awesome, being the oldest rivalry in the South, and the most competitive. I believe that in 100+ years of the series, it is almost evenly split with the total margin of points separating the teams being less than 20. See you on the Loveliest Village on the Plains in November!!!

By TennesseePaul

September 8, 2006 12:22 AM | Link to this

RJIB: Read your eulogy of the Braves. I’ll agree on the part that this season failed based on the Pitching. The hitting has been on par, with the ups and downs, as years past. But the pitching has been a down right shame. It’s been awful. Smoltz has been about the only bright spot. Ray, I think he could be something next year after a break. He’s frickin worn out. I do appreciate the improvements McBride has made. That guy could turn out to be incredible in the pen. I wouldn’t move him to the rotation. He shouldn’t desire so either. The way relievers are going these days, he’ll still be able to make the big bucks. Just be consistant. Something this staff has lacked all season.

My hope is, that this will be addressed in the off-season. My fear is, that is could be addressed the way the Cubs did last offseason. They purchased a lock-tite pen but not a reliable rotation or decent offense. I think we have the offense in place. If we trade a piece for pitching, we’ll manage. (I see it like the Abrue trade, great hitter, but the Phillies got better without him. I only wish he took perpetual failure to the Yankees. So far it looks like he left it somewhere along the road up to NY.) Our offense is good enough to sustain a 162 game schedule. Our pitching needs the help. Don’t blow the offense just for the pitching though. There is a balance in there that can be met.

Let me put it this way. Had our staff allowed 3 runs a game (on average), we’d be 88-51 and we’d be 19-17 in 1 run games. We’d be 41 and 5 at home. It’s the pitching.

Next year looks bright, mainly because it couldn’t get much dimmer than it is now. But, IF Hampton comes back strong, IF Wickman can be resigned, IF Devine, Boyer, McBride, Foster and Ray come back on their game, and IF Hudson improves, or is traded and James continues to improve, we’ll be in a fine position.

In the mean time… Los Bravos need to get out there and get this team over .500. A series against the Cubs should help. Let’s do this.

*GO BRAVES!!!

By JJMB

September 8, 2006 12:22 AM | Link to this

Scalp’em, you’ve obviously give this some thought. I have heard that NYoung was a great guy. Although that was from a NYer in a bar down in FLA.

The song Southern Man has always seemed to me a typical “talking down to” by a northerner to the South. Frankly, I don’t give a damn what he thinks. If you care about what he thinks about Alabama, well, that’s on you.

As far as his muscial talent, I am not remotely qualified to judge. I know nothing about music.

By gotigers72

September 8, 2006 12:46 AM | Link to this

Hey! Whoever it was, quit talking bad about those ewes. They are SWEET1

Saw the Allman Brothers with Duane shortly before he died. They were awesome. Jammmed for about three hours. The crowd went crazy. Only concert I saw that was better was The Stones in Greensboro in the ’70s. The late, great Billy Preston played with them.

I still don’t get the bloggers wanting to get rid of Marcus. The Braves would have to get an awfully good player/group of players for him. Apparently a lot of you don’t watch the games carefully. Not only does that little dude play with heart and enthusiasm, but he’s an awfully good MLB player too.

By The Grinch

September 8, 2006 12:50 AM | Link to this

Ok, enough. Time for a break. Yeah, Scalp ‘em, I must agree that is the best rivalry. There’s more hullabaloo surrounding Ga-Florida, but the games against Auburn are usually more evenly matched and better played. They’ve been at it (with few interruptions) since 1892, I believe. Good stuff. Y’all look to be a better team this year (we’re reloading and our offensive line looks terrible) but in this kind of rivavlry everything else goes out the window on game day. The only Alabama BBQ I ever had was at The Boar’s Butt (I can’t even remember what town; I was driving through to Oxford, Mississippi). I had a plate and it wasn’t bad. Didn’t try the ribs. Good luck. As for Neil Young, never was all that much into him but he’s one of those guys like Keith Richards you just gotta tip your hat to for still being alive and somehow having healthy children. Night, All.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 12:52 AM | Link to this

JC, just logged back on and saw you post about no love for the blues. You’ve just not been on the blog for long or missed a bunch of them, bro, because we’ve talked plenty about great blues. Personally, I’ve highly recommended a lot of R.L. Burnside (hard Delta blues) and several others have discussed the merits of the great Kings, Albert, Freddie and, yes, B.B.

Personally, I put Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker and Muddy Waters at the very top of my list, along with R.L. I like some of Cray’s stuff, but that’s pretty polished, smooth stuff compared to the hard, greasy masters that I love. That’s the blues, to me _ Wolf, Muddy, Buddy Guy, Jimmy Reed, Junior Kimbrough, and the ladies, Koko Taylor and Etta James and others.

You know who’s made some great blues recently? Susan Tedeschi, who’s married to Derek Trucks. She’s got it, man. Great guitarist and singer. And the Black Keys are a rockin’ blues band, some white boys who can flat-out cook. They just did a CD of Junior Kimbrough covers last year, and it was so good that Kimbrough’s widow called them and told them they were the first band to ever play like the great Kimbrough played those songs, and they put her message left on their answering machine at the end of the CD. Great stuff. CD is called “Chulahoma.” But any of the Black Keys’ stuff is sensational.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 12:58 AM | Link to this

DonC, Dropkick Murphys, indeed _ Oi Oi Oi

But dude, can’t say just Waylon and Johnny. Come on, man, if you’ve listened to Merle Haggard and George Jones and don’t put them in that same category … Hag, man. Hag rules.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 01:04 AM | Link to this

JC, you gonna mention Allmans and bluesy without mentioned Duane? Dude, Duane Allman was IT. The dudes in Muscle Shoals would have him play on all the biggest hits that came out of there, all the R&B and blues, because he was so freakin’ incredible.

That band, at its peak, may have been the greatest band in the world. Seriously. Imagine if they’d kept that lineup together, healthy (or relatively so) for 20 years? Holy crap… Amazing band.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 01:08 AM | Link to this

Welcome back, SJA. Glad to see you made parole.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 01:12 AM | Link to this

Dadgum, they’re doing 40th anniversary of Pet Sounds, coming out next Tuesday (at least I don’t think it came out this week), that will have a lot of unreleased stuff, and all kinds of cool packaging.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 01:14 AM | Link to this

Andee and Nitro Man, thanks for the thoughtful input. You’re welcome here anytime.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 01:18 AM | Link to this

SJA, 9:23 p.m. Priceless.

There is culture, and there is culture.

By Ptown Bravo

September 8, 2006 01:19 AM | Link to this

DOB, hate to jump in here in the middle of the night in the middle of a dead wildcard race, but it goes like this (and this is negotiable to a certain slim degree): Tier 1 - Johnny; Tier 2 - Merle, George, Waylon, Hank, Willie. They’re all on the same mountain, Cash just kinda looms over the rest.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 01:23 AM | Link to this

Scribe, would’ve been great to have that Smith’s Bar meet-and-greet a month or so ago when Jessi Colter played Smith’s … and Braves still played for a possible wild-card berth.

“…Those were the days, my friend, we thought they’d never end…”

By Adam Worth

September 8, 2006 01:34 AM | Link to this

Jimmy, I’ve been glemmbo’d. Oh the irony.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 01:55 AM | Link to this

Couldn’t agree more about JJ Cale and about Neil’s “Harvest Moon,” one of the great, great CDs I always go back to. And his “Prairie Wind” CD last year was pretty damn close to being as good, too.

Always surprised to hear how many people take stuff so literally, how many believe Neil and Skynyrd hated each other, which couldn’t have been further from the truth, according to biographers of Young and R. Van Zant.

They actually became good friends and mutual admirers, Neil and Ronnie. Ronnie wears a Neil Young T-shirt on “Street Survivors” cover, and would often wear his T-shirts at concerts to mess with the minds of yahoos who thought Free Bird was a conservative, right-wing song (it ain’t; it’s like Born in the USA, how it’s been misinterpreted and co-opted by the right _ well, until Bruce demanded the Republicans stop using Born in the USA on the campaign trail)

Here’s a couple of things from rock magazines, interviews with the parties:

From an interview with Ronnie Van Zant:

“We wrote Alabama as a joke. We didn’t even think about it - the words just came out that way. We just laughed like hell, and said ‘Ain’t that funny’… We love Neil Young, we love his music…”

As for the rumor that Lynyrd Skynyrd recorded the Neil Young song “Powderfinger” (see for lyrics analysis), here’s an interview in MOJO Magazine , where Young said:

“Lynyrd Skynyrd almost ended up recording Powderfinger before my version came out. We sent them an early demo of it because they wanted to do one of my songs.

Interviewer: Surprising, that. After all, Lynyrd Skynyrd put you down by name on Sweet Home Alabama, their first hit single….

Young: “Oh, they didn’t really put me down! But then again, maybe they did! (laughs) But not in a way that matters. Shit, I think Sweet Home Alabama is a great song. I’ve actually performed it live a couple of times myself. “

In addition to the song “Powderfinger”, Young allegedly also gave the band the song “Sedan Delivery” and “Captain Kennedy” to record.

It should also be noted that shortly after the band was involved in a fatal plane accident, Neil Young performed a rare live version of “Alabama” at Bicentennial Park, Miami, Florida on 11-12-1977 for Children’s Hospital Charity with The Gone With The Wind Orchestra and he changed the lyric chorus from “Alabama” to “Sweet Home Alabama.”

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 01:59 AM | Link to this

By the way, any Skynyrd fan who hasn’t been turned on to Drive-By Truckers, who were majorly influenced by Skynyrd, should run, don’t walk, to purchase their 2002 CD “Southern Rock Opera,” which has a song, “Ronnie and Neil.”

Sample lyric:

“And out in California,/ a rock star from Canada writes a couple of great songs/about the bad sh*^ that went down/

“Southern Man” and “Alabama” certainly told some truth/But there were a lot of good folks down here and Neil Young wasn’t around

Now Ronnie and Neil became good friends/their feud was just in song/Skynyrd was a bunch of Neil Young fans and Neil he loved that song

So he wrote “Powderfinger” for Skynyrd to record/But Ronnie ended up singing “Sweet Home Alabama” to the lord…”

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 02:02 AM | Link to this

P’Town, only one I’d argue is, Hank Williams (Hank I) is below no man on the rankings of either the greatest country artists or the greatest songwriters, any genre. Period.

By Phillip

September 8, 2006 02:17 AM | Link to this

Hey DOB, are you into any of Robert Plant’s solo stuff? Seems like you might dig “Fate of Nations”, or some of his newer stuff. Percy can still wail with the best of them. I rank his solo stuff right up there with Zeppelin.

By Phillip

September 8, 2006 02:19 AM | Link to this

Wow, how many times can you say “stuff” in 1 post? Oh well. Stuff happens

By A Welshman's Prayer

September 8, 2006 03:27 AM | Link to this

Do not go Grinch-like on this blog each night,

Racism has no place in cyberspace;

Rage, rage against the defiling of this site.

Though sober in daytime his posts are light,

When nocturnal posts have forked no lightning, he

Gets drunk and nasty on this blog each night.

Good men, like jimmy smith, crying of pie

and Diane Lane and oh, the humanity! —

Rage, rage against the defiling of this site.

Braves fans who caught and sang their team in flight,

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,

Do not go Grinch-like on this blog each night.

Carolina Lady, who will not tolerate

The taking of our Savior’s name in vain —

Rage, rage against the defiling of this site.

And you, poor Grinchy, there on the sad height,

Don’t curse me now with your fierce oaths, I pray.

Do not go Grinch-like on this blog each night.

Rage, rage against the defiling of this site.

By Tomahawkin

September 8, 2006 03:35 AM | Link to this

D.O.B. I blog on da philly.com forum all da time and as don’t as you don’t post stupid crap on there and actually show respect to other fans and not talk shyt…they’ll respect you…

Most of these bandwagon Mutt fans will turn into yankee fans once the Mutts are upset in the 1st round…Oh sweet justice that would be….

The Pirates have wiped the floor wit the Cubs, and watch the Cubbies along wit their Wrigly Field South Audience at the Ted take 3 of 4 from us….

By Tomahawkin

September 8, 2006 03:37 AM | Link to this

D.O.B. Forget the country… I’m bout to bump some old R. Kelly….

His first CD 12 Play is a Classic, works well on da broads…

By Bravo Nam

September 8, 2006 07:06 AM | Link to this

1. Music- some great blasts from the past- “What’s Life”- George Harrison, “Cool Night”- Paul Davis, “Driver’s Seat”- Sniff N’ the tears.

2. Some tucker I feel like right now- Crackling pork roast, baked potatos, corn, sweet ptoatos and lashings of gravy.

3. a. Bravos- It’s downright depressing that the Braves are unlikely to make the postseason. But…it will make for a very interesting offseason…in my mind, probably the most intriguing since the 14 run started. Can you imagine JS? It’s gotta hurt- as DOB has said, the man has pride and an ego- he is not going to enjoy this postseason. Do you think the guy is smokin’ or what? And BC- extraordinary (for BC that is) to react to the press like he did yesterday. Sure, some of it is what happens after 3 DHs in 5 days- you’re beat. But some of it is frustration and ager, for sure. There are going to be some big moves this winter. It will be an exciting time. It’s going to be painful- if Don and Co can’t forgive JS for trading Wilson- guys/gals, this is only the start of it. Some player’s egos are going to get hurt, fans are going to be spewing, journalists are going to be up in arms…but it’s all good…it’s time that the braves did some serious house cleaning, rather than play around the edges…so when JS finally does make some big and bold moves, like everyone has been screaming for, don’t curse the guy. This season will be the jolt we need to finally be competitive next post season!

b). Kudos to the Bravos, despite all their problems this season, they’ve still played hard- it’s not for lack of trying that they’re where they are- we just need to accept that we didn’t have the talent or luck this year. Don’t think the Bravos are putting a fork in it just yet- you don’t understand this team if you do- and I by no means am kissing off this season just yet!

By Shaun Payne

September 8, 2006 07:31 AM | Link to this

Great piece! It’s really annoying when fans brag about “their” team, as if they have any direct control over their success, instead of saying anything intelligent.

By dadgum

September 8, 2006 07:41 AM | Link to this

DOB….agreed on Hank Williams. He would be in my top 5 from prior post no doubt. If we are going to mention Delta Blues artists as influencing the rock movement(which any sane person realizes they did)I have to say Sonny Boy Williamson and Robert Johnson come to mind as huge with teh Stones and Zep.

Philip….Plant is one of those geniuses. Smart as hell and just damn good. The solo stuff and I saw him a bunch in concert as a solo artist was very good. However, most of his bands were thrown together I felt. Aside from Phil Collins occasionally on drums they didn’t do much for me. Of course the bar was set high. Now the Strange Sensations (current band) is high octane great stuff. For me I really liked 29 Palms from the mid 90’s, and the scorching Burning Down One Side from Pictures At Eleven.

Ah yes the Allman Brothers…don’t have time to write a whole blog here. We’ll leave it at one of the TOP 5 bands of all time. JUST DAMN GREAT!

By Shaun Payne

September 8, 2006 07:45 AM | Link to this

Kudos to the Bravos, despite all their problems this season, they’ve still played hard- it’s not for lack of trying that they’re where they are- we just need to accept that we didn’t have the talent or luck this year. Don’t think the Bravos are putting a fork in it just yet- you don’t understand this team if you do- and I by no means am kissing off this season just yet!

Right on! The Braves have lost a lot of close games; those losses could be attributed to the bullpen but also just bad luck. As I’ve said before, record in close games have little to do with a team’s ability. Great teams blow their opponents away more often than not, bad teams get blown out more often than not, and the outcome of close games are mostly a result of luck.

Check out any team’s record in 1-run games and there is usually no consistency from year-to-year or from half-to-half (see the 2005 Washington Nationals). Even if the team has a similar overall record from half-to-half or season-to-season, their record in 1-run games is probably not going to be consistent.

By Scott in SC

September 8, 2006 08:00 AM | Link to this

so what does the ATL lineup look like for next year?

Also, please get Scott Thorman some September playing time - huge upside!!

By Ron Roberts

September 8, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this

DOB…

…Marc Broussard….

….ever listened to him?

By Scalp 'em Braves

September 8, 2006 08:38 AM | Link to this

Dave - good background on Neil/Ronnie. I didn’t know a lot of that, and appreciate your sharing it. Most don’t realize that “Sweet Home Alabama” is more of a spoof than an anthem. For example,

“In Birminghham they love the Gov’ner” - around here, it was well known that George Wallace hated Birmingham, and did everything he could to hold the city back and throw pork money everywhere else in the state. VanZant clearly understood the way this state operated back then (now, the legislature hates Birmingham, and throws pork money everywhere else in the state - same song, second verse).

On Duane Allman, he is almost always overlooked when people talk about the “greatest guitar players ever” - Hendrix gets credit because he was a groundbreaker…Clapton gets credit because he’s been good for 100 years… Santana,etc. Duane was, without question, the greatest slide guitar player ever, and could hold his own with anyone on lead and rhythm. He just had his own, distinctive sound recognizable anytime you heard it, no matter who the band was. His solo on Layla is timeless. I never get tired of hearing that part of the song.

By jazzsmith

September 8, 2006 08:49 AM | Link to this

Well….I guess that Southern Hospitality went the way of Ted Turner. I would occassionally post here when the Mets were in last place and the crowing over the Braves was deafening. The two teams are rivals and probably always will be, regardless of the standings. I’ve tried to be polite and knowledgeable (I don’t know who the barroom drunks that were referred to are) while getting in a jab or two. I’ve been a Mets fan since 1984 so I’ve seen the good and bad times and, while I don’t memorize slugging percentages anymore, I think I know something about the game. So, if the sportpage of a major newspaper like the AJC has nothing better to do than complain about bloggers, then Sayonara Losers!

By The Grinch

September 8, 2006 09:08 AM | Link to this

Don’t les the door hit you in the a$$ on the way out, Jazzsmith! Off to the chiropractor; my thoughts on the overnights later.

By Daddy Reitsma

September 8, 2006 09:14 AM | Link to this

As for next year The Braves will regret it if they don’t bring my boy back,he is gonna be better than ever after his surgery,he told me a couple nights ago, he said “pop,I want to be the setup man for Bob WickmanmWicky and I have become good friends and he has taught me a lot”. Chris hasn’t been able to throw as of yet but with all the exercise and advice he is getting he is gonna do well next year.he will have 45 holds next year for Wickman.My Boy is great.

By eware

September 8, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this

DOB, let’s give some mad props to Robert Johnson! Talk about a dude that sounded like he was gonna die on his albums. But, I guess that’s what happens after making a deal at the Crossroads. Amazing stuff.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 8, 2006 09:52 AM | Link to this

that carolina lady is a saint! here she takes in 32 raccoons and we don’t want one stinky blogger here with his 32 identities. shame on us! this is a lesson in life for journalist jimmy smith. though the stinky blogger called this journalist a Donkey (capitalized D), journalist is going to turn the other Donkey cheek to the stinky blogger (know where a donkey cheek is, right?). there is room for the stinky blogger on the porch with the raccoons and certainly there is room for his many personages on this blog. now, sja denies any knowledge. hmmmm … and something called glemmbo is brought to light. well, the glemmbo this journalist knows is not capable of an intelligent post, so he is left out. still, sja and adamworth, and others are posting here and it helps dob. so, have at it and forgive jimmy smith for the Donkey cheek pointed your way. now, old maid … will the tournament favorite be able to suit up today? or will the tournament favorite miss this all-important old maid series?

By Lew

September 8, 2006 10:15 AM | Link to this

You damn well better not forget Ritchie Blackmore of Deep Purple when you’re talking about great guitarist, There will be no argument here. He can flat out rock, play classical, or go totally acoustic. Deep Purple in Rock is one of the all time greats.If you don’t like kick-a$$ rock, check out Blackmore’s Night. They even cover a couple of Dylan tunes.

By Voice of Reason

September 8, 2006 10:28 AM | Link to this

Wow… I just attempted to get caught up on the blog and, man, is this one all over the place. I don’t know quite where to start. I don’t know if I can start. How about…

Pie for everyone!

And, DOB, I’m still working on the new Dylan. I mean, I’m still listening… It’s infectuous, it’s compelling, but it certainly takes some time to digest. No disrespect to the old poet, but, honestly, Dylan has never been my kinda listenin’. (I cut my teeth on Sabbath and The Who. I was raised on the Allmans, Nugent and young Eddie. I matured with Rush, The Dregs and Van Hagar. I’ve seen most of the best guitarists of my time from Eddie to Eric Johnson to George Lynch to Satriani to Steve Morse to Steve Howe to Vai to Malmsteen. Yes, I even mentioned Malmsteen.) So you can understand when it takes me a while to adjust to a Dylanesque offering.

BTW - I believe one of the best albums of all time is the Black Crows’ “Shake Your Moneymaker.” Real rock offered up in a time of big time fluff.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

September 8, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this

DOB Scrolling down catching up on the posts from lastnight and this morning, I already had my response played out in my mind. Then I reach your 1:59 a.m. post to find that you have already beat me to it.
“and Neil helped carry Ronnie in his casket to the ground which in my way of thinking us southern men still need both of them around.”

“Ronnie and Neil, Ronnie and Neil Rock stars today ain’t half as real. Speakin’ their minds, I know how they feel. Let your guitars blast for Ronnie and Neil!!!!”

By TheSouthernJackAss

September 8, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this

No it ain’t me pulling your chain jimmy smith—Hell!…I’m just here for the many colorful commentaries pertaining to the harmonious and various eclectic styles of euphony and other artistic forms of auditory communication incorporating instrumental or vocal tones in structured and continuous manners—-and maybe even for a little baseball!!!…GO BLUES!!!…

By journalist jimmy smith

September 8, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this

carolina lady, please tell this journalist that andruw is not using the bat of a “p” player. the “p” player bats seldom break because contact is seldom made.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 8, 2006 10:57 AM | Link to this

carolina lady, please tell this journalist that andruw is not using the bat of a “p” player. the “p” player bats seldom break because contact is seldom made.

By Steve Bartkowski

September 8, 2006 11:08 AM | Link to this

I remember seeing DBT at the Star Bar years ago. They used to play Bubbapalooza. Sadly, people continue to look to Toby Kieth hawking Ford Trucks for southern music. That guy is a queer. The Possum, George Jones, by far the best voice in country music. I think he did a song with Toby. If your over 70 you get a pass. Somebody was correct in calling out yankees at their hamburger and hot dog bbq. Thats called cookin out not bbq.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 8, 2006 11:10 AM | Link to this

oh, the humanity! a double post by jimmy smith! journalist was typing away when the post was made. it is as if gremlins are at work. and sja is again blogging as sja. did the sja note the kind welcome from dob? are we moving toward a kinder, gentler, blog? nah, we will get over it.

By TheSouthernJackAss

September 8, 2006 11:30 AM | Link to this

Looks like I’m going to have to bytch slap ol’ journalist jimmy so he will quit stalking me!…You’re trippin jimmy, it ain’t me, the ghosts in your head are chasin’ you!…Too much Ugandan pie!!!…GO UGANDA!!!…

By Voice of Reason

September 8, 2006 11:35 AM | Link to this

Anybody remember Follow For Now? They were an unbelievable funk/rock/jazz band that played the ATL circuit in the early 90’s. Absolutely cutting edge group fronted by David Ryan Harris that was derailed after one album by poor management at Chrysalis Records and by the onset of Grunge. Saw ‘em many times at The Cotton Club and at The Point. Saw ‘em once when they billed themselves as “The Black Ho’s” where they came out in dresses and played funk versions of Black Crows songs before breaking and coming back to perform their regular fantastic show. Ah… those were the days…

By Arkansas Hillbilly

September 8, 2006 11:47 AM | Link to this

I get p** every time I hear one of these tender-foots sing an attemt at a country song that is blatently fake. ie Hick Town, Boon Docks, Yee-Haw. No soul, no meaning, no truth. Nobody sings lyrics like this anymore—“looking at the world through the bottom of a glass, all I see is a man whose fading fast.”

or how about this one by John R. Cash “morning found me lying on a floor in New Orleans, looking like the patches was about to eat my jeans. Feeling like my belly was a warehouse for the blues. And I sure miss my sweet cocaine Carolina.” I get chills everytime I hear JC wail out these lines….

By Phillip

September 8, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

Yeah, anything that Plant does is great. I love 80s music so I have to put “Now & Zen” right up there with “Pictures at 11” & “Fate of Nations”. Lots of people think his solo work is crap, just because it doesn’t sound like Zeppelin. These are probably the same “fans” that think the whole Braves organization is garbage because of this season. Luckily, there aren’t many bandwagon fans in Atlanta. Wah..Wah..Wah..Wahhhhh…..

By Arkansas Hillbilly

September 8, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

DOB If you want to hear some true, hardcore, meaningful country lyrics, and I know you do, might I suggest this cd. David Allan Coe—Long Haired Redneck/Rides Again. Its actually two albums on one cd. I know some people don’t like him because of his x-rated stuff, but this is the greatest collection of soulful country music I have ever heard in my 27 year life. Absolute sincerity and experience in his completely genuine lyrics..This man has lived it…There’s not one weak spot on the whole disc. You won’t hear 90% of these songs on the radio, ever, but if you come to Smackover, Arkansas and see a red Dodge 4wd, you can bet your a$$ this cd will be in the changer…..

“I spend my night times in morning,

I spend my mornings alone.

You spent your money to see me tonight.

I spent all mine gettin’ stoned.

Now that we’re both kinda busted.

Doesn’t it seem kinda strange.

I’ll leave here knowing were two of a kind,

and you’ll leave here knowing my name.”

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this

Hillbilly, you know what? Between that recommendation and Hank III’s namedropping Coe on old Hank III CD I was listening to last night, the planets are aligned and it’s a clear sign it’s time for me to get that Coe CD you suggested. I was going to get the one he made right when he got out of prison, that was just released last year (it had been in vaults somewhere), but I’m gonna get the one you suggested instead.

BTW, anyone who’s given up on contemporary country except for Yoakam and couple others, there’s actually a very, very good new band, Hanna McEuen, that released a CD last year. I’ve got it on right now, which is what reminded me to recommend it.

It didn’t get any pub and wasn’t promoted right, but critics all loved it, and I’m telling you, it’s the next-best of the new-generation guys (if you consider Yoakam new generation; he’s actually right between, isn’t he?). Anyway, the lead singer’s voice isn’t as great as Dwight’s, but it’s good, and he rhythm and pedal-steel and everything else are sooo good. It’s a cross between Yoakam and the Mavericks, another great band that seems to have tapered out as lead singer Raul Malo does his solo stuff.

Anyway, it’s Hanna McEuen, CD name is same. Self-titled, if you will.

Later

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

Robert, I’ve got that Broussard debut album (I think it’s debut) he put out in past year or so, and it’s terrific. Great New Orleans-swamp sound. Broussard’s got a bright future, if enough people with taste buy his stuff.

Dadgum, of course you’re right on Robert Johnson and Sonny Boy. Every old rocker worth his weight in salt mentions or Robert Johnson as an influence.

I love the Robert Plant solo stuff, including the last album. That’s my favorite one of his in a long time.

By journalist jimmy smith

September 8, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

today we learn from the ajc that john schuerholz possesses remarkable feet. and why not? js has been an esteemed gm for years and he must have an edge. good toe health is an edge. just ask pedro martinez or ken griffey, jr. about the importance of good toe health. it is good to see a respectful article noting these remarkable feet after the disparaging homeboy references found earlier in this same paper. now, sja and his denials of culpability … perhaps there is less to sja than first thought. perhaps there is a crafty stinky blogger out there unknown to both this journalist and that jackasss. if so, that blogger is promoting disharmony between journalist and jackass. jackass will not fare well in such an endeavor so it is best if it is another depraved blogger. still, many ingredients would point to a devious, long-time blogger with bad manners and journalist must ask? who else? the elephant bloggers have left the big top.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

September 8, 2006 12:55 PM | Link to this

You won’t regret it. Let me know what you think of it.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 01:07 PM | Link to this

Scalp ‘em, thanks for that Duane stuff. Seriously, the man’s gotta be in my top 3-5 guitarists, though that’s so hard to rank because they’re all so different. Hendrix, Duane, Jimmy Paige, Robert Johnson, Albert King…. those are the guys, for me.

Voice of reason, I know you might feel differently, but to me Satriani, Morse and Vai belong in that superiror TECHNICAL group. I mean, they’re incredible technicians, absolutely no debate. But I just like the more soulful guys, the unique guys, the guys who sound like the guitar’s talking and moaning and groaning, that it’s alive. Guys who sound like they’ve been to hell and back, and make the guitar tell the story.

By the way, I love ‘ol Ted, though we look at a lot of things from a very different point of view. I think he’s hilarious at times, he’s so over-the-top in his politics, etc. I don’t agree with most of it, but I love how he stands up for what he believes. You should see the picture I have of me and Ted standing on the sidelines at a Dolphins game, his arm around me. I used to cover the Dolphins, and had a photog friend of mine snap a photo of Ted and me. Ted was on sidelined as a guest of Marino, and Ted had a flannel shirt with the sleeves cut off and a camo baseball cap, sunglasses. Tight-teeth Ted, the Motor City Madman.

“Up on the canyon wall…. the Great White Buffalo!”

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 01:21 PM | Link to this

Forgot Stevie Ray and Betts. See, that’s why it’s impossible to do a top-5 guitarists list….

By Paul

September 8, 2006 01:34 PM | Link to this

IS THIS A MUSIC BLOG OR A BRAVES BLOG IM CONFUSED!

By Bravo Nam

September 8, 2006 01:43 PM | Link to this

Forgot to mention in my last post, welcome back Robert (Justice is Best).

Love it here in Vietnam, but really miss southern cooking and soul food.

I’m really curious about Bobby Cox’s behaviour yesterday- normally affable with the journos whether the Braves win or lose- and I know yesterday’s DH was pretty debilitating, but nevertheless his reactions were quite un- Bobby Cox like. Be interested in your take on this Dave? Just fed up? Pi**ssed the boys didn’t try hard enough?

The LaRoches, Francouers, Chippers, Andruws, Smoltzs are discussed on this blog ad infinitum, but a tip of the cap to Edgar Renteria- he has been consistently good throughout the year, has played nearly every game, and without him, the Braves would’ve been even further behind than they are now.

As for next year, I think Mike Hampton will come back stronger than most people predict, Hudson will continue to struggle (I honestly can’t see him significantly turn things around to the point that he should), and HoRam is going to continue to be prone to injury and frustratingly good and bad (I really believe this is one guy the Braves can get some decent for in return and should trade him now).

By Voice of Reason

September 8, 2006 01:50 PM | Link to this

DOB, I agree on the “technicality” of Satch and Vai, but I can’t agree on Morse. The first time I saw him live was on Skynyrd’s first tour after the crash. They had alot of guests appear on stage on that tour, and in ATL, Morse stepped out for “Gimme Back My Bullets.” It was jaw dropping… Just for the sake of perspective, though, understand that I probably own more SRV than anyone else. And I still love the Nuge. I’ve had the pleasure of jamming with Nuge’s old sidekick, Derek St. Holmes, who’s a heckuva player himself. Local guy, ya know…

Did I get any bites on Follow For Now? Anyone..? Beuhler..?

By NLCHAMPS

September 8, 2006 02:04 PM | Link to this

Santana,Van halen,Clapton……

By Voice of Reason

September 8, 2006 02:18 PM | Link to this

Aw, man… We lost a great one today. Erk Russell - My hat’s off.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

September 8, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

If you want to hear a guitar talk and moan, listen to David Gilmour play in “Dogs” or the instrumental intro of “Shine on You Crazy Diamond.”

By Hammer 44

September 8, 2006 02:23 PM | Link to this

The baseball season must be over. This blog has changed format to All Music…All The Time. In that vein, I’ll ask if anyone else out there is mourning the passing of trumpet player extraordinaire Maynard Ferguson, who turned a big band/jazz peformance into a rock show, strutting around on the stage more than Mick and Bruce. Maynard’s cover of “Rocky” was a hit in the mid 70’s, but his versions of MacArthur Park and Pagliacci are true signatures of his genius. He was still touring when he died at age 78. We’ll see if Mick and the Boss last that long.

As for BBQ, for Eastern NC-style, try Wilbur’s in Goldsboro and Parker’s In Wilson. The best of all time was Simp’s, which was tucked in behind two gas pumps off US Highway 64 between Plymouth and Columbia, right before the turnoff to the Albemarle Sound bridge. Unfortunately, old man Simpson died a few years back, and there was no one in the family to take over. His minced BBQ sandwiches were the best of all time…lean and tasty.

So, here’s to Maynard, Simp and the Braves ‘06 season. RIP, my friends….

By TheSouthernJackAss

September 8, 2006 02:24 PM | Link to this

jimmy smith I don’t think you really want to play “Cockball” with TheSouthernJackAss!!!…now f*ck off!!!…GO DODGERS!!!…

By Arkansas Hillbilly

September 8, 2006 02:26 PM | Link to this

…Or SRV’s instrumental version of “Little Wing.”——-goose bumps.

By Voice of Reason

September 8, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this

“Diamond” is by far my favorite Floyd tune for that very reason; Gilmour’s Strat absolutely sings through it…

By Tom

September 8, 2006 02:35 PM | Link to this

Tough to take you seriously when you diss musicians you don’t like (McGraw/Hill) but get offended when others diss your music. (have seen you bash those that said they didn’t like your stuff)

Just saying, DOB. Just saying.

Besides, “Meet the Mets” is pretty lame, bro. C’mon.

By 22oz

September 8, 2006 02:44 PM | Link to this

Tim McGraw sings a song that says “I want to live where the green grass grows” and he lives in LA. Not much corn growing out there. Just throwing that out there.

By Voice of Reason

September 8, 2006 02:52 PM | Link to this

I am now listening to “Shine On You Crazy Diamond.” Thanks, AH.

By The Grinch

September 8, 2006 02:53 PM | Link to this

Gonna have to swill a few down for ol’ Erk tonight, what with growing up on the Junkyard Dawgs and Southern being my alma mater…yowch. I know he was 80, but he was still kickin’ around pretty good. Jimmy, just from someone who has spent some time analyzing stinky and doesn’t know SJA from the past, I must admit he strikes me as a different person. I certainly could be wrong, of course; just my two cents. DOB, glad to hear you say that Marc Broussard alblum is good; I heard only two songs from him. One flat out jammed and one was a little bit precious. Didn’t know which one was more representative; now I do. Boy’s definitely got talent. And thank you someone for giving props to Uncle Ted. (And Steve Lynch/Satriani/Malmsteen). Love my technical guitarists as well as my blues ones; depends on the mood. I also agree about SRV’s “Little Wing,” though I think Jimmy’s “Voodoo Chile” smokes a little hotter. You can almost hear the amp sizzlin’.

By knowitall

September 8, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

Tomohawkin,

Several times you have reffered to 12 Play ans R. Kelly’s 1st CD. Actually it was his 2nd. I don’t remember the name of it(I have it at home, I’ll have to check) but it was released under R.Kelly and the Public Announcement. R.Kelly said that the record company was nervous about him releasing a solo album so after he recorded it, they kind of forced the group on him. So, even though it was released under a group, it’s all him.

By Head Coach

September 8, 2006 03:03 PM | Link to this

Wow , The blog has died ! I guess I’ll break in this new keyboard. Thomas Stinson posted a great article today and kinda hit the nail on the head. I agree , this three run bomb offense may be fun but it’s one dimensional reliance on the longball has hurt the team all season. Erk Russell is truly a legend and he will be missed by this Bulldog fan. Hunker down Dawgs , Spurrier and his pass happy Gamecocks are gonna give the Dawgs thier first test of the season on ESPN tomorrow night. Three of four against the Cubbies and televised on WGN , cool. Think maybe we can take three out of four ? The Braves on WGN , Georgia on ESPN , Falcons on FOX and all this weekend ? I’m gonna be happy as a pig wallowing in mud , hey , this keyboard works purty good !

By The Grinch

September 8, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this

How ironic, Head Coach. I have my weekend planned around those same games and was about to leave in a few to get a new keyboard (this ones just about gummed up). The Dawgs offensive line looked a little shaky last week; don’t like the only two seniors on it suspended for this game. Joe T III also doesn’t inspire too much confidence. Defence and the run is gonna have to carry us ‘till Stafford’s ready.

By Dark Helmet

September 8, 2006 03:11 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Since we’ve mercifully stopped talking about the Braves, when did you cover the Dolphins?

They’re second to the Braves in this tortured fan’s heart.

Was Marino a good guy?

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 03:42 PM | Link to this

Hammer44, excellent _ someone who’s had the pulled pork ecstasy at PARKER’S!! I’ve been touting that one for months here.

I grew up eating at the Parker’s in Greenville, where my parents took us kids after church just about every Sunday.

Now my folks live in Wilson, so I bring home a pound of pulled pork every time I visit them (wonder if I can take that on the plane now? … if not, another reason to drive there instead of fly).

PAUL, do you have anything to say/ask about the Braves, or just want to complain/whine about this being all music? Because if you’ve got nothing to say, then how we gonna talk Braves? What haven’t we covered at extensive length about the Braves? Until the offseason, not going to be a lot of new stuff, I’m afraid.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 03:46 PM | Link to this

Tom, we ALL (or at least the serious music fans here) bash McGraw/Hill, because they don’t make SERIOUS MUSIC. but it’s a good publishing house.

I don’t bash stuff just because I don’t like it. Tull’s not a favorite of mine, but I respect and acknowledge it’s brilliant, pioneering music. Just not my cup of tea.

I don’t like Dave Matthews, but it’s not bad music. McGraw/Hill is fluff for suburban wannabe-country fans.

By David O'Brien

September 8, 2006 03:53 PM | Link to this

Dark Helmet, covered Dolphins (I was No. 2 guy behind my man Jason Cole at Sun-Sentinel) for two years in early 90s, near end of Marino/Shula era. And yes, Dan’s a great guy. Just a street-tough kid who can sling a football a mile. Not much of an on-the-record quote, but a great dude to talk to in the 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there we got to spend with him (we had a LOT more access back then that NFL reporters get today, when they basically get to talk to the quarterback for 15 minutes in a group session once a week _ another reason I’d never want to cover the NFL again. No chance to really get to know players, opposite of baseball, where we have hours and hours of access every day).

Shula was a total hardass, but I loved it. I like those hardass guys who don’t really care much for the media, like Bobby Knight _ one of my favorites, in all seriousness. The coaches who are there to coach, and couldn’t care less what reporters think of them. Though I’m in the minority on that one; most reporters can’t stand Knight, because he hates them and doesn’t mind showing it.

I like Parcells, too, though I don’t like the C-boys.

By Dark Helmet

September 8, 2006 05:07 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Good to hear about Dan.

You’ve had two of my dream jobs.

Now, if only you’d been the photographer for that Keira Knightley Scarlett Johansson Vanity Fair cover.

By journalist jiminy cricket

September 8, 2006 06:26 PM | Link to this

pie, momma, clary, o humanity, pie, seal. pie, journalist, baseball, toes, feat, music. pie, pie, mamas pie, my finger, chipper, dob, pie, humanity, cheese, blues, pie, bobby dews, journalist, jungle, seal, seal pie, donkey, pie in my eye, feat, p players, on and on and on and on……………

By 2 homo boys

September 8, 2006 10:56 PM | Link to this

Hey Southern jackass,wanna go with us to Boston mass this weekend and be the best man at mine and my boyfriends wedding.you would love it.oh make sure to wear a pink tux.after the ceremony my partner and I will take you to one of the best and most elite gay bars in Boston. we have a big reception planned and you can attend it too.I will even let you kiss the groom.We have a big adventure honeymoon planned in Cancun. Come Southern jackass and don’t be afraid.it will be fun.There will be lots of men there looking for partners and you might even catch the bouquet.We look forward to seeing you at the Downtown Hilton in Boston.lets hear it for the Homos,homos are the best.

By adam the gay blade

September 8, 2006 11:11 PM | Link to this

Hey 2 homo boys,this is Adam,I am the Gay Blade,I would be honored to escort The Southern Jackass to Boston.Come on Southern Jackass go with me to Boston to attend my friends wedding to his partner.you will have fun,one night with me in Boston and you will never wanna go back.

By TheSouthernJackAss

September 9, 2006 12:34 AM | Link to this

journalist jimmy—if you’re going to pretend to be the 2 homo boys you really should use correct punctuation and proper grammatical rules when constructing your pseudo posts…instead you mindlessly fell back on your old jungle jimmy style of writing—really LeTwan, I thought better of you…what would Mrs. Anthony think?…now your sexual orientation and preferences are really none of my concern. The homo lifestyle doesn’t appeal to me, so to each his own. So you, and Adam, and your 2 homo buddies can just go somewhere and continue to do whatever it is that you do…I told you before jimmy, or LeTwan, or whoever the voices in your head are telling you that you are today, not to mess with me, but you wouldn’t heed the warning, so it is what it is my friend, it is what it is!!!…So you better hurry and shoot a quick email off to your daddy DOB and try to get me banned from the site again!!!…

By journalist jimmy smith

September 9, 2006 07:21 AM | Link to this

I am one of the 2 homo boys.

By Head Coach

September 9, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this

Yep ……. Music , Pie and Football chat is relevant. Baseball is not , at the moment. Unless you want to chat about the postseason.