Braves

By Thrillhouse44

April 20, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this

Thrill is in the house!

The Jones boys are going to put on a display this weekend. Go Braves!

By Matthew, Walter's Dad

April 20, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

DOB, have the Braves’ brass indicated when Gonzo will go again? Will he be available in this series?

As I said on Carroll’s blog, Smoltz and Hudson have a combined 7 quality starts out of seven possible. If the bats can awaken tonight and get us 4 or 5 runs, then it’s all over. Same for Saturday and Sunday. We know what the pitching will give us. The question is, can we hit?

By ssiscribe

April 20, 2007 4:04 PM | Link to this

Ah, starting with The Boss on a Friday afternoon in the NYC. Nice touch.

Big series for April, indeed. Really excited to see what Hudson does tonight in a hostile environment. He’s been so good to start the season.

Hudson, James, Smoltz. Let’s hope for seven innings out of each of them and get ‘em some runs. Like DOB said, no frosty weather on this trip, so time to break out the warclubs and get to work.

The Scribe abides (glad to see others on the previous blog are, as well).

—30—

By Choppin Chuck

April 20, 2007 4:12 PM | Link to this

Andruw Jones better heat up in NY or this could be the start trip of a real ugly road trip. I am sure that Pelfrey will go toe to toe with Hudson and I just know that Oliver Perez (despite being very hittable to everyone else) will once again baffle the Braves on Saturday. Then there is Glavine on Sunday…hmmm all of a sudden I don’t like the way things are looking.

By Renegator

April 20, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Did you see John Rocker on the 7 train? Wasn’t that his favorite one?

By caveman22

April 20, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

DOB gotta admit that I start “jonesing” for a new blog everyday around 3:30.

any suggestions or techniques for making through those tense minutes until it comes up??

of course, with the exception of maybe concentrating on my job. NO, anything but that.

By Mike in 'Fretta

April 20, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this

Why do I get the feeling that Oliver Perez will dominate us on Saturday? Here is my prediction for Perez, 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 9 K’s. We need to beat up on guys like Perez but for some reason the Braves just hack away and make guys like Perez look like Randy Johnson in his heyday.

By ernesto

April 20, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

A Friday night game that Redman isn’t pitching…Ahhhh.

He was okay last night, but Friday is definitely not that man’s night.

If I’m BC the one thing I’m telling Huddy before the game is whatever you do, don’t walk Reyes!!!!

By choppinmama

April 20, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

I posted this on the tail end of the last blog, so in the interest of FYI………

This just in, from a recent Yankees press release:

The Yankees have just been granted permission by the Commissioner’s office to allow one of our players to make a uniform adjustment for the rest of the season. Starting tonight against bitter rivals, the Red Sox, lucky #13 will be wearing a tasteful, but flirty red cape while batting. When asked why he wouldn’t be wearing his new accouterment at the hot corner, A-Rod said “it would interfere with my Gold-Glove defense.”

When asked to comment, Derek Jeter said “I’m happy to see my teammate rewarded for his super-sized April performance, but I am a little peeved with the Commish that he denied my request to wear a Spidey mask.”

By Choppin Chuck

April 20, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

I know that Andruw is the cleanup hitter, but wouldn’t it be prudent to bat him lower in the order…just until he breaks out of this slump. We know he will eventually hit but in the meantime I think it would be a good idea for Bobby to mix up the lineup a little.

1. Johnson
2. Renteria
3. McCann
4. Chipper Jones
5. Francouer
6. Diaz
7. Andruw Jones
8. Thorman/Wilson

It’s just pointless having a guy bat 4th when he is out there hacking away and looking terrible at the plate. I don’t know just a suggestion…I think if I remember correctly last year when Andruw was struggling he was replaced in the 4 spot with Laroche. BC obviously knows what he is doing, but our offense has been anemic and that is largely due to Andruw’s failure to come through in timely situations.

By ernesto

April 20, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

I wish I was making the looooooooong (from Manhattan) ride out on the 7 train tonight to represent - the one thing I’ll say about Met fans is that as obnoxious as they are to blog with, I’ve always had good experiences with them at Shea. They’ll dish it out, but it’s pretty good natured, at least in my experience.

Hope the Bravos keep them nice and quiet tonight.

By choppinmama

April 20, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this

DOB: How are you and the players treated on the 7 train? Do you generate much interest and/or recognition?

OK, you worked in “truncated”, now I’m waiting for you to find a use for “thrust”.

I listened closely last night and didn’t hear the word “Aybar” mentioned once during the Carey’s broadcast. Looks like the Braves are playing this hand close to the vest.

And what about Chip Carey’s eyebrows? Oh, the browmanity!!!

By ncscoots

April 20, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

Certainly the Mets own some gaudy numbers for early in the year, both for their offense and their pitching staff. The only caveat I might note: the caliber of the opponents against which the numbers have been compiled. Braves are the only team within a sniff of .500 that the Mets have played (though something similar can also be said about the Braves).

Guess my point is that I don’t think the Mets’ offense is quite as good as it now appears (though it’s scary enough, even so), and I’m pretty certain their pitching won’t hold up to this early season performance. The Braves, on the other hand, are almost certain to improve offensively (with either current or different personnel); and the probability is greater that their high-quality pitching will continue. Not a good outlook for the Mets, frankly.

They need the series win this weekend more than the Braves, IMO. If they are indeed clicking on all cylinders, and still lose a series to a so-far-offensively-challenged team…well, that can’t be good.

By Fred from CT

April 20, 2007 4:28 PM | Link to this

ernesto I don’t go to the games anymore at shea being my brother and I have had too much done with beers getting thrown on us at taunted by obnoxious new york filth.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this

The forefathers of the City of Flushing (or town, or village, or whatever) certainly were perceptive as far as what the area would end up as…. a toilet, with a bowl called Shea Stadium. No amount of Tidy Bowl, Scrubbing Bubbles, or 2000 Flushes is going to clean that dump up. Now, if they could just get Muts fans to spray or roll on a little deodorant, and mist the place continuously with Febreeze, might be tolerable to the olfactory senses.

Scalp them Muts, Braves!!!

By ernesto

April 20, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

sorry to hear that Fred

As I’ve said, that’s just my experience, I’ve had buddies who can’t believe I wear my Braves hat to Shea, but you gotta represent!

By Fred from CT

April 20, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

jeresy and hat

By N8

April 20, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this

DOB

Does this mean that Chipper’s next child that is born will be named “Citi”?

caveman22

On the other blog, you said:

“what the f##k is up with f’n novels??? I’m glad you couple of guys have found some place to get “published”.”

So sorry. Those of us who write them, usually intend on people with good reading skills to be on the other end of them.

Maybe you should just “skip over” them, before you give yourself an aneurism.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 4:43 PM | Link to this

ChoppinMama:

Make sure you keep the Rally ‘Tard handy this weekend. We might need it.

Truncated thrust? Short Stroke? I think that is what Dru needs. That will allow him to “go the other way”, with a pitch. If he doesn’t stop standing flat footed in the box and corkscrewing himself into the ground with every swing, I don’t think he’s going to improve. Does anybody have any tape of him swinging during the past few years? Has he always stood with his feet so far apart, and not stepped into his swing? I don’t remember, but boy, this stance and swing look awkward.

By N8

April 20, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this

ernesto

“A Friday night game that Redman isn’t pitching…Ahhhh. He was okay last night, but Friday is definitely not that man’s night.”

I’m not convinced that Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday or Sunday are gonna turn out well for him either this year.

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

Good afternoon Braves nation…

Gotham awaits tonight in the form of a offensive powerhouse. Hudson has pitched well so far, but our bats seem to be MIA for the most part. DOB, I agree with your assertion that AJ will get going at some point and that his April struggles have precedent, however tonight would be a mighty good time for him to pull out of the slump. Right now I look at his numbers for the season (3 HRs, 8 RBIs, .170 AVG, .396 SLG and .323 OBP) and I wonder how Bora$ and his minions would parlay such figures into an eye-catching chart on a brochure.

Folks, I think Kelly Johnson’s luck at the plate has improved greatly. He’s drawing walks, getting nice hits as of late and is playing well with the leather. Until Langerhans shows more at the plate, I feel much better with the production from Matt Diaz and have been happy with his defense in the LF slot.

Frenchy has 6 walks in 15 games. I agree with the assertions that the World Baseball Classic last year hurt his development at the plate than he or some others would be willing to admit.

I hope that the citizens of Gotham get to see a lot of Hudson, James, Smoltz, Soriano, Wickman and perhaps an inning of Gonzalez if his elbow allows. If those are the only pitchers we see in the Braves portion of the three boxscores from the weekend, we have a great shot to be really happy with the outcome there.

Go Braves!

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

Excellent take N8. Or, maybe he’ll follow Gweneth Paltrow’s lead and name the kid “Apple” if its a girl. I hope Chipper clangs a few off of that big fruit.

By Coach

April 20, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

Put McCann in the four hole , Keep Reyes off the bases(easier said than done)all three games. Lo Duca is banged up , didn’t play yesterday , he has a right index finger which is swollen , that is hampering his swing and ability to catch. Maybe we will get lucky and he won’t play tonight. Chipper , McCann and Diaz are the three toughest outs on the team , if I see Langerhans in left just because a right hander is pitching for the Mets , I swear , I will rip Bobby Cox a new butt hole. Diaz is an everyday major league player , Langerhans is a career minor leaguer about to happen. We just can’t cut the Mets or anybody else any slack by not putting our best on the field.

By DonCoburleone

April 20, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Does everyone agree with me that this game tonight is HUGE for Hudson? I said it after his first game this year - it will take more than a couple good outings for me to change my mind about him… Well, if he pitches another gem against NY tonight then he will have just about convinced me. Tonight is the game we really need, cuz as so many of you intelligent Braves blogger’s have already pointed out, Perez is pitching tomorrow and that means Chucky will have to pitch a shutout if he wants a win… I worry about tonight too though, Braves also usually struggle against a pitcher they’ve never seen before…

By ernesto

April 20, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this

N8, agreed on Redman, but last night was at least a glimmer of hope that every fifth day might not be a total suck fest.

By caveman22

April 20, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

N8 I try to skip them but the Cave’s only got dial-up, no cable in my time.

The little teredactyl bird in the monitor that hammers out the words on the stone tablets (fred flintstone style) is getting carpel-feather syndrome and I can’t get it replaced with a new lcd for about 5 million years.

Seriously, don’t take it personal but when a post takes up 2-3 whole screens and your talking about the same stuff that’s been regurgitated everyday infinitem, I and some of the other people here just get a little annoyed with the download. That’s all.

Make your case, state your facts, and move on. Some of you guys act like your “on the inside” with your info or your getting paid to write a comlum.

and most of your info is just cut-and-paste or copied from some other site.

By Rodger

April 20, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

choppinmama-keep those leotards at the ready!

By Coach

April 20, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

Don ,why did you ever change your mind about Hudson in the first place ? I never did.

By N8

April 20, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

ernesto

Agreed on Redman. All I hope for is to NOT be out of the game by the end of the 1st inning when he pitches. Last night was fine.

caveman22

Fair enough. Guess I hadn’t really thought of the people with dial up. Figured if people didn’t like me (and I’m aware they exsist), they’ll skip over em.

No need to worry tonight. Won’t be home till the game’s almost over. LOL!

By mnm

April 20, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

my predictions for tonights game is Hudson 6IP 3r 3er 4B 5K Pelfrey 7IP 2r 2er 3B 6K

Braves lose it 5-2 mets just to good.

By bergian

April 20, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this

I really hope Gonzo is rested for the series. If he still is sore, and his velocity is down, he will get hammered anyway, and might really hurt himself. Like some mentioned yesterday, it would have been wise to put him on the 15 day DL. Can’t use him then….if he isn’t able to pitch in August and September, we are really going to have a tough time against the mets…or Marlins…

By eric the elder

April 20, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this

If teams around the league have seen tapes of our game last night, I think we can assume that Andruw will never, ever see another fast ball for the rest of his career. He has never been able to hit a slider, and now he seems to resent being thrown a curve ball, even from a leftie.

Will his numbers improve? Probably, but “he is what he is” is not a very satisfying explanation.

By bergian

April 20, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

caveman22are you using internet explorer as your main browser? If you are, switch to Mozilla, Maxthon, or even netscape….much faster for a page to download with them, even with dialup I’d imagine…

By Bob, journalist

April 20, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this

Choppin Chuck, wouldn’t it be prudent to bat him lower in the order…just until he breaks out of this slump. We know he will eventually hit …

I wouldn’t call it a slump … if Andruw had a genuine interest in hitting, would he persist in swinging so hard as to fall down? … would he have even started to so do? We’re given to understand that he’s not stupid … highly intelligent … so what’s going on?

As Mama told us when we were kids, stupid is as stupid does … and from where I sit, what he is doing is stupid, plain and simple. There’s more to it than meets the third eye!

By Luther

April 20, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

I don’t think I have ever seen Andruw get so few fastballs. Everyone knows he can hit the fastball, even when he’s going bad, but he seems surprised and late on the few he gets.

One of my all-time favorite lines: “Is a dream a lie if it don’t come true, or is it something worse.

By Josh

April 20, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

It’s a shame ESPN will slobber all over Yanks/Sox all weekend and not give this series the coverage it deserves. I think that over the course of the season the Braves and Mets will distance themselves from the pack in the NL and will meet in the NLCS. Can’t wait for tonight, we have our big 3 going this weekend…..should be fun. CHOP CHOP CHOP

By TRobb

April 20, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this

I just think whenever Redman goes, there’s no point in putting on the leotard.

By caveman22

April 20, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this

bergian thanks, but I was kidding about the dial-up. I work for a computer company so it aint the download when I’m at work.

However, FYI, Mozilla’s new security features have made it one of the most secure browser’s but has almost doubled it’s download time , still faster than Internet EXPOSER!! YES I SAID EXPOSER!!

By Willy Wally

April 20, 2007 5:31 PM | Link to this

caveman22, only dialup while you are at work? say no more. you’ve said enough. that explains a whole lot to me.

By Alan

April 20, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this

Yes, tonight’s game is big for Hudson, but it’s even bigger for the Braves’ bats. They wasted a very good effort by Redman last night - that’s 2 shutouts in a week. And again they were absolutely baffled by a lefthander. With Glavine and Perez this weekend, who knows what to expect? And Pelfrey is a kid they probably haven’t faced yet, and we all know how the Braves usually fare against the “unknown.” DOB, you’re right about Andruw’s notoriously bad Aprils, but it would be nice if he turned it on just a bit this weekend, don’t you think? If it sounds like I’m worried about this series, it’s because I am.

By caveman22

April 20, 2007 5:42 PM | Link to this

WILLY WALLY

New blog but you still the same AS$CLOWN!

By David O'Brien

April 20, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

Talked to Andruw a while this afternoon, about his slow start, etc. Also asked him about whether Braves have started talking to Boras yet, and he said he has no idea, that he hasn’t talked to Boras in quite a while.

In other words, I’d say they (Braves and Boras) haven’t started talking yet….

Regarding Gonzalez, Bobby said he “might” be available Sunday. But just going on Bobby’s actions in the past, I wouldn’t bet on him pitching before Florida Monday.

By Josh

April 20, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

With the way Coyler, or however you spell his name, has looked out of the pen i’d say that makes it a lot better for Bobby to be able to easy Gonzo back into action

By Braveheart

April 20, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

I’m still waiting for someone to ask DOB if Andruw Jones is out of options.

By Jared

April 20, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

“With the way Coyler, or however you spell his name, has looked out of the pen…”

Uh, what? He’s not looked good. He hasn’t been bad, but he I hope the Braves don’t trot him out with a one run lead, ever. He almost blew that first game against the Cubs (two runs lead in the eighth and he walks the first batter, nice.) He’s lucky that Peter Moylan lucked out with that double play.

By eric the elder

April 20, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

Bob, journalist, if stupid is as stupid does, and if, as you say, what Andruw is doing is stupid, doesn’t that make Andruw stupid?

The question is partially answered by the fact that he has been in the bigs for 11 years, and he still points to an umpire to appeal his checked swing.

By David O'Brien

April 20, 2007 6:22 PM | Link to this

TRobb, now THAT was funny.

By NYCMetsFan

April 20, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

Josh - I agree…I wish FOX or ESPN was carrying one of these games. The series is being completly ignored by the NY rags despite the fact that both series are equally important to all the teams.

Like you, I believe the Mets and the Braves are the class of the NL and both will beat the living tar out of one another over the course of the season. It’s going to be a fun weekend. Enjoy, fellow baseball fans.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 20, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

The bad thing about it Trobb was Redman really pitched a decent game last night. Braves bats were stone cold but that is not that unusual.

Braves seem to do better second and third time they face a pitcher so lets see how it goes tonight.

Dave O’Brien Picked up the Greencards CD Viridian Not bad. Not in the same league as Allison Krauss though. I would liken them more to Nicklecreek.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 20, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

**LLLLLLETS GET READY TO RUMBLE…..

By DonCoburleone

April 20, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

You guys are all missing the point on Redman… Every other game he will get shelled, and every other game in between will be around 6IP, 2-4ER’s and a few strikeouts.

NEWS FLASH PEOPLE: THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT EVERY FAN OF EVERY TEAM SHOULD EXPECT FROM THEIR 5TH STARTER!

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

April 20, 2007 6:53 PM | Link to this

Looking at the pitching matchups for this series the Braves could sweep this weekend, but that is highly unlikely. However, taking two of three should not be expected. The Braves need to jump on Pelphrey’s butt early tonight so he doesn’t get comfortable. The kid will be a good pitcher but right now he is average at best. The offense has to get going.

I really wish Cox would just go with the guys who are better players. Diaz needs to be starting in LF and Thorman needs to play everyday. This platoon non-sense is stunting his growth. Look, if after ten games in a row, Thor doesn’t begin heating up then go back to the platoon. But, it has to be hard for Thorman to get going when he can’t seem to play back to back games.

I can’t remember who said it earlier and I apologize for not remembering but somebody suggested moving Andruw down in the lineup until he gets going. I think that is a great idea. Tonight’s lineup would be potentially more productive if it looked like this: 1.Johnson 2. Renteria 3. C.Jones 4. McCann 5. Francouer 6. A. Jones 7. Thorman 8. Diaz

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

ChoppinChuck: While viewing this strickly from a numbers perspective it would be prudent to arrange the line up that way. However, McCann is not the fastest of runners. Putting him 3rd means he will be on base alot. On top of that, he is the catcher, so you don’t want to over expose him. Batting him 5th, for the time being, is the best spot for him. Renteria is a dead on #2 hitter. KJ is waking up and showin he’s just an all around great hitter. Chipper is the same with more pop. They could hit anywhere in the line up and be affective. But they are most affect higher in the order because they are good hitters and because they aren’t as slow on the paths as McCann. If Francoeur could hit for anything close to a good average he would be a good one to move up. But right now, I like this line up. Once Thor wakes up this thing will be a beast. Just hope Langerhans snaps out of his year long funk tonight. This guy man… watch him. One of these days something is going to click and he’ll start producing. Hopefully before he is on another team.

By DonCoburleone

April 20, 2007 7:02 PM | Link to this

LETS GO BRAVES! BEAT THE SNOT OUT OF THOSE NY PANSIES!!!

By Bob, journalist

April 20, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this

I don’t know Cato, could I have been saying that? … I usually figure out what I’m saying after I post … it’s the way my brain works … but I see how one might reach that conclusion.

Methinks most folks do things for a reason and it’s hard to imagine a reason for his taking that approach if his objective is make a positive contribution at the plate … of course, my imagination is like the old gray mare.

Maybe I was just suggesting that possibly, just possibly … ‘Druw is less stupid than his actions bespeak.

Time will tell … maybe … Game time!

By choppinmama

April 20, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

Good evening, fellow denizens. It’s gametime and from the look of the intro, Smoltzie will be swinging Chipper’s bat tonight. Well, maybe…..Chipper told him to choke-up in the batting cage! Maybe with the extra ounces, John will get it out tonight. Oh, what a Mets burn that would be!!

Smoltz is mic’d up tonight on the broadcast, Chipper was in bp. This should be interesting.

The Rally ‘Tard is ready, but let’s not have to use it AGAIN tonight.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

April 20, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

CHIPPER JONES, Mets killer!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By choppinmama

April 20, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

HOSS, that was a HUGE NY burn!!!!!!!!

By kevin

April 20, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

CHIPPER JONES HOMERUN! WHOO!

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this

Met’s fans… We interrupt tonight’s 7 train ride into Flushing with the following.

How ‘bout that Laaaaaaaaaarrrryyyyyyy?

Good start for the road team tonight. It’s great getting out in front and giving Hudson some runs in the first frame.

By David O'Brien

April 20, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this

There’s a big crowd here tonight, and they were particularly loud with the boos and Lar-rrry’s when he came to the plate. But the first-pitch homer kind of silenced them….

You guys will like this. Just did a note on Wickman, after crunching numbers today and determining that he’s had better stats than any closer in baseball since the July 20 trade to Atlanta:

Since being traded to Atlanta Wickman converted 23 of 24 save opportunities and posted a 0.80 ERA in 33-2/3 innings over 36 appearances before Friday.

“It’s as confident as I’ve ever been [with a closer],” starting pitcher Tim Hudson said. “Since he’s been here he’s had one game where I remember him giving up runs.”

Wickman allowed one earned run at San Francisco Aug. 30, and two earned runs while recording one out four days later at Philadelphia in his only blown save for Atlanta. He didn’t allow an earned run in his other 34 Braves appearances.

In 33-2/3 innings, he’d given up 28 hits and five walks with 31 strikeouts _ and sought zero attention while doing it. “Wick” isn’t big on interviews. Would prefer not to do them at all.

“He just goes out and does his job,” Hudson said. “He doesn’t ask questions. Just takes the ball. The only question would be if there wasn’t any beer in the clubhouse _ it’d be, ‘What happened?’”

By Chris

April 20, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this

Choppin Chuck, sorry, but you don’t pay a guy $15 mil to be your #7 hitter. Unless you’re the Yankees, which the Braves most certainly are not.

As DOB said, Druw is streaky, and he’ll come around with the warm weather. Remember, Chipper hit cleanup for a little while, then went back to #3 because it was more comfortable for him. Don’t forget, he sees good pitches because Andruw’s behind him. Occassionally they’ll walk Chipper to get to Andruw, but more often than not, he sees good pitches to hit because people don’t want to mess with Andruw.

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

DOB, love the quote by Hudson on Wickman when there’s a lack of beer in the clubhouse.

The man has done everything we’ve asked from him since coming down from Cleveland. It’s a real shame we couldn’t sign him prior to the start of the 2005 season, but I think his impact to this team will last well beyond this year in terms of him taking the younger relievers under his wing and teaching them the art of being a closer.

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this

Oops, make that the 2006 season. I’ve already mentally tried to erase last year from my mind, I guess.

Nice ground rule double by Brian McCann. I agree with Chip’s statement on the TBS broadcast that if a runner was going to score without the ball going over the fence, he should be allowed to score (AJ would have scored easily).

It all worked out for us with the wild pitch in the end, but McCann deserved the RBI that was taken away.

Nice job Bravos, don’t let up on these guys.

By journalist jimmy smith

April 20, 2007 8:16 PM | Link to this

langerhans has abandoned the toe tap after only 28 at-bats. soon, langerhans will be hitting .028.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

April 20, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

I just don’t understand why in the heck would you swing at the first pitch when the pitcher just walked a guy on four straight that wasn’t even close to the strikezone? I know Edgar just missed it, but still……….

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

DOB: Awesome quotes from Hudson about Wicky. And incredible stats. Thanks.

I love coming home to see the Braves on top. And Hudson perfect through 3!

GO BRAVES

By Chip Caray hater

April 20, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

Is there any chance inthe world this moron has a job without family influence? Julio Franco in the HOF?

Finally got rid of Sutton, and now this dipstick is doing most ofthe play-by-play. The universe’s dark energy must be fed, I suppose.

By Coach

April 20, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

O’Brien , maybe next time you might want to ask Andruw if he is looking forward to seeing a steady diet of breaking balls ans sliders the rest of the season.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

If Franco can hang on for another 433 hits he’ll be in the hall. And at his current rate of production, he’ll reach that mark in about 9 years. That’ll make him 58. At that point he will have officially redefined the term “iron man”.

By Coach

April 20, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

Note to Pelfrey , do not throw Andruw a fastball.

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

Really sharp catch by Valentin to rob Francoeur of a hit in the top of the fifth.

By David O'Brien

April 20, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this

Huddy has looked tremendous until this inning, now a little flare hit to center, another single up the middle, and a walk have loaded the bases.

we’ll see what the lad’s made of here. Of course, he does have a 4-0 lead to work with.

By ssiscribe

April 20, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

Timmy couldn’t get the pinch hitter to chase that breaking ball, so, here’s Reyes against Hudson, bases loaded with two outs, 4-0 Braves in the fifth.

Great to get Timmy some runs early with Chipper’s big blast in the first, and Huddy’s looked really good. This is what the Braves and Mets is supposed to be about, full house, great energy and tension. And it’s only October.

Yeah, it’s early. But this series is big.

GOOD play by KJ up the middle to get the force at second. That ball gets through, it’s 4-2. But Johnson with a sliding play to his right and the flip to Edgar to end the inning.

4-0 Braves through five. Four innings from first place.

—30—

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

Tell ya what, I’m worried about the left side defense. Two unproven guys…

HA!

WAY TO GO KJ!

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

KJ’s glove saves the shutout to this point with his glove.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this

Actually, that should be “right side”. But whatever. Not sure what the rule is for accuracy in sarcasm.

By Coach

April 20, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

Langerhans , three at bats. First at bat: first pitch pop up. second at bat: swinging foul ball strike , ground out to second. Third at bat: first pitch ground out to short. Total so far :Three outs on four pitches.

By ssiscribe

April 20, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this

“And it’s only October.”

God I’m fried after the week I’ve had. I only can wish it was October. The Braves would be playing in the playoffs, and the Thrashers … well, the Thrashers would be playing.

(Metro Man, good line on the Power Rangers, by the way).

Easy inning for Huddy. Looking great. Through six, 4-0 Bravos.

—30—

By jd

April 20, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this

hudson looks great…great at-bats by chipper (can’t understand the bozos who are down on him) and KJ (i was wrong-sorry) ….BUT langerhans is the most overmatched hitter i’ve ever seen in the major leagues, and i’ve been a baseball freak since 1955…he reminds me of my high school team’s manager’s son-he played second base (a harmless position since we almost never had double play opportunities) and he had a total of 2 hits my senior year-generous scorekeeping accounted for one and he shocked us all and himself with one solid shot to left field-he got a standing o for that one…he was a great guy and his dad was a terrific human being (god rest his soul) but cal sucked as a hitter and so does ryan…geez, bobby, give it up!!!

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this

Sweet little side they served on Eddie. Love that guy. Glad he’s still with the team.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

Nice hit Renteria!

Let’s go Chipper!

By Calvin

April 20, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

Ok I know this doesn’t have anything to do with the Braves scrubbing up the Mets but wth has gotten into Alex Rodriguez? Seriously, this guy is on fire….Can anyone get him out?

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

YEAH! Nice hustle.

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this

It’s okay TennPaul, my last post has to be straight out of the Department of Redundancy Department.

Nice double by Edgar off of Feliciano.

Thrilled by the night turned in to this point by Hudson. Was up a little with some pitches in the fifth and Alou hit him pretty good.

Great hustle by Edgar to take third on the grounder to Reyes. Chipper reaches on the error. We need to blow this game wide open right here.

By ssiscribe

April 20, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

10Paul, brought back memories watching Eddie dash the Cubbies hopes in that Saturday night Game 3 at Wrigley in 1998. I remember watching my apartment up in the hills of North Georgia. He had a great NLCS the next year, too, a deserving MVP.

Like you, I’m glad Eddie’s still around. A great baseball guy.

—30—

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

AMAZING FRANCOEUR

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

Best at bat of the year I’ve seen by Francoeur. He was very very patient and walks a run in.

By ssiscribe

April 20, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Frenchy with his second bases-loaded walk THIS WEEK, his SEVENTH walk of the year. A run is in here in the top of the seventh, and the Mets’ faithful are awfully quiet in Flushing right now.

Braves 5, Mets 0. Bases still loaded with two outs.

—30—

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this

You better get this done Wilson.

By Rosalynn

April 20, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

Bobba Cox looks so refined usin’ that tissuah instead of pickin’ his nose! Last season that boah would have had his fingah buried knuckle deep. This season he just reaches for a tissuah. Ah am so proud of that boah!

Ah do enjoah a good cigah aftah dinnah. Jimma buys me these little cigarillas at Publix and Ah just love ‘em! Nothin’ like a nice dinnah and then a cigarilla with a touch of vanilla.

Ah was noticin’ that Diaz is not plahing todah and neitha is that boah with the mullet. That is a bad haih dah waitin’ to happen.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

Let’s do this Langerhans!

GO BRAVES

By MEB

April 20, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

What a time for Langerhans to come to bat! HOLY SCHNIKEEEESSSS!!!

By ssiscribe

April 20, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

There’s the extra point … 7-0 Bravos!

—30—

By choppinmama

April 20, 2007 9:17 PM | Link to this

2nd run walked in, aren’t you loving it? But……..Langerhans is up. Does he have the patience, folks?

Wild pitch, another run……bust it W-I-D-E open, Ryan.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

I LOVE THIS MET BULLPEN! Sharp stuff these guys bring.

GO BRAVES

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this

Four walks in the inning, a wild pitch and it’s all quiet in Queens.

Braves up by a TD and extra point.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

Now that is just brilliant! I love it. 3 runs just handed to us.

By Coach

April 20, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

7-0 in the seventh , game over.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this

Hudson has thrown 81 pitches. Weird to think, if this was Maddux of yester year on the mound, after that many pitches we’d be 1 out away from the end of the game.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

That my fellow bloggers is why Langerhans is in there! That was so perfectly played. No chance in a million Diaz makes that happen.

By jd

April 20, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

and DOB…the river is one of the great songs of springsteen…it applied to a bunch of my high school friends who are still in that small town in mississippi…but you know, 40 years on, most of them have turned out fine, as they deserved…some times, just hanging in there is enough..

By N8

April 20, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

Coach, KC, and Lew.

After 4 starts (or almost through 4 starts), I’ll officially admit it. Tim Hudson from Oakland 2003 is officially back. It is STILL early in the year. But dang. It appears as though his command/confidence is back to where it needs to be.

I appologize to all, including Mr. Hudson.

Now as for Andruw……

By N8

April 20, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

F’n Mets fans. What a bunch of fricking losers.

What me? No it wasn’t me, it was that guy. Not me.

Go home a*******hole.

By Willy Wally

April 20, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

Does anyone describe the behavior and mannerisms of a drunken stupid fan better than Skip?

By fastasballs

April 20, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this

Nicely turned DP!

By MEB

April 20, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

Unfortunate that every city in baseball has nut case fans that insist on doing something stupid. The punk had great field level seats and he thinks its cool to flash players with a laser pointer. I demand they revoke his baseball privileges.

By MBATL

April 20, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

Was that MetroMan being tossed from the stands for shining a laser at Edgar’s eyes? I think it was!

Hudson with a shutout throught 8. What does Bobby do? It’d be “cool” to let him try to get the complete game… but probably depends on how Huddie feels. 107 pitches thru 8 is not too high, if he could get through the 9th in good shape.

Man, he is seriously turned around. This performance hasn’t been with smoke and mirrors, and he’s got an out pitch again.

Frenchy just 1 for 4, but with that walk, an obp of .400 for the night… what a statistical difference a few walks make. By my unofficial research, he didn’t take his 7th walk until June 23 last year.

By Coach

April 20, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

Now, if the Braves could only let Diaz be the designated batter for the left fielder. Langerhans saw 14 pitches in five at bats , made contact with one , fouling it back.

By Coach

April 20, 2007 9:59 PM | Link to this

Make that three pitch’s Langerhans made contact with , putting two in play.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this

Knock ‘em down Soriano!

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Langerhans was robbed on that last call.

DANGIT AJ!

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this

not this handpisser

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

CRAP!

By N8

April 20, 2007 10:10 PM | Link to this

Way to get Soriano some work in the last 9 days, Bobby.

He looks “nice and sharp”.

By Brent

April 20, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

that’s twice now that Soriano has come in with a big lead and not pitched well. this guy is a close game pitcher. He has been unhittable when the game is on the line. I know he needed some work tonight, but we should save him for the close ones. Big win nonetheless.

Go Braves!

By Willy Wally

April 20, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this

Through 16 games with 7 walks, Frenchy is on a 70 walk pace. Woo-Hoo!

Spooky Soriano scared me tonight!

By fastasballs

April 20, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

Hudson was brilliant again tonight. If the Braves had scored a few off of Hill last night he would be leading baseball in ERA. Still .062 is not too shabby unless your Langerhans….

By jd

April 20, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

tennpaul…i respect your posts, but am i missing something on langerhans…he’s hitting less than .070…he;s never hit more than .240, and left field is not a prime defensive position, i.e. don’t need a strong arm-that’s right field for the throw to third; don’t need range with drew in center…what you want is a hitter…he cannot hit…diaz can…hell, brad komminsk hit .250…anyone in left should be able to hit…how long do you give a guy? he’s had 2 years…i’m trying not to be negative, but he’s an automatic out…we need a little production from that spot in the lineup…but maybe i’m missing something

By eric the elder

April 20, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

Note to gold glove centerfielder: When the score is 7-0 in the bottom of the 9th, you don’t lay out on a base hit. Concede the single and move on.

By Coach

April 20, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Great , great start from Hudson as expected. We beat up on the Mets starter , then we embarrass the defense and the bullpen. Chipper gets a bomb , the offense looks good while scoring seven runs. Now for Cox , Thank you Bobby for starting a scrub in left field and blowing the shutout by pulling Huddy after eight , Hudson could have easily gone nine , finished a complete game and the bullpen should have never even got up. Great game by the team , not such a good job from the manager.

By Robert

April 20, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this

Hudson looked very good

It’s nice to have a guy who is more than odds on to give you not just a quality start but a dominant on any goven night

TP was talking about pitch counts and Maddux. What’s remarkabkle to me is that for 8 years (93-99 and again in 02) we had AT LEAST 3 guys like that, sometimes 4

Talk about how good Hudson is - For 8 years we had a top three all BETTER than Hudson

Anyway - team looked good tonight. When your starter gives you 8 shutout innings and the lineup 1-6 all hits, you’re gonna win most of the time.

And yet

That little three run reminder in the ninth. Folks, we were SUPPOSED to win this game. If we had lost it, we’d have been poised to be swept.

Mets gotta feel as good as you can after a loss - they sent the message that they arent going away, and that they know our bullpen is vulnerable

Heaven help us if it becomes a battle of wits (I had to say it)

But hey 11-5. Enjoy it while it lasts

By OH MY!!!

April 20, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Are some of you ever happy? The Braves friggin won. Some of you get on Bobby for not pitching Soriano while others get on him for pitching him in a meaningless game. Now COACH wants Hudson in a 7 run game and with 107 pitches to come out and pitch the 9th. Now it’s Bobby’s fault for pulling Huddy? If Huddy had given up the shut out it would have been said that Bobby should have used his bullpen, that’s what they are for. Sheez

By Robert

April 20, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

“Thank you Bobby for starting a scrub in left field and blowing the shutout by pulling Huddy after eight”

You know, despite what I just said about the Mets having sent a message, I’d rather win 7-3 and keep everyone healthy than win 7-0 and risk a starter going on the DL

Twice in two days folks.

I have defended a Cox decision twice in two days.

Forget pigs flying in Lawton Oklahoma. Reports from Hades are that Satan just put on an overcoat and the mercury has plunged before 40.

Stay tuned

By The Grinch

April 20, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

I really feel for Langerhans. You could see on his face after that last at bat where they mistakenly said he went around on ball four; this is really killing him. Unfortunately, it’s killing the Braves too. He made a great defensive play, and I really hope his swing comes around. And I don’t care how many bases KJ steals; he keeps that ops above .400 and I’ll be happy. Anyone else happy that with every passing game Andruw looks more and more affordable? :-) Robert, if Hampton was here and back to form I’d venture to say we’d have dang near as good a 1-3 as we used to. Not quite, but close.

By jd

April 20, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this

Robert, just to clarify…are you defending langerhans in left?

By brent a.

April 20, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

I hate it when the other team’s bats come alive at the end of a blow-out, when you still have multiple-games left.

But, happy with the win. Happy Wickman didn’t have to pitch.

And happy that we still have Smoltz going in this series.

Good luck Chuck James.

By brian

April 20, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

our vaunted bullpen needs to step it up. Aside from Wickman, it has been somewhat shaky.

As excited as I am about the start to the season, we are not going to get far if we continue to have 3 starters in the lineup hitting less than 0.200

Langy needs to be sent down to the minors. I am not giving up on him but he looks lost at the plate. He needs to go down and get regular, everyday at bats to get his swing and his confidence back. I just think it will be hard to get out of his funk while playing part-time.

How has Brandon Jones or Blanco started the season?

By MEB

April 20, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

It was the absolute correct decision to bring Soriano in to pitch the ninth inning. Robert… I am glad you recognize the importance of protecting such a valuable starter. The three runs given up by Soriano were meaningless but I am glad he got some work and maybe he learned something from tonight.

Poor New York fans… first the Mets get spanked and then the Red Sox make a comeback and beat the Yankees. Man I love baseball!

GO BRAVES!!!

By MBATL

April 20, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

OH MY, I agree. Would’ve been “fun” to see Huddie finish the game, or to get the shutout, but it makes no difference and was probably the smart move by Cox. Sure looked like Soriano needed the work, didn’t it?

I agree that sooner or later Langerhans has to hit - he had a couple of tough breaks tonight, but I’m not arguing - he’s definitely struggling.

But, the Braves are 7-1 against righthanders (i.e., Langerhans starts), and 4-4 against lefties. I’m not saying that’s Diaz’ fault - of course it’s not. But this “crisis” is so far not really a crisis unless you’re obsessed with statistics, not wins.

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Not exactly the way I want to finish the game, but I’ll take the win thankyouverymuch.

Tim Hudson held a lethal lineup off the scoreboard tonight. It has to give the rest of the division and the National League something to think about. Hudson’s first three starts has showed us that 2006 was a blip on the radar. His mechanics are solid, he’s painting the outside corner and he has great movement. I’m really stoked about Huddy to this point.

Chipper set the tone early and tonight we showed patience at the plate. That will come in handy tomorrow with Oliver Perez. We bailed him by swinging at balls well out of the strike zone in the game in Atlanta. If we take the same approach tomorrow, we can get some baserunners on and put some pressure on their defense.

The mets will be back tomorrow, make no mistake about that.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Ernesto:

Glad you piped up earlier about No Chop Zone. Guess he’s going back to Florida for a couple of weeks - good riddance.

Huddy - damn, is he back to Oakland form? Looks to be so. 8 innings of shut out ball. Go Huddy!! War Damned Eagle Baby

Chipper - Return of the Muts Killer - love it!!

Soriano - relaxed with a 7 run lead - get nasty, fella!!

We’re 4-1 against the Muts this season - let’s run it to 6-1 by Sunday afternoon, and shut the Toilet Bowl Boys up!!

By Coach

April 20, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Why would Hudson go on the DL by pitching one more inning ? Explain , Robot.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this

jd: How long? I have no idea. But I do know Langerhans is going to be there for a while. Probably another few weeks if not a month. So I might as well cheer for the guy. Langerhans’ defense is amazing. At least he contributes on that end. And while he’s in there we have the best defensive outfield in the majors. Beltran couldn’t tag up due to Francoeur and Alou was held to a single by Langerhans. Besides, it isn’t like he’s an @ss like Mondesi; attrocious at the plate, horrid in the field and jerk to the fans.

By eric the elder

April 20, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

Brian, Langy can’t be sent to the minors because he is out of options. As bad as he is going, I doubt he would clear waivers.

By Jared

April 20, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

It’s utterly absurd that it’s April 20 and the Braves still don’t have a complete game. Tonight was the perfect night too.

Don Sutton was right; pitchers are treated like babies. And Bobby Cox is the worst at babying pitchers. Another 15 pitchers would have made no difference in Hudson’s game, none.

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Greg: “If we take the same approach tomorrow”… Man I hope they do. They always get over agressive against crappy pitchers and hand them a brilliant outing.

By Coach

April 20, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

Tim hudson , 29 innings , two earned runs with a 0.62 ERA. since I spent the ENTIRE OFF SEASON defending the guy , I will now take a bow and humbly admit that yes , the old Coach knows a thing or two about pitching.

By Cleanuphitter16

April 20, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

I was screaming at BC for putting in Soriano instead of resting him until I heard he hadn’t pitched for 9 days and saw the outing he put in……he was overthrowing every fastball and needed to get that rust off and quite frankly, burn off some energy. Did you see how pi$$ed off he looked after the last out was made? He’s going to have a talk with Rodger tonight, get tuned down a bit after this outing, and be ready to go tomorrow if needed. This might end up being a GOOD move by BC.

By Cleanuphitter16

April 20, 2007 10:54 PM | Link to this

Also, did anyone notice how patiend every hitter was to start the game? We do that against Perez tomorrow…..real chance of a good start again if the “wild” Perez is lurking at all tomorrow.

By jd

April 20, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

tenn paul, agree that langerhans is a good guy and would love to see him hit…but jeff treadway seemed like a good guy, and he never hit…robert has lots of issues with BC…my only issue is he decides guys can do things they can’t do and he’s too stubborn to change…btw, i’m not saying BC isn’t a great manager-his willingness to stick with guys is a virtue (look at KJ this year)-he doesn’t panic-but sometimes, he sticks with guys way beyond when the evidence indicates it’s hopeless. i would love to see langerhans come through, but…however, i will get off his case-my absolute last post about him unless it’s positive

By fastasballs

April 20, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

There are no signs of Langerhans coming out it anytime soon. At least when KJ was going bad he was hitting balls hard right at people so you knew it was just a matter of time before the hits started coming. That & he has some sense of the strike zone, unlike Langerhans.

Yes his defense is great, nobody is arguing that, but it damn sure does not make up being an automatic out 4 times a game. With Wilson & Langerhans in there the bottom of the order is waste.

Anyway, that was a great start to the series for the Braves. If they are patient tomorrow against Perez I think they will have a lot of success at the plate.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this

I’m having a freaking heart attack here - Robert - you don’t bash Bobby for us only winning by 4 runs - LawdaMighty, take me home Jesus!!!!! Glad to see you have seen the light, Bro. Come on down to the River Cox, and let us donkeys baptize you - you’ll be forgiven for past sins against Brother Bobby - HeeHaw

ESPN - gave about 30 minutes to the Stankees/Red Sox game - and, why in the hell are the RED Sox wearing green jerseys and hats?????? The Braves/Muts game, with a gem pitched by Huddy, gets 45 seconds. Typical East Coast Yankee journalism (holding my nose as I say the “J” word in conjunction with ESPN).

I thought about posting earlier, in response to some who thought that Pelfrey would wear us out because our boys had never seen him, that my prediction was Wright’s 26 game hitting streak would end. I didn’t do it, and am backing up for my donkey kick for not doing so. But, damned glad the streak is over, and hope his hitting streak doesn’t start again until Monday. The guy can rake.

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

TennPaul,

I hear you. We shot ourselves in the foot against Perez last year and again a few weeks ago by doing just that. I think our plate discipline tonight surprised Pelfrey a little bit. Can’t say enough good things about this lineup tonight for drawing 6 walks.

We need to come out of the gates strong again tomorrow and give Chuck James some help early. Perez walked seven Phillies in 2 2/3 innings in his last start. Patience will be rewarded against this guy.

By Cleanuphitter16

April 20, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

should have been “patient”. mistype.

By t-towndawg

April 20, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

Where are those big mouth Met fans? NYCMetsFan, No Chop Zone…. don’t you guys have any comments for us after you’re top ranked O blew away our mediocre pitching tonight? Face it, Larry and the Braves still own you.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Brent - you are EXACTLY right about nasty - the game needs to be close for him to bring his best stuff - don’t know why, shouldn’t be that way, etc. But, I can live live with him giving up 3 while up 7, as opposed to him giving up 1 while up 1. So far, he ain’t done that, and I don’t think he will. I love our bullpen this year.

By N8

April 20, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

Greg in TN

“Hudson’s first three starts has showed us that 2006 was a blip on the radar.”

I agree with you. Hudson looks amazing. But I’ll stick up for you/agree with you by correcting you.

This was Hudson’s FOURTH start of the season. Which makes it even MORE believable. The longer it goes on, the more IT becomes the norm, rather than the exception.

By Coach

April 20, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

Yo , robot the A*******CLOWN , why would Hudson go on the DL by pitching one more inning ? I’m waiting , Donkey Boy !

By Darrin "The Vent King"

April 20, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

“Nothing makes me feel at my best, like the Braves beating those New York Mets!” -me

P.S. “Felt better when that brat Bobby Valentine was still there no lie, Matter of fact now that I think about it, I still hate that guy.” lol

                  -me too...l

GO BRAVES!!!

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

jd: I know where you are with this. I like the guy, but… Diaz certainly would offer more on the offensive side than Langerhans. But, as you said, Cox is stuborn about some things… Platooning Thorman, to me, is a bigger rash. I’d love to see Thor get some consistant at bats against righties and lefties. And sooner or later Langerhans is bound to get a hit. He was on fire at the beginning of last season. It’s in there somewhere. He needs to go review that video and see if he can find it.

By jd

April 20, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

coach, good call on hudson…i lived in the bay area his last 2 years with the As-he was a stud…not a disaster the last 2 years with the braves, but not a stud…he’s looking studly now…but who would have thought the bravos would be 11-5 overall and 3-1 vs mets right now…go guys…this is friggin fun

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

The first 10 minutes of Sports Center on ESPN….

Yankees, Red Sox, Red Sox, Yankees, A-Rod, A-Rod, A-Rod, A-Rod.

Inference/conclusion- there are only 2 teams in the major leagues, and there is only one player in all of baseball worthy of mention.. Sheesh!!!!!!!

By Robert

April 20, 2007 11:17 PM | Link to this

I didnt say Hudson wouldve gone on the DL by pitching one more inning

I am also not specifically defending keeping Langerhans as a starter

PHILOSOPHICALLY, I see no problem in resting a guy you have decided is an everyday player by having him sit the last inning or two of a blowout game

I am saying that it is wise to consider the RISK of injury, as opposed to, say, what Cox did a few years ago letting Chipper try to extend his 100rbi streak by playing thru the last week with no consideration of the risk involved (“What’s the harm?” was, I believe, the Cox quip that day.

The next sound heard was, of course, the sound of ball striking multimillion dollar wristbone, leaving our best hitter a cripple at the plate for the first round playoff loss

A 1-0 or 2-0 or even a three run game can sometimes bve attributed to a manager.

Losing a 7 run lead in the ninth, the only question you can ask the manager is why didnt you shoot em all behind the barn riught after the game. In other words, managers dont blow seven run leads by themselves.

(laughing) Ole Bobby’s right there in the middle of the pack when it comes to managing in blowouts.

Now, deciding to keep Langerhans as a starter - thats another issue entirely. The guy, is, at this point, so lost at the plate he couldnt find a hit with a map, an empty infield, underhand pitches, and a whole series of clues

By TennesseePaul

April 20, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

Jared: Pitchers are “treated like babies” these days because they pull in 10 - 18 million a season and are the most susceptible to long term injury.

By MEB

April 20, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

Scalp’Em Braves… The green jerseys were a tribute to Red Auerbach and you are absolutely right that ESPN is burying us with ARod and the Yankee/Red Sox series. As long as the Braves keep winning I really don’t care but it still don’t make it right.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this

Bobby Valentien has been mentioned. Love him, or hate him… He did the funniest thing I have ever seen a manager do. After being tossed from a game, he returned to the bench wearing the Groucho glasses, nose and mustache. Now THAT was classic!!

By brian

April 20, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

thank Eric - did not realize that. No good options for Langy then. Too good to chance waivers, but hitting like a high schooler. Langy has one choice - start hitting

By jd

April 20, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

tenn paul, agree completely on thorman…let’s see if he can do it…this is what BC did to “rochy” for 3 years..

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 20, 2007 11:28 PM | Link to this

Langerhans must be dangling out there somewhere on the Cox family tree…illegitimate offspring maybe—why else would he still be on the team?…

Damn funny when Andruw Jones attempted that ‘web gem’ diving catch out there with a 7 run lead, only to trip over his own damn belly!…

Soriano only nasty in close games?—well, he tried to make it closer didn’t he?…

Scalp ‘em—I tried to call you on the phone today…your ol’ lady must have answered…couldn’t understand a bleat she said…

By Robert

April 20, 2007 11:29 PM | Link to this

Did Bobby really use a Kleenex to pick his nose tonight, or was Rosalyn just funnin?

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Hmmm.. green jerseys a tribute to RED? Okay, guess I understand the Boston logic there. If only Atlanta had an iconic coach to pay tribute to. Um, wait, nobody qualifies there. Oh, wait, the Braves could wear green to pay tribute to Bill Campbell’s stealing money on the Olympics.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 20, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

Hudson pitched a good game. I’ll tip my hat to him. He pitched better than the rookie and our hitters couldn’t figure him out…..All we can do is go out tomorrow and try again.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

SJA:

You are emerged from the septic tank? Damn, fella, go back into the tank and quit stinking up the trailer.

The old lady saw the caller ID when you called and saw that the sheep shagger was calling. She does have a good sense of humor. BAAAAAAAAAAAA

By Greg in TN

April 20, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

Thanks N8!

Blogging while multitasking comes back and bites me in the butt just about every time!

LOL

By The Grinch

April 20, 2007 11:38 PM | Link to this

jd, this is no defence of Langerhans, but I ought to point out Treadway hit .320 for us in the miracle ‘91 season. I know his (Treadway’s) career numbers don’t shout out “good hitter” but I’d love to see Langy do the same in a platoon.

OK, KC; one more good start for Huddy between now and out May 2nd game and I’ll go ahead and conceed the bet. Dick. :-)

By Coach

April 20, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this

Where is the risk of injury ? where ? You think it’s ok to let a guy go eight innings , but it’s somehow wise to pull him and deprive the guy from finishing a complete game ? Now your making sense. Robot , keep to the comedy and leave the baseball to the knowledgeable fans. Cox does everything right and robot will disagree , but if Cox does something questionable , Robot agree’s with it. Now your making perfect sense , robot. The reverse psychology is working.

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 20, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

Hell Robert—you keep on suckin’ up like you have been lately…first thing you know, you’ll be one of ol’ DOB’s pet bloggers!…

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 20, 2007 11:41 PM | Link to this

Vlad goes 3 for 3, with a HR after being hit on the wrist a few days ago. Should we hope for Dru to get a wrist hit, a few days off, so he can come back and make them pay??

By Coach

April 20, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this

A good game , are you kidding me NO CHOP ? Hudson carved up the best offense in the league like a cooked turkey on Thanksgiving , that’s what he did.

By jd

April 20, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

Grinch, good catch on treadway in 91…and i loved the guy-just seem to remember one year when he couldn’t hit a lick…but anyone on that 91 team was a hero, even lonnie :)…would enjoy seeing langerhans become one this year

By Robert

April 20, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

Coach, you’re an idiot, plain and simple

There is a risk of injury with every pitch, every play. Certainly that risk is higher on pitch number 108 than pitch number 8

There is no need for guy to get a complete game. Eight shutout innings and a starter has more than done his job

Here, go read this - http://www.accessatlanta.com/hp/content/shared-gen/ap/FeatureStories/DonkeyWitness.html

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 20, 2007 11:51 PM | Link to this

Scalp ‘em—not only could I not understand the bleating…but I could barely hear it because of some kind of a buzz or hummmmm coming over the phone…sort of like the sound from a very large battery-powered cylindrical device…don’t think it was sheep shears either…

By David O'Brien

April 20, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

Scalp ‘em, you’re only kidding, I’m sure, about Red. He WAS the Celtics, bro, when they were the greatest franchise in pro sports, or right there with an earlier-period Yankees.

Gil, glad you at least liked it. It’s solid. Not raucous or anything, but mood stuff.

Now get the new Arcade Fire and be ready to jump around your house listening to it.

By Robert

April 20, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this

“Hell Robert—you keep on suckin’ up like you have been lately…first thing you know, you’ll be one of ol’ DOB’s pet bloggers!…”

Laughing - Nah. Ya think?

By David O'Brien

April 20, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this

By the way, anyone who had lingering doubts about Huddy, they should be erased now. The man is back. Damn, he was dominant tonight. Absolutely dominant.

And Chipper … he’s pretty good, huh? (I just want to stir up some of you. Having fun. But he is pretty damn good.)

By Don

April 21, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Good God, I check in and the last two posts are from the clueless Jackass and Psycho Boy. What is this, an audition for another bad remake of Dumb and Dumber?

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 21, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this

Robert

By the by.. wanted to give you props (as given by Grinch earlier) on one the funniest posts I have read here in a long time - yours of early this morning on another blog…

**“TAMPA, Fla. — A first-grader searching his jacket pocket for money found a bag of crack cocaine worth $8,900, authorities said Wednesday.

The 7-year-old boy found the bag Tuesday at Forest Hills Elementary School. It contained 89 grams of crack, said Tampa police spokeswoman Lisa Parashis.

The boy had been reaching in his jacket when he felt the bag, “got scared and told his teacher,” Parashis said.

Authorities were interviewing the boy and his relatives.

You now what this means of course. Somewhere out there, Dwight Gooden or Daryl Strawberry reached into HIS jacket and found a pbj sandwich and some lunch money**

Now, that is what we know you are capable of, outside of your Hee Haw addiction

By The Grinch

April 21, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

jd, it was more than one year he didn’t hit great. He hit around .300 two other years in limited at bats and not so great (to say the least)otherwise. Still, when you’ve got a great guy who plays great defense and is still young and out of options…hard to just kick him to the curb when you’re 11-5. If he’s still an automatic out when we’re losing ground at the wire then that’s one thing. I agree, though; that (91) team was something special. Burns my hide that employees of the Metrodome have since come out and admitted they cheated with the A/C and blew it in when the Braves were up and out when the Twins were up. Remember we swept our home games and they did the road? Factor in the Hrbeck flinging Gant off first and a couple of other non-calls and I don’t see how we don’t get that trophy awarded post-facto.

Why, Scalp ‘em and Jackass, it almost seems as if you fellows don’t get along.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 21, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this

SJA:

Good post and retort. To be honest, I’m tired, and no longer willing to trade insults or barbs with you tonight. I get to go upstairs and lay down next to my real, live, breathing ewe. You? You’re stuck with the widow and her four daughters. Night Bro.

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 21, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

DumbDon—I have already forgotten more knowledge and intelligence, than you can ever hope to acquire during your entire lifetime…and I wouldn’t trade what I know, for what you don’t…

By bruce

April 21, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

Dave, Thanks for the good article on Aybar, Wicky, Andruw and Gonzalez. How much you want to be that Boras won’t include that clipping in his notebook presentation on Andruw? Do you think Boras is stressed? That might not be a bad thing. I really hope Andruw can get it going in the next few warm days (I predict he will) and that Willy is ok or at least safe. Thanks, Bruce

By Coach

April 21, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this

Robot , if I’m an idiot. Then your an insult to the intelligence of the entire Human race. On second thought I am an idiot for talking to the A.S.S clown prince of this blog.

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 21, 2007 12:20 AM | Link to this

…and that’s plenty…

Scalp ‘em—one final word…just don’t let her pull the wool over your eyes!…

Grinch—TheSouthernJackAss gets along with everyone…they just don’t realize it…

By jd

April 21, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

grinch…i was in minneapolis for game 7 in 91…we should have been awarded the world series just for playing in a real ball park vs. “baggie-dome” in front of 50000 scandinavian immigrants (although i have nothing against them-i listen to prairie-home-companion when i’m not watching baseball)…i will admit they were polite to the braves fans who were there…no one threatened me for wearing a braves cap-i had yankee fans threaten me for wearing a braves cap IN ATLANTA

By bruce

April 21, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

check out the photo of Hudson on AJC Braves page… that seems like a much longer stride than I have seen before… is that part of his “fix”? Whatever it is, I am so glad to see it happening for him and the Braves.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 21, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this

Grinch:

I get along with doucebags of all redneckness. Shame on you for trying to create a cage match amongst bloggers. You know me… touch me and I’ll sue your azzzzz.

Dave - of course I was kidding. But, the Red Sox wearing green? The better tribute would have been every player coming to the plate with a cigar in their choppers. Now that would have been a real tribute to Red.

By N8

April 21, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

Grinch

I wasn’t just the 91 WS that the Metrodome employees, admitted to “controlling” the air conditioning units.

Whoever admitted to it (I don’t remember), said it’s been going on pretty much since the place opened, for ALL GAMES PLAYED, not just the post season. Anybody who as ever attended ANYTHING in the H.H. Metrodome, can attest to the “breeze” that is consistantly blowing in that place. It’s actually kind of spooky.

If it is true, and you recall back to the game six of that WS, you’d remember that that is the game that Puckett made the leaping catch at the wall (before they took down the plexi-glass), and then of course later in the game Puckett hit the walk off HR.

The shot that Puckett caught (hit by Gant?), BARELY missed, and the shot BY Puckett, BARELY cleared the wall. Coincedence? I’ll have to leave it at that.

What’s funny about the Hrbek/Gant play at 1B, is that every winter the Twins (as I’m sure most organizations do), hold an auction for charity, selling various items. A couple years back, one of the items up for sale……..none other than the base that was used at 1B in that game, autographed by BOTH Hrbek and Gant. As painful as it is to recall that play, I think that makes a pretty good story.

Speaking of the Metrodome. On a side note, my sister recently bought me a used copy (not sure where she found it) of Guns-n-Roses Live from (somewhere) on DVD. There is actually 2 of them. They are from the Use your Illusion I & II tour. Which I happened to see (when they were touring with Metallica and Faith no More), at the Metrodome. Nothing like 8 hours of Rock and Roll (well actually more like 6 hours. But since there were almost TWO FULL HOURS inbetween Metallica and GnR - Damn Axl Rose! - I count ALL 8), from the 3rd level of the Metrodome with your neck turned to severely to the right for all of it. GREAT SHOW! But that’s what I recall about it, how bad my neck fealt the next day. Anyhow, for any GnR fans our there, it is actually a really good DVD set. Very raw, yet well put together. It doesn’t appear as though they edited the audio after the fact. Can’t say that too much these days. The only disturbing thing about it, is having to watch 2 1/2 hours of concert footage of Axl Rose running around in what appears to be a pair of white speedos/daisy dukes and pretty much nothing else. I could’ve done without that. LOL!

By Robert

April 21, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

“and I wouldn’t trade what I know, for what you don’t”

Now WAIT just a minute. If he is really that dumb, then what he doesnt know is quite extensive, so that might not be a bad trade

I’m gonna have to think about that one

By The Grinch

April 21, 2007 12:38 AM | Link to this

Scalp ‘em, doucebags? That describes all men who don’t have a certain form of cancer. :-) jd, you are the man; your baseball experience far outweighs mine. I sat on a couch with my hottie little redheaded girlfriend at that time for game 7 and was so upset I turned down that which I would certainly not now. ‘course, I was 18 then. Little did I know things didn’t magically improve as life goes on. :-) BTW, y’all check out the AJC main page. A donkey is a witness in court, I %$#@ you not. Shows them leading him up to the stand and everything. Probably not Robert, probably not SJA, probably not Bobby, but still…JA, funny post at 12:20. I am myself renowned for head-shaking puns.

By N8

April 21, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this

For anybody that forgot about it and is board, or who never saw the story. Here is a link to the story about the Metrodome:

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:YY-H4gUSjcQJ:www.aem.umn.edu/outreach/Baseball_Launcher/startrib1.pdf+metrodome+workers+admit+to+controlling+air+conditioning&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

If that 7 paragraph link doesn’t work I appologize. It was a link to a weird PDF file story, that could be viewed as a html. Kind of tough to read, but interesting, none the less. Enjoy.

By jd

April 21, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

grinch…should have never turned down the girlfriend…after game 7 my buddies and i went to the bus to the airport to catch the charter flight (which was delayed for 4 hours) back to atlanta…on that-the longest flight of my life-we were serenaded by some drunk UGA fan who sang “florida gators can kiss my a*” for 3 hours…what his singing had to do with the nightmare i had just witnessed in the metrodome was never clear to me…we landed in atlanta around 6 am-just enough time for me to get to my client meeting at 8….i was not a happy man…i really really wish i had stayed home with my girlfriend…on a positive note, how many of us can remember any day of his/her life so clearly? that’s what it’s all about…

By The Grinch

April 21, 2007 12:52 AM | Link to this

N8, while I abhor both Metallica and GNR these days, I had a healthy respect for them both (especially Metallica before they sold out; one of my favorite bands) back in the mid-late 80’s. Arenas sre not the best places to see bands if you can avoid it; catch ‘em when they come to small clubs. So, what’s your sister look like? :-)

By jed

April 21, 2007 1:01 AM | Link to this

1/ DOB—Any insights coming out of the clubhouse about why Hudson has regained his form? It’s great news for us, yes.

2/ Dont mean to carp, but I couldnt believe we put Soriano in there at the end. People are saying he needed the work, but he did pitch recently, and odds are good he’ll be needed Saturday and Sunday, so what the hell? Why give the Mets an extra look at his pitches?

3/ And while we’re talking bullpen, let’s not rush Gonzalez back just because we’re playing the Mets in April.

4/ Arent we bound to knock Oliver Perez around tomorrow? Has TP got a gameplan for the hitters?

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 21, 2007 1:02 AM | Link to this

Robert—I guess that makes me famous then…I made you do something that you’ve never done before…Think!……anyhow, work with it, you’ll eventually see the light…or ask DumbDon for help…he’s good with riddles…

N8—“board”??..

By Robert

April 21, 2007 1:07 AM | Link to this

Dang- I saw GnR’s/Metallica/Faith no More in Columbia SC - 1992? 93?

I remember GnR’s had this multilevel setup with catwalks all over the place and the whole show Axl was runnin up and down the catwalks - like a man on speed (not that I am saying that Axl and company ever did any drugs - nah)

Somewhere along the way I had at one time a tape of a real old GnR’s show - from their club days in LA. THOSE guys rocked - back before Appetite and back before their original strummer stroked out from cocaine and booze - raw as heck, but the real deal as far as living the lifestyle their songs spoke of -

By The Grinch

April 21, 2007 1:07 AM | Link to this

jd, a lot of my “memory” has to do with my having videotape of us both on that couch during game 5 and 7. During 7 I wore nothing but a naturally curly mullet and some sweatpants, she had Daisy Dukes and a Ted Nugent shirt to go with that long straight red hair. My, how time flies. I do remember the NLCS where Sid Slid, though, on my own. I was walking from her apartment to my place thinking we’d lost when cars started riding past me and honking horns; I didn’t know what the heck was up. I thought my pants had a hole in the @$$ or something. Good stuff.

By Paco

April 21, 2007 1:10 AM | Link to this

Not sure if its just a coincidence, but I did a little checking on the game logs and the only time Soriano gave up 3 runs in a game last year was against the Angels when he entered an 11-6 contest. I think its safe to say that there are probably better options when its not a ‘close’ situation.

Link: Game Log

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 21, 2007 1:25 AM | Link to this

So what the hell has happened to Bob, journalist these days?…MeThinks me likes to hear what HeThinks from time to time…

By Epinephrine

April 21, 2007 1:30 AM | Link to this

I hope Frenchy’s BA starts to reflect his patience. He has been great out there for us, and I think he can get well above .260 soon.

How about KJ eh? I’m happy to say I was lambasting people who wanted him benched, and I am starting to feel vindicated. DOB-best case scenario, do you think he can be a consistent .300 hitter?

I just feel bad for Langerhans. I am definitely willing to give him the month of April, and hopefully he will come around.

By Robert

April 21, 2007 1:33 AM | Link to this

“Robot , if I’m an idiot. Then your an insult to the intelligence of the entire Human race.”

Well, if you WEREN’T an idiot, then your grammar might be a lot better. You gave us an incomplete sentence, an improper word usage, and improper capitalization, all in the space of 17 words. YOU’RE on quite a roll there. I’m thinking three or four more years, and fourth grade could be in YOUR future

By Coach

April 21, 2007 1:52 AM | Link to this

Ryan Langerhans is a waste of a roster spot. Diaz should be playing everyday. How Cox can justify sitting a career .300 hitter is beyond me. The rotation is masking a lot of the vulnerable area’s that the Braves have. Like Don and Chip were saying during the broadcast , Thorman needs to see more left handed pitching. But , how is that going to happen when Cox continues to only play him against right handers ? Shades of LaRoche all over again…….

By Coach

April 21, 2007 2:00 AM | Link to this

Robot and O’Brien are thin skinned , how about that…

By Robert

April 21, 2007 2:11 AM | Link to this

“Robert—I guess that makes me famous then…I made you do something that you’ve never done before…Think!……anyhow, work with it, you’ll eventually see the light”

I dont wanna get hostile here, but - who does more thinking - the guy who accepts something as doctrine because supposedly “everybody” says so or thinks so, or the guy who draws his own conclusions

I think for myself. I may not always be in line with the mainstream, and lord knows I aint always right, but I think for myself

Seeing the light eh? I guess that means I agreed with ya?

By Robert

April 21, 2007 2:19 AM | Link to this

“Diaz should be playing everyday.”

Dude, Diaz had a 3/1 K/BB ration for his minor league career, and it’s like 4.5/1 in the big leagues. He projects to about a .240 hitter as a regular

Now, should he be playing ahead of Langerhans? Well yeah, but you could argue that McBride should be playing ahead of Langerhans

Matt Diaz had a very good year last year. Matt Diaz might very well have another good year or two in him - if he is used properly as a multi-position fill-in/reserve. If you think Matt Diaz projects as a legitimate full time player on a team that hopes to be in a pennant race, then you know about as much about baseball as a canary knows about working a backhoe

(and yes that line is stolen)

By Bekim

April 21, 2007 2:24 AM | Link to this

Just got back from Shea wearing my Braves Gear with friends…. It was Insane… So much trash talking…. 1st step into the stadium it was on… all i heard was BRAVES SUX!!!! CHipper this Andrew That!!!! Well We were the only ones left tonight..Yelling were bringing are brooms sunday for the SWEEP!!!. Just Remember Braves fans Were representing the hometown team in the belly of the beast which is Shea… Were few but were here!!!!!!!!!

By Robert

April 21, 2007 2:31 AM | Link to this

“How Cox can justify sitting a career .300 hitter is beyond me”

Coach, try this. Go and find me the list of players who proved to be career .300 hitters over the course of say three or more full seasons worth of play while sporting a 4/1 K/BB ratio

Never mind the fact that so far Diaz has had the benefit of facing mostly the favorable side of platoon situations

How can Cox justify sitting a career .300 hitter?

Well, I’d say that even ole Donk knows that, despite what the stat line says after all of 450 at bats) that Diaz aint no .300 hitter

By Robert

April 21, 2007 2:34 AM | Link to this

“Has TP got a gameplan for the hitters?”

Game plan against Oliver Perez ought to be, go up to the plate and take pitches until he throws a strike. Then go back and get a bat

Oliver Perez pitching to Ryan Langerhans - you might as well watch t-ball, at least it wont set you back $250 to take the family to the game

By DonCoburleone

April 21, 2007 2:49 AM | Link to this

Huge, HUGE win tonight… Man, Hudson is sure winning me over. If this guy keeps it up the Braves are going to be serious contenders this year.

And enough about Langerwiff, we all know he couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat; but we also know Cox is a stubborn SOB and when he has a player he likes he finds a way to get him AB’s. It just sucks that we have TWO automatic outs when he’s in there.

By DonCoburleone

April 21, 2007 2:56 AM | Link to this

All I got to say is, F!$k Oliver Perez!!!

By DonCoburleone

April 21, 2007 3:00 AM | Link to this

It’s time for a shot… Who likes Patron?

By DonCoburleone

April 21, 2007 3:03 AM | Link to this

Don’t even need salt or a lime with Patron…

By DonCoburleone

April 21, 2007 3:42 AM | Link to this

I’m back… All I got to say is, HE’S CHUCK JAMES B!TCH!

By The Grinch

April 21, 2007 3:45 AM | Link to this

So, Don, you tryin to say it’s pretty good tquillia? Just makin’ sure. :-)

By Jeff

April 21, 2007 5:16 AM | Link to this

Nice work, David.

And what a song by Springsteen. The River’s a powerful album.

What’s going on with Langerhans and his hitting? What’s your take on that?

By ssiscribe

April 21, 2007 7:45 AM | Link to this

Good morning everybody. Solid night last night for Los Bravos in the hell otherwise known as Flushing. Great way to open the series and send a message.

Agree with all about Huddy; man is back throwing it like he did with Oakland a few years ago. That split-finger fastball of his is moving like crazy, and that’s a very good thing.

No worries about Soriano, I guess. Game was out of hand, Green always kills us, and it was a touchdown lead when he came in. We held them to a field goal, you could say.

Now, pacing (noted transition by the Scribe): While at the gym this morning — way too early to be up on my only morning of the week I can sleep past 6 a.m., but alas, my body needs the work — I was thinking that through 16 games, the Braves are 11-5. Know that pace will be quite hard to hold over the length of a 162-game season, but we’re roughly 1/10th through it.

Folks, the Braves are on a 110-win pace. Am I saying this team will win 110 games? Nope. Am I saying this team is going to be really good? Absolutely. It’s easy to take any game, any inning, any player, and micro-manage and over-analyze. And remember, I did sports scribing once upon a year ago, so I know how easy it is to focus on the details. But big-picture wise, after 16 games, I think this team is right where we’d hoped it would be: playing well and in first place. Sweet.

Time to get ready for T-ball and the weekend, one of relaxing and, hopefully, two more wins for the Bravos. And props to DOB for working denizens into his gamer. Props also to Robert, who I jumped on the other day (that’s not my style, dude, so if I came across as an @#$-hole, I do apologize). Some really solid stuff the past two days. Please keep it up.

Grinch, glad you got my text last night. One down. Two to go.

The Scribe abides.

—30—

By ssiscribe

April 21, 2007 8:01 AM | Link to this

Hey Grinch, one more thing before I run along: Go check out the fan appreciation video on the Thrashers’ site. Really good stuff. Makes losing to the Power Rangers (good one, Metro) hurt a little less.

Selah.

—30—

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this

Great game from teh Bravos, good to see Huddy proving he’s really back, and the Bravos stick a fork in Wright’s hitting streak, Chipper slences the chanters, Frenchy takes yet another walk for an RBI (how heartening is that?), all good stuff.

I know Huddy was going good but I was still surprised BC didn’t pinch hit for him with bases loaded - we were up 7 I know, but that’s a hell of an offense the Mets have, the more runs the merrier I think.

No Chop, good to see you showed up after a loss, props for that.

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

Langer-whiff? How about Langer-fan? Don’t mean to pile on Ryan, but he looks real bad up there. I think he’ll pull out of it though. Ryan’s never going to be Tony Gwynn but I think he’s capable of hitting, and I know BC’s going to stick with him for a while, he was still trotting Reggie Sanders out there all season when Reggie hit, what?, .182 for us that entire season?

By Efrim

April 21, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this

Going to the game at Shea today. I hope Chuck James puts together a good outing. I think we are going to win tomorrow with Smoltz on the mound, so this game is BIG. Oliver Perez has dominated this team, so we will see.

By Lew

April 21, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Well, that was a highly satisfying game. Now we need two more just like it. I am now convinced that Hudson is back and is for real. He has looked as good as anyone I’ve seen in quite some time. I have no idea what is wrong with Langerhans. I’m one of his biggest supporters, but he looks lost-totally lost. I was actually cheering when he popped up to third-at least he made contact. That was an improvement. I have no idea what the answer to his problems are except playing time. Unfortunately, that doesn’t look like what he should be getting. Hope he figures it out real soon.

By James

April 21, 2007 9:03 AM | Link to this

Whoever was wondering about Brandon Jones or Blanco, Jones is batting about 360 and he just hit another homerun last night. Blanco is batting in the 370’s and has stolen three bases and was 2 for 2 last night.

By ppaddy123

April 21, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

Langerhans needs to sit. Diaz is hot right now. Play him everyday. Use Langy as a late game defensive replacement. It’s obvious to anyone watching the game that he is lost at the plate right now.

By MS

April 21, 2007 9:06 AM | Link to this

• Mets Fans, WE ARE BACK!*

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

Grinch, agreed on a certain someone, whose 2:31 and 2:34 posts are so strong, it’s hard to believe they come from same person formerly stuck on one tired topic and barnyard noises.

My props to Robert.

By Metropolitan Man

April 21, 2007 9:33 AM | Link to this

Morning brave bloggers. I must admit, that Hudson looks like he’s going for the Cy young and will get it if he keeps pitching like that. Last nights games is a perfect expample of if Reyes dont go, the offense dont go. I hope you guys dont get to crazy with that dominant performance becasue he only pitches every fifth day. Pelfry is starting to scare me a little bit becasue he may be one of those pithcers who cant handle NY pressure. Those walks from him and the pen sealed a win for the braves last night. Looking forward to a METS blowout today to get this bad taste out of my mouth.

Ok Grinch, it looks like you got a lil lead on me but dont count me out.
Hey Scribes, had anything to drink lately????

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 9:34 AM | Link to this

GnR/Metallica/Faith No More _ now THAT is a rockin’ show. Wow. I missed that one, unfortunately.

Faith No More don’t get nearly enough credit _ their first couple of albums were outstanding. Angel Dust and The Real Thing were/are great records.

The lost me after that, but those two are great.

OK, gonna be in the 70s today, folks. The temp is going to be in the 70s! In NYC! Wheeeee…. That’s balmy for what they’ve endured here for most of recent months.

Braves better hope they do to Perez what they did the second time they faced him last season, not the first time or not what they did when they got him again this year.

From my ondeck box in today’s paper:

Since June 2 he’s 2-1 with a 2.95 ERA in three games vs. the Braves, 0-8 with an 8.75 ERA in 11 vs. everyone else.

He threw a five-hit shutout against the Braves Sept. 4, and allowed one run in seven innings of an April 6 win in Atlanta.

He’s 3-3 in seven starts vs. Atlanta. Chipper Jones is 3-for-9 with a homer off him, and Andruw Jones is 3-for-17 with a homer.

Off to catch the 7 train. Later

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

April 21, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

In some ways Diaz reminds me of Brian Hunter. I remember Hunter would come into a game and just rake. He would be jacking balls all over the place. I would then ask myself, “Why isn’t this guy starting or playing more?” The answer I always came up with was, “He is a good hitter, but could he sustain it over a period of 10 days in a row? I don’t think so.” I think that is where a lot of us including Cox is about Diaz. The kid can hit but if he is in the lineup for a prolonged period of time his weaknesses will get exposed. Now, I can’t totally say that I subscribe to that belief. I think Diaz is a good hitter. I think, if he played everyday, he could be a consistent .275 hitter. I’ll take that.

The problem with Diaz is the same problem that seems to be with guys like Todd Walker and Jay Payton. They seem to be good players who can play everyday and produce but there is always that thought that somebody better is out there. Diaz falls into that category.

I think that he needs to be playing everyday until either Langerhans gets his head out of his a** (which seems unlikely), an everyday LF can be acquired, or a better lefthanded option becomes available to platoon. Since an everyday LF seems unlikely since Balelli and Rios are seemingly off limits (and of course the injury concerns with Baldelli) the other choice is to find a platoon partner. That is why I think that at some point either Brandon Jones or Gregor Blanco could be in Atlanta. Yes, Langerhans’ defense is excellent but his offense is horrible and kills way too many rallies.

Fact is, a #8 hitter needs to be a good hitter in the NL. The #8 hitter needs to be able to hit some and get on base. Langerhans can do neither. Right now the bottom 1/3 of the Braves lineup is an automatic out. That cannot continue if this team wishes to play playoff baseball in October.

I could really care less if Blanco can hits with power or not. The guy hits singles and is patient enough to take walks and get on base. Many say his defense is beyond terrific. So, why not stick him out there. How many homeruns has Langerhans hit? Hell, how many hits in general does he have?

I’m not wanting to dump on the guy, but I am merely pointing out facts. He’s not cutting it. He seems lost at the plate. You can tell in his body language that he has no confidence. Last night he looked like he was going for a prostate exam every time he came to the plate.

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 9:58 AM | Link to this

The magic number is 147!

By KC

April 21, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this

GRINCH: “OK, KC; one more good start for Huddy between now and out May 2nd game and I’ll go ahead and conceed the bet. Dick. :-)”

I just feel bad for having taken advantage of you!

But remember… you said this was a bet you’d be happy to lose. So keep that in mind when you’re buying my BBQ and beverages. =)

By KC

April 21, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

pdaddy123: “Langerhans needs to sit. Diaz is hot right now. Play him everyday. Use Langy as a late game defensive replacement.”

Dude, if you can get in touch with Bobby Cox and convince him to do that… I’ll give you money.

Hell, we’ll take a collection here in your honor.

By Epinephrine

April 21, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Robert, if at the end of this month its still the same, I will agree with you.

Right now, though, we are winning and we have some time to make a calm and effective decision. I say, in terms of all our options this year-let’s give it a few more weeks. Then we can stop, evaluate, and make our team better.

By Metropolitan Man

April 21, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Man Grinch, seems like you gonna lose plenty of dough this season becasue you and I both know last nights game will only happen when Hudson (R. Petersons’s pride and joy)is on the mound. Even if he has a bad outing or two, we know he’s gonna be on all year barring injury. However he SHUT down the powerhouse known as the METS and unless you have 5 Huddy’s, somebody has to pay. So look for an agressive METS team that will take these next two games in grand fashion. LETS GO METS!!!!

By Jim

April 21, 2007 10:38 AM | Link to this

I think KJ struck out for only the 2nd time all year last night against a pitcher who’s got to be real nasty for lefthanded hitters. He gets to three ball counts on just about every at bat. More than any other hitter we’ve had (even Chipper and McCann included), he displays the patience that made the hitters in the Yankee lineups of the late 90’s so productive (and allowed them to get deeper into the bullpen in most of their games). The hitter that he most resembles is John Olerud, but with more foot speed. Right now the Braves lineup has four professional hitters — KJ, Chipper, McCann, and Edgar; two talented, but streaky free swingers — Andruw and Francouer; and two offensively challenged spots — LF and 1B (plus the pitcher’s spot). The last two spots will be fixed, either by improvement from the incumbents, mid-season callups, or trades.

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

Bruce, just saw your 12:19 a.m. post: No, Boras is not stressed. Boras is never stressed. He causes stress.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

April 21, 2007 11:00 AM | Link to this

Good morning all, I did not mention Blanco the other day but I can tell you he is a good-looking young ballplayer. Well put together with speed. The Richmond club really has a lot of speedsters on the ball club this year. What they do not have is a Chipper Jones or Brian McCann who can hit the big fly. So as far as outfield help I don’t think it will be coming from Richmond soon. Besides, way too early for that. This time last year Langerhans was hitting around .400 and batting clean-up so maybe he needs to call his dad to find out what is wrong.

Grinch A heads up on a good CD by Vince Gill if you don’t already have it. The four CD set These Days he released before Christmas is one of his best works especially after that flop The Next Big Thing. Covers four genres of country music and some really good stuff. Particularly if you like bluegrass.

By KC

April 21, 2007 11:01 AM | Link to this

Metro Man:

You’re acting like we only have 1 ace. We don’t. We have 2… possibly 3.

From August 1 (which was about a month after he joined the rotation) up until today… Chuck James has gone 9-3 with a 2.97 ERA.

And you know damn well you’re not going to be doing a lot of scoring off of Smoltz this year. So your little “only when Hudson’s on the mound” stuff doesn’t hold up.

By Metropolitan Man

April 21, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this

KC, I’ve been watching the season and nobody is pitching like Hudson. Smoltz, James and whoever else you have can be handled on any given day, but Hudson is on a mission and even though he is a brave, I’m a beleiver. Smolzt and James can be touched and are good pitchers but Hudson is on some great crap right now. You just wait ansd see when the METS light your other “aces” up in the next 2 days. Hope you keep your confidence KC.

By Cleanuphitter16

April 21, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Metro Man based on your comments you consider Smoltz and Chuck James to be easy wins for your Mets? Wow. Ok. I’ll stop worrying about Dice-K and Schilling when Boston comes to the ATL in a couple months, since Beckett is their only regular starter with a sub 1.50 ERA right now. He’s clearly the only threat in that rotation just like Hudson is all we have.

Not saying we’re going to win the next two, but come-on MM. I guess thats why they call it trash talk….thats what it’s worth.

(By the way, tell Pedro to get some HGH from Mota….it’ll get him back faster since Pelfrey doesn’t look ready yet.)

By Jim

April 21, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

DOB, Your comment on Boras reminds me of a line from the Odd Couple TV show:

Oscar’s doctor to Felix: “Unger, in the world of ulcers you are what is known as a carrier.”

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

How’s this for a leadoff hitter: .286, .412, .464? HUBBA-HUBBA! Keep gettin’ on Bubba!

Not so bad with the D either!

By Steve-O

April 21, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this

Yeh MetroMan, Uhhh….The Hall of Famer John Smoltz is better than Hudson my man. And he is 2-0 against your sell-out boy Glavine. So we only win if we got Huddy goin everyday??? Please dude, please. If they win today the sweep is happening. Smoltz will pitch like its Game 7 of the World Series tommorow if they win today (He will anyway). Smoltz more than anybody knows how important tommorow is, so expect HOF perfection type stuff….

By Cleanuphitter16

April 21, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this

Read the second comment from you, MM, at 11:20…makes more sense and you gave Smoltz and James some deserved credit. Still don’t think they will get lit up, but we shall see. All the Braves are on a mission, not just Huddy.

By MBATL

April 21, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

James will need to keep the ball down down down today. The Mets have murdered LHP so far. This will be a real challenge for Chucky and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him give up some runs - if so, we’ll just need to provide some support today.

Guess we’ll see Diaz three straight games, probably, against Perez, Glavine and Dontrelle. God, where are all the lefties coming from? I read somewhere that league-wide, approx. 27% of all plate appearances are against lefties; for the Braves, it’s been over 41% so far. I don’t think it’s so much teams altering their rotations, as just the mix of teams we’ve played so far.

Meanwhile, Laroche had another OhFer, with 3 strikeouts last night. He’s hitting a cool .100 with 20 K’s in 50 AB’s.

By Jim

April 21, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

I agree with MetroMan that this year Hudson is our most dominant ace. Smoltz can become vulnerable by the 6th inning, but he is also a wiley veteran who knows how to get by when he starts to lose his best stuff. Glavine will be losing it by the sixth inning as well. Sunday’s game is likely to be decided by the bullpens. James has not been quite as consistent so far as he was at the end of last year, but his major and minor league numbers show that he will give a good effort in just about every start. Perez is Dr. Jekell and Mr. Hyde. If he can only go 4 or 5 innings today, it will leave the Met bullpen very vulnerable for Sunday’s start.

By Metropolitan Man

April 21, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

I understand all the brave high hopes but lets be realistic. Cleanuphitter16, Steve O, and KC, these METS are the team that comes back after a bad loss and when Smoltz takes the mound he will pay for Hudson’s transgressions. Bottom line is I have as much faith in my TEAM as you guys have in your starters. Lets keep things in prospective, Delgado has yet to get going and grangpa Valetin is just getting it together. All is well in METSland but it will get better. Dont worry about Pedro, we havent had any articles stating he is going to miss 2007, and Mota will be back in T Minus 30 games.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 21, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

MutMan:

Can’t fault you for wishful thinking. First pitch is an hour away. The debate, argument, etc., shall be settled on the diamond.

And the bleat goes on….

By KC

April 21, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

Metro Man: “just wait ansd see when the METS light your other “aces” up”

Okay man, whatever you say. We’ll see if the Mets “light them up”.

By Coach

April 21, 2007 12:15 PM | Link to this

Robert(JIB) , Diaz is a .300 hitter. He hit .315 in seven minor league season. In 2006 he hit .327 for Atlanta. So far this year , Diaz is hitting .303 Why he isn’t playing everyday is a mystery. He is the third toughest out on the team behind Chipper and McCann. Cox and his love of platoon’s is preventing Diaz from blossoming into the starter he really is. Give Diaz a first base mitt. Hell , Jordan did it , so can Diaz. Put Langerhans in left full time and let him prove what I already said , he is not a major league hitter. It’s really crazy , The Braves have a superior bat and glove playing in Richmond right now (Blanco) and yet Cox continues to let his stubborness get in the way of progress. It’s the pitching , stupid. That’s why the Braves are winning. 7-1 against right handers , 4-4 against left handers with a lefty today , Sunday and Monday.

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

SWEEP!

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Something the boys on TBS said last night about Langerhans concerns me.

A few nights ago they’d mentioned how in spring training Ryan had incorporated a toe-tap into his swing, for timing’s sake. Well, last night, the TV guys (don’t remember if it was Joe or Chip) mentioned that he’d since abandoned it the past coupla days.

He’s lost, completely lost at the plate and needs to be benched. If I’m Bobby Cox, I’m telling him as much and suggesting he needs a rehab stint. I know it’s a little shady, but this kid could use a hamstring pull or something (wink wink) so he can enjoy a rehab assignment at AA Mississippi to find his swing. Otherwise, he’s just going to be a drag on the lineup and may never find his groove.

The other side of that thought is, hey, we’re 11-5, in first place and he’s getting to see major league pitching while working it out. It ain’t hurting us to let him flail about listlessly searching for his swing.

I’m just concerned that he has no clue right now what to do at the plate.

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

Jim, yes, very similar, the Unger line vis-a-vis Boras.

Or, this great line from Don Shula, who was still coaching the Dolphins in the two years I was on that beat. Someone asked him if he ever got ulcers.

“I don’t get ulcers,” Shula said, with that square jaw set. “I give them.”

And he was right.

By Scalp 'Em Braves

April 21, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

Just went and read some Muts blog. Interesting stuff - Pelfrey’s not ready, should be in AAA. Jorge Sosa has a 0.89 ERA in AAA. Clamoring for his call up. Can’t wait for the Muts to see Senior Stink live and in color.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

April 21, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

The Mets and Braves are going to be going at it all year. Both teams have some obvious strengths and both teams have some obvious weaknesses. While the Mets starting pitching has been way better than expected, you can’t expect it to last. El Duque’s history dictates that he will get hurt at some point this season and can become very erratic. Pelfrey and Perez are not exactly solid. However, the Braves have issues as well. The bottom third of their lineup is atrocious right now. While the bullpen is better than last year, it will only be mediocre unless Gonzales gets it together and McBride figures his problems out quickly at Richmond.

The good thing for both teams is that they may have room to wiggle and fix the team. The Mets certainly have the resources to acquire another starter. Boston could be willing to move a Tim Wakefield if they need another bat. The Pirates could be willing to move one of their young starters if it meant getting two more young players of quality. The Rockies also have a couple of guys that could help.

If part of Hampton’s salary is being covered by insurance (even if its a small part), the Braves will have some cash to work with. Also, if Aybar doesn’t come back this season and stays suspended then his salary is just that much more money. The Braves could go get a 1B or LF if needed.

The Phillies and Marlins are far from dead in the water. However, both those teams have some serious problems right now. The Phillies are just in disarray. The Marlins are getting bit hard by the injury bug (especially to their pitching staff) and experiencing what the Braves had to go through last season.

By JasonInMaine

April 21, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Do you have the numbers on average pitches per at bat that KJ has seen? I know he saw at least 6 pitches in 3 of his ABs last night. Not only is he walking, getting on base, and raising his average, but he is also seeing a lot of pitches…another big plus from the leadoff spot! Okay, so far, I have been way wrong on Huddy, and hopefully KJ will keep it up so I can admit being absolutely wrong on him as well! Now, if we can get LF straighted out!!

Regards,

Jason

By mnm

April 21, 2007 12:27 PM | Link to this

im making a more accurate prediction for todays game

james will go 5IP 7Hits 3R 3ER 4B 5K and oliver perez will once again look like a young roger clemons today vs the braves like he always does 8IP 2Hits 0r 0er 2B 11K

mets win 5-0 haha. Lets face it the braves cant beat oliver perez

By Coach

April 21, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this

MNM , didn’t you make a prediction yesterday ? Are you trying to doom your team ? If you are, your doing a great job.

By Bob, journalist

April 21, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

Honorable Southern,

So what the hell has happened to Bob, journalist these days?

I ponder the same thing on a routine basis … methinks that if you think about it, you’ll probably know what methinks … or at least what me whould say me thinks … without me having to tell you.

However, lest you otherwise so think, I do appreciate the sentiment.

Regarding baseball, I really don’t know what to think … it’s nice to see that we have power but when the media talks of a team’s homerun reliance this early in the season, it’s reason for concern.

Personally, I pull hard for anyone wearing wearing an Atlanta uniform but, I’m disappointed with Davies and look for him to falter … Gonzalez may be looking for reasons why he is failing to meet epectations … I oppose platooning and would play Thorman and Diaz on a regular basis … Chipper doesn’t look to be 100% and I’m especially interested in seeing how James approaches today’s game.

Andruw’s demonstrated time and time again that he performs well, with adequate power, when he goes with the pitch and doesn’t overswing … makes me wonder what he’s trying to prove … that he suffers from short term memory loss?

By Alan

April 21, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

Hey Robert (JIB)

Generally agree with your post above, except the following statement:

“While the bullpen is better than last year, it will only be mediocre unless Gonzales gets it together and McBride figures his problems out quickly at Richmond.”

I totally disagree. Wickman has been the best closer in baseball since he joined the team. Soriano has also been totally lights out (can’t get mad about last night if he wasn’t in the zone with a 7-0 lead). Either one of those guys are light-years beyond Chris Reitsma or Dan Kolb, the CLOSERS we started the last couple of years with (and finished with in 2006). We have not one, but two (probably three with Gonzalez) bullpen pitchers that are astronomically better than our BEST bullpen pitcher for each of the past two years (until we got Wickman). It would be a bonus if Gonzalez can come back to form and Bobby has to be careful not to overuse Wickman, Soriano, and Gonzo, but the bullpen is a STRENGTH this year. We’ve already won about 3-4 games that were automatic losses with Reitsma or Kolb. I think that’s having an effect in other areas besides the W/L column (team morale, pitcher confidence, etc.) It’s early, but I’m seeing a swagger this year that was absent for most of the past couple of seasons.

By James

April 21, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

James has been struggling to find his change up in the cold weather. I know he says the weather isnt affecting him, but he is used to the warm south. He will pitch better today in warm weather.

By mnm

April 21, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

im not a braves fan a*****.

By MBATL

April 21, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

JasoninMaine, espn provides that stat; KJ is 6th best in the NL at 4.28 pitches/plate appearance. Andruw is 4th at 4.4. Anyway, it’s a long link, so hope it works:

HERE

By Greg in TN

April 21, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

It’s game time denizens…

The same game plan from last night would put a smile on my face. Chuck James needs to stay in the basement today. Soriano was up in the strike zone last night, and we all know what these guys will do when that happens. Keeping Reyes off the base helps us immensely.

Offensively, we need patience patience patience. Oliver Perez is wild just waiting to happen. We cannot help him by swinging at junk.

Hudson and Chipper set the tone early for this series. Keep on keepin’ on.

By MBATL

April 21, 2007 1:03 PM | Link to this

J.I.M., correction: KJ is 7th…

By eric the elder

April 21, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

Journalist, friend, not to beat on a dead horse, but I think Andruw is an enormously gifted baseball player from the neck down.

By Cleanuphitter16

April 21, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

MM Your points are valid, but on our side, Andruw is still hitting terribly, just like Delgado. Mike Gonzalez isn’t in his 24/24 save in ‘06 form yet in the ‘pen, Paronto, who is proving to be quite good, is hurt and unavailable just as you have Mota unavailable…there are a lot of parallels, to be totally honest. If you compare the runs scored/runs allowed numbers, both teams are good, but the Mets are better, However, Delgado aside, some of the Mets hitters have been producing above career averages so far, while no Braves have been above career averages and more are below them. Things like that tend to even out.

So that brings us back to the original point of pitching. Who’s is better? We know the Met’s will most likely outscore the Braves this season unless ATL addresses LF and 1B; however, the Braves have a very good chance of outpitching the Met’s rotation which is a combination of old/rookie with retreads in AAA and the bullpen ready to replace the 4-5 spots (Sosa, Sele, Park, etc.) It’s difficult to know for sure what Pedro and Mota will contribute when they return because of Pedro’s declining health and Mota’s probable loss of his “enhancement.” They may boost you over the top, or they may be busts. Who knows. The Braves may bring up Prado or one of the other AAA talents and make 1-8 all tough outs like the Mets have. Who knows.

Any way you slice it it’s going to be fun to watch. :)

By Greg in TN

April 21, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

One of these days, Shea Stadium fans will learn. But until then, Chip will keep burning them.

Perez is looking good in the first. Dan Iassogna seems to be giving the outside corner. As long as James gets those pitches as well, we should be in pretty good shape assuming James is spot on today.

By mnm

April 21, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

well my prediction is coming true the braves are about to get that a* spanked chucky cant pitch in day games people

By N8

April 21, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this

I see that Oliver “Cy” Perez, is at the game today.

I also see that Chipper can handle the pressure of playing in NY.

I also see that Andruw cannot.

I also see that no matter how good Kelly Johsnon does this year (which I think he will), we are without a guy in the lineup that is as electric as Reyes.

I also see that Reyes speed got him to second because of his speed/pressure on Chuck James. David Wright got him to 3rd with a flyball to RF (are you paying attention Shaun), and an infield single scores the run.

NOW I also see that Chuck James might not be able to handle the Mets lineup.

Shouldn’t have allowed those runs last night in the 9th inning, the momentum apparently carried over. But then again, how’s the old saying go? Momentum is only as good as your next starting pitcher? Who’s on the mound for the Mets today? Oh yeah….Cy Young. Looks like we’re in trouble.

By Metropolitan Man

April 21, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

Im with you cleanuphitter16, I’m just not going to jump on or offa teams wagon from week to week. Hudson is the TRUTH this year, no doubt about it but the rest of your startes are just as scary as the METS startes with the exception of Smoltz who can channel Cy Young, you guys are done.

By eric the elder

April 21, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

Francoeur didn’t get the memo: Patience and make Perez throw strikes.

By N8

April 21, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Somthing’s gotta give. Francoeur is hitting .280 against lefties. But he’s ALSO hitting .227 with 0 HR and 4 RBI on the road (as opposed to 3 HR and 12 RBI at home).

I’ll go out on a limb here. I’ll bet he (Francoeur) get’s 1 or 2 hits (singles) with NOBODY on. Thus keeping his average against lefties on par - put WON’T come through in the clutch on the road…..also keeping par with his history.

By chipdip

April 21, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this

hoi…hoi…hoi…shawn green…choke on a matzo ball!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By The Grinch

April 21, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

Morning, all. MetroMan, thanks for the props to Hudson, but “needing five Huddy’s” to beat you guys is hardly likely. Not that you’re not good, mind you, but your starters are overacheiving as much as half our lineup is underacheiving. Will both teams fire on all cylinders at the same time when it matters? Probably not. It’s a long race, my friend. Could we interest you in a left feilder with a great glove?

Gil, I’ve never had a Vince Gill alblum but I do remember this: I saw him on Austin City Limits about 15 years ago and he was totally phenomenal. Just a straight kick-@$$ picker. Then over the years since then everything I heard on the radio by him was incredibly sappy love songs where the focus was 100% on his vocals and lyrics designed for wistful, stuck-in-trailer babymamas. If it’s genuine bluegrass and he’s playing like I’ve seen him do and not just crying in his beer, I’ll definitely give it a shot.

By Justin

April 21, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Can someone please tell me why the braves can’t hit oliver perez but everyone else who faces him can. I just don’t get it.

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this

How does the Grinch really feel about Vince Gill? LOL!

By Ippississim

April 21, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

If Chuck can hold them off at one run until Perez starts getting tired, maybe this won’t turn out like the up-“Hill” battle a couple of nights ago.

BTW, I think maybe the patience memo worked TOO well. He seems to actually be throwing legitimate strikes tonight, and our guys are just kinda watching them go by until it’s an 0-2 or 1-2 count!

By chipdip

April 21, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

vince gil sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!MOTORHEAD RULES………7 TRAIN TO THE GAS CHAMBER!!!!!!!!!!!

By N8

April 21, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this

Shaun

Isn’t this FRICKING amazing???

2 runs on the board for the mets. NEITHER of which were scored by the benefit of a base hit.

I don’t get it? I thought Strikeouts don’t really hurt more than a “productive” out, like a grounder to the right side, or deep fly balls?

Explain it to me again, please.

By Ippississim

April 21, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

Well, never mind. Chuck needs to have a nice long talk with Hudson about getting his groove back. I guess he knew what he was talking about in spring when he said his day starts would probably be rough.

By the way, it’s in the low 70’s in NYC right now, so I don’t want to hear any excuses about cold weather.

By N8

April 21, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

Justin

“Can someone please tell me why the braves can’t hit oliver perez but everyone else who faces him can. I just don’t get it.”

It’s called a lineup filled with guys who a) Don’t have a clue, b) Have been given a clue by TP and don’t care, c) have a manager that “just lets his guys do what they do”.

I’m gonna go with (d)ALL OF THE ABOVE.

There is NO other explanation for it.

Welcome to HACK-n-JACK, Justin. It’s the rollercoaster ride called “Bobby Ball”.

By Coach

April 21, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

It’s becoming painfully obvious. The Braves don’t fare well against lefty’s.

By Marc

April 21, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

Why don’t the umpires just call three outs in a row when Perez steps to the mound.

Do we even nee dto watch guys get out on seven pitches?

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Justin, good question. If Braves knew answer … well, then we wouldn’t be having the discussion, I guess. But it is rather perplexing. Some teams and some pitchers just aren’t good matchup, with no rhyme or reason. But they’ve hit him just once in four starts since last June, while almost everyone else he’s faced has killed him….

Chuck James being clearly outpitched by Oliver Perez, who’d have thunk it?….

Wow, do they love to boo Chipper here, year after year after year….

Hey, they’ve got this little video preview they’ve been playing for two season, a preview of the new Citi Field (hate the name) ballpark going up in the parking lot here. Got a question: Can something be iconic before it actually exists? Of course it can’t.

But they call the entrance to the new park “the iconic entrance” because of some statues and such that are going to be there. Iconic _ a word that’s unfortunately been overused and watered-down and distorted in this generation.

OK, back to this game.

By N8

April 21, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

Here’s a prediction for this upcoming offseason.

Oliver Perez will continue to dominate us EVERYTIME we face him. He will also continue to SUCK against every other team in MLB not located in Atlanta.

But JS will use the Russ Ortiz mentality this offseason. That being the: “if we can’t beat them, trade for them” theory.

Then of course like clockwork he will SUCK against everybody like he always had, which will leave Bobby and JS scratching their heads saying: “Dang, aw Shucks! He was lights out against us the last 2 seasons, WHY wouldn’t we want him in our future plans?”

By Ippississim

April 21, 2007 2:06 PM | Link to this

Never mind. Wake me up when we get to the bullpens.

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

N8, what are you watching? Reyes scored the first run on an infield hit by Beltran, and Reyes was also credited with a bunt single to start that first inning (though I thought it should have been an error).

And Beltran scored the second run after leading off the third inning with a double. he moved up on a flyball and scored on a sac fly. Not unusual at all.

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

We’re not taking pitches and workng the count. Four innings in, and O. Perez has thrown 43 piches??

Shameful.

By Coach

April 21, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this

N8 , Shaun probably doesn’t understand little ball. This is why the Mets offense is the best , they can manufacture runs where as the Braves rely on the extra base hit.

By Metropolitan Man

April 21, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

Heres my take on O. Perez handling of the braves. The braves were good for so long they were the measuring stick on how good a pithcer really is. In Pittsburgh O. Perez was up and coming and everyone thought he would br great when he posted the 12-10, 239 K’s in only 196 innings. Any pitcher could see how good he was by getting hyped up and throwing a gem against the braves mo matter who you played for. I think this just carried over to the METS and he is not the only pitcher who has success against 1 team and gets crushed by everybody else.

Ok Grinch: Hudson is the real deal, the rest is either too old or unproven, alot like a NY METS pitching staff. R. Peterson is the difference.

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

How pathetic is it that Chuck James had a better at-bat this half-inning than Craig Wilson and Matt Diaz? Can we work the count some, boys?

By Ippississim

April 21, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

At this rate, Perez will pitch a complete game and we’ll NEVER get to take a bite out of their ‘pen.

By Lew

April 21, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

MetroDude-You just keep putting all your egf eggs in Oliver’s basket. We’ll see who’s laughing when it ends. I have a serious feeling it won’t be you or the Mets. I’ll take Smoltz and James anyday. Davies, too. Could we interest you in Redman?

By N8

April 21, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

DOB

I trust your opinion on most everything. You are there, at the park and around the guys. You see things and then TELL us about them, in writing, which where (during spring training), I based opinions and hopes for certain players on. Not to mention past numbers by those players.

Since we signed him, and all through spring, you kept talking about how Craig Wilson is a MASHER and he’s “GONNA HIT LEFIES”.

I’m beginning to see WHY Pittsuburg let him go, and the Yankees had no interest in retaining his services. He, along with Langerhans have given us essentially NOTHING in half of our platoon situations (LF/1B), not to mention that other than the HR in Philly in game 2, Thorman has been next to worthless, as well. At least Langerhans has the ability to change/save a game with his glove. Well, I guess that Wilson does too, unfortunately it would change it in a BAD WAY.

So here we sit. 4 guys taking up spots on the 25 man roster, for STRAIGHT AHEAD platoon scenarios. 3/4 of those 4 players ABSOLUTELY ARE SUCKING all of the life out of any rally (if the Braves actually know what a rally is).

At what point do you bring up Brandon Jones, Blanco…..or BOTH. Who’s playing 1B at Richmond?

This is getting UGLY.

By Chop Chop

April 21, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Chuck hangs ‘em and Castro bangs ‘em. That’s a sure way to lose a game, Chuck.

By JasonInMaine

April 21, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Well, the top of the 5th inning summarizes the difference between the two teams. Braves get a leadoff double, and that’s where the runner stays. Seriously, is this team ever going to be able to manufacture a run? Ever? It is sooooo important in well-pitched games. I have to admit that unless they can start getting the runner over and in, they won’t be a serious World Series threat.

Regards,

Jason

By Ippississim

April 21, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

What the ** is up with this? Chuck and redman decide to play a trick on us and switch nights? If so, it’s not funny. If not, that makes it actually sad.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 21, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

Ramon Castro…..Nice

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this

against lefties, in their collective careers, today’s lineup, in 5667 at bats, has a .295 avg, .380 obp, .501 SLG. They’re not doing so well thus far this year against lefties but their track record predicts that they will mash against lefties when given enough at bats.

By MBATL

April 21, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Tough to work the count when all the guy throws is strikes. At some point, you just gotta hit the ball.

By Metropolitan Man

April 21, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

No problem Lew, keep harping on Hudson and the rest becasue thats what they will be referred to before the season is over… Hudson and the rest. R. Peterson is the difference in the 2 teams pitching, nothing more and nothing less. Hudson and Smoltz are the only 2 who dont need fine tuning, same with El Duque and Glavine. The rest are students of the game and both of us think we have the cream of the crops….except maybe Pelfrey. After last night, he’s gonna have to grow some real quick. Anyway glad to see C. James is back to earth and pitching like all other people except braves fans know he would…..like a guy in his second year!!!

By geauxbraves2000

April 21, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this

I’m getting ready to take my girls to see “Meet The Robinsons” so I won’t be around for the rest of the game, but I do have one question: WHAT IS THIS STINKING STRONGHOLD THAT PEREZ HAS ON THIS TEAM!!! Oh, and another thing: TAKE SOME STINKING PITCHES!!

Other than that, so far I am impressed with the pitching this year, and though there are some offensive duds right now, they’ve had enough timely hitting to win 11 games so far.

And Huddy, wow, there’s not enough props for him yesterday. Wow. To shut down a hot offense, especially as one as potent at the Mets, well, that was quite impressive.

Okay, come on boys, let’s get a comeback rally started.

Geaux Braves!!

By Ippississim

April 21, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

DID SOMEONE DRUG OUR TEAM?!?!?!

This is unlike anything I’ve seen all year. Out of ANY team. This P-rez mf*r is getting off entirely too easy, given his location tonight. I am stuck at work and only have the cheezy Gameday interface to watch on, but what’s the deal? What sort of pitch mix does this cat bring?

By Ippississim

April 21, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

Woah. Andruw just broke the Mendoza line!

By N8

April 21, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

DOB

What I meant, or should’ve said that run ITSELF didn’t score on a hit. I realize that the first run scored on an infield hit. But EVEN if KJ get’s the runner at first, since the infield wasn’t playing in, Reyes was gonna scoree. I’ll assume that Reyes wouldn’t have scored from SECOND BASE on that infield hit in the first inning, would he have?

Shaun always says that a strikeout isn’t ANY worse than other outs.

My point is this:

1st inning: Bunt by Reyes, Chuck throws it away, and Reyes get’s to second. A play that happened PURELY because of his speed/ability to put pressure on the fielders. Then the flyball OUT to RF, moves him to 3B. Then the infield hit scores him from 3B. The fact that it was a hit, doesn’t matter. He scores from 3B on ANYTHING but a strikeout or a popup, IMO.

The second run:

Started by a double. Man on 2B. Flyball OUT to RF moves him to 3B. Sacrifice fly follows to score the runner. Result: 2 runs scored on the benifite of 2 hits, followed by GREAT SMALL BALL EXECUTION by the Mets lineup.

Here’s a scenario of how those two innings would have gone for the Braves:

Kelly Johnson gets an infield single on a bunt and a wild throw puts him at 2B. Renteria would pop out to shallow RF (he would at least attempt to move him along, but fail). Since KJ isn’t as fast as Reyes, he can’t move up to 3B. Chipper would follow with a deep drive……to LF, thus KJ can’t move to 3B (note though, had Renteria moved him “along”, KJ WOULD HAVE scored on the Chipper fly ball. Andruw then strikes out to end the ining.

As for the other run (of the first two):

Chipper leads off with a double. Andruw strikes out. NO ADVANCE TO 3B. Francoeur STRIKES OUT……NO ADNANCE BY THE RUNNER. McCann then hits a deep fly ball to the CF, of course there is NO ADVANCE BY THE RUNNER because it’s the 3rd out.

I appologize for not “clarifying” myself. All I was getting at is that runs CAN occasionally score without a HR. Also, just to CONTINUE my arguement with Shaun that strikeouts are THE WORST OUT YOU CAN HAVE, when trying to “scratch” for a run or two.

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

Wow, we’re at game 17 in the season and Andruw’s average just now went over .200! He’s hitting a bone-crushing .203 now. Look out world, here he comes!!

Seriously, he’s starting to look comfortable at the plate. I’d be worried if I were the rest of the NL. With he and Kelly Johnson (today notwithstanding) starting to look legitimate, and Edgar, Chipper, McCann and Frenchy doing what they’ve been doing so far, this offense might finally awaken from its slumber.

By N8

April 21, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this

As I’m typing an epic post about the Braves inability to sustain a rally. They get one going and score a run off of Cy Koufax. But low and behold, leave it Francoeur to swing at the first pitch and fould/pop out.

Priceless. Keep on HACKING son. That next “hanger” is right around the corner. Just keep swinging and good things will happen…..sometimes.

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

That ugly pop up by Frenchy could be the difference today.

N8, are you not familiar with the way BC and JS operate? They’re not going to do anything based on anyone’s April. What was Brogna batting here? .002? And he had to retire to get yanked from the line up.

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

Francoeur then promptly fouls out when he should’ve shown some patience. My timing sucks.

McCann hit it solid, too… just right at somebody. But I think the boys’ are honing in on Oliver. Not sure we’ll see him when we go through the lineup one more time. Pletny of ballgame laft. Let’s hold ‘em here, boys.

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

Aww, for the love of God, Chuck….

Damian Easley??? You toss a gopher to Damian Easley?

By Greg in TN

April 21, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Braves scratch out a run, but we really could have used something from Francoeur instead of a foul pop to the catcher in that spot.

James’ location has been off at times today, just gave up a solo shot to Easley. Each time he’s missed his location, the mets have made the most of it.

Hey, this could get interesting. A little high cheese to Perez.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 21, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Easley…….nice and Reyes……nice

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Dammit, Bobby… pull him. This game’s slipping away.

By Metropolitan Man

April 21, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

My goodness, I thought you guys said his name was “Chuck James, not Redamn. METS are making minced meat out of Chucky Cheese, next time bring the Chucky doll, that might be more fearful to METS hitters today.

By Coach

April 21, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

The Mets are doing what we did to them yesterday. Series is tied up 1-1 and we get to see Smoltz/Glavine dueling tomorrow.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 21, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

Beltran and the Ballboy…….Nice

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

Hey metropolitcan man….

check yourelf, sport; even conceding today’s game, we’re still up three games to two on your “vaunted” Muts.

We’ll see ya here, tomorrow, chump. Don’t run and hide like ya do when we usually clobber ya.

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

For all you kids prepping for the SAT, KC is to optimism as Nhate is to pessimism.

By chipdip

April 21, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

HOLOCAUST……SHEA…..GAS CHAMBER…..FOND MEMORIES.

By N8

April 21, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

Ernesto…….it’s sarcasm MY MAN.

I’m perfectly aware of how JS/BC opperate. You are right. Retirement or DEATH is the only thing that will take Thorman (who I have the most patience with right now - first time he’s been a “starter” in the big leagues), Wilson and Langerhans. I’d say serious injury would do it too. But even that didn’t cause Reitsma to lose his job last year.

YIKES! Even the Mets ballboy make MORE CONTACT with the ball, than our hitters do.

By Ippississim

April 21, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

metropolitan man You got that right, and I think your typo just inspired me to start calling this kind of situation a ReDamn, because he’s the one who is most likely to produce them, but then I guess every pitcher gets roughed once in a while over the course of a season.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 21, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

It takes 162 to prove it but I think we all know which is the best TEAM

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 21, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

DOB….you thought my post warrented banishment. What about that last post by Chipdip??

By N8

April 21, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

Willy Wall

“For all you kids prepping for the SAT, KC is to optimism as Nhate is to pessimism.”

Dude, while funny as hell, you’re NOT paying attention. I’m NOT pessimistic. I’m a whiner that waits UNTIL things dont go well to complain about them. Which with the Braves offense is giving me a LOT OF THINGS to complain about.

I call it like I see it. Oliver Perez SUCKS. We can’t hit him, thus……we must SUCK. Clear enough for you. You want optomism? Here you go:

I’m sure at some point in the next few days, our offense will hammer the hell out of the ball against some AAA quality pitching, or better yet we’ll put up MONSTER numbers at Coors Field and then all the homers will say “see!! I told you our offense ROCKS”. About that time, we’ll probably face O. Perez again and get brought back to reality.

NICE!!! Craig Wilson comes up with a big hit……about 3 innings too late, when it doesn’t matter. Love it!

I’ll clue you into something Willy. The reason I’m so sarcastic and DISSAPOINTED with our offense, is BECAUSE I was so optomistic about their potential. Frustrating……that’s the only word to describe it.

It’s the difference between why people aren’t calling for Andruw’s head, as much as Langerhans. Andruw will EVENTUALLY start to hit. He has value. Disappointing start to the season? Absolutely. But NOBODY expects anything from Langerhans. So Andruw gets the benefit of the doubt, based on his track record. WHY is that.

Two more things.

1) If for some freak of nature reasoning, the Braves and Mets meet in the NLCS, if I’m Willie Randolph, I’m starting Perez in game one, and NOT thinking twice about it. Even if Glavine is healthy and Pedro is back. Against this team, he’s more “money” than EITHER of those two could be.

2) I thought the “cold weather” was to blame for our bats? What’s the temp there DOB?

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this

If we could’ve just held ‘em last half-inning. Chuck battled today, but didn’t have his best stuff; happens to all of ‘em, and with this Mets’ lineup being what it is, there’s no shame or worry in that.

We saw how pathetic they can look, last night, and how dangerous they can be today. Looks like our offense has awakened (scroll up…I called it), but it’s probably too late today.

By N8

April 21, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

Bases loaded for Andruw. Let’s see what the 20 million dollar man is made of on the “big” NY stage.

By Greg in TN

April 21, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this

Dru’s struggling, trying to pull everything in sight.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 21, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Sit your a-s-s down bee-atch!!!!

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this

Freakin’ Andruw. Keep being this “clutch” and we’ll be able to afford keeping ya, stud.

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

And by the way, DOB… I’m only watching this game via Gameday off the Braves website, so I can’t speak about today, but uh, if the Mets’ fans were so “ready” for this weekend, what was up with the massive chunks of empty seats in Shea last night?

By N8

April 21, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

You see. You don’t have to be Miss Cleo to predict what Andruw will do, with all the chips on the table.

Rally officially…..KILLED.

THAT is why he will NEVER win an MVP in this league. At the end of the year and next offseason all of you will choose to remember the 3-Run HR in blowouts, (winning or losing), and say: “see, he’s a stud”. Where I will remember the games where his AB’s might’ve actually made a difference in the outcome. Disappointing. Have I said that yet?

I will say for the record, that with our bullpen last year, some of AJ’s 3-Run HR’s when we were up 8-2 WERE ACTUALLY NECCESARY to preserve what few victories we had. But you get the point.

Unless you are a “table-setter” for the rest of the lineup, the ONLY stat I care about, is batting average with RISP. Which is actually why Francoeur was, IMO a much better player than Andruw last year (.320, with 7 HR and 72 RBI w/RISP in 172 AB), was. For the record: Andruw batted .276 with 8 HR and 83 RBI w/RISP in 174 AB’s. But he makes 15 million dollars, bats cleanup and has McCann (had LaRoche last year)protecting him (McCann happened to be the best in the league with RISP last year). Who does Francoeur have protecting him? Langerhans? Diaz?…..Exactly.

Andruw is just what DOB said he is. A streaky hitter that will carry us for a month. Bring us down (offensively) for a month, and can and NEVER WILL be able to be relied upon to be the leader of this offense, especially in the post-season if we ever get back, with him in the lineup.

Time to let his inconsistancy be somebody else’s problem.

By MBATL

April 21, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this

N8, don’t kid yourself. You are pessimistic.

By Greg in TN

April 21, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

That’s what I love about Brian McCann. The kid just comes to the park and hits and wants to beat you every single time out there. It doesn’t hurt that he’s a great guy in the clubhouse either.

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this

What a train wreck this has been.

But hey, at least it’s gorgeous here in NY, about 72 degrees and sunny. Hope it’s just as nice back in Atlanta and wherever else the blog denizens are chillin’ on this fine Saturday.

Chipper and McCann have two hits apiece (McCann just got his second double, and watching him leg out a double is, uh, interesting).

Kelly Johnson, after raising his average from .150 to .286 in four days, has gone 0-for-4 with four strikeouts today, and still has another at-bat to go. Already wearing the golden sombrero, and can only hope to avoid the rare, dreaded platinum sombrero (as I like to call it)….

Saturday night in New York … there are worse places to be, I’m telling you. Might go see Jesse Malin tonight at the Mercury Lounge on Houston Street, if the show isn’t already sold out.

By Steeledawg

April 21, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

The Perez thing, just gotta chalk up it to him having our number. Kinda like we have Glavine’s number. Can’t explain it, it’s just baseball. It sets up a heck of a rubber match tomorrow.

I think it’s gonna be like this all year between us and the Mutts. Should be a fun season.

Dob- great blog, love the music tips keep ‘em coming.

By N8

April 21, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

Everybody keeps complaining how “in trouble” the Braves will be next year without Andruw Jones.

Well people….The first 16 games of the year (1/10 the schedule for those without a calculator), THAT is essentially what we’ve been……WITHOUT ANDRUW JONES. After we lose this game, we’ll be 10-6. For those not so good at the “quick math”, that comes around to about 100 wins. (though I’ll say, if the offense doesn’t kick it up a notch, that “pace” won’t continue).

How have we won those games? With really good pitching and some good defense. I don’t recall TOO MANY plays since the Philly series where AJ’s defense has made that much of a difference. At least nothing that Langerhans (or Brandon Jones/Gregor Blanco) couldn’t have done.

If JS spends the money “earmarked” for AJ wisely next offense, I’ll go on the record RIGHT NOW saying, that we not only will “survive” without him, if we replace his bat with somebody who isn’t an automatic out with RISP at crunch time, we may actually improve.

GASP! There, I said it. Call me crazy, call me stupid. But I’m not joking.

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

By the way, they just announced attendance _ 55,143. Largest ever for a Mets vs. Braves game at Shea.

They’re playing “Sweet Caroline” during the seventh-inning stretch, and even if they ripped off the idea from the Boston Red Sox, it’s still pretty cool when more than 50,000 folks are singing along to it on a beautiful afternoon….

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this

Moylan looks good today, at least. Dave, is it just me, or does this guy have good stuff, but just pitches streaky at the major league level?

There are games he’s called up and looks like he good be the next great bullpen name, and times he looks like a bad Rick Camp impersonation. Do you ever hear Cox or McDowell talk about the guy?

Incidentally, his ERA dropped from 27.00 to 9.00 with day’s lights-out performance. Haha.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 21, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

Delgado and wright have no HR’s yet. When they get it going F*-IT

By N8

April 21, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

BTW: When giving the reasons while we’ll survive sans-Andruw Jones, I forgot to add this little snipit. Since we know that either Bobby or JS n(if not both) will say this in the upcoming months:

“After all, we do have Mike Hampton coming back, and that is JUST LIKE adding a Grade A free agent.”

Can’t forget that.

By Steeledawg

April 21, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

Best use of “Sweet Caroline” in a movie was Beautiful Girls… Speaking of Uma!

By Chop Chop

April 21, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this

The Braves will be 11-6 after today, N8.

N8, it’s hard to replace a guy who’s hit 92 homers and driven in 257 runs the last two seasons. If you think this team’s offense would be any better without Andruw in the lineup, you’re insane. You can’t replace that kind of production in center field. It’s impossible. You could get a guy who hits for a better average, has more speed and plays good defense, but that’s the best you could hope for. The Braves will still have a huge hole in the lineup when Andruw walks.

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this

I love Neil Diamond… simply must see him in concert before he croaks.

By Ron Roberts

April 21, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this

N8 … the Mike Hampton line…

PRICELESS!!

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 21, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this

1st place METS….sounds so NICE!!!

By eric the elder

April 21, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

DOB, say what we want about our rivals to the north, but the fact is that those games in those stadiums are full of energy and excitement. We have some very knowedgable fans here, judging from the blogs, for example, but Atlanta will never be taken seriously as a baseball city as long as we insist on that stupid wave and on that chant that sounds like a bunch of constipated prison inmates working the railroad lines.

One of Simpson’s best lines this year was, “It’s a tense moment and the fans are on their feet, although they are still talking on their cell phones.”

By Lew

April 21, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

Well, That was wholly unsatisfying.

By TennesseePaul

April 21, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

Figures

By Lew

April 21, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this

ChopChop-Up to this point, we haven’t even had Andruw’s bat in the lineup.

By N8

April 21, 2007 4:20 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts

Thank you. I actually like Mike Hampton, and HOPE we have him next year. Now being two full seasons removed from competing, I’m not sure what we can expect from him should he ACTUALLY return.

I honestly believe at this point, we might get the same from him next year that we’ll get from Nick Esasky.

Chop Chop

Thank you for correcting me, forgot about last night’s victory…..seems like 3 weeks ago. LOL!

As for replacing Andruw’s POWER numbers. I agree, probably next to impossible to replace. But the next quote from you says it all, as far as I’m concerned.

“You could get a guy who hits for a better average, has more speed and plays good defense, but that’s the best you could hope for.”

EXACTLY my point. Now being without Furcal for a full year and month into this season (almost). I’ll go on the record and say, if we are going to be without one of those “style” of players, I’d rather be without the power hitter.

Imagine having a “true” get on base and disrupt things leadoff hitter like Reyes, and THEN being able to drop KJ in the order, and let him hit for power (which it looks like he has some of).

We’ve got ENOUGH power with McCann, Chipper (provided he’s healthy), Francoeur and Thorman’s “power” (if he ever hits). What we need is some HITTERS. Guys to get on base. Get the big hit, and do it CONSISTANTLY.

The saying goes as follows: Good pitching usually trumps good hitting.

I don’t disagree with that.

But I will say this, it’s IMPOSSIBLE to beat good pitching, if you’re not loaded with good “hitters”.

Why do you think we always LOST in the playoffs, yet the one time we win the world series, was against the CLOSEST THING to Hack-n-Jack that the AL had to offer?

Coincedence? I don’t think so.

Look at the guys who seemed to have good approaches today. Chipper and McCann……..good “HITTERS”.

PERIOD.

By t-towndawg

April 21, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

No one mentioned the little $h!t eating grin on A Jones face after striking out with the bases loaded. Booby Cox should slap that grin off his face. I have to agree with the pessimistic N8, Jones is a rally killer who very seldom gets productive hits. He will not be worth the money he gets this off season. I hope some other GM wastes their money on him. He may be the best CR to ever play the game, but he is the most pig headed hitter I’ve ever seen. Further more, on any given day, the Braves 1-8 line up has 2 or 3 wasted spots. Langerhans, Wilson, AJ and most of the time, Francoer.

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

Wow. I’m amazed. A big mets win and No Class Zone has a literal rash of blog submissions.

Have you picked out what rock you’re going to crawl under in the Mets lose tomorrow, or is it an impulse decision?

By A.J.

April 21, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this

The game was pretty much over when Andruw struckout with the bases loaded.

But don’t chalk it up to him not being clutch. He’s sucked all the time. His few hits have not specifically come when we were or weren’t in a close game, mostly just depending on how bad the pitcher was.

Think about 2005. Druw was robbed of an MVP. All he did that year was hit game-winning or game-tying homers. We would not have won the division without those hits. If he had only been hitting home runs when we weren’t in the games, it wouldn’t have mattered if he hit 70. He won games that year with big clutch homers.

When he came up in the 9th or in extras with the game on the line, you just knew he was going to hit it out. And a lot of times he did.

Now, obviously, he isn’t always like that, but you can’t say that he is incapable of clutch hitting. It is really like someone (I think DOB) said, he is just streaky and always will be.

The difference between a good and mediocre season is how long his good streaks and how short his bad streaks are.

Not a good start, and it is really frustrating when everyone can see why he is doing so bad, but it’s not like he’s done. He may hit .255 this year instead of .265, he may hit just 35 HR, and probably won’t hit 50. He’ll probably still get 100 RBI, but may not get much more.

Or he could have a good streak (apparently not starting today), and still have as good a season as ever. This isn’t a great start, but I will bet you he hasn’t ever gone a season without a stretch like this.

By Metropoitan Man

April 21, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Nothing to brag about yet because this is only round 2 of the METS-braves see-saw. However watching 2days game lets me know how anyone of these teams can beat the other on any given day, no matter who is pitching. With that said lets just see who pithcers last longer, the over achievers or the under achievers. (1 last time, R. Peterson is the difference). You guys have a second year pitching coach and his results with the young ones are not all that good, remember he is a MET at heart, this is the Glavine karma coming back to bite the braves.

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this

Ron, I’d say the massive chunks of empty seats have more to do with the fact that this PLACE is massive. They sold more than 45,000 tix Friday for a game in 50-degree weather, and more than 55,000 today in beautiful weather. I’d say they’re doing more than alright, attendance wise.

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

MetMan, don’t forget, Glavine is a Bravo at heart, cried about leaving, wanted badly to come back, and has been generous to us in his absence.

By Eric C.

April 21, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

Who would you take, AJ or Dale Murphy in their prime? Andruw has slightly better defense, but I’ll take Dale’s ability to hit consistently to right field…his attitude…and his 2 MVPs anyday. In fairness to Andruw, we’ll never be able to quantify how many runs/games he has saved with his great catches, but his inconsistency at the plate is maddening.

By JasonInMaine

April 21, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

A.J.,

Andruw was robbed of the MVP? He didn’t win the MVP because of his batting average with runners in scoring position…what was it, .204?. Let’s face it, even in his best year, he wasn’t exactly clutch. I appreciate Andruw as much as the next person, but I wouldn’t even dream of paying him $20/year at this stage in his career. Yes, I understand he is 30, but it’s an old 30. I wouldn’t give him an 8 year contract either. The Braves would be better off getting a Tori Hunter and spending the money leftover on a LF.

Regards,

Jason

By Metropoitan Man

April 21, 2007 5:14 PM | Link to this

Thats where I was going Ernesto, we got Glavine and it didnt work to good for us, an ex-brave at heart for life. But its so funny that the prankster R. Mcdowell (86 Cahmpionship Team) is your pitching coach becasue he was a beloved MET for his personality 1st and perfomance second. I can remember him be so wild at times you’d want to kick in the TV as a kid. I’m just saying beyond Hudson and Smoltz, the results for pitchers will be hard to gage becasue you never know what you are gonna get, something like O. Perez.

By gotigers72

April 21, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

Craig Wilson reminds me more and more of the Raul Mondesi experiment. He looks overmatched every time up. Swings at bad pitches and is late on most fastballs. His better days have passed him by. I believe they said he has zero extra base hits this year. Didn’t the Braves sign him to provide some pop?

Chuck is not the kind of pitcher that can pitch up in the zone like he did today. Every pitcher has a bad game from time to time, and today was a doozy of a bad game.

Looking forward to tomorrrow’s matchup between two masters. Keeping my fingers crossed that both are on, more so for the one with the A on his cap. I am a purist in that I enjoy an old fashioned pitcher’s duel as much or more than a high scoring game.

I do have to admit, I don’t enjoy low scoring games as much as the Braves have been in this year. They can’t continue to have 3 and 4 guys in the lineup with averages below .200. That’s anywhere from 3-5 automatic outs [including the pitcher’s spot]. Eventually, some personnel moves are gonna have to be made unless there are some quick turnarounds.

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 21, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this

ernesto….Mets win you lose-er. Now get back to your ESL class…

By jed

April 21, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

No, the funniest Simpson line was last night when the cameras were showing that goofy Mr. Met character sitting in the stands—mets down 7-1. Simpson says, “And Mr. Met still has a smile on his face.” Then deadpans, “It’s a fake smile though.”

By The Grinch

April 21, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this

Just got back. DOB, I hate to point it out, but NO CHOP ZONE’s right. Chipdip’s 3:04 is grossly offensive. In chipdip’s defense, Motorhead rocks. I’ve seen an awful lot of shows in my day and Motorhead/Slayer/Megadeth at the Civic Center in ‘88 was definitely in the top 5. OK Y’all; it’s Smoltz/Glavine time again. I like our chances to pull this series out.

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

Good one, No Class Zone. Zing. You know the only thing you ever post about is some mindless Met smack talk, begging not to be kicked off this blog, or asking for someone else to be kicked off. You’re a real contributor here, we miss you when you go hide under your rock, I’m sorry, “go vacation in Florida.”

By Robert

April 21, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this

CBS Sportsline’s article on the game says Perez threw 20 consecutive strikes at one point

The odds on that have got to be like winning the Powerball in consecutive weeks

I dont know if having had success against us beofre now has him so confident against us that it feeds into itself and fulfills itself or what

Face it - anytime Oliver Perez throws 20 consecutive strikes, and strikes out 9 while walking 0, his team is gonna win

By chipdip

April 21, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

only way to feel the noise is when its good and loud…so good you can’t believe it screaming with the croud ,don’t you sweat it,get it back to you,OVERKILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By 74 Dawg

April 21, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

where were ernesto and metman after last nites game? the same place they will be after tomorrow’s game,lowering their profile, or translated into new yorkese, shutting their pie hole.

By ncscoots

April 21, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

“Face it - anytime Oliver Perez throws 20 consecutive strikes, and strikes out 9 while walking 0, his team is gonna win”…you don’t have be named Oliver Perez for that to be true, LOL.

On another note, boys and girls, you’re just going to have to live with some outings such as this one from Chuckie. He’s a flyball, two-pitch pitcher who spends a significant fraction of his time up in the zone. Often, he’s very effective there, but other times, it’s gonna be see ya, mister baseball. So be it. Until his breaking ball becomes more of a weapon, he’s gonna have some days to forget. But nights to remember! :-)

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this

Yo 74 Dawg, Big-time, born and raised Bravos’ fan here. And, while I’m an intermittent (look it up No Class Zone) poster, I’m here lose or win. I object to the Met Trollers who only show up to spit in the enemy camp after a Met win and who disappear completely after a loss.

Chipdip, could I interest you in a cup of decaf?

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

That’s the Mets for ya:

A bunch of wannabes with an identity crisis.

Wearing Yankee pinstripes.

Wearing Dodger blue.

Wearing Giants orange.

The NY on their hats which they stole from the Giants.

Building a remake of Ebbets Field, the Dodgers old stadium.

A Yankee as their manager.

Playing Sweet Caroline which they stole from the Red Sox.

Playing Liza Minelli’s New York, New York instead of the classic Frank Sinatra version because that belongs to the Yankees.

Stealing the Braves ace.

Gangsta black unis on Sunday trying to be tough.

It’s been said many a time: The Mets have the Pride of the Yankees, and the identity and tradition of the Expos.

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

You know, you can’t watch a Braves’ telecast without someone mentioning the strengthened bullpen and hte 28 blown saves last year, which, although a frighteningly high number, doesnt’ really paint the picture of last year.

Didn’t Villareal have 7 wins fairly early in the year? As I remember, each of those represented a time he came in and coughed up a lead and we came back and won. Plus the assorted other bullpen hemorrhages we overcame.

Man, last year was tough.

By Justin

April 21, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this

Can someone please tell me why the braves can’t hit oliver perez but everyone else who faces him can. I just don’t get it.

By Chop Chop

April 21, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this

2004 Oliver Perez shows up against the Braves almost every time out:

239 K’s in 196 IP, 2.98 ERA, 1.15 WHIP.

I guess his breaking ball worked that year.

If the Mets can ever get that guy to concentrate on his job against teams other than the Braves, he’ll be a beast.

By Coach

April 21, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

Seventeen games into the season and we are 7-1 facing right handers , 4-5 facing left handers. Three of the next four games are against lefty’s. the National league has found our weakness.

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 21, 2007 6:59 PM | Link to this

TheJackAss would like to take this pathetic A$sClown chipdip out in the middle of the desert, where his screams couldn’t be heard, and just stomp a damn mudhole in his stupid A$s, then stomp it dry!…it’s probably the same pathetic baztard that made those contemptible comments in an earlier blog…if that guy didn’t get banned, then nobody deserves to be banned…

By Coach

April 21, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

Left handers are killing us , period. Want more proof ? 7-1 facing right handed starters scoring 26 ER in 45.1 innings , who have an aggregate ERA of 5.16 , 4-5 facing left handed starters scoring 10 ER in 53.1 innings , who have an aggregate ERA of 1.68…… There you have it , the proof is in the numbers.

By chipdip

April 21, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

REDNECK

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

It might be time to really be concerned about Willy Aybar. I just talked to a buddy of mine who covers the Angels for the LA Times, and he told me Eric Aybar (Willy’s younger brother, who plays for the Angels) and he said the mom, the younger brother, and Vlad Guerrero have all tried calling him this week, to no avail. Here’s what I just wrote for the paper:

By DAVID O’BRIEN dobrien@ajc.com

Willy Aybar’s mother, Angels star Vladimir Guerrero and others have been unsuccessful in attempts to contact the suspended Braves infielder, who has a substance-abuse problem and failed to show for a scheduled meeting in New York with Major League Baseball officials.

“I feel bad for my mom _ she’s crying every day,” Angels infielder Erik Aybar, Willy’s younger brother, told the Los Angeles Times. “He won’t answer the phone for her, too.”

Aybar, 24, has been with an older brother, Francis, in Boston since driving by himself from Atlanta last week, according to his agent. The Braves haven’t heard from the Dominican player in a week, and he overslept Thursday and skipped a scheduled meeting with MLB officials in New York.

Willy’s agent, Luis Valdez, and older brother tried to persuade Aybar to travel to New York on Friday to meet with MLB officials, including a doctor who would evaluate him and determine a course for treatment.

But he never showed up or called the MLB office Friday. Erik Aybar said both he and Guerrero, a Dominican star, tried calling Willy repeatedly last week.

“I’d never known him to have any drug or alcohol problems in the Dominican,” Erik Aybar said. “He’s a different guy [now]. I don’t know what’s going on with Willy.”

By brian

April 21, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this

In Richmond Blanco is hitting .371 and McCarthy is hitting .321 for the OF. Prado and Escobar are also off to hot starts at .351 and .356 respectively. Lerew also has a 2.25 ERA after 2 starts.

In Mississippi, Brandon Jones is hitting .383 and Salty is hitting .395. Matt Harrison is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA

With the poor hitting the Braves have displayed especially at 1B and Langy in LF, and to a lesser degree at 2B, it looks like there are some people trying to make their case that they should be promoted

By bruce

April 21, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this

To all of us who pray, lets lift one up for Willy right now and keep doing it until we hear that he is safe. It does not matter what he has done or not done for the Braves right now, Willy needs us to pray for him more than the Braves need him to play. Lets pray for his protection and for whoever is near him to help him make good decisions and for whatever his needs are right now. Even though we do not know his faith, God’s people can help. If we do this, Willy will not repay us for the gift. Thanks, Bruce

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this

chipdip you’re right, what a redneck! Not an enlightened soul like yourself who compares a nice Saturday afternoon baseball game with the death of 6 million men, women and children.

By Robert

April 21, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this

Ok, I am scaring myself

Not disagreeing with a Cox decision? Ok

Actually AGREEING with Cox decisions? Two nights in a row? WOW

But now - check out what I posted at 6:05, and then this Cox quote from today

Robert at 6:05 PM - “Face it - anytime Oliver Perez throws 20 consecutive strikes, and strikes out 9 while walking 0, his team is gonna win”

Bobby Cox - sometime before 6:05 “Strikes, nothing but strikes,” Atlanta manager Bobby Cox said. “He’s pitched well against our ballclub. You throw that many strikes as hard as he was throwing and with that movement, you’re going to win.”

Now the big question. Does this mean that Cox said something that made sense?

Or did I bray?

By Robert

April 21, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this

Easy lost lyric time

Yeah, Johnny Cash helped me get out of prison Long before Rodriguez stole that goat I’ve been the rhinestone cowboy for so long I can’t remember And I can do you every song Hank Williams ever wrote

By TennesseePaul

April 21, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

Perez’s success against the Braves seems to be a product of the abundance of aggressive swingers that exists in the Atlanta lineup. With 11 more strikeouts on Saturday, the Braves now have fanned 125 times and are on pace to register 1,191 this season. This would better the franchise record total of 1,169 posted by last year’s team.

“I’m sure our aggression bit us in the butt,” said Brian McCann, who contributed two doubles to the Braves 10-hit attack. “But at the same time, that’s our game plan and we just got beat by our game plan.”
—Mark Bowman, MLB.com

Bowman actually hit the nail on the head. Amazing what that guy is capable of when he isn’t just copying off of DOB’s work.
These guys gotta realize there is a time and place for everything. With Perez, you can only be aggressive when you have the count in your favor, which means you wait on him. Put the pressure on him. This aggressive nature the whole team is so proud of is what’s kiling us in losses to these terrible pitchers.

During the four starts he’s made against the Braves since the beginning of the 2006 season, Perez is 3-1 with a 2.89 ERA. In the other 21 starts he’s made during that span, he is 2-13 with a 7.04 ERA.
—ibid

Everyone else seems to have caught on… It’s not that complicated.

By eric the elder

April 21, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this

DOB, I’m not getting the Aybar thing at all. If he is known to be with his brother in Boston, then it is way, way past time for people to be trying to call him. Maybe it’s time for Vlad to pony up a few bucks and get that family flown to Boston where they can try to get this thing sorted out.

If that’s more than the family can handle, then how about some Hispanic players there (Manny Ramirez?) getting involved? This is getting worrisome, and some strong intervention seems indicated.

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 8:34 PM | Link to this

TennPaul, up here in NYC they were commenting on Perez’s freakish strike to ball ratio and noting that he was getting ahead of a lot of guys with first pitch fast balls, so why weren’t the Braves going after them? We actually started hitting him a little bit until that anemic pop up from Frenchy, ironically on a first pitch swing, actually not that ironci considering it was Frenchy.

All of which is to say, I think today is a day you tip your cap to a guy who was just on.

By ernesto

April 21, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

Robert, they tell me I look like Merle Haggard and sound a lot like David Allen Coe.

By Robert

April 21, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

“With Perez, you can only be aggressive when you have the count in your favor, which means you wait on him”

TP, I agree. Said early this morning that with Perez you take a strike and only then do you go get a bat

BUT

The man threw strikes all day. 20 consecutive strikes at one point. That strategy, while correct, wouldnt have changed jack today

This is a game that we dont worry about. Dont pick it apart, dont worry about preparing for it next time, cuz you cant - cuz chances are the next time Oliver Perez has this kind of command might be 2011

Dealer got blackjack. Next hand and move on

By Robert

April 21, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

“If the Mets can ever get that guy to concentrate on his job against teams other than the Braves, he’ll be a beast.”

Uh huh. That’s EXACTLY what I want the Mets (and my fantasy baseball competition) to believe.

Oliver Perez has a track record of having no consistant command. Yes, he has had flahes of brilliance, and in 04 it happened to last most of a whole season.

But this guy is, and likely always will be, a random number generator

Anyone who benefits from a good Perez outing or a string of good Perez outing - kudos to them

But anyone who puts themselves in a position to DEPEND on good outings from Perez? Whoa be it unto them

By Robert

April 21, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this

Ernesto - yup

John Smoltz and Greg Maddux are pitchers.

Oliver Perez is a thrower

In the same sense, Chipper and McCann are hitters, while Craig Wilson and Langerhans are batters

Sadly, Adruw is also a batter as opposed to a hitter.

Tools are different from skills

By Bob, journalist

April 21, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this

Now noble Cato, we’ve been told repeatedly told that Andruw is highly intelligent … of course, that could be saying something about the intelligence of those who so say.

Besides, the SPCA has less of a problem with beating dead horses than they do with abusing the live ones!

For a long time, I hoped that the nice man would sit Andruw down and ‘splain things to him, but those days have gone the way of the wind.

Unfortunately, my concerns regarding James’ following his last performance were realized today … not really sure why I had those concerns.

Have you noticed how some folks take being open minded to the extreme … as evidenced by their expressing differing opinions in the same post … or maybe it’s just indecisiveness.

“it’s hard to replace a guy who’s hit 92 homers and driven in 257 runs the last three seasons”

It’s hard for me to evaluate that and/or RBI production, based on such numbers … too much depends on performance relative to opportunities.

“If you think this team’s offense would be any better without Andruw in the lineup, you’re insane”

My insanity kommt nicht in Frage, but before reaching such a conclusion, I’d give first him the bunt sign with nobody on … just to see his reaction. One thing’s for sure, somebody needs to get his attention and have a heart to heart … we all know he wants to perform well … maybe his idea of what’s expected is convoluted.

“You can’t replace that kind of production in center field. It’s impossible”

From hard to impossible with a stroke of the pen … or are we talking about replacing a .200 average, 3 homeruns, 9 RBIs and 19 strikeouts in 60 at bats? In how many of the 17 games has he been productive?

“You could get a guy who hits for a better average, has more speed and plays good defense, but that’s the best you could hope for”.

That may not be as good as swinging so hard you lose your balance but I’ll take 13 who hit for a good average, have good speed and play good defense.

From impossible and then to feasible with another stroke of the pen … well, fun’s fun but the truth is that Andruw has a lot of talent and he’s just turning 30 … so there’s still some hope … I must say that his performance seems less affected by contagion than most, positive or negative.

However, methinks we do need someone in the number four whose hitting approach is situation dynamic … one who changes so as to maximize his chances to get the job done, regardless of what that job might be … having Andruw bat in the lower third of the order … like asking him to bunt, might be less foolish than it sounds … and might pay big dividends.

By JasonInMaine

April 21, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

MBATL,

Thanks for the info and the link.

Regards,

Jason

By JasonInMaine

April 21, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Not counting Hampton’s insurance money (since we will never know the amount), how much room under the self-imposed $80 mill cap do the Braves have? I know JS likes to leave himself some room, but do you have any guess as to what the figure is?

Regards,

Jason

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 21, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

chipdip/dipchit…whatever you call your hateful self—if you want a capital letter REDNECK—then you’ve found one…

By Greg

April 21, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

Have we beaten a lefty all year? Is anybody else tired of Bobby conceding all games to Left-handed pitchers by batting McCann sixth and playing Wilson who couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat? If I was playing the Braves, I would throw all Leftys, Obviously, Bobby believes they are supernatural. Hey, Cox, why not remove all the rightys from the lineup when facing a righty pitcher? This crap has cost us more key games than anything else since 1991.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

April 21, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

Here’s the question I have right now. Would Blanco playing LF be any worse than having Langerhans whiffing three times a game? As far as I’m concerned that is the question at hand. Blanco brings more to the table and he has to be worth the risk. I know the thought is the Braves must see something that makes them doubt whether he is ready for the majors, but I have to doubt their loyalty to Langerhans. Nobody can tell me that he is the best option available. I just don’t buy that.

By Bets on Mets

April 21, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

Hey, Willy Wally, before you run down Mets’ tardition too much, you might want to consider the Mets have two World Series titles to one for the Braves.

Plus you stole your trademark, the stinking tomahawk chop, from a COLLEGE TOWN.

Of course, Atlanta is a college town. You can’t even sell out a playoff game. Worst major league city in all of sports, with easily the most fickle fans, some of whom have such an inferiority complex that they lash out againt the greatest city and sports town in the world out of sheer jealousy.

Finishing 18 games out last year didn’t teach you any hunility at all, did it, Bubba? Well, a couple more a-s-s kickings is all it’s gonna take to turn your franchise back into the ’80s Ladies they used to be.

By that time, we’ll have four or five world titles to your one. Think you can respect THAT tradition, redneck?

By Bob, journalist

April 21, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

Honorable Southern wit with a sunburned neck … whose cage are you rattling?

By JasonInMaine

April 21, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

Robert (JITB),

I am right there with you. I have wondered what else it would take for the kid to get a shot. I know he hasn’t proven himself above a certain level yet, but he had a real good last year, played well in the winter league, played well in the spring, and is tearing it up in the minors now. He has a career .374 OBP and plays great defense. Plus, he can run (although his career success rate is right around 75%) which this lineup can certainly use. All indications are that he isn’t far below Langerhans defensively, if at all. Hey, maybe he would get called up and be awful. But, could he be any worse than Langerhans? Again, I know he hasn’t proven himself, but in my opinion; Ryan Langerhans has…proven that he will never be a good offensive player.

Regards,

Jason

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

Below are there lifetime numbers against lefties. Will you all please stop crying already? Based upon these numbers, Bobby would be an absolute moron not to put this lineup out there everytime against lefties. I understand that things are not going so well so far against lefties, but geez, you freaks need to calm down already. They are 11-6 so far. Do you all post and rant just for the sake of it? Coach or someone up there put up good stats based upon an extremely small sample size to show how bad they are so far against lefties but the rest of you with your bellyaching are making me sick to my stomach.

kelly 0.274 0.358 0.411

edgar 0.299 0.384 0.454

chipper 0.307 0.395 0.513

andruw 0.274 0.367 0.523

frenchy 0.305 0.346 0.565

mccann 0.284 0.363 0.466

diaz 0.307 0.345 0.475

wilson 0.293 0.394 0.533

Back your wailing up. Put up some of your own stats before you come on here crying. And don’t just give me a very small sample size and tell me that Bobby is supposed to completely ignore the 5700 at bats those stats represent just because the latest 200 at bats have not been great? It sounds like y’all are the hee-hawing donks and not Bobby.

By Braves fan 202

April 21, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this

Did someone that i actually like steal robert’s computer? Im loving this not bashing cox thing your doing today. Anyways you got to give some credit to perez, it wasnt that the braves couldnt hit him, he just pitched a hell of a game. i would say church tomorrow will bring down the attendance, but the mets fans have no souls

By JasonInMaine

April 21, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

Bets on Mets,

So, we are supposed to learn humility after finishing one season 18 games out, yet you obviously haven’t learned any after finishing behind the Braves for 14 consecutive years. That’s a decade and a half of being behind us, Bucky. Inferiority complex? You are talking to Braves fans about an inferiority complex? Listen, just because the Mets have always been the 2nd story in town and are often an after thought in their own state, doesn’t mean that you have to pretend others feel inferior to try and mask what is really going on in your head.

Regards,

Jason

By Braves fan 202

April 21, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

NO CHOP ZONE, go find a mets blog

By Bob, journalist

April 21, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

From his perspective, if he has one, Bets on Mets may be a good representative of his city and his team’s fans but hopefully he is not representative of what is considered good by them.

By eric the elder

April 21, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

I don’t know how much strategy is taught or practiced in spring training, but a situation occurred today that might suggest an imaginative approach.

With OPerez on 1st, Reyes hit a sharp one hopper to James. He threw to 2nd where they forced Perez, but the play developed too slowly to get Reyes. Now instead of a slow Perez at 1st, we have the lightening speed of Reyes.

Instead, why not throw to 1st to keep Reyes off the bases, and then a quick throw to 2nd possibly to nab the meandering Perez? Even if we don’t get Perez, wouldn’t we rather have him on 2nd than Reyes on 1st, given that Reyes will probably steal 2nd anyway?

Obviously I’m not suggesting this in all cases, such as a slow batter, but there are unique situations in which this might make more sense than just going by the book.

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

BETS ON THE METS New York City is a great sports town if you are a Yankee, Knicks, or Giants fan. It is not a great sports town if you are a loser fan of the Mets, Nets, and Jets….. Bubba and Redneck, huh? You’re really showing off the sophisticated New York humor now, ain’t ya? ………. And, oh, I forgot to mention this above about the wannabe nature of the Mets: Your blogs suck so bad, you need to hang out on Braves blogs to get a good blogging experience. Wannabes in your own city and wannabes in your own division and wannabes in the blogosphere. I didn’t lash out at NYC either. I didn’t really lash out at the Mets. Just pointed out some things that you failed to refute.

Go ahead and try to refute, Sweet Caroline. I’m pretty sure a Deliverance joke is about the best you are going to come up with, right?

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 21, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this

Cowards—-they sit behind computer screens, with bony little fingers, tapping away their hateful, pathetic threats and psychotic mutter…saying things that they would never have the balls to say if standing face to face with anyone…

Cowards—-they murder, rape, and rob the elderly…they beat a poor homeless man to death with a baseball bat, just for fun, or because they’re ‘bored’…they murder and molest our children and babies…they rush onto school and college campuses with enough firepower and ammo to fight a war, and mercilessly gun down our future…

Cowards—-they make their living off public assistance, or by thievery, while working men and women take time off from their jobs and families to defend this country…they steal, pilfer, and create mayhem during any national or natural disaster, while decent, compassionate people are going out of their way to help those who are suffering…

Cowards—-they tear down, while others build up…they hinder, while others help…they take, while others give…they hurt, while others heal…they serve no good purpose…

If any of this sounds like you—-I have a word for you…you may never get caught, you may never have to personally face those that you’ve heartlessly affected, while hiding in the shadows, you may even have a relatively easy life…but in the end, your end will not be an easy one, for as you have lived, so shall you die…and you will be shown only the mercy that you have shown to others…

DOB…AJC…sorry for the rant…ban me, block me, delete me, I don’t care…with some of the things that are happening in this country as of late, TheJackAss is just sick of it…and these worthless pieces of trash that come on this blog just for the purpose of making light of these tragedies are…well, I don’t even have words to describe them…I hope it made them proud…JackAss out…

By The Grinch

April 21, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Bets on Mets, while I fully agree New York is a town with great sports tradition, it might well be noted that virtually none of it has to do with the Mets. Finishing 18 games out last season didn’t teach us any humility? Where’s your humility for finishing an average of that (or worse) for the last 20 years or so? We don’t lash out at you because we’re jealous, we make fun of you both because you’re rude and arrogant and because since we OWN YOUR @$$, we find that attitude hilarious. As for us being a crappy sports town, we host more major sporting events in Atlanta every year than any other city in the country. Know why? Because we have something called an infastructure. Our fans can be fickle; I’ll give you that. It’s because 502 people PER DAY move here from other parts of the country because it’s a great place to live, and they bring their sports allegiences with them. How many people who speak English are knocking down the razor wire to get into that glorified gulag you call a city? Come on down sometime, breathe some air that doesn’t smell like the men’s room at Shea (we’ve even got TREES here, too!)…we’ll forgive you your ignorance. You can even carry your wallet down here in your back pocket without fear; our people have jobs and don’t need to steal.

By Braves fan 202

April 21, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Bets on Mets, the braves attendace on average is more than the mets. And the braves franchise has 3 world series tard. Just because they moved cities doesnt mean you need to forget about 1957 and 1914. You saying those need to be erased from the records. The braves have 16 division titles, 14 in the past 15 years, thats not too bad. The greatest player of all time, hank aaron, played with the braves. The best left handed pitcher of all time, warren spaghn, played with the braves. The mets havent won the world series in over twenty years, damn, twenty years is a long time. And that was the luckiest win of all time. The mets dont even have a no hitter. We had a pitcher who won three strait cy youngs, and the guy who stopped the streak, also played for the braves. Everyone go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXeaN_-YWMk. This explains the greatest of the braves. ill admit in, i cried when bream was safe, please watch this mets and braves fans. It will give you goose bumps bravos fans

By Bob, journalist

April 21, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

The danger of with engaging some folks is not in the confrontation … but comes later … getting the bends.

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this

Hey, Willy Wally, before you run down Mets’ tardition too much, you might want to consider the Mets have two World Series titles to one for the Braves.

I was referring to your weak tradition but if you fancy New Yorkers have now taken to calling it your team’s tardition all I can say is how appropriate. I could not have said it better myself. Only a bunch of ‘tards could have run a team as poorly as yours has been run.

And, BTW, Mr. Knowledgeable NYCer, the Braves actually have 3 World Series titles, 17 NL pennants, 16 division titles.

The Mets have two World series titles, 4 NL pennants, 5 division titles.

By MEB

April 21, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this

Hopefully the blog will have a better atmosphere after a Smoltz victory tomorrow.

GO BRAVES!!!

By eric the elder

April 21, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

SJA, that 10:20 was something!

You are sometimes a little too on the rough side for me, but I’m sure you speak for many of us with this one.

By Braves fan 202

April 21, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Sorry the link i gave yall doesnt work. Go to youtube and search sid bream. Click on the only link, glory days. You will love it tell me how you like it

By The Grinch

April 21, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

Dang, Jackass; whooda thunk it? You go, son. G’night, all. Early morning for the Grinch.

By Willy Wally

April 21, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXeaN_-YWMk&NR=1

By Bets on Mets

April 21, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

Willy Wally, the only Deliverance joke on this blog is you.

Gonna smoke Smoltz tomorrow. You’ve seen your last day in first place for 2007.

You and the Beav run on out now and play.

By David O'Brien

April 21, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this

Robert, Ernesto, would you believe that very freakin’ song just popped up on my Ipod while I was in the hotel gym a couple hours ago, or about the same time you were chatting about it, or inferring, or whatever? Swear to you, it did. Love that song….

Jason, really no guess as to what they might have to work with in the payroll. No guess at all. They’ve been too private about the insurance figures to get a handle on it yet….

Alright, going out a while to get some grub and hit a record store here in the city that never sleeps. My medium-length hair won’t cover my redneck, but my Sean Penn-issue black-leather blazer should confuse ‘em.

By Matthew, Walter's Dad

April 21, 2007 11:52 PM | Link to this

DOB, please keep us posted on Aybar. This is getting scary.

Bloggers of faith, please put Willy on your list. He needs our support.

As far as the game today, we received from the Mets what we will give them tomorrow-a beating. With Smoltz on the mound in a rubber match with the hated foes, Grover Cleveland Alexander couldn’t stop him, or Cy Young himself. WHen Smoltzie gets locked in, there’s no stopping him.

Oh, for those of you keeping track, Smoltz and Hudson have eight combined starts thus far, and they have EIGHT quality starts. Wow…

Is there a stat boy that can find us the record for a pitching duo’s most consecutive quality starts? As that is a newer stat, it may not go back very far, but it’s definitely impressive.

By Braves fan 202

April 21, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this

Willy Wally howd you like that vid?

By TennesseePaul

April 21, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

KC is going to have a stroke when he sees SI’s lead story. lol.

DOB: Did you get a chance to listen to the disc? What’d you thinkn?

By April

April 21, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

A 6’11” blogger who is a redneck. A passionate blogger. Full of anger. I’m tall and I love passion. You wander just outside the garden but never come in. I am the flower you never picked. Call me - I know you went to my website more than once. - April

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

April 22, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this

SJA, that was a terrific post. You are absolutely right. We have some jacked up folks in our society. They aren’t one particular color, gender, or economic class. They are just a**holes in general. Some of the things people do with no regard for human life or people’s feelings is just disgusting. So many people in this country work hard to obtain what they have only to have it taken away or tainted by some punk teenager or some adult with no work ethic and no consideration of others. Again, that was a terrific post and damn true!

By fastasballs

April 22, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this

Can’t wait for another Glavine flogging tomorrow at the hands of the Braves. What’s his record against the Braves? 3-11?

Smoltz will mow the Muts down tomorrow. He will go seven strong if he can keep the pitch count down. Soriano in the 8th & Whoop A&# Wickman to close it out. 6-2 final

By Bob, journalist

April 22, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

Well said Honorable Southern … well said indeed!

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 22, 2007 12:19 AM | Link to this

April—Dude…I may have been at the edge of your garden, but I only saw weeds and thorny briers…and you may love passion, just doubt you could handle the anger…but if you think you might want to come to the ol’ farm for a visit…I have a little woman, half Sioux Indian, other half dynamite, and I’m sure she wouldn’t mind greeting you at the gate!…

By fastasballs

April 22, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this

Three baseball fans leave Shea Stadium & come across a dead, naked man with breasts lying in the middle of the street. After they call the cops, they each take off their baseball caps & place them on the dead man out of respect & to cover his private parts until the cops arrive.

The first fan places his Braves cap over the man’s right breast, the second fan places his Phillies hat over the man’s left breast & the third fan places his METS cap over the man’s private area.

The cops finally arrive, and the officer takes statements from the fans to find out what happened. After explaining they had found the man naked & covered him with their caps, the cop went over to examine the body. He briefly lifted the Braves cap, and quickly replaced it, then lifted the Phillies cap, and quickly replaced it as well.

However, when he lifted the Mets cap, he stared for what seemed like 2-3 minutes. Finally, he let the cap drop, walked away, then wrote in his notebook, then returned & lifted the Mets cap once again and stared for a long time in amazement.

As he was walking away the second time, the fans were curious and stopped him and asked him why he spent so much time looking at the man’s genitalia, and he said “It’s the first time I’ve seen anything but an a$&h@le under a Mets cap.”

By fastasballs

April 22, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this

Compliments to SJA for the 10:20 post. There is much truth in that post. Much appreciated.

By April

April 22, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

The petals of a rose are very soft once you get past the thorns.

You’ve been at the edge of the garden looking in and dreaming and lusting. Does the “little woman” know your visiting my website?

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 22, 2007 12:58 AM | Link to this

As a matter of fact, the ‘little woman’ saw your website also—her only reply was, “we raise horses, not cattle”!…

By Braves fan 202

April 22, 2007 1:07 AM | Link to this

fastasballs, love the joke!!

By April

April 22, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this

How tall are you in the saddle, Tex? And that little woman of yours - is she tall as well? What did you say? Half Sioux, half dynamite, half man? Which half do you like the best? Come back to my website and I’ll have something posted just for you. - April

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 22, 2007 1:15 AM | Link to this

202—the funniest thing about it was that it wasn’t a joke…

By Robert

April 22, 2007 2:32 AM | Link to this

You know, at this point, I wouldnt be against giving Diaz an everyday gig - if for no other reason than to give him the chance to prove he aint no everyday player

The scary thing about Diaz is that despite the awful K/BB ration, he really doesnt have much pop (38 extra base hits in about 450 big league at bats), and about a dinger every 45 at bats.

Is there an exception to every rule? Yes. Currently, Alfonso Soriano might be the outlier among the hitters - 3.74 career K/BB ration and a .279 career BA

Adam Dunn is another. A guy that can survive with a career K rate of nearly 33% - but look again and you see Dunn takes a lot of walks - while his K rate is awful, his K/BB rate isnt pretty, but isnt all that bad - and to go with it he has out of this world power

Nolan Ryan walked 4.67 batters per 9 innings over his career and had long term success (of course, while I absolutely agree that Ryan is deserving upper level HOFer - one of the most peerless players ever - he was more spectacular and well, peerless, noone else quite like him, than he was flat out the BEST - he doesnt make MY list of top pitchers) Anyway, thats’s another story

The question here is - Is Matt Diaz one of these outliers - whose inside numbers dont translate to long term production by the same formulae as for most hitters - Is he Alfonso Soriano light?

I’d bet heavily that he isnt

Play him every day for three full seasons, and I think his BA would be somewhere near Wickman’s LISTED weight

By Braves fan 202

April 22, 2007 3:47 AM | Link to this

Good point SJA, the only thing thats wierd is what was a braves fan doing hanging out with a mets and a phillies fan. just aint right

By brent a.

April 22, 2007 3:50 AM | Link to this

Another Blown Save for the Pirates tonight, against LA.

And to add insult to injury, LaRoche goes 0 for 3, dropping his BA to .096.

Alas, he has a nice delta on his OBP, it’s up around .260.

Anyone else noticed that Bobby isn’t getting tossed quite as frequently, now that LaRoche is gone?

By brent a.

April 22, 2007 4:07 AM | Link to this

Ernesto,

Your data is a little off regarding Villareal’s start last season.

Yes, he began 7-0, and yes, he had some blown saves aiding him in that victory total.

However, out of his first 7 wins, only 3 of those came as a result of him blowing a save.

Still, it paints an interesting picture about all of our BS’ last year; however the effects are not quite as dramatic as 7for7.

By We Have Mets the Enemy

April 22, 2007 4:10 AM | Link to this

It’s now official: The Dodgers definitely got the best of the Aybar-Betemit trade. There’s no upside in getting high, Willie.

By ernesto

April 22, 2007 7:56 AM | Link to this

brent a. - You’re right, I was only consulting my memory…which was of Oscar blowing some games and leading the staff in wins for a time because of it.

Yikes. Makes this year’s start, at least to me, even better, even with yesterday’s blow-out butt kicking.

By Metropolitan Man

April 22, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this

Here some clips form a good NY Newsday read:

All the early signs are positive, and the suspicion that this will be a two-team tug-of-war for the National League East title is growing. There’s plenty of baseball left, no doubt, but probably not enough to invite anyone else into a conversation that’s currently being conducted at a table for two.

Both teams are eyeballing each other, sizing up each other, checking each other out for weakness. This April dance has a purpose. It’s a way of getting to know your greatest threat, and unless something weird happens in the next few months, the Mets and Braves have a fairly good idea who that threat is.

If there indeed is a baseball god, He will keep these two together for a dramatic stretch run that would be thicker than David Wright’s black book.

no surprise that the Mets are where they are now. Their batting lineup is like a college frat house, meaning it doesn’t go dry for very long.

More often than not, the Mets will keep the runs coming and the opposing pitching staffs working. There aren’t many teams in baseball that can match the Mets for speed, power and average among the first four hitters. It takes a special pitcher, or a lucky one, to keep from perspiring heavily against this kind of hitting.

“Unbelievable” is how Braves third baseman Chipper Jones described the Mets’ batting order. “It’s one of the best I’ve ever seen. It’s really top-notch. They’re scoring a ton of runs and some of their best hitters haven’t even found their groove yet. When that happens, look out.”

Tom Glavine is looking sharp and feeling young, and he hopes that combination will be working again today when he faces close friend and former teammate John Smoltz in a hotly anticipated pitchers’ duel.

Overall, Mets pitching has been good enough to delay, if not erase, any urgency to trade for starting help. And all told, the Mets are nearly a carbon copy of the 97-game winner that grabbed hold of the NL East almost from the start last year and never let go.

If anything, the burden fell on the Braves to create the scenario we have now. After winning 14 straight division titles, maybe the most remarkable run in sports history, they began operating on the cheap. Suddenly the Braves ceased having the best pitching rotation in baseball. They tried to operate via coupon-clipping, and then came last season, when they went 79-83 and discovered losing wasn’t very fun or productive or Braves-like.

“Not too long ago, the names on the back of our jerseys were a who’s who of major-league baseball,” Jones said. “Then it became a who’s who of the Braves’ minor- league operation. I was getting a little concerned about where we were going until John Schuerholz said we were going to start winning again. He made some moves that really gave us some hope.”

Specifically, general manager Schuerholz spruced up the Braves’ bullpen and padded their starting pitching. Nobody’s comparing the Braves’ staff to the 1990s, but it’s a step up from last season.

If they get more performances from Tim Hudson similar to what he gave Friday against the Mets, and the usual from Smoltz, the Braves will resume their chase for the NL East, which was an annual rite until last season.

“We’ll win between 90 and 100 games,” Jones predicted. “We’re a different ballclub. We’re a lot better team than last year. We’re able to do things that we couldn’t do then.”

What the Braves couldn’t do in 2006 was get the Mets’ attention. That’s not the case now. The Mets are fully aware of the Braves and what they’re capable of doing.

Therefore, no matter what happens today in Glavine vs. Smoltz, the Mets will not lose sight of the Braves, and vice versa. That’s hard to do when you’re staring across from each other.

Ok brave bloggers, today Smoltz will throw a quality game but still lose and Glavine will get a no- decision, you heard it hear 1st folks.

By Metropolitan Man

April 22, 2007 8:28 AM | Link to this

A lil more light reading fomr the POST:

April 22, 2007 — IT is a 162-game season despite what the pessimists would have you believe. That’s why the Mets’ three losses to the Braves in their first four meetings of 2007 didn’t constitute an automatic return to the days when Atlanta ruled the National League East and won 14 straight division titles.

there was something missing in the Mets romp to the 2006 NL East crown last year, it was getting the full enjoyment of finally finishing atop the Braves. In a perfect world, the Braves would have been gallant defenders of their division throne, succumbing to the Mets in a series of epic duels in late September. But the Mets didn’t dethrone the Braves as much as the Braves dethroned themselves. In essence, the champions quit on their stool with injuries producing a 79-83 season to finish 18 games behind the Mets.

Atlanta’s season was such a waste, seeing the postseason streak end was no big deal.

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be,” Braves third baseman Chipper Jones said before yesterday’s game. “We were so far out we had enough time to get used to the idea before it actually happened. I was hurting at the end of last year so the long off-season actually helped me.”

But the Braves are serving notice 2007 won’t be a repeat of 2006. Even with yesterday’s loss, they’ve won three of five against the Mets and Jones thinks they have the pitching to contend into September.

Sure, the Mets lit up lefty Chuck James for 10 hits and three homers in 5 1/3 innings yesterday, but Tim Hudson was terrific, throwing eight shutout innings in the Braves’ 7-3 victory Friday night, and John Smoltz looks to win his third game in five starts when he duels Tom Glavine today. The acquisitions of left-hander Mike Gonzalez from the Pirates and right-hander Rafael Soriano from the Mariners have revamped the bullpen.

“I like our pitching staff, and I like the bullpen,” Jones said. “We’re not going to do a ton offensively. We’re not going to lead the league or anything, but we’re going to put up enough runs to win ball games.”

Coming into the season, it figured to be a two-team race between the Mets and Phillies. But now it looks like the Braves might be the Mets’ biggest challenge. And that only seems right. It’s not Yankees-Red Sox, but Mets-Braves has energy.

You felt it from Mets starter Oliver Perez, who atoned for his meltdown in his last start against the Phillies and pitched five shutout innings before leaving with a 7-2 lead. You felt it when the largest crowd ever to see Mets-Braves at Shea (55,143) stood when Mets side-arm reliever Joe Smith struck out Andruw Jones with the bases loaded to end the seventh.

Somehow beating the Braves, even after their rotten season of 2006, validates the Mets. And now beating the Mets validates the Braves, though neither will admit it.

“We’re just playing games,” Jones insisted. “We’ve played well up until this point, but let’s not get overly excited about a decent start. We knew we needed to play well coming out of the gate with so many games within our division at the beginning of the season. The key is to not have any hiccups, any seven-eight game losing streaks.”

Said Willie Randolph: “They’re always going to be tough. That’s why we have tremendous respect for them.”

Now I can personally agree with the Respect thing because history proves you deserve it for your accomplishments, but unlike Randolph, I love baseball but cant stand the braves. But without the braves I would just despise the Stankees so life does balance out.

By Metropolitan Man

April 22, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this

Heres a question for you DOB to ask C. James. Was he trying to hit O. Perez in the 6th becasue of the Easley home-run prior, or did he just lose a pitch. All I know is Reyes hit one after that and C. James seemed a little out of it. Did he eat some bad tootsie rolls or what??????

By chipdip

April 22, 2007 9:24 AM | Link to this

SMOLTZ WILL CONQUER THY ENEMY TODAY…….. WITH HEIGHT! THE SWEET BIRDS.O HOW THEY SING! DOTH SET MY PUGGING TOOTH ON EDGE,FOR A QUART OF ALE IS A DISH FOR A KING!!! GO BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Lew

April 22, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

MetroDude-A Saturday win against the Braves and a half game lead in the division and you turn into N8? Decent articles, especially coming from the Post, which I was always led to believe was a joke of a newspaper, but let’s not get carried away quite yet. Oliver Perez still needs to learn to beat someone other than the Braves. Your pitching is styill radically overachieving, whereas the Braves bats are still in the freezer. They will heat up. The Mets’ pitching has hit their high point.

By Willy Wally

April 22, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

Say a prayer for Willy Aybar. I don’t care if he ever plays another game for the Braves but I do hope he gets his personal life together for his own sake and for the sake of his family and friends who seem to love him.

By flange1

April 22, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Good Morning All,

WOW, if the Oliver Perez that showed up yesterday shows up all season, the Mets will look pretty good in September!

But really, it looked to me like he was wild high after the 4th inning and we did not capitalize.

Craig Wilson looked terrible to me. He does not smile at all in the field like he used to, and he was behind every pitch Perez threw. I know langerhans is struggling, but WIlson looked worse to me. It would be nice to give Thorman a look today against a lefty.

DOB, good article on Gonzo. Hope he feels better and can get his concentration honed to set up.

Can’t wait for !:10!

By N8

April 22, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

ernesto & brent

I think THAT is the misonception with the blown saves.

Now, don’t get me wrong, for blood pressure reasons, it’s been a MUCH smoother ride since Wickman came aboard.

But, having said that, I’ve read SO MANY people say “we had 28 blown saves, if we win EVEN half of those games, that makes up the difference in the wild card last year.”

On the surface that is very correct. It doesn’t take advanced algebra to determine that with 14 MORE WINS we would’ve won the wild card. But the “missing point” is that we DID WIN SOME OF THOSE BLOWN SAVES. I don’t know the exact number without diggin a little, but I’m QUITE CERTAIN we didn’t lose all 28 blown saves. Especially since, if I recall correctly, there was MULTIPLE games where the “save” was blown twice.

But regardless of what the numbers say, I’m willing to conceed/admit, that had we had Wickman from game 1, we probably win the wildcard. Just thought I’d throw out some clarification.

By Efrim

April 22, 2007 10:45 AM | Link to this

Gotta win this game today.

By Lew

April 22, 2007 10:47 AM | Link to this

Nathan-There’s also the intagibles to take into account. If we had Wickman for the full season, what would that have done for the confidence level of the starters? I think much of our early success comes from the starters being confident that the relief staff has their backs and makes them all the stronger. With Wickman, last season would have been considerably different. Wicky’s making it look like Krispy Kreme should be part of every reliever’s repertoire. That glaze works wonders on a four seamer.

By Metropolitan Man

April 22, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this

Im not crowning anybody anything LEW, if anything I agree with the articles written that both teams will take this to the bitter end. I dont know where you read me boaating because I’ve been around baseball long enough to know this is nothing but a bump in the road to a long season. I’m just a fan who realizes the braves arent afraid of the METS and vice versa. Today is just another game, I’ll talk sh*t after the All- Star break when we know what teams are for real.

By Lew

April 22, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

MetroDude-I don’t think the results at the All Star break will look much different than what they do know. I don’t see the Phillies getting appreciably better-too many holes in both their lineup and pitching staff. The Marlins young starters are going to end up on the DL-already happened to Johnson and Nelasco. Sanchez will join them and Hanley Ramirez (yes, I know he’s not a pitcher), too. The Nats pitching is much better than anyone gives them credit for, but don’t have enough of anything to compete. It’s between us, Dude.

By Metropolitan Man

April 22, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Thats just fine with this METS fan LEW, thats less stress for me rooting on the METS. I say the All-Star break becasue that means if everything keeps moving the way its moving, somebody in the METS rotation will be out of a job becasue Pedro will be back. This has Maine, Perez, and Pelfry on their toes until then considering that Pedro is at least MLB caliber upon returning. That is a good thing in my eyes becasue these young guys will not let up for fear of losing their starting position. Now as far as I’m concerned, Mota can come back and take Burgos spot in the pen because he is the only MET in the pen that scares me, the guy throws hard but has no idea where the pitch will end up, in the catchers mitt, or outfield bleachers. LEW, dont worry about me talking trash YET, a couple of METS fans and braves fans here have that convered on this site.

By N8

April 22, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

TOTALLY agree Lew.

What did Hudson say the other day? He’s NEVER had this much confidence in his closer, EVER. That says a lot right there.

Not to mention, guys like Ray, and Reitsma (had he NOT been hurt), probably have more success, NOT having to be the guy to save the day. The domino effect, if you will.

By N8

April 22, 2007 12:02 PM | Link to this

Lew

I was just scrolling backwards up the blog and saw this:

“MetroDude-A Saturday win against the Braves and a half game lead in the division and you turn into N8?”

Not sure what you mean by that. I tried reading farther back. I’m sure there’s some humor in there for me to enjoy (which I will when I figure it out). Just looking for some clarification.

My appologies. If I had a friend typing for my on the blog, he may steal a line from Dumb and Dumber:

“Excuse me ladies. You’ll have to excuse my friend…..he’s a little slow……”

By April

April 22, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this

Good around horses are you? Dream about me last night? Bet you did. The most beautiful flower of all and ready to be picked. I am going to the game when the team gets back in town. Your invited to meet me for a beer in the ChopHouse.

By TheSouthernJackAss

April 22, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Unbelievable!…

By Metropolitan Man

April 22, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Just curious, did anyone take the METS-braves quiz and how did you do??? I got 8-10, I think I’m ready for METS-braves trivia.

By Lew

April 22, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

MetroDude-You got that right. ChopZone is more than enough. I no longer will bait him-TOO MUCH. Nathan, what I meant is that lately you have been burning up the airways and have been about as complimentary of OUR TEAM as Chop Zone. Hell, Metro Dude is nicer to the Braves than you have been. If I hadn’t been blogging with you for the better part of two years, I would have thought from your recent rants that you are anything but a Braves’ fan. You’ve been laying it on extremely hot and heavy. You need to refill your prescriptions, Dude. You’re getting carried away. It’s not good for your blood presssure-especially with all those kids and snow.

By Calvin

April 22, 2007 12:43 PM | Link to this

Nice job on Baseball tonight Mr. O’Brien.

By A.J.

April 22, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

DOB, heard you on Baseball Tonight.

You didn’t sound like I expected. (Just kidding)

That was nice how as their coverage of the Mets-Braves series they let you talk for like 30 seconds and half of it was about the Yankees and Red Sox.

A perfect example of how ridiculous it is.

The rest of the time they had you talk about Glavine. It was of them to really consider how the Braves have done this year, but having one of the most knowledgeable people concerning Braves baseball talk about NYY-BOS and a Met who WAS on the Braves before.

It’s just good to see them give us our due. Thanks a lot Ravech.

Hold on, I’ve got to go…They are talking to the Yankees hitting coach now (I assume they’ll be asking him about the Braves chances against the Mets.)

WHOA…This just in. According to the Yankees hitting coach, A-Rod is a good hitter.

By Lew

April 22, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

We have a full Commemorative Coke can from the 91 NL Champion Braves. We have no intention of selling it, but does anyone have a clue what it might be worth?

By Robert

April 22, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

“MetroDude-A Saturday win against the Braves and a half game lead in the division and you turn into N8?”

I think he was referring to your tendancy to be quite verbose

The mood on this blog is so fragile and ever-changing - at 7-1 the general concensus was that we were gonna run off and hide - after last night’s game if seems Braves fans here are trying to convince themselves that it’ll remain a two-man race

Relax folks - there’s 140 games left

By A.J.

April 22, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

Whoa, I think my entire last post was sarcastic. That’s the longest continuous sarcastic writing of my whole life.

It is funny that they talk all day about NYY-BOS, then they talk to DOB about how much they talk about NYY-BOS, then they talked about NYY-BOS for the whole rest of the segment.

Apparently A-Rod is doing well because he’s happy now. Well good for him.

This is annoying. It doesn’t really make me angry, but it is really funny.

I would have thought that as much as they love the Mets, we might get some press when we were playing them.

To be fair I’m sure they’ve talked about the Braves at some point this season, but in my small sample size it has been all NYY, BOS, NYM, and it’s pretty silly.

By US Mule

April 22, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Fans who discount teams like the Phillies and the Marlins this early in the season are a bit unseasoned themselves.

Many games are yet to be played and the fate of the Mets and the Braves will not be determined by today’s game alone.

My compliments to my compliments to the wise A* of the south and his insight on cowards.

I consider chipdip not ready for primetime and needs to be sent back to “rookie blogs” before being allow to mix it up with the big boys.

By US Mule

April 22, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Fans who discount teams like the Phillies and the Marlins this early in the season are a bit unseasoned themselves.

Many games are yet to be played and the fate of the Mets and the Braves will not be determined by today’s game alone.

My compliments to my compliments to the wise A* of the south and his insight on cowards.

I consider chipdip not ready for primetime and needs to be sent back to “rookie blogs” before being allow to mix it up with the big boys.

By Steve-O

April 22, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Thanks to ESPN there is finally a voice to DOB’s words…….

Smoltz will dominate today. If he was to be asked, he would admit that he is treating today like Game 7 of the World Series, because he knows more than anybody how important taking the series from the Mets in their backyard is. Guaranteed victory.

By chipdip

April 22, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

SO I WENT TO THE DOCTOR TO SEE WHAT HE COULD GIVE ME,HE SAID SON,SON,YOU’VE GONE TOO FAR…CAUSE SMOKIN’AND TRIPPIN’IS ALL THAT YOU DO.YEAH,FAIRIES WEAR BOOTS AND YOU GOTTA BELIEVE ME…..

By ElbravoX

April 22, 2007 1:06 PM | Link to this

When do the Sox-Yankees play? Glavine won’t make it to the 4th!!

By fastasballs

April 22, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

KJ Goes DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!

By Willy Wally

April 22, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this

KJ!

By Greg in TN

April 22, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Afternoon denizens…

Hey, how about that Kelly Johnson jumping on a first pitch for a homer. Or as No Chop would have said:

Kelly Johnson……nice.

The Aybar situation is just getting more and more bizarre. It’s gotten well past the point of rehabilitating him enough to get him back in the lineup, now I just hope the kid gets his head back on straight and can go on with life.

After thinking about Oliver Perez’s day yesterday, I’m convinced that some guys just have our number. I can live with that. There are others out there that always seem to pitch/hit against us well and even better than most other teams in the league (one name most notably on my mind when I think of this is Craig Counsell, he always killed us).

There were some mets fans that were griping about their interleague schedule in terms of having to play the Yankees. After the first two games in Fenway and seeing how Boston has handled them, I think that argument is looking pretty silly right now seeing that we are going up against the Sox later in the summer.

So far so good in Gotham today.

By TennesseePaul

April 22, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

KJ: The real best-leadoff-hitter in the NL.

So, I didn’t read all of MetMan’s posts. I wouldn’t be surprised to find they are some sort of bragging about the game yesterday. We win 7-3. They win 7-2 the next day. So, what happens to ‘em all when we crush Glavine today? Does one still continue to brag about taking 1 of 3?

GO BRAVES

By N8

April 22, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this

WOW!

For the last few months I’ve been saying that McCann, due to his better average w/RISP, would make a MUCH BETTER clean-up hitter than Andruw.

But I was called everything from and idiot, to an Andruw basher, to a guy who knows NOTHING about the game.

I wonder how many of you will be saying the same thing about Joe Simpson, since he was just making the same case for McCann as I have.

WORST CASE SCENARIO with Andruw in the 5 hole, is that when he does ACTUALLY make contact on a mistake for a homer, the odds of somebody (McCann) being on base, instead of it being a solo HR, would go up.

MARK IT DOWN, if McCann starts hitting in the cleanup spot, our rallies will be stretched out longer, and there will be more of them.

Let’s just hope that Bobby uses some common sense, instead of “going with what’s worked for the last decade”.

Andruw had to EARN getting put in the cleanup roll, earlier in his career, with guys like the Big Cat, and Sheffield ahead of him. Why is it just a given to keep him there now, with his struggles, at the expense of the team? Hell, if Bobby is THAT intent on him being there in the lineup, drop him to the 5-hole until he heats up and then put him back.

But, IMO, our best hitters should get the MOST AB’s in every game, and right now, Andruw is NOT one of the best hitters in the lineup.

By David O'Brien

April 22, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

A Sunday bonus _ NEW BLOG IS UP.

By fastasballs

April 22, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

Smoltz looking good through two. Pitch count is low as well.

Maybe Wilson can go deep, yeah right, LOL. There is a better chance of Smoltz taking one out.

By eric the elder

April 22, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

First time through our lineup of mostly right-handed hitters, and the only one to get a hit is one of two lefties. Something in my bones tells me that Thorman would do well against Glavine.

By N8

April 22, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Lew, I have NO IDEA what those coke cans are worth. I’ve got two of them. A buddy of mine’s uncle lived (lived?) in Atlanta back then and sent a couple of them to him to give to me.

I’ve got them sitting in my rubbermade tub, with all the other collectalbe stuff. Cards, magazines, shirts, etc….

By NO CHOP ZONE

April 22, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

Shawn Green……..NICE

By Rosalynn

April 22, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this

Jimma thinks Kella Johnson mah be playuh of the week but Jimma is worried about Langahans. Jimma said Langahans is havin’ nothin’ but bad luck. It’s like a black pussa cat walked right in front of the boah on the wah to the plate.