AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > May > 24 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USNo sweep, but tonight there’s Smoltz
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As I was saying, I didn’t think there was much of a chance the Braves could sweep the Mets (ahem…). Not with Oliver Perez going in the middle game. What, you guys haven’t noticed he dominates the Braves?
Anyway, moving on, onward and upward, and all that. Tonight, Smoltz vs. Glavine, with the bald-on-top dude going for win No. 200. My guess is he gets it, simply because not many are better at answering the bell for these dramatic moments than Smoltz, and this couldn’t be scripted better for him.
He gets win No. 200, at home and against his good friend. Sure beats going for it in Milwaukee next week, don’t you think?
So I’m not going to return to the suggestions of how to treat Glavine tonight, or opine on whether it’s time to put past disagreements with him aside and appreciate what he did for the team while he was here, etc. That’s your call.
Will say, however, that Smoltz and Bobby Cox both have strongly suggested the fans at Turner Field should, for once, give Glavine warm applause instead of booing him like some villain.
“He’s as tough as they come,” Cox was saying yesterday, about Glavine pitching through ankle, knee, rib cage injuries, and the blood-clot scare. “Let alone talking about his arm….”
Cox loved that Glavine never complained about aches and pains or asked to skip a start over a sore, but not debilitating, elbow or shoulder. He never worried about pitching at less than 100-percent health, about what it might do to his ERA, etc.
Then Bobby dropped a modern reference on us that really surprised me.
“He never gives in,” Cox said. “You get him in Extreme Fighting and get him in that choke hold, he’s never going to tap out. He’s going to keep going.”
Huh? Extreme Fighting? Choke hold? Tap out? He knows more about the sport than I do, that’s for sure. Wow. Wasn’t expecting that.
Anyway, asked whether Glavine should get an ovation instead of the 50/50 (at best) boos/cheers he gets at Turner Field, Cox said, “He absolutely deserves a three-minute standing ovation here, for what he’s brought to this town.”
OK, I’ll stop. Because again, I hate being told how to respond to athletes or politicians or anybody else. It’s your money, you bought the ticket, you’re free to respond however you see fit.
And I also don’t want to be a hypocrite, because I gotta tell you, I’d boo Roy Williams for the way he left Kansas. And I know he did a hell of a lot for the university, winning the right way and all. But I’d still boo him.
That said, I still think the Glavine thing is more about his union ties more than a decade ago, and to me that seems like it should be secondary to all the nights he put the team on his back and helped make the Braves a model franchise.
But maybe I’m missing something. I do know, as I’ve said before, that his exit to the Mets wasn’t over a few dollars, as many of you believe. It was a large gap between the offers made by the Braves and Mets initially, and a lot of pride stung and bad water flowing under the bridge before the Braves made a comparable offer to the Mets’ proposal, by which point it was probably too late.
But I’ll leave it at that. Don’t want to rehash, and I’m sure you don’t.
Again, if you boo it’s not an indictment of Atlanta as a sports town or anything else. Don’t let anybody tell you it is. But I will say, it’d probably impress folks watching on TV and in the opposing dugout if you cheered, just this once, on this special night.
Then go back to booing the next time he’s in town, if you like.
Baseball’s a strange game: And here’s just another small example of that. The Braves have hit .212 in their past six home games, but are 4-2 with a 2.17 ERA in those games.
They have hit .301 in their past five road games, but are 1-4 with a 5.27 ERA in those.
Or maybe that just underscores the overwhelming importance of pitching, rather than the fact baseball’s a strange game.
About Andruw’s slump-busting: Apparently it’s still a work in progress. He followed up his encouraging 2-for-3 night with no strikeouts Tuesday by going 0-for-3 with two strikeouts last night.
Since May 2, he’s hit .155 (11-for-71) with one homer, 12 RBIs, seven walks, and 25 strikeouts in 19 games. He has one RBI in his past five games, and was hitless in four of those games.
After the sixth inning this season, Andruw has hit .191 with nine hits and 21 strikeouts in 44 at-bats, with nine walks.
For some comparison, recent arrival Jarrod Saltalamacchia has six hits in just 11 at-bats after the sixth inning, with no strikeouts.
Edgar Renteria is a National League-leading 24-for-57 (.421) with five strikeouts after the sixth inning, and Kelly Johnson is 16-for-50 with 10 walks and nine strikeouts after the sixth inning.
Renteria is 46 points ahead of the league’s next-best after the sixth inning, San Diego’s Brian Giles (.375). Colorado’s Todd Helton (.367) is third.
Moylan is the real thing: With so much attention focused on the “Big 3” Braves relievers - Wickman, Soriano, Gonzalez - and when they might all be healthy and firing on all cylinders at the same time, Peter Moylan’s performance has been overshadowed.
That’s a shame, because it’s been stellar, mate. The amiable and heavily tattoed Aussie sidearmer gave up three runs in his first appearance, while still wiping sleep from his eyes after scrambling to get here from Richmond.
But since then, Moylan has given up just one run and eight hits in 21 innings, a stunning 0.43 ERA and .125 opponents’ average over those 14 appearances.
Speaking of Smoltz… He rises to the occasion for big games and within games. With runners in scoring position, he has held hitters to a .164 average (9-for-55), the best among National League starting pitchers, just ahead of the Mets’ John Maine (.167).
The Braves have two of the top five home ERAs in the league with Smoltz (1.93) and Hudson (2.00). Brad Penny (1.43) and Roy Oswalt (1.76) lead the league.
Baseball is strange, Pt. II: Last season the Braves hit .280 at home and .261 on the road. This season? The Braves are tied with the Mets for the league lead with a .281 road average.
But at home, the Braves are hitting a mere .244 (13th in the NL).
Jeff Francoeur is hitting .343 on the road, 10th in the NL, but hitting just .259 at home. A complete and utter reversal of last season, when he hit .343 at home and .217 on the road.
Edgar Renteria is fifth in the NL in road average (.358) and Chipper (.345) is tied for seventh.
Braves ain’t hitting lately, period: The Braves have scored 44 runs in their past 10 games, but 22 of them came in two games, a 14-0 win at Boston on Saturday and an 8-1 win vs. New York on Tuesday.
They have scored three runs or fewer in six of their past 10 games, and are 3-7 with a .265 average and 4.71 ERA during that stretch.
Damn, we need some music….
”HELLO WALLS” by Willie Nelson (and popularized by the great Faron Young)
Hello walls (Hello, hello.)
How’d things go for you today?
Don’t you miss her/Since she up and walked away?
And I’ll bet you dread to spend another lonely night with me,
But lonely walls, I’ll keep you company.
Hello window, (Hello, hello.)
Well, I see that you’re still here.
Aren’t you lonely/Since our darlin’ disappeared?
Well look here, is that a teardrop in the corner of your pane?
Now don’t you try to tell me that’s it’s rain.
She went away and left us all alone/ the way she planned.
Guess we’ll have to learn to get along without her if we can.
Hello ceiling (Hello, hello.)
I’m gonna stare at you a while.
You know I can’t sleep/So won’t you bear with me a while?
We gotta all stick together or else I’ll lose my mind.
I gotta feelin’ she’ll be gone a long, long time.
(Hello, hello wall.)
Comments
By 22oz
May 24, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
fourth?
By Me
May 24, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
First???
By Austin
May 24, 2007 1:14 PM | Link to this
first!
By 22oz
May 24, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
Well, go ahead and throw another game in the loss column for the Braves, the O’Brien jinx is on!
By JasonInMaine
May 24, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Big game tonight for the Bravos and for Smoltz…I hope he pitches like he did against Boston! It will be a big win…
Good news on Cormier, have you reported on it yet? (:
Seriously, it is encouraging. If he can come back and pitch anywhere near like he did in ST; it will be a huge lift. I would still like to see the Braves get a 15 win type pitcher, but what team doesn’t want that?
With the possible increase in payroll, I wonder if JS will be a little more aggressive this year…especially since this is a good team that could go a long way with a move or two!
Regards,
Jason
By Me
May 24, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
First???
By Me
May 24, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
First???
By Mike
May 24, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
I remember when a big young Braves catcher with a strong arm and a great bat was moved to the outfield and the rest, as they say, is history. How about this scenario: when Andruw leaves after this season, move Francoeur to center and put Salty in right. Has he ever played outfield?
By beachcomber
May 24, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB - so you missed on the sweep prediction. Big deal. I’m still living down my prediction that Omar Moreno was going to be the next Maury Wills for the Pirates and then the Braves. Every once in a while you swing and miss
By Fred from CT
May 24, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this
I hope everyone boos glavine. You could cheer him in a couple of years when we retire his number. the guy is a met. you don’t cheer on your rival no matter what.
By Wilkun
May 24, 2007 1:26 PM | Link to this
Glad to see Moylan get some ink- he certainly deserves it- but Dave, when’s Bobby going to start putting him in the game in more important spots? Seems like Cox would still just as soon send in Paronto, who’s been godawful, but is Bobby’s “groundball guy,” when there’s an important out to get in the 5th or 6th. Heck, shouldn’t Moylan get some shots at the 7th as well, given his effectiveness?
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this
Uh, I didn’t “predict” a sweep, folks. I said there was a chance, probably a good chance, it could happen. But whatever. Yeah, I predicted it. Relax. Chill. Deep breath. Just having some fun on the ‘ol blog here.
But I can see a possible weekend sweep of the Phi… just kidding. Gotta face Hamels in the finale of that game, with Kyle getting the honors.
Phillies are playing a lot better ‘ball than the Braves these days. It’ll be challenge enough just to try to win that series.
By DC Braves Fan
May 24, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this
Damn….this is just like saying someone is 10 of 10 from the FT line ~ and he promptly misses next one. Quit jinxing us DOB!
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
The Braves are 23rd in baseball in runs scored at home. But there’s reason for optimism.
Their OBP is better than every team in the bottom 10 except Colorado and their SLG is higher than all but two teams.
Plus they are only 9 runs away from the NL average in home scoring.
They are 8th in home OPS.
They play in a park that favors pitchers, so while it’s bad, it’s not that bad and it will likely get better.
By the Stranger
May 24, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this
It would be easier to give Glavine the appreciation he deserves if stung pride and bad water flowing under bridges had led him anywhere but Queens. If I were in the stands tonight I would not boo him, but he’s not getting 3 minutes of my applause until he walks into Cooperstown with an ‘A’ on his cap.
And if Roy ruffled your feathers, O’B, by running home to Chapel Hill, would you love him any less had he bolted for Austin, or Manhattan…Kansas?
By StingerSplash
May 24, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
DOB, Will you be asking Andruw about Jayson Stark’s contention that he is overrated and the number of scouts who said he’s not the same player anymore? I just finished reading that on espn.com (why I go there, I don’t know - force of habit) and it was startling.
By Dave
May 24, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this
I boo Glavine for the simple reason he went to the Mets. You cant leave the Braves and go to the rival Mets. The Mets suck and will continue to get boos when Im at the park.
By N8
May 24, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
Yippy! 13th.
THAT is AWWWSOME!
Thank you for shedding light on what Moylan has done since his first appearance. I actually had NO CLUE. I knew he had been doing good. But hadn’t paid that close attention.
Nice work Pete.
By Efrim
May 24, 2007 1:40 PM | Link to this
Prediction:
Smoltz will pitch well, but our offense won’t hit Glavine and our pen will give it up in the late innings……
By Chop This
May 24, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this
Dave —
I made this semi-apologetic post on the previous blog. Wanted to make sure you read it:
Believe me, Dave, I knew no artist of Marty Robbins’ musical magnitude could possibly have slipped past you. That line was meant to be tongue-in-cheek, for sure. No condescension or disrespect was intended.
Don’t worry ‘bout me.
Which Lefty Frizzell albums do you possess, if you’ve got the time to say?
“Big Iron” is another Marty classic on the Gunfighter album. Have you heard Johnny Cash’s marvelous version on the “Unearthed” box set?
I also meant to ask if you owned any Faron Young albums, and irony of ironies, you choose a Faron classic to top your next blog!
The Collector’s Choice compilation “The Complete Capitol Hits of Faron Young” is one of my desert-island albums. Thanks for the tip of the cap to a legend whose legacy has fallen into neglect.
By SourPatchKid
May 24, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Boo Roy all you want. We’re happy to have him back where he belongs
By Meanie
May 24, 2007 1:45 PM | Link to this
And now a word from Shaun, our in-house expert.
” Those claiming that DOB jinxed the Braves have failed to analyze all of the data. First off, my records show that 62% of jinxes applied by DOB are intentional. Clearly any jinx was unintentional. Secondly you must consider the length of time before the game. Statistically most effective jinxes occur within an hour of the first pitch. Yesterday’s blog was clearly written earlier than that. Last, a jinx should never include words like “could, possibly, maybe, etc. ” If all these terms aren’t met then the likelihood of a jinx is slightly less than Shaun getting laid without mass quantities of alcohol…
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
ncscoots,
To answer your post on the other blog:
If there’s a runner on 2nd, less than 2 out, and Francoeur is up, is it better to give up an out and RBI opportunity to move the runner to 3rd, or should Frenchy swing away? For whichever your choice, is that choice the same in hitters’ counts and pitchers’ counts, or does it change? How about down by one, down by two, up by one, up by two? Frenchy struggling or Frenchy raking? McCann hitting behind or Thorman hitting behind (no answer needed if Woodward hitting behind)? McCann/Thorman struggling or raking? Early innings, middle innings, late innings? Smoltz pitching or Chuck James pitching? Etc., etc., etc.
I’ve read some things that point out that a teams’ probabilities usually increase if they give up an out to advance a run. Goes back to the idea that outs are more valuable than bases.
For example, it’s good to have a runner on second with one out but your scoring chances are actually slightly better with a runner on first and no outs.
Of course everything is situational in baseball and it would be stupid not to bunt a runner over if you have a pitcher up with no outs and your lineup is solid.
I’m not against bunting runners over, etc., but I do think things like that are an overused strategy, based on what I’ve read on the subject and the scoring probabilities I’ve seen.
I actually heard on guy say he would have bunted with Chipper up in the second inning if he were managing.
By Greg in TN
May 24, 2007 1:48 PM | Link to this
Afternoon gang…
Chalk up last night’s game to a good pitching performance by Oliver Perez. He’s given up 6 ERs over his last 33 1/3 innings against us, the Yankees, the Brewers, the Giants and the Marlins so the “It’s Oliver Perez, he only does this against us” argument can be folded neatly and stored in the attic with the winter clothes. He’s flat out pitching well right now and it’s not just us.
Agree with DOB and Wilkun on the body of work that Peter Moylan has been turning in lately. I would like to see Moylan getting some more innings. I am a little concerned with Oscar last night, but it’s too early to tell if that’s a trend or just something to file away as a freak occurence.
Really glad to see Cormier’s good night in Pearl last night, so there was good news coming from somewhere within the Braves empire at least.
A win tonight and we take another series. We may look horrible in our losses, we may not have impressive victories, but if we’re able to win series and improve, we’ll be fine.
By MBATL
May 24, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
DOB, do you foresee Salty actually playing any 1B any time soon, or is he just an emergency backup? I didn’t have that much a problem with last night’s lineup, but it really did seem that Salty at 1B (if he’s capable of playing there) and McCann catching would’ve made sense.
Last night aside, it would be pretty sweet to have Salty fill in for Thorman a couple of games a week, and for McCann once a week. That would give him plenty of AB’s, give us a little RH pop; and allow us to option or release (depending on status) either Orr, Prado or Woodward.
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
Good blog DOB.
I’m extremely excited about the depth and youth in our bullpen. Moylan, Yates, Soriano, Gonzo (maybe:-). Add in good work from Paronto and Villareal.
Hopefully McBride will get back to form, too.
By True Braves Fan
May 24, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
GLASS HALF FULL……………….. Andrew gets two hits, drives in a run last night. GLASS HALF EMPTY……………Andrew hits into double play with bases loaded.
By joebrave
May 24, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
Damn Shaun do you have a job son,do you eat,sleep,shower,date women,Dude why is your life warped up in wanting to argue with DOB on a daily basis,who gives a rat’s @ss about meaningless stats,It’s all about winning or losing,not stats,Hell boy just look no further than St.Louis last year,stats what a damn joke!!!
DOB any news on the lineup for tonight,Geez,I hope Woodywoodpecker ain’t playin tonight!!!!
Peace out I’m gone fishin for a while!!!No insurance checks to write for now!!
By Adam
May 24, 2007 1:52 PM | Link to this
The following is a list of Jayson Stark’s 10 most overrated players!!!! JS take note: Do not over pay for Andrew…PLEASE!!!!!!
NO. 3 — Andruw Jones
I’m not going to devote a lot of space in this column to Jones. I’ll leave it to the accompanying book excerpt to cover that one. But in case no one has noticed, Andruw’s trend line hasn’t reversed much this year, either. He’s 18th of 23 qualifying center fielders in zone rating. He’s on pace to strike out nearly 190 times. And he has had nearly twice as many multi-strikeout games (16) as multihit games (eight) so far. For the record, I like Andruw. He could play for my team any time. And he’s one of the best center fielders I’ve ever laid eyeballs on. But the idea behind this project is to point out the difference between how we perceive a player and how he’s actually playing. And Andruw is not the same player he used to be.
By Good #3
May 24, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
I think the fans should ease up on Glavine some. I don’t expect an ovation by any means, but he was paid back to a certain degree over the winter.
No doubt, he wanted to come back to ATL. I also give the METS and Minaya credit for allowing him to pursue that goal. I wanted to see it happen, but obviously JS didn’t. They can talk all they want to about the unfortunate circumstances that wouldn’t allow them to make a commitment until they cleared enough payroll. Yeah and don’t PI$$ down my back and tell me it’s raining! They knew they weren’t paying Giles even if they had to let him walk (which they did) They found another million to pay Wilson. They found ¾ of a mil to pay Redman. That’s about 2 Mil they are eating and getting nothing for. That’s probably a bit over 5 mil all together right there. So they expect me to believe that they couldn’t come up with 8 mil total for Glavine? The METS were going to owe him 3 mil for walking away! Add the 8 mil and that’s about what he’s making this year.
Hudson, Smoltz and Glavine doesn’t look like a bad top 3 in the rotation, especially considering what we have been getting from the back end of the rotation.
JS is a great GM but my god the man spins like a top!
By Julie
May 24, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this
Given the reception Maddux received a couple of weeks ago in Atlanta, I think it’s past time for Braves fans to step up to the plate (pun intended) and give Glavine the same respect. I don’t like the fact he left for the Mets, but he did a lot for Atlanta (team and community). More than Maddux ever did. Don’t cheer him as a Met. Cheer him as a former Brave who still means a lot to the organization. It’s the only classy thing to do.
By True Braves Fan
May 24, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox and John Smoltz are CLASS acts…Tom Glavine is an A$$ act. I hope the fans in the stands boo the Union Loving Two Faced Back Stabber (Not once, but twice) back to NY
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
I still can’t believe Payne hasn’t recognized Perez. He only beats the Braves. There are no two ways about it. He sucks against everyone else, and he beats the Braves. This season, this young season, he has done alright so far. I wouldn’t bet on it to last. Not unless they only pitch him against the Braves.
I would take that bet. Again, I don’t think Perez is going to be a Cy Young contender but he’s a good pitcher. Have you looked at how good he is at things that he can control—K rate, BB rate and HR rate? A lot of his struggles in the past have been due to bad luck and/or bad defense behind him, as his BABIP has been well over .300 in a couple of seasons.
By Chop This
May 24, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this
Hey, Shaun’s got a semi-valid point for a change! With the power and lack of speed in the Braves’ lineup, they’re certainly better served to play the power game. That one-dimensional approach can hit a wall in the postseason, however, when the season’s now down to seven games instead of 162 and the other teams are your equal or superior in run production. I can’t count how many times I’d have killed for some speed and strategy in October (down, Robert!). Anyone else think Otis Nixon being in a rehab facility instead of on the field cost Atlanta a world championship in 1991? I can’t help but think a little small ball with Otis would have made the difference in changing the outcome of one of those gut-wrenching, extra-innings, one-run losses on that lost weekend in Minnesota.
By 22oz
May 24, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
I’m betting that Bobby’s gonna use Sunday vs Hamels as another day to “get those bench guys some at-bats”. (Pete Orr not included). Even though he has all the confidence in the world in McCann, Thor, Kelly, and Willie’s ability to hit lefties. They just need some rest, is all.
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this
I still boo Glavine.
It has everything to do with The Union. Flexing power for the sake of power.
I’m still disgusted.
The owners don’t get a free pass from me either.
Both of them are to blame for the strike and loss of 1994. Both of them are to blame for the steroids mess which currently has no solution (in regards to stats, history, and public perception)
Glavine did a lot for baseball in Atlanta. But his detriment to the MLB (and his loyalties to the Union which led him to signing for more $$$ with NYM) will get a boo from me all the way to Cooperstown.
Power for the sake of power. No foresight in regards to steroids. No attention paid to the consequenses of utilizing steroids as a bartering chip during the collective bargaining agreements.
All I can say is disgust. And BOOO!
By geauxbraves2000
May 24, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
How about Yates last night? Wow, totally dominate. What a difference a year makes.
Smoltz v Glavine. Well, I would have to give the edge to the Braves, for they may only score a couple of runs, but w/Smoltz going for #200, that may be enough. I guess we’ll see though. Usually everything I say is wrong, so look for a 12-10 ball game tonight :)
Geaux Braves!!
By Lee
May 24, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this
I hope J.S. restrains from signing anymore over-the-hill experience type players for the remainder of the year. This years selection of Redman, Wilson and Woodward has been anything but successful. Money just thrown away for an already tight budget.
By BossLady
May 24, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Yes, Glavine deserves props in Atlanta. To me, he brought the winning attitude with him and gave our players a chance to win. I saw him up close in Houston and he looks younger and less stressed. The Braves and the fans turned their back on him when he began to struggle. But, yet they develop a commercial for someone like David Justice who slammed them and the organization.
By rob
May 24, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
I agree, Glavine deserves the adulation of Atlanta. He deserved booing in 2002, but now its time to treat him like we do Maddux when he comes to town.
By strikes back
May 24, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
If you treat this city in a classy way it will show all the class in the world. Look at Julio Franco’s reception. I was at his first game back as a Met and it was really something else. Julio left on good terms and there was nothing but warmth from the city. Glavine essentially gave us the finger when he left. Glavine could have worked something out if he cared enough. He’s not shown enough class to earn any from this city.
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
DOB, this blog from you today read like a cross between Jayson Stark and Tim Kurkijan and Peter Gammons. One the one hand, the useless info tidbits that Stark loves to throw out there that are not at all useless and are fun to consider. On the other hand, this is a strange game stuff that Kurkjian likes to talk about which causes him to always say is this a great game or what? Then the music conversation that Gammons likes to sometimes incorporate into his work - and also the love of the game, the teams, and the players that clearly comes through in my opinion when Stark, Kurkjian, DOB, and Gammons cover the game as opposed to those ugly scum reporters from NYC that have infested the press box at the Ted for the last few days.
Then we will have Shaun to fill in the Rob Neyer void that was missing from today’s blog. Lew fills in the John Kruk everyman role. MBATL brings the Hershiser intelligent perspective. N8 brings the negative Joe Morgan & Skip Caray approach. KC brings the Suzyn Waldman/Chris Berman hyperbolic style to the plate - of all the dramatic things I have ever seen.
That’s why we love ya, DOB. We’ve got our own ESPN worthy beat reporter without having to hear ya sell out to the corporate suits at ESPN talking ‘bout the Stankees and Red Sox every two minutes.
In other news, what a dramatic matchup we have today, folks. Shaun is vying for his 296th post of the day and he is being opposed by N8 who is attempting to earn his 200th post of the day. Utah Skynryd Wayne is available to close should either come up short. BravoNam will throw out the first pitch and sing the national anthem as he usually does for us at 5 a.m., only after he greets the crowd with his signature Robin Williams style dramatic, Gooooooooooooooood Morning BravoNam.
By Thrillhouse44
May 24, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this
I’ll cheer for Glavine…after he gives up a 3 run homer to Francoeur.
By Salty
May 24, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
DOB I’ve read three times, and I’m missing your first ‘baseball’s a strange game’ reference on the home games. What were you trying to say? (Full disclosure: I’m gonna feel like an a$$ if it’s obvious!)
By Lee
May 24, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Otis Nixon would have helped the Braves in 1991 series, which, I have always felt was other World Series the Braves should have won. Of course Lonnie Smith’s base running and Kent Herbek shoving players off 1st base did not help us either. No use crying over what could have been though.
By Lee
May 24, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Otis Nixon would have helped the Braves in 1991 series, which, I have always felt was other World Series the Braves should have won. Of course Lonnie Smith’s base running and Kent Herbek shoving players off 1st base did not help us either. No use crying over what could have been though.
By Lee
May 24, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this
Otis Nixon would have helped the Braves in 1991 series, which, I have always felt was other World Series the Braves should have won. Of course Lonnie Smith’s base running and Kent Herbek shoving players off 1st base did not help us either. No use crying over what could have been though.
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this
Hello Wall, huh? Lemme take a wild guess about who that passive aggressive attack through song lyrics is aimed at? Hmmmmmmmmm………… That’s gonna take me a while to sort out……
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 2:12 PM | Link to this
Quick takes…
Redman’s $750,000 came out of the emergency slush fund when Hampton got re-injured. It wasn’t spent before March because injuries happen.
I think Otis Nixon caused the last out in the 1991 World Series with a failed bunt attempt.
Glavine couldn’t turn down the Mets offer because he was a players union rep telling other players that they couldn’t affect market values by leaving money on the table. BOOOO!
By geauxbraves2000
May 24, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this
I am thankful for Glavine, for his dominate performance in game 6 against that juggernaut helped secure the champsionship. I really don’t have any hard feelings about him leaving, he was in decline anyway. He just found another way to pitch in NY and temporarily halted that decline.
Meanwhile, if the Braves turn their heads, they will see the Phillies catching up to them, only 4 back, with the Marlins only 5 back. It’s about time for the Braves “to get it in gear”.
Geaux Braves!!
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 24, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
I figured there’d be a new blog up pretty quick. That last one DOB put up predicting a braves sweep was making DOB look, believe it or not, foolish.
By Lee
May 24, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this
sorry—— computor went down— problems with that multiple post
By Salty's Dog
May 24, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Gotta do something about Salty.
I say send him back to AA.
Look at Thorman and look at Salty.
Thorman. Strong, intense, lots of power, decent defense. But there is also that swing. Long, out of control. Breaks his bat a lot which means he is getting jammed or hitting it off the end. If his timing goes bad, I see the guy going a month without touching the ball.
Salty. Calm demeanor. Great approach at the plate. Lots of power. Very controlled powerful swing. Great, level cut. (as opposed to the many uppercuts on the Braves team) With his swing and fundamentals, I don’t see prolonged slumps from this guy. Has hit some good pitching already and he’s still a baby.
I’m not picking so much on Thorman as I am looking for a place for Salty to play.
Send him back to double A and let him play first the rest of the season. Either that or bite the bullet and give him some playing time NOW at first in Atlanta!
Don’t trade the guy for a good teams #3 or a bad teams #1 or #2. Thorman can get you that back end of the rotation guy in a trade. Giving up Salty for that would be a crime.
Write it on the wall, Salty will be an allstar at some position and for some team before too many years have passed.
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
glavine could not turn down the money because none of you would either. be for real about it already.
By Bravos
May 24, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
DOB, Et Al There has been much talk about the Braves striking a deal with the A’s as of late. Harden was mentioned quite a bit. But…I have a question.
What about Danny Haren?
The guy’s been lights out this year (1.74 ERA and an absurd WHIP of .94). His record would be better, but his run support has been awful.
He’s only 26, just hitting his prime and his stride, and I would imagine he’s still pretty affordable. He’s only making $2.25 million this year…don’t know what the rest of his contract looks like.
He seems to always be good for at least 6-7 innings, something the Braves desperately need, and seems as if he’d be a great fit right in behind Huddie and Smoltz.
Not sure if the A’s would be willing to part with him, as he’s emerging as their ace…but, as you mentioned, we have a lot of middle infield depth in the minors that the A’s would almost surely be interested in.
Would love to hear your thoughts about Haren.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this
Salty (not Saltalamacchia), what part of this are you confused about, the strangeness I mean:
The Braves have hit .212 in their past six home games, but are 4-2 in those games.
They have hit .301 in their past five home games, but are 1-4 in those.
(I took out the ERA part for your benefit, to avoid confusion)….
Hey, forgot who sent the Aqueduct CD, but it’s pretty good. Sounds a lot like the first Killers album, which I liked until I hear it 7 million times and grew to detest it with every play. But this is good, for a no-label CD with bad cover art (the music is much better than the cover art).
By the way, the new Dinosaur Jr. album is PHENOMENAL. Really, really strong. If you like heavy rock, purchase now.
By geauxbraves2000
May 24, 2007 2:27 PM | Link to this
NO CHOP ZONE, he posted that blog before knowing the weak a* lineup BC posted. Perez pitched great, and not to take anything from him, but I can get that line up out.
Geaux Braves!!
By Chop This
May 24, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
That bunt was ill-advised, Sonny, but you’re thinking of the 1992 World Series. Otis obviously didn’t play in the 1991 World Series.
In his defense, Otis Nixon also hit a single to left that helped send Game 6 in 1992 into extra innings.
But he was having a career season in 1991. It’s hard to imagine his speed and ability to disrupt opposing defenses wouldn’t have meant at least one precious run to the Braves in those incredibly tight battles in Games 6 and 7 against Minnesota.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
Bravos,
No way the A’s are letting Haren go for what the Braves would be willing to give up. They would have to get Salty and Harrison and maybe another prospect or two to give a guy like that up this season at least.
By paul
May 24, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
Come on DOB predict the next series sweep since your so good at it wow your a genius braves sweeping the mets how funny is that!
By Drummerdad
May 24, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
DOB, I got squeemish when you made that call yesterday. You shouldn’t do that. Making the flock of the blog jittery and such.
After watching Andruw since the ‘96 WS, I’m starting to wonder about the amount of effort that should go into keeping him. You give him a chance in clutch situations, and he’ll break your heart… like more often than not. Incredible in the field, but man…
Glavine ought to get the standing O. Don’t like the way he’s treated us, but he did strap the team on his back many times. HE WAS A BRAVE. Dont know the number of times he played Harry Truman and had that “the buck stops here” disposition in his demeanor.
In my opinion, when he’s done with NY, he and David Justice ought to have jobs with the Braves.
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Shaun, buddy, I’ve seen the same statistical evidence you cite, but you left out a fairly important piece of information on context. That evidence purports to define the potential for runs scored in the various offensive situations (runner 1B, no outs; runner 2B, 1 out; etc.) as a scale of reference to the advantageousness of those various situations, but even the folks who did the primary calculations on that body of data make some disclaimers, to wit:
That, if you need one run to win/tie and that is the temporary offensive goal, the odds for or against scoring more than that are meaningless; that, when trading an out for a base in those types of situations, while the chances of scoring more than one run decreases, the chances of reaching the temporary offensive goal may increase.
Yes, there are times when giving up an out indeed may be the optimum offensive tactic. Hard to believe, I know, but there it is…at least as opined by the folks to whom you refer.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
We going to have to make this a No “No Chop Zone” Zone, or what? Weak post, my man. Be original.
By Mike in 'fretta
May 24, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
I know that this is probably old news by know but have y’all read that excerpt form that steaming pile of dog sh!t Stark is calling a book? He actually thinks Andruw is one of the most overrated players in all of baseball and it’s because of his defense - not his offense- that his makes that claim. Are you kidding me?
You know maybe if ESPN would show a baseball game or a highlight that is not the Yankees or Red Sox and people actually got to see Andruw Jones’ defense on display he wouldn’t make such an idiot claim. Seriously, I want to punch that Douchebagg in the face.
By Braves #47
May 24, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this
Whats wrong with you people in Atlanta. I have always been a Braves fan and always will. The Braves didn’t give Glavine a chance to resign he tried and wanted to stay but it was not him but the Braves that force him out. He gave all he could to us and I think we should thank him for all he did. He treated everyone right when he was here and i think its time we gave back a little of what he gave us respect to everyone he met.
By Chop This
May 24, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
*The Braves have hit .212 in their past six home games, but are 4-2 in those games.
They have hit .301 in their past five home games, but are 1-4 in those.*
Do you mean .301 in their past five road games?
And if so, how much does the 14-0 pasting of Red Sox AAA pitchers Saturday skew that batting average?
By Ron
May 24, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
I like Tom Glavine and respect what he has done for the Braves and I would not boo him, but if they booed him as hard as ever I would not care!!! The Mets are our biggest Rivals, and he left here for there!!! It is just like in the NBA when Ben Wallace left the Pistons for there Sworn Enemy the Bulls for MORE MONEY!!! That is the Same thing in this case, he could have went to Any team other than the Mets, and it would not be too big of a deal, but it is the METS!!!!!!!!!!
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
Chop This,
Thanks for the correction.
The memory of scratching my head on that bunt attempt still lingers. Unfortunately, my memory of when it occurred isn’t so good.
Keep fighting the good fight. Thanks again.
By Dave
May 24, 2007 2:37 PM | Link to this
I’ve got to agree with Salty…how can the Braves be 4-2 in the last 6 home games, but 1-4 in the past five….the past 5 are part of the past 6…..I don’t even care about the avg. or era thing.
By Chop This
May 24, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
Shaun must have a bug in the A’s and Braves front offices. He knows exactly who the A’s will demand for Haren.
Your condescension, Shaun, is your least flattering of many off-putting qualities.
By tyyosh
May 24, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Much as I hate to see this day, you have to give the Mets their due. In many ways they remind me of the mid-90’s Braves:
Great GM (oh for the days of Steve Phillips again)
Good manager (at least it looks like WR is good)
(very important IMHO) - best-in-class pitching coach
Strong farm system
More money than competitors (especially with their new network)
As much as we rejoiced in the 14 division crowns, I don’t think we understand the frustration that was building over those years in fans of those other teams, as some of them literally grew up not knowing anything but the hated Braves beating their teams yet again. So I guess it does not surprise me that the Mets people are so interested here now.
Imagine it in reverse: it’s 2019 - 2019! and the Mets have beaten us 14 straight years for division titles. Can you comprehend the pent-up emotions that would go along with that? Ugh!
By Lee
May 24, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
Nixon did not play in 1991 world series at all - he was suspended for drug use.
By porksword
May 24, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Wow man, you’re really conflicted about Tommy Boy. I like that. One sentence you refuse to opine on Glavine’s past and the next paragraph you’re detailing those self-same conflicts. Ah yes…writers and their agonies and passions. Love it. No platitudes here, just an honest, interior tug-of-war.
By Thrillhouse44
May 24, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
I thought No Chop lost his blogging privilges awhile back for talking about someone’s mother.
By Julie
May 24, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
Every player who plays or has played for the Atlanta Braves is part of the SAME player’s union as Glavine. And didn’t Maddux leave for more money? In fact, he had no desire to stay with the Braves. Yet, he gets a (deserved) standing ovation. Just don’t see why the double standard.
By Salty's Dog
May 24, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
Rhetorical question here.
If you are Bobby Cox, how can you NOT be afraid to put last nights’ starting lineup on the field yet you’re afraid to put Salty on first in a game situation?
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Looks like they’re 4-1 in their last five home games. They won the last three vs San Diego before the road trip and have split the first two with the Mets.
And they are 4-2 in the last six home games.
By Bravos
May 24, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
Shaun I know Haren’s at the top of his game…but it seems like the A’s are always looking towards the next big thing, as opposed to holding on to what they already have.
I hate the idea of giving Salty up…and sort of feel the same about Harrison.
But you don’t think the A’s would part with Haren, and what will probably be a big contract upcoming for him in the near future…if we baited them with a bunch of prospects?
I mean, their middle infielders are horrific right now. Bubba Crosby is either injured or hitting poorly, Marco Scutaro (despite some odd heroics now and then) is a very light-hitting second baseman…Chavez has been falling off for years.
The bevy of middle infielders we have right now in the minors has got to be at least tempting for them.
Much as I think Harrison will be good…if we could get Haren for him and, say, Escober or the like…wouldn’t that be good for both sides?
By Fred from CT
May 24, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Chop This your 2:28 post is correct.
By Chop Chop
May 24, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this
Coming this summer…only on PPV!
“Donk” Bobby Cox (managed by Robert) vs. “Balk A Day” Bob Davidson (w/Wally Bell and the ghost of ‘97 WS-vintage Eric Gregg) at UFC 72! Who will tap and who will reign as King of the Octagon? Don’t miss a minute of the action!
By Drummerdad
May 24, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Mike in fretta, ESPN is close to a waste of time for a Braves fan. Last week Collin Cowherd called Bobby Cox a loser. Save your heat for something more worthwhile than the Yankees/Red Sox climax network my friend. Read DOB instead. If I listen to those knuckleheads, I wind up mad like you.
By Dan
May 24, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
If you’re going to boo Glavine for his role in the strike you might as well boo every player on the field every night. Those are who he represented. That is how a union works. I didn’t hear Smoltz or any other ballplayer complaining that Glavine was the one keeping the labor unrest going. Why? Because they supported the position that Glavine was merely conveying as union rep.
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 24, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
I think my post was stronger than your “Sweep” prediction DOB….try again pal.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 24, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this
Bobby Cox just called an emergency meeting with all his coaches—“Boys, we’ve got a dang problem here, never ran into a dang problem like this since I been managin’.”…TP says, “What’s the dang problem Skipper?”…Cox, “Well, you know we’ve got the series with the Brewers coming up soon, and it says here that the dang pitcher they’ll be throwin’ at us in the first game is gull danged ‘switch pitcher’!…”Hell!, we’ll just have to forfeit the dang game I reckon.”…TP, “A gull danged switch pitcher?”…”Never seen that before.”…Cox, “Me neither, the sumbitch hangs his glove on a strap around his neck, then hurls the ball with either arm, so how am I gonna fill out a lineup as far as righty/lefty goes?”…”Gull dangit, I can’t run anybody out there against a gull danged switch pitcher!”…
TP, “But Skipper, are you forgetting, you’ve got three danged switch hitters on your team?”…Cox, “Golly!…Gosh!…Gee Whiz!…Geesh!…Never thought about that.”…”OK, I’ll just pencil in Salty as lead off batter, clean up, seven spot, and he can cover the outfield…Chipper can bat two spot, five spot, eighth spot, pitch and cover the infield…and McCann can bat third spot, sixth spot, ninth spot, and catch.”…”Golly Gee Whiz! I think that’ll work!”…TP, But Skipper, that sumbitchin’ switch pitcher can still switch up on your switch hitters!”…Cox, “What??”…”Well, I’ll just have my switch hitters come to the batter’s box, wait to see which hand right/lefty their switch pitcher is holding the ball in, then have my switch hitters to switch to the opposite side from the righty/lefty ball hand and switch hit from that righty/lefty side, but dammit that’s the best righty/lefty matchup that I can come up with!!”…TP, “OK you’re the Skipper.”…Cox, “Geeeeeeeeeesh!!!”…”switch pitcher—$hit!“…
By BossLady
May 24, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
Of course Glavine took the Mets contract and every one of us in this blog would too if we could advance our livelihood too. First, you look at your family and assets and then you may think about the “company” but in the end you do what you gotta do.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
Chop This,
You really think the A’s would give up Haren for one prospect this season?
I’m just guessing, not trying to be condescending.
ncscoots,
As I said, it’s very situational as to when it’s a good time to employ certain strategies with concern to bunting, etc. But often times it’s an overused strategy.
By BamaBrave
May 24, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
I can accept Smoltz’s loyalties and motivations for suggesting Glavine be embraced warmly by the Atlanta fans…but I can’t believe he actually thinks it will happen. He must be hoping most fans don’t remember the ‘94 strike, and the high-profile, enthusiastic role Glavine played in that sad opera of greed. Like a fellow blogger has suggested, the owners are also to blame, but we don’t really have a way to voice displeasure with them. (We could stop coming to games, but most of us love the game too much.) We love ya, Smoltzie, but Glavine is the poster child for spoiled millionaires. You should be thankful he even gets a lukewarm reception.
By Bobbys' no Boobie
May 24, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
Hey cut Bobby some slack on last night’s lineup. He’s getting old and a little senile.
Someone told him he was coaching the ALL STAR game and he thought the players he started had been voted in by the fans!
By Mike S
May 24, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Braves #47, pretty off base on the fact that the Braves forced Glavine out. They made him offers that were higher than what they wanted to budget wise. They even offered the same over budget offer when he called Bobby Cox and said he wanted to stay (after all the bad statements he said about the Braves.) Although your right about being appreciative to him about what he did in Atlanta.
By chris
May 24, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this
Dave, I’m confused as well. How can the Braves be 4-2 in their past 6 home games and 1-4 in their past 5 home games?
Chris
By AthensBrave
May 24, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this
I’m glad that I am not the only one ripping on Shaun’s posts anymore. DOB, I asked yesterday and maybe you didn’t answer b/c you don’t know. What is Will Startup’s status as far as being called up? Basically how many people need to mess up for him to be in the majors?
By Lee
May 24, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
I have never had a problem with what Glavine did. He did his job as a union rep. Baseball learned the hard way that season - it took a few years to get a lot of its fans back. Everybody has their own right to boo or cheer him when they pay their money to the game. That is why it is about 50/50 cheers and boos.
By Kieran from Long Island
May 24, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Regarding Moylan…
As I have always said, sometimes the best thing that can happen to you is to struggle in the very begining. Whether it is one start or a season, if you have your struggles early you can isolate what you’re doing wrong and work to correct it. I think this is the case on Moylan. The guy didnt pitch outstanding last year and had a bad start in his first appearence this year. After that he cleaned up his act and didnt recieve any added pressure because his numbers masked his solid performance. Let’s skip that first start, and say he started off with 12-17 scoreless innings. Now everyones screaming to mka him the eigthinning guy and Soriano the closer and the guy has the whole state of Georgia talking about, and relying on him. Hey, having one of teh better Bullpens in the NL certainly take sthe pressure off as well, but You have to feel good about what he’s done.
Another word on How numbers can be decieving….
Jason Marquis what a suprise huh? Living up to his big contract and on his way to a possible All Star appearence right? Great Numbers… but look again.
Marquis put up 5 straight wins and had an ERA under 3, which is remarkable if you look at his career numbers. Now let me ask you this, did anyone look closely at the games he’s pitched? Well those 5 wins came against 3 of the weakest offensive teams in the National League. Including 2 against the Pittsburgh Pirates who are dead last in team Batting average in the NL(one of which was a complete game shut out). Two more wins came against the abyssmal 83 win defending champs, and the other against the infamously inept bats of the San Diego Padres here’s a look at those 5 starts…
May 9 PIT W 1-0 W 9.0 3h 0r 0er
May 2 @ PIT W 7-1 W 8.0 4h 1r 1er
Apr 27 @ STL W 5-3 W 6.2 5h 3r 3er
Apr 21 STL W 6-0 W 7.0 7h 0r 0er
Apr 16 SDG W 12-4 W 6.0 3h 1r 1er
And the other starts since then?? How’d he do against the better teams, well, in the words of the Seinfeld Bubble Boy, “How ya doin over there?? Not so good!”
Mets and White sox touched him up and he didn’t make it out of the 6th. And here they are…
May 19 CHW W 11-6 - 6.0 7h 5r 5er
May 14 @ NYM L 4-5 - 5.0 5h 4r 4er
Now one would say, give the guy a break, it was 2 bad starts after 5 great ones. Yes perhaps, but if you look at the numbers and you’ve seen this guy pitch for teh Barves and teh Cardinals in the past, then well, which way would you think Jason season going to go?
Sorry if I seem like I’m picking on the guy, because I am, he didn’t deserve the contract he got because he had zero body of work, the Cubs are fools. So we shall see how the rest of his year goes, and If I am wrong i will come out and admit it, just as I did when I told teh world that kelly Johnson was a minor league hitter and that Martin prado should be leading off (ehem… bring in the crow)
But you guys have seen Jason pitch more then enough, what do you think??
By Tomahawkin' Again
May 24, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Those of you lucky enough to be at the Ted tonight…No standing ovation for Glavine. I’m not typing you should boo him, but no way does he deserve an ovation. #1, HE’S PLAYING FOR THE FRIGGIN’ METS! #2, No matter how he spins it, Tommy did listen to the union and spurned Atlanta’s offer to go to NY 4 years ago. Yes, it was last minute, yes, it was less years than the Muts (not less money per year, just an expectation w/clauses built in if he underperformed or got hurt…which DID happen in 2003-2005). #3, 12-15 w/a nearly 4 ERA in the postseason under Atlanta. I’m sorry, Tommy stunk out the joint in the ‘97 LCS vs. Marlins, ‘00 LCS vs. Cards and especially the ‘02 LCS vs. Giants. Once he retires from the game and heads to Cooperstown, I’ll be there to stand-up and cheer for him. Until then, BURY THE SOB TONIGHT! GO BRAVES!!
By MizzouGuru
May 24, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
I applaud Roy Williams for leaving KU - that cow pasture of a university.
By SteelCav
May 24, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
NO CHOP ZONE -
Why are you here? You rarely talk baseball. You prefer to talk trash and insult the blog host.
By Mike in 'fretta
May 24, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Cheer for Tom Glavine? Sure, let’s start cheering for Oliver Perez too…and why stop there let’s just cheer for the whole Mets team.
Obviously I am being a little extreme, but there is no way I will ever cheer for a Met…EVER! It’s just that simple. The minute Glavine donned that Jersey was the minute I stopped rooting for him and started rooting against him. If Chipper Jones (my favorite player ever) left Atlanta for the Mets I would hate him too. It’s just the way it is with a rival.
By Bobbys' no Boobie
May 24, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this
Geez, it’s a *&^%##!! proof readers convention in here.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
Looks like they’re 4-1 in their last five home games. They won the last three vs San Diego before the road trip and have split the first two with the Mets.
By Fred from CT
May 24, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this
Julie the braves didn’t want maddux back they let him go but remember maddux didn’t go to the mets. It’s about him selling out and going to the mets.
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 24, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this
Thrillhouse44…..My post was a retaliation for a post that was directed at me. Since my so called banishment I’ve read post after post just as crude and DOB has not acted on it and basically ignored it. You’ll have to ask him why because when I’ve question him about it he just ignores it.
By Bryan
May 24, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
David,
any status on Tanyon Sturtz (i know i just butchered his name … )?
How long until he starts his rehab work?
By Tomahawkin' Again
May 24, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Whoops, correction to my 2:57pm post. Glavine’s struggles in 2000 & 2002 was in the Division Series (LDS, not LCS). You get the point…Smoltz has been dominant in the playoffs for Atlanta, while Tommy was a .500 pitcher postseason. Kick his a@# tonight!
By Spike
May 24, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this
Don’t understand the animosity toward Glavine. He was merely the union rep., not responsible for making policy, only to represent the wishes of this fellow teammates. He deserves better from Atlantans for what he gave this organization. Great to read tha Andrew is hitting in his cage at home trying to get on track. Seems simple to the rest of us, hit the ball to right and stay inside the baseball like Edgar for a few AB’S. Anyone besides me watching Tyler Yates? If you take away opening night in Atlanta in the freezing conditions(not good if your from Hawaii)his ERA would be under 2.00 and he throws hard. He’s been a great surprise…hope he keeps it up. Let’s get this one tonight for Smoltz, and win the series.
By Chop This
May 24, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
I haven’t the slightest idea who the A’s would take for Haren. I’ve never even heard of Haren until about 30 minutes ago.
You haven’t the slightest idea who the A’s would take, either, but rather than humbly preface your point by admitting that you’re just speculating, you state your case like it was written in stone on Mount Sinai, and anyone else would be an idiot to disagree.
You make your arguments in that manner all the time, which I think is key as to why so many here, DOB included, waste a lot of time arguing with you, even in cases where you’re obviously wrong and should quickly be dismissed.
Like now, for example — I’d rather discuss baseball with respectful people. So good day to you, Shaun.
By Fred from CT
May 24, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
Tomahawkin’ Again
I am giving you a standing ovation right now as I agree with you 100%.
By JCB
May 24, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Dave You said “The Braves have hit .212 in their past six home games, but are 4-2 in those games.
They have hit .301 in their past five home games, but are 1-4 in those.”
That might be why it is so confusing. How can they be 4-2 in their past six home games if they are 1-4 in their past 5 home games?
By Lee
May 24, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
Oakland may never make a trade with the Braves again. Dan Meyer, Charles Thomas and Langerhans (1 day trade) were all busts; however, Langerhans was acquired to trade to the Nats by Oakland.
By Ron
May 24, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
The Braves would be crazy to trade for Harden, unless they would not have to give up much, and of course they would have to give up alot!!! I think Harden is signed through the end of 2009 with a good club friedly deal, since when have they ever traded a Starting Pitcher like that in a CLUB FRIENDLY DEAL, I cannot remember the last time, if they are trying to trade him (dont know if they are or are not) then there is something wrong with the guy, they never trade guys like that with that contract unless something is wrong!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Mike in 'fretta
May 24, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
No Chop Zone,
What DOB is trying to say is that he doesn’t like you.
I don’t like you either!
You just watch yourself. We’re wanted men. I have the death sentence in twelve systems.
By Salty
May 24, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
DOB How can you go 4-2 in the past six home games; but only 1-4 in the past five (of the six, above) home games? What am I missing? Did you meand last five road games?
By Baron
May 24, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
DOB, do you think the releases of Wilson and Redman might be an indication of Liberty’s willingness to loosen the purse strings? That’s 2.75 mill just given away in two weeks. Also, why were those guys released rather than put on waivers? Or were they put on waivers and they released? Had they cleared waivers, couldn’t the braves have sent them to the minors? Would they have?
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 3:18 PM | Link to this
I echo the non- sweep of Philly because Brett Myers & Jon Lieber also give the Braves trouble along with Hamels… Glavine is back to his corner strikes and killer changeups. You can probably expect a 2-1 type game IF Smoltz can match Glavine tonight. I still can’t believe Oliver freaking Perez blanked the Braves for 8 innings… The Braves hitters need a swift kick in the adz !
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this
Regarding the position of a Union Rep…
I’m not an insider, but I’ve heard interviews with baseball players who didn’t know what issues were before the union. They didn’t know what stance their union rep had. All they did was go out and play baseball. Because their agent and the union rep had their interests in hand.
And I think I remember (better than Otis Nixon’s involvement in the 1991 WS, I hope), that Glavine has been quoted that players need to take the higher offer so that they can protect the “market value” of players contracts.
Despite public comments about wanting to remain a Brave, there was no way that he could take the hometeam discount. It would’ve been hypocrisy of the highest proportion.
By Rodger
May 24, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Julie-no, Maddux did not leave for more money, it was just assumed he would want it. He wasn’t offered a contract.
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 24, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Steelcav, you’re new here in the blog I guess. In previous blogs I have talked baseball……Where were you? To be honest with you it doesn’t matter what stats I throw out there to justify my point. There are always brave fans to won’t acknowledge them or they’ll twist them around to meet interpretation of reality. The only number that matters to me right now is 2 1/2 games in first, but then a brave fan will counter with “we’ve beaten you 5 out of 8”…..So what! It doesn’t mean sh-it if you finish 10 games back and out of the playoffs. I don’t know maybe there’s something wrong with my sense of logic.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this
Chop This,
I figure it’s pretty obvious I don’t actually know who the A’s would ask for in a Haren deal. I’m just making an educated guess, not trying to be a jerk.
I like sarcasm sometimes and I like to challenge held conventions that don’t seem to make sense but I doubt anyone would call me a jerk.
I would argue I have a slight idea who the A’s would or would not take for Haren and who the Braves would or would not give up. I can guarantee the Braves wouldn’t give up Brian McCann for Haren.
By Salty
May 24, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
DOB I guess it’s also time to change my name, even if I was Salty before the really good Salty came along. Drawing on your reference to my post, I’m guessing Salty(not)lamacchia hence forth!
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
Folks, I’m amused that you’re confused: 4-2 and 1-4 in the same stretch of home games is merely DOB Math at a high level…kinda like calculus of n-variables of the sports world. I know it takes a while to pick up on this stuff, but you gotta pay attention, my friends :-) In time, you too will be able to cipher, LOL
By Lee
May 24, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
How about a 3 player deal with Oakland for Haren…………Orr, Woodward and Prado. How could Oakland possibly refuse that deal.
By Ron
May 24, 2007 3:24 PM | Link to this
Julie, Maddux left for the Cubs, and Glavine left for our Enemies the Mets!!! What of that do you not understand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Who gives a sh!t about the damn Cubs!!!
By Chop This
May 24, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
I recall a World Series game in 1995 where Glavine pitched pretty damn well. I’ll be giving him standing ovations the rest of his career for that one.
If Andruw leaves and reinvents himself like Glavine did, all you fans clamoring to let him go now will probably screech about his disloyalty once he’s gone.
By Salty
May 24, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
JCB Thanks! I’m guessing he meant last five road games, which fits of late.
Salty(not)lamacchia
By Brad in KY
May 24, 2007 3:25 PM | Link to this
DOB
You said:
“The Braves have hit .212 in their past six home games, but are 4-2 in those games.
They have hit .301 in their past five home games, but are 1-4 in those.”
The confusion results from the fact that it’s impossible for the Braves to be 4-2 in their last six home games and 1-4 in their last five home games. There’s a mistake here.
Shaun
Your posts are the only ones worth reading on here usually. The ad hominem replies to your posts are simply the result of poor, sloppy thinkers who don’t care to take the time to think harder about the presuppositions they so often take for granted. How dare you question “the book”? What do you mean homeruns and batting average and ERA don’t tell us much? I mean, did you see the post where someone took exception to the claim that Andruw Jones has slipped defensively? What game are they watching?
This place is only good for DOB’s insider info and the occasional good laugh at the person who thinks we can trade backup players X, Y, and Z for superstar P.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this
I’m glad its not just about the money for all players. I remember Chipper,Andruw,and Smoltz all accepting less money to stay Braves. This is exactly why they are my three all-time favorite Braves. The Murph is a close 4th. Sure they still got their millions from the Braves and were paid well but they didn’t let the Yankees,Mets,Red Sox,and Dodgers buy them. I’m disgusted with Glavine and Maddux because they are sell-outs.
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 24, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
I’ll keep that in mind Mikey in fritta
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this
meansonny,
I just think being involved in a multi-billion dollar industry where you are constantly in the public eye and people are constantly in awe of you is going to at the very least feed your ego and make you greedy. It’s hard to imagine that everyone who says they wouldn’t change or go after a big contract, etc., wouldn’t actually do just those types of things.
By Salty
May 24, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this
Scoots I haven’t touched calculus since my frosh year at Clemson. I don’t read the blog so I have to think, too…much!
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this
Plus Maddux waited until Paul Byrd (a.k.a. DL Mike Hampton Jr.) was signed to accept arbitration ($16 million at that) that forced the Braves to trade Kevin Millwod to stay under the salary cap that year. Then Byrd got healthy and bolted to the Angels for more denero. What a great guy…
By Bravos
May 24, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
Chop This Not trying to be abrasive…but how have you never heard of Haren?
Shaun For what it’s worth, since the comment in question was directed at me, I took no offense to the way you stated it. In fact, I pretty much agree with your estimation that the A’s wouldn’t give up Haren…but I was curious as to what everyone thought.
The Bickersons Just a quick question: Why is SO MUCH of this blog devoted to people bickering? Man…it’s absurd.
There are great threads about trades, about lineups, about Glavine/Maddux/Smoltz.
And then there are these nonsensical, asinine, juvenile strains where people call each other out and back and forth about nothing.
Enough is enough.
Say something pertinent or progressive, or just don’t post.
It’s like an elementary school playground around here sometimes.
By Dan
May 24, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this
I do not understand BC’s logic in starting Woodward, Prado, Diaz, and Salty last night..We are playing the Mets, we need to win- put your BEST lineup in their to face these guys..We pretty much had our 2nd string in there againt the division leaders and they couldnt score a run. I dont care about lefty/righty matchup, Woodward is terrible, Prado is a solid backup at best,and Diaz is Diaz nothing spectacular . We need MCcann, Johnson,Thorman and Harris in there to spark this lineup that has been struggling as of late! I garuantee you we will not see that lineup agian tonite..And please trade Salty, are we honestly going to find a spot for him on this team? Give him some more playing time here and there to let him showcase his talent and lets get some good, young pitching that we can actually use!
By Ippississim
May 24, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB, any feel for whether or not the PLAYERS would like to see Glavine back in a Braves uniform in ‘08 or ‘09? Picture this: Glavine is signed for this year, with a conditional option for ‘08. Maddux is tied up for this year and ‘08. How about the possibility of Smoltz, Maddux and Glavine ALL retiring together in Atlanta uniforms? All three are still solid, and may well be in 2009. Might be worth pursuing, if just from a PR/ticket-sales standpoint.
By the Stranger
May 24, 2007 3:33 PM | Link to this
Scoots, nice clary on the math cipher.
By Chop This
May 24, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
It’s quite simple, Bravos. The National League is the only place you can watch real baseball anymore, therefore it’s my only source for professional baseball. If Haren comes to the National League to play real baseball sometime in his career, then I’m sure I’ll become familiar with him then.
By Interested Observer
May 24, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
This has become an all too familiar question…but, when might we hear something about Gonzalez’ latest MRI?
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Mike in Fretta
I needed that. LOL
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Ippississim,
Would be cool but I don’t know how likely.
What would be cool is to see Maddux, Glavine and Smoltz all pitch on one day for the Braves in their last game. Maddux could start, Glavine could set up and Smoltz could close it out. Kind of like a Phil Neikro type thing.
By SteelCav
May 24, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
NO CHOP - I call ‘em as I see ‘em. Maybe if your posts were more baseball-related and less inflammatory (especially considering you are a guest), you’d probably be treated with a bit more respect. You reap what you sow. Just my .02.
As far as tonight’s game is concerned, I will cheer for Glav but root for the Braves to win, just as I always do.
By Jim
May 24, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this
Even with the 0-3 last night, Andruw looked a lot better than he did before the current home stand. His swing was much more controlled and he showed better plate coverage. Chalk up last night to Oliver Perez (and Wagner). Nobody except Salty did very much against Perez either.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
Woodward couldn’t make my local softball team’s roster… Does Bobby always have to have a Mark Lemke or Keith Lockhart type player wasting a roster spot ? Willie Harris is legit to me. Diaz can hit too. Prado is unknown but hit well in AAA which ain’t the big leagues pitching either. My lineup would be : Harris,K.Johnson,McCann,Chipper,Francoeur,Andruw,Renteria,Thorman,P spot
By ernesto
May 24, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
The Glavine hating is WEAK. If you met he’s a good guy. So you didn’t like what he did with the Union thing? Good God, people, look at the history of the owner’s scrwing over the fans AND players. He was elected to look after the rights of players and he did his job. And while he was here he was a hell of a Brave. Notice how salaries went down this year and ticket prices still went up….that’s the fault of Tom and the Union too right?
Of course everyone’ entitled to their own opinion, but he’s “a lackey for the union” or “he left” or “he ” (both one could argue more the fault of the Braves than Glav) are just WEAK!
All that being said, I hope we kick his butt tonight, but that doesn’t change the face he’s a good guy and I’ll feel proud to see him go into Cooperstown with a Tomahawk across his chest.
By daniel
May 24, 2007 3:44 PM | Link to this
I can totally understand and agree with anyone who won’t applaud Glavine because he is a member of the hated Mets. I find it pretty tough to wish him well, because I want that team to lose 162 a year.
When Glavine retires, he can return to Turner Field and throw out a first pitch. I hope the place gives him a standing ovation. I appreciate what he did as a Brave as well. But, he’s a Met now.
By Lee
May 24, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this
Glavine still lives in the Atlanta area doesn’t he!!!! I see some of you really have him shaken up over the boos. When you have millions I believe boos can be tolerated easily.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Dan Haren was traded by the Cardinals to the A’s for Mark Mulder.
By ernesto
May 24, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
And Robdawg06, Maddog got let go, he didn’t walk away.
By geauxbraves2000
May 24, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this
As far as players leaving for big contracts, I of course do not truly know unless I was put in that situation, but I’d think if I already had more money than I knew what to do with, then I could chose where I’d play. Rather it be with the same club, or if I truly wasn’t happy, a different club. I guess I don’t understand if I already a $100M, why I think I need $2M or $3M more?
Whatever. If you really think about it, we all route for the uniforms.
Geaux Braves!!
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
I’m feeling a big breakout game against Glavine tonight.
Big nights for McCann, Frenchy, Kelly, & Renteria
Glavine doesn’t make it to the 7th inning.
By Dave T.
May 24, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
I agree with Tomahawk. Im not rooting for anyone on the damn Mets. Even if its my mom. Smoltz turned down the Yankees, why couldnt Glavine turn down the Mets. Screw him. BOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
By Bravos
May 24, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
Lee Orr, Woodward, and Prado for Haren… AHAHAHAH Perfect.
Tell you what…we’ll resign Wilson and Redman and throw them back in there, too, just to sweeten the pot a little.
Tell me the A’s wouldn’t love to have Redman back in that rotation.
By Conlin
May 24, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
Ippississim
That sounds like a great idea !!! NOT The Braves are not in business to write happy endings. Your Idea sounds like the making of a chick flick. Maybe we can invite FABIO out to Turner and anounce them all in the 09 lineup…
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 24, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this
I needed that……You need more than that Meansonny, but I don’t think there’s anyone here that’s qualified to give it to you. You might was to give the CDC or the local health dept a call to clear up those open sores all around your mouth.
By Ron
May 24, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
robdawg06, Brett Myers strained his pitching arm, and will probably miss a little bit of time, or a long time, dont know how serious!
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 3:53 PM | Link to this
I remember the players screwing the fans by striking for more money. How many millions a year does a player need to live on ? My wife and I survive nicely on about $80 thousand a year. No player should make over $2 million a year IMO. The ticket prices could be dropped for fans if there is excess monies instead of bank-rolling the players lives for generations…
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
Stranger, Salty(not), gracias. Only the righteous thing to do; we constantly get a flow of new, good posters here who only need a light to see the path, just need some background to get up to speed. Hey, somebody did it for me, too, ya know.
Salty(not), lots of Tigers alums post here, FYI. Instantly recognizable for the quality of their posts, and the flair with which they are written, LOL.
By rammerjammer
May 24, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
If Glavine gets a standing ovation when he takes the mound, that’ll freak him out. He’ll lose his concentration and the Braves will rip.
Do it.
By Meanie
May 24, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this
I’m telling you, ignore it and it just goes away- dissipates like a fart. Keep responding to it and it never goes back where it came from.
By Conlin
May 24, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
**TO all Braves fans news flash Glaivine an Maddux all play for other teams. Yes thay did great things when they were here but let go of them. Man up and root for who we have. Of course Cox and Smoltz welcome these guys in because thay are all close friends but we are fans not friends they come and go when there gone we lets see BOO THEM…quit being CANDYASSES !!!!!
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Salty, NOW I see what you were talking about. I had HOME GAMES on both of those cases. Was supposed to be road games on 1-5 with the higher average example. MY BAD.
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 4:00 PM | Link to this
My dislike for Tom Glavine, by meansonny…
The guy threw a pitch at Dale Murphy…. on Dale Murhpy appreciation night!!!!
The guy was the union rep during the 1994 strike.
The union used steroid testing as a bargaining chip during labor negotiations (nobody in MLB at the time is innocent on this one. they are now reaping what they sowed).
He is-was a proponent of taking the highest dollar even if the player wanted to stay with his current team solely for the sake of improving player salaries during arbitration and free agency.
He followed his own advice and left the only team he played for… to go to New York.
Even as a nice guy, he could be smug (he always has had that smirk).
I met him at The Oasis. He was signing autographs and was genuinely polite. Probably a little embarrassed.
The last one isn’t a reason for dislike. I’m still disgusted about the union thing and like to smear that one out there.
By Shaun
May 24, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
robdawg06,
Dropping ticket prices? Yeah, right. Demand would be just as high and the owners couldn’t resist getting as much as they could. All setting players’ salaries at $2 million or less would do is put more money in the owners’ pockets.
The only solution is for fans to stop going and watching games on TV or for the the government to get involved. I don’t think anyone wants that.
By Ron
May 24, 2007 4:01 PM | Link to this
robdawg06, well technically Maddux was a sell out when he was pitching for the Braves, because he left the Cubs for the Braves, so I guess you were disgusted with Maddux when he was Pitching for us!!!!!!!
By BamaBrave
May 24, 2007 4:03 PM | Link to this
You folks out there defending Glavine as a Players Union man “just doing his job”… Do you think it’s reasonable for players like A-Rod to make $25 million a year, skewing major league baseball payrolls so that small market teams rarely have a chance? Do you think it’s reasonable that a decent seat at Turner Field costs approximately $35? Do you like the way agents have become as much a part of the game as pine tar? Do you like rooting for laundry, instead of players who form a relationship with - gasp - the fans and community over the course of many years? The Players Union exists for very valid reasons…the players used to have no power. But c’mon. Things are now WAY out of whack in the other direction, and Glavine, Fehr and the other greedy millionaires have been a large part of the problem. BTW, the “he’s just doing his job” argument doesn’t work with me, and hasn’t really been effective since Nuremburg. Like I said before, IMO, Glavine is the poster child for greedy millionaires.
By Conlin
May 24, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
**ROBDAWG I agree when Clemens finally hits the field he will be making a little more then $17000.00 per pitch. Now thats out of hand.
By Bubbaallred
May 24, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
Trade Andruw for a pitcher, NOW!
By ajstamp
May 24, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
I dont think it has ANYTHING to do with his role with the labor union…for me at least.
for me…its all about the fact he left the Braves for like 1 million dollars more a season to pitch for the Mets.
the braves offered him a 3 year 30 million contract… the mets offered him a 3 year 33 million + an option for the 4th year.
and dont say the option was the key…come on…does anyone honestly think the braves would have not have resigned him if thats what he wanted? gimme a break. Glavine was set … he’s the one who sold out for just 1 million dollars more a season.
the player had already amassed like 70 million as a player. whats 1 more million dollars?
we applauded Maddux, Franco, Javy and Marcus Giles because essentially the Braves gave on them as players… Glavine gave up on US. Period.
As far as I’m concerned, until he retires - he’s dead to me.
By Ippississim
May 24, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
Just picture it: Smoltz, Maddux, Glavine, Hudson, and James as a starting rotation, a bullpen top-end of Soriano, Moylan, Gonzo, and Yates, with McCann, Francoeur, Johnson, Harris, Chipper, Edgar and Salty (1B or OF) in the lineup. 2009 would be the season to end all seasons.
By Glass Half Full
May 24, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
DOB
Repeating a question from the previous blog: Is Buddy Carylye one of those guys who is “make or break?” (i.e., guys who remain with the big league club or are designated for assignment because they have no minor league options left). Kinda like Travis Smith was last year.
By NO CHOP ZONE
May 24, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
SteelCav I disagree…..I am not a guest. I have just as much right to be here as anyone else regardless of who I root for. This is a open forum for opinions and statements…..I believe your mode of thinking is called segregation: The removal of certain parts or segments from a whole or mass.
By Goferball
May 24, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Damn SJA your 2:47 post nearly made me p** my pants!
By The Grinch
May 24, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Smoltz turned down the Yankees to stay here for less, Maddux never received an offer from us, and Glavine went to the Mets…the METS, because the 30 million we offered him (on top of the 80 we’d already paid him) wasn’t enough to feed his family. I’d love to see what they eat. F&^% Glavine; I booed him at Smoltz Glavine II earlier this season (ask Scribe) and I’ll bounce an empty off my tv at him tonight (unless I go for bottles). He was one of my favorite pitchers when he was here and I’ll always remember ‘95 fondly, but once he shot us the finger to go to the Mets…the freakin’ METS…you, nor I, nor anyone else owes him SQUAT. Screw that traitor. Once he goes to the hall, if he’s got a Braves cap on and gives us props for supporting him and elects not to speak of anything else, I might reconsider. Until then and as long as he’s sportin’ the blue and orange all he’ll see from me is my middle finger.
By Bubbaallred
May 24, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
How about andruw for zambrano? I’ll bet Cox could return CarlosZ to his old form.
By Glass Half Full
May 24, 2007 4:14 PM | Link to this
I see Carlyle has played parts of 3 MLB seasons (1999, 2000, & 2005). I guess that means he is indeed “optionless.”
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 4:15 PM | Link to this
Again, since a few of you replied: I was hurrying, as usual, and just had a brain cramp and typed home twice instead of home on one and road on the other.
Salty, sorry for acting like you were stupid, when it was me being the dumba$#.
MizzouGuru, there are no gurus from your university. Just as there are no competitive sports teams.
By Conlin
May 24, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Ippississim Glad you dont have JS’s job thats all we need is 3 starting pitchers in their mid 40s. Great idea. GET REAL !!
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 24, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this
Alright, now I’ve heard everything. After the dead monkey story from JJS, I thought that was it, but now we find out that Ben Sheets may miss his scheduled start against Atlanta. Read here to find out why, and notice what he is putting on his injury.
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=610133
Go down to the section labeled, “Cowboy Ben.”
By Glass Half Full
May 24, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
Forgetting for a moment that Andruw would have to approve any trade…no team would trade a solid young pitcher for him unless they believed they could resign him after the season. Most teams who want Andruw are likely to wait until he’s a free agent.
By BlueMoon
May 24, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
For the people that are on Glavine for the Union representation, let me let you in on a couple of facts here…
Owners were trying to cut retirement benefits for minor leaguers who had met the professional requirements.
Owners were also trying to cut medical benefits and insurance for minor leaguers. So what happens when they end up hurt? They would have been dropped from the club and left to pay the medical bills.
Oh, did I mention the fact that they were also trying to cut pensions of players that had already retired?
If you’re on Glav because of the union association please rethink. 95% of the issues had to deal with the owners treatment of retired players and the minor leaguers. They would just never say it and the media would never run it.
By SteelCav
May 24, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
NO CHOP - This is a Braves Blog. Not a Mets blog. So in my book, you are a guest. I have no desire to post on a Mets blog, so I guess maybe I cannot relate. Since you didn’t answer my question about why you’re here, and judging by your posts, I take it you’re simply here to flame. Hopefully, you prove me wrong and stick to baseball. Until then, you will reap what you sow. Cheers!
By ernesto
May 24, 2007 4:23 PM | Link to this
BamaBrave - unless you’re the only Pinko in the great state of Alabama, A-Rod is worth whatever someone is going to pay him. He didn’t hold a gun to anyone’s head. I don’t know how much you make but if someone offered you 20G more, you may or may not take it, but it sure would be a hell of an insult for someone to say you’re not worth it - you are if you’re that valuable to someone.
If you think ticket prices would go down if the players made less, ummm, care to look at the NFL. Super high ticket prices with a fairly restrictive salary cap and an owner frienly contract situation…6-year contract? No, sorry, you’re cut.
And Tommy plunking Dale was the funniest thing I’ve ever seen, it was retaliation for them hittign Justice I think, and that pitch that he beaned Murph with had to light up the radar in the low 50’s.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
Well I guess Maddux was a sell-out then too… How any of you defend player’s salaries is incredible. We have gas about to hit $4 per gallon and the Federal National Debt in the trillions and some guy hitting a baseball for 3 months makes $20 million bucks ? Geez ! That ain’t right !
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
Matthew, perhaps Ben Sheets IS a dead monkey. For sure, I think Grinch holds Glavine to be one, LOL. G, I’m guessing Glavine is guilty of 1st degree?
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 4:30 PM | Link to this
Where does this notion come from that the Braves lack “team speed?”
Andruw’s not speedy enough to steal a base, but fast enough to cover more ground in center than just about every other MLB outfielder, right?
Willie Harris, Edgar Renteria, Jeff Francoeur (who we all marvel at when he hustles the bases for a triple when most people would settle for a double), Kelly Johnson…
…all base-stealing threats.
I’ll repeat what I said when I was (again) replying to Shaun, who can’t seem to understand that people can indeed have philosophical differences in ways to manage a baseball team…
I’m not, not did I ever say, that last night, some “small ball” would’ve won us that game. I actually thought we did employ some small-ball strategy, realizing we were facing a guy who somehow casts a spell over our bats.
Bob Journalist said it best, folks…
**By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 12:41 PM
Ron Roberts,
I don’t disagree but some folks seem to think that small ball is a way of manufacturing runs at the expense of a big inning … I’m not against small ball as so defined when the situation demands … but I don’t think what you described is “small” or “big” … it’s just playing baseball as it’s supposed to be played.**
That’s the point I’m trying to make, Shaun!!!
There are times to employ these skills, and it’s my opinion that the Braves don’t do enough of it. I didn’t pinpoint a precise moment, but will, in general, say that the June Swoon of ‘06 could’ve been lessened, a bit, with a few creative managerial decisions, with regards to sacrificing, bunting, sending runners, etc.
We were 1-7 in one-run games that month, and most of ‘em were low-scoring affairs. Sending runners, giving the opposition the notion that you might do something like that, even, threatening to bunt, etc., all these things put the fielders on their heels or moves ‘em out of normal position.
So yeah, in essence, those things can create base hits when positional players are jarred out of position because they’re concerned you might run, hit-and-run and/or bunt.
Y’all cheer Glavine. He pitched us a World Series ring, and we rode him many years to getting there even in the years we didn’t win it all.
Leave it to the Braves’ bats to show disrespect. Let’s hope they do!
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this
ernesto, Arod was first a Seattle Mariner and BOUGHT by the Texas Rangers for $25 million a year for 10 years. The Rangers realized his salary prevented themfrom havind any pitching so they SOLD him to the rich a$$ Yankees. The owners are as much at fault for bidding the players up but the players are at fault as well for swapping from team to team for more money. And its we the fans that get screwed by higher ticket prices and sorry teams that can’t compete in the small market areas like K.C.,Pittsburgh,and Cincinnati.
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this
Ernesto,
Good post. But someone’s opinion of a player’s salary before he signs, and the way he performs after he signs maybe different (how many think Andruw is earning his salary this season).
Besides, didn’t the Rangers ship him to NY? Probably because he wasn’t worth the salary.
I do agree that he earned the contract he signed (market price). But he’s not earning the salary now.
You’re right about throwing at Murph. I obviously wasn’t amused. Despite it being 45mph. He didn’t hit him. Murphy stepped out of the batter’s box before he even let it go.
BOOOOOOO!
By Warren Haynes For President
May 24, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this
I could not agree more about Glavine. I hate that he gets boo’d. He did a lot of good here and deserves recognition for all of the great moments his blood, sweat, and tears gave to this franchise and their fans. I wish he had not gone to the Mets and it would be a lot easier to cheer for him if he was with a team like San Diego or Milwaukee but that is not who made him the best offer. Anyway, I hope he gets a standing O twice tonight. First, when he is announced. Second, on his way back to the dugout in the third inning after he is pulled from the game because we lit his @$$ up. Go Braves!!
By April
May 24, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this
TheSouthernJackass, I have two tickets for tonight’s game. Call me right away. April
By wh
May 24, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this
There is NO available pitching. I repeat ZERO. Maybe at the deadline a 10 game under .500 lifetimer will come available - It will cost 2 star prospects and a starting quality roster player for this “saviour”. Look around baseball - who has enough pitching? In fact - who has had enough pitching in the last 3-5 years? Hell - The Rocket and an unknown Japanese pitcher were the elite of the winter - look what the cost for both of these were. Desperation gets Zito a contract that makes the AROD deal look absolutely reasonable by comparison. Braves are fortunate to have 2.5 good starters with another semi competent in their 5.
By Eric from MO
May 24, 2007 4:42 PM | Link to this
Can everyone stop using the saying last time we had a power hitting catcher that we converted to outfield. Dale Murphy was 30 years ago, get over it. Doesnt mean it will happen again.
Tyyosh I agree with you for the most part but great GM, come on. Granted he is 10 times better than Steve Philips but who isnt? I mean seriously lets think what he has done.
Signed Pedro- best starting free-agent pitcher avaiable.
Traded for Delgado- best power hitter available.
Signed Beltran- just had an amazing postseason.
Signed Billy Wagner- best closer available.
Reyes and Wright were drafted before he got there. However I will give him credit for locking them up for many years. I agree on everything else you said.
Julie difference between Maddux and Glavine is that Glavine left to our Arch Rival Mets. While Maddux went back to the team he came from, the Cubs.
Bravos its not that the A’s are always looking for the next big thing its just that they keep a player as long as they can untill that player gets expensive. Haren still has several years till that happens, so they will not trade him. Harden doesnt make a ton of money but he does make more and he is also on the DL more. That is why they would trade Harden.
By The Grinch
May 24, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Scoots, good guess but not quite. His actions were selfish, petty and arrogant, but they did not (nor were they intended to) torpedo our franchise, a la Selig. Glavine’s being held without bond in Grinch’s Supermax prison (NYC) pending outcome of tonight’s game and said semi-apology at retirement, at which point I will consider it time served and the current charge of 1st degree douchebaggery will be reduced to 2nd degree “Behaving decidedly sanitary-napkin-esque in a public forum” for permanent record. He would still be able to vote. :-)
By DonCoburleone
May 24, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this
I know this is a bit premature, but I got a question for everyone on the blog: Other than Jake Peavy, is John Smoltz the leading Cy Young candidate right now???
By teoa
May 24, 2007 4:50 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, according to the stats in this story, Andruw covers less ground than every other center fielder in baseball.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2880979
By Jack
May 24, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this
DOB If you read all these blogs——you have to much time on your hands
By BamaBrave
May 24, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the economics lesson Ernesto. You’re gonna tell me the Yankee budget is a model of fiscal logic and efficiency? Of course someone will always pay top dollar. There are people buying Hummers as we speak, no matter how silly that may seem to you and me. I was saying the pay rates for high profile MLB players are absurd, and the Players Union has had a significant role in inflating things to the point where we are now. There’s plenty of guilt to go around, but please, don’t tell me you think everything is just peachy.
And you can’t really compare the NFL and MLB in terms of ticket prices. 8 home games versus 81?
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
J.D. Drew is the worst money-grubber ever. He’s from Hahira Ga. and was a Brave so you’d think he would stay a Brave but he took more money from the Dodgers then VOIDED his multi-year contract with the Dodgers to get more money from the Red Sox. Drew would go play for the Royals if they offered him 50 bucks more per year… No loyalty whatsoever. Again, thank you Chipper,Andruw,and Smoltz for being loyal to your team. Some of the best players seem to be loyal to one team : Ripken Jr.,T.Gwynn,D.Mattingly,Schmidt,Puckett,etc. I know you have and had Clemens,Ryan,and others that worship the almighty dollar…
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this
Something else to consider when it comes to making deals to get pitching….
Billy Beana (Oakland A’s) might be a little hesitant to make trades with the Braves after the whole Charles Thomas/Tim Hudson trade from a few years back, don’tya think?
By Eric from MO
May 24, 2007 4:57 PM | Link to this
Bubbaallred where have you been the past year, Andruw can not be traded because of the 10 and 5 rule. He has a no trade cause.
As for Glavine, I will currently boo him however when he retires I will cheer him unless he helps knocks us out of the playoffs. Then I will never cheer him again.
BamaBrave-how is A-Rods 25 million preventing any small market teams from competing. When A-Rod goes to a team they get worse. Small teams should thank A-Rod for screwing over the big teams.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this
John Mayne of the Mets has to be in the Cy Young running as painful as it is to diverge…
By ncscoots
May 24, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
Grinch, a helluva note. Compassion doth abound, after all :-)
BTW, I could only guess, you know…still awaiting the epic post on “The Book Of Law” for knowledge transfer purposes.
By Eric from MO
May 24, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
DonCoburleone-right team but I think you have to throw Hudson in there too. Other than his last start against Boston he has been great.
By Jason629
May 24, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this
Tonights Lineup
Reyes … SS Chavez .. LF Beltran .. CF Wright … 3B Lo Duca .. C Delgado …1B Green …. RF Gotay … 2B Glavine …LHP
By Michael
May 24, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Trying to play “smallball” did cost the Braves a run last night. Pete VanWieren even called it immediately after it happened. When Edgar stole second with Chipper at the plate and James on third, it allowed Delgado to resume his normal position. Chipper’s liner would have been a hit if Delgado had been stilling holding Edgar on first. No problem with it - it just backfired. That’s baseball sometimes.
By Metropolitan Man
May 24, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
I’m a METS fan and I still BOOOO Glavine!!!
LETS GO METS!!
By Eric
May 24, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Any news on Gonzalez’s MRI
By HP
May 24, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
Can someone explain to me why Braves fan cheer for Julio Franco and not for Tom Glavine? They are both on the Mets team. They both indeed left for money.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this
Eric, do you remember the Montreal Expos about 10 years ago ? They had Larry Walker,Marquis Grissom,Pedro Martinez,Randy johnson,Rondell White,Cliff Floyd,John Wetteland,Brad Fulmer,etc. but once they reached free agency status the rich teams gobbled them all up. The Expos (now Nats) have never been competetive ever since. Small market team’s stars go to big market teams eventually. You can make fun of Arod but ANY team in MLB would take him in a split second.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 24, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this
journalist returns to the blog to find many mentions of dead monkey. it is good that we have such a forum for dead monkey talk. dob was almost a dead monkey last night with all dob’s talk of a sweep. and whither the criticism for the lineup last night from anyone but bloggers? maybe bobby was protecting mccann, thorman, and johnson from the bubonic plague going around now. that’s how the monkey got dead, you know. and which of these fine athletes is most likely to eat road kill? probably the canadian. and now, randall simon is brought to mind (and it is a purely innocent thought) and it is good that randall simon is with another team during this period of blogging. not all bloggers are as genteel as this journalist. and what happens if bobby starts that same lineup tonight against cole ringfinger? and will smoltz show his bald head again? or perhaps smoltz will moon glavine …
By BlueMoon
May 24, 2007 5:09 PM | Link to this
HP The general feeling is that Franco left more because he got a 2 year guaranteed contract offer from the Mets and the Braves were only willing to offer 1. Not so much money as it was longevity is the general perception.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
I left out Vladimir Guerrero too. The Expos had an all-star team but economics broke it up. And yes it is the Yankees,Red Sox,Mets,and Dodgers fault for stealing their players. Heck, the Yankees don’t even try to build a good farm system. The royals,Nats,Pirates,etc. ARE their farm system…
By Metropolitan Man
May 24, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
Heck, during the last series I got BOOED at the VARSITY after the game because I was Sporting my Orange and Blue METS gear and Flag. All I wanted to do was take a whizz. Anyway, getting booed isnt all that bad, it drives the adrenelin up and depending on who you are it can help you in what you are doing.
LETS GO METS!!!
By Luther
May 24, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this
When Tom Glavine goes into the Hall of Fame with a Braves hat on, I will stand and cheer for him. When Tom Glavine comes back to Turner to dedicate the statue the Braves should build for him, Maddux, and Smoltz, I will again stand and cheer. Until then I will boo the heart and soul of the Braves franchise who left for the one team I hate more than any other. Nothing personal, just my right as a diehard Braves fan.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 5:16 PM | Link to this
The NFL has an even salary cap. All teams have the same amount ofmoney to build a team. That is the way it should be because then the draft and free agency moves become ultra important to winning. In comparison with MLB, where you have the Yankees and Red Sox (for examples) with $200 million dollar payrolls and the Nats & Royals (for examples) with $20 million dollar payrolls. Compund that with the rich teams stealing the lesser team’s players that they developed. Explain how the lesser market teams are supposed to compete ?
By Chop Chop
May 24, 2007 5:18 PM | Link to this
Julio was a platoon/bench player for the Braves and was old as dirt when the Braves signed him. The Braves weren’t going to bring Julio back and the Mets offered him a two-year (TWO!!!!!!) deal at the age of 46, I believe.
Glavine went to the one team (although I’m still kinda partial to hating the Yanks…two freakin’ World Series losses to those guys…I will always hate them more than any other team) that Braves fans really hate: The Mutts.
That’s the difference.
By Metropolitan Man
May 24, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
No Comment to the 5:14 post. Jerk!!
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this
I’ve said it before but methinks Andruw’s in the midst of a “power” struggle rather than a slump … it’s one of long duration. Andruw knows best for Andruw … if you doubt me, ask him … ask Terry!
Richard Cory, with Andruw having demonstrated his incompetence to everyone’s satisfaction, do you think MLB might appoint someone to act on his on his behalf?
Tyyosh, from the previous blog, there’s truth in what you say but I would hope that most of the “ridicule” heaped upon Shaun is well intended though certainly not all is deserved.
I, for one, occassionally so engage, sometimes for fun but primarily for the purpose of urging him to think for himself and keep things in proper perspective … he’s good natured, sharp as a tack (most of the time) … often on the mark … gives thought to, and has support for, that which he posts … seems sincere and well intending … if not, then he’s certainly got me fooled.
That said, he can reach some mighty strange conclusions and rival Robert with his persistence in attempts to make his point.
The best humor usually comes from folks who are not trying to be funny … and some of Shaun’s are a hoot … but hopefully, my laughter is viewed as more with rather than at!
Speaking of laughing, the statistic I’m looking for is the “mad” index … reflecting how difficult is it to get a player’s goat or cause him lose focus. We had a catcher who would go to the mound when certain preselected hitters came to the plate and then the pitcher would just start laughing on cue … of course they would just be deciding on the first pitch, including location.
There are lies, damned lies, and statistics … and then there are Shauns.
It would be good if MLB.com could make statistics readily available for download in delimited form for use as you so describe … and they may so do, through subscription or private arrangement.
In what languages do you write?
I started programming in machine language in the 1950’s when that was the only option.
I’m no longer active in that arena and don’t know current governing laws but, with an effective back page processing engine, it shouldn’t prove too difficult to write and implement a retrieval module that would capture much, if not all, of the desired data directly from their sites and maintain one’s own database, SQL or otherwise, if one so chose.
By Fred from CT
May 24, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
braves lineup
kj 2b prado 3b renteria ss franceour rf aj cf mccann 1b diaz lf thor 1b
where is chipper prado is terrible.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
Good point, HP. Thought the same thing today when I heard Kincaid (radio) going on about how Braves fans shouldn’t cheer for Glavine simply because “he’s trying to slit your team’s throats.”
Last I heard, Julio plays for the Mets, left as a free agent, and took the Mets’ offer because it was two years instead of the Braves’ one-year offer. He gets a big ovation every time they introduce his name here.
Rafael Furcal also got a good ovation; he left as a free agent and Braves tried to keep him.
By metoo
May 24, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
Additional Observation:
By Dylan w/o the dead
May 24, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
I know what andruws problem is! I have him on my fantasy team I pulled him from my lineup the first game of the series he looks like he is coming out of it so I put him back in and all of a sudden he is 0-3 and striking out so the problem is he is cursed I am trying to trade him now but for the meantime I will bench him and hope that works out
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Sorry for the typo’s. Go Smoltz and Braves !
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Good stuff, teoa.
What’s more fascinating is that ESPN acknowledged teams and players from outside the New York and Boston MSAs.
By wh
May 24, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
Robdawg - the “lesser” teams can compete when their tightwad bilionaires sell the team to a billionaire who wants to win. If you don’t want to play by the rules that are clearly evident when you buy a team in a sport with no salary cap - get out. Steinbrenner has owned the Yankees for 34 years - I think every perspective new buyer is well aware of his inclination to spend whatever is necessary to build a team that competes every year.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 5:26 PM | Link to this
CHIPPER NOT PLAYING TONIGHT. His thumb or his thumb/palm, whatever, is hurting again. Hurts when he swings and misses or when he slides, etc.
Might be one day, might be longer. I’d guess one or two days.
No MRI report yet on Gonzalez. He’s not back here yet.
All reports on Cormier were outstanding — good fastball, good location, good movement on pitches, etc. Bobby said one more start and yes, he’d be considered at that point for activation. But no commitment yet, gotta see how he does in that start.
By Fred from CT
May 24, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this
DOB what is wrong with chipper?
By The Grinch
May 24, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
Anyone else here seen “Space Cowboys?” The one where a satellite’s crashing towards earth that’s so old they have to go back and get Clint Eastwood to deprogram it ‘cause he designed it 50 years earlier? Bob regarding your 5:19, do you think you can reprogram Shaun for us?
MetroMan, you should’ve told me they were booing you at the Varsity; I would’ve stepped in…and joined. :-P JK, man; and never say the AJC doesn’t have your back; that post was deleted mighty quick.
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 5:30 PM | Link to this
Yes, Me there is a Walter … we know who he is … he hides not behind the mask nor does he prevoke … and many of us do indeed care! We even know his birthday and enjoy having him so honored by a proud papa.
By Fred from CT
May 24, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
never mind thanks
By Chop Chop
May 24, 2007 5:36 PM | Link to this
Chipper grimaced last night when he struck out in the 8th. I had a feeling he might be sitting today. Certainly not good news for the lineup. I guess Woodward will be back in there. Too bad Robert Redford can’t play the role of Woodward and channel Roy Hobbs for us tonight.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
wh, The Yankees sell out home games when their tickets first become available. That’s 45 to 60 thousand tickets sold guranteed. Then you have the Royals that may sell 10,000 tickets each home game. What I’m saying is that if the rich teams didn’t buy the lesser market teams players every year in free agency then teams like the Royals could field a competitive team that might draw 30 to 40 thousand fans to home games. The rich teams KEEP the playing field in their favor. There should be a salary cap of $75 million per year for evey team.
By Luther
May 24, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this
The Twins, Marlins, and A’s have remained as competitive as the Mets, Cubs, and Giants over the last 10 years. You have to go about things in a different way if you know your working with a small market club. This doesn’t mean its easier, just not impossible.
By Patrick
May 24, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this
I had a bad feeling that Chipper wouldn’t play tonight cause of that last ab last night….damn!
If f’n woodward is playing again I won’t be able to watch
By Chop Chop
May 24, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this
DOB, I came across this earlier. It reminded me of the blog:
Dylan Poster
By auburn gal
May 24, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this
Hey Paul, Doesn’t look like you’re much of a genius yourself. You don’t know the difference between your and you’re. There’s a Mutts fan for you. Now how funny is THAT??!!
By AZBravoFan
May 24, 2007 5:45 PM | Link to this
I think a lot of the Glavine animosity now comes from the events of this offseason. I think many of us were ready to move on and welcome him back when he made noise about wanting to come back home and pitch for the Braves. And then, after getting our hopes up and knowing of JS’s financial constraints, he bailed and went for the easy cash again. Maybe we don’t know the real story, but sure didn’t look very good and left a pretty sour taste in our mouths. THAT’s why he’ll probably get booed again tonight.
By the Stranger
May 24, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this
Chipper looked to be in extreme pain after the AB from the left side last night. Can’t afford not to rest him and get those hands healed.
Woodward needs to step up. I’m not asking for much, maybe just protect the plate a little with 2 strikes.
Grinch, I know this is our country, but sometimes I wish this was your country. At the very least, you’d make a fine MLB Commissioner.
By MGL
May 24, 2007 5:47 PM | Link to this
Bob, Journalist - You can copy and past from the MLB stats pages into Excel. Some reformatting is required due to excess columns and column headings being offset. Can be worth the effort if you want to crunch some stats differently.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
Luther, those teams you mentioned tend to trade their stars for top minor leaguers before they become free agents. That is the best way to do it and compete but an even salary cap for all teams would be even better. We all know before the season even starts that either the Yankees,Red Sox,Tigers,Angels,Dodgers,Mets,Cardinals,Giants,Phillies,or White Sox will win the World Series. Sometimes a team can outperform and get lucky but not too often. In today’s market, the Royals of 1980’s wouldn’t have had george Brett,Bret Saberhagen,and Willie Wilson to win the WS with. Each would have likely left for the money with the Yankees and the like…
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this
Shawn Greene’s not in the lineup for the Mets, either. T** for tat? Ehh, dunno.
But now would be a damn good for Andruw to start carrying the team like he’s been known to when we’re short-handed.
By brent a.
May 24, 2007 5:54 PM | Link to this
Someone mentioned Glavine throwing at Dale Murphy …
what I remember is Glavine intentionally walking Murphy by throwing at his legs 4 times, after someone on the Phillies threw at Otis Nixon in retaliation for the fight earlier in the season when Otis charged a Phillies reliever and kicked him in the stomach.
Was there a different occasion where Glaving threw at Murphy with malicious intent?
Thanks,
Brent
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Great post, Bob, Journalist.
My favorite of the day!
By ernesto
May 24, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this
My point was everyone gets on the players for their salaries no one gets on the owners for offering them.
If an owner wanted to do nothing but get homegrown talent and keep prices down, maybe they’d build a huge blue collar fan base, keep the group together, etc, etc. But most owners are interested in more luxury boxes, higher ticket prices, etc.
There may be plenty of blame to go around, but what do you want a guy who’s offered 25m a year to say? Uh, no thanks.
I know I wouldn’t.
You know who makes way more than players? Your average rock or movie star, you never hear any b*** about that though becuse their salaries aren’t published.
So boo all you want, but to say the players are holding the owners up for money is reductive logic.
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
Brent,
Glavine was ejected after throwing at Murph. That’s what happens when you intentionally throw at someone.
He shouldn’t have done it. He knew that. That’s why he chickened out and soft tossed it.
By jed
May 24, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
—on the last blog, that Shaun 9000 thing cracked me up. the premise, certainly. who did that?
—also, from that blog: woody’s dead-on about chuck james and his 0-2, middle of the plate fastballs. chucky’s got a stoopid streak a mile long. mcdowell shouldve put an end to that a long time ago!
—atlanta fans’ negativity toward glavine is stubborn simple-mindedness. and it’s embarrassing at this point. buncha damm dumba$$ rednecks.
—i typically post late, so yall might not have seen this. if you did, and just dont give a damm, fine too. but the blog’s been going on about lefty and marty robbins and now willie nelson, so—last chance— here goes: check out “”i’m in love with susan smith” by tom house. (yes it’s about the woman from SC who killed her kids.) one of the greatest modern country songs i’ve ever heard:
www.myspace.com/tomhouse
By Wayne in Utah
May 24, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
Grinchster Agree 100% with your 4:11pm post on Tom Terrifico. Also, Julio or Furcal were never really long term Braves like Glavine was. Furcal got stoopid money from the Dodgers and for a 48 year old, I think the Mets screwed up (look at his stats).
No matter how anyone spins it, Glavine was the union guy first, team guy last. BOO’s will eminate from Utah tonight.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this
Chipper got a cortisone injection in his right hand near the thumb after last night’s game, probably going to be out until at least Saturday.
By The Grinch
May 24, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this
Thank you, Stranger. That is high praise, indeed. Of course, some of my rulings would be controversial. The All-Star “home-field advantage” would be out the window, as would the 5 game playoff series (I’d let fans vote on whether to keep the wildcard, but regardless it would be 7 games). And all pitchers would instantly be ordered to throw every pitch at Barry Bonds’ head (they could hardly miss, even Reitsma) until he retires voluntarily before breaking the record. Not because he did steroids (they weren’t illegal, and I loves me some McGwire-Sosa) but just because he’s a first class douchebag. Because I would be a just and fair commisioner, I would summarily order Ty Cobb’s corpse to be exhumed and whipped 714 times. Let it not be said that the Grinch is a hipocrite. :-)
By Wayne in Utah
May 24, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
Since he whiffed twice last night, I will post an encore presentation of the Ballad of Andruw Jones for you day-shifters.
Ballad of Andruw Jones
Well I used to wake the mornin, before the rooster crowed
Searchin for soda bottles to get myself some dough
Brought em down to the corner, down to the country store
Cash em in and give my money to a man named Andruw Jones
Well Andruw was a bat man with a pull hitting style
When the pitcher would mess one up, he’d hit that ball a mile.
He used to own and old hickory, when he’d swing he’d make a breeze
I’d lay down my ticket money and he’d whiff all day for me
(Chorus) Swing that bat strong Andruw Jones, Andruw Jones
Homeboy got yo contract money swing it for some dough
Bloggers said he was useless them bloggers all were fools
Cuz Andruw Jones was the finest out-avoider to ever swing the wood.
He looked to be 40, maybe I was 10
Momma used to whoop me, but I’d go see him again.
I’d clap my hands, tomahawk chop, then I’d stomp my feet
He’d strike out a time or two and have another Krispy Kreme.
(Chorus) Swing that bat strong Andruw Jones, Andruw Jones
Homeboy got yo contract money swing it for some dough
Bloggers said he was useless, them bloggers all were fools
Cuz Andruw Jones was the finest out-avoider to ever swing the wood.
On the day that he whiffed five times, everybody blogged to say
“If he woulda hit to right, he’d won that game today!”
Well he might have been famous, he could go get the ball.
And that day in Beantown, I think he hit the wall.
(Chorus) Swing that bat strong Andruw Jones, Andruw Jones
Homeboy got yo contract money swing it for some dough
Bloggers said he was useless them bloggers all were fools
Cuz Andruw Jones was the finest out-avoider to ever swing the wood.
By The Grinch
May 24, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this
Ernesto, no doubt the owners are douchebags too (even more so, in most cases) but nobody’s kids watch them on TV, wear their t-shirts, live for their autograph and attempt to emulate everything they do. Different set of responsibilities when you’re a role model for millions of highly impressionable youths in one of the few sports that still stresses values (at least on the surface), and Tommy G. failed the test hardcore.
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 6:27 PM | Link to this
Hi Grinch! What do you think I’ve been trying to do for so long … his is a religion with which I’m not all that familiar … I know the basic doctrine but it’s full of buzz words and reliance on the experts … numbers guys, imagine that!
When I was Shaun’s age, we wern’t subjected to such temptation … they put numbers guys in jail.
Reprogramming is gonna take time and energy, maybe more than I have to give … but at least I’ve started the task and as a Super Hero, it may be up to you to finish it.
Still, I’ll bet so doing will be easier than my current unending horse racing project. Instead of being satisfied with a small but positive ROI, I’m now trying to predict each racehorse’s relative aerobic and anaerobic energy capacities and expected performance based on those levels over the course of its next race. Try doing that with only limited past performance information … even Rob has given up hope for its completion.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this
Chop Chop, that’s an OUTSTANDING Dylan/Van Morrison poster. Might have to order that thing. Thanks for the link.
By Ron
May 24, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
There’s no question about how Tommy did while he was with the Braves. My thoughts have changed with time and knowing how he left actually took place and the circumstances around it. I appreciate what he did I wish he hadn’t left,was real hopeful he’d return this year. Tom is as tough as they come as great as any but going to the Mets made things so much worse,that’s where I fault him more than anything. But make no mistake Glavine gave us his best years and for that I’m greatful. Everytime I see my 95 World Series Game 6 Ball in my case with his signature and the others my heart swells in appreciation…….but did he have to go to the Mets? All I can say if he wants his 3 minute ovation like Maddux he needs to come home to the Braves either to finish his career or Cooperstown.
By Ron Roberts
May 24, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Sheesh, Chipper. Pivotal game w/the Metrosexuals and a resurgent Phillies squad coming in. Good timing, bro.
So for that we get, what, two, three nights of Woodward? With Aybar out, hwo’s out backup 3B? Orr?
By Ron
May 24, 2007 6:38 PM | Link to this
Who cares that Furcal left to go to the Dodgers, no doubt Furcal was a great player for us, but are the Dodgers our rivals, HELL NO, we dont see them but about 6 games a year, so that makes them not a rival, and I can careless about the Dodgers!!! And Julio Franco helped us when he played for us, but it is a little bit different folks, he did not come out of our Minor League system, and we made him a very rich man before he left, and he could have went anywhere, but the Mets and I would cheer for him, but he went to the Mets!!!! And Julio was a bench player for us, and we signed him at the age of about 43 or whatever, a HUGE DIFFERENCE OF THE TWO!!!!!!!
By BT
May 24, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this
Wayne in Utah,
Best music blog this week other than Marty Robbins hit. Andruw being an “out avoider” is a little hard to take though.
By NO~TO~AMNESTY~!
May 24, 2007 6:44 PM | Link to this
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO GLAVINE LIKE YOU HAVE NEVER BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOED BEFORE…HE DESERVES A HUGE ROAR OF BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOS!!! HE IS A MONEY-HUNGRY, 1994 STRIKE CAUSING, TRADER!!!!!!!!!!! BOOOO HIM TONIGHT!!!!
By DonCoburleone
May 24, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
“There is NO available pitching. I repeat ZERO. Maybe at the deadline a 10 game under .500 lifetimer will come available - It will cost 2 star prospects and a starting quality roster player for this “saviour”. Look around baseball - who has enough pitching? In fact - who has had enough pitching in the last 3-5 years? Hell - The Rocket and an unknown Japanese pitcher were the elite of the winter - look what the cost for both of these were. Desperation gets Zito a contract that makes the AROD deal look absolutely reasonable by comparison. Braves are fortunate to have 2.5 good starters with another semi competent in their 5.”
Wow, where did you come from wh? That is the most realistic, well thought out post I think I’ve ever read in regards to trades. I like talking about getting a Haren or D-Train but I know it is a fantasy… I do try and find guys who would be available who could help us this year however. You know, realistic guys like Kyle Lohse of the reds, or Josh Towers of the Blue Jays… Big deals for big pitchers never happen in the middle of the season.
By Wayne in Utah
May 24, 2007 6:46 PM | Link to this
Any guesses as to our lineup for tonight? I hope that Thorman, McCann and KJ are in. Give Orr a start at 3B, or bring up Escobar for a quickie.
By joebrave
May 24, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
What is going on here? I go fishin try to relax enjoy tonights game,and when I get back,NoChopSux is on here writing books,Shaun,is still whining at DOB,and the rest of Toilet town has turned out in force,lok guys Get over your man crushes,Last time I checked the Braves have a W.S. title since you guys have, i guess that’s eating at you N.Y. ba$tards real good!!!!!
By Wayne in Utah
May 24, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
BT I do sarcasm man……Gotta have some sarcasm in everything I do. Whiffing and out-avoiding, that’s our man. Technically, when he whiffs, he avoids the double play!
By Goat Horns
May 24, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this
Just sone thoughts-
Am I the mistaken or would anyone else rather see Thorman at first base against a left handed pitcher than Woodward?
I thought Prado was supposed to be a “glove” man. He has cost us a run defensively in each of his 2 starts.
There is no place for Pete Orr on this roster the way it is constructed. We need a right handed bat off of the bench. Not another light hitting left handed utility man.
I would not trade Salty for anyone. Big, powerful, athletic, switch hitting catchers are hard to come by. How many can you count around the major leagues today? Salty has a “gun” for an arm. He is much better than B-Mac defensively and he comes at a reasonable price for several more years. You don’t trade “special” players.
By Alex
May 24, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this
Really bad news about Chipper being out, the worst news is that we have to endure Chris I can’t hit to save my life Woodward at 3B! I hope Bobby Cox uses someone else…I know Prado has sucked since being called up, but there is nobody else? Maybe Pete Orr…That Wilson Betemit trade now doesn’t look so good, no matter how Wilson is struggling with the Dodgers, he was a good utility guy to have…unlike Aybar! Chipper out, he’s the glue that holds that lineup together. Bad news indeed.
On to Benedict Glavine. I encourage all the fans to boo him loudly! He betrayed us by leaving for the Braves rivals. The NY Muts. I was as big as Tommy G fan as anyone, even after the strike, so for me it wasn’t about the off season/off the field stuff, it was about going for more money and to the one team I hate, hate the most. The NY fraking Muts. If He would have gone to lets say, the Red Sox’s, I don’t think it would be as bad and maybe he gets a standing ovation like Maddux and others have recently. however, he went to the bitter enemy…the NY Muts, to don that ugly orange/blue uniform, and Braves fans, feel free to “boo his a**” all night long! It is what he deserves at the moment!
By DonCoburleone
May 24, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
“He was a great defender,” said one scout. “He’s slipped. People used to compare him to Mays and Mantle. I wouldn’t put Andruw anywhere near those guys. Now he’s become an offensive player, and his defense has suffered ever since.”
But even Jones’s big offensive surge has been misleading. Amazingly, one scout called him “not a very good offensive player. … If he wants to hit a home run, he’ll try to hit a home run — at the expense of everything else.” —-Jayson Stark of ESPN
By DonCoburleone
May 24, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
Wayne in UT here is the lineup for tonight: 1)Kelly Johnson-2b 2)Martin Prado-3b 3)Edgar Renteria-SS 4)Jeff Francoeur-RF 5)A Jones-CF 6)Brian McCann-C 7)Matt Diaz-LF 8)Thorman-1B
Not bad I guess… Glad to see Prado in there over Woodward.
By HP
May 24, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
Tonights starting Lineup
For Mets: Reyes SS Chavez LF Beltran CF Wright 3B Lo Duca C Delgado 1B Green RF Gotay 2B Glavine P
For Braves: Johnson 2B Prado 3B Renteria SS Francoeur RF Jones A CF McCann C Diaz LF Thorman 1B Smoltz P
By DonCoburleone
May 24, 2007 7:19 PM | Link to this
Why is Chipper out now? He couldn’t have waited until after the game tonight to get that cortizone shot? Was it really hurting him that much? Freakin’ Chipper… Oh well, when I first heard he was out I thought maybe Cox thought tonight was a “perfect time” to get Prado a start at third base… LOL
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this
Glavine & Franco just are not the same thing at all. Franco was a nice player and solid contributor when he was here. He was never the face of the franchise like Glavine. He never won coveted awards like Cy Youngs or the equivalent. Franco did not win the most important baseball game in Atlanta baseball history like Glavine. Franco was not part of the miraculous and magical 1991 season. Franco was never an everyday player, did not come up through the minors.
If Derek Jeter left to go play for the Red Sox, the Bronx would kill him. If David Wright and Jose Reyes left to go play for the Braves, the Wannabepolitan fans would kill him. If Matt Stafford decided to transfer to Florida, Dawgs fan would kill him. If Joe Cox transfers to Florida, everyone yawns. If Mark Richt left to go coach Tech, Dawgs fans would kill him. Damon was the heart and soul of the Sox and gets killed for leaving to go to the Yanks.
Even on the Yankees, if Posada, Bernie, or Pettite left to play for the Red Sox, the booing would be nowhere near as bad as Jeter would get. Jeter and Mariano would be slaughtered the most for selling out like Glavine.
If some girl I don’t give much a darn ‘bout, leaves me, and hooks up with my best friend or my best enemy, I will yawn.
If some woman I am crazy ‘bout, leaves me, and hooks up with my best friend or my best enemy, then I get slightly O.J. on everyone.
Smoltz should pipe down a bit. The boos Glavine gets would only be matched by the boos Smoltz would be getting if he played for the Yanks or Mets. It is the ultimate sign of how much you loved that player when he played for your team in the first place. Even if Maddux played for the Mets right after he left here, he would not have received the same amount of boos Glavine and Smoltz and Chipper would get for playing for the Mets.
It all depends upon the circumstances and how much you cared and identified with the player in the first place - that dictates how much you kill ‘em. Now I am starting to sound like O.J. “If I killed her, that only shows how much I loved her, right?” Uh, no, not exactly, O.J. The next chapter of this way too long blog post will evidently be entitled, If I killed Glavine, this is how I did it.
By IlliniBrave
May 24, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this
Interesting column by Stark on the msot overrated players in baseball. Several have already noted that Andruw is on that list and is also designated the most overrated CF of all time. I read the whole thing and actually totally agree with the arguments there. And it sounds like a number of NL scouts see the same thing. I think we may be in denial.
Also, two others on the top ten, one a current Brave and one a former Brave: Bob Wickman and JD Drew. And I have to say I totally agree here also. We all know how much of a hoser Drew is, but Wickman is a porker who barely gets the ball over the plate.
Hope BC and JS take this into consideration when tendering offers to Big Wick and AJ.
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
BT, Wayne was just merely being a wisea$s calling Andruw an outavoider - he was just playing off of Shaun’s tireless rant for two weeks from blog hell about the topic. Wayne is a sweetheart but he can bust chops with the best of them. That is why he is the closer for the blog. He is our Mariano Rivera - smooth deceptive delivery that hides how sneaky fast his fastballs are before he delivers devastating cutters (cutting tongue in cheek jokes in the case of Wayne).
By journalist jimmy smith
May 24, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this
bobbycox on chipper’s sore thumbs: “Those things do not heal - at all,” Cox said.” oh, the humanity! can that be right?
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 7:37 PM | Link to this
How could he consider Wickman overrated? Wickman is what Wickman is. Never heard anyone ever act like he was a great closer - he’s just a good decent closer. How could he be overrated? He gets about as much fanfare and acclaim as he deserves - which ain’t much. I think he is universally appreciated and recognized as being the decent closer and reliever he is, nothing more, nothing less. Whatever.
By Eric C.
May 24, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
teoa that was a great article on AJ’s defensive decline…he’s turning into a below average CF..losing speed and agility and always swinging for the fences.
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 24, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
*Yo Wayne Nice piece of work….
By Ron
May 24, 2007 7:41 PM | Link to this
joebrave, you catch any fish dude?
By DonCoburleone
May 24, 2007 7:44 PM | Link to this
Jeeez, Smoltz is throwing way too many pitches in this first inning… Hope Soriano, Yates, and Wickman are ready to go…
By MBATL
May 24, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this
I don’t know how much faith I have in these in-game radar guns, but according to both TBS and MLB.com, Smoltz is throwing some serious heat… consistently over 95 on his fastball, a couple at 98. Wow!
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
Gonzalez went to New York for the MRI, some sophisticated new machine a doc has up there. Won’t have a report tonight from the Braves.
By Braves Fan 79
May 24, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this
Yea it makes me sick that we gave 2 million to Wilson and almost 1 mill to Redmen….yet couldnt bring Glavine back!??? I hope Scherultz next year sees this as a big mistake and tries harder to make room for good ol Glavine.
Shouldnt he retire a Brave? I think so.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this
Those three pitchers are good for about 1 inning each. Villareal and “hit me hard” Paronto are the long relievers.
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 8:00 PM | Link to this
man on third, 2 out, great out avoidance walk by Druw :-)
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 24, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this
Check the stats for the Braves when they score first against the Mets, something like 36-6..
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 8:04 PM | Link to this
Redman wasn’t worth 50 cents IMO. Wilson was worth like $2 bucks. Woodward and Orr are worth about 50 cents each too. Woodward gives new meaning to the phrase “light hitting”. His hitting is “ultra lightweight & featherlike”.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
Redman,Wilson,Paronto,Woodward,and Orr wouldn’t be on the Mets team you can bet it. Why the hail were/are they on the Braves (Wilson & Redman are now gone) then ?
By Bob, Journalist
May 24, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this
Some folks you just can’t read … I imagine that Tommy Glavine is a nice fellow but he just never came across as genuine, at least from where I sat … too serious, stiff, full of himself … that’s the way he seemed from afar … and his posturing as union player representative only served to reinforce those observations … though I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant for him to be so perceived.
Still, I cheered for him each and every time he pitched and more than a few of his were works of art.
After leaving Atlanta, it was necessary for him to modify his approach to pitching and he successfully reinvented himself. That, within itself, is an accomplishment worthy of our appreciation of him as a player.
Bottom line … I hope he’s booed and soundly beaten! He’s a Met!!
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 24, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this
Amazing the number of people on this blog who have no idea of how a business works or understand that when the boss (owners) say you will not exceed a budget you don’t.
New owners (boss) you get new limits….
Way to go Matt, opposite field HR.
By Steve
May 24, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this
In the bottom of the 1st with runners on 1st nad 3rd with no outs — was the count 3-0 on Edgar Renteria when he grounded to 3rd? Did Cox give the green light in such situation? If so, I just don’t think that is smart baseball. Give a green light when there are 2 outs or it’s later in the game, but to do that in with no outs in the first inning, when one more ball loads the bases with no outs and your RBI guys coming up, just seems to be low percentage baseball in my view.
By Greg in TN
May 24, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this
Evening folks…
Wayne, another keeper man. Enjoyed the Ballad of Andruw Jones immensely.
DonC, from your 4:47 post on the Cy, I think the favorites a few hundred feet into that horse race are Smoltz, Peavy, Hudson and right now I think Oliver Perez and Tom Gorzelanny in Pittsburgh deserve some consideration. For what it’s worth, I think Josh Beckett and John Lackey should be the front runners in the AL.
So far so good as far as the goings on at Hank Aaron Drive tonight. I had a feeling after Chipper had to gingerly work his batting gloves off last night that he may need a few days off.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 8:21 PM | Link to this
There was barely any booing for Glavine when introduced to bat in the third. The least boos I’ve heard since he left Atlanta, for those who care about such matters.
Meanwhile, how ‘bout Diaz? Dude is blazing.
By Treadway
May 24, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this
*By meansonny
May 24, 2007 6:05 PM | Link to this
Brent,
Glavine was ejected after throwing at Murph. That’s what happens when you intentionally throw at someone.
He shouldn’t have done it. He knew that. That’s why he chickened out and soft tossed it.*
Brent described the sequence correctly. Glavine absolutely did the right thing protecting Nixon (or whoever the last Brave was that got hit in that game)or he would have been alienated in the clubhouse. It was unfortunate that Murphy happened to be the one to lead off the next inning. I lived in Denver when Murph played for the Rockies in ‘93 and asked him about that situation once before a game. He sympathized with Glavine in the position that he was and joked that he was backing out of the batter’s box before Tom even lobbed the last pitch at him. He had nothing but respect for Tom. I agree with Murph in that Tom handled the situation with class.
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 8:32 PM | Link to this
Hey Gil, the Braves had the option of Salty over Wilson and a number of pitchers at Richmond (Lerew,Moylan,etc.) over Redman. Sometimes its not the limited budget, its the poor decisions on signing washed up players by JS.
By Wayne in Utah
May 24, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this
Willy Wally I think of myself as more like Wickman than Rivera, as we have the same physique and we just quietly go about our work. :-)
By Greg in TN
May 24, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
Outstanding play by KJ!
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 24, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this
Wow… That was two major league plays by Rentaria and Johnson that inning…
By Kevin
May 24, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this
Kelly may have earned himself a spot on sportcenter’s top 10.
By N8
May 24, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this
Love, love, love Brian McCann. When healthy, I think he’s the best “pure” hitter on this team.
But there is NO denying after a couple of weeks of seeing Salty behind the plate that his arm is far superior to Brian’s.
By eric the elder
May 24, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this
DOB/staff, thanx for deleting that horrid post. Free speech is one thing, but even a blog has to have some common decency.
Fabulous play by Kelly.
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 24, 2007 8:52 PM | Link to this
I guess John’s crystal ball was a little cloudy in January…
By BT
May 24, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Wayne
No sarcasm meant for you at all. I agree you are one if not the best blogger on the site. I am not feeling warm and fuzzy about our overrated cf!
By eric the elder
May 24, 2007 8:57 PM | Link to this
BMac’s first two ABs were identical. He took a first pitch right down the middle, and then he hit the 2nd pitch off the handle. Glavine hasn’t won all those games by being dumb, but BMac needs to learn something, too.
By Wayne in Utah
May 24, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
We gotta get a few more runs. I don’t know if I am comfortable with a 2 run lead against these guys.
By A-ville Ranger
May 24, 2007 8:58 PM | Link to this
At what point do you start thinking of Diaz long term in left ? Last year he hit,this year he’s hitting more.He’ll never win a gold glove but he gets to most balls and he rarely makes dumb mistakes.This goes out to the turds who boo Tommy BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!BOOOOOOOO!!!BOOOOOOOOOO!!!!TURDS!!!!BOOOOOO!!!!
By Meanie
May 24, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
Does this LF platoon remind anyone else of the Charles Thomas/Eli Marrero platoon? Think of the similarities: Thomas was a left-handed, speedy, African American player with a classic American surname while Marrero was a line drive type, not quite as speedy player with a surname of Hispanic-sounding origin. Eerily similar to Harris and Diaz, and equally effective. Weird, huh?
By BT
May 24, 2007 9:04 PM | Link to this
There are a lot of teams that would love to have a .347 left fielder. We should be happy with what we have.
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
How does a man who has had all sorts of arm trouble in his life keep going out there and shutting ‘em down when he is over 40 years old? It’s just freaking ridiculous. DOB, you need to break out the Hemingwayish balding man with the beard and scars on his arm thing again sometime. You said it much better than that paraphrasing. That description of Smoltz you gave weeks ago will never get worn out. Break it out again, DOB.
BTW, I think Prado is a good solid bench player that needs to be up here full time. Get rid of Orr in favor of Prado. See if someone will take Woodward and bring up Escobar to be the SS backup/utility guy.
Prado kind of reminds me of Randy Velarde for some reason.
By N8
May 24, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
DOB
“Last I heard, Julio plays for the Mets, left as a free agent, and took the Mets’ offer because it was two years instead of the Braves’ one-year offer. He gets a big ovation every time they introduce his name here. Rafael Furcal also got a good ovation; he left as a free agent and Braves tried to keep him.”
Neither of those guys were THE face of this franchise for 15 years. OK, so in 87 & 88 Glavine wasn’t “the face”, but you get the pitcure.
Him being not only the Braves rep for the union, but the NL rep all those years, surely STILL doesn’t sit well with people.
Please note that this is not how I feel. I was ALL FOR bringing him back AND dumping Hudson this off season. So I’ve had zero beef with Glavine. For crying out loud, the guy threw a 1-hitter in the 95 WS clincher, arguably making it the biggest, best, most important pitching performance by anybody on my favorite team in my lifetime. That being said, I thought he came across as a major A-Hole in 1994. But after that Game 6 performance the next year, ALL was forgiven with me.
He was never my favorite, anyhow. But to say I didn’t enjoy watching him, and have big time respect for him, is far from the truth.
By A-ville Ranger
May 24, 2007 9:12 PM | Link to this
There’s another pretty mother!!!of a play.
By A-ville Ranger
May 24, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this
There’s another pretty mother!!!of a play.
By N8
May 24, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
I’m impressed. The boys brought the leather tonight. Nice job guys.
Now, about those runners LOB, that are accumulating…..
By Wayne in Utah
May 24, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
Nice pickups by Edgar, and I have to admit that while he doesn’t have the polish at first that LaRoche did, Thorman is not a liability over there.
We need a rally guys.
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 24, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this
Great formula, solid pitching, good defense and just enough offense to be ahead.
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this
Second verse, same as the first:
ST. PETERSBURG — Mariners lefty Horacio Ramirez left Thursday’s start after just two innings, but was optimistic that the shoulder tightness he felt wasn’t going to keep him out of action for too long.
He’s listed as day-to-day, and will be re-evaluated once he meets with the team doctor.
“It wasn’t really [my decision to come out], he said. “It was more [pitching coach Rafael Chaves]. He told me to really think about it and not make this worse than it really is.”
Ramirez gave up three runs in the first inning during his eighth start of the season, but rebounded to set the Rays down in order in the following frame. The 27-year-old said between those innings the shoulder stiffened up, and that it remained tight throughout the second inning.
The velocity on his pitches, Ramirez said, dropped as a result and the tightness wouldn’t allow him to finish a pitch. He was on the DL three times last year with Atlanta, but with unrelated injuries.
He’ll go to see a doctor Friday about the stiff shoulder, which he described as “in the back of the shoulder and pretty deep.” Ramirez said he’s felt a bit of discomfort lately but nothing serious enough to take him out of the game.
“I’ve had some soreness before, but not to this point,” he said. “Not to the way it was today.”
Seattle manager Mike Hargrove said that on a scale of 1-10, his concern was “about seven or eight” over the injury to Ramirez, whom the Mariners acquired in an offseason trade with the Braves.
“Hopefully, it’s nothing serious,” Hargrove said.
Ramirez earned a no-decision during the Mariners’ 13-12 loss on Thursday. Though he’s been quite effective at home this season with a 4-0 record and 2.19 ERA, the opposite is true for his road trips — the lefty is 0-2 with a 13.21 ERA in four games outside of Seattle.
By A-ville Ranger
May 24, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this
The threat of the French cannon saved a base there.
By NO~TO~AMNESTY~!
May 24, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Chipper can’t get out of the bed without getting hurt!
By N8
May 24, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this
Not to be Debbie Downer tonight, because Smoltz and the defense have been OUTSTANDING.
But this game just has the “feel” of one of those late 3-2 losses, with all the opportunities we’ve had to add to the lead.
Again, not complaining, just feels weird.
Leave Smoltz in, or take him out? I’d leave him in. But I have a feeling that it wouldn’t be a good idea.
Let’s get some runs in the 7th, so my worries can go away.
By Daybed Wagmoe
May 24, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
as much as i’d love to see smoltz close this game out and go the distance, i’m a little relieved to see woodward PHing for him. i can think of a few times over the last couple years when smoltz had the game in the bag but chose to go out and pitch the 9th. and he was starting to get hit in the 7th there.
By A-ville Ranger
May 24, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this
It’s good to see a big lively crowd for this one.Even without the Smoltz/Galvine match up this is the most important game so far this season. What would really be cool is if Tommy was going for his 300th along with Smoltz’s 200th.
By JJMB
May 24, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
Boy, that Woodward was a nice pickup.
By A-ville Ranger
May 24, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this
I know I’m a broke cd with this,but KJ is a Larry Walker clone on the bases.Anybody notice he has four triples already ?
By N8
May 24, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this
Uh oh.
By A-ville Ranger
May 24, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
N8 Aunt May is that you ? Come on fess up ! you’d complain if you won the lottery.
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 24, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
man… I love having a good bullpen.
By Greg in TN
May 24, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
Nice job by Soriano in the eighth of fighting back after issuing the walk to Beltran.
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
Not to be Debbie Downer tonight, …. But this game just has the “feel” of one of those late 3-2 losses, with all the opportunities we’ve had to add to the lead.
Oh, chrissakes, why don’t you just start off all your posts with a disclaimer that says not to be Debbie Downer because you are just about the most negative son of a gun on here. In fact, from now on, why don’t you just say, Not To Be NHate or anything BUT…..
By A-ville Ranger
May 24, 2007 9:58 PM | Link to this
I think Soriano’s feelin the love.BC is probably a good manager for his temperament.I’m posting too much tonight,I go now.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 24, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
capuchins are in precious short supply already. we can ill afford to lose any more. now, this is a good game but journalist cannot get comfortable watching. another run would be nice. and there are some tainted pufferfish being sold as monkfish. all bloggers are asked to remain careful at the seafood counter. it is time for the king of the pufferfish to enter the game. go wicky!
By N8
May 24, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
A-ville Range
About a month ago I watched a show on the “E” Network about how sh!tty peoples life get when the win the lottery. So after watching that, YES, I might complain. LOL!
btw: I wasn’t complaining. This game has been played very well, and been very entertaining.
Sometimes, you just have that feeling, you know? When you leadoff a couple innings with a double and don’t score, it just gives you (me) a bad gut feeling.
3 outs to go, and it looks like I was worried for nothing.
By Soriano Should Be The Closer
May 24, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this
Soriano should be the closer. He really should. I hope Wickman can get the last 3. I don’t have the confidence in him that I used to…
By Chubby Rain Man
May 24, 2007 10:07 PM | Link to this
Man I remember the last time KJ made an error.Let’s hope this turns out better.
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
UH OH!!!!
By Chubby Rain Man
May 24, 2007 10:12 PM | Link to this
KA !! CHING!!!!!I’m a very good driver.
By N8
May 24, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
Not to be an a*******hole, but Willy Wally, why don’t you go…
By ernesto
May 24, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
HUGE!!!!
John Smoltz first pitcher EVER to win his 200th game against the Mets. Way to dirty up that record John!!!
Once again, HUGE!!!
By berigan
May 24, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!
By Willy Wally
May 24, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
BTW, loved how DOB spelled Kinkade’s name wrong today - great way to suppress the ego that is even larger than ole Kinkade’s enormous noggin.
6-3!
Magic Number is 118!
By Patrick Tighe
May 24, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
200 baby Go Braves
By Greg in TN
May 24, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this
Smoltz…… NICE x 200
What a great night at the ballpark.
I hated to see KJ boot that ball in the ninth, but glad to see Wick and Co. fight back and get that win tonight. Superb defense tonight by Edgar and a great job at the plate by Diaz.
Just keep winning series guys. Everything else will take care of itself.
By Braveone
May 24, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this
*Sevens are wild!!! Seventh Win for Smoltz, 7th Hold for Soriano, 7th Save for Wickman!
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this
Congratulations Mr John Smoltz.
How much we love thee!
By MBATL
May 24, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
N8, you’re funny! I’d leave him in. But I have a feeling that it wouldn’t be a good idea. I love it! Anyway, keep it coming, Debbie Downer - it gives us optimists something to bounce off of! And, your concerns weren’t unfounded, of course.
Just a great, great ballgame tonight. I love it!
By journalist jimmy smith
May 24, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this
oh, the humanity! journalist is a wreck! that was a tough inning. congratulations to smoltz. by the way, neal boortz calls smoltz, schmoltz. very annoying hearing smoltz called schmoltz again and again today. and journalist is beginning to worry about carolina lady. is carolina lady reading the blog tonight? and who is at the game tonight? sja, right?
By Bob
May 24, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
ESPN just covered the end of the game on Baseball Tonight. They mentioned that Smoltzie pitched a great game, but did not mention 200!!!! Guess these guys can’t figure out anything if it isn’t the Red Sox and Yankees. Pretty pathetic.
By Ron
May 24, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
What post was deleted, and who did the post?
By Efrim
May 24, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
GREAT WIN.
Chipper is as fragile as a pregnant woman.
By MEB
May 24, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
I am so glad that Kelly didn’t end up being the goat tonight. Whew!!!
Congratulations John Smoltz! I am so glad you wear the uniform with the tomahawk across the chest. So, what are the chances he could win 250 as a Brave?
By Chubby Rain Man
May 24, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this
Braveone hell I’m fly’n to Vegas!!
By _______
May 24, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
My Post WAS! ;)
By Tomahawkin' Again
May 24, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this
Maybe one of the most intense regular season games I have watched in a while. Don’t over-analyze whether Soriano should be closing over Wickman (I tend to agree), don’t moan too much why Woodman is still getting at-bats (wow, he’s an automatic out) and don’t get on ‘Dru for another 0-fer tonight (just par for the course)…this was a HUGE win. 6-3 now against the Muts. They have to have doubts now. Their fans certainly do. Keep the focus Bravos, the fightin’ Phils this weekend is just as big a series.
By eric the elder
May 24, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
Ron, it was a name I didn’t recognize. It was up for only a short time - - five minutes tops.
Wickman showed us something tonight. And the only person happier than Smoltz is Kelly.
By NO~TO~AMNESTY~!
May 24, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
CONGRATS JOHN~ We LOVE YOU!!!!
By Gil In Mechanicsville
May 24, 2007 10:31 PM | Link to this
Well, we will not see NO CHOP for a few days….. But, just in case you are lurking out there Dude,
**YO, THE MUTTS IS THE BRAVES’ B***!!!
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
May 24, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Agree on the ESPN coverage. Had Wick blown the save…90 seconds of coverage. Braves win 2 of 3 from Mets for the 3rd time this season, Smoltz 200th win, 10 seconds.
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
I posted earlier in the week that the team needs to work real hard on turning the DP. Lots of practise.
Maybe they just need to relax and not think about it. Great defense tonight. I’m a little concerned (in regards to the post season. not now). Good teams take advantage of outs left on the field.
Still, great game Smoltz. Great game bullpen.
Always good to take the series. Especially against the Mets.
By Coach
May 24, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
What a great night to be a Braves fan ! Congratulations to John Smoltz on his 200th victory ! How big was Francoeur’s at bat in the first inning ? getting that sac fly and driving in the first run. The defense was awesome and Wickman pitched around Kelly’s error in the ninth. We own the Mets , two out of three in all three meeting’s. Simply an outstanding game to watch and I got it all on VHS !
By SteelCav
May 24, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
The Mets are running scared Bravos. 3-6 against their division rivals. All we need is Lance or Chuck to step it up and Kyle to continue his stellar recent work and we are looking good fellas!!!!!
CONGRATS SMOLTZIE!!!!!!!!!
By MidTnBravesFan
May 24, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
How sweet it is to win the third straight series against the mets! At this point the Braves are really showing them who their Daddy is! And how about the crowd tonight at Turner Field?! Friggin awesome, I wish I could have been there.
The infield put on a clinic (excluding KJ’s boot in the 9th). Smoltz is the man! As good as Maddux and Glavine were during the 90’s, Smoltz is really outdoing them now. Especially in the head to head matchups. Go Braves and beat them loser Phillies!
By Ron
May 24, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this
That win pretty much guarantees John Smoltz Hall of Fame faith!!!!! Great job!!!!!!!!!
By Brad in MT
May 24, 2007 10:44 PM | Link to this
Congrats Smoltzie….we just need to get on a roll here and take back first from the Mets…
By robdawg06
May 24, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
Congrats to Smoltz on victory number 200 ! If you care to scroll way up I called the score 2-1. There were some great defensive plays tonight too ! Diaz can really hit. If Andruw ever gets going I like the Braves chances.
By The Grinch
May 24, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this
This is a good night.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
May 24, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this
Smoltz gets number 200, in a nail biter, against the dreaded and despised Muts - as Jackie Gleason used to say………
HOW SWEEEEEEEEET IT ISSSSS!!!
I’ll drink to that!
On Glavine - not going to comment tonight, this is John’s night to bask in the glow of his achievements. I have strong feelings about Glavine, as a Brave, an Ex-Brave, a pitcher, a baseball player and a gamer. Best leave these comments to another day. However, I never boo players, unless the other team’s player takes a cheap shot. I only boo umpires and opposing coaches. Had I been in the Ted when Erstad sucker punched Johnny Estrada, I would have booed, booed and booed some more.
Kelly Johnson looks like Toby MacGuire, without the Spidey costume. Edgar looks like Huggy Bear from Starsky & Hutch without the 70’s get up. Druw looks like he should be fronting for Hootie and the Blowfish when he ain’t chasing down uncatchable balls in the outfield, making us marvel at this man’s sheer defensive talent. And, Chris Woodward is Billy Bob Thornton, with the hang dog look and all. Given his offensive prowess, can we pray that JS and/or Bobby will bring out the Slingblade and cut him?
I think Druw is close to breaking out of his slump. He took two walks tonight, and struck out looking another time. Good pitch selection behooves him, as does his more closed stance which doesn’t require a corkscrewing of his feet into the ground every time he swings. It has been at least a week since I saw his right knee grind into the dirt after a swing/hit. That is a good thing.
Wish I had the radio on tonight so that I could have heard Skip yell…
SMOLTZ WINS, SMOLTZ WINS, SMOLTS WINS!!!
By Ron
May 24, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this
eric the elder or anybody out there, I know you cant say what they said, but about what did the comment consist of? I am talkin about the post that was deleted!!!
By Don Imus
May 24, 2007 10:57 PM | Link to this
Thank you John for all the years of being a class act and a hall of fame pitcher. What a great guy. And what a big game to win. Smoltzie gutted it out. There is NOBODY i would rather see on the mound in a big game than him. NOBODY. Go ahead and get his locker in the hall of fame ready he is a lock. We are very lucky to have had the pleasure of watching such a truly great player for all of these years. He is the face of the Atlanta Braves.
By joebrave
May 24, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this
John Smoltz,has to be ranked as one of,if not the greatest Braves pitcher of all time. Smoltzie is money in the bank…….
Funny another Braves @ss whippin delivered to the Mets and nary a nochop,or Efrim,or Metroman,etal…
Mutts fans when you wake up and realize that the sun does’nt rise or set on your team only you’ll probably learn how to breathe,relax,and enjoy life…
and David Wright,looks like that boy needs a bar of soap,touretts has set in on him too.does he have to yell fu&k,everytime he gets rung up and made to look bad,told you guys,that boy needs a condom on his head…..
Defense,pitching,Braves baseball whatta life Go Braves!!!!!
By JasonInMaine
May 24, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Wiyh all due respect to Mr. Aaron, Smoltz is Mr. Brave!! Congrats Smoltzie!!
By choppinmama
May 24, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
Woo-hoo! Kelly Johnson’s nice stab on the grass and throw to first to save the Mets from scoring was ESPN’s #1 Web Gem tonight.
But - Baseball Tonight’s interview with John started…”even though Glavine got squeezed early tonight…” They are always the NY teams’ apologists.
Congrats on #200 John. Just a stupendous accomplishment.
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this
JoeBrave,
Your 10:59 is very true
Mutts fans when you wake up and realize that the sun does’nt rise or set on your team only you’ll probably learn how to breathe,relax,and enjoy life…
By Ron
May 24, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this
Bob “the blob” Wickman shut the door in the 9th!!! Has anybody noticed Wickman looks a little bit fatter after coming off the DL, maybe its just me!!!
By Ron
May 24, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this
joebrave, Dude did you catch some fish today?
By joebrave
May 24, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this
Ron,thanks for asking,yeah I caught about 11,cleaned em up, cooked em up, ate em up,then enjoyed me some Braves baseball,some mountain air,and some cold suds…
By geauxbraves2000
May 24, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
WTG Smoltzie, congrats! Nice win tonight, great pitching, stellar defense, (with one exception, didn’t hurt though), great win. 1 1/2 back sure is better than 3 1/2 back.
Well, movie time. I am a total movie buff, seen in the neighborhood of fifteen hundred or so, but tonight’s script was one of the best!
Geaux Braves!!
By meansonny
May 24, 2007 11:16 PM | Link to this
Kurkjan says Smotlz is in Cooperstown.
Well said. I’m definitely pulling for him this season in the Cy Young award. World Series MVP? Well… now I’m getting ahead of myself.
We’ll just settle for Cooperstown, today :)
By Wayne in Utah
May 24, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
Nice win tonight. Smoltz is Hall of Fame in my book!
By Look who's still in first jerks!
May 24, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
It took 3 badly blown calls to let the idiot Braves take down a mighty juggernaut.
Those calls turne the whole game, you can’t seriously think they didn’t.
Even so the best team is still number one and still will be in October.
METS!METS!METS!
By Turnin2
May 24, 2007 11:21 PM | Link to this
Awesome… just awesome!! And to have everyone on the team stay and watch the tribute and applaud just added to it… I hope people at home got to see it on tv. btw— I applauded Tommy as I always do, just a little louder this time. Too bad he couldn’t have just gotten a no decision, but it was John’s night!
By ernesto
May 24, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this
Well the Mets are gone until August and the Mutley snipers are likely gone for a few days too.
When they come back it will be all about, we’re still in first, blah, blah, blah.
Bottom line 3 head to head series - 3 Braves’ wins.
No one can say that isn’t mighty.
By Darrin "The Vent King"
May 24, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this
SMOLTZ IS THE MAN! CONGRATS ON #200! I boo Glavine for no other reason than that he plays for those lousy Muts, er-um Mets. I hate the Mets. Other than that, I still appreciate the ‘95 MVP performance he put on for us back in the day. Still hate the Mets though. Once he takes that ugly uniform off one day, we’ll be cool again.
GO BRAVES!!
By Drummerdad
May 24, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this
Smoltz should be at about 210 wins if not for last year’s gremlins and 2005’s Kolbenator. Scary and painful to think about.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 24, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this
Wrong…
By joebrave
May 24, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this
Look who’sstill in first,Dude this is a special Braves night it just happened to come at the Mutts expense which makes it all the more sweet,Soooo crawl back in the gutter hole from whence you came you stank @ss sumbitch before I go off on your NY scumbucket @ss. I’m trying to give Mr. and that’s Mr. to you,you stupid incoherent sumbitch,Mr. Smoltz all the props he deserves,the man has pitched his heart out,pitched his arm literally off for this team and it’s fans,and by damn he deserves this recognition…so take your bleating and your teams apparant ineptitude against the Braves and stick it up your monkey boy @SS!!!!
By Drummerdad
May 24, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this
“Vent King” my man, I’m not much of a Mets fan either. But the 1986 team was a marvel to behold. I think we Braves fans need to lighten up on Glavine despite his hurting our feelings by defecting to the “dark side”. If I were TG, and heard enough of this vitriol about myself, I’d consider going into the HOF wearing a blue cap rather than a tomahawk. None of us wants him to do that.
By Jeremy
May 24, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB: Why don’t the Braves call up Bryan Pena and release Orr or Woodward, or send Prado back down so that Salty can play some 1B without Bobby worrying about having a backup catcher on the bench. I think Salty could even be a top-notch pinch hitter…maybe the 1st option off the bench against a righty.
By wh
May 24, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this
I was there tonight - Smoltz pitched a hell of a game - Glavine too - yeah yeah he sucks boo - here is where I get a little confused - announced attendance for a a milestone moment against biggest rival - 36K, late arriving at that. This is not my point - my point is this - Smoltz lifted for a PH in the 7th and not even a smattering of applause for the “hero”. Weird. I assure you if this was many other towns - NY included - there would have been some recognition from the fans for a guy pitching his nuts off in a game of this magnitude. This is the part of ATL sports (all of them) I will never really understand. More an observation than a critique. I went to this game because of #200 with little interest in the outcome if JS not involved in the decision. Good to see him get it in a great start against a really good Met lineup.
By gotigers72
May 24, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this
WOW!! What a game. Great crowd, not a full house but they were rockin’. Two HOF pitchers at the tops of their games. During the twilight of their careers too. Smoltz is 40 and still a power pitcher. There are a few like that, Clemens, Randy Johnson, etc., but still the exception for someone at that age.
Great defense. Edgar was on fire in the field and KJ made that great play that saved a run. Edgar should be mentioned in the same breath as Reyes and all of the other NL SSs that get all the ink and glory. He’s not as flashy, but damn can he play. Offensively and defensively.
Great relief pitching again, good to see Big Bob back in form. And can Diaz rake or what? Why in heck did other teams give up on him? Looks like between he and Willie, they have LF covered now.
The best thing is that they took the 3rd straight series from the big, bad Mets. Choke on that Mets fans. The mighty Mets scored 5 runs in 3 games.
Anyway, fantstic job Braves! I’ll sleep well tonight.
By Dave
May 24, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
Drummerdad,
Its not up to the player. MLB decides ‘what cap’ players wear in the HOF.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
Very cool response from you folks, gotta tell you. And I can pretty much assure you that Smoltz will see it all.
Almost every writer I’ve talked to about this subject recently thinks Smoltz will get in the Hall of Fame, with what he’s done right now, and get in pretty soon after he’s eligible.
And you gotta think he could get another 30-40 wins before he retires.
Just a hell of a performance, two in a row at Boston and tonight. Seven scoreless in both places against arguably the best two lineups in the majors.
By David O'Brien
May 24, 2007 11:55 PM | Link to this
WH, gotta disagree with you on the crowd. I thought they were very vocal in their appreciation for Smoltz, and he was pretty overwhelmed by their response.
There was a lot of energy tonight, especially in a few big innings. The place erupted after the Wright strikeout, after the third out in the Mets’ seventh inning, and on the final out and when Smoltz came out on the field. I was impressed.
By Chop Chop
May 24, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this
That game got me pumped up. Smoltz has been my favorite Brave since ‘89, so I’m really happy that John was able to get a big win like that in front of the home folks. I usually don’t get too hyped up for regular season baseball games, but I was into this one from start to finish. I just hope there are more adrenaline-pumping moments like this for all of us to go through as this season progresses.
Great fans, great game.
By Ron
May 25, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
Drummerdad, Dude Glavine cannot choose which cap he goes into the Hall in, the members of the Hall of Fame chooses!!!
By Lew
May 25, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
Smoltz wins 200, we beat the Mets and JoeBrave has a good day at the fishin hole. Works for me.
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
If Diaz is available, I think he’s still the best option off the bench from the right side. But I think you’re right about using Salty off the bench more (woodward? no thanks).
By joebrave
May 25, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this
I personally would like to say thank you John Smoltz,for all of your efforts,I watched him pitch his first M.L. game against the Mets,Dominate that night,I still recall the color commentary,The Kid is lights out,Skip Caray said,Pete,what we have here is the making of a superstar!!!200 wins later,the man is both…
Thank You John Smoltz……..
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 25, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this
The only thing I didn’t like about tonight’s game was when, without warning, Smoltz took his cap off, and the glare emanating off that slick head damn near blinded TheJackAss!…Damn man put some eye black on that head…scuff it up with some cheap Home Depot sandpaper…or at least say something next time…
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this
Dave,
I know that you’re technically right about the cap in the HOF.
But seriously, if a player earns the respect and votes and gets into the HOF, do you think that Cooperstown will turn their backs against that players wishes and put a different cap on?
Isn’t that how Montreal got its cap in the HOF (players wishes)?
By Savannah Guy
May 25, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
DOB, good article. True blogger style - truth and cajoling and inside insight. Good stuff. Also, “walls” have been a great subject for many a songwriter, i.e. Led Zepp (has anyone seen…), Pink Floyd, Oasis and on…I think Merle Haggard had a line or three on the subject. If he didn’t, he should have. “Back when walls were still walls and a joint was a bad place to drink Coke”. Then there was John Lennon’s “I am the Wall-rus”? Getting’ silly…it’s late. On to baseball.
Smoltz is a man. What can you say? He is incredible. He’s one of the “good guys”. He is a warrior. He’s a HOF ace. And he’s our very own until he retires. We are very lucky to have him.
Glavine is a man. HOF’er. We were all p** when he left, especially since he went to the evil Mutts. But some (I for one) will always miss his contribution to the magic of what the Braves were and are today. Wish we had him. Wish he would come back. Regardless, barring the leftover stuff with the “your on my team or I hate you” crowd, around and about his leaving…it would almost be a perfect team if he were here now. He is a warrior.
Maddux. Man. HOF no-brainer 1st round slam dunk. The “accountant”. An enigma. Love’im, mean it. It would be a perfect world if he were here. Can you imagine the big three and Huddy as our fab four? Buggers on balls and poop on door knobs, real guy stuff.
Oh well…should’a-could’a-would’a…fun to imagine though.
Cox. Sounds like he’s slipping into WWF analogies per the comments he made about Tommy. But after game 6 of the the 95 WS, I understand him and he’s right, if not articulate.
Home games have not been on par or as successful as road games. Seen it before, and it wasn’t pretty. Isn’t now. Maybe…probably way too much comfort and too many distractions in ATL. Cox needs to lay some home rules on the team or we’ll see it much more. They are talented but they are yung’uns. Too many swollen necks and homeboys (and girls) when these bucks get back to home field.
Android ain’t back yet. But he is crawling and inching back to connecting better with the lumber. Trouble is, his bat seems to be actually behaving like lumber…the 2x4 kind. Just hope he gets his stance back and gets on some kind of a roll to pickup this currently anemic offense.
The Mutts may win more this year (not a hope or prediction but a possibility), but we have had our way with them so far. Braves are their Daddy. Got thier frikkin number.
By joebrave
May 25, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this
Scalp em dude your asking for it,that was funny but your realy asking for it… And how do you know SJA is fat,and drinks beer?
By wh
May 25, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this
Dave - not talking about after the game during the video when JS was standing with the headphones on or during a couple of innings with 2 outs and things got going pretty good. Strictly talking about the 7th when PH in the batters box and appeared to hit. - I suppose everyone has an opinion but I was field level in some sweet seats and didn’t hear it - mentioned it to some folks around me who thought the same. Maybe it’s just perspective - I have heard far louder for far less. Really doesn’t matter what my opinion is on this - the fact remains the guy pitched a great game in a defining moment.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
May 25, 2007 12:11 AM | Link to this
Man oh man oh man - don’t take much to get a blog block on here - I’m done (hold the applause down please). Hope all have a good night…..
And the bleat goes on…….
By Ron
May 25, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this
I am a big Braves fan, but Grinch, SCREW the Dogs, The Hurricanes is #1 baby!!! That team is on its way back to the TOP!!!
By The Grinch
May 25, 2007 12:18 AM | Link to this
Hey, Scalp, they probably don’t stash beer. You’d have to pee in their Zima’s. It would still work if you waited till you’ve had two or three good beer pees of your own so it looked clear. Then throw in a packet or two of splenda and there you go. Fill ‘er up! F&%$ ‘em.
Smoltzie, if you’re reading this, I know I’ve ranked you behind Maddux in my most favorite Braves of the 90’s (and still do), but you showed me something tonight and last start against the Sox. You are the man. No &%#%. And I don’t give that compliment lightly. Congrats, my man, and I forgive you for snubbing me at a gas station in ‘91 (yes, I was a customer that recognized you and not an attendant). You have earned your stripes with me as a most gifted hard a$$ (not that it probably matters to you), but you’re aging like Diane Lane. And that’s a good thing.
By joebrave
May 25, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this
SJA enjoy the game did ya? hell of a pitching performance,Scalpem done tapped out but jjs is still in need of some @ss kicking..tags in to you sir,I done chewed on nochop and the rest of them other sumbitches til my teeth hurt or what’s left of them anyway….
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 25, 2007 12:28 AM | Link to this
I didn’t get to read what Scalp ‘Em said, but “fat, and drinks beer”…well if 6’11”…305lbs…and 13% body fat constitutes a fat beer drinker…then some of you little pi$$ants better pour yourselves a few cold ones…especially the 3 minute man Scalp ‘Em…4’11”…305lbs…and 99% $hit for brains!…
By The Grinch
May 25, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this
Ron, what the &%#% did you just say? I’m not going to bother crapping on a Braves blog long enough to talk about your team anymore than this: the only thing they’re on the way back to the top of is a court docket. Silence that ACC nonsense; you’re not even better than Ga Tech for God’s sake. I appreciate your loyalty, though; it’s hard to find in a third-rate program. Sit down, Waldo.
By TheSouthernJackAss
May 25, 2007 12:34 AM | Link to this
joebrave—yes TheJackAss enjoyed the game, in the comfort of his den, on his HD monster plasma screen…jjs is probably out calling up turdbirds, and spanking his dead monkey!…TheJackAss out…
By Mark in PA
May 25, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this
Smoltz is my hero. I never had a doubt.
BTW- be glad you had the local coverage. I had to watch on MLB.TV with the Mutts carrying the game (SNY) (at least until the servers locked—Thanks MLB.TV!) Let me tell you, their announcers were in FULL WHINE about the strike zone for Glavine. Say what you want about Skip, Pete, Joe, (and Don), but I don’t ever remember them “homering” a game call as bad as that. Those posting here will of course deny it, but the Mets are worried.
Go Braves!
By joebrave
May 25, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this
LOL SJA that was funny I’m still laughing.jjs is prolly talking to his own bird right now!!!
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 12:53 AM | Link to this
Pulling this from another board…
But this puts Smoltz in consideration for the Best Atlanta Brave of all-time.
He’ll retire with the most strikeouts of any franchise Brave (best k/9 too)
The most saves of any franchise Brave.
The streak started with Smoltz, the lone WS for the city being the key, and the string of 14 consecutive Division Crowns ended with Smoltz.
Other considerations obviously to Phil Niekro, Dale Murphy, Glavine, Maddux, & Chipper
By KC
May 25, 2007 12:54 AM | Link to this
I had the privilege of being at the Ted tonight, and I gotta tell ya… I have NEVER seen the place that rowdy. Awesome night!!!
By Ron
May 25, 2007 12:56 AM | Link to this
Of course I am a Bigger Braves fan than a Hurricanes fan, Braves is my favorite team of any sport!!! Oh yeah my favorite NBA team is the Spurs, there not doing too bad now are they!!! Oh Yeah my favorite NFL team is the Colts and they won the Championship, if the Spurs when the Championship, this might be the Braves year, lets hope the Spurs win!!! I might just be good luck!!!
By KC
May 25, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this
Usually Mets fans at the Ted irritate me. But tonight… I was just glad they were there to see this! =)
By parks
May 25, 2007 1:14 AM | Link to this
Wow Ron, let me guess you are a UNC college B-Ball fan also
By Coach
May 25, 2007 1:20 AM | Link to this
Doyle Alexander , we love you man !
By Ron
May 25, 2007 1:24 AM | Link to this
Parks, actually Duke is my favorite college Basketball team!!! Hate UNC!!!
By parks
May 25, 2007 1:35 AM | Link to this
lmao
By Memphis
May 25, 2007 1:53 AM | Link to this
Crowd did seem great great on TV. I go to 15-20 games a year and have been disappointed over the past 10 years with crowd energy. If you are into the game and slightly vocal you tend to get a lot of looks from the “quiet” ones. I really think that part of the problem in past years has been at least that there are no crowd “prompts” from the scoreboards, ect. That should not be necessary, but it seems like the use of more crowd “prompts” this year have helped put the crowd more into the games.
Having said that, I know tonight was different, but I am speaking in general terms.
Has anyone seen the ridiculous format that the ACC has gone to in their annual Baseball Tournament. What are they thinking? You are going to have games being played that will have two teams eliminated from the tournament already- and even worse you will have teams eliminated playing teams that are in the hunt. That would like having the Braves and the Mets play the Nationals to see who gets in the World Series. Makes no sense.
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 1:54 AM | Link to this
Ron,
I’m guessing that you were either an army brat growing up… or you came from a broken home.
Or, there’s one other possibility.
Anyhow, glad you’re on the blog :-)
By Trade Man
May 25, 2007 2:30 AM | Link to this
The Reds need bullpen help. The Braves need a capable backup at 1B and 3B. Jeff Conine and Aaron Herr for Joey Devine ?
By Ron
May 25, 2007 2:44 AM | Link to this
meansonny, I am from Mississippi, and we have absolutely no team worth watching! The Mississippi State Bulldogs suck in everything except Baseball, and Ole Miss is the same way, not worth rooting for those crappy teams!!! I am a big fan of Peyton Manning, that is why I like the Colts, I liked the Spurs before they won their first Championship!!! Got friends that are big Braves fans, that is how I became a Braves fan, Love the Braves!!! I respect everything that the Braves have done, and their players and Coaches and anything else someone can think of!!! The reason I like Duke is their Coach, he is awesome!!! Started watching the Hurricanes a few years ago, and got hooked on that team!!! That is the only teams I like, dont even care for any of the other teams!!! Braves are my favorite of them all!!!!!!!!!
By Ron
May 25, 2007 2:47 AM | Link to this
meansonny, Dude they come in three’s!!! The Colts, maybe the Spurs, and maybe the Braves!!! Gotta believe!!!!!!!
By Coach
May 25, 2007 2:49 AM | Link to this
Forget it Trademan , that makes to much damn sense for it to happen.
By serbok
May 25, 2007 3:13 AM | Link to this
grinch what is splenda? Just wanted to put in my congrats to Smoltzie. What a Class act! Wow~ what can one say that hasnt already been said? Smoltzie is just absolutely baseball! Poetry in motion! I’m also of the age to remember the trade. I was elated at the time. I can honestly say tho~ of course, I had NO idea that the trade was for a future HOF! Has to be a First round inductee! Considering the past inductee’s of course. Thank You Smoltzie ! Your determination and Class as a human being are very much appreciated!
By berigan
May 25, 2007 6:29 AM | Link to this
Egad! Grinch, Ron, and others talking about minor league football! Football sucks! Minor league football sucks even more! It’s like talking about who’s better, Richmond or New Orleans! Or who’s prettier, Rosanne, or Rosie? It’s pointless, it’s not the Major leagues! Besides, baseball is the ONLY sport that matters! All other sports are stupid, and takes away athletes that could be playing a real sport, baseball. Glad to have straightened this issue out for you all! ;) I am going to sleep now, so fire away, I’ll never know!
JOHN SMOLTZ RULESSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By JasonInMaine
May 25, 2007 6:48 AM | Link to this
I hope there isn’t a let down after last night’s emotional victory. Tonight is a big game, and without Chipper in the lineup, we need Hudson to build on the momentum created by Smoltzie.
By JasonInMaine
May 25, 2007 6:52 AM | Link to this
And the Braves should be able to hit this soft-tossing lefty tonight! Salty should get his first start at 1B tonight. If he does, he will hit his first HR of the year!
By Ron Roberts
May 25, 2007 6:57 AM | Link to this
As a longtime Braves fan, I always seem to picture John Smoltz on the mound in some of my favorite moments.
I remember 1991, when we clinched the NL West and he and Greg Olson embraced between the mound and home plate while Fulton County Stadium nearly crumbled from the fan elation.
I’ll never forget his epic performance in an otherwise heartbreaking night - Game 7 World Series. While the Braves didn’t win that game, he almost hand-delivered the trophy to Georgia himself. Heck if not for the DH, I believe he’d have probably legged out a base it or smacked a dinger himself. :)
I’ll never forget the Cy Young season of 1996, or the injury struggles you worked around with different delivery positions in 1999, or in 2003 when you propbably had no business putting yourself out there in the Cubs’ playoff series.
You always did what was best for the team, even when it meant moving to the bullpen to become this team’s most dominant and consistant closer since Wohlers’ brief stint. You never ran from pain; you never hid from taking the bull by the horns and showing the leadership qualities that most major league athletes don’t have.
Win #200 is all about you, man. I’m happy the Braves won; it was an important game for us, and I wouldn’t have been more comfortable with any other guy on the mound for us.
But last night’s win was more about you and your accomplishments, and how important you are - and have been - to this franchise.
I remember when the Braves shipped off Doyle Alexander for some prospect, and Doyle reeled off a bunch of wins to get the Tigers to the playoffs. Braves fans were a little miffed.
Oh God, did we not know what gift we’d been given in that trade! Thank you, Bobby Cox for making that trade. Thank you, Doyle Alexander, for being the pitcher the Tigers wanted at that moment enough to ship off the prized prospect who’d eventually become the face of our franchise.
John Smoltz is a champion, and the one Atlanta sports star - above them all - that I’ll grow old relishing his feats and sharing stories with kids and grandkids about.
By Metropolitan Man
May 25, 2007 7:21 AM | Link to this
Ok Grinch, looks like you are getting closer to that goal. Last nights games was great but the end result sucked. Not the Smoltz needed much help but those umpires saw to it that the METS would not catch a break. Not taking anything away from Smoltz because he pitched a gem, but Blue deserves some credit for the win also. Ok, I’m done making excuses, if we learned anything is that we shall all be playoff bound. Until then the marathong continues. Congrats braves, you beat the Mighty METS 6 out of 9, now do that against the bottom feeders and we will see you in the end. No more smart remarks for now, you guys get geared up for those METS and its sickening!!!
LETS GO METS!!!
By brewdawg
May 25, 2007 7:40 AM | Link to this
Smoltzie: Thanks for giving us the priviledge of watching and rooting for you. It’s been a pleasure… and I hope it’s far from over.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
May 25, 2007 7:43 AM | Link to this
Good morning all, A most satisfying game last night. John Smoltz is definitely a class act. What a great mentor he must be to the kids coming up. He reminds me so much of Frank Viola of the Twins as he approached the twilight of his career.
Metropolitan Man The Braves have had their share of bad calls over the years too. Good teams overcome them in the long run. The Mets are definitely a good team this year.
By Gil in Mechanicsville
May 25, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this
More News from the Farm
Richmond has now lost five in a row…. I don’t think it is any one thing. Escobar continues to impress with his bat and glove but he does need to work on his attitude.
Good luck to Buddy Carlyle Saturday. Makes me three for three in recent predictions. The crystal ball is cloudy now but I hope Buddy gives the Braves a chance to win Saturday. Don’t expect a no hitter or a shutout against the Phillies but he is a huge upgrade from Mark Redman.
Lew I know you are not a big Matt Diaz fan but the kid can rake. Ryan Langerhans is doing much better (as we all knew he eventually would) in Washington. His batting average continues to rise and his defense is stellar.
The Gnats are not going to be world beaters this year because they lack the pitching depth but let’s hope they can take a few from the Phillies and the Mets. Jim Bowden is a good judge of talent and he really wanted Langerhans. Funny how he back doored Shurholtz to get him.
By ncscoots
May 25, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
Other posters have already expressed, better and more completely, any sentiments I could express over Smoltz’s performance, so I won’t be redundant. But if, as DOB says, Smoltz will read the blog’s comments, I’d tell him this short story.
My father and I were once watching a Braves’ game when he paid John Smoltz just about the highest compliment in his book, and not lightly given. He turned to me and said, “That man’s got sand.”
Don’t think there was anything about last night’s performance that would have caused him to change that opinion.
By Coach
May 25, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this
Is anybody surprised that Diaz is hitting so well(.347)? Not this fan and they should give him a first baseman’s mitt which would get his bat in the lineup a little more.
By ssiscribe
May 25, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this
What a night.
(I would have filed something to the old blog last night when I got home, but I got stuck in the traffic on Interstate 75 associated with the carjacking and didn’t get to the house until almost midnight.)
As I told Grinch in several text messages from my perch four rows behind the fence in right-center field, it felt more like September and October than May in the yard at 755 Hank Aaron Blvd. Thursday night. There was a buzz in the ballpark before the game. You could feel it.
It’s not every day you get to see two future Hall of Famers toe the slab, two guys who had combined – coming into the night – for 494 wins, three Cy Young Awards and a generation full of memories. Maybe the players felt it too; Brian McCann, who grew up in Duluth watching Tom Glavine and John Smoltz lead the Braves from the poorhouse to the penthouse, wore a big smile on his face while chatting with fans in the right-field seats before the game.
No way Smoltz loses on this night; he lives for moments like this. For Glavine’s icy glare and Maddux’s artistic approach, there is Smoltz, fire and fire and more fire. Raw emotion, the fuel that’s driven the right-hander through four surgeries and a move to the bullpen and a move back to the rotation, on full display in one of those matchups for the ages we’ve been blessed to see several times already this season.
A dream pitching matchup. The top two teams in the division. A large crowd. Great defense. Even greater tension. Beautiful weather. An absolutely perfect night of baseball, a historic night Smoltz – and those of us fortunate enough to see it in person – won’t soon forget.
These eyes have watched a lot of baseball the past 30 years. Were I to form a list of the 10 best games I’ve ever seen in person, this one would make the list. It was, simply, a baseball fan’s delight.
On to the weekend, as the Phils come to town. But as the Mets leave, you can’t help but think just how much fun this thing is going to be all summer, as the New Yorkers and the pride of the ATL battle night-in, night-out, in a race that seems destined to go to the final hours of the season.
A great win for the Braves, and a great moment for Smoltz. Time to work, with an eye toward Saturday, when my best girl and I will occupy two seats in the outfield and soak in another day as the journey toward October continues.
For now, the Scribe abides.
—30—
By Savannah Guy
May 25, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this
Another rival got Smoltzed
The man’s name should become an adjective for competitive, dominant, relentless, untouchable. Smoltzy does whatever it takes to get a win. A HOF lock.
‘nuff said.
By MEB
May 25, 2007 8:48 AM | Link to this
DOB… Do you think that John Smoltz will be a color analyst after his playing days are over? John has a great on air personality and he obviously has tremendous baseball insight.
Or, do you think he will be a golf bum and play the celebrity golf tour? I think he can take Elway and Barkley. John is a good enough golfer and athlete to maybe even consider going after the senior tour eventually.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 8:50 AM | Link to this
Good morning, all.
I was at the game last night. One question for anyone who watched the game on TV: Did David Wright swing at that ball? Looked like he did from where I was sitting, which was on the first-base side so I got a decent view.
By Gene Garbage
May 25, 2007 8:51 AM | Link to this
DOB- you are gonna love the new Isbell solo album: Sirens of the Ditch. really, really good
check out Magnolia Electric Co.- Trial and Errors. great live album
nothing better than the Gram Parsons/ Emmylou live 1973 album
damn that was a good game last night. great energy in the crowd.
By Thrillhouse44
May 25, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this
To me, Smoltz is Mr. Brave. How can you not think of him when you think of the Braves? To quote my favorite 2Pac movie: Smoltz, “you got the juice”.
Braves win, Mess lose, 3 day weekend of beer and watersports. Life is good!
Chop to the Top!
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 8:56 AM | Link to this
MEB,
It would be cool to see Chipper as manager and Smoltz as pitching coach one day.
You get the feeling that Chipper can’t survive without being around the game. And listening to him, as I’ve said before, I think he could be a great manager or even general manager.
By Thrillhouse44
May 25, 2007 8:58 AM | Link to this
MEB, think he can take Jordan in a round? Have those two ever played? They do have a mutual friend in Tiger…
By Scalp 'Em Braves
May 25, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this
No doubt a great night for a great pitcher who will go down as one of the all time Braves’ greats. But, the greatest Atlanta Brave ever? No disrespect to Smoltz - love the guy’s moxie, fire, “sand” (good one Scoots), etc. But, Hank is the greatest Brave ever, and for my money, will never be surpassed in that category.
MEB - you think Smoltz can take Barkley on the golf course? Have you ever seen Barkley play? My grandmother could take Barkley at golf, and she passed away 3 years ago. Its not that she is that good from the grave, its that Barkley is that bad from the tee box, the rough, every sand trap and bunker on the course, etc.
By BamaBrave
May 25, 2007 9:27 AM | Link to this
Met Man…I tip my hat to you sir. Gracious words. And I couldn’t agree more. The Braves have to start dominating DC and winning series against Florida, or we won’t be playing anyone in October.
By BamaBrave
May 25, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Shaun…Wright BARELY - and I mean BARELY - broke his wrists. Very close, but technically, he did commit.
By Ron Robets
May 25, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
With what all Smoltz has contributed to championship seasons, and has done to stay with this team instead of getting disgruntled and asking to be dealt or taking the highest dollar outside of Atlanta, you have to consider him as maybe the greatest Atlanta Brave ever.
Hank Aaron spent quite a bit of his career in Milwaukee, remember. Hank’s the greatest Brave of all-time, I say, but his tenure straddles two cities, and I think you have to consider John Smoltz the greatest Atlanta Brave ever.
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 9:38 AM | Link to this
Scalp Em,
The context was surrounding “Atlanta Brave”.
Smoltz is nowhere near Spahn, Aaron, or Kid Nichols for the franchise.
But in this brief stint of Atlanta history? He is DEFINITELY in the debate. Just start with his post-season history alone (15-4 with 4 saves. 2.65 ERA. 1.14WHIP). 200 Wins and 150 saves (that’s a franchise save record). He’ll probably pass Niekro on the franchise strikeout leaderboard this season. Of Maddux, Glavine, & Smoltz, he has recorded the most k/9 (I’m reaching a little on that one). With 43 more wins, he passes Tom Glavine for the 2nd most wins in Atlanta (behind Niekro).
He was there for the 1st and 14th division crown.
He has to be in the discussion.
By JasonInMaine
May 25, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this
meansonny,
He doesn’t have to be in the discussion; he is the discussion. The discussion about Mr. Atlanta Brave starts and ends with Smoltzie. I love Murph, Chip, and others, but Smoltz is truly THE Atlanta Braves icon.
Regards,
Jason
By Arkansas Hillbilly
May 25, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
Wow….I had to call my wife and her 9-year old brother into the room to watch the end of that game. (Yes I have a 9 year old brother-in-law….It’s Arkansas for crying out loud). Anyway I just had to share the moment with them, although they probably didn’t realize they were witnessing something that had never been done before. Do you see those words Mr. Smoltz? NEVER BEEN DONE BEFORE in the history of Major league baseball!!!! Hats off and a big-ole cold Budweiser raised to Mr. 200/150.
By beachcomber
May 25, 2007 9:51 AM | Link to this
There are just some games that stick with you all your life - Francisco and Sid; ‘The Catch’ (was there for that one); the final game of ‘95 and that blankety blank Leyritz/Wohlers game. Last night’s will join that group. Thanks Smoltzie for what you’ve meant to the Braves and their fans.
By beachcomber
May 25, 2007 10:00 AM | Link to this
Gil - I was disappointed to read your comments on Escobar’s attitude. I imagine you see more than a few R-Braves games. If Chipper is going to be out for any extended period of time, we need him in Atlanta. What we have on the major league roster now is not a long term solution. You hate to see kids with enormous potential p** away a career like the Dukes kid is doing down in my neck of the woods. Let’s hope Escobar turns it around.
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 25, 2007 10:17 AM | Link to this
On the 20-min edition of Baseball Tonight, Tim Kurkjian said that with this win, Smoltz was a Hall of Famer, by this much (and held his fingers closely together, as if to suggest that Smoltz would barely get in).
Spare me, Timmy boy. NO ONE has ever recorded 200 wins and 150 saves until now. No one has ever made the transition from Cy-Young winning starter to lights-out closer back to dominant starter. And Smoltz, as I said a few days ago, has “it.” That knack for winning the big games. 15-4 in the postseason. Hear that, Timmy boy? 15 and freaking 4!
John Smoltz should be given a standing ovation every time he takes the field. He is a class act, and the model of what a star should be. I hope you in the ATL who get to see him in person appreciate what you are experiencing. Such a great person and player don’t come around often.
Smoltzy, well done. The Braves Nation is proud to call you our own.
By Lew
May 25, 2007 10:20 AM | Link to this
ScalpEm-I remember hearing about a Spring Training round a few years ago where Smoltz beat Sorenstam, but came in second to Tiger. I also remember that Adam Wainwright beat Smoltz in a round a couple of years ago, too. On any given day, right?
By Lew
May 25, 2007 10:24 AM | Link to this
Gil-It’s not that I didn’t like Diaz-he’s a really good hitter, though I’m still scared every time he circles undera fly ball. I’m happy with any combination that gives the Braves consistent W’s-same with Harris. My whole rant was that Langerhans was nowhere near as bad as his start and that he would turn it around (like he has in DC) if given time. Got to admit, though-JS got snookered on that deal.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 10:28 AM | Link to this
Gil or someone,
Can you expound on Escobar’s attitude?
By MBATL
May 25, 2007 10:43 AM | Link to this
Gil, I had the same question… if you’ve got any details on Escobar.
I agree with an earlier poster, who suggested maybe Orr, Prado and Woodward is a bit of duplication. Seems like it would make sense to call up Escobar as a RH bat/3B backup, and send Orr down. Either that or bring up Pena, and still send Orr down.
Three catchers is a little unusual, but if Salty is gonna get any time at 1B, it would be a nice luxury.
Woodward ain’t much with the stick, but given that he can play any IF position (and the OF too), I think he’s worth keeping around.
Aside from that, and hoping that we can get something decent from Cormier and/or Carlyle in the 5 spot, the roster is looking pretty good. No major moves needed right now, imo.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Matthew, Dad to Walter,
I’m as big a fan of Smoltz as the next guy, and I think he’s a HOFer, but Kirkjian has a point. He’s not an overwhelming candidate.
He’s a lot like Curt Schilling. No one would consider Schilling an overwhelming candidate.
By ernesto
May 25, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this
Woodward and Orr are the same guys except Pete has better wheels and Woodward makes his outs from the right hand side of the batters box, Orr whiffs from the left, if I’m not mistaken.
By MBATL
May 25, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Lew, I don’t know if JS got snookered on the Langerhans deal. Snelling, the guy that Oakland got for Ryan, has done a pretty good job in limited play, but he’s out of options - so if we’d have gotten him, we’d have to keep him on the ML roster. He’s no great shakes, overall, and I’d rather have what we’ve got in the OF.
I guess we don’t know who the PTNL is, but probably someone very young that we can hope develops. We really didn’t need any mediocre major-league talent for Ryan, and it probably was best for all that we gave him a fresh start somewhere else.
Glad he’s coming around, anyway.
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Shaun,
The problem with “overwhelming” is that every real voter I’ve heard interviewed says yes.
The people who actually have a voice agree that he’s a HOF’er today.
I think that makes the term “overwhelming” a moot point when all the voters overwhelmingly are going to vote for him.
As for now, I’m sure he’s not a 1st ballot guy. But he’s still building.
By MEB
May 25, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this
Shaun… Real borderline call on David Wright. In super slow motion it looks like he kept his wrists from breaking but the barrel of the bat did appear to go through the strike zone. Hey.. how many times have we seen borderline calls go against the Braves. Somehow the bad calls do usually tend to even out. Now the other day when Kelly got credit for the put out… well we got over on that one.
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 11:02 AM | Link to this
Quick GM question for the blog.
When a player is picked up on waivers, what happens to his current contract?
If a player is released, and then re-signs with another team, how is the salary worked out? Does he get paid twice?
Thanks in advance.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
meansonny,
Yes, I think most agree he is a HOFer. I just don’t think they believe he’s in the class with obvious candidates; not that that really matters because a HOFer is a HOFer. But I think that’s the point Kirkjan was trying to make.
I think you get the sense when the discussion comes up that the experts want Smoltz to be an overwhelming candidate because he’s so likable as a player but they can’t really justify him being what we’ve come to know as a first-ballot guy so they just agree that he’s in.
But all this isn’t really saying all that much because I think most agree that he’s in.
And, as I’ve said before, I don’t think it’s kind of strange for voters to make that distinction and not vote for a guy on the first ballot. To me, a Hall of Famer is a Hall of Famer. I can see if they ranked Hall of Famers using votes but they don’t say this guy is more of a Hall of Famer than this guy. You’re a HOFer or your not.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
meansonny,
Yes, I think most agree he is a HOFer. I just don’t think they believe he’s in the class with obvious candidates; not that that really matters because a HOFer is a HOFer. But I think that’s the point Kirkjan was trying to make.
I think you get the sense when the discussion comes up that the experts want Smoltz to be an overwhelming candidate because he’s so likable as a player but they can’t really justify him being what we’ve come to know as a first-ballot guy so they just agree that he’s in.
But all this isn’t really saying all that much because I think most agree that he’s in.
And, as I’ve said before, I think it’s kind of strange for voters to make that distinction and not vote for a guy on the first ballot. To me, a Hall of Famer is a Hall of Famer. I can see if they ranked Hall of Famers using votes but they don’t say this guy is more of a Hall of Famer than this guy. You’re a HOFer or your not.
By JasonInMaine
May 25, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this
Wasn’t the player to be named later Graham Koonce?
By Lee
May 25, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
MBATL
Totally agree with your post about Langerhans. The poor guy looked like he was embarrassed just to be in the Braves dugout toward the end. Emotion, as we all know, plays such an important part of this game. The trade gave him new life; he may have never broken out of the slump in a Braves uniform.
The Braves may welcome cash from Oakland in the long run instead of a player to be named. Who knows………………
By BossLady
May 25, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Okay this is how it works, the rich gets richer. They never have enough money and will always want more. Glavine along with all other industry leaders in America will have more, own more and continue to strive for more. I don’t earn that kind of money, but I get it. Why is Trump still building hotels and casinos. You have to think big to understand this if you don’t know how to do that then at least remember when Glavine saved our behinds when we needed a win.
By Luther
May 25, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this
In regards to the umpires, I see Mets fans complaining and ESPN going on about Glavine not liking the strike zone(this was during the bottom of the ninth and I was watching and ficking back between pitches because I couldn’t watch the Braves try to blow that one). I was really p** that the ump called two ridiculous 3-0 automatic strikes to Andruw and then Thorman. Andruw went on to walk, but Thorman ended up striking out and correct me if I’m wrong but Diaz had just led off with a double. Subsequently, Soriano is struggling and throws a borderline 3-0 pitch and doesn’t get the call. If your going to call the automatic 3-0 strike then at least be consistent.
By KC
May 25, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
It was just the latest example of Smoltzy making Glavine his woman. A Mets fan argued with me earlier this year the Glavine and Smoltz are equals. They are not. Smoltz has another gear beyond anything Glavine has.
By daniel
May 25, 2007 11:29 AM | Link to this
Shaun, that check swing by Wright was your typical almost went/barely went thing. It was one of those that go 50-50 most of the time, and I honestly think it may have gone the other way in New York. I think he did commit, but only by the slightest of margins.
That is the one call I really just don’t see how umpires make. All of the other calls, while tough, aren’t as hard as that one in my opinion. I mean, 90 feet away, one look for a split second. You have to be on your toes. Thing is, they usually get it right too.
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
Looks like Brett Myers is day to day for the Phillies.
And Jamie Moyer’s been roughed up quite a bit his last 3 starts (8.10 ERA with 6 homers his last 16.2 innings).
It’s time to break out the bats… Wait, I take that back. We’ve been breaking too many bats lately. You know what I mean.
My lineup card
KJ, Renty, Matty Diaz, Frenchy, McCann, Andruw, Thor, Prado, Huddy
Go Braves!!!
By JasonInMaine
May 25, 2007 11:31 AM | Link to this
When Smoltz’s career is over, he will be an overwhelming candidate. By that time, he very well could have 250+ wins and 154 saves. Overwhelming in my book…
By Fred from CT
May 25, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this
It’s a good day for the braves and john smoltz. what a great night last night and a great job by to all the fans in atlanta last night.
By BossLady
May 25, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
Furcal was not struggling,not old nor was he being booed. He left strictly for the Big Money. The Dodgers have always been the Braves enemy before some of you knew about baseball. It’s all about the money and all players would be “stupid” not to go for the money. They don’t have the luxury of sitting in their air conditioned offices like we do for twenty years. They have make moves right now.
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 25, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this
Shaun:
I see your point, but I disagree. Smoltz is an overwhelmingly (is that a word?) obvious choice not so much because of the raw stats, but because of the Maddux-Glavine-Smoltz legacy, and because of the starter-closer-starter deal. 200 wins and 150 saves is historic, no one has accomplished that feat. 15-4 in the postseason needs no elaboration.
Again, I don’t have a problem with him not making the first ballot at this moment. But I dare say that by the end of his time in ATL, he will be a first-ballot HOFer.
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this
JasoninMaine,
68 more wins and John Smoltz will be tied for the all-time Atlanta wins total with Phil Niekro. Not likely, but…
Here’s to modern medicine and a solid bullpen! (# looks a lot more reachable without 9 blown saves last season).
By daniel
May 25, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
DOB A friend and I were watching the game last night, and after Edgar made those 2 big plays in the 6th (i think) we commented on how he is so solid yet a little unheralded compared to some of the other players. He just quietly gets it done every night, and last night was no different.
We talked about how his at bats are almost always good ones, and how he just seems to understand how to approach an at-bat. His glovework is always solid, although he doesn’t have the range of some shortstops.
The thing that stands out the most though is his “baseball knowledge”. He just seems to really understand the game and how to play it. Never makes an ill-advised throw, always a tough out, etc. I think he has the makings of being an excellent manager after his playing days are done. Am I off-base here?
I know you’ve been around him in Florida and now here in Atlanta. Any insight on this?
By N8...Uncle Upper!!
May 25, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this
Hey EVERYBODY!!! Top of the mornin’ to y’all.
I know I’ve been Debbie Downer latley, but judging by my new moniker. I can see the sunshine through the cloudy haze.
WORLDS SERIES…….here we come.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
daniel,
Umpires are amazing. I saw a play at the plate the other night, I think in Florida (vs Phillies?) where I think it was Hanley Ramirez looked out but the catcher tagged the guy high and Ramirez got his foot in there first. The umpire made the right call but I don’t see how. You have to look two places at once. It’s amazing. And most of these guys are in their 40’s and 50’s and we all know what happens to eyesight at those ages. It’s just amazing.
By MBATL
May 25, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this
I think blaming Glavine for making what he (obviously) considered the best decision for himself and his family is really hypocritical.
The Braves traded Dale Murphy. They traded Henry Aaron. They’re unlikely to resign Andruw Jones (which is fine with me). They released Phil Niekro.
You could certainly argue that the organization owed these guys their loyalty, but that ain’t the real world.
Teams do what they deem in their best interest, and so do players.
By Greg in TN
May 25, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
Morning denizens…
In the history of the Braves franchise, there’s never been a guy that wanted the ball when the game was on the line more than one John Smoltz. He is the ultimate gamer and gentleman on and off the field.
I don’t think there’s any doubt as to whether Smoltz will make the HOF and he’s been the pitcher of record for some of the most electrifying and important games in the history of this franchise. Somewhere today, those iconic Braves of the past are smiling. Spahn, Sain, Mathews, Maranville.
When number 29 walks to the mound, the Braves Nation breaths a sigh of relief and watches the master craftsman go to work. There will be a time in the future where a bust of the man in 29 sits in the hallowed halls of Cooperstown and where his number sits on the facade of Turner Field over the 755 Club. Fans from that point on will point to number 29 and tell the youngsters about his exploits on the mound. They’ll tell them about the big games number 29 won or saved for the Braves. Games like last night.
Thank you for everything John.
By Lew
May 25, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this
Nathan-Our Sunshine on a cloudy day? Might take a couple of minutes to wrap myself around THAT one. Good morning, anyway, Dude.
By Coming soon to a trailerpark near you
May 25, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
Here’s a preview of coming attractions - Phils Sweep Braves beginning June Swoon 2 (look at your schedule - bad time to go in the tank), Mets reel off 12 wins in a row locking up the division before the all-star break - the pitching is coming on and it can’t be denied.
When all’s said and done, Braves tie with Florida and end up 6 behind Philadelphia.
Sorry. But it begins tonight. Get the popcorn (and the Kleenex) ready. LOL!
By The Grinch
May 25, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this
Serbok, splenda is a sugar substitute that comes in packets.
Berigan, in the interests of maintaining our otherwise excellent friendship, I’ll pretend your earlier football post never occured. :-)
MetroMan, this is shaping up to be pretty tight, is it not? And yes, y’all got screwed on some calls but we do too sometimes; it all balances out.
Shaun, it looked to me like Wright just barely went around; it was close.
By JasonInMaine
May 25, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this
Always interesting to see what the “experts” have to say. From Buster Olney’s blog:
“Atlanta will need a center fielder, but under new ownership, the Braves aren’t going to spend big dollars.
So here’s some early speculation: There will be very heavy bidding on Cameron, because he’s going to be the cheapest option. In the end, he signs with Atlanta.
The Texas Rangers, looking for a long-term center field solution, will sign Hunter, a Texas guy.
That will leave Jones and Ichiro. I’m guessing that Ichiro winds up with the White Sox — he fits a lot of what they do, with their running and hitting and hitting-and-running — and that leaves Jones … in Seattle. We know the Mariners don’t shy away from Scott Boras clients, like Jones; they offered a huge deal to Barry Zito last offseason.”
By FLBRAVESFAN
May 25, 2007 12:10 PM | Link to this
“coming soon to a trailer park’ - no doubt posted from a 250 square foot ghetto somewhere in the northeast.
Hey Bubba - some of us down south even have shoes, all our teeth, went to schools that required more than a 500 SAT score to get into and live in places that overlook the Gulf of Mexico.
If you want to post something intelligent, fine but leave the stereotypes for your afternoon TV shows.
By Matthew, Dad to Walter
May 25, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this
Wow, getting evicted from your trailer park must have hurt your psyche, and your sense of reality.
The Braves are for real folks. They have flaws, and another solid starter is almost a must-have. Chipper needs to stay healthy. But the mets are playing way over their heads. When they return to earth, the BRaves will by then be in the middle of their patented summer heat-up (June 2006 was an aberration).
Come on Huddy-let’s get those Philthies!
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
Heard on the radio this morning Jamie Moyer’s one win against the Braves came in 1987!! I bet 1/4th of the crowd for tonight’s game wasn’t even alive then.
Tonight Braves fans will break a record—most consecutive games watched with at least one senior citizen on the mound.
By Willy Wally
May 25, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this
It is funny how I give N8 a hard time about being Debbie Downer when I am not exactly like a ray of freaking sunshine myself.
By ernesto
May 25, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
I think tonights game is HUGE. We should handle Moyer with Huddy on the mound…and then we just need to get lucky with Carslyle or Davies. I wouldn’t want to have to depend on winning both of those games (or even one of them.)
A win takes the pressure off a little. We need a big night from Huddy!
By TennesseePaul
May 25, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this
CONGRATULATIONS SMOLTZ!!
I only wish I could have watched the whole game. The situation did not permit. But I watched the highlights about 20 times and read everything on the web I could find about it. I did notice that the ESPN highlights where from the Mets Network. It had one of Smoltz’s fastballs registering at 101 mph! At least, that’s what Mets TV displayed. I’m impressed, even if it was a little less than 101, he was bringing it last night. Those sliders were ridiculous.
I’m so proud of John. The pictures of him all over the place are classic his smile is so friggin big. Good stuff. Good stuff in deed.
I hope he can keep up this level of pitching all season. He’ll secure the Cy Young for sure if he does. 14 consecutive scoreless innings. The man is amazing.
GO BRAVES!!
By David O'Brien
May 25, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
Jason in Maine, the Cameron item makes some sense. Talking to a girl who was a neighbor of the Camerons (Mike Cameron lives in Atlanta) the other day. Not just a “I know someone who knows his barber” type of thing. She actually lived down the street from him, knows his wife, etc. The upshot: She wants hubby to play for the Braves, wants badly to be in Atlanta year-round, and don’t be surprised if Cameron would take significantly less from Braves to make it happen.
That said, I have no idea if they’ll be interested in him. I think a lot depends on how things pan out this year, how a couple of prospects do in minors — Brandon Jones isn’t a center fielder, but maybe they’d decide he could play right and move Frenchy to center; or maybe they thing Blanco’s actually progressing to the point where he could play CF, but I don’t know about that.
Anyway, lot of time before they have to even think about that. And the way Andruw’s going, maybe he’s affordable. But maybe Braves wouldn’t even want him back for a five- or six-year contract even if it was for less than $15 mill per year. I just don’t know. Don’t think such decisions are being finalized yet, because they don’t need to be.
By David O'Brien
May 25, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this
Shaun, indeed, Moyer got the win in his first game vs. Atlanta in 1987, and it wasn’t even a start. He threw 4-1/3 scoreless innings, one hit.
He’s faced them seven times since then, all starts, and gone 0-6 with a 5.84 ERA. He’s pitched well against them a few times (three quality starts) with no run support.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
JasonInMaine,
I would ask Buster why not Ichiro returning to the Mariners? Seems odd that they would dump a guy they could get for less money and less years and whose skills are less likely to diminish quickly if they don’t mind signing players for mega-bucks anyway.
Seems like out of all those free agent CF, Ichiro should be the most sought-after. He’s the one guy who has the wide range of skills and the body type to be very productive into his mid- to late-30’s. Seems a team is more likely to lose something eventually if they take a chance on one of those other guys.
Ichiro is kind of like Wade Boggs with a lower walk total but more speed. And Boggs was still a very good hitter when he retired at age 41.
By ssiscribe
May 25, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
Hey guys, lunch time, and I actually have time to blog. A few notes and observations after having the privilege of seeing Smoltz vs. Glavine last night:
— Haven’t sat in the outfield seats in forever and a day, but ended up in the right-field seats behind Francoeur last night. He kept cracking us up because he looks like any of us would out there, minus the cannon arm and the bat speed.
Case in point: Between innings, a group of fans were pictured on the gignormous scoreboard, holding a sign reading, “Francoeur, will you be my best man?” Jeff scanned the seats, trying to find the sign, grinning.
Another example: Warming up one inning, Francoeur would sneak peeks at the blooper video they show. You know he’s seen them dozens of times by now, and yet, he still was laughing like crazy.
Gotta love a guy who plays so hard and not only says he appreciates what he does for a living, but lets his actions speak much louder than his words.
— Watching Smoltz throw in the outfield with McCann last night before he went into the bullpen, he had that locked-in look on his face. You just had the feeling he was going to go out there and shut down the Mets, which he did. Given his age, his health history, etc., his story is one that baseball fans will tell as long as the game is played.
— Gotta love Glavine. Had far from his best stuff, behind in the count all night and still gave his team a chance to win. That’s a legend and a Hall of Famer for you, folks.
— Matt Diaz for player of the month? He’s making a pretty good case. The left fielder is hitting .455 (20-for-44) this month with a .489 OBP and a .659 slugging percentage.
But check out these numbers: In his last six games, Diaz is 11-for-23 (.478) with two doubles, two homers and five RBIs. His homer last night, which landed just a few feet from where I was sitting, was scorched.
I am on record as saying the Braves gave up on Langerhans a bit soon, that he will be a good major league hitter and an awesome major league fielder, etc. and so forth. But what Diaz has done this year and last year only helped to push Langy out the door. And with Willie Harris playing well since coming up from Richmond, the left-field situation is solved.
— We’re all hoping and praying Wily Aybar can get his life together again. But Martin Prado looked pretty good at third base last night. With Chipper Jones’ thumbs hurting, we’ll see Prado tonight and maybe into the weekend.
That’s all for now. Enjoy the rest of your Friday, and safe travels to all as the holiday weekend begins. JJS, the fish fry still is up in the air, but I’m definitely one of the anglers in the boat. Frying the smaller fish, dealing with diamonds and ice, begins in earnest in one week. Both of those explain my absence of late, but I’m thinking I’ll be back in the ol’ blog-swing soon.
The Scribe abides. Peace.
—30—
By Braves20
May 25, 2007 12:35 PM | Link to this
Just got around to reading Stark’s book excerpt where he disses Andrew - and Wickman. Interesting that none of the most overrated come from Stark’s beloved Phillies - a team traditionally loaded with overrated stiffs - Randy Wolf (The next Glavine); Brett Myers and Pat Burrell to mention just three who have performed in recent years. In fairness he did mention a former Phil - Bobby Abreu.
Writers from Philly like Stark and Hal Bodley (“Marlon Byrd will be the next Willie Mays”) are totally blind and clueless.
By David O'Brien
May 25, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
One more thing on Moyer: Three of the starts were in 1987-88, one in 2003, two in 2006. So he’s barely faced most current Braves.
By TennesseePaul
May 25, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this
Payne: I may be jumping in this at the wrong point on the wrong topic, but I saw one of your posts asking about Escobar’s attitude. From what I gathered from DOB’s reporting, Bowman’s reporting and quotations from team officials, Escobar is a little on the pompous side, or was last season. He wasn’t willing, or eager, to change positions and learn 2B. He is somewhat of a distraction on the field with his whistling. No report I’ve read painted him as a Meltdown Bradley type. But it did come across as somewhat of a Jose Capellan lite kind of thing. Capellan was displeased with player movement to and fro. It’s starting to really come out in the Brewers system. Escobar, to my knowledge, never whined like this, but he did have some aspects that weren’t particularly favorable. Sort of like he was very hesitant to change for the team.
But this spring there were reports that he was much more agreeable than previous seasons, so maybe it’s all a moot point.
Now to go back and read all the post to see how far off base I am with typing this whole thing.
By Adam
May 25, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
DOB,
What do you think the Braves plans are for Salty? Is he up here to be showcased or are they serious about making him a first baseman that also can catch? My gut tells me they are showcasing him, but watching him hit, I would think the Braves would have to get a ton in return for him.
By Lee
May 25, 2007 12:40 PM | Link to this
Hope this hand thing don’t continue with Chipper. He definitely does not heal quickly. Being in the 30’s age group can do that to you, especially athletics. Andruw has carried this club in the past when he has been hurt, but I certainly don’t see that happening this year. This is why Aybar was obtained in the trade to backup third. Think Aybar’s absence will come to haunt the Braves a little this season. Not saying he is a superstar but Prado and Orr cannot fill Chipper’s absence for a long period of time. Why is Escobar not up here instead of Prado right now. If Escobar has an attitude problem (?) it needs to go ahead and be addressed.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
ssiscribe,
Yeah, just looked to see how Diaz compares to other hitters this month. He leads the NL in OPS (min 25 PA), leads in AVG, OBP and is 15th in SLG.
Thanks again, D-Rays and Royals for running your organizations like you do.
By David O'Brien
May 25, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this
Daniel, you’re right on about Edgar being extremely sound and smart in the ins and outs of the game. Not flashy like he once was (though those were two or three flashy plays last night), but the kind of teammate everybody wants, one who takes the proper situational approach at the plate at all times, who makes the routine plays 99.9 percent of the time without careless errors, and one who gets along with everyone and never, ever causes trouble or a rift with anyone in the clubhouse. He’s a perfect teammate and a very good player.
Only reason I can’t see him managing is because he’s more laid-back and quiet, don’t know that he’d want to be in the spotlight every day answering questions, being on camera all the time, etc. I see him retiring to his homes in Miami and Colombia and enjoying himself when he’s done.
He’s always been one of my favorites to be around, since the day they brought him up when I was covering the Marlins. He spoke very little English, but never acted like he was put out by trying to answer our questions. Always upbeat, always a hello when he sees me. Good dude.
By TennesseePaul
May 25, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
And there it is… something about Escobar’s attitude this season. Don’t know much about it, but I’d think it would be safe to say it’s something close to previous seasons complaints. Whatever. If he keeps putting himself in unfavorable light, then he’ll be traded. Not before they bring him up though. If he comes up this season, I think it’ll be a matter of trade bait. They’ll give him some MLB at bats and let the other teams come begging. SS will be an interesting position to watch over the next few seasons due to all the potential we have at the position.
By David
May 25, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this
Anyone read Jayson Starks article on Andruw? It’s what we’ve been discussing on here for weeks.
What I didn’t think of in addition to what I have been saying and Stark refers to is Andruw had 5 seasons of double-digit steals and now he can’t sniff a steal. And he doesn’t create runs. $10 mil player, I would love to have him, Boras money…..no way.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this
An organization is only as good as what they do with undervalued players. The Matt Diaz situation is the Moneyball philosophy at it’s best—a player is let go by the two most retched organizations in baseball, a team sees his skills and jumps on him and the rest is history.
By David O'Brien
May 25, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this
MEB wrote: “Do you think that John Smoltz will be a color analyst after his playing days are over? John has a great on air personality and he obviously has tremendous baseball insight.
“Or, do you think he will be a golf bum and play the celebrity golf tour?”
MEB, I’ll predict this: Part-time analyst work, perhaps high school basketball coach (seriously), and full-time golf.
No “golf bum” and celebrity golf for him. He’s going full-bore aiming for the senior tour (or whatever it’s called now) when he turns 50. Count on that. He’s said it to me many times. He’s dead serious about becoming as good as he possibly can be on the golf course (and keep in mind, he’s zero-handicap now, widely considered the best golfer playing any pro sport other than actual pro golfers. does that make sense? you know what i mean)
By Efrim
May 25, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
Gonzo update?
I’m waiting for bad news. If he was healthy, they wouldn’t of sent him for a third time. He definitly is experiencing pain. Very upseting. Hasn’t hurt us yet. But it will at some point.
By DonCoburleone
May 25, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this
First, let me say Congratulations to Smoltz. What a pitcher and what an accomplishment. Now about greatest Brave of all time, well, since I’m only 25 and didn’t really start watching the Braves until 1991 I would say he is without question the greatest Brave of all time (No disrespect to Hank Aaron, but I never saw him play or rooted for him, ya know?)
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
ssiscribe,
Actually those AVG/OBP/SLG ranks (1st/1st/15th) for Diaz are out of all of baseball, not just NL.
By JasonInMaine
May 25, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
DOB,
Interesting take on Cameron. I remember reading/hearing that he was from Atlanta. I agree that there certainly isn’t any need to make these types of decisions yet. The other interesting thing that I gleaned from his comments was the fact that he said that “under new owners they aren’t going to spend big dollars”. From all accounts, they would have a better shot of spending big dollars under new ownership. But, I wouldn’t mind seeing the money spent on a top-tier pitcher and promote one of the youngsters!
I reiterate…can’t have a let down tonight…have to keep the momentum going. I think Huddy will have a great game to wash away the bitter taste of Boston!
Regards,
Jason
By Willy Wally
May 25, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this
You know what I hate about the HOF, is that you watch these guys and you know who the HOFers are - regardless of the stats they compile.
Pedro, Clemens, Maddux, Randy Johnson, Glavine, Smoltz, Schilling, Mariano Rivera. Since 1990, those are the guys you knew were HOF pitchers every time they took the mound. All of them have taken their teams to the playoffs time and again. All of them have been important in postseasons. All of them have been dominant during the regular season. All of them have had their horrible postseason moments that have occurred because they are the big kahuna who has to take the risk more than anyone else of having his balls cut off. They were never afraid of that challenge, fought back from adversity, and kept succeeding and dominating.
Numbers might make Schilling or Smoltz borderline but that is nonsense. Ask any opponent and their fans what they thought when they heard that Schilling and Smoltz were taking the hill in a big game against their team, the expression was probably a universal Oh SH!T!
Ask any fan of a team that had Schilling or Smoltz what they thought when those two were taking the hill in a big game, and it was a universal YES! The hometown always knew Smoltz and Schilling would take ‘em deep into the game and give ‘em a s**.
That to me is what measures a HOFer more than anything. Stats are great and all especially when it provides historical context (although steroids have ruined much of that). Without stats, baseball is far too long and boring of a season to follow. But stats really should not determine who is a HOFer and who is not.
Jamie Moyer has more career wins than Smoltz, Schilling, David Cone, Don Drysdale, Pedro, Hershiser, Vida Blue, Lolich, Carl Mays, Dwight Gooden, Lefty Gomez, et al. You tell me who you want on the mound in a big spot - Moyer or any of the rest of those guys? Some on that list are not HOFers for various reasons - reasons I guess which can be attributed to keeping a Smoltz or a Schilling out as well.
But I think what you have to ask is for one moment in your life when Smoltz or Schilling took the hill, did you ever think I’m not watching a HOFer? No, you didn’t.
The same is true in other sports. I hate Michael Irvin - hate him with a passion - always have. BUT to hear retarded sportswriters justify not putting him in the Hall was just maddening. Was there ever a moment when you were watching the Cowboys annihilate your favorite teams growing up, that you did not think Emmitt, Troy, and Irvin would all go into the Hall together? Nah, didn’t think so. The same is true of Dominique and all that silliness of keeping him out of the Hall as well.
By David O'Brien
May 25, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
Diaz won’t get player of the month because voters look to the home runs and RBIs before OPS, etc. Not saying that’s right, just saying it’s reality. He won’t win it.
By DonCoburleone
May 25, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Right on DOB about Renteria. The guy is awesome and is completely underrated as a shortstop today… It’s a freakin’ shame too cuz the guy is having a great year so far and he probably still won’t make the All Star team will he? I bet JJ Hardy and Jose Reyes get in - and even if there is a 3rd shortstop it’ll probably be Hanley Ramirez… But anyway, he’s great and I look forward to watching him play for the Braves this year and next…
Hey DOB, any chance of getting a new blog up? Maybe one giving even more mad props to Smoltzie? I’d appreciate it cuz this blog is so overwhelmed it’s freezing my computer… THANK YOU!!!
By Willy Wally
May 25, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
DOB, the way I think of Edgar and the way you describe Edgar reminds me of how we used to all think about Willie Randolph as well. Quiet, classy guy, steady contributor with the bat, sound with the glove, less flashy with the glove and speed as they got older. Willie is a quiet guy - I think that is why he supposedly interviewed so poorly on several managerial interviews and was passed over many times. So, maybe Edgar could manage like Willie does. But you know him far better than all of us combined, having known the dude since he was basically a hotshot teenager. Thanks for the inside insight as to Edgar - I love when you give us that kind of lowdown.
By ncscoots
May 25, 2007 1:12 PM | Link to this
TPaul, it was our buddy Gil who mentioned “attitude” re Escobar, but I haven’t seen anything from Gil to expound on that. Maybe Escobar is just coppin’ ‘tude to Gil, LOL!
Anyway, Gil’s our eyeballs there, maybe he’ll fill us in.
By robdawg06
May 25, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this
Now if we can get Orr & Woodward released & replaced and get stability from Cormier or somebody as the 5th starter, get Gonzalez back in the pen we would be almost invincible ! I’ll say that I’m glad we don’t play in the AL though. Those teams have some great hitters all up and down their lineups.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 1:15 PM | Link to this
DOB,
You’ve come around to my side; that RBI are highly context dependent and we should pay much more attention to OBP and SLG. (Half kidding with you.)
By flange1
May 25, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Hi All,
Congratulations John Smoltz. Another tremendous game and another milestone for a great career. The Braves and Braves fans are very lucky to have had you on the team and to watch you display your talenst for so many years.
I wish I was a better writer, but I echo the sentiments of Ron Roberts above who I think gave a very accurate and moving tribute.
I hope this can be another Cy Young year for you John and that the Braves can feed off of your great season and move deep into the post season. Hopefully ALL THE WAY through the post season. I would love to see you pitching Game 7 of the WS at the Ted going 8 2/3 innings, giving up 2 hits and no runs with BC pulling you out of the game so the fans can tell you how we feel.
The best thing though is there will be no discussion about which hat you will wear going into Cooperstown!
By ssiscribe
May 25, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this
Thanks much, Shaun, for those numbers on Diaz. And DOB, you’re correct: Diaz probably won’t win player of the month because he’s not hitting a bunch of bombs or driving in a ton of runs. But he’s having one heck of a good stretch and has helped to really settle down left field, which was a point of contention and worry with Braves Nation entering the season.
And I agree with all on Edgar, and was having a conversation with somebody at the game last night about how he’s one of those guys who never comes up in conversation. He’s a star without telling you he’s a star. He just goes out and plays shortstop and hits as well as anybody out there. If he doesn’t make the All-Star team, they shouldn’t even have the game.
—30—
By paco
May 25, 2007 1:17 PM | Link to this
Anyone realized how ridiculous Soriano’s numbers are? 8 hits in 21.2 ip, with 6 of those hits coming in the two games he got lit up in when the game was out of hand. For those counting at home he’s allowed 2 hits in his other 19.2 ip. Just the one hit in the Philly game since his Mets blowup. Unreal.
By beachcomber
May 25, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
re: Matt Diaz. He was overlooked by two bad organizations - we can say that now. I have a suspicion we won’t be saying that about KC much longer with Dayton Moore at the helm.
Interesting piece in Sports Weekly this week comparing the Brewers to our Braves of the early nineties with the obvious references to where Ned Yost came from- worth the read.
By robdawg06
May 25, 2007 1:20 PM | Link to this
That greatest Braves is up for argument. I think its Chipper Jones but Smoltz,Maddux,E.Matthews,or D.Murphy each also could be the greatest. I think an everyday player playing 162 games at an MVP level is more important than a pitcher pitching every 5th day or a reliever at an MVP level. No doubt it’s Smoltz day to shine and he did like a new diamond !
By Willy Wally
May 25, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this
Edgar reminds me of a steady point guard. No flash, solid as a rock, and will take and hit the big shot when the game is on the line - kind of like how Derek Harper was with the Mavericks and the Knicks.
By JasonInMaine
May 25, 2007 1:27 PM | Link to this
Now, if we can just avoid having to face Oliver Perez the next time we face the Mets, we should be able to sweep. As many of you know, the Braves are 6-0 against the Mets when not facing Perez.
By daniel
May 25, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Flange1, I hope to see Smoltz pitching in game 7 of the series too. But, if he’s throwing a 2 hit shutout and Bobby comes to pull him with one out to go there may be a fight on the mound. It would take a tank to get Smoltz out of there in that situation.
I know you were just throwing a scenario out there, but I just had this mental image of Bobby taking Paronto and Thorman out there as his bodyguards when he tells Smoltz he’s pulling him. HAHA
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this
Willy Wally,
Good points but I also think how other players view a particular player isn’t the only thing you can look at to determine HOF merits. Look at JR Richard. I’m sure hitters didn’t want to fact him but no one would argue he’s a HOFer.
Also, stats are useful if used with common sense. Stats aren’t very useful if someone is going to ignore things like context. For an obvious example that you used, no one would argue Jamie Moyer is better than Smoltz or Pedro Martinez, even though he has more career wins (at this point at least).
Not even the biggest stat geek in the world would argue blindly looking at stats.
By TennesseePaul
May 25, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
I tell ya, there isn’t much better way to get back into the swing of things after dropping two series in a row, then trumping the NL’s team to beat, and the following that up with a match up from the NL’s Wanna-be Team to beat. I hope we pound these Phillies into the ground this weekend. Hudson, Carlyle and Davies. This is flawless rotation management.
Davies had been in the 3 slot, and now is pushed back making room for Cormier. If Lance can come back strong, we will have a good rotation. With the way Davies keeps improving with each start, the rotation only gets stronger. By mid summer we could have one helluva force on the mound. By the All-Star Break Smoltz could be sitting on 12 wins or more. Well on his way to another 20+ win season.
I hope I didn’t just jinx it.
By TennesseePaul
May 25, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this
Payne: If DOB were on coming around to your side he’d come up with an obscure stat to refute that statement.
By flange1
May 25, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
Daniel,
You are right! I think he would need Paranto, Thorman, Salty and Wickman to make him leave and it STILL wouldn’t be a fair fight!
By Fred from CT
May 25, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this
Did anyone read this article on espn by jatson stark calling AJ the most overrated CF of all time. this is Bulls—t. what is this zone defense he is talking this stark guy is a loser DOB is you run into stark do us all a favor and punch him in the face.
By joebrave
May 25, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
Greatest Brave of all time? Hell I’m like Bobby I like em all!!!!
By Willy Wally
May 25, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this
J.R. Richard was a tragic figure. He had four and a half HOF worthy seasons before tragedy struck. Unfortunately, he was just a shooting star. I think he was a HOF caliber player - his career was just far too short, unfortunately.
The funny thing is that when it comes time for Maddux, Clemens, Glavine (when he gets 300), Randy Johnson, Pedro, Mariano Rivera to get in the HOF, they will not be unanimous votes. Anyone who does not vote those guys in, should not only have their HOF voting privileges taken from them, they should be fired, publicly ridiculed like a child predator or a DUI convict with their picture in the paper, and never allowed to work in the writing profession ever again. Schilling and Smoltz will provide legitimate debates but both should get at least 75% of the vote their first time on the ballot - if not, then the HOF seriously needs to reconsider revamping the voting system.
By Willy Wally
May 25, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this
Me thinks ESPN is catching on to the popularity of this blog and are having their guys say outrageous stuff about our players so that we will all talk about what they are saying and so that we will all tune in to Baseball Tonight to see what their latest outrageous offense against a braves player is going to be.
Conspiracy, I say, conspiracy.
Was Stark in the book depository and Kurkjian on the grassy knoll?
By ncscoots
May 25, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this
TPaul, I don’t know if that’s rotation management or just the luck of the off-days. 05/31 is an off day, and Braves won’t need a fifth arm until 06/03. Isn’t that about the time Cormier is supposed to be ready? I don’t know that Braves would push Davies and James both back a day just to have Cormier pitch on 06/01, which is what would have to happen to get him slotted behind Hudson.
By journalist jimmy smith
May 25, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this
sja and joebrave are having a little fun at this journalist’s expense. well, jimmy smith did call a loud and boastful, somewhat vulgar and obnoxious, bird today … and all that appeared was an insignificant little t**-mouse bird talking tough and boasting loudly about 13% body fat. accompanying this bird was another insignificant little bird in need of a bath that must be from another land judging by how poorly this little bird commands the english language (say it is his native tongue, oh really?). sad that the public schools turn out such products but some schools have to get by on bird feed. now, smoltz must be our blog reader. has to be. well, smoltz will know smoltz is loved and respected around here. question, does smoltz ever show uh, chipper any of these posts? and scribe, apparently there is another fisherman posting here. why is journalist thinking deliverance here?
By Don
May 25, 2007 2:14 PM | Link to this
Yeah, that’s right Poindexter. Having spent a dozen or so years as a major league beat writer, watching maybe 140 games a year and being around major league baseball players and people everyday, DOB needs to learn baseball from a dork who thinks that until Moneyball was written nobody in baseball understood the concept of buy low, sell high.
I’m not sure how baseball even existed before the great Billy Beane came along. I just wish he’d quit winning all those World Championships and give somebody else a chance.
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
I just noticed the Braves have more RBI’s than the Mets. Those NY bats have really cooled. And they get to face a tough hombre in Mitre tonight (4 quality starts in a row with a 2.25 ERA).
Sorry, wrong blog for all that info.
But I’m feeling really excited about the rest of the season. I’d been so cautious when it came to Cormier’s return (wasn’t it supposed to be the beginning of May), but now that he’s showing some early results.
Ahhh. I don’t want to jinx it. Kudo’s to Davies and Hudson for all the hard work they’ve put themselves through to get their A games back. I’m hoping that October’s end results will be very fruitful for them.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
TennPaul and DOB,
Kind of related story, there is a piece on hardballtimes.com about Joe Carter’s odd career.
He had 10 100-RBI seasons yet his career OPS was only slightly better than league average when taking into account ballpark and league.
Virtually every other player with that many 100-RBI seasons are Hall of Famers or will be and about half are what we would call “inner-circle” Hall of Famers—Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx, Simmons, Aaron, Bonds, Ramirez, Frank Thomas, Goose Goslin, Carter, Mays, Musial, Alex Rodriguez, Palmeiro. (Palmeiro is probably the only questionable guy because of the high offensive era and steroid suspicions.)
By Bobbys' no Boobie
May 25, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this
Actually, Jason Stark is right. Andruw is and always has been over rated. He’s a Brave. We all have to hope he produces. But he is vastly over rated and always has been.
He had the year before last that he carried the team. He deserves credit for that. Many here don’t want to hear it but the fact is he padded his numbers both in HRs and RBI in less than meaningfull situations. Some players are that way and some aren’t. That’s just a fact!
Throughout his career he’s been a great defensive player, but offensively, he’s been about potential. I know yada yada yada averaging 30 HR and 100 RBI but like I said, many of them in blowouts.
One more time, I give him props for year before last,he even hit in the playoffs unlike most years (with the exception of ‘96) But one or two good years does not a career make.
So if you disagree with Stark, I suppose you think Druw will be worth 16- 20 mil next year.
I don’t. If he makes that he will continue to be over rated AND over paid!
By Ron
May 25, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this
jasoninmaine, I like Cameron, but last time I checked he is stuggling worst than Andruw is!!! He will still comand about 10-15 Million a year for about 3 years!!! I would rather spend that on a Starting Pitcher!!! I have seen Blanco play some and he looks real good, would not understand why they would not give him a chance!!! I tell you what if people on this blog are sick and tired of Andruw about him struggling this year, and he has been with Atlanta his whole career, I would not want to know what they will be saying about Cameron if he starts to struggle!!! If some of the people on this blog goes to the games I would fear for Cameron, especially what they same about a guy like Andruw, they would be 20 times worst to Cameron!!!
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
Don,
Did I say DOB needs to learn anything from me?
Did I say no one understood buy low, sell high until Moneyball came out?
You need to read more carefully before you start with the personal attacks. Or you need to learn some reading comprehension skills.
By Jim
May 25, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this
Congratulations to John Smoltz!!!!
Getting to 199 was a terrific accomplishment, but getting 200 in a game of this magnitude and pitching through some kind of slight injury to the leg or finger or both: that personifies who this man IS.
By Shaun
May 25, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this
Re: the Jason Stark book and his opinions on AJ: If you look at hardballtimes.com and their Win Shares calculations, you’ll see their numbers don’t have Andruw Jones as a bad defender.
Andruw ranked 9th among all OF in fielding Win Shares in 2006. He ranked 7th in ‘05 and 1st in ‘04.
Even if you think Win Shares isn’t perfect, it would seem hard for one of the worst CF in baseball to rank in the top 7 in a well thought-out stat that attempts to measure fielding contributions.
By DonCoburleone
May 25, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
DOB I would love a new blog…
By JasonInMaine
May 25, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Ron,
Cameron won’t sniff $15 mill/year. But, I wasn’t advocating that the Braves get him. I said the same thing you did…promote one of the youngsters and spend it on pitching. Like I said, I find it interesting what “experts” have to say about the Braves.
Regards,
Jason
By Lee
May 25, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this
Hated I missed Smoltz’s 200 victory, but it won’t be his last. So congrats to Mr. Smoltz for this achievement. I respect Smoltz’s achievements but I am not going to paste a fathead of him or any sports celebrity on my wall. !!LOL!! Maybe a team logo but that is where it stops. Went to see a new local baseball team (opening night game) in Albany, GA. The team needs support from the city and surrounding areas. Lot of Braves fans at the game wearing Braves shirts and hats. GREAT FEELING TO SEE THAT
Mets and their fans have to be a little stunned over Atlanta’s ability to win every series play against them this year. It already has them complaining about umps and calls ……..please that is part of sports sometimes you get the breaks and sometimes you do not…….cannot appreciate crybabies and whiners, especially in sporting events whether is if for or against my team. Life just ain’t fair all of the time. Maybe this latest defeat will propel the Mets into a losing streak. They have already lost 2 of the last 3 games. I myself could survive without a close race and be content if the Braves get a substantial lead over the Mets before the all-star break. You never know it could happen - stranger things have in the world of baseball.
Good luck to the Braves in the upcoming series with the Phillies. Actually think this will be an exceptionally good series and anxious to see how the Braves stack up against this improved Phillies team.
Happy Memorial Day weekend to you all and for all of those (like myself) that plan on indulging in some cold ones…. please be careful.
By Fred from CT
May 25, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Bobbys’ no Boobie Who is overrating him people that watch the braves night in and night out know what AJ is about. his defense alone should take away the overrated thing. we all know what he is offensively. most overrated all time think about that for a minute. all time. also he did consider putting dimagio there which shows that stark has no creditabilty
By daniel
May 25, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this
As many of you probably heard from Chip and Joe last night, Smoltz had his slider working in top form in Boston and Smoltz himself said that last night he had one of his best fastballs ever. That’s 2 starts after turning 40, 2 starts with a dislocated finger, and 2 starts against arguably the best lineup in each league. All he did was bring some of the best stuff of his illustrious career to the table. 14 consecutive scoreless innings and counting. Maybe he’ll show the Brewers his best splitter ever on Tuesday and extend that scoreless streak with a big strikeout performance… Hey, with what he’s shown us in the past week, who wants to doubt him.
By DonCoburleone
May 25, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this
Has anyone pointed out the fact that the Phillies will probably be without their only great bullpen arm for this entire series? Brett Myers is scheduled for an MRI today and even if that shows no structural damage I seriously doubt he would pitch tomorrow or Sunday… HUUUGE!
By TennesseePaul
May 25, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this
And about half are what we would call “inner-circle” Hall of Famers
Who is this “we” you speak of? And this “inner-circle” business seems to fall in line with the “overwhelming” business you admonished earlier. The way I see it, you’re either HOF or your not. =)
By robdawg06
May 25, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
Happy (& safe) Memorial Day to all of you ! Go Braves !
By Jim
May 25, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
Watching James pitch on Wed. and Glavine last night, I think the biggest difference was that James never came inside. He got burned on a couple of pretty good 2-strike pitches (and the Wright HR) because the batter was just looking to serve the ball to the opposite field and knew the location of where the pitch would be.
By DonCoburleone
May 25, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
One other thing… Is anyone besides me a little bit concerned by the fact that Smoltz has already thrown 73 innings? I mean, the guy is on pace for 250+ innings this season. If that happens, don’t look for much out of him in the post-season (a-la 2005 when he ran out of gas)…
By Andrew
May 25, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Hey DOB -
I’d love to hear your thoughts on the Worldwide Leader’s assertion that Andruw is the most overrated CF of all time. Saying he’s got the worst “zone rating” in baseball. What a joke
By David O'Brien
May 25, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOG IS UP
Speaking of overrated … and cool as the other side of the pillow … and back,back,back … and “you can check out, but you can never leave”….
By daniel
May 25, 2007 3:07 PM | Link to this
Andrew, we got into this topic Tuesday and DOB replied with a resounding objection to those claims. Here was his take when I brought it up…..
By David O’Brien
*Daniel, I’ve got a lot of respect for Jayson, always have. But those fielding stats don’t jibe with what I’ve seen from Andruw, not at all. He had a down year (by his standards) a few years ago, when he was at his chunkiest and was having back and knee problems (more than usual). But since then, and especially this year, to say he’s getting 100 fewer putouts a year, or however he put it, sounds ludicrous.
I mean, has he seen footage of the couple of balls he caught at the wall on the right-field side of right-center? The sliding catches coming in? The balls he caught this weekend on the track at Fenway?
Look, Andruw’s the most stubborn hitter around, and he’s having a terrible season at the plate and looks completely out of sorts there. But come on, to attack his defense? That’s crazy to call him the most overrated defensive center fielder. Just crazy.
Talk to the players, the managers, the media, the fans. We know what we see, and there aren’t more than two or three other center fielders who can hold Andruw’s jock defensively. He’s not what he was 6-7 years ago, but he’s still waaaaay above average, still exceptional, still, to me, one of the three best of the past 25 years.*
So, I think Dave disagrees.
By Scalp 'Em Braves
May 25, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this
KC:
Agree with you on the Smoltz - Glavine comparison. Not to take anything away from Tommy Boy - he’s a gutty competitor and a fine pitcher, who like Maddux, has benefited from a generous strike zone because he is seen by the umps as a “control” pitcher. The only reason, beyond being a good pitcher, Glavine is nearing 300 wins is his durability - never been on the DL, I believe. The only reason Smoltz isn’t nearing 300 is because of injuries and 3 1/2 years in the pen, collecting 154 saves in record time.
How many times was Eckersly up before he was elected?
By Bob
May 25, 2007 3:10 PM | Link to this
Nobody, but NOBODY is more frustrated by Andruw’s stubborn refusal to address his hitting issues. Having said that, but Jason Stark’s assertion that Andruw is the most overrated CF in baseball history is hysterical. As for the zone rating crap, at least Stark should be consistent. He points out that Andruw’s put out totals the last couple have years have dropped off. Of course he doesn’t mention that for that same period of time Andruw was flanked by Langerhans and Frenchy. The DEFENSIVE abilities of these two guys enabled them to get to a lot of balls that Andruw had to chase down before.
But if Stark had wanted to be fair about his zone put outs, he would have addressed this years stats. He had no problem mentioning Jones’ very poor hitting this year. On the other hand he failed to mention that Andrew has 133 put outs in 46 games so far. At this pace he would have 476 put outs this year. Of course mentioning that would have destroyed his thesis wouldn’t it.
I don’t think Andruw is the best centerfielder of all time because he is not good enough on the offensive side of the ball. But to call him the most overated of all time is the dumbest idea since the flat earth theory.
BTW, great win last night Smoltzie.
By A-ville Ranger
May 25, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this
When Smoltz decided to go back to starting I was like most people my thinking was he was throwing away his chance at the hall of fame.When you’re wrong you’re wrong and when I’m wrong,well you get the point.The injury to Chipper’s hand makes me think he’s reached Ken Griffey territory of being brittle to the point of being forever injury prone.I have been wrong before (see above),I sure hope Chipper proves me wrong on this one.
By meansonny
May 25, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this
DonC,
I know what you’re saying about Smoltz’s innings. But he has been very efficient. Coming into last night, he hadn’t thrown more than 103 pitches per game. I think he finished 7 innings last night with 101 pitches.
Being good means logging lots of innings without needing a lot of pitches.
By Jim
May 25, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this
You have to be good to be overrated (Stark has even put Koufax into his list because of his first 6 mediocre years and the next choice after Andruw was going to be Joe DiMaggio.). That said, from 1996 - 2004 Andruw Jones was the best defensive center fielder in the game and perhaps of all-time. (Improvements in glove technology and padding on the walls gives modern players more opportunities than their earlier counterparts). But since 2004, Andruw has lost a step or two, cannot jump as high as he once could and does not get to the balls he formerly caught. He has put on too much weight and will probably decline at an earlier age than most of today’s players (if not already). It is also true that Andruw plays everyday through nagging injuries and should get some credit for his durability. While his performance in the field has visibly declined (latest example — the Andruw of 3 years ago would have thrown LoDuca out at the plate Wed. night), it seems to be a misuse of statistics to put him at the bottom of the CFs in the league.
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