AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2006 > September > 12 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USAge creeping up on Smoltz
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
John Smoltz may remain the best athlete on the Braves and he hasn’t been out of shape a day in his life.
But he’s still 39 years old.
At that age, things are bound to happen. Smoltz’s groin problems are proof of that.
The Braves ace says he hopes to start as scheduled Saturday against Florida. But the damage is already done.
Smoltz has lost his past three starts, all games the Braves badly needed to win if they were going to have a chance at the wild card.
Monday night against the lowly Chicago Cubs, Smoltz left in the third inning after giving up his second three-run homer. He had obviously been in pain since several pitches earlier.
Until his past three starts, Smoltz was a candidate for the National League Cy Young Award. Now, his record is just 12-9 and his ERA has jumped to 3.86.
Smoltz’s three-game losing streak has come since he voiced his displeasure at not having his $8 million option for next season already picked up.
The Braves definitely need to bring Smoltz back for 2007 and that may not be his last season.
But age eventually catches up with everyone.
Comments
By AZBravoFan
September 12, 2006 02:09 PM | Link to this
Sadly, Smoltzie may have to go into Maddux mode. 75-80 pitches, 5-6 innings then shut it down. For that to be useful we’ve got to have a better bullpen next year, though. But maybe then he would have enough left in the tank for September and October when he’s desperately needed.
By Louis Vales
September 12, 2006 02:13 PM | Link to this
Guy, I listen to you on WCCP and am the caller “respectfully referred” to as Sweet Lou formerly of Boca Raton, must demur and ask you WHY the Braves must sign an aging 39 year old over used right hander with a history of elbow problems?? Since I can’t tolerate the Braves I hope the Braves do extend him and when he inevitably breaks down some time next year and becomes a drag against the payroll all the Followers can wail about the signing. Really don’t want to hear about the loyalty because as you know loyalty has no place in MLB, and as players are frequently fond of saying it is a business—Business is a two way street and loyalty is rarely a factor when lack of productivity rears its ugly head. NOW if the honorable Smoltzie—Don’t you hate these silly, inane pre-pubescent nicknames in this organization—was to say after he breaks down in 07 or 08 “You know I’ve made millions here and it’s been a good home, and I realizethis last salary was basically a goodwill gesture so why don’t I keep half the money and donate the rest to charitable organizations in the Atlanta area and we’ll call it a wash”—Guy, you still holding your breath?? By the way, in a root for the underdog country get on the bandwagon and root for a team with a 14.9 mil payroll, no fans, playing in a football stadium, no lucrative TV or radio deals, a 2B playing CF, no production from a corner outfielder due to the putrid efforts of Atlantan Jeremy Hermida, 4 rookies in rotation, Joe BOROWSKI as the closer(??), rookies at 1B, SS and in LF and a rule 5 guy playing 2B and a Manager of the Year who will be fired at end of season. Guy, I will ask you isn’t that better than pulling for a sullen bunch of under achievers who have managed to win 2 fewer World Series than the Florida Marlins in the last 10 years. Dan and I’m sure Mark send their regards. By the way, at what point in his maturation process should a grown man go from being “Chipper” to Lawrence or Larry??
By JT
September 12, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
For all you fair weather fans, shut up and truly learn to watch the game. Where were you in the days when you could count the fans in the stands after Dale Murphy left? This season may not be the best but I feel Bobby has done another remarkable job of coaching to keep the team even close to .500!
Now on to the big topic, John Smoltz. Yes, Smoltz may be older than most of the team but he is also smarter. Yes he may have received loses in his last 3 starts but last nights game was the only one he truly lost, the others were lost by the Braves having no offense on those dates.
In this day and age I would rather have a staff of Smoltz’s because they pitch not so much on what is possible but utilize their brains and experience to go after every batter. Smoltz, through his surgeries, has gained a true understanding of pitching and not just slinging the ball up there as so many pitchers do.
At $8 million, he is a steal for next season, if for no other reason than to mentor this young pitching staff. Watch what he is doing on the days he isn’t pitching. He often has that days starter or the next days talking with him about how to pitch. Lessons that only a veteran can give.
Keep bringing him back until he is ready to retire. I’m with you all the way Smoltzy.
JT
By 22oz
September 12, 2006 02:43 PM | Link to this
Why is it when Kyle Davies pitches with a hurt groin, he’s chastised and called dumb for not telling management? Meanwhile, Smoltz hurts his groin, keeps pitching, makes the game out of reach, and then leaves, and he’s called a tough veteran leader. What a hero.
By "sprinkles"
September 12, 2006 02:49 PM | Link to this
His elbow is starting to hurt again..that is why he has been antsy to get his contract signed.
Turner field needs new music to get this team inspired! That Day-o song is awful. Please entertain me with some energetic and relevant music…make it fun and worth the money to come back to see the team.
By AZBravoFan
September 12, 2006 03:04 PM | Link to this
Really JT? Was it the offense’s fault when he gave up 7 runs in 5 innings agains the Giants? I actually agree with you mostly, however, I’ve gotta side with 22oz. If he’s such a smart pitcher, he’s gotta know that when his groin hurts, he’s wincing visibly on every pitch,he just walked 2 guys, and Derrick Lee is up, it’s time to take yourself out of the game and get a healthy arm out there. You can’t pitch to Derrick Lee if you don’t have good location. It’s either gonna result in a walk or a bomb. We saw the old pig-headed Smoltz last night, rather than the wiser Smoltz who said he was going to listen to his body and not overdo it this year. I’m sure it’s a result of frustration, but he should still know better.
By Iceman
September 12, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
“Smokedog”,which I believe is a better knickname, can’t do it all. He is in the twilight of his career and I enjoyed every year he has graced us with his superb skills. Next year, let’s bring in a new fresh new manager that knows how to win in the Postseason and make Smoltz our new pitching coach after he retires.
By Braveheart
September 12, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this
With a sweep of the Phillies & some help from other teams, the Braves could be 2 1/2 games back & only 5 1/2 combined games back!
NL Wildcard Standings Through Mon 9/11:
Team W L PCT GB
San Diego 74 68 .521 -
Florida 73 71 .507 2
Philadelphia 72 71 .503 2.5
San Francisco 72 71 .503 2.5
Cincinnati 71 72 .497 3.5
Houston 70 73 .490 4.5
Atlanta 69 74 .483 5.5
—-
Braves Sum GB 18
Tue 9/12 games involving top 7 NL wildcard teams:
Atl beats Phi, Cin beats SD, Col beats SF, NYM beats Fl, Stl beats Hou
Team W L PCT GB
San Diego 74 69 .517 -
Florida 73 72 .503 2
Philadelphia 72 72 .500 2.5
San Francisco 72 72 .500 2.5
Cincinnati 72 72 .500 2.5
Atlanta 70 74 .486 4.5
Houston 70 74 .486 4.5
—-
Braves Sum GB 13
Wed 9/13 games involving top 7 NL wildcard teams:
Atl beats Phi, Cin beats SD, Col beats SF, NYM beats Fl, Stl beats Hou
Team W L PCT GB
San Diego 74 70 .514 -
Cincinnati 73 72 .503 1.5
Florida 73 73 .500 2
Philadelphia 72 73 .497 2.5
San Francisco 72 73 .497 2.5
Atlanta 71 74 .490 3.5
Houston 70 75 .483 4.5
—-
Braves Sum GB 9
Thu 9/14 games involving top 7 NL wildcard teams:
Atl beats Phi, Cin beats SD, Col beats SF
Team W L PCT GB
San Diego 74 71 .510 -
Cincinnati 74 72 .507 .5
Florida 73 73 .500 1.5
Atlanta 72 74 .493 2.5
Philadelphia 72 74 .493 2.5
San Francisco 72 74 .493 2.5
Houston 70 75 .483 4
—-
Braves Sum GB 5.5
By Iceman
September 12, 2006 03:34 PM | Link to this
You’ve got too much time on your hands Braveheart. Face it, the Braves are done.
By Scalp 'em Braves
September 12, 2006 03:41 PM | Link to this
JT - ditto to what you said about the old days of being a Braves fan, and what Smoltz has meant to this franchise for almost 20 years. As far as I am concerned, if he wants to play first, catch, or whatever, he’s earned the right to do it. I wish he would consider a return to the pen - that is what he is best suited for, physically, at this stage - but if he wants to start, let him start until he proves, over the course of the season that he can no longer deliver consistently.
The Braves are toast in WC race - barring all 6 teams ahead of them falling apart, at once, its over folks.
Does the play by play announcer on Turner South (Bob Whats-his-name) bother anybody else besides me? He sounds like the reincarnation of George Carlin’s sportscaster on WINO News - “Biff Barf” - where did they dig this guy up? Get rid of him!! I like Jeff Torborg, though - he is a big improvement over Tom Paciorek, and at least has good insights, and isn’t a shameless cheerleader.
By Sam
September 12, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this
Hey Guys….don’t blame the Braves players…blame John Schuerholz. If JS did his homework in the off season we wouldn’t be 5.5 games behind. He should have signed Wickman in the off season and not bring up Ray and Paronto. Ray and Paronto lost at least 10 games pitching in the 7th or 8th ininng plus Ray was closing at one time and he blew at least 5 games. He’s got to cut ties with both of them and look elsewhere. If he signs Reitsma..he’s got to have him pitch maybe the 6th inning or when the Braves are getting blown out. Reitsma as everyone knows blew several games early in the season. Just think if you guys are dreaming…maybe the Braves would have clinched the wildcard berth. Please blame JS and no one else.
By Brad
September 12, 2006 03:49 PM | Link to this
I agree that the Braves probably would have be in the playoffs if they had a better closer. But you guys have to remember one thing. Reitsma last season pitched awsome untill he got hurt(of course he didn’t tell anybody and pitched awfull) This season, he was supposed to be fully healthy, so that is why they went with him. The last time he was pitchin healthy, he was really good. Of course, he was hurt this season, and so he pitched really bad. I think he can come back next season(at a much lower cost) and be an effective middle reliever. Hopefully the Braves will sign Wickman(which he says he would like to play for the Braves next season)
By Scalp 'em Braves
September 12, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
Dave - I posted a question on the previous blog, but you were apparently typing your current one, and probably didn’t look back.
Can McCann (that don’t sound right!) get enough AB’s over the rest of the season to qualify for the Batting Title? He’s 10 points down to Cabrerra and 9 points below Sanchez. Not sure if he can keep up his pace, and have the other two fall off enough for him to win. But, I would like to see Baby Face get recognition for his accomplishment and a damned fine season at the plate, in spite of his fighting the ankle injury ever since June.
By Scalp 'em Braves
September 12, 2006 04:09 PM | Link to this
Leave it to me, bumbling through life and blogville, not to realize Dave didn’t write this one - same question is posed to Guy, or anybody else who can answer about McCann’s AB’s.
By Bill
September 12, 2006 04:10 PM | Link to this
Sam:
You way overstate Paronto being one of the stiffs in the bullpen. His ERA is 2.90 for the year. He has pitched in 57 games and has allowed earned runs in only 10 of those appearences. Opposing hitters have had an on-base percentage of .330 against him — fourth best on the Braves (trailing Wickman, Smoltz and James). They they have had a slugging percentage of .373 against him — third best on the Braves (trailing Wickman and McBride).
It seems to me that he has put together a fairly solid year for the Braves.
By Lew
September 12, 2006 04:13 PM | Link to this
JT-I was in the stands at the Launching Pad with 2500 of my closest friends. Smoltz is getting older and the smartest thing right now is to give him some time off. Smoltz himself needs to realize thais and come to terms with it. He said at the beginning of the season that it was time to take an occasional start off. I guess Hudson turning into a dud made him think he was needed even more. The Braves are now out of it, so he should rest. So should Chipper and Andruw. Let’s see how our young infielders play. Langerhans is great defensively and the way Andruw is going with the bat, Ryan isn’t that much if any loss of offense.
By Bill
September 12, 2006 04:19 PM | Link to this
McCann & batting title: he has 427 plate appearances as of now. He needs 503 to qualify. The Braves have 19 games left. If he played in every game, he would need to average 4 PA’s per game — a very plausible number of PA’s per game. But he is a catcher so he will need a few days off. If he takes two games off, he would need to average 4.47 PA’s per game, which is possible batting 5th in the order but unlikely. I expect that he will need more than 2 off days, so I think time will run out on his chase for the batting title.
By MEB
September 12, 2006 04:20 PM | Link to this
journalist Guy Curtright… look behind you, age is creeping up on you too! Groin injuries happen to 21 year old rookies as well as veterans. I’m thankful its not John’s shoulder or arm. I do believe given some rest John will be just fine.
By Scalp 'em Braves
September 12, 2006 04:27 PM | Link to this
Bill - thanks for the response.I don’t see him playing every day, especially since it seems any realistic hope to make the playoffs is concerned. If they are going to give Chipper, Andruw, et al a rest, and let the youngsters play, they should probably do the same with McCann and avoid any further injury to that ankle, and allow him to be completely healthy for next year. Besides, I’d like to see B. Pena play regularly, and let him audition for the back up job next year and dump Pratt.
By ChampDawg
September 12, 2006 04:34 PM | Link to this
I really like this Braves team and have watched them just as much this season as in the past regardless of their W-L record. The mix of young players and veterans is exciting. Smoltz, Chipper, and Andru and the veteran face of this team and Renteria, Francour, McCann, Laroche, and Diaz are the young ones. I’m not a big Giles fan.
The team has good bats but needs more speed at the top of the lineup and better starting and mid relief pitching. Tweak the team for more speed and pitching and the future looks good. Don’t trade away the veteran face of the franchise.
By Boogie
September 12, 2006 04:36 PM | Link to this
Any Chance Smoltz can pass waivers and wind up in Motown for the playoffs??? The Tigers could use a lift right now. The Tigers seem to have a good farm system and we could use some prospects and JS could save his 8 Million. He must get a commission on the total $$’s saved.
By 22oz
September 12, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this
Boogie: Players must be on a playoff teams’ respectice roster by September 1st, so the answer to your question would be no as far as I know, but baseball rules never cease to amaze me.
By 22oz
September 12, 2006 04:50 PM | Link to this
respective
By geauxbraves2000
September 12, 2006 05:16 PM | Link to this
I’ve been saying for a couple of weeks that Smoltz must be injured. It’s not like to him to have so many bad outings. One, two or maybe even three in a year, but not back to back and I think it’s 3 out of 4. Smotlz trying to pitch injured is:
a) Not helping the team b) Silly for a lack of a better word. The Braves playoff chance is very minimal and there is no reason for him to be pitching if he’s hurt. I say shut him down.
Okay, that’s all I’ve got. I hope everyone has had a good day. Let’s root the Braves onto victory tonight, and for goodness sake Braves, walk Ryan Howard every chance you get.
Oh, and as far as my MVP vote, Ryan Howard all the way.
Geaux Braves!!
By Chop Chop
September 12, 2006 05:29 PM | Link to this
22oz, the difference between Davies hiding a problem with a sore groin early in the season and Smoltz gutting it out with a sore groin in September is huge. Granted, Smoltz is my favorite Brave (although his politics and viewpoints sometimes make me roll my eyes) and I will defend him more than most, but what Kyle Davies made was an immature decision by a young player who hasn’t learned his limitations. Smoltz doesn’t have to learn from anything anymore. Whatever he’s got left has to be thrown into the mix for the team. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have much left this season. I just hope he has as much in the tank next year as he did in this one.
By Bob
September 12, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this
Brian does not have to get that many appearances if he wins the title counting the missing ones as ABs without a hit. So if he is ahead enough to go 0-those missing abats and finish ahead of the next guy he wins the title.
By Head Coach
September 12, 2006 05:49 PM | Link to this
Smoltz seems to have wore down last season and this season to. But , he is still a bargain at 8 million and with 2007 being an option year , Smoltz is well worth the risk. Smoltz is also the best proven postseason pitcher in major league history , so yea I think he deserves the benefit of pitching in a Braves uniform. With a career record of 189-137 3.30 ERA 154 saves and a 15-4 postseason record and Cy Young award , Smoltz is a lock for the hall of fame and if the Braves make the postseason in 2007 they are going to need him. GO BRAVES !!!
By Louis Vales
September 12, 2006 05:49 PM | Link to this
Please sign Smoltzie to a 5 year deal, give Hampton a raise, extend Chippy 5 more years and ink any of Chip Caray’s future offspring to a futures deal to be announcers through 2050.
By Bill
September 12, 2006 06:12 PM | Link to this
Bob —
You are correct. Unfortunately, since McCann actually trails in the batting race by several points right now, it is highly unlikely that he will have enough of a margin of error to win it with fewer than 503 PAs.
By Ron Roberts
September 12, 2006 06:38 PM | Link to this
Y’all are NUTS if you think it’s wise to let Smoltz go. Do any of ya’ll remember the SIX blown saves that would’ve been wins when he left the mound this season? That’s 18 wins if you’re counting ‘em all up… 18 wins he SHOULD have had, even with his last three dud-starts.
He’ll only cost $8 million next year, whould have had about 18 wins this year, and y’all wanna bail on him because of a groin problem? Pshh. NUTS
And by the way, it’s not his elbow that’s troubling him…it’s his groin. Ya don’t need 11th grade anatomy courses to know those are two distinctly different parts of the human body.
By Lew
September 12, 2006 06:43 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts-I agree-Put him on the shelf for the rest of the season, or at least rest him for a couple of starts.
By Louis Vales
September 12, 2006 06:44 PM | Link to this
Give him 24 million a year. He is a bargain at that price—Let’s Go Marlins!!
By journalist jimmy smith
September 12, 2006 07:04 PM | Link to this
journalist is in beautiful charleson sc today. the jackasses here pull carriages and appear polite … until they leave you a little blog in the street much like a sja post. now, baseball …it was sad to see smoltz with the injury. he will heal. journalist says shut him down and sign him for next season. bad luck season for smoltz - first the blown saves then the groin injury. this team is going nowhere. js should get a head start on the 2007 team today. better sign wicky, too.
By bruce
September 12, 2006 07:14 PM | Link to this
Guy writes: “At that age, things are bound to happen. Smoltz’s groin problems are proof of that.”
So if groin problems such a good indicator of age, Kyle Davies must be really old because he tore his groin so badly it had to be surgically repaired.
Come on. Injuries are part of the game, Kyle’s error was not telling anyone he had a problem.
I believe age is a better indicator that age is creeping up on someone…
How old are you Guy?
By dadgum
September 12, 2006 07:26 PM | Link to this
Journalist Jimmy….couldn’t agree more as I mentioned last week in a prior blog. Smoltz needs to be shut down. A player is a player is a player. He ain’t shutting himself down. It may fall hard on his ego but the reality is that if the Braves really want to do the right thing for this team heading into the offseason it will be to rest Smoltz early so as to give him a head start into the off season and fewer innings to boot. Obviously something he isn’t used to over the last 15 years.
The truth is that Smoltz has definitely hit the wall. I mean look bad once and we can live with it but look bad three times in a row well, given the situation, it is time to shut her down. Basically Davies can do the same thing Smoltz has done and we need to get extended looks at other pitchers. Also other teams need to look at us as well for trade possibilities.
If the Braves continue to pitch Smoltz then I have to wonder about their decisions. Also nothing wrong with resting McCann more either. They can easily catch Pena, Pratt and hell even Salty if they bring him up. McCann has more injuries that are nagging than he will ever admit. Others may be in the same boat. Time to do the right thing Braves. GET ER DONE!
By little jimmy's nemsis
September 12, 2006 07:32 PM | Link to this
no class, no character, journalist jimmy is back!
By Lew
September 12, 2006 07:34 PM | Link to this
Shut Smoltz down and let’s see how good Cormier and Villarreal really are. We might just be surprised and find we have even more options. Dadgum-I like your idea of resting McCann, too. He has absolutely nothing to prove and a good look at Pena for a couple of weeks might also be beneficial.
By Ron Roberts
September 12, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this
Has anyone heard from DOB lately, maybe SJA really has stomped the $hit out of him folks??
By JClower
September 12, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this
I would not be the least bit sorry to let John Smoltz take his aging body to another team.
He has been a pretty fair pitcher but his constant whining and excuse-making has irritated me for the last three or four seasons. His post-game comments after losses are downright comical. Last night, he pointed out that the two three-run homers by the Cubs just barely cleared the fence. So what!
Ron Roberts and the other posters desperate for a hero in their lives need to let go of their “six blown saves” lament. Smoltz has left a game at least five times this season with the Braves trailing, only to have them rally back and get him off the hook.
So that’s five more potential losses It’s part of the game, just like blown saves. So get over it Ron.
You still have your John Smoltz bobblehead doll to play with.
By Iceman
September 12, 2006 07:44 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t be surprised Ron,,have you ever seen the sja? That dude is an absolute monster(bout 6’ 10”,,300). I talked to sja at a game last year at the Ted, I wouldn’t mess with that dude. Really a cool dude.
By Head Coach
September 12, 2006 07:58 PM | Link to this
Another doubleheader , O the agony !
By journalist jimmy smith
September 12, 2006 08:19 PM | Link to this
hey, iceman … did sja have a shoe string hanging out of his nose? if he weighs in at 300 pounds that must be counting his “special” chair. sja sounds like a stalker to this journalist. a sick puppy. if this journalist had seen dob at the game, this journalist would have politely introduced jimmy smith to the wurlitzer prize winner. sja sounds like he was considering shrieking like a little girl and slapping dob. maybe he does not know that dob carries a wurlitzer at all times. in any case, dob can take care of light work if it comes along. and what name will sja use to retort? now, baseball … dadgum, you are right about mccann. it is time to let him heal. had the team had anyone other than pratt behind mccann this season maybe mccann could truly have healed before returning. remember that bobby said both mccann’s toes are hurt. toes are not to be trifled with.
By Iceman
September 12, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this
How refreshing, finally an article by Mark Bradley and an article by Furman Bisher where one doesn’t have to wade thru all the musical garbage, or listen to the drone of wanna be journalists. And jimmy smith if you are so interested in sja’s nose why don’t you go look him up for yourself sometime? I’m sure sja would clary everything up for you.
By dfree
September 12, 2006 09:12 PM | Link to this
love smoltz, tremendous competitor, warrior etc, he almost single handedly(pitching wise) kept the braves in it last year, but folks, the last three starts have ended 3 god winning streaks, the team has tries, faught, clawed and the one guy you could depend on all year, due to injuries or whatever, has basically killed momentum and killed our chances in september, i hate to say it, but he might be too old to count on anymore, atleast at the end of the season, AND i hate to say this, if he wasnt so selfish (i know i know) and did the job he did best, and didnt get hurt doing, closing, this team would be challenging the mets, definitely leading the wild card, add 10 games the bullpen blew due to sucky closers, this team is right there, smoltz just cared too much about being the starter for the postseason, problem is that they wont make it, sadly due in large part to him
By Thomas
September 12, 2006 09:19 PM | Link to this
Rookie Team:
SS José Reyes 300AVG 19HR 75RBI
2B Dan Uggla 293AVG 24HR 85RBI
C Joe Mauer 350AVG 11HR 78RBI
1B Ryan Howard 318AVG 56HR 138RBI
LF Andre Either 325AVG 15HR 65RBI
RF Jeff Franceour 260AVG 25HR 95RBI
3B Ryan Zimmerman 285AVG 23HR 95RBI
CF Nick Markakis 300AVG 14HR 57RBI
P (pitcher)
Bench:
OF Chris Duncan 302AVG 16HR 33RBI
OF Melky Cabrera 286AVG 7HR 45RBI
C Brian McCann 329AVG 19HR 75RBI
2B/IF Ian Kinsler 287AVG 11HR 48RBI
3B David Wright 308AVG 24HR 109RBI
1B Prince Fielder 273AVG 24HR 70RBI
Pitchers:
SP Francisco Liriano 12-3 2.09ERA
SP Justin Verlander 16-7 3.19ERA
SP Jered Weaver 11-2 2.30ERA
SP Josh Johnson 12-7 3.20ERA
SP Anibal Sanchez 8-2 2.96ERA
SP Chien Ming Wang 17-5 3.60ERA
SP Chuck James 9-3 3.57ERA
SP Matt Cain 12-9 3.94ERA
RHP Jonathan Papelbon 4-2 0.92ERA
RHP Joel Zumaya 6-3 1.98ERA
LHP Mike Gonzales 3-4 2.17ERA
By Jim
September 12, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this
There are a lot of good pitchers who have stellar seasons after the age of 40. (Nolan Ryan pitched a no hitter at age 44. Clemens is still going strong at 42-43. Spahn went 23 - 7 with 7 shutouts at age 42, plus throwing 201 pitches in the 16 inning game against Marichal.) Smoltz stays in good condition, and should have productive years ahead. The one troubling aspect of his recent past is his wearing down in the last month of the season. It has happened during the last 5 years whether he was in the bullpen or in the rotation.
By Jim
September 12, 2006 09:35 PM | Link to this
On another note, Jeff Francouer needs a rest! He has played in every game and his ABs are beginning to show it. During the first half of the season, he would get himself out by swinging at pitches way out of the strike zone, but he usually made contact with anything close to the plate. He did not swing and miss at a lot of hittable pitches. Recently, the reverse is true. He is beginning to take some pitches and not swing wildly at unhittable pitches so much, but he is swinging and missing at (or fouling off) a lot of strikes.
Speaking of selfishness, I think the selfishest and most over-hyped record in the sport is the consecutive game streak. Dale Murphy had a long streak of consecutive games, and his career went downhill prematurely. Tejada is another example of a player with a long cons. game streak whose power numbers have declined markedly over the past two years, even though he plays in a hitter-friendly park. Ripken’s streak may have impressed people with his work ethic, but his production never again approached his earlier MVP season. He may have helped his team more by taking a few days off each year.
By Thomas
September 12, 2006 09:51 PM | Link to this
Why are you so pesimist, why can you look at things in an other possitive way, Think it this way:
Discoverred a great talent which is Matt Diaz he is hitting 337AVG
They still have a chance, theyre 5.5 GB in the Wild Card with 19games to go
By dadgum
September 12, 2006 10:03 PM | Link to this
DFREE ….Trust me dude Smoltz ain’t the reason the Braves aren’t in the playoffs. Forget the blown saves, a few meltdowns, injuries to other players during his starts, the Braves total pitching staff is suspect. I mean if you can barely play .500 ball against Pittsburgh & Washington you have serious problems. Real serious.
Smoltz I will agree is scary for the future which is why we need to get big frontline help to take some pressure off Smoltz. Smoltz is better as a #3 starter and if Hampton or James or Hudson is on they can be the #2. Smoltz only has so many innings in his arm per year. The postseason hasn’t helped his total innings over the last 14 years and they do add up.
The Braves understand what they have in Smoltz and they want to get another year from him maybe two. Regardless they also know they can’t go to battle with him as their #1 pitcher. Give Smoltz the props for doing what he has done and move him down in the rotation. The Braves will be fine if that happens.
By Ron Roberts
September 12, 2006 10:11 PM | Link to this
I don’t need to tell the ajc.com staff this, but this ain’t my post…
By Ron Roberts September 12, 2006 07:39 PM | Link to this Has anyone heard from DOB lately, maybe SJA really has stomped the $hit out of him folks??
The SDA (Jack deserves better, so I replaced “jack” with another, more appropriate term) strikes again with his juvenile activity.
By gotigers72
September 12, 2006 10:12 PM | Link to this
The reason Smoltz is so bad recently is because he has pitched too much - over 200 innings. That is too much for someone his age. He said he wasn’t going to do that, and at the time I thought that was a great idea.
The reason he has had to pitch so many innings is that putrid bullpen that the Braves had until they signed Wickman. And it has remained putrid since then except for Wickman, Paronto, and McBride. They had to go with retreads like Ray and Yates and those mediocre guys they got from Arizona in the Estrada trade. Therefore Bobby was afraid to take Smoltz out and let that putrid bullpen try to finish. Then the pitch count goes way up, the innings mount, and now Smoltz is just gassed. Even if he comes back, I doubt if he’ll have his stuff for the remainder of this year.
Stick with him for 2007, and Bobby, take him out earlier. JS and whoever the owners will be, go and get some relievers, and keep others that won’t blow TWENTY SIX SAVES, the worst in the majors. Maybe then, Smoltz can help in September, provided the Braves are back in a pennant race where they should be.
All of you bloggers b***’ and moanin’ about Chipper, Marcus, Francoeur, etc., THE OFFENSE AIN’T THE FREAKIN’ PROBLEM. Last time I checked stats on MLB.com, the Braves were second in runs scored in the NL, only 7 runs behind the Mutts. To paraphrase a former campaign slogan, “It’s the pitching stupid”! Leave the position players alone.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 12, 2006 10:47 PM | Link to this
southerndumbasz, is a superb moniker for the blogger previously known as sja (and many, many, other names)! congratulations to rr for inventing this clever new handle. this journalist thinks sda is hanging on by a shoestring (sensitive subject, for sda). now, baseball … what is the big deal about a doubleheader? bobby will rest the players. anyone on this team crying about all the doubleheaders is throwing up a smokescreen to hide the real problems. js must go to work now to fix the problems and be ready to start winning again in 2007. bobby needs to run a different camp, too. more baseball, less golf. come to the opener in good shape and ready to play.
By Georgia Peach
September 12, 2006 11:08 PM | Link to this
Wow! I just have to meet this sja fellow, must be quite the man. Jimmy Smith has mentioned this sja in nearly evey post he has submitted, he must be truly enamored with the man. Jimmy you are female aren’t you? Gosh I hope so, I don’t think any male would talk that much about another man would they? sja I would to meet you, pleeeze!
By LeTwan Anthony
September 12, 2006 11:16 PM | Link to this
Don’t spew venom then try to blame it on someone else Ronnie Roberts.
By Stinky
September 12, 2006 11:40 PM | Link to this
SDA is a transverbite.
By LeTwan Anthony
September 12, 2006 11:44 PM | Link to this
Stinky is journalist jimmy smith.
By Stinky
September 12, 2006 11:45 PM | Link to this
Wrong, Dumbasz.
By Stinky
September 12, 2006 11:47 PM | Link to this
SDA, Do you wear women’s clothing while you post as a woman?
By LeTwan Anthony
September 12, 2006 11:51 PM | Link to this
You tell us Stinky, you seem to always have your nose up sja’s asz!
By Stinky
September 12, 2006 11:58 PM | Link to this
Oh, come on, SDA/GeorgiaPeach/QUEENFORADAY, what’s it like posting in women’s wear. You can tell us without pretending to be jimmy or letwan. you’re too predictable to hide anywhere, so just tell us what size pantyhose you wear. Enquiring minds want to know, girly man.
By Stinky
September 13, 2006 12:03 AM | Link to this
Damn that sounded ignorant—I really am a f*-azs son of a bytch!
By LeTwan Anthony
September 13, 2006 12:09 AM | Link to this
Looks like Stinky/journalist jimmy smith/Georgia Peach/Queenforaday is talking to himself again.
By Stinky
September 13, 2006 12:11 AM | Link to this
Is that it? Maybe that wasn’t SDA at all. I always figured him to be a better man/woman/transverbite than that. I’m out.
By LeTwan Anthony
September 13, 2006 12:20 AM | Link to this
Don’t leave now Stinky finger you were just beginning to have a great conversation with yourself. Have at it.
By The Grinch
September 13, 2006 01:16 AM | Link to this
DOB, WTF? Nuff said.
By Bravo Nam
September 13, 2006 05:17 AM | Link to this
In defence of Edgar- There have been occasional murmurings on this blog and I let it go…then Furman opens his big trap and I can’t let it go. Old Furman claims that Renteria just doesn’t “measure up” to Furcal. “Made a lot of errors as well”. This is the type of asinine comment I expect from most of AJCs journos these days…and a few of our fairweather fans. For the record…Furcal has made twice the errors Edgar has; Furcal’s OBP, RBIs, HR’s, and Ave are all lower than Edgar’s…oh, and by the way, Edgar is only about 9 million cheaper…the only advantage you get with Furcal is he is quicker than Renteria…looks like Furman did a ton of research before putting that article together.
20/20 vision Like a number of bloggers, Mr. Bisher also had a feeling at spring training that this wasn’t going to be the Braves year. He never wrote a column about it…couldn’t even point out specific reasons…just had this kind of feeling which led him to putting it in print now- I think we could all be geniuses with that kind of hindsight! The reality is that going into spring training we had a good team- the one major mistake JS made was not adding a closer…but how could he or any of us predicted that he was going to lose his entire bullpen to injury or promotion as starting pitchers…lose half his starting pitchers through injury…or have a number of key hitters injured during substantial periods of the year.
Smoltz Smoltz and Cox both planned to keep Smoltz fresh this year so that he would be right for the finals- Smoltz sacrificed freshness for the team…when every SP starting pitcher sucked bar him, he was forced to either pitch on short rest or taking his normal turn in the rotation…when the BP was sucking on a nightly basis he took it upon himself to work further in a game than he really wanted- what we have is an aging SP who took too much responsiblity for getting this team on track by trying to carry it on his own back.
By Robert(Justice Is The Best)
September 13, 2006 07:44 AM | Link to this
Well, its over. No division title this year, and unless the Braves win five of their next six games there will be no playoffs at all. Its sad. I have sat and thought how horrible it was for this to end like this. For the streak to end with a thorough butt whuppin’. But, then I wondered would I rather have it end like this or some heartbreaking last week loss. I would rather have it end like this. I have had time to deal with it and brace myself for it. I think in the end it will be better for the team. They knew back in June that it was over. They just said the right things. Now, they still believe I think that they can win the wild card.
Look, they need to sit Chiipper, Andruw, and Smoltz. They need to limit the play of McCann, Francoeur, and LaRoche to avoid further injury that could jeopardize them next year. This team will be a force this year. Fate was against this team from day one. It was just time for the streak to end.
Next season will be a new season. The Braves, if the right tweaking is done, will be a force and able to compete in the NL East. IMO the Mets won’t be the competition. The Marlins will. I think the Mets will struggle because they have been so focused on ending the Braves’s streak. The NL East should be fun next season. It will likely be the best division in baseball. Lets hope JS and Cox make the moves (even if they are tough ones) to make the team better next season.
Congratulations, Atlanta Braves. Only one WS title is depressing but it still doesn’t take away the accomplishments of this orgnization. Mike Greenburg said it best when he said sustained excellence in today’s sports world is unheard of. Yet, the Braves did it. That is to be commended.
By Humble
September 13, 2006 07:51 AM | Link to this
could it be that the “homeboy downstairs” talked too much?????
By dadgum
September 13, 2006 07:57 AM | Link to this
Apparently the Braves are going to pursue the trade route on Hudson and Andruw pretty vigorously after the season. Speculation on several MLB sites indicate the Braves will be hard pressed (duh) to resign Andrew in ‘07 or sooner and that with Hudson they want to move forward and look at other options. Together the two would command over 20 mil next season neither of whom warrant that kind of money.
Obviously there is plenty of speculation but this makes sense. Hudson has been spotty at best since his arrival and Jones has had a so so year at best. With the Braves needing major pitching help on all fronts it will take some eye popping deals to make the Braves contenders again. Let’s assume Wickman is signed, we still need major starting pitching help. With the exception of James there isn’t a feel good starter coming back without some baggage and unknowns. The key question is do we have players anyone wants?
By Humble
September 13, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this
This year our “homeboy” talked more than he pitched —
By Kelley
September 13, 2006 09:13 AM | Link to this
Has anyone noticed but me that since Smoltz spent his time whining to the media about his option not being picked up he has been performing horribly? Maybe he should have been focusing on the team rather than himself and he wouldn’t be experiencing such bad karma.
My hat’s off to the Braves. The last time the Braves were not division champs, I was in college with no job, single, and no kids. Now, I am married with 2 kids and am assistant principal at an elementary school with 3 degrees under my belt. While all those things were going on in my life one thing was constant, the Braves were number one in their division. This state should be grateful and proud of the Braves for doing what the Falcons, Hawks, Bulldogs, etc. etc. have not (and will not ever) do.
Here’s to looking forward to starting the new streak next season.
By berigan
September 13, 2006 09:42 AM | Link to this
I’ve come here not to bury Smoltz, but to praise him.(And btch about the homeboy upstairs) IF JS had gotten a real closer sometime before 7-21, we would most likely be leading the wildcard race. Smoltz wouldn’t be so bitter after having countless leads blown in games he started. Why shouldn’t Smoltz be pssed off? How many times did he put the extra effort out this year, done things like start on 3 days rest when we HAD to win in early May(As Mark Bradley just reminded us) Why did he go the extra mile, risk a career ending injury, or have so many leads blown that his chances of going to the HOF have been lessened(A 17-9 2006 season would look a lot better several years from now than this 12-9 season) when the organization didn’t do it’s part to put a team out there that could compete? We should have easily won the WC, but we did nothing for most of the season, and well, we will be watching someone else come October in the Playoffs.
By geauxbraves2000
September 13, 2006 10:05 AM | Link to this
Well, the division run is over, and more than likely the playoff run is also over. Thank you Braves for the great run, the Braves are still my team, and even if they went 0-162 they’d still be my team. I’m proud to be a Braves fan. Even if they only one won WS in this run, at least they did that. WTG Braves!! Let’s start another streak next year!
Geaux Braves!!
By Jazzy
September 13, 2006 10:06 AM | Link to this
First of all let me say with total honesty, I LOVE JOHN SMOLTZ. He has always been my favorite Braves Pitcher. Now, I am biased, but I have to say, John looked horrible the last three (3) games. I don’t blame it on his hurt or hurting elbow nor his age! I blame on JOHN! John Schuerholz! If he had done his job BEFORE John’s many games were lost to the BULLPEN, IT WOULD BE US continuing on as Division Champions instead of our most hated rival, the METS. I CANNOT believe the number of innings this man HAD to pitch to try and secure a win while the JOHN in charge was our hyping his stupid book. If a John has to leave the Braves it should be the one who made the decision to keep going on and on and on until our hard earned victories no longer mattered. I hope John Smoltz returns, but not if he has to carry the whole team on his reconstructed elbow. Many of the clutch players just haven’t shown up when they were needed most. The sweet young guys, have played their hearts out especially, McCann and Francouer. WOW! They have been great to watch, but they are so young in this is the first FULL season as Braves.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 13, 2006 10:10 AM | Link to this
boy, rr, you got sda’s goat. sda must have posted 15 times under multiple identities after you rightly re-named him sda. jimmysmiththinks you have his number. probably forcing another shoestring up his nose right now. now, uh, chipper … is he the only spokesperson available for this team when smoltz is not popping off? can renteria talk? this journalist thinks the team could use a player-spokesman with deeper thoughts than uh, chipper provides. now, baseball in the rain - it is pouring in atlanta today. bobbycox should be wary of players getting injured. robertjitb is right about not jeopardizing a player’s health right now.
By Ron Roberts
September 13, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
JClower…
What’s the matter, man? Smoltz spurn your come-on, or something?
Seriously, what’s with the ‘tude, man? I can speak to you respectfully here… did your dad raise ya right and take you over his knee and smack ya with the belt when ya popped off at strangers like that?
If not… he should have.
By Ricky Realist
September 13, 2006 10:14 AM | Link to this
Sweet Lou Vales
Get a life, man. You are pathetic. Go play on a Marlins blog and leave us Braves fans alone. I have always pulled for the Marlins in the playoffs once the Braves were eliminated, but I will not in the future because I know you are out there and I want you to really SUFFER the agony of defeat.
By Lew
September 13, 2006 10:16 AM | Link to this
Humble-Just what misinformation do you base this ridiculous opinion about Smoltz on? Didn’t pitch well. I swear some of you people don’t have a bleepin’ clue. Smoltz right now is 12-9. Until the current 3 game skid, he led the NL in innings pitched and even with the current struggles, has an ERA under 4. Quite a feat with this staff. He also left the game six times with a late inning lead, only to have the bullpen blow the save. Add these six wins to his total and Smoltz is 18-9, leading the NL in wins and a Cy Young candidate, to boot, all on a team that is 5 games UNDER .500. It’s a shame the streak ended, but don’t even think about putting it on Smoltz’s shoulders. If not for Smoltz, I don’t want to think about how far down we’d be.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 13, 2006 10:24 AM | Link to this
today’s water-logged lineup, pena(ss),prado(3b),aybar(2b),ward(1b),jordan(rf),thorman(lf),langerhans(cf), pratt(c). this is an authentic journalist jimmy smith post. many of the past few weeks have not been. jimmy smith agrees with geauxbraves that, win or lose, this is our team and this journalist will always pull for them.
By NLCHAMPS
September 13, 2006 10:39 AM | Link to this
**Magic number down to three and the braves are officialy eliminated from winning the division. Soon they will be also be eliminated from the Wild Card….GO METS!!
By journalist jimmy loser
September 13, 2006 10:44 AM | Link to this
STOP THE PSYCHO BABBLE JIMMY…OH THE HUMANITY!
By journalist jimmy smith
September 13, 2006 10:58 AM | Link to this
sda, dob was right. rr pulled the chain a little too tight, huh? that sda line was a blog classic. now, pitiable one, go play with your shoestrings. now, baseball … this journalist (it really is this journalist) believes that the bobbycox coaching staff will be shaken up during the off-season. all those grandfathers may not get the most from the young players - jimmy smith would hire mccann’s daddy for spring instruction. spring training may look very different next year.
By journalist anti jimmy
September 13, 2006 11:13 AM | Link to this
this journalist thinks jimmy is one beer short of a six pack.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 13, 2006 11:31 AM | Link to this
sda, only one on here with this journalist? journalist will find something else to do. not a big fan of sda.
By journalist anti jimmy
September 13, 2006 11:34 AM | Link to this
I got one…..
How many journalist jimmy smiths does it take to screw in a lightbulb?
By Richard Cory
September 13, 2006 11:45 AM | Link to this
What goes around—comes around.
By Head Coach
September 13, 2006 11:58 AM | Link to this
How many retards does it take to screw up a blog ? Answer : Just one and you know who you are.
By journalist anti jimmy
September 13, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
Not nice to talk about esteemed journalist jimmy smith like that, even though he did ride the short bus to school.
By Richard Cory
September 13, 2006 12:03 PM | Link to this
I’m 7 feet tall and weigh 325, and bench 600lbs. I also sharpen my teeth with a chain saw!!! Sounds pretty ridiculous doesn’t it. Point is—anybody can say anything on here without repercussions. You don’t have to back anything up that you may claim. So some goofballs get on here and live their fantasy of ‘being bad’. We need to all remember to take our grain[s] of salt when such important folks such as sda screem to pay attention to them, or they will have a crying fit. MS. Gump, or somebody’s mama said: “sticks and stones,etc. etc. ” In this forum, the goofballs can only do as much harm as we let them by paying any attention to them, so unless you want to hear some idiot ramble on unchecked, just ignore. sooner or later they will go away.
By journalist anti jimmy
September 13, 2006 12:07 PM | Link to this
Well said Dick Cory, well said indeed!
By Lew
September 13, 2006 12:11 PM | Link to this
Richard-I know your intentions may be the best, but I haven’t seen your name around here before. Welcome. But keep in mind, we have been putting up with this idiot for a long time. Ignoring hasn’t made a bit of difference. Look at last night from about 10 pm until 1 am. The idiot carried on a conversation with himself. Believe me ignoring has not made a difference. You talk about sticks and stones. To some extent you are right, but this jerk has taken it much further down the road. They need to be blocked.
By Tony Almeida
September 13, 2006 12:14 PM | Link to this
The Braves season is over, just shut down the blog.
By TheSouthernJackAss
September 13, 2006 12:22 PM | Link to this
You know it hasn’t been me posting all this trash—and Ron Roberts you’re not the only one that knows how to file a complaint with AJC. So you and little jimmy just keep on posting, and when AJC makes available their new link where “anyone” can go look at these blog comments with the originating email addresses attached to them, then we will all see exactly who the dumba$$es are and see who has a shoestring hanging from their nose! Otherwise if anybody here wants to go “hands on” with me, here is an email address for you thesouthernjackass@yahoo.com, leave your name and a place and I’ll crawl out from behind my mama’s computer and you can run your face to face with the ol’ JackAss!!!…
By Lew
September 13, 2006 12:28 PM | Link to this
SJA-I don’t know if you’re the idiot or not. If you say not, I guess that’s the gospel and I’ll take your word that you’re just a mean human with a chip on your shoulder. That, I suppose, I can get over. You don’t need my acceptance to be a total jerk. However, the person carrying on a conversation with themselves last night is in need of some serious psychiatric help. I hope they receive it soon.
By ICEMAN
September 13, 2006 12:47 PM | Link to this
We have an imposter in our midst.
By NLCHAMPS
September 13, 2006 01:03 PM | Link to this
It took longer than I thought but we have finaly toppled the braves. A new dawn is upon us and the sun is shining all over Mets Nation!!!!
By Lew
September 13, 2006 01:08 PM | Link to this
Champs-Congratulations. Enjoy it. Enjoy it quickly. One is all you will get.
By Stinky
September 13, 2006 01:09 PM | Link to this
Iceman, the moniker “Richard Cory” may actually be a cry for help. Go Easy, folks, someone may need real understanding.
RICHARD CORY (by EDWIN ARLINGTON ROBINSON)
Whenever Richard Cory went down town, We people on the pavement looked at him: He was a gentleman from sole to crown, Clean favored and imperially slim.
And he was always quietly arrayed, And he was always human when he talked; But still he fluttered pulses when he said, “Good morning,” And he glittered when he walked.
And he was rich, yes richer than a king, And admirably schooled in every grace: In fine, we thought that he was everything To make us wish we were in his place.
So on we worked, and waited for the light, And went without the meat and cursed the bread; And Richard Cory one calm summer night, Went home and put a bullet through his head
By Dog the Bounty Hunter
September 13, 2006 01:11 PM | Link to this
LEWWWWWW, How’s it Brah?
By NLCHAMPS
September 13, 2006 01:12 PM | Link to this
I’ll worry about the next one next year. All you brave fans also said we wouldn’t get it done this year so I’ll pass on your predictions.
By Strange Identities
September 13, 2006 01:13 PM | Link to this
Richard Corey
WHENEVER Richard Cory went down town,
We people on the pavement looked at him:
He was a gentleman from sole to crown,
Clean favored, and imperially slim.
And he was always quietly arrayed,
And he was always human when he talked;
But still he fluttered pulses when he said, “Good-morning,” and he glittered when he walked.
And he was rich—yes, richer than a king,
And admirably schooled in every grace:
In fine, we thought that he was everything
To make us wish that we were in his place.
So on we worked, and waited for the light,
And went without the meat, and cursed the bread;
And Richard Cory, one calm summer night,
Went home and put a bullet through his head.
By Lew
September 13, 2006 01:14 PM | Link to this
Dog-I’m just fine-How about yourself?
By Dog the Bounty Hunter
September 13, 2006 01:17 PM | Link to this
Just Swell Brah, you blog football too?
By RobertH
September 13, 2006 01:20 PM | Link to this
Hey Thomas, Hudson has a 5.33 ERA in his last four starts. Please explain to me how he has “corrected” himself. Anyone who thinks Hudson is ever going to be anything approaching a #1 or #2 starter must be on crack. In his 31 starts, he has given up more than 5 runs per nine innings in 16 of those starts…over half the time. Trading for him was a good move. Committing to him for 5 years at 13 million a year in 2008 and 2009 was one of the stupidest moves in the history of this franchise. To put it in perspective, Johan Santana will make 13 million next year. You gotta be on crack if you think Hudson is ever gonna be worth even half of what Santana’s worth.
So let’s see if I understand this. For next year’s rotation, we’re counting on a great pitcher who’s nearing the end of his career and finishing this year injured (Smoltz), a washed up has-been who’s a fraction of his former self (Hudson), a guy who’s comining off surgery and has been out a year and a half (Hampton), another guy who’s been injured and inconsistent throughout his career (Ramirez), another guy who’s spent much of the year hurt (Davies), and a guy coming off a pretty good rookie year (James). Only the fact that these guys are Braves causes you to be optimistic…it certainly isn’t based on fact. Or, to put it in a different light, if it was the Mets coming back next year with a rotation like this, we’d be laughing our heads off at them and already penciling them in for about 4th place in the division.
By Lew
September 13, 2006 01:24 PM | Link to this
Dog-No I haven’t paid much attention to football the past couple of years, except (no pun intended) The Dawgs. I’m a Tampa Bay Bucs fan living in Patriot’s country. Can’t even get my team’s games.
By Dog the Bounty Hunter
September 13, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this
Gotta love the Redskins….Braves, Redskins…my indian heritage pride…KILL THE COWBOYS!!
By geauxbraves2000
September 13, 2006 01:59 PM | Link to this
LSU Tigers, New Orleans Saints (I grew up in Southern Louisiana) and for reasons unknown to me, my fav NFL team is the Miami Dolphins. I started following them when i was knee high to a grasshopper and have been my fav team since. But like Lew, unless they are on MNF or a special edition, rarely get to see any of them.
By Richard Cory
September 13, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
OH, I wish that I could be, oh, I wish that I could be, oh, I wish that I could be, Richard Cory
By David O'Brien
September 13, 2006 02:28 PM | Link to this
I just logged on for first time in two days. Nice to see all the intelligent conversation on the “baseball only” blog. All those who complain about the music discussions and other annoyances, take notice. Here’s the blog you wanted. Enjoy.
By Head Coach
September 13, 2006 02:37 PM | Link to this
Agreed DOB , the slime has crawled out from under a rock and learned to blog.
By Head Coach
September 13, 2006 02:42 PM | Link to this
O yea , blog denizens , everytime you spout off……… DOB goes ,Cha Ching ,Cha Ching , Cha Ching , Cha Ching , Cha Ching and laughs all the way to the bank :>) with a smile on his face.
By Carolina Lady
September 13, 2006 02:45 PM | Link to this
DOB, a lot of us wish we could blog and enjoy this again, but the disturbed multi-personality individual has taken over and destroyed the blog. Blogging should be an enjoyable pasttime - and it isn’t now with this presence.
By Cha Ching
September 13, 2006 02:54 PM | Link to this
head coach…no Cha Ching! for DOB here…this is Guy Curtright’s blog..idiot!
By Louis Vales
September 13, 2006 02:55 PM | Link to this
NL Champs, Beware don’t get like Braves fans that you taunt. The team you follow won a DIVISION—They will be described as adivision winner. Nowi if the Mets win two rounds of playoffs they will be the National League Champion but as you realize if you don’t finish the deal by winning the World Series and becoming World Series Champion, well the disappointment will be palpable and until your team experiences the ultimate you are just walking a super model to the door and having her shake your hand.
By Salty
September 13, 2006 02:56 PM | Link to this
Yeah…the blog’s been a lot like 42nd Street after sundown…not exactly where you want to be!
By geauxbraves2000
September 13, 2006 02:58 PM | Link to this
Agree CL. With technology nowadays you’d think AJC would have the capability of banning an IP address to get rid of the multi-personality.
As Steve Martin once said, “Yeah, I remember when I had my first beer”. You’d think ignoring them would make them go away, but sometimes people love their own reflection, humor themselves, etc.
Anyhow, it’s my turn to play GM. If I were JS, I’d…
1) Sign Wickman
2) Sign a top notch 8th inning guy who could step into the closers role if Wickman struggles, gets hurt, needs a day off.
3) Trade Hudson. Take whatever I could get, get that money off of the payroll.
4) Sign/Trade for a #2 or #3 starter.
5) I would not trade Giles. He’s a great defensive 2nd baseman with some pop.
6) I would use Salty and/or Lerew in some sort of deal to shore up the bullpen. Not a couple of could be’s but a couple of gonna be’s.
7) The offense is fine, maybe a couple of tweaks to strengthen the bench. I’m a huge Todd Pratt fan, but I would have to let him go and keep B. Pena as the backup.
8) I would not sign any “used to be” veterans. There are veterans out there who may not have what they once did but still have enough to compete.
Maybe other stuff but that’s enough for now.
Geaux Braves!!
By 22oz
September 13, 2006 03:00 PM | Link to this
Anybody on here live in Atlanta and have any idea what the weather is up there? I was just trying to find out if they’ll be able to play two today.
By The Grinch
September 13, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this
Howdy, All. I’ll be danged; everyone finally came out in support of my point about a week after I made a huge, unsuccesful push to get these two morons blocked. DOB isn’t interested; save your breath. As long as these two (and possibly a third, I’m not quite sure) come up with three new personalities for every one of us that slows down or leaves, his blog looks hoppin’ and that’s the bottom line. The bottom line may be distasteful, much like corporate ownership of the Braves, but that’s the way the ball bounces. I’m afraid we’ll either just have to get used to it, or not.
By NLCHAMPS
September 13, 2006 03:06 PM | Link to this
Nicely put Louis Vales….I do agree. Met fans would be very disapointed if we don’t end up with the ultimate prize. If we get bounced out of the NL playoffs it was all just a tease. I have ALWAYS made it clear that it’s about the rings.
By Salty
September 13, 2006 03:07 PM | Link to this
22oz: Rain’s cleared out, but the outfield oughta be quite soggy!
By Carolina Lady
September 13, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
22, here’s a Philadelphia weather link
By Salty
September 13, 2006 03:12 PM | Link to this
22oz. Rain’s cleared out, but the outfield is likely to be boggy.
By Dog the Bounty Hunter
September 13, 2006 03:13 PM | Link to this
You forgot one thing Geaux….get Chipper a Cane and a season supply of IcyHot.
By Carolina Lady
September 13, 2006 03:14 PM | Link to this
Sorry, 22 - I was thinking they were in PHL; my mistake. Here’s the ATL weather link.
By Salty
September 13, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this
Sorry…didn’t think the first ‘update’ went through, so sent again.
V E R Y S L O W…and I don’t use dial-up! :-(
By Richard Cory
September 13, 2006 03:16 PM | Link to this
Stinky—kudos to you. You are apparently a well versed individual. The question begs—why do you persist in creating turmoil for the fine people of the blog? Me thinks you are just having a little fun. Perhaps you tire of Braves talk and want attention from those who choose to talk- Braves, music, bbq, toes, pie or other various topics. Me thinks you would be a better fit on the Falcons blog. From what I gather there are quite a few people on there that you could really have a go at. If folks here would quit responding to you, well I do believe, you would go away. Course you never know with some folks.
By geauxbraves2000
September 13, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
9) Get Chipper a cane a season supply of icy hot.
Geaux Braves!!
By 22oz
September 13, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this
Thanks Salty and Carolina Lady for the weather update. I’m going to the game tomorow: thought i might get to see a doubleheader. oh well.
By Richard Cory
September 13, 2006 03:38 PM | Link to this
Carolina Lady—how is your mom doing? Fine I hope.
By eware
September 13, 2006 03:43 PM | Link to this
DOB, why are the Black Keys not the biggest band in America????
In the words of Nigel Tufnel, “There new album goes to 11!”
By Carolina Lady
September 13, 2006 03:44 PM | Link to this
Hey, Richard Cory! Thank you! Mom is doing pretty well. All the medical stuff seems to have settled down and we have one last evaluation on the abdominal aneurysm (of aorta) next week. Don’t think it will need immediate attention, at least we’re hoping not! At her age and general condition, she would have a poor prognosis of surviving surgery, though if an aneurysm let go there would be no surviving at all! Kind of a hard decision, but from what we know so far, it is (can’t remember the exact term the doctor used), in my layman’s terms, a ‘mild’ situation to be monitored but no action taken at this point.
You’re kind to ask and I appreciate it! :-))
By The Grinch
September 13, 2006 04:02 PM | Link to this
Aneurysms, like toes, are not to be trifled with. Sorry to hear that, CL; though at least it appears to be better than it might. Have faith. So, which of the many “P” players will have the best game? My money’s on Pena.
By Stinky
September 13, 2006 04:12 PM | Link to this
Richard Cory, Please talk to someone - wheater a faith-based counselor or a mental health professional. I confess to having some fun last night, but I in no way have a stake in the long running fued between Jimmy Smith and SJA. Whoever you are, Richard, please think about talking to someone.
By Rodger
September 13, 2006 04:30 PM | Link to this
Stinky, please think about going away!
An asylum would be good for you.
By Carson
September 13, 2006 05:34 PM | Link to this
Can’t say that I really blame the SJA for wanting to kick some of these retarded asses.
By journalist jimmy smith
September 13, 2006 05:35 PM | Link to this
not much fun with this sicko on here. can’t talk a good pie or toes either. can’t tell if it’s a blog regular posting or the sda in disguise. journalist does think, however, that some of these posts are authentic - certainly not all. dob has had the sda as a nemesis for many, many, months. the sda has never gone away - he is lurking in the blog gutter. some things to look for are social disorder (readily apparent), gastrointestinal issues (not sure why but they are there), and shoe strings in the nose (particularly) and perhaps in other orifices. sda does have great recollection but is very simple in most aspects of his daily life. for instance, he likely soiled himself during his 15-post saga earlier today. hope someone was there to clean him up. dob and rr pulled his chain earlier - remember never to pull his shoestrings (sensitive subject - proabably soiling himself right now). now, baseball … just as the season is going flat, so, too, is the blog. the blog has been most enjoyable to this journalist and journalist has made many friends here. too bad our blog is being defiled by a dumbasz. oops, soiled himself again … now, under what name will he pounce on this journalist? how about “savant to be somebody but my personality disorder prevents it”? have a pleasant day.
By journalist anti jimmy
September 13, 2006 05:43 PM | Link to this
Again, enough with the psycho babble jimmy!!
By Carson
September 13, 2006 06:00 PM | Link to this
Yes Stinky go away and take jimmy smith and all his other jimmys with you.
By dadgum
September 13, 2006 06:02 PM | Link to this
Hey Dog Hunter….no we don’t have to love the Deadskins. Wrong blog. The Skins are losers as long as they have Brunell leading the pack. They are at best a 4th place team in their division and will most likely win about 5 games this year although I can’t tell you what those will be. Gibbs will be hard pressed to retain his job if he even makes it through the season. Maybe Tom Cruise will take over. Really dude your team needs to lose the high school fight song and those 3 dorkie hogs that keep popping up.
By Dog the Bounty Hunter
September 13, 2006 07:17 PM | Link to this
I agree, Brunell sucks.
By Head Coach
September 14, 2006 01:45 AM | Link to this
Take heart Braves Faithful , only 17 more games of futility and then we get to watch the Mets fall flat on thier faces !
By jim
September 14, 2006 06:37 PM | Link to this
I see the met fans slipping in here telling us what a great team they are, and they are right in a sense, they are one of the greatest teams every bought, they are becomming just like the Yankees. Without Reyes and Wright they have nothing home grown, Lastings has been a bust so far at the big league level.
What the Braves need is two solid pichers, allow Smoltz and Hudson to be 3 and 4 starters and a lights out set up man, hopefully Baez can fill that role. Also for all the Wilson B fans, I think getting Baez is such a better deal, and dont count the Aybar kid out yet he is young. Wilson’s BA is falling faster than the Dow Jones, he did hit a few hr’s but we have enough HR hitters already. It is time for a change but I think only at the top Bobby and JS, I am not a Bobby basher but he has been here too long and is not disciplined enough, we have hitters constantly swinging at 2-0 and 3-0 pitches, several games I saw two or three batters walked and the next guy come up and swing at the first pitch, maybe its just because they are young but we are a little too agressive. I love Smoltz but he is a 6-7 inning picher now, probable more like 6. He is still better than 75 percent of the others in both leagues.
By j b grif
September 15, 2006 03:50 PM | Link to this
Age doesn’t looz one run games, Management calls do. I would rest Smoltzie two more days before his next start (7 days between starts) I think we have 20 pitchers out there in the bullpen, did anyone tell bobbie that?
By David
September 20, 2006 03:30 PM | Link to this
Age has crept up on Smoltzie to the point that if I was the Braves management, I would trade Smoltz to the New York Mets in return for Tommy Glavine. This would give the fans of Atlanta a chance to see Tommy Terrific shoot for win number 300 in an Atlanta Braves uniform. The reason I would get rid of Smoltz is because of his retarded comments about Shuerholtz being a “home boy”. That type of childish prima dona behavior to cause an uproar to try and get attention just to negotiate a salary is a very sick move and one that requires psychological counseling. I would never allow John Smoltz back on the Braves until he makes a full-blown apology to John Shuerholtz for his ridiculous comments and I wouldn’t let him back on the team unless he was paid the major league minimum salary. This would knock him down a few pegs and give him a chance to get off of his high horse because Smoltz thinks he is God’s gift to the world!