AJC > Sports > Braves > Blog > Archives > 2007 > June > 18 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USPowerful pitching this way comes
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
So this blog now has its own daily T-shirt feature and has gotten mention on a national Fox broadcast? Well, gosh, I guess you just can’t stop it, you can only hope to contain it. Me? I’m just trying to hold it up for the day.
And today, this morning, I’m thinking about the Red Sox and I’m thinking about Curt Schilling. And of Josh Beckett, and Justin Verlander, and even, Kenny Rogers possibly.
And as difficult as it might seem — with some of the (ahem) batters in the middle third of the Braves order swinging like they are — we have to appreciate the beauty of the pitchers we’ll see at Turner Field this week.
Schilling tonight (vs. Chuck James), Josh Beckett going tomorrow (vs. Tim Hudson) and possibly Kenny Rogers on Friday night. Word is, if a side session goes well this afternoon, Rogers (no relation) could make his first start of the year following surgery to repair an artery in his shoulder on Friday night against the Braves. This is the guy who led the Tigers staff with 17 wins last year on their American League championship league.
You might also remember a certain bases loaded walk in the 1999 NLCS. That was back when Andruw was seeing the ball well. But I digress.
And then somewhere waiting in the wings has got to be Justin Verlander of the Tigers. Originally everybody was talking like he’d pitch Friday against the Braves because that’s his regular rest. But Jim Leyland told reporters over the weekend that if Rogers was ready, he’d pitch Friday and he’d wait to announce the rest of his rotation for the weekend. I’ve gotten no love from the Tigers PR staff this morning, so I’m just going to venture an educated guess and say we’ll see Verlander on Saturday. And dang, I just want to see him.
This is the guy who threw the 109th pitch of his no-hitter last week 101 mph? And apparently knows how to pitch, not just in love with striking people out. So between him and Schilling the Braves will be facing two guys who gave up one hit in 54 outs their starts before last.
Verlander no-hit the Brewers and then gave up three runs in six innings — a quality start — to beat the Phillies yesterday to raise his record to 8-2.
Schilling is two starts removed from coming one out away from a no-hitter against Oakland. By now we all know the story about how Schilling shook off Jason Varitek to throw a first-pitch fastball to Shannon Stewart. And Stewart, who was swinging first pitch — as Varitek suspected which is why he wanted a slider — singled to right.
Schilling was beat up by the Rockies in his last start (six runs, five innings) but he’s tough against the Braves and especially at Turner Field. Since the beginning of the 1999 season, Schilling is 6-1 with a 1.98 ERA and two compete games against the Braves in Atlanta. And that’s not including his complete game win in Game 3 of the 2001 NLCS for the Diamondbacks when he four-hit the Braves and allowed only a run, striking out 12.
Maybe this 91-degree heat today will throw him off a bit. The Braves can hope.
It will be interesting to see if the Braves are up to this kind of challenge this week, now that they’re in reach-out-and-touch distance from the Mets. But the Braves have had a hard enough time with the likes of Rich Hill and Matt Chico this year. So we’ll see.
Well, it should be an exciting week. Expecting big crowds for the Red Sox and here’s hoping it’s not mostly Red Sox fans, eh?
Oh wait, I’ve gotta tell you about this. Some radio producer just called me from Boston, wanted me to come on for five minutes and talk about the Braves. Yadda, yadda. What the heck, I’ll do it. He probably tried David first and got no answer. But what was funny was how startled the guy was — or seemed to be — when he said “may I speak to Carroll” and I was like “this is she.” He seemed to stumble from that point forward.
I can’t help it; my parents gave me a family name that is spelled like it could be a man’s name, and I do a job that is done mostly by men. I pretty much had to do the interview just to keep the shock value going. He’s calling back in a couple hours. Maybe he’ll be less rattled by then.
Sometimes it’s just funny. Do they have women who talk about sports or are interested in sports in Boston? Or are we just way ahead of the game here in the capital of the South?
Yes, that’s what I thought. We are more progressive, aren’t we? Don’t we know it, the ladies of the blog? I know who you are. Your posts aren’t as mean, and they are well thought-out and they very often try to keep the boys straight. And only once have I gotten an e-mail asking me if Kyle Davies was single, and my guess that wasn’t from a regular blogger.
(Fine, I’ll answer that question this way: I’ll tell you the same thing I tell my friends who ask me about which players on the team are single. Girls, it’s a moot point. Major league ballplayers don’t get to the majors without either a wife or a girlfriend. Don’t care if they just got called up yesterday. They’ve got a wife or a girlfriend. That’s the way it goes. You wanna know about players being single single? Better show up and meet somebody in A-ball. Low A.)
Hey, the radio guy just called me back and told me they couldn’t wait and do the interview as late as I wanted to. (A girl’s got to get to the Y, doesn’t she?) And he said he thinks they got someone else to do it.
Wait a minute. Nah. They probably got a hold of David after all. Ah, the life of an understudy.
Also got a call back from Braves director of scouting Roy Clark who tells me the Braves are making big progress in signing their draftees. They have signed 14 of their top 23 picks, including sandwich pick Jon Gilmore, the third baseman from Iowa City High School and Freddie Freeman their second round pick, a first baseman out of El Modena (Calif.) high school. Among those signed is also shortstop Mike Fisher, sixth round, and left-hander Tim Ladd, ninth round, out of Georgia Tech.
Clark said Georgia pitcher Josh Fields should be signed by tomorrow and South Carolina second baseman Travis Jones, a seventh rounder, was expected to sign tonight at Turner Field.
Teams have until August 15 to sign all their draftees this year. Yet to sign is first round pick Jason Heyward, the outfielder who was chosen 14th overall out of Henry County, but Clark said “everything is going fine, but it’s going to take a little time.”
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Comments
By Renegator
June 18, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this
First?
By 22oz
June 18, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
i for one am excited to see these big name pitchers. Its the pitchers that we’ve never heard of that the Braves struggle against.
I will be at Saturday’s game, which is looking like Kyle Davies vs. Verlander. hmmm, who wants tickets?
By Jon
June 18, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this
Good blog Carroll! In looking at yesterday’s comments by the regulars, I saw some on trades. Pitching is the biggest need and I have some ideas. Though, I know John is going to do what is needed for the Braves and will do something pretty soon because even he is seeing the need to get a streak going and get some separation from the slumping Mets and sizzling Phillies. I see these pitchers worth going after: Harang (Reds), Buehrle (ChiSox), or Kazmir or Shields (D-Rays). both Halladay and Burnett of the Blue Jays would be nice in a Braves uniform, but I am not sure the Jays think they are out of it and that is their franchise set up in those 2 starters. Buehrle may be the best and since the Sox have no one really hitting above .230 in the infield and Crede on the DL, he may be obtainable for Escobar, or even Prado and a prospect at Richmond. I am sure John is working on this especially if the rumor that the Mets are looking hard at Buehrle is even remotely true. See you at the park!
By 2cool
June 18, 2007 3:41 PM | Link to this
The Braves are cool like me and don’t anyone forget it. .
By Kentavo
June 18, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
How is it we beat C.C. Sabathia, rough up Johann Santana but get handcuffed by Carlos Silva and Sean Marshall?
By editing would be nice
June 18, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
“Rogers (no relation) could make his first start of the year following surgery to repair an artery in his shoulder on Friday night against the Braves. This is the guy who led the Tigers staff with 17 wins last year on their World Series champion team.”
don’t tell the cardinals that or any of their fans…nice editing.
By SourPatchKid
June 18, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this
Carroll,
With Perlozzo out as the O’s manager, any chance Leo comes back? I’m sure the team is happy with Roger, but I’d love to have Leo back.
By Del
June 18, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this
What a wonderful surprise it would br to ses the lineup card without AJ’s name on it. It has got to happen sometime soon — why not tonight? Ah well, I can dream cann’t I?
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 3:51 PM | Link to this
Oh Carroll, we know it was Stinky asking you if Davies is single.
By Robert
June 18, 2007 3:55 PM | Link to this
Bob said “If you have been sending barbs my way, I’m afraid they’ve passed over my head.”
Ignornace is bliss?
Bob, someday maybe we can match wits. That is, if you ever manage to find yours
Just as a matter of explanation, my little comment about the prime number thing wasnt meant to prove prime numbers, it was meant to show that you were missing things because you dont know how to discern fact, and how to use fact to reason.
Of course, if you knew how, none of that would’ve been necessary, and since you dont, it, like the aforementioned barbs, will likely go right on over your head.
By DAP
June 18, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this
carroll, good to see you back again. the tigers werent a world championship team last year, though. they lost.
By Del
June 18, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this
Sure would be nice to see the lineup card tonight withour AJs name on it. Got to happen soon — why not tonight? Aw shucks, I can dream cann’t I?
By Admirer
June 18, 2007 3:59 PM | Link to this
Carrol, the real question is, are you single?
By Impersonator
June 18, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this
That’s impressive news about signing Josh Fields considering he was considered a possible first round talent and being “advised” by Scott Boras. If he gets his mechanics straightened out, he could be getting a September call up or at least be a factor in the bullpen next year.
By Turnin2`
June 18, 2007 4:05 PM | Link to this
Carroll - you and I are of the same mind. I was so psyched at the thought of even possibly seeing Kenny Rogers throw against Smoltz on Friday!
I’m definitely jazzed to see the Red Sox and Tigers (my two favorite AL teams since Magnum PI wore the Tigers hat back in the ’80s and Fever Pitch). Pitching should be awesome and hopefully our middle part of the lineup will wake up and are gonna be dingin’ some outta here off that awesome pitching. Woo Hoo —- Off to the ballpark!!!!!
By BamaBrave
June 18, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
Nice list, Jon… I sure hope we can get another quality starter, but I also hope it can be the hard throwing type, not a nibbler like Harang or Buehrle.
And Leo Mazzone thought the grass was greener in Baltimore. I don’t want him back. He can go suck on some softshell…
By Voice of Reason
June 18, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
Get over Leo already! Exactly what did he do for Baltimore?
By Paladin
June 18, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this
Carroll, are you single? Just kidding; I’m old enough to be your granpaw.
By Robert
June 18, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this
“This is the guy who led the Tigers staff with 17 wins last year on their World Series champion team. “
Um, I hate to break this you, but the Tigers didnt win the World Series last year
Now tell me again how much you respect Cox and qualified you are to laud his credentials?
By Eric from MO
June 18, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this
One good thing about Schilling, Beckett, and Verlander is that they are right handers.
Jon- Hang and Buehrle are probably the only ones avaiable. I dont see the D-Rays giveing away pitching considering thats what they need. Also I really dont see Buehrle gitting traded because I dont think the White Sox will give up but I hope they do.
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 4:11 PM | Link to this
Expecting the unexpected, we may actually be in for some weather … storm’s approaching … sounds like it … I wonder how many minutes of rain this time?! One, maybe two? Thunder’s loud and getting closer … shutting down ‘til it passes.
Later!
By Kieran from Long Island
June 18, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this
Remember the days when people “Couldn’t wait to see” our pitchers?? The only one’s who can’t wait to see them now are the Vultures circling ‘round the Turner Field Mound.
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
Kieran, please tell Mad Dog to shut up about golf and tennis already. So annoying. And tell Francessa to get his big ole fat butt back to work. He’s not tough enough to work a double shift which consists of sitting your big ole behind at a desk opinionating all day long?
By A-ville Ranger
June 18, 2007 4:21 PM | Link to this
DOB Thanks for the nod to Ray Bradbury. As a boy I spent many hours visiting the worlds conjured by his great imagination through a type writer.Now to baseball,this team can’t expect the Mutts to be this generous for long.The Phillys have caught up as well and Fla is on the way.If we’re not 7 or 8 back by all star break it’ll by winning more games.The team has been falling a$$ backward into luck,that can’t continue for long.My photo(one of many at a gathering) is in the ajc today.It was taken at an event over the weekend.I’ll leave it there for now.
By Eric from MO
June 18, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this
Robert what are you talking about? This is a new blog, new subject.
By A-ville Ranger
June 18, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
My bad Carroll,thanks to you for the Bradbury reference,not what’s his name.
By Paladin
June 18, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this
The only one’s who can’t wait to see them now are the Vultures circling ‘round the Turner Field Mound.
Those aren’t vultures they are friggit birds.
By matt
June 18, 2007 4:27 PM | Link to this
If you guys would read that again, she said AL champion World Series team.
By Efrim
June 18, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Braveheart
Mike and the Maddog are great. Although they are annoying at times. They have the utmost respect for the Braves and they knock the Mets on a daily basis.
By joe
June 18, 2007 4:31 PM | Link to this
Guys who are attemptint to correct Carroll, she didn’t say the Tigers won the World Series last year. She said the AL Champion World Series Team. That means the team that won the AL and played in the World Series. Read it again.
By Chris
June 18, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
A bunch of hard throwing righties coming in, not exactly the recipe to turn Andruw around. How about a day off for him Bobby…until he gets things turned around. No matter what is going on when Andruw comes up lately, it is certain to go no further.
By Don
June 18, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Psycho Boy, you’re wrong yet again and unqualified to speak on anything related to baseball.
Get lost, pathetic loser.
By Paladin
June 18, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this
Hell, I’d rather read u-no-who’s comments than this incessant snipping about whether she meant World Series Champions or not. WHO CARES
I know, “he” did it too, but that is what makes him, him.
By StingerSplash
June 18, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this
I can think of no greater waste of time than listening to Mike and Mad Dog. Pardon me, but I have some Flannery O’Connor I need to finish reading.
By BamaBrave
June 18, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
I’d love to see thousands of Braves fans waving “blood”-stained tube socks tonight…since Schilling seems to be a little sensitive about the recent doubts about his World Series heroics.
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 4:54 PM | Link to this
Efrim, I know. Mike and the Mad Dog are far and away the best (especially when together). Whenever Mike leaves Doggie alone, he bores us to tears with incessant chatter about golf and tennis. Been listening to them since 1990. But at least he is talking about baseball now. He just gave alot of love to Soriano but said that Wickman is terrible. But he has been saying that about Wickman since 1993 when he came up with the Yankees.
By jbutler
June 18, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this
Hey..Carroll..you made me laugh about your forging your way in a “man’s job”…I, too - was a sports writer in NYC many moons ago. I can’t tell you how many times I got asked the girlfriend/wife question. A better question is not who has one - its more like - who has both??? Hee…
By Berigan
June 18, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this
Why do you guys(and gals!) think Bobby Cox will not rest Andruw for a game or two? How can a guy (Cox) who was a player himself, not realize a guy needs a day off, if not physically, at least mentally? Especially a guy “hitting”.208, give him a day or three off, he is older, he’s not 25…..
By Marc
June 18, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Good blog. Good pitching match-ups on the horizon, unfortunantly that puts us at a disadvantage though.
By Soul Man
June 18, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this
Robert, you’re a can’t-hack-it pantywaist. Now push your taped-up glasses higher up your nose and hurry back to the other 14-year-olds you’re playing Dungeons and Dragons with. I don’t know Carroll but she does a darn fine job on here. Do you actually think she thinks the Tigers won the World Series last year? It’s called a typo, you moron, and unless you’re perfect, you make them too. You just get a little more time - between talking about goblin points, rolling your 20-sided dice and popping zits - to edit your posts than DOB or Carroll.
By Berigan
June 18, 2007 5:03 PM | Link to this
Why do you guys(and gals!) think Bobby Cox will not rest Andruw for a game or two? How can a guy (Cox) who was a player himself, not realize a guy needs a day off, if not physically, at least mentally? Especially a guy “hitting”.208, give him a day or three off, he is older, he’s not 25…..
By Eric from MO
June 18, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this
A-ville Ranger “we cant expect the Mutts to this generous for long.” I think we can. Before the season everyone was talking how bad their starting pitching is. It has finally caught up to them.
By the way has anyone else noticed the Braves started to lose when Gonzo went down. Not haveing that filthy lefty in the pin is going to hurt us. It makes our bullpin go from great to good. Which takes confidence from our starters. I know Smoltz and Chipper has hurt us too but I really miss Gonzo.
By Michael
June 18, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this
Robert:
This is Carroll’s actual statement -
“This is the guy who led the Tigers staff with 17 wins last year on their AL champion World Series team.”
This is how you mis - quoted it -
“This is the guy who led the Tigers staff with 17 wins last year on their World Series champion team. “
Don’t you know how to copy and paste? Then - you go on to say:
“Now tell me again how much you respect Cox and qualified you are to laud his credentials?”
This is pretty snarky for someone who can’t copy and paste. How qualified are you - you little twit?
By iwalterp
June 18, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
Speaking of pitching, Jo Jo Reyes was 7-1 with Mississippi Braves. Was called up to Richmond for a spot start and won that game. He then returned to MS where he pitched the MS Braves to the 1st half division clincher. Which makes him 9-1. He is 6’2” & 230lbs.
By Savannah Guy
June 18, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
New Day, New Game, Clean Slate DOB. Hey man…got your dart…er, point. Was it last night or ealy? No matter. No problem, no biggie, no offense intended, no rule intentionally broken, no harm no foul. Just silliness. Thought I read from you recently that anything political after midnight was perfectly ok. Guess I read wrong but whatever. Not really important. Thought it might add color to a perfectly ground-hogish, negative-tilting evening on the ol’ blog. Several were in serious after-loss perpetual should’ coulda’ mode. I suppose BBQ woulda’ and music coulda’…
As in baseball…each day the slate is wiped clean and we start fresh. Unless of course someone gets tagged with a fastball. Far as I know, no hits were taken or given here so all ok and looking forward to seeing one of my favorite pitchers (Schilling) on my favorite AL team lose to my home team tonight. On paper, the matchup odds don’t look so good tonight…but it’s so skewed in favor of the BoSox that I predict an upset. Chuck, don’t make me eat those words…
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 5:11 PM | Link to this
Shaun, I’m always glad to give one the chance to explain but I would like to explain that I wasn’t intending to suggest that you said it would take nine or even eight … just making one of my inane observations where you were the most convenient conduit.
The following is the last post on the previous Blog … as Carroll didn’t call and let me know she had put up the new Blog … she told Renegator!
Young Mr. Payne, I know you were addressing the other Bob who seems to have his head on his shoulders … but while my thinking seemingly reresents neither the conventional nor the traditional, the notion that it’s not entertaining to see an automatic out come up with two outs and runners on … is only true when it’s your team that adoin’ the hittin’!
Shaun, you know my views on statistics … it’s not the automatic outs, but rather the ones that are not automatic, that interest me … them and the hits. The worrisome thing always has been that I never can figure out which ones are going to be automatic. Count your blessings son, for if I could have done that, then Liberty would not currently own the Braves!
Much of the excitement in baseball comes from how what takes place now is impacted by what will most likely later take place … and … eliminating that, well personally I prefer lots of hazzards, deep rough, narrow doglegged fairways and small, lightning fast greens … and no, I don’t believe in square grooves and metal woods.
I agree that change is needed … I would like to see bats that don’t become lethal weapons … like with John Smoltz’s stiff shoulder, one would hope it doesn’t take disaster.
Of course, I must agree there is a big difference between entertainment and sport … but, for folks looking for entertainment, there’s always the movies and the Blogs!
Even in the movies, I never liked standins …
Robert, my grandson asked if Robert was your real name or an alias. He’s confused because he didn’t think we were related but his great grandfather was Robert I and he is Robert IV and doesn’t yet have any kids.
I told him that I didn’t know but that it was above my head and I’d ask.
You and Shaun and your need for explanations … no need, I assure you!
However, I’m glad that you weren’t trying to prove a definition … Gott sie Dank!
By chipdip
June 18, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
WANGO TANGO
By Efrim
June 18, 2007 5:15 PM | Link to this
Braveheart
They hate Wickman. Always have. Mostly because he never gets strikeouts and never pitches more than just one inning. Soriano is the nest middle reliever in Baseball, although Scott Shields has held that honor for like 4 years.
By Bill
June 18, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
We don’t need Leo Mazzone. We need starting pitching but don’t need A.J. Burnett. He’s on DL or about to be put on it.
By BossLady
June 18, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this
Didn’t we have to register with the AJC to post and identify ourselves to them before we Blog? It seems that the blog editors can block or formerly ask someone not to be invited back. It has annoyed most bloggers, DOB and now over here in Carroll’s. Why don’t they exercise their discretion with this problematic child. Whew!
By Berigan
June 18, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this
Apparently, Leo Mazzone has made strides with the Orioles pitching staff. Keith Law, and an Orioles columnist had quite a bit of praise for him,(And expect him to honor his contract) pointing out even with injuries that the starting pitching was 4th best in the AL, it’s been the high priced bullpen that has been terrible. Remember Danys Baez? ERA of 6.52!!!!
From most reports, it sounds like Mazzone is a horse’s a**, but for Steve Trachsel to get dumped by the Mets, and land in the AL east and have an ERA under 4 with his stuff, it’s got to be that Mazzone touch.
By chipdip
June 18, 2007 5:21 PM | Link to this
BUTTERFLY WEED IS THE BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By Robert
June 18, 2007 5:22 PM | Link to this
Michael and others - The mistake got corrected. I quoted it by cut and paste, not by retyping it.
It originally appeared just as I (and another blogger, by the way) had it quoted.
Ysf
By Robert
June 18, 2007 5:24 PM | Link to this
” I can think of no greater waste of time than listening to Mike and Mad Dog”
Obviously you have never listened to a Cox post-game interview
By BamaBrave
June 18, 2007 5:25 PM | Link to this
I just checked…BenchAndruw.com is available…
By Ron Roberts
June 18, 2007 5:27 PM | Link to this
MLBTradeRumors.com is reporting that the Giants may be in “sell” mood sooner rather than later.
That being said, if Matt Morris were available, should we go get him, guys? I say “hell yeah.” We’d just have to take on some salary (or unload some elsewhere) to accomodate his $10 million pricetag next season.
By Robert
June 18, 2007 5:33 PM | Link to this
I dont see how it really relates to anything, but for what it’s worth, Robert is my real name
By Robert
June 18, 2007 5:37 PM | Link to this
“However, I’m glad that you weren’t trying to prove a definition “
Good, at least we got that straight.
By jed
June 18, 2007 5:39 PM | Link to this
what exactly is the braves organization thinking in their handling of the salty situation? it’s downright bizarre, if you consider it. they certainly have had options:
—they could leave him in the minors and have him continue to develop. nope.
—they could bring him up and find a way to get him steady playing time. nope.
—they could send him back to the minors to learn 1b, as the team desperately needs a 1b.. nope.
—they could call up a 3rd catcher, get his bat in the lineup every day, and put in a defensive replacement for late innings. nope.
—they could bring him up and play him everyday at catcher until their ALL STAR catcher gets over the injury that’s killing his production. nope.
—they could bring him up, play him once a week and sit him on the bench the rest of the time. YES!
really…could someone explain the logic to me? i always thought we were a sharp organization. but they’ve positively mangled this salty situation.
By Eric from MO
June 18, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this
Robert what happened was you just didnt quote the whole thing. As always you take things out of context.
By Dan
June 18, 2007 5:51 PM | Link to this
http://www.firechipcaray.blogspot.com
By Carroll Rogers
June 18, 2007 5:52 PM | Link to this
I did get typing too fast and i meant world series runner-up, not champion - my bad. i could hide behind my editors who tried to sneak and fix it gracefully but to you guys i cannot tell a lie. you guys ought not believe anything i say when i say stupid stuff like that! but stick with me if you will.
and i haven’t talked to anybody about this but i don’t see leo coming back here. that’s just not how it works.
ok back to the notebook. and yes i am single but have a boyfriend, who likes to read this blog too, so be nice.
By Robert
June 18, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Eric, the part I quoted was subsequantly corrected.
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
This is what happened on Robert’s trip to Yankee Stadium:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TwBa3XA3Sl4&mode=related&search=
Not much different than his trip to the DOB blog.
This is what happened to No Chop and Mets Rule, You Drool on their trips to Yankee Stadium:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=T7rWh654214&mode=related&search=
Just a little different atmosphere than the Ted.
Does anyone remember naive little No Chop swearing to me that this never happens at Yankee Stadium?
By Robert
June 18, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this
Thank you Carroll.
By Eric from MO
June 18, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this
Jed-I think he started 3 or 4 times last week. Twice at first and one or 2 times at catcher. So Im not really sure where you are getting this once a week. They had to wait till he had enough practice to play him at 1st. Now expect him to play alot more at 1st. He still wont play every game but probably half of the games. Which is what McCann did his rookie season.
By Paul
June 18, 2007 6:02 PM | Link to this
Mad dog hates the braves. I can remember listening to them in 1993 when the braves caught his beloved Giants. Mad dog is great because of his disdain for the Yankees (the crack committee). Francesa is very knowledgeable but his love for the Yanks gets annoying. As for Wickman, they never said that they hated him. Chris called him a serviceable closer. As for Matt Moris, I would not trade for him. Would you give the Giants prospects for an old pitcher that is making a ton of money? If the Giants are truly selling, why not try for one of their stud pitchers like Cain (though I highly doubt the Giants would trade him)
By Eric from MO
June 18, 2007 6:04 PM | Link to this
My bad Robert.
By Robert
June 18, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this
“Believe me, Andruw is probably still one of the top three if not the best position player on the market this coming off-season. If he turns it around even remotely to his previous levels, teams will be willing to pay him.”
Well Shaun (or should I call you Scott) I hope that a rival of the Braves believes this hock and wastes a bunch of money on him
By Robert
June 18, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this
No problem Eric.
By Bob
June 18, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
Hillarious. At least now I know what Mets Drool looks like. Guess the Yankee fans know why he drools so much too.
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 6:14 PM | Link to this
Oh, to live in a world free from error. Oh, to live in a simplistic black and white world where there is only right and wrong. Managers never make strategical mistakes. Fielders never make errors. Hitters never strikeout. Reporters, writers, and analysts never goof up, have typos or brainfarts. Oh, what a world that would be.
Carroll, you’ll have to excuse Robert. He is stressed out because he spent the entire day asking over and over again, paper or plastic? That was his biggest decision of the day. He was actually incapable of making that decision though. He preferred asking the customer and making the customer make the decision for him before he proceeded to bag the customer’s groceries. But of course the customer was never right. If the customer said paper, he said Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. I would have gone in the other direction. But if the next customer said plastic, Robert would tell that customer the same exact thing: Tsk, Tsk, Tsk, I would have gone in the other direction. Heaven forbid if the customer said he preferred not having a bag at all. That blows Robert’s mind every time. They never put that permutation into Robert’s code when they made him, so he can not process how someone could leave the store without a bag. There is only black or white, right or wrong. There is only A and there is only B. He can’t see C.
By edward
June 18, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
I got a great deal for you to mull…Griffey for Andruw,Thorman, and Orr. Get a great centerfielder and move Salty to first full time. I hear we got a pretty center in the minors. Griffey will be for 2-3yrs till the kid is ready. Andruw is making sure someone gets him at a discount and Thorman just isnt that good. Orr is a good utility but still an unknown. And yes, i am a Andruw fan. But I am also a Braves fan and have dealt with my favorite players leaving before.
By edward
June 18, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this
I got a great deal for you to mull…Griffey for Andruw,Thorman, and Orr. Get a great centerfielder and move Salty to first full time. I hear we got a pretty center in the minors. Griffey will be for 2-3yrs till the kid is ready. Andruw is making sure someone gets him at a discount and Thorman just isnt that good. Orr is a good utility but still an unknown. And yes, i am a Andruw fan. But I am also a Braves fan and have dealt with my favorite players leaving before.
By Gustopher
June 18, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this
Great Blog CR. Too bad you are not on the market. I wouldn’t worry about the WS we all make mistakes, just most of us don’t make them in front of a bunch of people on the internet!
By Lew
June 18, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this
I’ve got to agree with Carroll on the Leo Mazone return. There’s just no way they would dump McDowell, especially after Leo kind of just dumped us to begin with. No way he comes back-especially after showing maybe a lot of his success was having three HOF pitchers with a couple of Liebrandt, Burkett and Jaret Wright victories thrown in for good measure. He sure didn’t get much out of all those stud pitchers in Baltimore that so many here think would be our salvation.
By Robert
June 18, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, you’re a piece of work.
Go cheer your hero. I hope tonight isnt the night he blows his 7th game this season
By joebrave
June 18, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this
One hopes that Chuck James can pitch someting besides BATTING PRACTICE tonight….
By Lew
June 18, 2007 6:34 PM | Link to this
Braveheart-They don’t ask you anymore if you want paper or plastic. They just give you the plastic. You have to ask for paper.
By BabyGoatEater
June 18, 2007 6:41 PM | Link to this
Just watch….the Bravos will win 4 of 6 against the Sox and Tigers…..they seem to play better against better teams, other than the Twins of course.
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this
Remember Jed, ‘twas Der Bingle hisself that said over exposure was not a very good thing … though he was not a photographer, catcher, or first baseman just a golfer.
I’ll say one thing about those poles, they know how to get the answers for which they’re looking … in the latest Salty pole, with about 22,000 responses … 50% say that he should be starting at 1st base … an additional 17% think he should platooned there. Why the platoon? I guess maybe he’s not yet ready to play anywhere but the Ted.
Noticeably absent from the choices was … First String Catcher! No one in their right mind would have made that choice; especially since he’s so obviously a natural first baseman.
Catching requires a special skill set!
All jokes aside, poleing 101 teaches that it’s always best to try and rig the questions if you’re afraid of some of the answers …
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this
Is Big Papi playing 1st tonight or not? I need to know because of my fantasy roster.
By MBATL
June 18, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this
A couple of other pitchers that might be available, from what I’ve read:
Jason Jennings (Astros). He’s solid, but had some elbow issues earlier this year. Free agent after the season. Word is the Astros may not be willing to resign him, so if they fall out (further), might trade him. He might be worth trying to re-sign after this year.
Another is Noah Lowry (Giants). Decent mid-rotation numbers - real productive in ‘05 - but his K’s are down the last 2 years. Not star material, but young and signed cheap for a couple of years, and the Giants are loaded with young pitching and might let him go. And Lord knows, they need young position players.
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this
Braveheart-They don’t ask you anymore if you want paper or plastic. They just give you the plastic. You have to ask for paper.
That’s because they were tired of Mr. Roboto screwing it up every time. So they tell him to play it by the book now - only plastic.
By Robert
June 18, 2007 6:45 PM | Link to this
Now, put yourself in Leo’s shoes for a moment.
You’ve parted ways with the Braves. After which the Braves immediately miss the playoffs for the first time since, well, since when you came on board.
But despite this, your work is discredited, and the importance of your contributions minimized or denied altogether, while your clueless ex-colleague who stays gets ever more credit (despite the change in the team’s fortunes)
Tell me, would you want to come back here?
By Todd A
June 18, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this
At least we don’t have a bunch of Mets fans on here talking smack these days.
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
Gustopher, you just placed me in the minority regarding making mistakes in front of people on the Internet! Does that mean that it’s now politically incorrect for bloggers to make fun of me?
By new_age_healer
June 18, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this
Hello everyone. We all need to stop trashing Andruw. We should all focus tonight and send some positive energy to him. This might help him break out of his slump.
Peace
By Robert
June 18, 2007 6:54 PM | Link to this
“All jokes aside, poleing 101 teaches that it’s always best to try and rig the questions if you’re afraid of some of the answers”
Leave it to Bob, proud graduate of the Ga Tech School of Journalism
polling, Bob - as in opinion surveys. Poleing is what you to do steer a raft.
There’s nothing like stating a retarded opinion with poor grammer and bad spelling.
By CJ
June 18, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this
For the 1,735,823rd time - Can’t trade Andruw. He is a 10/5 player. Do you really think he would approve a trade??? The answer is NO!!!
By Mark
June 18, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
Carroll, how bout the lineup for tonight??
By Fred Secunda
June 18, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this
I don’t think both Salty and Escobar will be in a Braves uniform next season. I think the Braves trade one of them, but I would ask for a king’s ransom for Salty. For instance, I would accept no less than a starting pitcher of the caliber of say, a guy like Chris Young of the Padres. Would y’all pull the trigger on that deal?
By Tonight on TBS
June 18, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this
The Abyss (1989)
The ballistic missile submarine USS Andruw Jones sinks under mysterious circumstances. A team of journalists and bloggers follow to find out why. However, their worst fears are soon realized as the Andruw Jones descends deeper and deeper into a bottomless abyss. (Horror, not for the timid).
By GermanBravesFan
June 18, 2007 7:00 PM | Link to this
Braveheart 1, Robert 0
By MBATL
June 18, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this
Can an opinion be retarded?
By Berigan
June 18, 2007 7:01 PM | Link to this
Ron Roberts, you said….
That being said, if Matt Morris were available, should we go get him, guys? I say “hell yeah.” We’d just have to take on some salary (or unload some elsewhere) to accomodate his $10 million pricetag next season.
I say yes as well! Perhaps Thorman,(though that would cut into Klesko’s playing time ;) ) and someone from the minors might do the trick????
Hey, just looked up Klesko’s numbers, figuring they were as bad as the rest of the team, but he is hitting .311 with 20 RBI’s playing part time, good for him! damn, he’s a leftie as well…
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this
Robert, the mispelling of pole and poll on this blog by Bob and Jimmy Smith is an inside joke that goes back quite a ways. However, I agree Andruw should be benched a few days to get his head together then put in the 7th or 8th spot until he starts producing consistently again. Never mind, everyone who was trying so dilligently to help me out with my Papi question; I figured it out.
By Eric from MO
June 18, 2007 7:03 PM | Link to this
Edward- I dont to be always negative but that trade will never happen. After this season AJ will walk and the Reds season is already over. So it would be Griffey for Thorman and Orr. Reds will never go along with it. Also Griffey and AJ have no trade causes.
By Todd A
June 18, 2007 7:04 PM | Link to this
I hope the fans let Andruw have it after each strikeout in this home stand.Could you imagine how this performance would be treated in Philly or New York?Our fans will probably be at the Chop house,talking on their cell phones,or gawking at the giant scoreboard when the moment of opportunity presents itself.
By Mark
June 18, 2007 7:06 PM | Link to this
They said on Sportscenter that the front-runner to get Ken Griffey Jr via a trade was…..Atlanta…..huh? Don’t we need pitching or a first baseman? Mark Teixara, Mark Burhele(sp)…etc
By GermanBravesFan
June 18, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
By Robert
June 18, 2007 5:55 PM | Link to this
Eric, the part I quoted was subsequantly corrected.
Robert, since you mentioned spelling, how about this one: subsequEntly… oh well…
By Yars
June 18, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this
I think Andruw would approve a trade only if the Braves were out of the race by late July. It would have to be to a team that would likely keep Andruw after the season & sign him to a long term deal.
By Najeh Davenpoop
June 18, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this
Wow, I have been watching this ESPN coverage for five minutes on mute and I’m already sick of the blatant Red Sox bias. This is going to be a long night.
By eric the elder
June 18, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
Can anyone explain where these hordes of Cubs and Red Sox fans come from?
There might be some transplants among them, but not that many, I would think, especially from Boston. Do they have real jobs? Are they the rich people who got the tax cuts?
I just don’t see how they have the time and money to come here, probably for the whole series. I’m sure you will tell me.
By Robert
June 18, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
Ok Grinch, thanks for the ‘splanation
And you dont half two say your welcome :P
By GermanBravesFan
June 18, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this
Grinch… how’s life treating you? Have you had any decent beers lately?
By MBATL
June 18, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Robert, sure glad you were vindicated on the WS winner issue. At least you didn’t seize upon the opportunity to take a cheap shot at Carroll, who wrote a very thoughtful blog today, rather than simply pointing out the mistake. I believe your exact words were: Now tell me again how much you respect Cox and qualified you are to laud his credentials? Well done.
By TennesseePaul
June 18, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this
Sadness all around, I could use some thoughts and prayers. Today I learned that one of my good friends from my high school years was murdered in Florida a few weeks ago. She was beaten to death with a claw hammer by her boyfriend, who subsequently toured an 11th floor condo and threw himself off the balcony.
I’ve known people who have died, but never like this. Sorry to bum anyone out, but I just had to get this off my chest.
She was a great friend and had amazing taste in music. She will be missed deeply.
Hope the Bravos pull this one out tonight.
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 7:14 PM | Link to this
BabyGoatEater, I wish you had posted they seem to play better against better teams earlier while I was having my first of coffee.
However, it does help explain why they play poorly … I never thought I’d be saying this but thank goodness they’re not the best … ‘cause if they were, with nobody better, then they’d always play their worst and no body would go to the games.
By eric the elder
June 18, 2007 7:15 PM | Link to this
Robert
There’s nothing like stating a retarded opinion with poor grammer and bad spelling.
It’s spelled G-R-A-M-M-A-R.
By Paladin
June 18, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
Braveheart
The paper or plastic bit is well-written and hilarious. My complimemts—Paladin
By Robert
June 18, 2007 7:16 PM | Link to this
No doubt I blew it on subsequently.
I could never get capital and capitol right either.
Fourth grade was two of the best years of my life
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this
10Paul, we’ve got your back!
Take care!
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this
10Paul, sorry to hear about your friend. I had read that on here a few weeks ago. It is scary how evil humans can be.
By GermanBravesFan
June 18, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
Enough talk about grammar and spelling… the game is on! GO BRAVES!!!
By MBATL
June 18, 2007 7:25 PM | Link to this
10Paul, how terrible. Don’t really know you, but you and the woman’s family will be in my family’s thoughts and prayers. Best to you and the woman’s family.
By GermanBravesFan
June 18, 2007 7:27 PM | Link to this
It’s gotta suck to have a home game and the visiting team has more fans in the stands than the home team… :-(
By Berigan
June 18, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
Mark, Perhaps the thought on Griffey is that he would drive in more runs than our very nice left field platoon(the only thing you can say against it) plus if we had Griffey batting 5th, it would give Andruw someone opposing pitchers would not want to see, and PERHAPS Andruw would get better pitches to hit….I don’t know, just guessin’…..
By eric the elder
June 18, 2007 7:28 PM | Link to this
10Paul, heartfelt condolences. Time heals.
By DonCoburleone
June 18, 2007 7:29 PM | Link to this
Lets do this Braves! I want a freakin’ sweep of these bums from bean-town!!!
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 7:32 PM | Link to this
GBF, I did the martini thing last night, but then switched off onto Beck’s dark. A few days back I tried out a beer from Czechoslovakia(?) that wasn’t bad; can’t remember the name though. I’ve been restricting myself to just a couple of drinking days a week now trying to lose some weight. It’s quite a challenge passing the beer section without loading the cart down. :-)
By Carlos Amato
June 18, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this
HR by the no-power cereal guy.
Ouch!
By Berigan
June 18, 2007 7:35 PM | Link to this
TennesseePaul, Very sorry to hear about your friend’s death. That is beyond terrible!!! How someone can do something like that to another human is beyond our understanding.
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this
10Paul, that sucks indeed. I’ve been there before; not fun. Condolences, indeed.
Coco Crisp? Oh, the humanity!
By Carlos Amato
June 18, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this
Another 20 pitches-per-inning start by Chuck James.
Warm the pen!
By Carlos Amato
June 18, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this
Hey, Frenchy needed a ladder to hit that pitch.
By JasonInMaine
June 18, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
I see Chuck is being himself…lot’s of walks and pitches as well as the long ball…
(Sigh)
We need pitching. I would love to see Buerhle or Morris (obviously without giving up Salty).
By Fred Secunda
June 18, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
When is Griffey’s contract up? He could be a good replacement for Jones for next season if he’s be willing to take a pay cut.
By MEB
June 18, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
Coco Crisp should have been out on the previous pitch. It wasn’t even borderline he should have been out! When things are not going well… nothing goes well. DANG!!!
By Berigan
June 18, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this
Check out http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?showforum=62 NC-17 for language, but it will be funny as heck if they lose! They make us look sane, almost!!!! You can read their posts, just can’t post.
By cricket
June 18, 2007 7:50 PM | Link to this
As usual, braves middle order will make sure that the opposing pitcher will stay in the game long by swinging early in the count. ESPA does not have to worry about this game going long.
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this
Cato, if you eliminated the posts containing bad spelling and poor grannie, David O’B’s hit count would fall below the AJC threshold and we’d be canceled! I always figured that “He’s not too bad for a yankee” … was about as good a compliment as any invader from the north could possibly deserve … but I’ve changed my mind … the only thing that I can figure is that are from South Cleveland.
10 Paul, words are never quite adequate but I truly believe that among God’s greatest creations are good friends and good memories … we’re all truly blessed when we have them both … and to be fondly missed is the realization of our greatest ambition.
By P-Town Brave
June 18, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this
4 walks already and now I know why I like Buddy more than Chuck or Kyle…he doesn’t spend time getting ahead of guys 0-2 and then dick around for 4 pitches
By JasonInMaine
June 18, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this
TennPaul,
My wife and I will certainly keep you all in our prayers.
Regards,
Jason
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this
Did my ears just decieve me? Chuck bunts Thorman over for about our third bunt of the year, and Sutcliffe delivers this gem: “That’s Bobby Cox baseball right there. Bunt the runner over and now the tying run is 90 feet away.” Umm, no, that is the antithesis of Bobby Cox baseball. However, I’m glad it happened and maybe having it work will help change it into his signature style, at least until we start playing better consistantly. Do these guys even watch baseball?
By Lew
June 18, 2007 8:02 PM | Link to this
TenPaul-Dude, That absolutely sucks. Hope you’re hanging in OK.
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 8:03 PM | Link to this
SMALLBALL hustle double, sac bunt, sac fly. tie ballgame.
By Mark
June 18, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this
Fred, not sure when his contract in but he’s only getting paid a little over 8 million…a lot more sensable than paying Andruw 15-18 million. OK-it’s really nice getting Willie on base but he’s been thrown out twice on base…not good.
By Berigan
June 18, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
Thorman’s hustle paid of there, didn’t it???
By eric the elder
June 18, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this
BobJ, you are right, but when A slashes B for poor spelling and A can’t spell the words used in the slashing, the irony is too thick to peel away the layers.
By fastasballs
June 18, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this
Wow the Braves generated a run with only 1 hit & it wasn’t a homer.
Thorman has been swinging the bat the past few games. Maybe he is more comfortable in a platoon role or he took the few days off to work on some things.
Maybe the same can work for Andruw. Well he is batting 6th, a spot too high I think, but much better than 4th or 5th.
Schilling is getting the ball up a bit, maybe Chipper was deposit a hanger over the wall somewhere.
By The Truth Hurts
June 18, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this
Grinch, it’s Czech beer. Not Czechoslovakia. That ended back in ‘93. Czech beer is some of the best in Europe (really, the world). It has to be—the Czechs are the largest per capita beer drinkers in the world. I miss Prague.
TennesseePaul, I remember hearing about that story. She was a model, no? Very hard to hear about such senseless loss. My condolences.
Watching Prince Fielder run around the bases last night was the highlight of my baseball week.
By mark
June 18, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this
Geez—-the pitcher gets one back through the middle…Chuck needs to buckle down…NOW
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
Robert’s having twice gone through the fourth grade reminds me of the true story of one of the smartest men I’ve ever known; “self-educated” who only completed the third grade … he claims it took him most of the fourth grade to realize that he wasn’t learning anything new … upon realizing it was a waste of his time, he quit.
It sounded better coming from him, heading toward the Loop in the back of his Lincoln Stretch.
He was the first to tell me that success mostly depended on a bit of luck and doing the right things rather than doing things right. AFLAC’s Founder,”Mr. John”, John Amos was the second!
By VandyBrave
June 18, 2007 8:15 PM | Link to this
What the hell was Willie thinking - stealing with our best hitter up, can’t he score on a double??
Ahhh. Go Bravos.
By fastasballs
June 18, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this
Grinch, I was laughing about “Bobby Cox baseball” statement after the bunt.
They then go on to give us a scouting report of Schilling being a contact hitter & getting hits up the middle. This of couse AFTER Schilling singles up the middle.
I could call a game better than these tards & so could half the blog.
By Carolina Lady
June 18, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
TN Paul, my heart hurts for you. You are in my prayers, friend.
Wouldn’t a certain blogger be perfectly at home in Stepford??
Wouldn’t a win tonight be superb?
After spending 2 hours in a dentist’s chair this afternoon, wouldn’t a pain-free night be loverly?? (This lady isn’t feeling too lively this evening…)
By P-Town Brave
June 18, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
.206 and the march towards the Mendoza Line continues..
By Carroll Rogers
June 18, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this
mark, sorry, didn’t get a lineup posted here for you. was busy adding up andruw’s numbers since he last hit in the sixth hole for the notebook. he just popped up for the second time in a row, by the way, and is getting booed.
braveheart, i appreciate the point you were making. and am i wrong about everything today or do they still give you paper or plastic choice at whole foods?
awful lot of red sox fans here, as we expected….
By Herschel Talker
June 18, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this
Andruw is a piece of garbage.
By P-Town Brave
June 18, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this
Gotta love only getting one run outta all of that…I blame Snitker as much as anybody…he knew the personnel we had coming up…you gotta send Chipper there!
By eric the elder
June 18, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
Francoeur has fallen in love with right field. With 0 outs, yes, with 1 out, no.
Chuck James picks up Andruw and Francoeur. Go figure.
By P-Town Brave
June 18, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
Gotta love only getting one run outta all of that…I blame Snitker as much as anybody…he knew the personnel we had coming up…you gotta send Chipper there! Thank god Chuckie came through bc Bad-druw and Frenchy are just pitiful!
By fastasballs
June 18, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
The Braves should be up 4-2 right now. Two stinking ground balls or flys over 150 feet would have done it.
Andruw needs to sit.
Unreal James has to pick up Jones & Frenchy!
By Todd A
June 18, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
Did I hear a few boos when Cobb county’s golden boy popped out?
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this
Truth, I seem to remember that now; my bad. I lose track of time easily. I should have said Czech Republican beer. :-) I’ve heard a good bit about Prague; I’d love to travel there. However, saying they have some of the best beer in Europe (really, the world) is kind of superfluous; European beer is the best in the world IMO. And mass consumption doesn’t equal taste; Americans drink an @$$-load of beer and only about 1 in 25 have a clue about what good beer is. 95% of our mass-produced popular beer wouldn’t be used for dishwater by Europeans. But, as I said, that which I drank the other day was quite good; no doubt the Czechs know their beer.
Go Chuck!
Man, we need to break it open here.
By MEB
June 18, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
Tennessee Paul… sorry for the tragic loss of your friend.
Grinch… Sutcliffe has been clueless for years.
Robert… you really should apologize to the lady for your classless post. You are truly unbelievable!
At-a-boy Chucky!!!
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 8:31 PM | Link to this
I wouldn’t take too much advice from John Stamos. He was stupid enough to file for a divorce from my sweet Rebecca.
By The Truth Hurts
June 18, 2007 8:39 PM | Link to this
Grinch, I lived in Prague for a while. When I say “in Europe,” I do mean “in the world.” I’m a beer snob. But don’t blame me—it’s the Czechs’ fault.
I think we’ve just bonded.
That Chuck James single could be pretty huge when it’s all said and done.
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 8:41 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, if you were to pick up Rebecca now you’d probably find her much like a virgin. Can you imagine someone like that with a guy who’s such a loser he even stuck out in the 80’s? I be past the first three inches it’s all new territory.
Carroll, you’re not wrong; Lew’s in Vermont.
By mark
June 18, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this
Carroll, its cool on the lineup,,,you were counting Drew’s stats huh….it’s real easy-he’s TERRIBLE. Trade him bench him, whatever I don’t care. His defense is not worth this hitting display. He is a joke and it seems like he doesn’t care. If hBobby had any b…ls he would just put Willie out there for a few games to get Drew’s attention.
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
I’m gonna leave this alone for the night but isn’t it hypocritical to call Edgar and Huddie bush and classless for their actions in the Cubs series but then go headhuntin’ on the lady who gave us a helluva blog tonight?
Yeah, McCann needs to go sit on the bench and go to the DL! Let Salty PLAY! LOL! Excuse me, I have some egg to wipe off my face.
By Mackey Sasser
June 18, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this
If McCann is back, and it looks like he may be, we may have a chance to sneak in to a lead before the Mets come to their senses. Now’s the time because they are a better team.
By A-ville Ranger
June 18, 2007 8:53 PM | Link to this
McCann pops a big’un,we could use some more of those…how’s that for a firm grasp of the obvious.
By MEB
June 18, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this
Mac Attack!!! This is what we’ve been missing with Brian McCann. Brian appears to be seeing the ball real well and driving the ball. If we can get Andruw and Frenchy on track this is a potent offense.
By P-Town Brave
June 18, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
**And Bad-druw is down to .205, inching closer and closer to Mendoza
By parks
June 18, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
BENCH MCCANN!!!!!!!!!!
By Gustopher
June 18, 2007 8:55 PM | Link to this
Good natured ribbing should always be allowed!
By chrisklob
June 18, 2007 8:56 PM | Link to this
Fred,
Jr’s contract runs thru 08 with an option for 09. This year and next he makes $12.5 million. In 09 the Reds hold a club option for $16.5 million with a $4 million buy out. Unless the Reds eat a substantial portion of that salary I don’t see the Braves picking him up. Frankly, I don’t see another outfielder being a priority. Starting pitching seems to be our most immediate need.
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
Grinch, I was going to nicely explain the difference to Robert and how I thought he might best employ both … but since I was never formally graduated by the Trade School, alumnus though I am … I didn’t know exactly how to respond to his gambit.
I was busy constructing a pole for the Blog so as to find out what they thought I should do … when you intervened … timely as always.
However, while Robert may sometimes seem like he just fell off the turnip truck, he’s been riding around in it for a long, long time … and I’m sure he’ is familiar with the poll/pole story … of course, it just might be the first time that he’s understood it … one never knows with Robert.
By keylargo25
June 18, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
Andrew is at .204 and falling. He hasn’t hit his weight in a month. Nothing else can be added that hasn’t been said about this sad situation. Let’s hope he goes to TP and admits he needs help. Tenn. Paul - I live in the part of the world where your friend was murdered. It had corrupted her to some extent - she had been a dancer - and her boyfriend was a dirty cop who had been forced to resign from the Boston area. She was trying to leave him in her defense but he wouldn’t let her. Sad story. I believe it happened at the end of May.
By Todd A
June 18, 2007 8:59 PM | Link to this
Anyone want a Francoeur jersey?Real cheap.
By P-Town Brave
June 18, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this
Bad-druw and Frenchy a combined 4 hr and 14 rbi in 131 ab’s in June…oh and a combined 26 hits in those 131 ab’s for a combined .198 avg
By chrisklob
June 18, 2007 9:02 PM | Link to this
Yet another sub-six inning appearance by Chuckie……..
By P-Town Brave
June 18, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this
chrisklob
Chris, he makes that COMBINED…therefore he is only making 6 mil for this year total and 6.5 next year, which also means we’d only pay around 3 mil if we get him at the deadline since thats 1/2 season worth salary…Also, that 16 mil is being deferred by Junior IF it gets picked up for a five year period so that means 16/5 so a little over 3 mil per year plus whatever salary he gets…That being said, I think he’d be a great bargain UNLESS we had to give up Salty or Escobar to get him as I wouldn’t part w/ either…I would offer spare parts such as Prado, Pena, and MAYBE a pitching prospect, but I think I’d expect a starter upgrade before another bat even though we could use something to offset the sinking ship that is Bad-druw Jones…sorry that was so long!
By N8
June 18, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this
Time to chime in quickly and take off again. Two observations:
1) Andruw Jones SUCKS. Period.
2) Another decent start by Chuck tonight……if he was our 4th or 5th guy. #3 starters don’t come out of the game with 1 out in the 6th. 96 pitches is too many with 1 out in the 6th. If he is to EVER be anything more than a back of the rotation guy, he’s gotta figure out how to last a little longer, while being effective.
Tonight was a fin outing. He kept us in the game, got out of a couple of jams. But I expected more out of him this year.
L8R
By A-ville Ranger
June 18, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
If Moylan can keep that pitch crossing to the outside with right handers and in on left handers.Then be able to drop the bottom out on command,he’ll be a terror.
By Todd A
June 18, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this
keylargoIf Andruw was hitting his weight,he would be leading the league in hitting.
By Michael Procton
June 18, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this
Carroll, one of the best female sportswriters in the country (Jackie McMullan) resides and writes in Boston. The guy’s just probably a backwards-a* Yankee.
By Salty
June 18, 2007 9:19 PM | Link to this
Grinch Americans drink an @$$-load of beer and only about 1 in 25 have a clue about what good beer is. 95% of our mass-produced popular beer wouldn’t be used for dishwater by Europeans.
Absolutely on the mark!
By chrisklob
June 18, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
P-Town Brave,
According to Cot’s Baseball Contracts Griffey is making $12.5 million PER year. It’s from the contract that he signed in 2000 and runs thru 2008 with the club option in 09.
As for the deferred money, I’m not sure exactly how that would be handled if he were traded. I would ASSUME that the Reds would be responsible for paying money deferred while he played with them and the Braves would pick up any deferred salary while he was with them. I’m also not a big fan of deferred salaries — I don’t like robbing Peter to pay Paul. Sooner or later you’re gonna have to pay up which means sacrificing later on.
So, if we were to get him we would owe him approx. $19 million over the next two years PLUS either $4 million buy out or $16.5 million in 09. In my opinion, that’s two much for Mr. Accident-Waiting-to-Happen Griffey.
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this
I go to the self checkout lines these days, so I am not really sure if they give you the plastic or paper choice anymore. When Lew said that, it made me step back and think. I could not recall. I guess that says more about the pathetic kind of grocery shopping I do - just enough to get me in and out of the store in 10 minutes tops. The life of a bachelor.
Gotta love those self checkout lanes. Although I hate the sound of that voice that yells at you to PLEASE PUT THE ITEM IN THE BAG! I mean, seriously, what’s the deal with tone of her voice and the loudness of it? That computer woman could not be more belittling if she was trying. Does she have to let half the freaking store know that I have failed to put the item in the bag only a second after I scanned it by screaming at me?
Imagine if that was an actual human being talking to the customers that way. That could get real ugly. I am patient with her though. Someday, I just might not be though. As Chris Rock once said, I would never hit a woman, but I might sure as hell shake the sh!t out of one. (just kidding!).
Come to think of it, Grinch, you need to smuggle that poor woman out of that little self checkout machine. With her belittling, unforgiving, and myopic tone, we might have found Mr. Roboto’s soulmate in that self checkout machine lady. I’m seeing this as Lillith being hooked up with Frasier. If we rescue her, you’d better tell us Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto.
By Salty
June 18, 2007 9:23 PM | Link to this
Pitchers: 1/3 outings they feel great and expect to win. 1/3 they feel ‘so so’ and hope they can win 1/3 they feel like crap and try to tough it out.
I just hope Davies and James are getting the bottom 2/3’s out of the way now!!!
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 18, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
Funny, the guys announcing on the Boston feed are less biased than ESPN…. Go figure. Welcome back Carroll, good blog.
A reminder that all Duke alumni are ask to contribute to the “egg on their face” defense fund.
By A-ville Ranger
June 18, 2007 9:25 PM | Link to this
Looking ahead..way ahead.If Hampton is Healthy,we get Gonzo sometime early in the season,Davies and James develop consistency,etc pitching could be really strong next season.Edgar again,he’s the team mvp so far without a doubt.
By ElbravoX
June 18, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this
Can someone put at sock in sucklife’s mouth…
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this
Can someone put at sock in sucklife’s mouth…
I thought McCann did that with that bomb?
OH, the sucklife who needs a sock stuffed in his mouth you were referring to was not Schilling this time?
Okay.
By Braves Fan 79
June 18, 2007 9:41 PM | Link to this
ill take a 5th inning shut down job anyday! that a boy chuckie…. And whoever said woodward might be the best bunter on the team is dead wrong….did you just see that sorry bunt? ive seen him bunt 3 times this season…and 2 of them were crappy bunts.
By chrisklob
June 18, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this
BREAKING NEWS: Andruw Jones strikes out and looks foolish doing so!!!
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
June 18, 2007 9:48 PM | Link to this
I think the term “Red Sox fan” should be examined. If the individual is not from New England (born there, used to live there, relocated there) they should be excluded. Being a Red Sox fan is trendy like parachute pants. It’s “cool” to like the Red Sox, though most “fans” can’t tell you a thing about them prior to 2004. It’s because of these jerks that I’ve begin actively rooting against Boston.
By Carolina Lady
June 18, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this
Gil in Mechanicsville, I returned your greeting several blogs back, but it probably got lost in the mix somewhere. Just wanted to thank you for your Howdy and send one back! :-)
By Johnny R
June 18, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this
this forum’s appeal has peaked. o’brien has become paranoid. he’s now deleting most of what he considers hostile posts. T-shirts? That is definitely the deathknell.
What’s left is a brown-nosed crowd of o’brien bootlickers. If one can’t demean Robert, then supposedly one is stupid. “Oh gee DOB, great blog!”
All that is left is the ramblings of Bob Journalist, and I’d rather eat monkey puke than actually read through his blather.
The only interesting posters that remain are: Robert, JJS, and Grinch.
Btw Carroll, it’s nice you owned up the the Detroit mistake. However, did you admit you thought the Tigers actually won the WS? nope.
By MEB
June 18, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this
This is the kind of game the Braves have been needing for over a month. Feels good to air out the bats every now and then. Dusty Baker and Sutcliffe are supposed to be professionals… right?
By eric the elder
June 18, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this
Dusty Baker hit the nail on the head (which is almost always the best place to hit it). “This team belongs to the kids.”
That’s why talk of Griffey, Conine, and the like, makes no sense to me. I can go with an off season deal or two for starting pitchers, but let’s allow the rest of the team come into its own.
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this
GHF, I hate to tell you this but those parachute pants you’re wearing are out of style. :-)
By Lew
June 18, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this
Braveheart-The really pitiful part of the whole thing is that you’re taking orders from a machine. You have problems with a machine’s tone of voice. I’m not sure what that says about life these days. Efrim-Are you still thinking that McCann should be on the DL? Can you possibly understand the concept of hurting, but able to work your way out of it? Doubt it. Is everyone still certain that Thorman sucks and has no future as a ML ballplayer? Can we please put that crap to rest for good?
By Matthew At The SLC
June 18, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
It looks like Thorman is getting his stroke back. I guess the Salty at first experiment lit a fire under his butt. I knew he had talent though, it just is whether Cox will manage to help him fail to reach it.
It would be nice if the Braves pitching came together. James actually looked pretty good tonight, it would be nice if he is able to do it on a consistant basis.
Now that Leo’s “dream job” is over with I wonder if he is having second thoughts about leaving Atlanta. I hope McDowell gets the bottom half of the rotation get it together just to scorn Leo for leaving.
I just hope Smoltz can stay healthy and Hudson can keep it together. With out them, no matter how good the bottom of teh rotation is, they don’t have a chance. Also to go anywhere in the playoffs, one of the bottom three has to become better than just good. With the three man playoff rotation your bottom two can be streaky but your number three has to be on.
By MrC
June 18, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
Braves look decent tonight.
Robert that was a classic post. For those that missed it Roberts posted “There’s nothing like stating a retarded opinion with poor grammer and bad spelling.”
Grammer of course is spelled grammar. Best laugh in a long time especially considering all the efforts you have made today in pointing out others minor typing or spelling errors including attacking our blog mistress. Just another classic post.
By Salty
June 18, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
CL Hope the dentist didn’t beat you up too much! Nice job on the Fogelberg lyrics the other day…didn’t figure anyone would know that line! He was always one of my favorite writers…in the day!
By Mike
June 18, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this
Is there any update on John Smoltz’s health? Im really concerned with his health, I don’t want to think what would happen to the rotation if his injuries are lingering
By A-ville Ranger
June 18, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
Man that wasn’t the smartest move by chipper.I mean, he can’t keep injuring himself in bonehead ways.If his instincts don’t tell him not to brace hard on an injured hand,move him to first.
By chrisklob
June 18, 2007 10:00 PM | Link to this
GHF, please don’t tell me that parachute pants are popular again!
I tend to agree with your statement about all the Red Sox bandwagon fans but with all the love that they’ve gotten from ESPN/Fox/etc. the last few years it’s no big surprise. Let them have a couple of losing seasons and the media will forget about them and quit cramming them down our throats.
Personally I don’t mind. I’m a Braves fan first and foremost but enjoy watching the Red Sox. They’ve got good pitching and hitting and tend to be exciting. More than anything, I want someone to beat the Yankees. They are the ones that are really obnoxious!
By Bob
June 18, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
Truth, You are right about Czech bier. Shortly after the velvet revolution had the opportunity to head to Praque with the mayor of our German town. Stopped in Pilsen and had great bier and meal at the Pilsner Urquell Brewery. Czechs make excellent bier, although my favorite is a real good Bavarian Hefeweizen.
Bravos look good tonight. Funny seeing how everyone who have wanted to kill McCann and Thorman have jumped back on the bandwagon. The season is a journey folks, not a sprint. Don’t get too high or too low. Anyway nice game.
By Braves Fan 79
June 18, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
European beer snobs on here huh? i got one word for you….SOUTHPAW!! get u some of that good ol southern beer!
By fastasballs
June 18, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this
LOL, Dusty Baker just said Diaz hadn’t swung the bat well yet. Is he drunk?
By MBATL
June 18, 2007 10:04 PM | Link to this
I’m really surprised that Bobby used Salty to PH. Pena’s not on the roster, right? We’re carrying a ton of middle IF, and are sitting right now with no reliable catcher behind McCann.
I don’t have a problem with it for tonight … just surprised. Seems like a roster move is needed.
I’ve got a (bad) feeling that Escobar’s gonna get sent back down to play, rather than ride the bench. Really hope not, but we’ll see.
By cricket
June 18, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
man, why is chipper still in game ???
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
June 18, 2007 10:06 PM | Link to this
No way. I’m rocking the parachute pants, the muscle shirt, the mullet, and bandanas…
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
CL, sorry you’re feeling bad. If you wind up with any left over pain pills, I do take donations.
Bats look pretty good tonight; if Thorman and McCann are really out of their slump that’s gonna make a huge difference, especially if Bobby has enough sense to drop Andruw further in the order.
By Don
June 18, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
It’s probably spelled grammer in Oklahoma.
By Matthew At The SLC
June 18, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this
With Chipper’s sore hands and all the infielders the Braves have on the roster, why is Chipper still in there with this big of a lead? You would think considering how needed his bat is in teh line up that they wouldn’t take any risks with him reinjuring himself.
By A-ville Ranger
June 18, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this
The espn guys asked if Chipper’s a h.o.f.er.I think he needs 350 more rbi and 100 or so hr.In other words he needs to stay healthy for 400 to 500 games.
By MBATL
June 18, 2007 10:14 PM | Link to this
I guess the Salty at first experiment lit a fire under his butt.
Matthew At The SLC, I don’t think that’s it. That implies that Thorman was lazy, or taking his position for granted… I just don’t see that in his play, or what I know of his personality.
I think he was coming around in a platoon, and then we released Wilson (rightly so), and when Thor started playing against lefties, he started having trouble.
Let him play against righties for this year - he can hit them - and Salty against lefties, and all is well!
By Carolina Lady
June 18, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this
Hey, Salty! Broke a tooth 12 days ago, today’s appt was the first available. Doc inserted a tiny post into the remaining portion of the tooth and, in effect, built a new tooth around it. And I wish to announce that I will officially be ‘crowned’ July 19 at 1:45 pm. (Well, it’s probably the only crown I’ll ever get!! LOL )
Thanks - I loved Fogelberg, too. Knew exactly from whence the lyric originated! :-)
CR, you’re doing a great job! Good work!
By chrisklob
June 18, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this
GHF, you still kickin’ it with the Members Only jacket and skinny leather tie when you go to the disco too?
By Bob
June 18, 2007 10:20 PM | Link to this
Ugly 9th so far.
By Bob
June 18, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this
Yeah, Thorman is terrible defensively.
By chrisklob
June 18, 2007 10:23 PM | Link to this
I hope Thorman didn’t hurt himself on that play. Looked like he might have hyper-extended his knee coming down. It’d be a shame for him to get hurt just as it appears that his bat is heating up.
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this
Good game! I’m outta here; got work to do. Hold down the fort.
By MrC
June 18, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
Let the Mendoza line watch begin….
Andrew Jones after tonights 0-4 performance is at 204.633. If he goes 0 for his next 7 he will be there.
By Carolina Lady
June 18, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this
Thanks, Grinch! Not doing too badly. Was an interesting 12 days waiting for an appt, though! Got something called Tramadol and aspirin; it seems to be doing pretty well. But typing this evening is something of an adventure; somebody must have moved the keys around while I was out today…… and the screen is squiggly…… If there are any left-overs, I think I’ll save them for any future adventures I encounter. :-))
By Matthew At The SLC
June 18, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this
Yeah MBATL that could be it. Don’t forget have Thorman play as a late inning defensive substitution. That was a hell of a defensive play he made on that high throw by Edgar. Well
Braves win! I am glad especially against the Red Sox. If you have ever been in the crowd at Turner field against the Red Sox you know how the Red Sox fans run their mouths when ahead. They are really sore winners. Then when they get whooped they tuck their tails behind their legs like a beaten dog.
My palate is not so delicate as some of the beer snobs on here. I can drink a Miller Lite when there is nothing else, or when money is in short supply. And yes, Miller Lite really does taste better than Bud. I used to be Bud’s b—ch, but one day at my Uncle’s house, I had a Miller Lite, and was surprised to find that it tasted better.
Now, getting into the mid-level beers, Killian’s Irish Red (made by A-Busch, I believe) is decent enough. It has a nice, crisp taste associated with a red. Not as heavy as a Newcastle Brown Ale, which I also like, if in the mood.
I abhor Corona. It is looks like, and tastes like what I’m sure urine must taste like. If you want an excellent Mexican beer, Pacifico is the way to go. But I believe they only sell it on the West Coast. Dos Acquis Dark is also pretty good. I don’t like Becks or Heinekin. Too bitter.
Any Hef is a good Hef. Shiner makes a good Hef that they sell here. Heffewiessen is by far the best tasting of all beer types. Add a little lemon, and you are in beer heaven.
Sam Adams makes a decent Hef, and I enjopy their regular and seasonal brews. Honey Brown is good, but maybe a tad too sweet.
The local microbrews, such as found at places like the Buckhead Brewery, Max Lagers, or Turner Field are pretty good. The prevailing wisdom in beer is, the fresher, the better. Which is why it is always preferable to drink draft, as opposed to bottled.
Now, another prevailing wisdom is, the darker the beer, the “warmer” it must be. Even in a Killians, if it is served ice cold, it just doesn’t taste as good as if you let it warm up a few degrees. You taste the ful extant of the flavors when it is slightly warmer. So, by that logic, Newcastle should be warmer than that, and something like Black and Tan or Guiness should be consumed “cool,” not cold.
Now, I’ll tell y’all the best tasting beers I have ever drank. Believe it or not, they were brewed fresh in Utah. The Wassatch Brewery, named for the mountains framing Salt Lake City and Provo, produced two beers which I drank while stopping over in the SLC Airport. Wassatch Heffeweissen and a porter named Polygamy Porter. These beers were the epitome of excellence in taste, color and clarity, and finish. No bad aftertaste, just a perfect taste.
So, I am well-versed in many beers. I will not go further, elaborating on the Japanese and Okinawan beers I drank while stationed in Okinawa. I know a good beer when I taste one, yet I am not like some of the “beer snobs” here, all too willing to turn their noses up to a Miller Lite. Coors and Bud, yes. Even I have my limits. But I can enjoy Miller Lite for what it is. A decent American beer that is light on my wallet, and which goes down pretty easily, with a light taste, and no bad aftertaste. Is it as good as a Sam Adams? No. Is it as good as a Labat Blue, made by our neighbors to the north? No. But beer is beer is beer. And if Miller Lite is all there is, I’ll drink it.
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
June 18, 2007 10:33 PM | Link to this
You bet, chrisklob
Back to the Red Sox “fan” though… Profile of a typical 30+ BoSox fan: In football they liked the 49ers in the 1980s and the Bears (1985 only). The Cowboys in the 1990s and of course, the Patroits in the 2000s. Basketball it was the Lakers, Bulls, Lakers again, and naturally the Spurs. Baseball, Oakland in the McGuire days, the Braves (1991-1995), Yankees (1996-2000), and then the Red Sox (2004-2007).
By Carolina Lady
June 18, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this
Bob, journalist has been sloganized!
By Salty
June 18, 2007 10:36 PM | Link to this
CL Hang on to the meds…you still have a summer of putting up with ‘Mr. Deere’! You just might throw something out, throwing at it!!!
By Glass Half Full (GHF)
June 18, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this
Actually, I forgot my Members Only jacket at the movies in 1982. Stupid E.T.!!!
By Michael Procton
June 18, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this
I don’t think there should be a question about Chipper in the HoF. The one hole in his resume is the fact that he’s never led the league in a major statistic, and to a lesser degree, his injury-plagued later years. But what he’s been able to do as a switch hitter is incredible. The amount of guys on the lists who can compete with him who have hit from both sides of the plate is very small, and HOF voters respect that. Also impressive is the fact that his rate stats are very close to each other from either side of the plate. Obviously, there was more power from the right, but Chipper knew that, and as such, his BA has been 4 points higher. Most guys can’t do that. Furthermore, he ranks in the top 100 all-time in HOF Standards and HOF Monitor. These are Jamesian creations which measure the necessary statistical measurements to make the HOF. Chipper is well above the baseline for each, plus always solid defense, and given the fact that he’s likely to play at least a few more years, I seem him being a pretty sure HOF-er, if not necessarily a first ballot guy.
By The Truth Hurts
June 18, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this
Bob, I did the same tour at the Pilsner Urquell brewery. Goulash and beer afterwards. You know what I’m talking about.
What’s wrong with parachute pants? I always thought they were 2 legit 2 quit.
By Braves Fan 79
June 18, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this
i think we could of done without getting soriano and wickman up in the bullpen.
Good win thou by the home team. Go Braves!
By fastasballs
June 18, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this
Matthew, You are quite the beer connoisseur. One of the more informative non-baseball posts I have seen in a while.
When consuming large quantities I do like to stick with an American light beer, usually Coor’s Light. In my college days Natual Light or The Beast was the choice simply because it’s all we could afford.
Sam Adams is probably my favorite tasting beer, although too many imports to list are not far behind.
I’m with you on Corona, dog p** in a bottle is a good description. Not sure if you enjoy a good Bloody Mary, but the best tasting combination is with Miller High Life. I dislike the beer by itself, but add a little tomato juice & it’s damn good.
I have been on a tequila kick as of late. A buddy turned me on to Perone a while back & I’m in love, lol. Prior to Petrone I enjoyed a nice chilled 1800 gold.
By A-ville Ranger
June 18, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
I said back in spring training that Mcbride was releasing the ball short and off center.It was completely obvious tonight.If Macdowell can’t even pick that much up ,he may as well go back to Cal and get some surfing in.
By Carolina Lady
June 18, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this
No doubt about that, Salty! I could have used them a few days ago after lifting and moving a bunch of 40- and 50-lb bags of fertilizer and feed! That will take the starch out of your sails in a hurry!!
So good to get a WIN tonight!
LOL - I can hardly read this screen - I’m going to give up and turn in for the night. A better day tomorrow! ‘Night, all!!
By heaven
June 18, 2007 10:52 PM | Link to this
hey dont kill me but * is that espn dave o brien, ajc’s own dob*?
By Bob
June 18, 2007 10:55 PM | Link to this
Truth, yeah the Gulasch and the Boehmischer Knoedel. Not sure what they are called in Czech.
Matthew at the SLC. Enjoyed your beer run down. Agree with much of what you say. Only problem is Hefe with Lemon. Seems to be an American thing though. In Bavaria, where it originates we only drink a Kristal Weizen with lemon and that on a hot day. I hate to ruin a great Erdinger, Maisel, or Franziskaner Weiss Bier with a lemon. But to each his own. Still great rundown.
Nice game by the Braves tonight. Hope Huddy can pitch like he did in Minnesota and not like he has historically done against the Red Sox.
Red Sox fans can be obnoxious, which should be surprising since they have a tradition of failure over the past 70 years. I mean folks here complain about the 14 Division titles, but the Red Sox have only won one world title since WWI. Shouldn’t complain though. For those who can’t get local Braves broadcasts, the Yankees/Mets/Red Sox network (AKA ESPN) is carrying another game on Wednesday night.
By Bob
June 18, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this
No Heaven. Our DOB is much smarter.
By The Grinch
June 18, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this
One more quick comment: Matthew, I never said I didn’t drink American beer. I’ve consumed enough Bud, Icehouse, Coors (which brews Killians, by the way, but with an Irish recipe), and back in the old days Black Label, Meister Brau, PBR and any damn thing I could afford. If it’s cold, and it’s all that’s there, I’ll drink it. However, since I’m not broke at the moment, I don’t have to. America also has many, many fine microbrews. I was just comparing the mass-produced domestics against European beers, and I don’t find the comparison in the least bit favorable (ask your average German what he thinks of Busch light). It’s just not very good quality, in my opinion, and they only sell it because the average American doesn’t have good taste. They know how to make better beer; they don’t need to. The Japanese and Germans have been making better cars than we have forever, but since the average consumer didn’t demand better until recently the big three have been turning out cars where the door handle comes off in your hand the last 30 years. Why not, if you’ll buy it? Hey, I LOVE my Monte Carlo, but I drive an Acura back and forth to work because I know it’ll actually get there. OK, I promised a quick comment and now I’m on the verge of delivering a treatise on the stupidity and tastelesness of the American consumer. For another time. G’night.
By chrisklob
June 18, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
fastasballs, if you like Patron, I might suggest a few others to you. Sauza Tres Generaciones makes three wonderful tequilas. They are all a bit lighter in style than Patron with a very aromatic nose. You might say that it’s a feminine style of tequila. It’s also a little cheaper than Patron, at least in my market.
Tezon, which is a new brand, has a wonderful spicy quality to it. It’s aged in new white oak casks so it tends to be a little beefier in style. If you like bourbon you might try Cielo del Diamonte Anejo. It’s aged for four years in old bourbon casks and I would describe it as a bourbon drinker’s tequila.
Patron makes a product called XO Cafe. It’s a coffee-based tequila liqueur. Imagine Kahlua with tequila in the background. You’ve got to like both flavors but if you do it’s absolutely delicious. Careful though, too many will keep you from sleeping!
One of my person favorites is Gran Centenario. Actually, it’s 1800’s luxury tequila brand. Rich and full-bodied and available for about the price of Patron. Enjoy!
By A-ville Ranger
June 18, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this
I have a confessionto make,I love corona extra with fresh lime.How’s this for a seg-way ? I’m no Jason Giambi fan but somethings fubar about him being nailed to the wall for telling the truth while Bonds is on the verge of breaking Aaron’s record.It’s hard for me to believe anybody with half a brain doesn’t see that he’s guilty as hell.What’s the lesson in this ? never tell the truth ? Some talking head-cases have actually argued it just that way.I don’t know,it seems screwy to me.
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 11:09 PM | Link to this
My Lady, I read your Hey Salty broke a tooth and was in the process of posting an inquiry as to whether it occurred while he was playing first or catching … when I got call from five ex-wives with the news!
They all thought I had won some money!
That medicine they gave you is supposed to be good stuff … if you have some you want to share, I’ll email you my home address! I do seriously hope you’re feeling fine after this nice win by the kids!
The mask was getting old anyway … but, I’m used to the persona … it’s better than the real me, so no real reason to change … at least not until I can better determine what’s needed … and that may never occur, especially if my perceived … as an increasing number of nice folks have been reminding me … lack of perception is on the mark!
But, you never know, like jed said, … you sure don’t sound like no journalist to me! … or words to some effect. I couldn’t quite understand what he was saying but it sounded real nice!
By fastasballs
June 18, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this
Even though the Braves are facing some tough pitchers, they are all right handed, well until The Gambler was penciled in for Friday. The offense is heating up & it appears it’s going to be a group effort with the exception of Andruw.
They have been hitting & getting on base, but not getting the clutch hit as they did tonight. If that starts back up they can rattle off some impressive offensive performances that will overcome some of the pitching woes from Davies & James. James did pitch ok tonight, but he dodged bullets all night long.
Thorman is back to swinging the lumber, he just seems more comfortable in a platoon role.
Andruw should drop below the Mendoza line by Wed if he stays in the line up. I say sit him for the last two games of this series. Let Harris move over & have Diaz in left. Would you rather lose some defense in center, but gain a .340 hitter? Was Andruw getting a lot of boos? Or was it kind of quite since they were winning?
With Chipper back & IF McCann starts swinging like he did tonight then this team takes on an entire different look.
Edgar is money & Harris is not slowing down at the plate.
By Robert
June 18, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this
Carroll, please accept my apology for my snippy remark this afternoon.
On to other things - the fact that we can score 9 runs off a top flight pitcher with nary a hit from Andruw is a strong hint to me that our playoff hopes dont live and die with Andruw.
Someone said Andruw hasnt hit his weight in a month. Scanning his ba’s and glancing at his big behind, I’m not sure he’s hit his weight since ‘03
Since the ‘06 AS break, Andruw has hit .228
By The Truth Hurts
June 18, 2007 11:20 PM | Link to this
Matthew at the SLC, so much to say about your beer post. I don’t want to bore the blog, though. Is beer ever boring? I think it’s a philosphical question that Plato thought about inside the cave.
If being a beer snob is a character flaw, I shall pay for it in Purgatory, drinking Miller Lite.
Living in Europe forced me to turn my nose up at Bud/Miller products of the world. Like I said, it’s not my fault. It’s kinda like a crack baby. You don’t blame the crack baby for being addicted to crack when it’s born. Similarly, you don’t blame the expatriate in Europe for refining his beer palate. Just as not all left-handed relievers were born the same, not all beers give you the satisfaction of a 1-2-3 inning.
I don’t like fruity beers, so Hefs are not for me. Lemons belong in my water, not my beer. Sam Adams is probably the best “mass-produced” beer America offers. Microbrews are really the way to go, as indicated by your experience in Utah. As an aside, Sweetwater Tavern is good, better than Gordon Biersch, which isn’t bad (is there a Sweetwater in Atlanta?).
Pacifico is actually pretty good—for a Mexican beer. I have had some in D.C., so it’s not just a West Coast thing.
Budweiser? Try the original one—Budvar—from the Czech Republic. Some German immigrant brought the name when he came to America and the country has suffered for it ever since. Forget the two World Wars, this is where Germany really hurt us.
I could go on. I’ve only skimmed the surface and I’m cheating the topic.
However, out of courtesy, I will say this: Macay McBride must not like Atlanta very much. He’s like a homemade beer. You never know where it’s gonna end up and more often than not, it’s not on target. Maybe he can’t find a good microbrewery here. Maybe they were out of chicken wings, Miller Lite and donuts in the pre-game clubhouse meal.
Chad Paronto is sort of like Heineken/Becks/Harp for me. You think there’s got to be more to it than what you get. I mean, they’ve been around awhile, they ostensibly have good pedigree (a sinker for one, European for the others)…and yet once you’ve tasted the product, you’re left wondering why you were so disappointed. You give it another chance, but just as the beer fails to live up to its reputation, the sinker winds up in the air, headed toward the gap.
Soriano is like Guinness. Cool. Poured slowly. Don’t need much of either and the job gets done.
Anyway, kinda stinks not having a dependable lefty in our fat bullpen. We need a Sam Adams in our ‘pen—dependable, never lets you down, yet ubiquitous and hoppy.
Where is Alan Embree when you need him?
Oh, wait….
By Bob, Journalist
June 18, 2007 11:27 PM | Link to this
Don, methinks Oklahomans spell it’s the same aw most everybody else … it’s the big words with which they have trouble … actually, some Oklahomans are very well bred and smart … maybe the people aren’t but some of the Quarter Horses sure are!
By Bob
June 18, 2007 11:39 PM | Link to this
Truth,
You hit it right on Budvar. The town is called Ceske Budejuvice or Budweis from the old German and hence the name for St. Louis’ “best”.
True Bavarian Hefe’s really are not that fruity. The wheat and yeast are strong, but not nearly as fruity as our domestic virgins. If you really want fruity beers, Belgium is the place to go. The Belgiques have some great beers though and along with the Czechs and Germans know their brews.
By Bob
June 18, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this
Domestic Versions….Freudian Slip. Getting late. Good night.
By Bobby Cocks
June 18, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
Braves posting all points bulletin for Oddibe ‘Young Again” McDowell and/or Omar Moreno to play center field and still hit .250 or so. Hell a 70 year Otis Nixon not looking too bad at this point.
By Steve from OH
June 18, 2007 11:43 PM | Link to this
Great win tonight. I’m glad to see Thor looking better at the plate…he’s been hot recently. The only thing I would do if I was JS right now is to find a way to get Erik Bedard from the O’s. A 3.64 ERA in the AL east will look great for us. Anything short of Salty and Yunel, go for. If we get that solid starter we need, we’re a lock for the playoffs.
By The Truth Hurts
June 18, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this
Bob, I’ve been to Ceske Budejuvice, too!
Belgium has really good beer, you’re right. They claim it’s the best in the world, a stake the Czechs and Germans lay claim to, as well.
I think we’re kindred “spirits.”
That’s probably worse news for you than it is for me.
By Braveheart
June 18, 2007 11:49 PM | Link to this
Someone said Andruw hasnt hit his weight in a month. Scanning his ba’s and glancing at his big behind, I’m not sure he’s hit his weight since ‘03
LOL, Robert. I was thinking the same thing when that comment was made.
As for Chuck James, in a game where we score 9 runs, we should not have to use six pitchers and 5 relievers. Again, the kid pitches well enough, we win, but he is really failing the team by not going deeper into games. He does not strike out enough batters to be over 100 pitches before the sixth inning all the time.
By Bob
June 18, 2007 11:50 PM | Link to this
Steve from OH,
Would love to get Bedard, but I doubt even that idiot Peter Angelos would do that. The only strength on that team right now are their starters which I believe have the 4th best ERA in the AL. Their position players are a mess and their bullpen looks suspiciously like the one we had here in Atlanta last year. It would be great to get Bedard and with Angelos in charge, I guess anything is possible.
By Robert
June 18, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this
Here’s a pic from tonight’s postgame news conference.
http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b233/blacktara/BobbyCox.jpg
Bob, your hero was born in Tulsa Oklahoma
(though having lived for six months and despite it being Oklahoma’s Centennial year, with all kinds of festivities celebrating almost anything to do with Oklahoma, I have yet to hear a single Oklahoma claim Bobby Cox for the state)
By GermanBravesFan
June 18, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this
Aaaahhhhh… Looks like I logged on right on time - a beer discussion! :-)
Having lived in this country for 18 years now, I have to say I have yet to find a domestic beer that tastes like beer. Since moving to California, I have found some decent Hefeweizens: Pyramid and Widmer… Everything else will have to be from a micro-brewery. I just can’t handle Budweider, Coors, etc.
Grinch, what do you think?
By Bob
June 18, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this
Truth,
Hoooah. Hope I can enjoy a victory Erdinger Hefe tomorrow night too.
Ciao.
By Bob
June 19, 2007 12:00 AM | Link to this
GermanBravesFan,
You need to pick up some real Weiss Bier when you get to Franken next month. You will quickly forget about Widmir.
Luckily I can get Franziskaner at the Ft. Gillem Commissary here in the ATL. Now if I could only get a great Halbtrocken Bocksbeutel.
By Kentavo
June 19, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this
I think McBride just punched his return ticket to Richmond. The problem is, no lefties in the pen.
By Bob, Journalist
June 19, 2007 12:02 AM | Link to this
All the talk of Goulash made me hungry … when my wife and I were in Berlin, we had Gulaschsuppe once or twice a day at the hotel … for eight days straight!
The servings kept getting larger and larger … and on the last day they brought two vats instead of bowls! It’s tied with Conch Chowder as our favorite.
I haven’t had more than 5 beers in the last 10 years … maybe 15 … but most any homegrown German beer was good … I always liked mine with a teaspoon of champaign or white wine per litre mug … but that made it so smooth that it was too easy to forget the who, where, and what you were … the good thing was just that! … that is, you didn’t remember it if you so did.
Of course, I liked the Bavarian Bacon Beer too! Goodnight Miss Allen
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 19, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this
Amazing…… Carroll you may have a breakthrough here. We have gone from discussing baseball and music to baseball and beer. Perhaps you should take hold of this and end each blog with a recommended list of great beers and ales as opposed to Dave’s musical lyrics.
As for my taste in alcohol….. Best we not go there as the list is long and the night is short. My best recommendation however is to never confuse price with value. Never be ashamed to say you like something when you do. It does not have to be overpriced to be good.
Great game tonight for the Braves by the way. Need a few more just like it. I can assure you the Braves management does not care who the fans in the seats are rooting for, just as long as they are paying for the tickets. It’s all good.
By GermanBravesFan
June 19, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this
Bob… I’ll get some “Halbtrocken Bocksbeutel”; I’ll be going to Germany in late July. I know that the Bavarian Hefeweizen is the best, but I just needed something to get me through some rough nights, so I went with Pyramid!
I actually found a bunch of different German beers at the local Trader Joe’s (Franziskaner, Henninger, etc.) that will work.
Did you know that a lot of the big German breweries (e.g. Becks) have their beer brewed in Belgium? Odd…
By Sir Stealth
June 19, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this
Some of the beer comments made on here are frustrating. The best beer in the world is made in the United States. The Europeans who supposedly wouldn’t use our beer for dishwater have not been able to match the best microbrewed beers across the U.S. Saying that Budweiser is all that the U.S. has to offer is like saying that Wendy’s typifies the typical American cuisine.
Also ethat I didn’t say McDonalds. I love eating at Wendy’s, it actually tastes damn good at the right time. Just like I have no problem raising a cold bottle of Bud Heavy and don’t have to feel self-conscious about it. Hell, I’ll even drink Keystone Light out of a keg and enjoy it. I know the difference between that and a finely crafted beer. Believe me, I’ve sampled a very good many of the best local beers all across the United States, north south east west, enough to not need to feel self-conscious about what I drink or try to assert my inner beer snob about it.
The beers around the world are both good and bad, just like the beers here. Every Czech beer I’ve had has been excellent. Other than that, every other country I’ve been to in Europe has been hit and miss. Some very good, some very bad. Of course, when you’re in Europe, the first thing people will say to you is that they think McDonalds sucks, like that’s our prime haute cuisine selection or something, the best regional/cultural thing our 50 states can offer and not just something people eat cause it’s cheap.
So I say, feel proud of the excellent beer that your local American microbrewer is crafting in your hometown. Sample a new good beer on tap at the bar when you’re out with your friends, or just order a Budweiser, whatever you want. Who cares, it’s beer. Being a snob is for wine critics.
By Bob
June 19, 2007 12:24 AM | Link to this
GermanBravesFan,
No surprise to me. I am not a big fan of most German Pilsners as they are a tad too bitter for me. Prefer Exports and especially Hefe Weizens. Warsteiner is a Koeniglich exception.
Enjoy your trip and enjoy the Fraenkische Bratwurst.
By Coach
June 19, 2007 12:29 AM | Link to this
Damn , it’s amazing what happens when Andruw isn’t batting fourth or fifth isn’t it ? Hey Bobby , your a genius. You only waited a month to late before you bumped him down the lineup. If I’m not mistaken I think Andruw is something like 10 for 72 so far this month. That computes to a whopping .138 batting AVG. WOW ! Enjoy the win fella’s , Beckett is pitching tomorrow.
By GermanBravesFan
June 19, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this
Bob…
Will do! I am having a “Spaten Optimator” right now. Not too bad!
Sir Stealth: well said! I think there are good beers everywhere! One just has to look hard enough…
By Sir Stealth
June 19, 2007 12:31 AM | Link to this
As for the Braves, great win. I’m glad Thorman is getting hot - hopefully the competition will continue to have a positive effect. Our lineup could be truly ruthless if everyone would just click at the same time. I really hope that McCann is finally getting healthy. As for Andruw, what can even be said at this point. One of the first things that made me optimistic about this season was Andruw in his contract year. And yet there’s always the hope that he’ll find it again at some point this year and all of a sudden we will find ourselves with an absolutely stacked squad.
People can criticize Chuck James all they want for not pitching enough innings, but I think that 6 quality innings is great. Even with no Gonzalez, we can still have a deep, effective bullpen that shouldn’t have a problem locking down 3 innings a night. I hope and believe that we’ll add another effective starter at some point but our shaky rotation is far from hopeless.
Huge game for Huddy tomorrow. He seemed to snap out of a slide last time around, and we really need him to be on that level and rely on him to pick up big wins. We have a great opportunity to take a series from the BoSox now and cannot afford to blow it. I’m away from Atlanta right now but wish I could be at Turner Field to heckle all the swarms of Red Sox fans, who all seem to think they’re so cute and special for being there. Congratulations on embodying either bandwagon hype or transient out of placeness.
By The Grinch
June 19, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
Ok, glad I got that out of the way. GBF, I did not know that about big German beers being brewed in Belgium. Hmm. Doesn’t surprise me, though; I’ve taken to looking at any “Imported” beer closely and noticed that quite a lot of them are brewed in Canada “Under licence” of a European brewery. Damn the man! Had some Franziskaner wheat beer a couple of weeks ago; good stuff. Sounds like a few of us need to get together and tour some breweries one of these days. Maybe Lew can be the DD since he doesn’t drink. Bob, you haven’t had ten beers in 15 years? I had 11 last night after switching off from martinis! My god, man! Still and all, you’re a good fellow. I agree with whoever stated there isn’t enough room here to state one’s likes/dislikes involving beer. I will say I’m certainly not stuck on one type; I try different beers all the time. Often in the same evening. Variety is the spice of life, after all. What’s left over in my fridge now are two Sam Adam’s Honey Porter’s, a Beck’s dark, a Red Stripe, a Sapporo and a sixer of Sweetwater 420. That plus some orange juice, mustard and several containers I don’t even want to open. Being single’s a trip. :-) Time to sack out. Later.
By Bob
June 19, 2007 12:39 AM | Link to this
Sir Stealth,
There are lots of places in Europe where the beer is not great and there are some very good US microbreweries. It is a matter of taste, but the big US beers are pretty bad.
As for their comments on MacDonalds, yeah you do hear them. I lived in Germany for 21 years and I was told the only people that would go to a MacDonalds were GIs and American tourists. At first that was true, but quickly that proved to be absolutley wrong. Whenever I drove from Heidelberg down to my relatives in Munich I would swear that there were more MacDonalds on the Autobahns than on the US Interstates. Of course, since the MacDonalds serve good ole German Beer, the reasons for visiting might be skewed.
Enjoy whatever you like. Prost!
By GermanBravesFan
June 19, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this
Grinch,
Later, dude! I will make sure to visit some of the San Francisco microbreweries when the Braves play there in a couple of weeks!
I might even try and get Bobby Cox’s attention to put in a good word for Robert… ;-) Well, time to have another cold one and get ready for bed….
Later, all!
By Coach
June 19, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this
Chipper is 12 for 24 in the six games he has played since coming off the DL. That is of course a .500 AVG , hitting is contagious.
By N8
June 19, 2007 12:55 AM | Link to this
Coach
I noticed the “NOT DRINKING THE KOOL-AID” is missing from your moniker. You didn’t succumb to the temptation to have a swallow, did you? Hopefully, nobody slipped you a mickey.
LOL!
By The Truth Hurts
June 19, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this
Sir Stealth, I don’t think I agree with everything in your beer post, but we agree to the extent that microbrews are THE way to go in the U.S.
The big difference b/t countries like the Czech Republic (where I’ve been fortunate enough to live), Germany, Belgium, Ireland, etc. is that their beer for the masses is at least equal to, in many cases just better than, even our mircrobrews here (won’t even mention the big boys here). And the fact that it’s cheaper than water over there simply adds to its appeal.
Of course there are good beers everywhere. They’re just easy to find in those countries; not always the case here.
Just one man’s opinion.
You know what’s the funniest though? Yes, McDonald’s and Britney Spears is equated around the world with the rather vague concept of “Americana.” And I, like many expats on here, were subject to the occasional verbal jab as a result.
Want to guess if I’ve ever seen an empty McDonald’s in Prague?
A beer for you if you can name the artist I frequently heard on radio over there?
Let’s not let one win against Boston distract us from an issue that will continue to plague this team (and, in some ways, did tonight): a dearth of quality starting pitching.
Yes, C.J. held Boston (w/o Ortiz) to 2 runs in 5 innings. But his pitch count is still high. The bullpen is as big a factor in his starts as he is. Kyle Davies is still hanging around and has the same issues. Who knows what we’ll get with Buddy Carlyle or whomever else they trot out in the 5 slot?
I’ll reiterate what I’ve been saying for the past 6 weeks: the lineup is not the problem. Griffey, Jr.? Not a priority need. You know the three keys to real estate, right? Well, the three keys to baseball are pitching, pitching, and pitching.
One situational lefty in the bullpen that can get lefties out (rather than walk them) is the second biggest need on this team. Griffey, Jr.? That’s a joke, right?
By N8
June 19, 2007 1:05 AM | Link to this
Braveheart
“As for Chuck James, in a game where we score 9 runs, we should not have to use six pitchers and 5 relievers. Again, the kid pitches well enough, we win, but he is really failing the team by not going deeper into games. He does not strike out enough batters to be over 100 pitches before the sixth inning all the time.”
Bravo. I pretty much said the same thing ealier tonight. It’s not that I’m unhappy with the 2 runs allowed in 5.1 IP. That’s just fine. But he’s gotta be able to at least get into the 7th inning, if not through the 7th, whe we score that many runs.
I understand that in a “tight” game, we may choose to PH for him, thus shortening his outing. But that wasn’t the case tonight.
This outing would have been more than acceptable, last year, when he was a surprise as our 5th starter.
But not for a guy that’s #3 in the rotation.
On a side note, did anybody get a kick out of Dusty Baker talkin about looking up in the stands when he was with the Giants and seeing his kid doing the “chop”? The his kid tried to sneak a foam tomahawk home. GREAT STORY!
Dusty also made a nice observation. He stated that Thorman’s HR, was the difference in NOT bringing in Soriano, which could be huge, later in the series.
It was also pretty frickin hillarious, listening to him try and pronounce Salty’s name.
By Michael Procton
June 19, 2007 1:06 AM | Link to this
Speaking of left-handed pitching and McBride’s rough outing tonight, we should definately take a look at JC Romero. He just got released by Boston today, and I’m sure he’ll end up on his feet somewhere. I guess he’s been both wild and hittable this year: 24H, 15 BB in 20 IP (I know, stay with me), but he’s avoided damage with a 3.15 ERA and was 3.5 or less 2 out of the last 3 years. Also, he’s done much better this year against lefties, though it’s not anything to write home about. Either way, he’s been good in the past, he’s lefthanded, and he’s available on the cheap, likely. No sense in not taking a look (a la Rheal Cormier, who apparently developed a case of WVD after we wouldn’t call him up within his first week at Richmond.)
By GermanBravesFan
June 19, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this
One last thing… has anybody heard this one:
American beer is like making love in a canoe….
….it’s f#$&ing close to water!
Good Night!
By Coach (NOT EVEN DRINKING THE KOOL AID )
June 19, 2007 1:28 AM | Link to this
Naw , I’m just using a different computer. Ya’ll ready for this ? Andruw so far in June: 3 HR - 5 RUNS - 6 RBI - 4 WALKS - 18 STRIKEOUTS - 44 RUNNERS LEFT ON BASE , 10 FOR 72 and a whopping .138 AVG !!!!!
By Wayne in Utah
June 19, 2007 1:59 AM | Link to this
OK game by Chuckie tonight, would have liked to have seen him go one inning longer, but…..
Thorman is looking up, and thanks to Bobby for pushing AJ down to 6th, now lets get him down to 7th or 8th, where he belongs.
Nice to see Baby Huey hitting the ball again.
Willie didn’t look so good on the basepaths tonight though.
By gotigers72
June 19, 2007 2:16 AM | Link to this
This crow I’m having to eat [due to McCann’s power stroke tonight] tastes horrible. Let me add some salt and pepper. Nope doesn’t help a bit. I’ll gladly munch on it nightly if he continues to crush it like he did tonight.
Andruw continues to freefall toward the Mendoza line. He said in the article about his average that it’s “no big deal”? Huh? Does he really believe that? He’s not even driving runs in from 3rd with less than 2 outs any longer. I believe he’s missed in the last 3 chances in that situation. And all he had to do was hit something besides a pop up or avoid a strikeout because the infields were back. He couldn’t even do that. He hardly ever even stings the ball anymore. Strikeouts or weak pop ups and ground balls is about all he does nowadays. It’s gonna cost him some money as a free agent. Wait, I forgot that there’s always a moron owner like that guy in Texas that gave A-Rod 25 mil a year so his team could continue to finish in last place every year. There will be some snot for brains owner that will pony up mega millions for Andruw and his weak bat and stubborn attitude. Yes, I’ll eat 2 crows a night if he breaks out and hits like he has in the past.
Get to see some serious heat tommorrow night from Beckett. Just hope he doesn’t have that wicked breaking ball he throws, ‘cause the Braves are pretty damn good at hitting just about anybody’s fastball. It’s the guys with nasty breaking balls that give them the most trouble.
By black lagoon
June 19, 2007 3:32 AM | Link to this
Yesterday, the Toronto Blue Jays designate Toma Ohka for assignment
can the braves get Toma Ohka & see if he can put up some wins in that 5th spot……..cant be worst than redman, davies or anyone else a
By serbok
June 19, 2007 3:34 AM | Link to this
I do wanna send kudo’s bobby’s way~ for droppin andrew to 6 spot~made all the difference in the world! Every chance I get to send a kudo to bobby ~will certainly be posted! If AJ is hitting 5th 2day~ wow
By Bob, Journalist
June 19, 2007 4:08 AM | Link to this
Johnny R, we all have our own food preferences … I really like sousemeat and saltines … and I can understand folks preferring to eat rather than read what I’ve posted … I’m one of those and sometimes I even eat while I type.
However, if you’ve been having trouble understanding what you think might be nonsense, you’re certainly not alone but you should have said something … I honestly try to say things so that they mean something to everyone.
You think you have trouble but it’s the responses that can really get confusing … since my posts often mean radically different things to different people, sometimes quite different from what was intended.
So, again, if you don’t understand, please ask! I may not personally know myself, but surely somebody will … or at least have an opinion (I frequently say things for effect but hopefully the meaning is clear, regardless of the words … that’s about as nonsensical as I intentionally get).
Last thoughts on Andruw and Salty
I’ve advocated having Andruw benched on more than ocassion but tonight’s game served only to strengthen my conviction that to so do would benefit both Andruw and the team.
Some have the genuine concern that benching or dropping Andruw in the batting order might have a negative impact on some of the younger players because of the added pressure of feeling they had to raise their level of play.
It’s a good point and worthy of serious consideration … but, while we must assume that everyone truly wants Andruw to do well, it’s easy to see the feelings of dejection each time he comes to the plate, not just when he makes the out … but, with just about each pitch.
The pressure is already there, and mounting with each poor at bat … benches are much more comfortable than they once were.
There has been opposition to the notion of using Salty as a bench player because he needs to play every so as to sharpen his skills and better learn his craft. That sounds good on the surface but, we tend to forget just how much knowledge a young player can absorb while being a bench player in the Major Leagues … just being able to listen and watch must within itself be awesome … and valuable.
That’s it for me …
By serbok
June 19, 2007 4:31 AM | Link to this
- Robert! Grammer of course is spelled grammar. Best laugh in a long time especially considering all the efforts you have made today in pointing out others minor typing or spelling errors including attacking our blog mistress. Just another classic post.
YOU attacked our blog mistress? I missed it, as I just got on blog maybe 30 minutes ago. regardless son! I have and still support your views on Bobby Cox! HOWEVER! YOU KNOW one false grammatical error on your part will bring fire and brimstone? If one wants to take the road you have decided to venture upon (truth) Playing on a blog that has clearly marked you as The Truth That will not be heard? Every move , every keystroke WILL be magnified tremendously, To show the truth to entrenched fanatics of the of said intended audience, there must not be missteps on your part! Seems to me, the tone of many Braves bloggers have shifted from Being “King Bobby” To realizing the man has and is gonna cost “us” more games in the future. However I was very impressed by the way Bobby “handled the game tonight. IE Thorman He seems to be reversing decisions that he was making earlier in the year, Can a 65 yr old man actually be learning from some of the mistakes he made earlier this year? (I dunno) I wouldnt bet on it tho:o( Any rate, you are a “marked man” so to speak. IMO, I havent read anywhere as to someone else on the blog retorting with information that contradicts your original blog or you your response to the previous blogger. IMO, You do NOT do a very good job of communicating. As i said, I do agree with you more than most of the time! I havent seen a single retort from one of your posts that were discredited. Thats due to the facts!!!!!! And you quote them very well! You are lacking in only one respect my friend! You havent a clue as how to communicate! Whether or not you care to “Know” how to communicate is another story!!!! LMAO!
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 19, 2007 4:42 AM | Link to this
Good mornin’ all, The old ulcer awoke me from my slumber and so I am spending a few hours getting caught up with the blog.
I read and article on MSNBC sports about McCann visiting his dad upon his return to Atlanta to get his swing straight prior to last night’s game against the Red Soxs. Appears to have worked out quite nicly.
Interesting comments from Terry P. about working with Andruw to get his swing corrected. Seems he cannot carry into the game the things they have worked on in the cage. Yep, golfers have had the same problem for years. Doing what come naturally is okay as long as it is working, Otherwise we may see Andruw batting ninth behind Woodward. Now isn’t that and ugly thought?
By serbok
June 19, 2007 4:52 AM | Link to this
In the wee hours of 2morrow~ will come thoughts to Bob, Journalist
Saving DOB till the end of the season? LOL (maybe?)
P.S If I get kicked out of the club prior to whenever~ I WILL take our “secrets” and sale them to the current President of the Seattle SEAhawks! LOL
By Berigan
June 19, 2007 4:54 AM | Link to this
Great win tonight!!!! A few thoughts….
Chuck James threw a lot of pitches, but that really is Red Sox ball, I thought they would get healthy against him tonight, so doing what he did was great!
Glad to see Thorman do well again! Hope his hitting and McCann’s hitting bode well for the future. I really hope the homer helps McCann’s confidence, but I did notice it was a 85 MPH “Fastball” from Schilling. Anyone not named Andruw should be able to hit that….
Andruw. What more can anyone say, that hasn’t been said before??? .205??? Did Coach really say he has hit .138 for the month of June??? Holy Toledo!!!
Bob, Journalist,
Seems like many of us see that it couldn’t hurt to have Andruw sit a few games, why doesn’t Bobby see this??? Is it because except for lazy play many years ago, he has never benched him before???
Andruw HAS to be fatigued mentally by this. Did Boros say…don’t miss any games this year kid! If I can say you have played at least 153 games every year since 1997, and that this past season, 2007, 30 year old superstar Andruw played EVERY one of his teams 162 games, playing like the second coming of Willie Mays, I can get you 20 Mil a year!
By Gil in Mechanicsville
June 19, 2007 5:00 AM | Link to this
serbok…. The reason many have not debated Robert is many no longer take him seriously, therefore we just skip his post. It is unfortunate that he has allowed his dislike for Bobby Cox to skew his view to the point of insanity.
Bottom line is the manager does not hit, field or pitch. It is up to the players to carry out a game plan. I am not sure who is available that will do a better job with the team when Bobby retires but I do know it will be a tough legacy to follow.
By Ron Roberts
June 19, 2007 5:39 AM | Link to this
Give Bobby Cox some credit… he didn’t toss aside Scott Thorman (like many of you wanted to, despite my pleading for some patience with the kid) and now the boy’s on a tear.
About 12-13 games into Saltalamacchia’s career some of y’all were ready to move him out of position to play 1B instead of Thorman. Well, Thorman’s last 11 games…
.333 (13 for 36) 3 HRs 5 RsBI
What irrational conclusion do we come to with that, Saltamaniacs?
Oh, I know… play Saltalamacchia in CF and bench Andruw now, right? LOL Why not? Play him somewhere else he’s unfamiliar.
All jesting (and jeering aside), what a great game out of this team last night. Chuckie did a pretty fine job, and I think he could’ve gone longer, but Cox managed a gem with the bullpen; aside from having to use Wickman in the 9th (for one pitch, mind you…) he kept his big arms in the ‘pen well-rested for what will probably be a nail-biting five-game stretch at home. Getting the first one outta the way (and shutting up all those obnoxious visitors in red) was huge.
I’m sure Robert will pick apart how Cox almost blew it on several occasions last night, but I’ve stopped reading his rants, so anybody still doing so can fill me in.
Seriosuly, good to see the bottom of our lineup producing and really good to see McCann swinging a hot stick again. That’ll shut up the “bench McCann” contigent of the Saltamaniacs, too.
Stop rushing the kid to stardom, folks. Let him absorb some big league experience on the pine, pinch-hitting, and spot-starting. There’ll be a place for him in the bigs, and if nets us his services for the long haul, or a nice marque pitcher via trade, then so be it.
And on Griffey… anybody else just know the minute we get him he pulls a hammy? Does this team need another big-name, big-pricetagged veteran who’s injury-prone?
By Berigan
June 19, 2007 5:41 AM | Link to this
Gil, If you are still around, I feel you pain with the ulcer issues! Not that I have that problem(About the only stomach issue I don’t have) but, I have a pretty good case of acid reflux disease(didn’t know it could be a disease!)and had my gall bladder out last year. Have to take 3 meds for these problems…and still have issues.
By Berigan
June 19, 2007 5:49 AM | Link to this
back to baseball.
I had a thought(I get them every once in awhile) Let’s say a lefty was in the game, so Diaz was in left field. In the 8th in a 2-2 tie game, Bobby uses wee Willie Harris against a righty. Gets a hit, but is stranded. Diaz stays in left. But, in the 9th in this tie game, Diaz hurts his hammy, and has to come out. Who plays in the outfield in this 16 inning game then? Thorman who as far as I can recall hasn’t played an inning this year in the outfield? How come it’s no big deal to have only 4 outfielders, or 2 catchers, but we simply must have 7 infielders?
By ssiscribe
June 19, 2007 7:10 AM | Link to this
Top of the morning, denizens. A short night of sleep after a really fun night at the yard last night.
First and foremost, Bradley is off base in his column. Now, being somebody who used to write columns, I know what it’s like to get ripped, threatened, criticized, etc. But I was there, and I thought the energy in the yard was fantastic last night. I told my wife I wish it was like that every night.
We’ve beaten the whole fan thing to death through the years (apathetic fans, transplant city, yada yada yada), so I’m not going there. I’ll say this: Whenever the Red Sox fans got going, the Braves fans responded. It was fun. Hot night, big crowd, a little rain, then more heat and humidity. Good stuff all the way around. Of course there will be a loud contingent of Red Sox fans … they’re the freaking Red Sox, the most passionate fans in all of baseball.
Now, Andruw (noted transition from the noted Scribe, who may be playing center field by week’s end if AJ doesn’t start hitting): Dude is as lost as a puppy in the Chattahoochee National Forest. Swing is a mess. Approach is a mess. I’m sick of seeing him swing at the first pitch down and away and popping it up. He needs a day off, a day to sit and watch. I screamed for Bobby to do the same thing with Frenchy in the early part of last season when he was struggling so bad, and I think AJ’s reached the point now where he needs to sit. If he’s in the lineup, he needs to be hitting sixth, where he was last night.
Now, pitching: I would not have taken James out, and I would have left Moylan in (you could have used our Wonder from Down Under to try and bunt in the bottom of the sixth). McBride’s gotta throw strikes. Sure, we used seven pitchers, but we got it done and there is an off day Thursday. Just need Huddy to go seven tonight against Beckett.
Think Chuckie still is struggling some with getting ahead in the count, but as the game wore on, he found a groove and did a better job throwing strikes early in the count. If he and Davies can ever establish themselves consistently early in the count, we might have enough in the middle of the rotation.
Now, milkshakes (whoa! Where’s the Scribe going with this transition?): After a night of screaming down the Red Sox, chanting and chopping, yelling at Andruw to do something other than look bad, a tall milkshake soothes those stressed vocal chords (good thing my radio stuff doesn’t happen too often; don’t think I could’ve done more than a couple of minutes last night). A tall mint chocolate chip milkshake is a winner after a Braves win over the best team in baseball.
And now, it’s time to work. And after that milkshake, there will be a time today to hit the gym. Huddy and Beckett in what should be a great one tonight.
The Scribe abides.
—30—
By Braveheart
June 19, 2007 7:15 AM | Link to this
Magic Number is 95!
By Ron Roberts
June 19, 2007 7:29 AM | Link to this
Berigan… I think Cox could put Kelly Johnson out there and maybe throw Woodward in at 2B. Just as an emergency measure.
Or he could put Escobar or Pete Orr in at 2B. Escobar might even be alright for LF in an emergency.
Scribe… I, too, wondered why pinch-hit for Moylan when that’s all you were gonna ask Woodward to do. That being said, I’m betting& Moylan’s a step (or *three) slower than Woodward, and Woody did score eventually. But I was with you on that same wavelength at the moment Woodward squared to bunt.
By Soul Man
June 19, 2007 7:39 AM | Link to this
Scribe, I work at a radio station and I have to be in every weekday at 6 a.m. I’m beginning to look forward to your post each morning. About Andruw: For years he was my favorite Brave because he was always smiling. That ended a few years ago when I saw smiling after hitting into a game-ending out. Now for him to say batting .205 “isn’t a big deal” is too much for me to bear. This guy was the MVP runner-up not two calendar years ago, for crying out loud! And now he’s about to drop past Mr. Mendoza?! Now I know there are some who’d like to putt Francoeur in center, Kelly Johnson in left, Willie Harris in right and Yunel Escobar at second. While that everyday lineup might give us more production than one with Andruw in it, that’ll never happen. Andruw will be in the lineup (save a couple off days every now and then) as long as he’s a Brave. They’ve spent too much money, his glove’s still too good and the loyal-to-a-fault Bobby Cox is at the helm. I guess I don’t know what reaction I want to hear from Andruw. If he still hits .205 but sounds like he feels bad about it, does that make it better? Not really. Alright, off to the coffee pot. I have to write news for the 8:30 cast.
By Paladin
June 19, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this
Many of the Braves, knowing that the coin is out of circulation, took the opportunity to cash in their “Schillings” last night. But, Andruw—unwisely—is saving his for a rainy day.
By Lee
June 19, 2007 8:07 AM | Link to this
This Andruw thing is getting uglier by the night. Even Boras has to be losing a little sleep over this.
By Steve McP
June 19, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this
Oh no, only got to look at last night’s blog just now and noticed the discussion on beer. Being English (and a member of the Campaign for Real Ale for 25 years) this is one topic i feel able to comment about.
Firstly the American microbrews are often excellent, a wide range of interesting falvours and some unusual taste combinations that have also been introduced into some UK brewers’ offerings - a bit like American wines changing the French product over time.
But the mass produced American beers are really awful, i am convinced that the reason they have to be served so cold is so that people cannot taste them. Fortunately most places have the sense to include some local offerings in their beer selection so usually something reasonable is available.
The big problem I have with beers over here is that they are too fizzy and served too cold generally. There was much talk of the European beers and although they are often fizzy, because they are deliberately served with a huge head if left for a few minutes they become flatter and they are also served at a cellar temperature rather than a degree or two above freezing point, which seems to be the norm for America - serving cold beer in a frozen glass is just plain scary!
I was brought up on the warm flat beers of England and would be delighted if cask ale ever got any sort of foothold in the US, but I think that the skills needed to look after this product (more than having people who would like to drink it) probably preclude that happening anytime soon - there is one bar in Asheville (Dirty Jack’s) which serves cask ale, but it is only one beer and you never know what style is going to be on offer, you also need to be willing to sit in the equivalent of a garage to drink it, but even with those privations it is still a nice change.
Well, enough for now, having come to this discussion late I expect that most of the beer afficianados have moved on, but I felt that I had to add some comments to support my homeland’s brews.
By Ron Roberts
June 19, 2007 8:15 AM | Link to this
Under the team notes category of the sports section here, it was noted that Andruw has been working extra batting cage duty and with Terry Pendleton. And TP says the problem is more translating what they’ve done in the batting cage to tbe ball game.
I can see how that can happen; I won’t boo Andruw as long as I know he’s working on correcting it. Frankly, two or three days ago I’d have been a pessimist about Andruw. Reading that sort of changed my mind; I think he’s close to breaking out of it with a batting tirade fairly soon. Remember it was me who said it, k? grins
I’m also the guy who said to show some patience with Thorman a few weeks back (and took quite a lashing from the Saltamaniacs in here, too, as many you might recall) and uh, Thorman’s on fire the past 11 games, too.
Oh, I’ve been wrong before, too, but when it comes to showing some patience, with the young guys in particular, and with the proven veterans, too, I’ve just watched Bobby Cox manage this team, day in, day out, since 1991. I just know how he thinks, and by and large, it’s hard to argue with the results.
By Ron Roberts
June 19, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this
Hey Soul Man… I, too, work in radio. Whatya do, man? And where at?
If ya don’t wanna say for all to read, I understand.
By Bailey
June 19, 2007 8:31 AM | Link to this
Ron I’ve been out a few days…is everyone still wanting to execute Thorman??
By Ron Roberts
June 19, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this
MLBTraderumors.com says the Cubs (rumor) are interested in obtaining Griffey Jr. for LHP (starter) Sean Marshall and Jacque Jones.
First of all, with all the tuoble they’ve had with their starters’ injuries, I find this surprising.
Secondly, if they’re willing to trade him, I say LET’S get him ourselves!
I don’t think the Cubs are dangling him, though, personally.
The other thought on MLBTradeRumors.com was the Mets chatting with the Pirates about Shawn Chacon and Damaso Marte. Marte’s an effective lefty out of their bullpen, and it would seem we could still use a lefty out of the bullpen. And
By Ron Roberts
June 19, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this
Bailey… I just remember how persistent the “bench Thorman, play Salty” posts were, after the kid had played a grand total of, what 13 games since his call-up?
I’m just pointing out how silly it can be to make knee-jerk decisions on a handful of games. Of course nobody’s bad-mouthing Thorman now. They’re laying low and distancing themselves from their prior derision.
By jerbo
June 19, 2007 9:00 AM | Link to this
HOla,
Has Bobby said anything about starting moylan? He has outstanding stuff and could be better than kyle (big inning) davies or coyler. Any idea of starting pitchers that are available and the braves are interested in?
jerbo
By Ron Roberts
June 19, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
I don’t think Moylan would make a good starter, only because of his mechanics and his stuff. I think he’s very effective out of the bullpen with the differing arm angle and speed. Give the batters 2-3 times around to catch on to him, and they’d start teeing off, I think. I also think his side-arm delivery, coupled with the velocity he does throw would eventually kill his arm if he pitched too many innings. Just my two cents, Jerbo.
By Epinephrine
June 19, 2007 9:11 AM | Link to this
It sure does look like Thorman is much better at hitting right handers exclusively. Myabe switching affects his groove, etc., but I am all for a platoon system there.
By Shaun
June 19, 2007 9:12 AM | Link to this
Here’s something interesting:
Andruw has one fewer K than Grady Sizemore. They have the same amount of HR. Andruw has 3 more doubles and Sizemore has 2 more triples. Andruw’s Isolated Power (SLG-AVG, taking singles out of SLG) is .189 to Sizemore’s .185.
Sizemore has 25 more hits and only 9 more walks.
The difference between Sizemore (who is 4th among ML CF in OPS) and Andruw (who is 19th), besides a few more walks, is that Sizemore more or less has been luckier. Sizemore’s batting average on balls in play is .360. Andruw’s is .236. Sizemore’s batting balls are finding holes while Andruw’s are finding gloves. Eventually that will change. Prediction alert! Andruw and Grady Sizemore’s numbers will not be all that different.
By The Grinch
June 19, 2007 9:18 AM | Link to this
Steve McP, I’ve enjoyed the few cask ale’s I’ve run across, and Bass, Samuel Smith’s, Mackeson’s triple stout, Old Speckled Hen, etc. as well. I include the British Isles when I say Europe, at least as far as beer goes.
Ron Roberts, while I’m not one of the ones who called for Thorman’s excecution, I did think Salty would have been a better option at the time. While he has only been up a “handfull” of games, Thorman has not, and when you’re consistantly not producing at all for the first third of the season and someone shows up who does, it’s only natural to consider the possibillities. I’m glad since the two games in a row Bobby put Salty at first Thorman’s starting to hit. Hope he keeps it up; I like him and his hustle. I really don’t know what we ought to do with Salty now, though. If Thorman proves to be capable at 1st, there’s nowhere to put him. He’s too good to be a backup catcher. I mentioned early on I thought 1st was a waste of his arm, but there’s no way you pull Diaz/Harris out of left at this point. Since we don’t know what center’s gonna look like next year, it would be hard to send him down and re-train him for left, etc. Can’t mess with his head too much. The obvious answer is to trade him, but I doubt we’d get what he’s worth and I have a suspicion he’s going to be a franchise-type player and it would really suck to have him be a perennial all-star for another team just so we could wind up with someone like Jason Marquis. Tough call. I trust JS, though.
By Ron Roberts
June 19, 2007 9:36 AM | Link to this
Grinch… Good points, except that despite Thorman’s low (but rising, now) batting average, he did still have good power numbers and not bad RsBI totals given his lack of hitting. He’s hit no less than 3 HRs a month, thus far, this season, giving us reason to presume he’d hit 18-20 HRs and 65-70 RsBI. He’s actually ahead of that pace, now, but that’s not a given, either. So he wasn’t producing as much as he’d had the opportunity to. but he wasn’t the deep gash in the lineup that Andruw is now, either.
By Efrim
June 19, 2007 9:40 AM | Link to this
Nice win last night. Still need to get more from Chuck.
Can Hudson please pitch well tonight???
By Braveheart
June 19, 2007 10:05 AM | Link to this
Shaun, I know you are a big believer in the BaBip thingie. That thing is flawed for the same reasons ZR and RF are flawed. Without watching a guy like Sizemore play every day, I am going to guess that he is hitting the ball more crisply than Andruw. Watching Dru play everyday, I see that when he does make contact, because he drops to that knee too much, he is often off balance, does not drive the ball, is not hitting crisp laser like lined shots, is hitting lazy pop ups in the infield, to the catcher or to the outfielder. While Sizmemore and Dru have similar GB/FB ratios, I am going to guess without knowing that more of Sizemore’s flyballs are more line drive like in nature than Dru’s and his grounders are more cleanly hit and squirt through the infield faster than Druw.
Just the same way you might say that ZR is flawed because it does not tell you how well the ball was hit or how much of a chance he had to catch the ball, i think the BABIP and GB/FB ratios are flawed because they do not tell you enough about how well the ball was hit.
I don’t think it is luck. I think Dru’s balls will start falling in more once he gets more balanced and once he starts hitting the ball harder because he is more balanced and sound in his mechanical approach to his swing.
Also, Dru has lost alot of speed and he does not always hustle. I am guessing Sizemore legs out more infield hits than Dru. Because Grady is faster and may hustle more, infielders may have to be positioned in towards home to reduce the amount of time they have to field the ball and throw out a fast hustling Grady. The infield may be positioned deeper for Dru because he is slower and because he dogs it so much in his hustle. If the infield is deeper, less singles will shoot through. If the infield is shading in more shallow, more singles will shoot through.
By Lew
June 19, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this
Oh, The Humanity! Trifled toes will be the end of me yet, The best that can be said is that it’s still attached-for now. Now Trade Ideas (see Scribe, I’m getting good at those transitions). Since there appears to be such a fascination with DRays outfielders, heres a new suggestion for acquistion-Johnny (or is it Jonny?) Gomes. He can play first or outfield and has tons of power. He’s young and should be cheap. A decent option? I think so. Efrim-See, Dude, I’m being fair. I agree with your 9:40 post. Maybe I’m not so unreasonable, after all. Still think they should DL McCann?
By meansonny
June 19, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
I have to give Kudo’s for Thorman. He’s tearing up Righties this month.
Even better news, he has curbed his strikeouts substantially (29 in May with 99 at bats versus 18 in June in 72 at bats).
But the reality is that Thor is still not ready to play everyday.
He’s hitting .333 for his past 36 at bats. But of 14 of those at bats were against lefties with only 3 hits (.214 AVG).
He was a platoon at the beginning of the season. He still needs to be in a platoon.
But I have to give him credit for tearing up those righties and curbing the K’s. But we still need that option available at 1B against lefties. I’d like Salty out there Wednesday against Tavares.
By Braveheart
June 19, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this
The blog will officially become big time when there is a blog about this blog. For all those who hate the bloggers, reporters, and brown nosers, why don’t you start your own blog mocking this blog? You could even call your blog something like the Hee Hawing Donks. If you can do it better, then prove it.
By Lee
June 19, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Beer and Braves - two of my favorite things in life. Definitely in my list of 10 favorite things anyway. I have visited several microbreweries thought-out the United States and although I have never been overseas I have drank many imported beers (dark and light). Too much Southern GA country boy in me though. Give me a cold Bud Lite or Michelob any day over any imported brew. Last time I checked Budweiser is still the king of beers. People’s taste is so different until it is hard to make judgments. I do not have to be a beer connoisseur to know what I like. I have met Europeans that actually prefer American beer over their countries brew. My friends and me will argue over Bud or Miller Lite and I have found most people will stick with their choice. I will assure one thing heavy drinkers will stay away from dark imported beers because of the hangover that will proceed after all is said and done. This is true with draft also unless one is cheap and trying to save money. My son goes to Europe in 2 weeks. I will get his opinion.
I have criticized Thorman before and all it will take is another slump and the critics will appear again. I like his hustle also and am glad he is showing life. I think it will be a little back and forth with him all season. I eventually see Salty being traded also and I think it will haunt the Braves forever. But there is no place to play him and I do not see Salty being converted to an outfielder. Some team will make an offer the Braves cannot refuse and a deal will be made. It may not happen this season but he will more than likely be gone by next season.
Do the Braves and Mets call one another before games and plan on whether they win or lose the game together before hand?
By Paladin
June 19, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this
Ron Roberts you wrote: And TP says the problem is more translating what they’ve done in the batting cage to tbe ball game. That is the “party line”. I suggest that what TP would have liked to say is: “This guy has become a headcase and I don’t know what to do with him. Actually, he needs an exorcist. But, I get paid to try, and I’ll keep trying.”
By Lew
June 19, 2007 10:30 AM | Link to this
Braveheart-Dude, How could anyone possibly mock you? You’re the sould of rationality at all times, Right? Just because you argue with automated checkout lanes about their tone of voice….I wondered about your being questioned on paper or plastic when you bag your own. Does seem a bit strange, but worthy of a good mocking? Probably not.
By Brian
June 19, 2007 10:32 AM | Link to this
Is the 755 club worth going to?
By Shaun
June 19, 2007 10:36 AM | Link to this
Braveheart,
Interesting thoughts.
But as far as Sizemore hitting the ball more crisply, how do you explain that Andruw’s extra-base power (measured by Isolated Power, SLG-AVG) is actually slightly higher? Seems they are roughly hitting the ball with the same crispness.
Unfortunately I can’t find how many infield hits each player has. My guess is Sizemore has a few more because of his speed (not so much hustle) but it’s not a huge amount more. I just don’t believe a player is fast enough to outrun routine grounders; no player can outrun a ball thrown from short to first.
If you want to pick another player, you can pick Adam Dunn or Dan Uggla. Andruw’s SO, BB, HR and 2B numbers look about the same as their’s but their OPS are at least around .130 points higher. Andruw’s hitting the ball just as hard as them and drawing walks at a similar pace but hit overall numbers don’t look as good because his batted balls that stay in the park aren’t finding holes as often.
I know it is uncomfortable to say, but I think the evidence points to luck/chance playing a significant role in Andruw’s struggles. Everything that he can control looks decent—he’s hitting the ball hard (evident by Isolated Power), he’s drawing walks, he is striking out a lot but not as much as three other players who actually have better AVG/OBP/SLG. His batted balls that stay in the park will eventually turn into hits more frequently and his overall numbers that matter most—AVG/OBP/SLG—will go up.
By Paladin
June 19, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this
Braveheart I must have missed something and at my age that can be between nano-seconds and years. But, what is this about a “mocking blog” and are you lobbying for the blog master position? Your friend, Paladin
By Braveheart
June 19, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
TP says the problem is more translating what they’ve done in the batting cage to the ball game
Hey, TP, it is funny how things don’t seem to get lost in translation when Chipper’s father and McCann’s father provides the instruction, eh?
Maybe it’s not the pupil. Maybe it’s not the translation. Maybe it is not retention and application of the lessons taught. Maybe it is merely a bad instructor and bad instruction. Maybe TP needs to follow the example of his hitters and ask his own father about how to fix things with Dru.
By Ron Roberts
June 19, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
That’s your spin, Paladin; I’ll go with what TP says. But thanks!
By Lew
June 19, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this
Paladin-An exorcism or a session with Joboo might just work.
By eric the elder
June 19, 2007 10:41 AM | Link to this
I was going to suggest that Andruw spend some quality time with McCann’s dad.
However, now I’m reading that Andruw can’t carry what he learns in the cage to a game situation. Instead, he just lets his “instincts” take over.
If Andruw is cognitively incapable or unwilling to translate training into performance, I’m glad I’m not a Special Forces guy in Iraq with Andruw covering my back.
By Braveheart
June 19, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this
Lew, clearly you have never had to listen to the demeaning tone of that woman’s voice in the self checkout lanes at Kroger. With your temperament, if you listened to that woman one time speak to you that way, you would jump all over her.
When you come to Atlanta this summer, be sure to get yourself to a self checkout lane at Kroger and dare yourself not to put the item in the bag immediately. Just watch what kind of international incident the woman in the machine will cause by yelling at you in front of the whole store to put that item in the bag.
By Paladin
June 19, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this
Lew: I don’t think Joboo packs enough needles and besides, making the doll would be very time-intensive.
By Lew
June 19, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this
Braveheart-I can use automated checkout here in Vermont. I just figure, for what I have to pay for groceries, I’d prefer to b!tch to a real human about the tone of their voice. Besides I wouldn’t jump all over it, I’d just strategically cram an apple up it’s-OH well, I AM trying to be kinder and gentler, aren’t I? Anyway, there wouldn’t be an international incident in Vermont-too many old hippies. Peace, Love and Whatnot. Far out.
By 22oz
June 19, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
I noticed Chipper was participating in the postgame high-fives, not a samrt decision. One over-zealous slap could land him back on the DL.
By Paladin
June 19, 2007 10:57 AM | Link to this
Y’all need to move out here in the sticks with me where your choices are a tote sack or a burlap bag.
By Robert
June 19, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
“I do wanna send kudo’s bobby’s way~ for droppin andrew to 6 spot~made all the difference in the world! Every chance I get to send a kudo to bobby ~will certainly be posted! If AJ is hitting 5th 2day~ wow”
Never mind that the move was a month late.
Next chance to send kudos to Bobby should come September of ‘08
By Thrillhouse44
June 19, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this
Paladin, it’s not about Joboo’s needles, it’s about his rum! Should Andruw go to Smoltz’s old sports psychologist?
By Richard Cory
June 19, 2007 11:07 AM | Link to this
Just want to ask everyone who cares to remember to families of the 9 Firefighters that were lost.
By Carolina Lady
June 19, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this
Paladin “Y’all need to move out here in the sticks with me where your choices are a tote sack or a burlap bag.” LOL!! I can relate to that!! :-))))
By Fred from CT
June 19, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this
Nice Win last night time hopefully hudson could pitch a good game tonight. mcbride stinks he couldn’t finish that game last night. the fact that wickman had to come in is stupid. this team needs a lefty in the pen.
By StingerSplash
June 19, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
I don’t ask for much out of my ESPN analysts, and frankly, that’s what I get. I haven’t had time to read the other blog entries this morning, so forgive me if this posted elsewhere above. Last night, Dusty Baker talked about the Braves left field situation, referenced Langerhans’ early season struggles and said Diaz hadn’t started to hit yet. Huh? Sutcliffe talked about the bullpen and the two dozen-plus blown saves and that’s why they didn’t win the AL East last year (slip of the tongue perhaps, but when an NL East team plays an AL East team, maybe a little more effort in keeping things straight would be in order). Sutcliffe also said Andruw Jones won’t be a Brave next year. No source, no inside information, just a proclamation from on high. Maybe he has a pipeline to Boras no one else has. But a little preparation and insight would be nice, instead of more ESPN hot air. Isn’t there enough of that on SportsCenter?
By Lew
June 19, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Morning Ma’am. Paladin-Joboo doesn’t need as many needles anymore. They banned steroids. He could always borrow some from Bonds if needs be. Besides, maybe that’s Andruw’s problem. Someone made a Voodoo Doll and stuck pins in his back ankle, causing it to collapse with the force of his swing. Kind of killed his grin, too. Maybe Joboo needs to work on TP first. Two party Voodoo. Where’s Dr. JOhn when we really need him?
By Lew
June 19, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Morning Ma’am. Paladin-Joboo doesn’t need as many needles anymore. They banned steroids. He could always borrow some from Bonds if needs be. Besides, maybe that’s Andruw’s problem. Someone made a Voodoo Doll and stuck pins in his back ankle, causing it to collapse with the force of his swing. Kind of killed his grin, too. Maybe Joboo needs to work on TP first. Two party Voodoo. Where’s Dr. JOhn when we really need him?
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2007 11:18 AM | Link to this
Morning folks. I saw Bowman posted this little gem:
the 25-year-old southpaw focused showed improved control, something he believes was a result of finishing his pitches with his entire body.
“I think bending down and trying to use a little more leg has gotten my pitches down in the zone,” said James, who is 3-1 in four career Interleague starts. “When I did miss, it was off the plate instead of over the middle.”
So they are about a month and half behind the blog. I was talking about his follow through a long time ago. But, whatever, as long as he does it and does it consistantly I’m happy.
McCann had a fine game last night. Glad these guys pulled it out. Really makes for a better day when they win. Now they just need to sweep these Boston yahoos. Maybe Thrusday AJ can go meet Mr. McCann and see what he can find out. Then they can come back and clean up the Tigers.
Chipper is on right now. His power is down, but as long as he is getting hits I’m fine with it. Pretty much for half the season we had a clean up hitter that couldn’t even hit. I’ll take a singles/doubles guy for the time being. Chipper’s power will come in due time. He’ll start knocking it all over the place.
Once AJ wakes up this team is going to go on a tear.
GO BRAVES
By Paladin
June 19, 2007 11:20 AM | Link to this
Mz Lady: Thank you for relating and relaying. Braveheart apparently doesn’t “speak” to me anymore; I apparently piqued him at some point. And, I hate that. I so want to be liked. But, my best regards to you, fair lady—Paladin
By Drummerdad
June 19, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
It’s interesting to watch what’s gone on up in Baltimore. They spent money and bought some good players, got our man Leo, got Baez from us and still put another manager in the can. And it looks like the Dodgers won the Betemit/Aybar-Baez trade. They at least have a functional player in Betemit. We are still waiting to see what will become of Willie.
Baltimore got bit too:
(AP) “Danys Baez, who signed a $19 million, three-year contract, lost his job as setup man and was 0-4 with a 6.52 ERA before going on the 15-day disabled list Saturday.”
By Jersey Gil
June 19, 2007 11:22 AM | Link to this
Richard Cory Amen…Seen i hear the news early this morning i been doing that. God bless all
By Carolina Lady
June 19, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
‘Morning, Lew! You been trifling with that toe again?? sigh…. Well, get the Listerine. It fixed your other problem.
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2007 11:33 AM | Link to this
N8, Braveheart: We used quite a few pitchers, but the last 1. The 1 pitch wonder from Wickman was not James’ fault. Macay couldn’t get 3 outs. He couldn’t even get the ball over the plate. I agree, I’d like to see James go deeper into games, but that will come in time. He’s 25 and this is his first full season at the top. Once he gets it all figured out he’ll be fine.
By Braveheart
June 19, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this
Shaun, I think you need to examine it somewhat with the context of who that hitter is. For example, for his career, Druw has hit a homer every 17.3 at bats. This year it is 23.5. Last year, it was 13.8, 2005 - 11.5, 2004 - 19.7.
Sizemore, on the other hand, in his career, hits a homer every 26.2 at bats. This year it is 24.5. Last year it was 23.4. in 2005, it was 29.1.
I think the homer rates tell you who that hitter is when is he going the way he needs to be and being more true to who he is as a hitter. Such a dramatic dropoff in homer production from Druw tells you that something ain’t right. He is not driving the ball the same way. Sizemore on the other hand is more a line drive, gap hitter who also happens to drive the ball over the wall every 26 at bats or so. Because his homer rates have not dropped, you are led to believe he is driving the ball about as good as he should be.
Also, I could be wrong but isn’t Druw’s BABIP this year .240 which is pretty consistent with his BABIP of .270 last year and .243 in 2005?
But isn’t Sizemore’s BABIP this year .362 which is pretty consistent with his .342 last year and his .335 in 2005. So, I don’t think he is going to slip down to Druw’s levels. I think Grady is just being Grady.
So, I don’t think it is luck. I just think that Sizmore is perhaps a better line drive hitter who hits the ball harder than Druw. Druw just seems to prefer lofting the ball up and deep. When he is going right, it goes out. When he is not, they turn into lazy fly balls and feeble ground balls from an unbalanced hitter.
Sizemore seems more like the boxer who jabs, hits you with crosses, combinations concluding with an upper cut. Kind of like how Mike Tyson was when he was being trained by Cus and Atlas.
Druw on the other hand is a puncher and not a boxer. He is kind of like a lazy Mike Tyson over the past 15 years who does nothing but uppercut, uppercut, uppercut, uppercut. The deadly uppercuts used to land every 13 or 11 or 17 or 19 punches. Now, it has dropped to landing every 23 or 24 punches. Without enough other punches being landed and with his knockout punch not being as lethal and not landing as much, he can’t win the fight.
By Carolina Lady
June 19, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
Good morning, Paladin! You’re a welcome addition to our eFamily and I do enjoy your posts! Braveheart is a good guy and I have no doubt that any possible misunderstanding will be lost in the dust of yesterday.
This lady has appointments and errands to run this afternoon, including securing a bank loan with which to purchase a tank of gas. Trips to town require a lot of it!
Y’all have a great afternoon! :-)
By Braveheart
June 19, 2007 11:48 AM | Link to this
Paladin, I responded to you but I don’t think it went through for some reason.
Nah, I would never want to be a blogmaster. It would be cool though if all the people who complain on here about the beat reporters and the bloggers and the topics would just go over and create a mocking blog about this blog. it could the ATL version of firejoemorgan.com. I like this blog too much to bother with that crap. but i would go read it and probably cringe and laugh when i get mocked. As Lew pointed out, I do tend to lead with my chin alot.
Lew, you have done a real good job lately of staying cool. But, of course, not too many Mets fans have been infesting this place lately. I wonder why? BUT don’t be getting too soft on us. We need our enforcer around.
Where the hell has SJA disappeared to? I actually miss the guy.
N8, thanks for the pinch hit appearance last night. That’s why he is a good blogger. Didn’t really have the time for the blog last night but he wanted to guarantee the victory, so he stopped by for a short post.
By DonCoburleone
June 19, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this
Just wanted to point something out about our “unfair” interleague schedule (according to Chipper). I actually like it; I mean, the Braves have 3 games on ESPN this week (yesterday, Wednesday and Sunday). Name another instance of the Braves getting that kind of exposure from ESPN. IT NEVER HAPPENS! Even in the first round of the playoffs (before last year of course) we would get completely hosed with the Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday day games. Now, because we are playing Boston and Detroit and Cleveland instead of Baltimore, Kansas City or Tampa Bay we get the nationally televised ESPN night games. Tons of exposure not only for our team, but also for our potential “trade chips” like Escobar, (possibly) Thorman and (possibly) Salty… I actually like our tough interleague schedule for those reasons; besides, the Mets interleague schedule is every bit as tough as ours…
By Paladin
June 19, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this
With all due respect to you guys, with the Lady gone, I think I will go try and find the rest of my Easter eggs.
By Lew
June 19, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this
Braveheart-Me, The Enforcer? Nah, Dude, I’m just a big ole Teddy Bear. Just ask Chop Zone-wait, you’re right. I wonder where he went. Probably trying to figure out how I was right about the Mets’ pitching flaming out. Ma’am-I’m afraid a Listerine Poultice won’t help this time. They think I may have osteomyelitis and apparently the cure for that is losing the toe. We’ll just have to see. Hope not, though. At least the eye has stabilized. JJS is certainly right, though. Toes are not to be trifled with and a good toe doctor is worth his weight in dollars.
By Shaun
June 19, 2007 12:08 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
Thing is, take out singles and Andruw looks just as good or a little better than Sizemore. Andruw seems to be hitting homeruns and hitting the ball in the gap.
Andruw’s career BABiP is .281. This year so far he’s at .236—way below that. Sizemore is at .337 for his career and at .360 this year.
There probably is something to your point that BABiP isn’t all luck. But when the difference between a player’s career BABiP and a season’s BABiP are as different as Andruw’s are, I would think we have to suspect a lot of those outs will eventually turn into hits.
I think Andruw’s struggles have something to do with him missing pitches, not hitting them squarely. But bad luck seems to be playing a significant role, also…maybe more than we’d like to admit.
By Lew
June 19, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this
DonC-Ask the Phillies if they think the Royals were any easier than the Twins or Indians. The Royals whipped Phillie butt. They scored 17 runs in one game against the Phillies’ staff. Of course, of all the NL East contenders, the Phillies’ pitching may well be the most suspect of all.
By BamaBrave
June 19, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this
StingerSplash…The ESPN guys were indeed all over the place last night. It was almost comical, and I’d bet a set of tires that Dusty and Sutcliffe were hittin’ the flask. Sutcliffe even referenced one of Dusty’s inaccuracies, and blamed it on Dusty’s “Diet Coke”… Heh heh heh…
By Lew
June 19, 2007 12:16 PM | Link to this
Shaun-If Andruw had singled last night in, I believe, his last AB, we would have scored at least two more runs. KJ’s 3rd out fly ball would have been a SF and Andruw’s run would have scored, also. A HR is not always required. A lousy single instead of yet another K would have worked just fine.
By DAP
June 19, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this
i thought over all, the espn announcers did alright last night. they do get frusterating because of their relative lack of knowlege about our team, but ill take dusty baker over joe morgan ANY day! i cant stand joe morgan. i might fight him if we ever meet.
over all, i think chuck james does a great job and pitches really well. i really like him and i always have. his problem, i think is that he only has two pitches. i remember that he was working on a sliderin the spring but he doesnt use it much, because its just not very effective. he is always going to keep us in game and get guys out, but his pitch count will continue to be high unless he develops a good breaking pitch. he cant seem to make guys chase pitches out of the stike zone, so the lay off those and chuck has to let them make contact and hope their bat speed is off from his changeups.
maybe DOB or someone can tell me what they think about how that slider has been doing. personally i havent seen it hardly at all from him.
By Shaun
June 19, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Lew,
What’s your point?
By NCBravesFan
June 19, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this
Here’s an idea I’ll toss out for consideration on Andruw … I think the guy hates the idea of leaving Atlanta, and so he’s subconsciously underachieving as a result of possibly leaving the Braves at the end of the year.
By Jim
June 19, 2007 12:25 PM | Link to this
I would not call Andruw’s outs when he puts the ball in play “finding gloves”. I would use that term for hard-hit balls that are turned into outs. The outs I see from Andruw are usually popups, lazy fly balls, or topped grounders that are the result of his upper-cut swing. When he’s not striking out, he has way too often turned a pitcher’s mistake into a lazy popup.
By The Grinch
June 19, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
True, RR; I shouldn’t have ignored the power completely.
DonC, good point about the exposure; unfortunately Salty only got one AB last night (which resulted in a hit) and Escobar didn’t play. Wish our exposure came when we’re in AL parks.
Braveheart, I agree with your comparison of Andruw vs. Sizemore; Andruw isn’t hitting ropes that are just finding defenders by bad luck. He’s swinging violently and off-balance, resulting in soft pop-ups, weak grounders and the occasional mistake pitch that winds up going 425 feet. Much, much different than Sizemore.
Lee, I certainly won’t argue with you about your taste in beer; it’s a subjective thing (and as I’ve previously posted, I’ve consumed enough Budweiser to float a battleship). However, as a heavy drinker of dark imports I must disagree with your hangover hypothesis. The German Beer Purity Law of 1516 (Reinheitsgebot) states that beer can’t have anything in it besides water, barley, hops and yeast. Most dark imports follow this tradition, making them perishable items like milk or cheese that must be consumed fresh in order to have optimum flavor. Beers like Budweiser are heat pastuerized and pumped full of preservatives and Clydesdale pee so that they can be stored in any conditions for any length of time and still taste about the same as long as you get them cold again before drinking. That whole “Born on date” ad campaign is a nonsensical rip off from Sam Adams (which actually does need to be fresh) and a sick, though effective joke. You could find a can of Bud that still had a ring tab opener on it in someone’s closet from 1976 and as long as you chilled it first it would taste the same. You really think that’s better for you? Now, as a regular consumer of large quantities of dark beer (without hangovers) I must make my way to the gym to keep from looking like the late Brando (the only drawback to dark beer is more calories).
By flbravesgirl
June 19, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this
Braveheart, I think your self-checkout voice may be related to my ATM’s voice. Very snooty-sounding.
I knew Mac needed a session with his dad. Way to quiet the nay-sayers, Brian! Maybe Andruw really should pay a visit to Mr. McCann. Hearing from someone besides TP might reinforce what he’s been telling Druw & make it stick.
Carroll, I had to laugh over your friends inquiring about players’ availability. Did they think you were gonna set up blind dates or something?
By Shaun
June 19, 2007 12:34 PM | Link to this
Lew and others,
Strikeouts are often worse than singles or sac flies (and often they are not). But you still have to swing pretty hard to hit the ball hard enough to get a single or a sac fly at the major league level. You aren’t going to get anything if you are just so focused on only making contact that you don’t swing hard enough to get the ball out of the infield. You have to focus on being aggressive within the strikezone making hard contact. Strikeouts are an inevitable part of hitting the ball hard in today’s game.
By Coach (NOT DRINKING THE KOOL AID)
June 19, 2007 12:36 PM | Link to this
Andruw Jones 3 HR in 72 at bats this month with a .138 batting AVG in June. I just know Shaun will find a way to spin that.
By choppinmama
June 19, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this
What a wonderful tribute from Delta for our hometown hero Hank Aaron. They’ve decorated one of their planes with his home-run hittin’ image. A great player we have always taken much pride in supporting and honoring.
Hey you Giants fans - maybe Balco will come up with a nice Bonds-honoring label for some of their bottles and/or vials.
Should we all start an email campaign now to General Mills, warning a boycott if they dare propose a Wheaties box honoring #756?
By Braveheart
June 19, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
Saying take away Grady’s singles and Druw looks just as good as him is like saying take away Heidi Klum’s face and Christina Ricci looks just as good as Heidi.
But I do agree that once Druw stops missing pitches as much, he will find better luck but, more likely, will also start hitting more frozen ropes that blow past hitters into the outfield, gaps, or over the wall before the fielders can turn their heads. Most hitters never hit their AVG the entire year. The ebbs and flows eventually lead them back to their average production unless they are just stuck in a really horrible funk and fluke year.
I don’t think that ISOP is the best measure for how hard a guy is hitting the ball. There are alot of guys who can hit the ball extremely hard but only hit singles or doubles. He might be hitting the ball as hard as the guy who hits 40 homers but their swing is more level and they either hit a wicked line drive or they hit a crisp grounder that the infielders can’t get to.
It’s kind of like how Boggs, Gwynn or Ichiro sometimes have claimed they could hit 30 homers a season if they wanted to. That always kind of annoyed me. Wouldn’t they have been more valuable if they hit .280 with 30 homers instead of .330 with 5 homers? But whatever. That’s why I think ISOP is a very useful tool but does not tell you how hard they all are really hitting the ball.
By Shaun
June 19, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this
The Grinch and Braveheart,
If Andruw’s approach is off-balance and Sizemore’s is better, why do they have a similar amount of strikeouts?
By supa
June 19, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
80% chance of rain tonight. We’ll most surely play a double-header tomorrow if game gets rained out.
That would make 2 double-headers this season against an inter-league team.
Good thing Thursday is an off-day for us.
But double-header may also mean Escobar gets sent down to make room for another pitcher. Cox seems to like having another guy in the pen for double-headers.
Carroll/DOB - any perspective here?
By SRF
June 19, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this
Hate to beat the dead horse here, but Andruw REALLY needs to sit for a week.
Everybody gets burned out in their job and sometimes you just have to chill.
Chipper was hurt - he had to watch games and then he came back hungry and has done well - with a good attitude.
If we could get Andruw hungry to play ball and then earn a big new contract…
I just think he needs to sit for a week.
By Jim
June 19, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this
I think that the taste of a beer has a lot to do with the surroundings in which that beer is consumed. I remember how good a Grolsch tasted in an outside cafe in Amsterdam and how well a Champlain porter went down beside a lake in northern Ontario. One noteworthy American beer that probably doesn’t exist anymore was Prior made by Schmidts of Philadelphia. Schmidts made a less than ordinary standard regional beer, but Prior’s was their “premium” beer and it was very good, especially when pumped from the keg. (I actually never saw it sold in bottles.) The larger regional breweries like Schmidts have mostly disappeared now under the advertising of the three big national breweries or are just another outlet for their product line. I also second the accolades to Warsteiner and the Czech Budweiser (sold here as Budvar) and like to add the name of Wurzberger dark (which was one of the more common imports years ago, but has become very difficult to find anywhere now.)
By David O'Brien
June 19, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this
Noticed how the blog was blissfully free of posts from a certain someone after about 7:05 last night. In other words, after the game started. Because despite his insistence that he’s a Braves “fan” (which is truly laughable), this person, in truth, delights in posting on only one topic, and that topic doesn’t have much traction when the team’s actually winning.
What it must be like to revel in such a one-dimensional sea of negativity… So unfortunate.
By Bob
June 19, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this
Grinch,
Right on about the Bayrische Reinheitsgebot. The ONLY exception is wheat for barley in Weizens.
About 9 years ago the EU forced Germany to allow the sales of beers that did not follow this old law. Many were upset because they believed that cheaper foreign beers that had been pasteurized would damage the German breweries. Some other European brews were like the American brews in that they pasteurize their beers. Beer consumption has dropped somewhat, but mainly due to a shift toward wines and the very, very strict German breathalizer restrictions. The beers that did not adhere to the Reinheitsgebot have not done well.
Hope the Braves fans are appropriately embarrassed by the Sox fans last night and make some noise at the Ted. Need to take at least 2 of 3 this week.
By Bob
June 19, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this
Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh David. Leave well enough alone! Maybe he did not choose to discuss beer.
By JasonInMaine
June 19, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
You wrote:
“Strikeouts are an inevitable part of hitting the ball hard in today’s game.”
Why in today’s game? They weren’t an inevitable part of hitting the ball hard for others. Did Joe D hit the ball hard? What about Ted Williams? I understand the game has changed, but they certainly hit the ball hard in their first couple of ABs per game as well. I am just curious as to why it has become accepted as well as to why you feel it is an inevitable part of the game.
Regards,
Jason
By Renegator
June 19, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this
Paladin - you still here? Where did you come up with the name?
By Renegator
June 19, 2007 1:09 PM | Link to this
Welcome back DOB:
Question - why don’t the Braves “send down” one of the middle infielders they have and bring up Pena? He would give the Braves the flexibility to platoon Salty at first and give McCann a day off each week. Do we really need Orr, Woodward, AND Escobar?
By Christy
June 19, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this
Have been catching up on the blog and in the midst of the beer discussion yesterday and today I noticed a few postings on tequila. I have no good well thought opinion on beer except that the best I’ve ever tasted was in Prague, but I do have one on tequila - if you have a chance and come upon it, try Herradura Reposado.
DAP - truer words were never spoken - Dusty of Joe Morgan. On the days were ESPN covers the Braves and it’s Joe on the microphone I put up with the video time delay and listen to the radio while watching the game…
By Michael
June 19, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
“However I was very impressed by the way Bobby “handled the game tonight. He seems to be reversing decisions that he was making earlier in the year, Can a 65 yr old man actually be learning from some of the mistakes he made earlier this year? (I dunno) I wouldnt bet on it tho.”
DOB - this post was from earlier this morning. I don’t think that this is the case at all. Having watched BC manage for a lot years, I think that this is his modus operandi. I think he uses the 1st couple of months or so of the season to evaluate his guys in all kinds of game situations. I think he also uses this time, after a couple of turns through the league (and inter-league) to evaluate the opposition as well. Thus, I think we will start seeing different decision - making than we were seeing earlier in the year. I think we’ve seen this same trend in prior years as well. Do you get this at all from your conversations with BC?
By David O'Brien
June 19, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
Supa, you should know by now that almost every time a lot of folks believe there’s absolutely, positively no way they’re going to play a game because of rain threat, they play the game.
And right now, I live about 8 miles from the stadium and it’s sunny and hasn’t rained all day, at least not since I woke up.
By HP
June 19, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
Renegator, Most useless person on the team has to be Pete Orr. I rather have Bryan Pena in the bench then him. I don’t know why is he still on the team roster. Bobby Cox makes this look like a joke to me. You don’t keep the person on the roster becuase he is one of your favorite. You do what is best for the team.
By David O'Brien
June 19, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this
By the way, I’m told there are still plenty of seats still available for tonight’s game, for those who might be wondering.
By DAP
June 19, 2007 1:32 PM | Link to this
someone made the comment about andruws instincts taking over and not being able to take his practice on the field. they said they would hate to be special forces with andruw and have him using his instincts instead of his training.
the difference is, those guys are trained in such a way that their instincts ARE their training. their trainign takes over.
i say all that to say…maybe the training andruw is getting isnt being done the right way, so its hard to take it to the real game. i love TP and ive always thought he did well with what he had to work with, but hes got to find away to change the insticts. something that happens as quickly as swinging a bat has to be instinctive. and to do it right youve got to train your body to do the right thing.
By supa
June 19, 2007 1:37 PM | Link to this
Good point…in that case, we should all talk about rain because that was a fun game to watch last night and I don’t know what I’ll do if tonight’s game is postponed. : )
By Thrillhouse44
June 19, 2007 1:43 PM | Link to this
Did Bobby have much to say about McBride? It certainly (and understandably) didn’t look happy with him last night.
By BravesFanInRockies
June 19, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
Shaun,
RE Andruw vs. Sizemore: Do you ever actually watch a game? Perhaps the reason AJ and Sizemore have a comparable number of strikeouts is that AJ does make contact, but he’s hitting weak popups and soft groundouts. Just watch a few at-bats and see how he has flailed at pitches so often this year (compared with the monster stroke he showed in ‘05 and ‘06). I think sabermetrics has added a lot to the fans’ understanding of the game, but get your head out of the bloody cathode-ray tube, man!!
By Coach (NOT DRINKING THE KOOL AID)
June 19, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this
HP , Orr supposedly has the rather incriminating pictures of Bobby in some questionable situations. That is the rational we here in the blog have come up with to explain Pete’s presence on the bench. If anybody wants a good laugh go back and check the 6:58 PM post last night , I just about croaked.
By StingerSplash
June 19, 2007 1:57 PM | Link to this
I’m fixing to go all Tom Anderson on tonight’s game (damnit, damnit damnit) — I thought about going to tonight’s game, realized I had a meeting this afternoon that is expected to draaaggggg and decided not to pursue ducats. And now DOB informs us good seats are still available. Damnit, damnit, damnit. (Please, please, please let there be someone as sophomoric as I am to get the Tom Anderson reference)
By Efrim
June 19, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
DOB
Is this game going to be actually played tonight? I see rain in the forecast. Do you think Hudson will finally pitch better against the Red Sox? The Braves could really use this game. Need to keep the momentum going with our 2nd best pitcher on the mound.
By Shaun
June 19, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this
JasonInMaine,
We can speculate as to why but it seems maybe players have realized that the quicker you swing, the more strikeouts you’ll get, but also the more homeruns you’ll hit.
Yes, in Williams and DiMaggio’s days they didn’t strikeout as much but they also didn’t hit the ball as hard.
Yes, Williams hit a lot of homeruns but his career high was 43, not a huge amount by today’s standards.
By N8
June 19, 2007 2:10 PM | Link to this
“Pretty much for half the season we had a clean up hitter that couldn’t even hit. I’ll take a singles/doubles guy for the time being. Chipper’s power will come in due time. He’ll start knocking it all over the place.”
I would take a lineup of 9 Tony Gwynns, over 9 Andruw Jones, ANY DAY OF TH WEEK.
If Chipper chooses to not try and drive the ball (due to his hands) and just takes it where it’s pitched, making good contact with a controlled swing, he could easily hit .350, similar to the way Gwynn did. Now, I realize that that is not what’s he’s getting paid the big bucks for, but it is better than Andruw swinging out of control, like he has been for 2 months (longer, if you go back to last year’s all-star break).
It was Fred McGriff who told a story one time of him and Gwynn “arguing” at batting practice that that McGriff could be a .350 hitter, if he chose not to drive the ball. To which, Gwynn responded, I’m sure you could, just as I could hit 35 HR’s, if I didn’t want to swing in a controlled manner.
They BOTH are/were right. Chipper is that good as well. Everytime, he has been hurt (foot, ankle, hands, etc….), he becomes a singles/doubles hitter by default.
His mere presence in the lineup, makes it better. Whether he’s driving in runs with HR’s, or singles.
I just hope, he can stick around long enought to make a difference.
By DonCoburleone
June 19, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this
DOB who are you talking about? There is no post at 7:05 last night… Anyway, DOB, wondering if you saw my 11:51AM post about the Braves ESPN exposure this week? What do you think?
And on the beer subject, I love beer. My favorite kind has got to be Hefeweisen. I love the Paulaner Heff and Pyramid Heff ain’t bad either. “White” wheat beers are good also. On the subject of dark beers - I personally can’t stand them. Waaaay to strong of an aftertaste for my liking; reminds me of coffee. If you ask me, beers like Guinness and Newcastle are just “trendy” and thats why people drink them. Can’t imagine how someone would actually enjoy the taste of those beers (unless maybe you have acquired a taste for them - but I guarantee nobody drank a dark beer for the first time and said, “MMMMMM”, IT TASTES DELICIOUS!”)
By Caleb
June 19, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this
Let’s hope Huddy throws another gem like his last start against the Twins. This time with better results at the end!
By AthensBrave
June 19, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this
DOB, a new blog por favor.
By Jim
June 19, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this
“Red Sox Nation” must be looking over their shoulder and biting their nails right about now. Other than the 1-hitter, Schilling has been no better than Chuck James all year and he had nothing in the tank the last two starts. Becket is usually good for a blister or two during the course of the year and has not put together a solid season-long stretch in his career, and the 4th and 5th starters are Wakefield and Taveras — an upgrade over Davies and Carlyle, but not that much better. I’d take the Yankee rotation of Wang, Pettite, Mussina, and Clemens (with the possible return of Hughes later in the summer) over the Sox starters any day. I would also rate the Yankee lineup to be as good or better than the Sox lineup. I hope it’s not true, but I can forsee 1978 all over again for the Sox. Over the next three days I’d like to see us punch a couple more holes in the Sox’ mystique (and the Rockies to put a hurting on the Yankees).
By Shaun
June 19, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
BravesFanInRockies,
The thing is a lot of Andruw’s and Sizemore’s numbers are similar not just strikeouts.
Seems like if Andruw’s struggles are only because he’s not hitting the ball squarely, Sizemore would have the same struggles given that a lot of their numbers are similar including their strikeout totals.
I agree that there is something to Andruw not hitting the ball squarely when he makes contact but there also seems to be something to the fact that Andruw has been unlucky when he puts the ball in play. Seems like it would be near impossible to go from around .280 on balls in play to .236 without some degree of bad luck.
By AZBravoFan
June 19, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this
The reason Andruw’s balls are “finding gloves” is he’s either popping them straight up in the air with that ridiculous uppercut swing, or grounding them to short when reaching for a breaking ball. Man, you know he’s lost when you see him swinging right through hanging breaking balls like he did last night.
By Braveheart
June 19, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this
If Andruw’s approach is off-balance and Sizemore’s is better, why do they have a similar amount of strikeouts?
Shaun, I’ a little perplexed about that myself. But if you look at their stats, Sizemore takes his role as a leadoff man very seriously.
In 320 plate appearances, Sizemore has seen 1388 pitches for a 4.28 pitches per plate appearance rate.
In 300 plate appearances, Andruw has seen 1166 pitches for a 3.89 pitches per plate appearance rate.
That is why I think their strikeout rates are similar. Andruw’s K rate is high because he is off balance. Sizemore’s K rate is high because he is almost too patient at the plate and gets himself in too deep with those pitch counts, often times finding himself in unfavorable counts due to being too patient.
By Lee
June 19, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
Wish I did not live 3 1/2 hrs away from Atlanta or I would go to the game with good tickets left. Mark Bradley jumps on the fans in his latest article. Don’t agree completely with him about everything. Heck a lot of fans are like me and they would have to plan a whole day in advance, spend the night at a motel in Atlanta, unless you drive back in the middle of the night, take 2 days off of work (unless you go a weekend) just to go to a game. It is just not that easy sometimes. He!! It is just as easy for me to go Disneyland or Universal Studio in Orlando FL almost.
By Bob
June 19, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
DonCoburleone,
Paulaner is very good. As one of Munich’s Big Six Regular Brews it and Franziskaner (Spaten) are probably the best. I prefer Erdinger and Schneider from breweries that only do Weizens. As for other brews, it is hard to match Kloster Andechs (Andechs Monastary) from the Ammersee outside of Munich. A fabulous export beer and the great Rococo Church is a sight worth seeing.
Couldn’t agree more on the real dark beers. My first beer in Ireland had to be a Guiness on tap…just a must. I liked it better than from the bottle, but I really prefer Smithwycks over the stout.
I am glad the Braves are on ESPN for our out of the area fans. Not much on that other Dave O’Brien and his partners, but at least Braves fans get to see the team play. Since TBS has cut back, lots of fans from outside the south are up the creek. So, even though it is the Red Sox/Yankees/Mets network (AKA ESPN), at least they can see the game.
By TennesseePaul
June 19, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
N8: I would take a lineup of 9 Tony Gwynns, over 9 Andruw Jones, ANY DAY OF TH WEEK.
Take away all of AJ’s singles, K’s, Pop-ups, ground outs, GDPs and lazy fly balls and you can see he is doing well… it’s all just bad luck. It floats around I guess. It’s gotta settle on someone every now and then.
By Savannah Guy
June 19, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this
Carroll: Great article and good blog as always and nice headline. Very fitting with what’s coming…very looming…Stephen King-ish. I notice that most denizens behave themselves here on your blog, but then you know the law of average invariably kicks in when you get a bunch of guys in a room. Maybe you should have a t-shirt slogan contest too? NO TRASH, THERE’S A LADY IN THE ROOM. Um…just kidding.
DOB: Saw your post and glad the sun is shining in the ATL today, I’m about to head there from the coast…where it’s also sunny and no doubt a little cooler. Tomorrow night I’ll be at the game. Good seats…can’t wait. I’ll be the guy wearing a Braves cap with a beer in my hand. ; )
There is always something extra special about playing the BoSox. I’ve seen them play the Bravos about 4 times and it’s always great. Maybe it’s the franchise lineage, AL cousin-hood or something…probably just because I’ve always liked the Red Sox and my Bravos.
DOB: By the way, my game prediction from your last blog was correct last night. Thought I’d point that out. No, no bows, just playing the long odds when the match-up on paper seemed so lopsided, plus we do match up well against the B-Sox this year. Just stupid lucky guess but glad I was right. We really needed to shake the stink off of the Twins series. Man, Schilling’s arm was dead last night. Hope he’s ok.
Parting SP idea for blogmeisters: Since we have such inconsistency in the 3,4 and 5 SP slots but also great talent, maybe we think outside the box a bit and break traditions. Days one and two: Smoltz and Hudson of course. Day Three: pitch Buddy Carlisle 5 innings and Lance Cormier 4 innings. Day 4: pitch Chuck James 5 innings and Kyle Davies 4 innings. Day 5: Start Oscar Villarreal and finish with…I don’t know here. We have our bullpen to finish things up as usual, but the idea is to platoon starters. Takes some of the heat off of bullpen potentially. Not sure of the particular order or where they fit…but you get the idea. Within a month or so, maybe one or two of these guys step up, get in a groove and take a full SP slot through the game.
On that note, I’m off to Atlanta but will check back tonight with hopes that someone has added to the idea…tell me why it might work or wouldn’t work…or just call me an idiot to even suggest it if it makes you feel better. Either way, what the heck have we got to lose by trying it? Playing out the metrics might just support the concept. Later denizens…
By Shaun
June 19, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this
N8,
I would take a lineup of Gwynn’s over Andruw’s anyday too but mostly because of the .045 point edge in OBP. And Gwynn played much of his career in a slightly tougher time for hitters.
Gwynn’s career OPS was about 32 percent better than average when you take into account league and ballpark. Andruw’s has been about 16 percent better.
If you remotely trust Runs Creates, Gwynn is going to be worth about 6.77 runs a game while Andruw would be worth about 5.87 runs per game.
By Lee
June 19, 2007 2:40 PM | Link to this
Jim -
I am sure the Red Sox nation never feels a lead is safe enough when the Yankees are involved. It would not surprise me for the Yankees to win their division this year either. You had better never count them out. I don’t want to see the Yankees keep wining their divison every year though and break the Braves record. Otherwise I could care less; I hate the Red Sox as much as the Yankees.
By David O'Brien
June 19, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this
NEW BLOG IS UP
By Caleb
June 19, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
DonC, DOB wasn’t saying there was a post at 7:05, he said that’s about when the game started and after that a person to remain nameless didn’t have anything to say because the Braves and Bobby Cox were winning.
Guinness and Newcastle are “trendy?” Really? I was pretty sure they’ve both been around for hundreds of years and are staple beers for millions of people (including myself). While I love Guinness, I prefer Murphy’s stout or Samuel Smith’s oatmeal cream stout. I love the bitterness of various dark beers (though I wouldn’t say any of the aforementioned beers/stouts were bitter). But your preference is your preference, and that’s perfectly fine. I just disagree with the Guinness/Newcastle being “trendy.”
By Braveheart
June 19, 2007 2:47 PM | Link to this
Ted Williams did not hit the ball as hard?!?!?!?! He averaged 37 homers, 37 doubles, 345 total bases, .344 AVG, .634 SLG, obscene OPS+ of 190. All while striking out only 50 times a season.
Joe D. did not hit the ball as hard?!?!?!?! Joe D struck out only 34 times a season and hit .325 and had a .579 SLG and had an OPS+ of 155. He averaged 36 doubles, 12 triples, 34 homers and 368 total bases.
Neither took steroids. Both played in an era with much bigger ballparks.
The dimensions of Yankee Stadium in Joe D.’s day was 312 right down the left field line, jutting out to 402 in short left center to 412 in deep left center to 457 in deepest left center to to 461 in center to 407 to 367 in deepest right center to 350 to 344 to 296 across the right field dimensions.
Any wonder then with dimensions like that that Joe D. lost so many home runs? he was hitting the ball just as hard and probably harder than anyone today. alot of them were just turning into triples or flyouts.
By Jim
June 19, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
ESPN is a lifesaver for us northern fans this week. How can TBS not televise a single game when we play Boston and Detroit. Is this a ratings week for their otherwise recycled crap? I’m hoping that Fox will cover the Saturday game.
By DonCoburleone
June 19, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this
“So, even though it is the Red Sox/Yankees/Mets network (AKA ESPN), at least they can see the game.”
Yeah no kidding, thats totally what ESPN is when it comes to baseball. I just hope once they launch the baseball channel in 2009 (will be available to all DirecTV, Dish Network, and Cable providers) that it doesn’t turn into the Yankees/Red Sox/Mets channel also… I would say that Bud Selig would never let that happen, but that guy is the worst/dumbest/most hypocritical Commissioner in the history of professional sports and I refuse to underestimate his lack of a brain…
By Lee
June 19, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this
Grinch -
Just read your 12:26 post - know you are at the gym. That is one reason I don’t drink the dark beer is because of the calories. I don’t go to a gym anymore but I jog 3 miles a day because of beer calories. Don’t want that M. Brando look either. Dark beer always seemed to give me a bad hangover for some reason though. I certainly know draft beer does.
GO BRAVES!!!!
By GermanBravesFan
June 19, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this
Hey Bob… I see you are continuing the beer discussion! I had some Steinlager (New Zealand) last night - not too bad! Also bought some Henninger and Paulaner (dark beer) at the local Trader Joe’s.
On another note: Andruw will start hitting soon. Why? Because I just traded him from my fantasy league team…
By Shaun
June 19, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
Braveheart,
Thing is Andruw is pretty patient, too. Their walk rates aren’t that far off.
I think it’s pretty clear that the reason Andruw and Sizemore’s production numbers (AVG/OBP/SLG) look different is because of BABIP. What we don’t know is how much is luck and how much is due to Sizemore doing something to hit the ball more squarely. I think it’s pretty clear that both luck and skill both play a pretty significant roll. My argument would be Andruw’s struggles are due to bad luck a lot more than many of us would like to admit.
By Jersey Gil
June 19, 2007 2:52 PM | Link to this
DOB…Question for you…Why INDEMAND or MLB/TV show the visitor broadcast intead the home team for braves games….The Indian series was all Cleveland, same with the minnesota anouncers…last night was the Boston..I never understand the TV think….When the Braves play here in Phillis all other Tv Channel are block(like TBS or any INDEMAND). Last night i was looking for alternative from those ESPN Guys…even in XM was the Boston Broadcaster.
By ElbravoX
June 19, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
Hasn’t rained in Southern Cali. in 6 months, there are tickets available and its raining? If I could escape my patients, I’d be on a plane in a second. Haven’t visited Atlanta since basic training in ‘90. Wonder how its changed?
By Bob, Journalist
June 19, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this
Shaun It just dawned on me that maybe we’re actually very close in our thinking about Andruw … maybe closer than we’d like to admit.
For example, when talking about Andruw, you say “bad luck seems to be playing a significant role, maybe more than we’d like to admit”.
When talking about our bad luck, I say “Andruw seems to be playing a significant role, maybe more than we’d like to admit”.
Are we agreeing that our bad luck and Andruw are one and the same?
Is Robert a sick puppy?
Any Braves’ Fan who wants to see a Braves’ player, coach or manager perform poorly is a sick puppy!
Is Robert a sick puppy? Perhaps, but methinks not, certain not in that context … though he might disagree! He just uses his own criteria set for evaluating managerial performance. His is but a subset of universe … as are our own.
The problem is not with the criterion that he has selected but rather with the weight he gives to each … effectively assigning a weight of zero to a vast majority of the universe, some of which are among the most important.
Simply stated, whether out of ignorance or by design, he has redefined the meaning of manager.
Were I being a bit less serious, I would suggest that someone come up with a new word that Robert might use when he’s referring to what he thinks a “manager” should be or a good one is … because to so restrict the accepted definition of “manager” is simply inappropriate.
I’m confident that most, if not all, of us agree with the possibility that at least some of conclusions are on the mark. However, if it is his objective to enlighten and/or motivate others to adopt his conclusions … or simply to share his opinions and gain broad acceptance as a respected Blog participant … then he’s missing the mark and I suggest he broaden both his perspective and his definitional criteria sets.
If his agenda is outside that domain, then we can most likely expect a continuation of the insecurity and redundancies coupled with the usual retaliatory
defensive offensiveness.
Indulging in the vulgar … name calling, mud slinging, barb throwing, und so weiter … is risky business and when ineffectively done … it’s difficult, if not impossible to distinguish hero from villain.
**10 Paul, our thoughts continue to be with you, mon ami.
By MBATL
June 19, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this
Shaun, so what you’re saying is that because AJ and Sizemore have about the same number of HR and strikeouts, they are having similar seasons? That’s all I can get from your argument du jour!
Isoloated Power is a measure of “raw power”, isn’t it? Sizemore is a leadoff hitter who happens to have good power. AJ is a power hitter, pure and simple (even when he’s up to par). It’s not a reasonable comparison. Sizemore’s should be a bit higher, AJ’s should be a lot higher.
Sizemore’s *career” BaBIP is .337. I know the ‘typical’ number is about .290, but do you really think Grady’s been on a 412-game lucky streak?
I agree that AJ is likely to hit better in the 2nd half than he has recently. I’m not suggesting he be taken out back and shot, or even dropped from the lineup.
But there is no defending his hitting over the last 7 weeks. Since May 1, he’s hitting .175/.245/.322 (a .567 OPS), with 23 RBI in 171 AB’s batting behind the best “top three” hitters in the game (I’m guessing, when Chipper’s playing).
But really, “only” 25 more hits and 9 more walks? Over 70 games, that’s a pretty big difference (well, roughly the difference in .205/.303 and .289/.404).
By Bob
June 19, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this
Hi GermanFan,
Not a fan of Henninger…too Preusisch!!
Maybe we could get Andruw’s Brew Crew to fill him in on our beer blogging. That could get him going…yeah, I know, a real stretch.
By DAP
June 19, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this
savannah guy
interesting idea with the rotation. like you, in my frusteration, ive though, well heck, why dont we just START the game with long relief, theyll be in there soon anyways. its not nessecarilly a bad idea.
the problem is, when you plan for two guys to pitch a game, and the game doesnt go according to plan, maybe on of them cant go 5 innings, or maybe smoltz or huddy needs to come out early, you are going to run out of pitchers pretty quick. you named 7 “starters” plus soriano and wickman, that will only leave you 3 guys as back up.
besides,it isnt scheduled that way, but it kinda works that way anyways. when smoltz is in you figure smoltz for 7, soriano 1 and wickamn 1. same for huddy. when james pitxhes you figure james for 5, moylan for 2, soriano 1 wickman 1. davies pitches, you get davis for 5, villareal for 2, poranto 1 yates 1.
anyways, you get my point. the team is already set up to back each other up the way you descibed, but it gives us more flexibility to NOT schedule it that way. then we can be creative.
(when i say we i mean bobby and the coaches, not me. i wish it was me though)
By Bob, Journalist
June 19, 2007 3:16 PM | Link to this
Sad Day in Charleston
Friends tell me that 9 fireman were killed in Charleston, SC last night … what’s nine? … that’s a entire baseball lineup!!
The building was one of those big furniture warehouse stores that specialized in sofa’s. If you’re familiar with the area, it was called “The Super Sofa Store”. Located on the Savannah Hwy. 17, West Ashley area.
When the fireman arrived, the building was ablaze. They could hear people screaming inside, so they went to the back of the warehouse store and knocked a hole in the wall and saved two employees trapped inside.
Fifteen fireman went in to see if there were anyone else in the store. They had fanned out to cover the floor when the entire roof of the building caved in pinning many of the fireman. At that point the fire flashed into a massive inferno … only six got out.
I know it’s off topic … and not as much fun as beer and baseball, but still … it’s a sad day in Charleston.
By Bob, Journalist
June 19, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this
Apologies for the sloppiness in my 2:57 post but, as I’m sure you don’t want an edited version resubmitted … I’m leave it at that!
At first glance, there appear to be about one million words missing or abused … but hopefully it’s understandable.
10 Paul was, of course, intended to be bold/highlighted … but since he’s always bold and his posts are always highlights of the Blog, I’m sure he’ll understand!
By Cheryl Carroll
June 20, 2007 8:22 AM | Link to this
There is a pretty good female sports columnist in Boston. You may have heard of her, Jackie MacMullen has a byline in The Boston Globe.