Braves

By Del

June 24, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

Now if we could just clear the air with AJ!!

By Larry P

June 24, 2007 6:43 PM | Link to this

Kick his a$$ SEABASS!

By dannycardwell

June 24, 2007 6:47 PM | Link to this

thank god this is over. bad enough i got burned up watching another loss yesterday. chipper and john are both thoroughbreds that just get frustrated when things are going bad, especially smoltze. its not time to panick yet. the kids will come through. got to love renteria. he is by far our most steady player to date. andrew should watch and learn, patience.

By Marc

June 24, 2007 6:48 PM | Link to this

Glad they got the problem resolved. I believe it was all a big misunderstanding to the ambiguity of Smoltz’s statement. It could have been interpreted as critical of Chipper, but John Smoltz is a class act and I was sure from the beginning that Smoltz’s statement was misinterpreted.

By Mike in 'fretta

June 24, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

This would have never happened if the braves were winning. Winning cures everything. Come on braves let’s get back on track tonight!

By Carroll Rogers

June 24, 2007 6:49 PM | Link to this

the news story on smoltz/chipper kept me from blogging like normal but wanted to keep you guys in the loop on a couple things not related real quickly. kyle davies still thinks there’s a pretty good chance he’ll make his next start despite the oblique cramp/problem that took him out of the game Sunday. They won’t know until he throws his side session tomorrow, or possibly Tuesday.

Also the lineup tonight, against left-hander Andrew Miller looks like this: Escobar - gets first start at second base - Diaz, Renteria, C. Jones, Francoeur, A. Jones, Saltalamacchia catching, Woodward first base and Chuck James. bobby says it’s not a shakeup but just wanted to give Kelly a break. He is 0-for-his-last 10. he struck out in a critical at-bat yesterday trying to bunt a runner to third on a third strike. escobar makes his first major leageu start at second. his more natural positions are shortstop and third base -in that order - but he played a little second base in AA last year and also in the Arizona Fall League.

Now back to your regular-scheduling talking it up about chipper and smoltz.

By Bravesfan

June 24, 2007 6:51 PM | Link to this

Chipper knows what hes doing. He has not played a complete season since 1993 and this is getting old. The braves need to stop depending on Chipper and Andruw as they wont be here to much longer.

As for Andruw, well I grew tired of him 4 years ago. He will always do what he wants and never just take the pitches given to him. I hope and pray the braves say goodby to him after this season and start out fresh with someone else. There are plenty of good center fielders out there and I hope we get one other then AJ. Hes boring.

By Jimbo

June 24, 2007 6:52 PM | Link to this

Wow…Bobby gets creative. Escobar at 2nd, he’s p** at Kelly for poor bunt effort yesterday. Salty behind the plate…Woodward at first????? Fat Head batting 7th again…still too high for him.

By Jimbo

June 24, 2007 6:55 PM | Link to this

Its a shame that Chipper and Smoltz kissed and made up. There little cat fight was far more interesting then watching the team play.

By Bob

June 24, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

OK, hope this is over with between them. Now they need to demonstrate some leadership with the other 23 players on this team.

But if anyone really believes Smoltzie was not talking about Chipper, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn for you.

By jb

June 24, 2007 6:57 PM | Link to this

Good to see Salty & Escobar in the line up. Escobar’s relative inexperience at 2B will probably be off set d/t James is a fly ball pitcher. Like the left handed bats available off the bench tonight.

By Jimbo

June 24, 2007 6:58 PM | Link to this

Thank you Bravesfan. I’m am totally with you. Its good to know someone out there thinks the same way I do. I can’t wait til he’s someone else’s problem.

By rupert

June 24, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this

is there a chance that the braves are scared to put salty in a first and have him win the job becuase they simply are going to trade him as a catcher, with more vaule? anyone with any bit of honesty would say he has looked better, sometimes a lot better that mac this year, with LIMITED at-bats, the guy gets one start and a few pinch hits every week, thats it. I know mac has been hurt and has the contract, but jeez, i would be slow to trade this top prospect for a short term fix, adam wainright anyone? finally, anyone get frustrated with how cox will make a change, i.e. playing salty at first vs. lefties, then when the player, thorman in this scenario, shows the slightest sign of coming out of it, the idea is ditched, not a cox basher, love him, but it seems like thorman needs a platoon, to some extent to provide motivation, look at his numbers since he’s had no competiton.

By Ed Glennon

June 24, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

Chipper and Smoltzy are my two favorite players. I am really sorry this all came up. Both guys took less money to stay with the Braves and they give 100%. I have had a lot of sarcastic remarks about Andruw only because he swings like he is worried about a big contract. I hope we win tonight because I really like Chucky. Anyone who works in the off-season at Lowes can not be all bad.

By N8

June 24, 2007 7:12 PM | Link to this

Bob

“But if anyone really believes Smoltzie was not talking about Chipper, then I have a bridge in Brooklyn for you.”

Awesome. That would make a great addition to my beach front property, u here in ND, that I’m trying to sell. How much you want for it? :-)

Jimbo

“Fat Head batting 7th again…still too high for him.”

10th would be to high in the order for him.

By Bob

June 24, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

Mark Lemke adds humor to the On Deck circle on Braves Radio. On the pre-game show he said that the Braves offense has been in little bit of rut lately. I love the Lemmer, but that is one of all time understatements.

By ray

June 24, 2007 7:13 PM | Link to this

I greatly admire John but I have little respect for crybaby,fragile,over-paid Chipper.

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 7:18 PM | Link to this

there was no miscommunication. it was called no communication between teammates. it was called improperly communicating with a teammate through the media. Until Smoltz starts being honest, then I have lost some respect for him about this. This is Smoltz saying I did not have sexual relations with that woman. whatever. i’ll let it go if they are gonna let it go but i will always remember that smoltz clearly stabbed a teammate in the back and then lied about it all. i will remember that chipper childishly called him out on it but then was man enough to let Smoltz get away with his little lie. i’ll let it go now.

WE WILL WIN TONIGHT!

By Zac

June 24, 2007 7:20 PM | Link to this

Pirates interested in salty http://mvn.com/mlb-braves/

By Bob

June 24, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

N8, We might be able to work out a deal for the bridge. I wish you all the luck in the world on your sale but I would have to pass on any offer to sell. Between Saudi and Iraq, I have had all the beach I care to ever see again. I am a mountain man with cool streams…and ski slopes. Thanks for the offer though. :-)

By Train Wreck Bystander

June 24, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

[sarcasm]

Oh man…. no one even brandished a folding chair or anything.

[/sarcasm]

Let’s get those Tigers tonight.

By jb

June 24, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

Rupert,

I have no idea why Salty doesn’t play more first base, like against Rogers last Friday. It would only enhance his value if the Braves do trade him. A catcher who can also play 1B, definitely has more value than a catcher alone. If he doesn’t get AB’s at first, let McCann sit and heal. Salty looks better at and behind the plate right now.

By Frustrsated

June 24, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

Ok now that the big boys have kissed and maade and agree that it was a misunderstanding - they need to agree that they both are supposed to be leaders and be supporters to everyone on the team. A team is only as good as the members of the team. Now we have a slight crack in the team because of this childish behavior of John and Larry - hopefully it won’t turn out to be a bigger problem. Again big money has entered into the picture - first John and Chipper, then Brian gets thrown out and Andruw can’t hit the ball into the ocean. Brian of all guys should realize after 9 innings how the umpire has been calling balls and strikes. Hey Brian how may low ones did the ump call against Detroit during the game. Here we are again giving a player (Brian) a big contract and he starts to act like a spoled child. Wake up Brian - you were a hit last year Hopefully you won’t be a flop this year and in the future. As far as Andrew - the annual wiffle ball tournament will be calling you in August.

By MEB

June 24, 2007 7:33 PM | Link to this

Bravesfan, Jimbo… Chipper Jones averaged 153 games a season from 1995-2004. Just look at his numbers and can you really say you want him to be someones else’s problem? I don’t think you can find a better third baseman over that time period in all of baseball.

I am very saddened to learn about Rod Beck passing away. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I can remember him pitching for the Giants throughout the 90’s. What a shame as he was only 38 years old.

GO BRAVES!!!

By Todd A

June 24, 2007 7:34 PM | Link to this

So…now I guess Chipper can go on the DL?

By Chop Chop

June 24, 2007 7:36 PM | Link to this

Braveheart,

If Smoltz’s true/false sincerity was enough for Chipper, that’s good enough for the team. Doesn’t really matter what any of us think. Oh, how I wish it mattered…

Anyway, there certainly was some “Et tu, Brute?” sentiment coming from Chipper as a result of Smoltz’s comments. Ol’ Chipper was some kind of ornery ‘bout all this. That’s probably because, in the back of Chipper’s mind, he was probably thinking this: “I can take this kind of (stuff) from Jimmy Smith or N8, but dammit, I can’t take that from Smoltz.”

By NO CHOP ZONE

June 24, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

I see a few blogs ago there was a discussion about the current state of both the Mets and braves. Their current struggles and how neither one wanted to claim the NL East. I think they got carried away a bit. The Mets are going through what most teams do in a 162 game season. They’ll get through it and win the division. The braves on the other hand are just showing their true colors wich reveal they are not a very good team.

By Bob

June 24, 2007 7:45 PM | Link to this

Wow, No Chop shows its ugly head for the first time in a month. You’re a real trip!

By Josh C

June 24, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

Ha! NoChop was nowhere to be found over the last two weeks. What a loser. If you ain’t gonna come around when your team isn’t performing then don’t come at all. Talk about showing true colors…

By Stinky

June 24, 2007 7:47 PM | Link to this

Aaawwww. The multi-millionaires made nice. Aint that sweet.

By Todd A

June 24, 2007 7:51 PM | Link to this

No need to watch tonight folks.Pop in a movie,watch John from Cincinnati,or tune in to the History Channel.Anything but the impending disaster awaiting in Turner field in a few minutes.The biggest jinx known to man(my friend Charlie)is at the game tonight.He has only witnessed one win in person in the last decade.The Braves don’t just lose when Charlie goes to the games either.They get hammered.Better get Oscar loose in a hurry,because the fireworks are about to start.

By Mike

June 24, 2007 7:53 PM | Link to this

Yup all the know-it-alls on here all the transplant TBS fans that have infested our baseball world speak now like they are Peter Gammons

By No Chop Is A Joke

June 24, 2007 7:58 PM | Link to this

If you ever had any credibility,(which you didn’t) you lost it by being a chicken $hit and not showing up around here when the Mutts were losing.

What a no class wuss you are!

You’re the type of guy who would start a fight and then run when the punches started!

What wimp you are!

By ncscoots

June 24, 2007 7:59 PM | Link to this

A poster named You Never Played wrote in the last blog Many here don’t have even a hint of a clue.

He/she is probably right…this is a blog, after all, not a players’ and writers’ bar. But there is something to be said for passion, too, even if wrong-headed in the view of others. I think I might have forgotten that a little this morning (and what the heck was I doing blogging on a Sunday morning anyway?!?), so for any snarky posts that might have offended anyone, I apologize.

Besides, baseball only brings us here. I hope YNP sticks around long enough to read a good BBQ/music/Coach Yoc/Holy Cornelia thread before lumping us in with the totally unwashed. I’d like to think the bloggers have SOME redeeming qualities, LOL, even if our baseball acumen isn’t among them :-)

(although I hope YNP doesn’t hang around for the in-game blogging…otherwise he/she will REALLY think us clueless.)

By Ron

June 24, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this

NO CHOP When your team was sucking it up where were you? And now you come back when your team starts winning again, Done with you, never gonna comment to you again, last time, if I see your name, I will scroll on bye!!! Get a life you f*** B!TCH!!!

By Robert

June 24, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

Part of what Smoltz said went like this ” It’s over with. There won’t be a problem the rest of the time we’re teammates.”

Does anyone else find that to be an interesting choice of words?

By No Chop Zuni

June 24, 2007 8:10 PM | Link to this

Actually, its the transplants who go to the games.

By Jon

June 24, 2007 8:11 PM | Link to this

JOE MORGAN FREAKING MAKES ME SICK…DOES ANYONE AGREE WITH ME? I SWEAR HE IS A MET DEEP DOWN BECAUSE HE HATES THE BRAVES

By Robert

June 24, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this

RIP - Rod Beck

By PaBravefan

June 24, 2007 8:18 PM | Link to this

We are in a serious dilemma! On one hand I know we are not far out of the division lead, but on the other hand, this team as it is can not win in the playoffs! We need a solid first baseman, and we need another stud pitcher. Even with those two things, we still need a lot of people to start hitting and pitching. The problem is I don’t want to give up Salty and with Chipper always one swing or game from the DL can we afford to give up Escobar? I think we can. If chipper goes down, we can play Harris at 3rd, he did fine in AAA, and bring up Brandon Jones to play left if we need him too. Diaz has earned th chance to play everyday anyway. I don’t want to traade for Buehrle or Willis though!! Look at his numbers since last summer. Plus Buehrle is going to walk away and we have nothing. Willis has other issues. How about someone else? Halladay, Even hit up CWS about One of their other pitchers, Guthrie from Baltimore, or Bedard. Any way Lets see how many pitchers are out their, but lets not take forever, we could be way out of it by then. I am afraid that we missed our chance already. THe Mets and Phils have to be laughing at the interleague schedule we had to play! 2 first place teams (Red Sox - 2series) and the wild card leader in the AL. That doesn’t mention the Twins who are playing well too.

By jb

June 24, 2007 8:20 PM | Link to this

I know Diaz likes to swing at the first pitch, but he needs to take a few pitches. The rest of the line up needs to get an idea of what the pitcher has.

By parks

June 24, 2007 8:23 PM | Link to this

The fact that NO CHOP is on here is Joke. NO CHOP, you are a coward

By serbok

June 24, 2007 8:24 PM | Link to this

I just now tuned into the game~ DEADWOOD starting at 1st base? Bobby is friggin an Absolute HOF manager!!!!!!!! Why Did’nt I think of this?????????????? That should resolve all our problems! Especially offensively. WOW, I have a very difficult time holding back on How I feel about this Coaches thought processes He Dam sure Ain’t no manager! Smoltzie needs to speak up again, this time sayin~ I was talkin to you donk! not chip!

By MBATL

June 24, 2007 8:25 PM | Link to this

Braveheart and Paladin, thanks for the props… though I’ve lost my cool on here more times than I care to admit.

As to the latest Salty trade rumor, involving Pittsburgh, like DOB said, it’s probably just talk.

But IF we’re gonna trade Salty, Snell or Gorzelanny are the kind of guys we should target. I’d hate to lose him, but couldn’t argue with a deal like that. Let’s figure out a way to get their CF prospect, McCutchen, while we’re at it.

By Kim

June 24, 2007 8:26 PM | Link to this

What inning does Chucky baby give up the five spot??

I say inning four.

By Paladin

June 24, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

Well, here I am on the new blog and there’s still no Carolina Lady in a bikini. On that sorry note, this old knight will go to bed.

Bob I hope that you, at least, will return to the old blog and read my last post.

‘Night all

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 8:27 PM | Link to this

scoots, luv ya for your 7:59. thanx, man. even those of us who know baseball, love baseball, played it even at higher levels can get carried away with our passion and sound ignorant at times. oh well, such is the nature of fandom and blogging and venting. if we had real sports radio stations in this town, the same would go on over the airwaves.

By Bob, Journalist

June 24, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

Well, I certainly glad that misunderstanding has been swept under ther rug and things can get back to festering behind closed doors like it aughta be!

Does this mean that Larry’s pledge os perfect attendance has been resinded?

Opportunities lost, … dignity regained but nothing gained; evidently not even a team meeting. Were my nose in better shape, methinks I’d smell an award winning story somewhere, for somebody.

Like Charlie’s Great Expections … the movie didn’t live up to the preview …. great expectations, gone with the wind!

I have some land in an undisclosed location availabe fo sealed bids … maybe that’s the place to start.

Alright, all the problems have been faithfully resolved and everybody’s finally on the same page … I fully expect a fantastic turnaround without need to make changes in what anyone’s doing.

It’s just basball … a simple misunderstanding, that’s all. Go Braves!

William Wallace, I responded at the end of the last Blog.

By Bob

June 24, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

Paladin,

Wilco guy. Semper Fi.

By jb

June 24, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

Nice at bat, Woodward! At least Thorman would have taken a hack at it.

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 8:37 PM | Link to this

Miller and Morgan say that the only reason Andruw did not get a hit there was because Guillen robbed him of a hit. WRONG! Bad analysis. Nice play by Guillen BUT the real story was that Andruw did not get a hit there because it was an outside pitch that he tried to pull and sure enough, a feeble bleeding ground ball he rolled over and pulled to shortstop that was so slowly hit that Guillen could catch up with it. As Chipper would say, aim to hit the ball up the middle, take it to right when outside, and pull the sucker when thrown inside. The real story is that Andruw does not have a balanced approach at the plate and becomes an easy out.

Great, first and second, two outs, and Chris Worthless comes to the plate. STRIKES OUT LOOKING. A BIG OLE BACKWARD K IN THE SCOREBOOK.

By MarkDawg

June 24, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

YES. Woodward(after strike out looking in the second) is only 2 at-bats away from joining A.Jones and Orr at the Mendoza LINE

By Stinky

June 24, 2007 8:40 PM | Link to this

He caught the ball! He caught the Ball! … and he got up on his own. Woo Hoo!

By Bob

June 24, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

Paladin,

Got it guy. I do disagree, but that maybe more the culture of a pilot vs ground pounder/tanker. I get your point, but as a rule, the worst leaders I ever saw did that stuff all too routinely. Embarass a member of your team in front of the troops can be devastating.

I certainly respect what you have done and I would just say it is a case of agreeing to disagree. BTW, I am a Mr. now, so don’t be using that rank stuff. LOL.

robert, as to your remark, if anyone knows about more mouth than brains, you indeed are the subject matter expert on this blog.

By Bob, Journalist

June 24, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

Pete said that James had a strange reaction to that last ball gaught caught by Matt … I had a strange reaction to Bobby’s earlier comments … sorta like the old Gordon County farmer said about his mailorder bride, Resacca and send her back!

By Braves Fan 79

June 24, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

ARE YOU KIDDING ME COX?? We skip over 2 guys hitting over .300 (salty and diaz) that could play first and u put in WOODWARD!?? WHY?? Of course the first chance for rbi’s in the game and guess whos up?? the automatic out woodward!! Weve scored one run in 4 games and u PLAY YOUR WEAKEST HITTER??? WHY??

By jb

June 24, 2007 8:45 PM | Link to this

Braveheart,

Couldn’t agree more about Andruw’s ground out. He takes the pitch up the middle or towards right, it has some zip on it. Much better chance to get passed an infielder that way.

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 8:47 PM | Link to this

BobJournalist, just read your last post on the last blog. Great points. I’m not much of a booer at games to be honest although I am known to throw my hands up in the air in disgust and exasperation. But you made great points in your post. I will keep them in mind next time i go off the deep end.

Paladin, I think the -30- Bob Journalist used in his post on the last blog is a homage to his buddy SSIScribe who has said that he is an old journalist and that the -30- means something in the journalism that I do not have the first clue about.

By Glass Half Full (GHF)

June 24, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

Joe Morgan’s problem with the Braves is their lack of black players…as if that’s the players fault. He likes the Mets because of Willie Randolph’s race. “Content of their character, not the color of their skin” Joe. Wake up and smell what MLK was saying.

By rotomeister

June 24, 2007 8:48 PM | Link to this

I still can’t understand why Craig Wilson was released because it “didn’t work out,” (Bobby Cox) and yet Woodward and Orr remain. Is what they are doing “working out?”

By dirty job

June 24, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

listening to the gm, sounds like andruw isnt coming back next year, its the reality

By JJMB

June 24, 2007 8:54 PM | Link to this

g*******! Andruw is a goofy bastard. Grinning like a mule eating sh|t, not a care in the world, like nothing is wrong.

By rotomeister

June 24, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

Someone ask the GM if we can get discount tickets since we keep maintaining a discount roster because he “can’t afford” certain players.

By Bob

June 24, 2007 9:01 PM | Link to this

Gosh, Joe Morgan is trying to lock the managerial job for Terry Pendleton on National TV with JS. Tacky, is much too kind of a word for that crap. Joe was a great, great player, but this is pretty pathetic. I like Terry, but we probably need to get our hitting problems solved before he gets the nod.

By Braves Fan 79

June 24, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

Rotomeister: i totally agree man, at least with wilson we had a shot at him hitting a double or something. Woodward is lucky to just not stike out! LOVE THOSE FREE AGENT SIGNINGS JS!! We didnt have $ to get Glavine or Ward back yet we had $ for redmen, wilson, woodward, stuartz? yea great strategy JS….lets go with the guarnteed veterans who are nothing more than GUARNTEED CRAP!! what we should of done is get one good player with that $ and leave the role players and fillins up to the minors…since our system is so great right?
DOB: man u gotta admit maybe cox is loosing it….i mean 1st base…WOODWARD!?? I mean the season isnt over yet….why KEEP GIVING GAMES AWAY!!?? Thats when the Braves started going downhill is when orr and woodward played all those games when chipper first got hurt. Sad times my friends….sad times….

By rotomeister

June 24, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

Is the GM serious? Is he watching the same games we are? Seeing the same players? He acts like 1 run in 4+ games is just a part of some natural cycle of the season when the reality is no Braves team since 1988 had a streak like that and that team lost over 100 games. This June Swoon is not the bullpen’s fault like last year but it is still terrible swoon nonetheless. I feel insulted by some of his comments.

By jb

June 24, 2007 9:07 PM | Link to this

Morgan is an idiot.

Andruw’s swing last year wasn’t working once that back leg started to buckle. If you want to compare Andruw’s swing, compare it to 2005.

By Bob

June 24, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Will the Mendoza line be breached in reverse?

By chrisklob

June 24, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

Andruw gets a hit! Don’t get too excited. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

By Yars

June 24, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

I don’t expect Diaz to ever play 1B for Atlanta again. He’s #4 on the 1B depth chart. Craig Wilson was given an ample amount of time to show us he can hit on a consistent basis. He failed. I also think his bad throwing shoulder had a lot to do with him being given his walking papers. Salty needs to play 1B against LH pitching and even some RH pitching. More offensive production is needed at 1B to make up for Andruw’s crappy season, Frenchy’s unnecessary strikeouts, KJ’s streaky hitting, & McCann playing at 85% right now. The guy is playing hurt. It’s too obvious.

By Kim

June 24, 2007 9:10 PM | Link to this

Well next inning is shot as well - Woodless and James up. Better hope Chuck can keep up his stellar pitching into the sixth at least.

One run by the Tigers and another one goes bye-bye.

By Ron

June 24, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

Joe Morgan said he would rather have signed Barry Bonds than Greg Maddux!!! Acually he said right now he would sign Albert Pujols over Johan Santana, basically takin a shot at our GM. Like it would have mattered if we signed Barry Bonds instead of Greg Maddux!!! They both sucked in the playoffs!!! Barry Bonds had one good playoffs and that was in 2002 the rest he sucked in!!!

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 9:11 PM | Link to this

No Chop, you don’t wear a Mets jersey into yankee stadium and you don’t wear it to a Braves blog either especially disappearing for more than a month while your team was in a funk. This is what I think of you:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=T7rWh654214&mode=related&search=

By Bob

June 24, 2007 9:14 PM | Link to this

chrisklob,

I like it. Even a stopped clock is right twice a day. Good one.

By JJMB

June 24, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

Andruw had better be done as a Brave. Under .200 halfway through a season. That’s it. You don’t need anymore information.

I just crack up over Morgan’s excuse for Andruw. Emotional horsesh|t. Typical.

By Yars

June 24, 2007 9:16 PM | Link to this

Bob……..I get what you’re saying, man about Joe Morgan pushing Pendleton down JS throat on national tv. I think when Bobby calls it a day, (i’m guessing after 2008 season) Pendleton has a good chance of becoming the Braves next manager, if he doesn’t land a managerial job before then. I only want the next manager to be within the organization.

By jb

June 24, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this

I bet if you switched Pujols and Satana last year, the Twins wound not have mad the playoffs. I do not think you can ever pass up a multi- Cy Young winner for a great hitter.

By Josh C

June 24, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

Kim, if you’re female and using words like woodless then you sound like one sweet chick! If you’re a dude then obviously disregard.

Just read an interesting piece comparing future HOF pitchers- I’d love to hear the denizens’ thoughts. Which of the following likely HOF’ers is most likely to go in on the first ballot?

a- Matt Chico b- Julian Tavarez c- Andrew Miller

By Bob

June 24, 2007 9:22 PM | Link to this

Andruw has reached 200. The question is who will win the bet with Bob, Journalist, GermanBraveFan and others? The tension is mounting.

By chrisklob

June 24, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

Bob

Thanks very much. I’ll be here all night. Don’t forget to tip your waitress!

By Over Andy

June 24, 2007 9:26 PM | Link to this

Wonder if the GM thinks that scoring barely 3 runs a game through the month of June is just a bit of a blip on the radar?

Pitching is important if not the most important part of the game. However, even if you pick up a solid number 1 starter from someone, he can’t hold the opposition to 2 runs or under every game. If your offense is only scoring 3 runs a game, then that is exactly what your pitching has to average doing every game…..holding the opposition to two runs a game.

No offense for an extended period of time, who takes the rap? Can you trade for an entire new lineup? Nope! So on most teams, who is going to take the wrap for the offense tanking? I know the answer, not sure others agree.

By chrisklob

June 24, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

WHy the hang did Andruw not at least try to throw that runner out at the plate? The guy was barely around third when Andruw got to the ball!

By Bill

June 24, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

I agree if they trade Salty to Pittsburgh for a pitcher, CF prospect, McCutchen must be part of trade.

By jb

June 24, 2007 9:31 PM | Link to this

Maybe Andruw should watch tape of the Tigers hitting. Nevermind, Andruw is too stubbern to change.

By Bob

June 24, 2007 9:32 PM | Link to this

What the hell is the problem with our pitchers who can look great for 4-5 innings and then the bottom falls out? Morgan thinks it is batters making adjustments and I am sure that is partly true. I also think not scoring any damn runs is putting a lot of pressure on the pitchers. But I also have to wonder about the lack of conditioning.

By Stuart

June 24, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Chuck James really sucks. He cannot make adjustments and really looks out of shape. This team really sucks.

By jb

June 24, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

Over Andy,

TP and Bobby Cox are to blame for the whole lack of offensive production. Francour was right on in the beginning of the year. Who is pulling him aside and telling him to lay off the first pitch or go the other way? Who lets a .200 hitter get away with saying I’m a pull hitter, that’s what I do? TP and Bobby Cox. Joe Torre would have benched Andruw’s a*!

By JasonInMaine

June 24, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

Game, set, match and season. But, I think we will compete next year, especially if we can get some good pitching for salty. But, as far as this year…it’s been over for a while now.

By Todd A

June 24, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

Oh well…the rout is on.

By Over Andy

June 24, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

Pitchers pitch differently with a lead. MOST pitchers pitch better with a lead.

Teams play differently when they are behind. Most teams play with less confidence when they are behind.

With the exception of Carlyle the other night, Braves pitching has not pitched terribly for the first 5 or 6 innings.

Wonder what if the offense didn’t stink so badly and had given the pitching some early run support in a few games recently, how different the outcome in some of those games might have been?

By bravesfan

June 24, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

we r gonna lose again

By N8

June 24, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

Now THAT’S the Chuck James, I’m talkin about.

2 hit shutout, through 5 innings. Then, low and behold, a GOOD HITTING TEAM adjusted to his junk-ball 88 mph fastball.

Face facts people. We have 2….count em….TWO starting pitchers on this team: Smoltz and Hudson. The rest of the rotation, along with Oscar, are nothing more than middle/long relief guys at best. If you can’t get through a lineup more than twice, and refuse to adjust the 3rd time through the order, you are a middle reliever. You have NO BUSINESS being in a Major League rotation not located in Kansas City (see Mark Redman), Tampa Bay, or Washington (Montreal).

When does the fire sale begin?

By jb

June 24, 2007 9:40 PM | Link to this

Bob, The pitchers do not do as much long toss since Leo left. I think you may be right on the lack of conditioning. I also wonder why the manager would not have the reliever up earlier knowing this trend.

By Ron

June 24, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

Game over!!! We will be 4.5 Games back after we lose this game!!! Season soon to be over, unless we turn it around fast!!! Gotta do some Damn Homework for school!!! Rather be doin that than watch this piece of crap game!!!

By Bob

June 24, 2007 9:43 PM | Link to this

N8,

Sadly, I believe you are correct.

By Savannah Guy

June 24, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

Posted this on last blog before noticing that everyone had moved. So I moved it here for your viewing pleasure, just as this game has taken a big turn for the worse. Shyte. Anyway…

After a few days off from baseball and blogging (and work and travel), I’ve just caught up (mostly) on the last few days of DOB articles and your posts. As usual, it’s all over the map with posts ranging from the brilliant to the absurd…and some really funny and stupid stuff as usual. Then I came across yours…

By The Truth Hurts 1:34 AM post: “…Savannah Guy, recap all the nonsense.” Hey Truth Hurts, thanks. It’s nice to be remembered and even more gratifying to be requested, since many bloggers would rather talk at than talk with. Don’t know if I have one of my “Blogger Recaps” in me tnight, but I’ll try a new angle on the denizen forum for now. Besides, after my 1:48 post earlier which ran, um…longish, I’ll try and be more succinct. For you multi-taskers to enjoy during the game, which is going ok so far, here have:

THE SAVANNAH BASE-BLOG AWARDS

This is the first in a series of the Best, Worst and Somewhere Betwixt the two on recent baseball, blogging and other eclectic, timely and admissible* subjects. To enter in the competition, just become a Braves baseball player or manager, post something on DOB’s blog or just catch my attention in the wild world of music, food and such.

(NEW) WORST TIMING OF POST: Winner: Me. Just when the last blog ends and the game starts spiraling out of control…again…sigh…

MOST CONSISTENT: You know what he’s going to do. Winner: Andruw Jones. Note to winner: try not to be so consistently bad.

BEST POLITICAL ADVICE: Winner: DOB (just say no and put a sock in it).

MOST UNWILLING TO “TAKE” A HIT: Winner: Kelly Johnson. Whatever happened to the double play? KJ, you look scared, man. Remember Javy? He would take the throw home from halfway to the pitchers mound to avoid a hit.

MOST UNABLE TO “GET” A HIT: Winner: A Jones. Hands down.

WORST BASEBALL ANNOUNCER: Winner: Joe Morgan

BEST (NEW) MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS: Winners: Hank Dogs, “Rise”, Modest Mouse, “We were dead before the ship even sank” and the new album by the Shins, “Wincing the night away” (all chosen by yours truly cause I have home-field advantage). Also, Whitesnake and White Stripes (haven’t heard these white albums yet but they seem to be popular to more than a few denizens).

MOST UNWILLING TO PUT DOWN THE CHEESEBURGER: Winner (3 way tie): McCann, A Jones, Wicky. Note to winners: salads and exercise can do wonders for athletic ability and injury avoidance.

BEST PITCHING: Winner: John Smoltz. Duh.

WORST PITCHING: Winner (log jam tie): Hudson and every other pitcher other than already mentioned.

BEST BBQ RECOMMENDATION: Winner: Carolina Lady. Love that vinegar slaw version.

BEST HITTING: Winner: Renteria.

BEST AT EXCEEDING EXPECTATIONS: Winner (5-way tie): Harris, Salty, Soriano, Diaz, Moylan.

BEST AT BARELY MEETING EXPECTATIONS: Winner (4-way tie): C Jones, Wickman, Yates, Villarreal.

MOST COLORFUL POSTS: Winner: Joe Brave. By the way, where the F*%# are you?

MOST UNDERACHIEVING: Winner: (4-way tie) Frenchy, McCann, K Johnson, Thorman.

MOST UNREGRETTABLE LOSS: Winner: Redman.

BEST WIT AND HUMOR: Winner: Journalist Jimmy Smith. Hands down. Almost always witty to downright hilarious. Thumb jamming, toe stomping funny.

MOST POETIC PONTIFICATING AND MINDFUL MEANDERING: Winner: Bob, Journalist. Note: You good sir, also get the special award for self-deprecation. Get some sleep then you won’t try sooo hard and take it all so seriously. Seriously.

BEST AT SOMEHOW KEEPING THEIR JOBS: Winner (2-way tie): Woodward, Orr.

MOST TALKED ABOUT DIGITS: Winner: Chipper Jones. Watch those toes and thumbs.

BEST TURNAROUND: Winner: Robert. He’s gone from blog pariah to pertinent participant. Gone are the endless Donk references. Agree with him or not, he’s now posting some good stuff on the game. Note to winner: just don’t let Lew get you off your game.

BEST TARGET SHOOTING: Winner: John Smoltz.

BEST QUOTE ON TARGET SHOOTING: Winner: George Will, syndicated columnist, for his words, “Leadership is, among other things, the ability to inflict pain and get away with it - short-term pain for long-term gain.”

BEST PLAYER DEVELOPMENT NL MANAGER: Winner: Bobby Cox

WORST GAME STRATEGY AND PLAYOFF MANAGEMENT: Winner: Bobby Cox

BEST HEADLINE: “The NL Least” Winner: Our very own David O’Brien (aka DOB).

MOST STATISTICAL POSTS: Winner: Shaun. Who else? How many and how often?

BIGGEST MELTDOWN: Winner: Andruw Jones…Hands-down and thumbs down. Note: Mendoza was understandable. He is not.

MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS: Winner: Any MLB starting pitcher that is breathing.

By NO CHOP ZONE

June 24, 2007 9:45 PM | Link to this

For your information I have been out of the country for the last 2 1/2 weeks on work related business. The braves have been just as lousy during the Mets struggles. I just arrived this morning. Your team is what you should be worried about and not me. I will be in and out of the counrty until mid August. I do have tickets to the Mets vs braves August 7th….LETS GO METS!!!

By Josh C

June 24, 2007 9:46 PM | Link to this

Maybe this is just a side point, maybe unimportant, but…

The grounder that Sheffield hit with men on first and second looked like a DP ball!! I know he’s a pull hitter but why wasn’t Edgar at DP depth there? Coulda been man on third w/ two out and none in…

By toga

June 24, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

Chipper jumped to the conclusion that Smoltz was talking about him because he realizes it is true. If he didnt have a “guilty concience” he wouldnt have any reason to ASSuME now would he?

By Bill

June 24, 2007 9:49 PM | Link to this

As I said before, I would take Davies over James anytime. Davies has more promise and James just throws junk. Include James in a trade.The Braves bats and pitchers stink. I see the Braves being sellers by trading deadline.

By chrisklob

June 24, 2007 9:50 PM | Link to this

Bob said: But I also have to wonder about the lack of conditioning.

I was wondering the same, exact thing. Hudson has been better this year (notice I said “better”, not “great”) after a winter which, according to him, he devoted himself to his physical conditioning.

It makes you wonder if Chipper, Brian “Big Mac” McCann and some of the pitchers couldn’t follow his lead and take better care of their bodies.

By Braves Fan 79

June 24, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

BRAVES = NO HEART and DUMB MANAGERING!! Hey bobby THIS is when u bring in your crap players like woodward….AFTER the games out of reach! First scoring chance of the game and he sends a .200 (folks hes worse than a .200 hitter up not named andrew….WTF!!??? And what makes it even more fustrating is that Thorman has been kinda hot lately!
WHAT HAS WOODWARD DONE ALL SEASON TO EVER GET A START!?? can someone tell me….anyone..?? Common ajc writers start admiting what us fans already notice….maybe bobbys lost it. Maybe JS has lost it. Ill always hate AOL/timewarner for what they did to my team. Cheap bastards. And screw u ted turner for ever selling the Braves…..maybe it was karma coming back to bite u in the a* when u lost all that $ in the stock market crash. U old stupid gezer… Maybe Blank will buy the team (can keep my fingers crossed right?)

By jb

June 24, 2007 9:51 PM | Link to this

Fire sale, N8?

What veterans do we have that teams really want to give up prospects for?

Andruw and Chipper? Both can say no to a trade, and who would want them.

Woodward and Orr? I am not even sure why the Braves want them.

Renteria and Wickman? I could see teams having interest in them.

Hudson? Not sure a team he would bring in enough to let go of him due to the fact he is a “bargain” for a starting pitcher.

If we really want a fire sale, Smoltz would be appealing to teams in a race. McCann and his large contract should go also.

By Ron

June 24, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

People, do yall realize that if not for Chippers homer yesterday we would be nearing 5 games with 0 runs!!! If you people think only pitching is the only problem, well yall have a problem then!!! We should keep our prospects and try to make Smart Great Trades in the offseason and I think we will contend next year!!! No reason to trade any of our prospects for rent a players!!! I will be p!ssed if we do that, pointless if we do!!!

By The Truth Hurts

June 24, 2007 9:53 PM | Link to this

What does it say about the hometown team when the 3rd time through our lineup, we still can’t hit a rookie who throws ONE pitch.

By N8

June 24, 2007 9:54 PM | Link to this

“Morgan thinks it is batters making adjustments and I am sure that is partly true. I also think not scoring any damn runs is putting a lot of pressure on the pitchers. But I also have to wonder about the lack of conditioning.”

Conditioning, schmichining!

It’s adjustments. You could just see it the 1st 4 innings. The Tigers were simply measuring Chucky up. Waiting for their moment. Smoltz “lost it” in the 6th inning the other night too, and nothing that inning was really hammered, was it? Nope. They adjusted and attacked.

Something a Bobby Cox coached team will NEVER do. “Just keep hackin’ kids. Come on! You just missed that one!”

DOB can talk about the opposing pitchers we’ve faced, and how our “luck” hasn’t been so good running into that many “Aces” in a 10/15 game stretch. HOGWASH!

Oh. Waddya know? Chipper is the ONLY guy that has an approach at the plate.

Hack n Jack BABY! It’s not a hitting approach…..It’s a WAY OF LIFE.

Thanx Booby.

By Over Andy

June 24, 2007 9:56 PM | Link to this

Yes we need pitching no doubt, but I’m amazed that the Braves pitching staff is being slammed unmercifully while our offense is supplying ZERO run support! How would you like pitching with the pressure of feeling you have throw a shutout every game to get a win???

Geez people!

By TURTSNAP

June 24, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

One difference between a good team and a Braves team is…. the good teams make adjustments the second or third time facing the SP, while the Braves team never, ever makes adjustments. The Tigers did it Friday against Smoltz and tonight against James. Smoltz even stated that Friday, he felt he had great stuff.

Maybe the Braves will take some notes watching the Tigers. Then again, maybe not

By jb

June 24, 2007 9:57 PM | Link to this

Hey, in regards to the fire sale,

I remember Tamba Bay expressed interest in James last offseason.

By Glass Half Full (GHF)

June 24, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

If the Braves weren’t sellers in 2006, they won’t be in 2007 and don’t get me started on the over used term “fire sale.” There will be no fire sale because the only players making money on this team either can’t be traded or nobody wants.

By jb

June 24, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

I’m confused.

Moylan was dealing and would have been pulled for a pinch hitter after this half inning. Why bring Paronto in? It’s no wonder this bullpen gets overworked. If Cox has to put Wickman or Soriano in with the Braves down, what does he hope to accomplish.

By Bob

June 24, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this

N8…I give, I give.

By N8

June 24, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

Bill

“I see the Braves being sellers by trading deadline.”

If they’re NOT sellers, JS should be fired by Liberty Media.

He reminds me of Bruce Willis from the 6th Sense. This team is DEAD as can be, and I’m not sure he’ll be seeing clearly enough to see it before trading away guys like Salty and Escobar.

If he trades away Salty for ANYTHING less than a 25 (or younger) starter, that ends up winning 16-20 games annually for us, I will have lost ALL faith in him to construct this team.

Mark Buehrle is NOT the answer people. Unless, like I said the other day, he can pitch (and dominate while doing so), and play CF when NOT pitching, and somehow manage to play 1B as well.

Sadly enough, I long for the day that Sheffield was batting cleanup for us. Man does that SUCK. When you wish that an A-Hole was still on your team, you know things are going bad.

That and now that Chipper and Smoltz have “made up”, there is almost NO REASON to pay attention to this team.

STILL think the Braves are gonna win the East, DOB?

By Fred Secunda

June 24, 2007 10:05 PM | Link to this

If we give up Salty for a two month rental of Mark Buerhle I think I will be sick.

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

This is what NCZ really meant to say, “For your information I have been out of the county (jail) for the last 2 1/2 weeks…… I will be in and out of the county (jail) until mid August.”

But NCZ, if your job is really taking you out of country, then congrats, sounds like a good job.

But, seriously, come back in mid-August when you get things worked out with those child support enforcement and parole/probation officers.

By Bob

June 24, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this

By Over Andy,

You are right. But James has consistently lasted till about the 5th inning all year, even when the Braves were scoring runs. No doubt we have big time hitting woes and it makes all of our pitchers feel like they have to pitch a shutout. But right now there is not much about this team that is functioning.

By chrisklob

June 24, 2007 10:09 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy: I like your recap. I agree, Robert’s recent posts have been much more tolerable of late. He’s obviously a bright guy, writes well, and does know a little about the game. It’s nice to see him make posts that aren’t related to BC ALL THE TIME. I don’t necessarily agree with those posts but they do get pretty tiresome to read.

By N8

June 24, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

“How would you like pitching with the pressure of feeling you have throw a shutout every game to get a win???”

I’ll accept that arguement for a guy like Smoltz, or Maddux many years back. But when our offense WAS going good in the beginning of May, our pitchers WERE STILL GETTING HAMMERED!

That arguement, while rational, doesn’t apply to Chuck James, Buddy Carlyle, Mark Redman, Lance Cormier, and Kyle Davies.

WHY THE “F” is Paronto still on this team?

Oh hey! Waddya know? Roger McDowell IS still alive. I thought maybe he just “phoned in” his gameplans to the pitchers. I would, if this was the staff that my GM gave me to work with.

By Yars

June 24, 2007 10:11 PM | Link to this

C. James tires after 5 innings. He’s one of those type pitchers. After 60-65 pitches, he’s pretty much done. Got nothing left. I agree with some of you that have stated the Braves are on the verge of being sellers instead of buyers.

By fastasballs

June 24, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

The only adjustment a Braves hitter makes is to his crotch. It’s a team effort of futility at the plate.

Earlier in the year the Braves could be down by 4-5 & always made a comeback, may not have won them all, but they never quit. Now it appears the white flag is flown before the first pitch, sad.

It’s not going to get any better with the Nats. They Braves couldn’t hit their pitching when they were hitting well.

The Braves won’t be sellers even if they are 10 games out at the break. Cox & JS will convince themselves that with another player or two this team will take the division.

By Jon

June 24, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

I think EVERY SINGLE BIT of our problems should be put on the coaching staff. Bobby, Terry, and Roger! Not playing Salty and Escob more, lack of aggressive baserunning (hit and run and stealing), and willingness to change your coaching approach. Terry, the hitters are NOT ADJUSTING…PERIOD! THATS A REFLECTION ON HIM. I know he cant make them do it, but he is the coach..the authority figure…so he is responsible! Now to pitching, our pitching has been terrible since Roger got here. I’m so SICK of seeing his gay trot out to the mound to calm the pitcher down. He is a JOKE! Plain and simple. The pitchers ARE NOT getting the job done! Chuck James..has a bad inning and it all goes to hell. Davies, bad inning all goes to hell. Its obvious there is something more about these “freak innings” I blame every bit of this on the coaches and partly blame Shurholtz or however you damn spell it! QUIT STANDING PAT…MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN AND GIVE US SOME ENERGY. Its ok if you want to continue to be a puss and not pull a trigger on a trade, but call up Jo Jo or Harrison and give us some energy. What about the left handed reliever from UGA. Go look at his numbers! Real good ERA….what the hell are we waiting for! Quit sitting here like damn idiots and pull the trigger! This ISNT gonna get any better!

By jb

June 24, 2007 10:18 PM | Link to this

If I recall correctly,

James often didn’t do much past the 6th inning last year when he was pitching well.

I’d be very happy with his 5-6 innings if he was a 5th (not 3rd) starter.

That said, Short of Snell and a prospect from Pittsburg, I would hate to see Salty traded for pitching.

By N8

June 24, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Glass Half Full (GHF)

“There will be no fire sale because the only players making money on this team either can’t be traded or nobody wants.”

While I agree with you, that Andruw, Chipper and Hampton aren’t going anywhere, one could say that Wickman, Renteria and Hudson could (and would) be desired by many, if we dangled them. Trading ALL three of them would, garner some nice prospects, I’m guessing AND clear some payroll for next year.

By definition, that would be a fire sale (small as it may be).

1 Damn run scored in the last 5 games. Why on earth would we be trading either of our good, young, promising BATS, for Mark Buehrle? If there is any move to be made to salvage this year, it should be trading some young pitching for a CF and a 1B (since Bobby has NO INTEREST in playing Salty over there), that can hit.

By GANDFAN

June 24, 2007 10:19 PM | Link to this

Heaven forbid Bobby should ask any of our prima donnas to advance a runner, oh I forgot they don’t know how to bunt! Home Run or nothing.

By Todd A

June 24, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

Oh well…the rout is on.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

June 24, 2007 10:21 PM | Link to this

Did anyone hear JS on the game tonight. I think he is trying to convice himself that this team can get back into it. This team totally lacks fire. They just don’t act like they even want to play none of them. Not even Francouer who is usaually pretty enthusiastic looks excited anymore. He made a great play and nobody really high fives him. No fist pumps. They just are ho-hum about everything.

By Over Andy

June 24, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Bob

I’m not a James fan. His MO has been give’em five and hope you have some runs. I don’t know why the Braves seem to have this love for finesse’ guys. They always have loved those types. They seem to think they can get these types and turn them into Glavine or Maddux. I want to see them draft some guys with 95 plus fastballs and potential.

James is still a 5 innning guy. Smoltz is a 5 inning guy until his shoulder gets better.

I still stand by my statement that there is tooooo much pressure on the Braves pitching when they feel like they have to throw a shutout every time out because the offense stinks.

By MBATL

June 24, 2007 10:22 PM | Link to this

Tonight was a lot different for James. He usually uses 90 pitches to get through the 5th - tonight, not nearly so many. He was very efficient, which is very unusual.

That 6th inning… a bunt single, a hit batsman with 2 strikes, and then a bunch of dribblers and dinks. Bobby got the hook out early (for a change, which is okay with me). Anyway, 4 runs is 4 runs, and it ain’t great; but I don’t think fatigue was so much a factor as just bad pitching luck.

Agreed, the Tigers are great at going with the pitch… something the Braves could learn from.

By N8

June 24, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

NOW BATTING FOR THE ATLANTA BRAVES…..Billy Bob Thornton!

Mmm-Hmm. I wreckon, I’m gonna not make contact. Mmm-Hmm. That’s funny. As in “Funny Ha-Ha, not Funny Queer.”

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

June 24, 2007 10:25 PM | Link to this

Its time for a fire sale, kids. Lets get B. Jones, Andrus, Harrison, Devine, and Boyer up here and let the young kids play. Lets just play out the string and hope this nightmare goes by quickly.

By Jon

June 24, 2007 10:26 PM | Link to this

WHATS SAD ABOUT ALL OF THIS IS I STILL HAVE SEVERAL TOPICS ABOUT THE BRAVES I CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT!!!! How in the world does a college pitcher A YEAR AGO, come in and throw a mid 90’s fastball 90 percent of the time and shut us down completely? Why in the world cant we get McCann and Salty in the same lineup? Why is Paronto still on the Braves? Dont give me the sinker ball excuse…thats why we got Moylan..who by the way can at least strike you out. Why do we keep calling Devine up when he is CLEARLY not ready for the big leagues? Especially when we got other pithers with awesome numbers in AAA and AA. How many times is Chris Woodward gonna look like CRAP before we get rid of him and get some freaking young bucks who could use the experience and at bats…he is a FREAKING WASTE..and he just struck out! Point made! Im gonna make this real real real simple for everyone! We are not good! We are average at best that plays with NO EMOTION! Forget the freaking playoffs!!! I love the Braves and its killing me watching this night in and night out! Oh yeah, Kelly Johnson experiment….FORGET IT! PLAY ESCOBAR AND LETS BE DONE WITH IT!

By HP

June 24, 2007 10:27 PM | Link to this

Chris Woodward makes me sick! He sucks! He looks like a Single A player at best. Why is he on the team?

By lostlover

June 24, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

Buehrle is not THE answer, but he could help. We simply don’t have dominant pitching.

We need another big bat. We would have had that if Andruw weren’t slumping so bad…

I think JS is going to make another pitching trade or two. I don’t think they’ll touch the offense, despite needing some rejuvenation. I believe this is the time we need a big spark, similar to that of when Fred McGriff joined the team. Is there anybody out there who would provide similar results as the Crime Dog did? I don’t think so…

By Braves Fan 79

June 24, 2007 10:28 PM | Link to this

woodward strikes out….man didnt see that coming! Glad bobbys trying so hard to come back in the game that he sends up a no power .200 hitter. Maybe we are showcasing woodward openly hoping to maybe get some bats and balls for him in what would be JS’s best move of the season!

By NO CHOP ZONE

June 24, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Brainfart, You’re directing your anger in the wrong direction. First look at yourself (If you can bear it) then look at your team, which will be a .500 team after tonite. They suck and you know it but you refuse to accept it and choose to throw insults at others to make yourself feel better…..So sorry.

By Yars

June 24, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

If the Braves are 11 games out at the all star break, time to call it a season. It’s over. Met’s just swept the A’s. Tigers are about to sweep the Braves. I wouldn’t be surprised now if the Mets go on some 10 game winning streak, while the Braves lose 7 of their next 10.

By jb

June 24, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Big difference in the teams.

Ordonez, the Tigers stud clean up hitter hits a single the other way with the runner going.

Our clean up hitter (unless Chipper stays there) swings a first pitches for a pop out or weak grounder (Andruw.) The other choice is Francouer swinging st the first pitch for a pop up or a line out that doesn’t advance the runner on first.

One team gets to play in the World Series last year and has a good shot to do it again. The other will get to watch post season baseball from their couch for the second year in a row.

By Savannah Guy

June 24, 2007 10:32 PM | Link to this

Continuing the 9:44:

SAVANNAH BASE-BLOG AWARDS

TEAM FACING CY YOUNG MOST OFTEN: Winner: Braves. Or is it bad hitting?

WORST HITTING AND PITCHING TEAM IN THE NL: Winner: Braves.

PLAYERS THAT DON’T TAKE ADVICE FROM COACHES: Winner: Frenchy, Andruw.

COACHES THAT DON’T SUCCEED AT TASK: Winner: Terry Pendleton

BEST BONE-IN RIBEYE: Winner: Rathbuns in Atlanta

BEST SEAFOOD: Wild American Shrimp. Especially Georgia’s sweet ones.

BEST SCRAMBLED EGGS: Winner: Braves batters.

BEST CHOPPED LIVER: Winner: Woodward.

BEST MLB MANAGER: Winner: Leyland. Yep.

MOST LIKELY TO WIND UP IN NL EAST THIRD PLACE: Winner: Braves. Sad but true.

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

I wish Woodward was Billy Bob Thornton. At least then we could have him say I got me a slingblade and I aim to kill you with it. Mmmmm.. Hmmmm.

By N8

June 24, 2007 10:34 PM | Link to this

MBATL

“…but I don’t think fatigue was so much a factor as just bad pitching luck.”

COME ON!!! Are you kidding me? Damn, we gotta be the most unlucky sunz a b*** out there then.

“a bunt single”

Andruw, Thorman and McCann could all take that approach for the element of surprise, just to ATTEMPT something different. Bunting for a base hit is often a smart play if the other team isn’t expecting it.

“a hit batsman with 2 strikes”

Seems more like LACK OF COMMAND, than bad luck. How many times do you think Maddux has hit pitchers with 2 strikes? Must be one “lucky” pitcher, I guess.

“a bunch of dribblers and dinks”

Spoken like a true “homer” that’s been listening to Bobby make excuses for the last 15 years. GOOD HITTERS ADJUST. Period. Our hitters DO NOT ADJUST. Since we don’t ever see that happening in front of our eyes, except when other BETTER COACHED/MORE DISCIPLINED hitters do it to OUR pitchers, the homers think its lucky.

How sad. Every one of those lucky hits, were due to the Tigers hitters NOT hacking and trying to pull an outside change up into the upper deck. They took the ball where it was pitched. Something Andruw, Francoeur, and Thorman could ALL learn from.

Man have we had “bad luck” for 5 days or what, huh?

By NO CHOP ZONE

June 24, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

You do realize Brainfart, that you must score runs to have a chance to win a baseball game. One run in the last four games isn’t going to work. Breath deep and refocus your anger towards that shi-tty team you follow.

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 10:35 PM | Link to this

This just in - 9 players found dead at Turner field, all wearing Braves uniforms. Investigators were baffled to see all the bodies still on their feet…

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

N8, looks like you were right all along. It may be time for that fire sale. This ain’t working. We are stuck between two eras. It is time to move on.

By Ron

June 24, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

DOB a few blogs ago you wrote “can Braves Shake the Doomsayers?” Referring to this blog!!! Well DOB if you aint a doomsayer now then you aint watching the games!!!! I have become a doomsayer and most of this blog has also, why you ask? Watch the Damn games and you will figure it out!!!

By Steve from OH

June 24, 2007 10:37 PM | Link to this

Alright, here goes… We somehow managed to get through this tough interleague stretch at .500, which (considering the Mets’ struggles) is acceptable for now. Once we get back into NL play (especially this upcoming Nationals series) we need to start hitting and winning-8 or 8 of the next 14 would be great. I think it can happen. But we do need improvement aka get Buehrle. I would also approach Oakland about Joe Blanton— see if they won’t take a Chuck James package for him. Right now, I think Davies has a greater upside than James. Think about it. They’re both fastball-changeup pitchers, but Kyle throws much harder and has a decent curve to complement his fastball. If our second-half rotation is Smoltz, Huddy, Buehrle, Blanton and Davies, we’ve got a great shot to get into the playoffs. I know I’m probably wishfully thinking here, but it could happen, right?

By lostlover

June 24, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

Andrew Miller pitched tonight. The Braves offense made him look good. Make no mistake…

By Over Andy

June 24, 2007 10:38 PM | Link to this

N8

Well the pitching is not lights out like we all wish it was, but the offense IS NOT producing right now and that’s just more pressure on ALL the staff.

Davies gives up 2 runs yesterday and doesn’t even have a chance. James goes 5 tonight without giving up a run to a heavy hitting Tigers squad. You also didn’t mention Hudson who has been up and down but when he’s been up hasn’t gotten run support the last few times out.

Sorry N8 I can’t give an offense who is barely scoring 3 runs a game in the entire month of June a pass.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

June 24, 2007 10:39 PM | Link to this

Can anyone explain to me why Orr and Woodward are on this team? Neither one of them can hit their weight. Hell, they can’t hit Paris Hilton’s weight. Who am I kidding? They can’t hit Nicole Ritchie’s weight. Why are they taking up valuable roster space? JS needs to release Woodward and just cut his loses and Orr either needs to be realeased and demoted and bring up Prado.

I also think it is quite obvious this team isn’t winning anything. Get rid of Hudson, Renteria, and Wickman. Bring either prospects or young players who have the talent and potential to play. Getting rid of those three guys will free up $18.5 mil. Add Andruw to the mix and this team will have about $28 mil or so to work with when take into account Smoltz’s pay increase. When you factor in McCann’s increase and arbitration increases the Braves still should have about $25 mil. My point is that they will have some money to get some players with passion and heart and who get this team on the right track.

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 10:40 PM | Link to this

The sign in the back says the Bronx is burning. I would say that Atlanta is burning right now but that brings up alot of awful memories.

By MEB

June 24, 2007 10:41 PM | Link to this

Instead of asking the Homeboy Upstairs silly questions about acquiring Barry Bonds, back in the day, why didn’t Jon Miller ask why the Braves acquired Chris Woodward? I cannot come up with any logical reason why the man is playing first base tonight. I’m sure John Smoltz could play first tonight and give us a better presence at the plate. The stinking rookie Tigers pitcher Miller had better hacks at the ball than Woodward. Geeeezzzzzz!

Paronto left some major damage on the mound. The Ted will need a truckload delivered tomorrow.

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

Savannah guy

Disagree about third place… remember the Marlins!

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 10:45 PM | Link to this

hell, they can’t hit calista flockhart’s weight. check that, make it lara flynn boyle’s weight. or maybe the weight of one of the olsen twins.

By No Chop Wuss

June 24, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Hey look! It’s that big Wuss No Chop!

Hey pansy, where were you when your Mutts were losing?

You are such a coward! Don’t have enough guts to come here when your Mutts were losing.

Hey chicken…. don’t mistake the Mets winning with it making you something special. Any fool with a dollar can be a fan of any team. The Mets may be winning again but YOU ARE STILL A LOSER!

By jb

June 24, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

This team is looking worse by the day. A one- pitch, left handed rookie looks like a Cy Young winner with a right handed line up put in against him. It was not even a Justin Velander or Randy Johnson fastball he had for one pitch. Woodward (why the hell was he in to begin with) stays in to hit against the right handed pitcher with left handed Thorman on the bench. Wait a minute, a lead off single. Go Braves!

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 10:50 PM | Link to this

Dang it! Thought for a second we were going to get a runner to third…

By WickmanFan

June 24, 2007 10:53 PM | Link to this

the loser Georgia group is adding their 1 cent worth…again. the idiots who do not actually pay for tickets but want to trash the Braves. I bet all the nay sayers are DAWGS fans too. fu**ing losers. Andrew is a great outfielder but that is about it! Falling on your back leg……lol what a joke. Ummmm, this your job, PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL players. YOU GET PAID TOO MUCH FOR NOTHING. Sounds like a bunch of squabbling b*** women and I am a woman calling you a***** out. I pay too much for tickets to see Ted’s dream busted. You “something something” Ga people should be ashamed out ignorant you are. Atlanta is a great city and us TRANSPLANTS hate how pussified you are. (thank you Kimmer for the word)

By Chris

June 24, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

Are the braves going to stop the bleeding and try to go get some help? It seems to me that the GM is scaried to spend cash to get back to the post season, better than that a winning record.

By Braves Fan 79

June 24, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Bobby why are you on tv looking concerned NOW? You obviously didnt care about winning tonight. You twice allowed a player that hasent done anything all season to help kill off a rally. (even thou we have 2 players on the bench hitting over .300) Thorman is finially starting to get hot yet you start WOODCRAP?? On a night when weve lost 4 in a row and cant score for crap?
How many managers in MLB would start at 1st base (a position that usually is one of the best powerhitters on the team) a player with NO power…and a .200 average!??
I mean common hes managing like were the royals at the end of the season when games dont mean anything.

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

The closest this team will get to sniffing a world series is if they go to Williamsport, PA!

By serbok

June 24, 2007 10:59 PM | Link to this

LAST chance for the Bravos! AJ, Salty and Deadwood!!!!! LMAO!

By MBATL

June 24, 2007 11:01 PM | Link to this

N8, just watching the game and commenting on what actually happened, rather than being driven by some deeprooted bias, as you clearly are.

Anyway…

I think you guys are wrong to say it’s time for the “fire sale.” It’s not. It would be stupid to start dumping players in June.

If the Braves don’t turn this around hard by, say, July 20, I (the eternal optimist) will be ready for some drastic action.

Complaining about Woodward being in the lineup is small picture stuff. Who cares if Woodward is in the lineup for a game, when playing AJ, McCann, Thorman, Francoeur, etc has produced 1 run in the last 4 games?

And the “dump AJ” and “dump CJ” stuff is just lame. AJ will be here through this year, and will play. CJ will be here through next year, and barring injury, will play. Smoltz will be here. Hampton will be here. Beyond that, IMO, everybody is fair game.

If we’re out of it in late July, trading Salty and Escobar become bad moves. Those are guys you trade if you’re a buyer, not a seller.

And if we don’t move forward in the next month, my view will be that this “edition” of the Braves couldn’t get it done in ‘06, couldn’t get it done in ‘07, and is unlikely to get it done in ‘08. So minor tweaks are not the answer.

At that point, before the trade deadline, it’s time to look at what we could get for Hudson, James, McCann, Renteria, Francoeur - the guys with real appeal on the market. Get back to what made the franchise successful - pitching. If it takes trading McCann (and making Salty the catcher), Renteria (and making Escobar/Lillibridge the SS) or Hudson (and replacing him the ‘proceeds’ of the moves above), to obtain frontline pitching, so be it.

N8, I don’t get a lot of pleasure out of whining about things, as you obviously do … but at some point, if the current plan doesn’t work, I’m all for abandoning it and creating a new one. That day hasn’t come, but could be just around the corner.

By parks

June 24, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

NO CHOP, out of the country for 2 1/2 weeks? LMAO! You can not be more than 15 years old. Grow some stones and admit you are a coward.

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 11:02 PM | Link to this

Wow!! 400 foot foul ball followed up by a swiiiing and a miss! .196!!

By N8

June 24, 2007 11:03 PM | Link to this

Over Andy

“Sorry N8 I can’t give an offense who is barely scoring 3 runs a game in the entire month of June a pass.”

For the record, in the 44 games NOT started by Smoltz or Hudson, those starters (Chuck, Davies, Carlyle, Redman, Lerew, Cormier) have combined to go 10-23 with a 6.12 ERA, averaging 5.1 Innings per start.

So excuse me, if I’m not gonna give the rotation a “pass” for the entire season, to date.

So saying the pitching is “not lights out”, is a major understatement, from where I’m coming from.

I will agree that Chuck gave us a chance to win tonight. he kept us in it for 5 innings. Can’t really ask for more than that. Well, I could, but that wish, would go ungranted. :-)

I do agree with you. Pitchers pitch better with a lead. No sane person could argue that point. But on the flip side, one could argue that hitters don’t hit as well, when trailing by a bunch of runs early in the game. How many times have our hitters come to bat ALREADY trailing by as many as 2, 3, 4 and sometimes 5 runs? Too many, is the correct answer.

I will conceed one general summation…..THIS TEAM ISN’T VERY GOOD. I’m afraid it’s as simple as that.

Earlier in the year, I predicted that this team would make us wish that we had a 79-83 team watch every night. I’m also afraid that that prediction is also coming true. I wasn’t wishing for it, like many of you think I do, just saw the writing on the wall before most of you. Call me a prophet, call me a pessimist, or just call me what we used to call a buddy of mine who used to complain about everything….a NEGAHOLIC.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

June 24, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

WHY IN THE HELL WAS CHRIS WOODWARD BATTING?

By Fire Terry Pendleton

June 24, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

We know that won’t happen though don’t we?

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 11:05 PM | Link to this

SWWEEEEP!!

By JJMB

June 24, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

What was the thinking of ESPN to air this game?

By HP

June 24, 2007 11:06 PM | Link to this

Chris Woodward as a baseball player is a joke! The guy needs to retire right now.

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

Trade Smoltz to Detroit for Doyle Alex-… never mind.

By TennesseePaul

June 24, 2007 11:08 PM | Link to this

Still on the binge. Drinking ‘till we win a game. Probably be dead by the end of the week.

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 11:10 PM | Link to this

Can’t our LOBs count as runs?

By jb

June 24, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

It may be time to just call up these promising youngsters. Harris (LF), Blanco (CF), Escobar (3B), McCann or Salty (C), Diaz (1B), Francouer (RF), Lillbridge (2B), Andrus (SS). Get an aggressive manager. Steal, hit and run, bunt a runner over. I know Lillbridge and Andrus aren’t ready yet, but it could be fun to watch. We can’t send Chipper, Renteria, or Andruw down, so they can sit on the bench. Trade Renteria for prospects, He deserves to be somewhere else, while this team goes through growing pains. If you go this route, Chipper and Andruw may waive the no-trade clause, and you free up money for pitching. In 2 years time, this team could be back on top of the NL East.

By Coach (ABANDON SHIP)

June 24, 2007 11:11 PM | Link to this

They are done ! Sorry fella’s , season’s over. See ya in 2008. the last 86 games of this 2007 season will nothing more than an exercise in frustration and futility.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

June 24, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

MBATL, you say complaining about Woodward is “small stuff”. But, the problem is that this piece of crap is in the lineup at least once or twice a week and he is always getting abs. That is my issue. What? Is he going to get it going? Hell no! The only thing he is going to get going is his batting average below the Mendoza line. The guy is useless. Woodward is on the bench and Cox uses his bench a lot. The guy is one of the many rally killers on this team. And, I don’t think its too early to start thinking about a fire sale. Lets be real here. This team is in more than a slump. If they don’t hit homeruns, they don’t win. It was that way last year and this year is no different. This team is all of a sudden 4 1/2 games out and they look like a single A team. They really do. They have no emotion or seem to care that they are plummeting. As a true blue die hard fan it is sickening to watch. Just sickening! Its like the Titanic! You are just watching the ship sink totally helpless to do anything.

By JJMB

June 24, 2007 11:14 PM | Link to this

“Atlanta is a great city and us TRANSPLANTS hate how pussified you are. (thank you Kimmer for the word)”

He did what? Create the word TRANSPLANTS? You’re about as sharp as a bowling ball. Probably look like one, too.

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

If the MLB season were extended to December, I’m pretty confident Druw could make it down to .100

By Fire Terry Pendleton

June 24, 2007 11:15 PM | Link to this

Does anyone here really think this is a playoff team? If so, can you pass me some of what you’re smoking?

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 11:18 PM | Link to this

No, Stuart Scott, Barry Bonds was not the first in the 40/40 club. Does this guy have a clue?

But, it’s superstar thing b/w superstars, we wouldn’t understand.

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 11:19 PM | Link to this

White Sox GM: I’m tired of seeing this every day (referring to the lack of offense) Action: White Sox announce they’re shopping Buherle

JS: We’re just in a rut right now. I’m going to do my best to keep Andruw Action:

By Jimbo

June 24, 2007 11:22 PM | Link to this

Cheer up folks…we should be happy. Fat Head Jones hit a foul home run tonight.

By Dawgs2007

June 24, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

This has to be the worst Braves team since 1987. We are filled with such hope because of all the years of winning.

Folks! for those of you who do not remember, this is BAD baseball.

We have sorry players and and even worse pitching staff.

Would Andruw Jones please just get lost? Perhaps walk in front of a fast car outside of the stadium.

He has been the biggest waste for years. Spare me the stats and his gold gloves…he is and always has been GARBAGE!

By Fastfoodfreak

June 24, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

Sorry, wasn’t clear on the last post, but the word “Action” was supposed to be on a separate line.

By David O'Brien

June 24, 2007 11:24 PM | Link to this

Uh, Ron, it wasn’t a “few blogs” ago, it was five days ago that I wrote that. At the time the Braves were 1-1/2 games out of first place, and had won three games in four days against the AL Central-leading Indians and AL-East leading Red Sox, including wins against C.C. Sabathia and Curt Schilling (before we knew how bad his shoulder was).

They’ve since scored one run during five consecutive losses, while the Mets have broken out of their 3-13 skid. Things change, Ron. Can you grasp that? They might well change again in the next two weeks. I’ve not written anything rosy about the Braves since that blog, merely pointed out today the pitchers they’ve faced in the past 10 games.

N8, quit addressing me like you’re some sort of bada#$ or, worse yet, with your tone of na-na-na-na-na, na. I never wrote anything about it being back “luck” that they faced those pitchers. Don’t use the word “luck” with quote marks unless I said it, which i didn’t.

I simply stated who they’ve faced, and are you going to argue that it was four or five of the best AL pitchers in a 10-day stretch? No excuse, no bad luck, just fact.

And I didn’t say it was an excuse for them hitting .135 and scoring one run in five days, or whatever they’re hitting now. Again, I merely pointed out that a slumping team that then has to face those studs, they’re going to be slumping to a whole new degree. It’s a contributing factor, can you grasp that?

Some of you act as though I have some vested interest in this team, as though I get a playoff share or something. It’s your team. Not mine. I cover them. As I’ve said before, I’m NOT a fan. I’m a fan of KU basketball, and that’s it when it comes to sports teams (OK, I still have a weakness for the Celtics because of Larry Bird, and I follow Hinrich and the Bulls, but that’s about it).

I’m just here to try to give you an unjaundiced view, an impartial view of the team and what’s going on, best as I can tell. Not an emotional view that swings from highs to lows like it does for some of you, who still don’t seem to differentiate between a 162-game baseball season and a 16-game NFL season or 12-game college football season. Every game is such an emotional rollercoaster for a few of you, I worry about your health reading the posts.

Right now, the Braves absolutely stink. Repeat, they stink. As I’ve said, I’m pretty certain Schuerholz will acquire a starting pitcher, and I’m pretty certain Andruw won’t hit .200 all year (remember, the Braves lead the entire NL in road batting; they just stink hitting at home, at least so far).

If you all expect me to jump on the pity-party wagon or start agreeing with N8’s hyperventilating posts about how the Braves might be sellers now — no, N8, to answer your question, I don’t think they will be, or should be — and it’s time to have a fire sale and blah blah blah, well, sorry. Not going to. Not in June, before the All-Star break, when a team is how many games behind the wild-card leader? (I haven’t checked, to be honest, in several days).

I cover the team, and the realities of the team, not N8’s fantasy or his view of how the team should be run. The actual, functioning, very serious business that is the team, which has hundreds of people working for it, playing for it, etc, and isn’t going to change its plan because it’s stunk for five days and N8 has decided it’s time to blow it up.

I can say with a good deal of certainty, the team isn’t having a fire sale, and the team isn’t going to trade Andruw Jones, because they couldn’t anything for him right now as a pending free agent with a $13.5 mill salary and sub-.200 batting average, even if they could get him to waive his 10/5 trade-veto power.

So N8, Ron, others, please stop addressing me with your vitriol and breathless Monday-morning quarterbacking. I’m not the manager, the GM, or a player. I have no say in how the team’s run. I write what I see and hear is happening with the team.

And the NL is terrible and wide open. If anyone is convinced that some team other than perhaps San Diego is really head-and-shoulders above the rest of the NL, well, you’re seeing something I’m not.

And while I certainly wouldn’t say today I still believe the Braves will win the NL East, I’m also not convinced they’re out of playoff contention, not by any means.

Ron, I “watch the damn games.” I’m watching them in person about 130-135 times out of 162, and watching all but about five of the others on TV when I’m off. So drop the patronizing. When you’re asleep getting your eight hours and getting ready for work, I’m doing my job, following the team on the West Coast, in Colorado, in Arizona, watching them at 2 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. That’s not a grueling assignment, because it’s my job. I’m just pointing out to you, I watch a helluva lot more baseball than you do, I’d guess. Beginning in spring training and going through the postseason.

Unless you’ve been to 1,800 or so games in the past 13 years, and watched hundreds of others on TV, then find another line to use other than “watch the damn games,” because it rings just a tad hollow.

By True Braves Fan

June 24, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

We have to realize that Chuck James is a good 5 inning pitcher, and if we are going to use him in the rotation, we need to get him out of there BEFORE the sixth inning. Also JS if there is a classification below A, please ship Orr and Woodward there immediately!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Braves Fan 79

June 24, 2007 11:25 PM | Link to this

MBATL: i care that woodcrap started the game at first. Hes done NOTHING this whole season yet bobby seems to trust him time after time like hes ty cobb waiting to break out. Im sorry but you just dont start a NO power sub .200 hitter at FIRST BASE!! I bet Leland was scratching his head when he saw bobbys lineup card thinking….well thats 2 automatic outs back to back. So you really didnt care that we sent up one of the 2 worst hitters on the team in the first RBI situation of the night? that didnt bother you at all that we had 2 guys on the bench hitting over .300 and a suddenly warming up thorman on the bench? Yet we send up a ex met piece of retread garbage named Woodward who time after time strikes out? common man your obviously not a real baseball fan if you cant see how much woodward is hurting this team. Or how much Cox is hurting this season by not putting on the field the best possible team! Thats gotta be at least 30 or so games so far where we started orr or woodward (sometimes both)…and i bet weve won maybe a 3rd of those games at the most.

By Jimbo

June 24, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

Can someone tell me why the Genius in the Dugout didn’t have someone warming in the pen in the 6th when everyone knows James is a 5 inning pitcher at best?

BTW nice shot of Bobby picking his beak mid-game. Love how they kept the camera on him while he dug for gold.

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

The Atlanta Braves were found dead in their Stadium today, June 24, 2007 at 11:21 p.m. The cause of death is yet to be determined. Foul play was definitely the cause. Very foul play.

Too many dirty hands in the conspiracy to kill this season. Rumors are that the Braves were improperly diagnosed in October 1996 and have been dying a very painful slow death since that time.

Reports are that all the usual suspects are not talking. See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil is their creed. They are imitating their fearless leader John Smoltz who heartlessly stabs a teammate in the back in front of everyone and then denies that he ever did it.

This Braves Blue Wall of Silence is going to be hard to crack if we are gonna solve the case. Dead Prez once rapped, Who Killed Biggie Smalls, if we don’t get ‘em, they gonna get us all. I would change it to Who Killed October Falls, if we don’t get ‘em, they gonna get ‘em all.

By Southbeachdietfreak

June 24, 2007 11:30 PM | Link to this

NO CHOP

You will continue to stink up this blog with your worthless sayings only as long as our team is only slightly more pathetic than yours! Oh, and HOW much did that team cost you??

By serbok

June 24, 2007 11:31 PM | Link to this

By Jon

June 24, 2007 10:26 PM Excellent post dude! Seems all your questions were why questions? Why is Bobby doing this? Because HE is the most overrated manager in the history of baseball! I have tried to temper my frustration with this guy~ I know he is simply abysmal as an on field strategist, However I have always given him the benefit of the doubt due to his reputation, Seems as tho reputations dont win games tho huh? I have always thought there must be something redeeming about this coach~ as I have never managed a ball club b4. But this is getting pretty dam obvious that the guy has about as much a clue as AJ does. Its shameful that he will be going into the HOF based on the fact he had the best talent that anyone could ever be given in the last 15 out of 16 years! All he did was sit back and watch! Now kids that will go visit the Hall in the future are going to be deceived that this man was a manager:o( He has been the luckiest man in the history of baseball as far as HOF representatives go! the man doesnt even know how to make up a lineup card:o( And on a side note~ which I find Extremely disgusting! Can’t the guy go 3 hours without picking his friggin NOSE!! that IS SO Disgusting!!!! If he has sinus probs~ then for god’s sake see a doctor? He’s a friggin multi millionare for god’s sakes! absolutely disgusting! Blows my mind that I used to buy into the way he was portrayed by the media and my blindness of me not seeing that he was a glorified cheerleader. We are seeing the real Bobby Cox, now that we need a leader~:o(

By They Made Me!

June 24, 2007 11:32 PM | Link to this

I’m starting to hate baseball :o(

By bravesfan

June 24, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

DOB who do you see the Braves trading for? How is the mood in the clubhouse? Maybe if they would get a little more fired up for the games they might win a little more.

By MBATL

June 24, 2007 11:34 PM | Link to this

Braves Fan, RJITB, I would not start Woodward at 1B. Bobby’s gonna play his players… that’s just what he does. My point was that it’s a relatively small issue compared to the complete failure of our offense, defense, and pitching staff. No disagreement with you… sorry I threw that in to my post.

By Calvin

June 24, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

Wow….now that’s a rant.

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

June 24, 2007 11:36 PM | Link to this

DOB, I want you to give your honest opinion. Does this team have any sort of fire or passion to it. Is there anyone inside that clubhouse that is outwardly saying, “I’m tired of this s**t!”? Wouldn’t you say its time that somebody or sombodies start moving some furnitute and getting this team fired up. Truth be told it isn’t the pitching right now. The pitching actually did a damn good job against the best offense in baseball. These guys can’t score and they can’t score because they can’t move a runner over and are always trying to hit the big homerun.

This is just frustrating. Its like having a kid that you know is smart but always brings home Fs. Of course, the difference between me and Cox is that I don’t accept my kids getting Fs and get in their a** if they bring any home while Cox just sits in the dugout with his arms folded or tells you guys, “We are just in a rut right now. That’s baseball”. No, it isn’t baseball. Its baseball if you are Tampa Bay or Kansas City. This team is too talented to be this damn bad and even more than that so damned nonchalant about it.

If I’m wrong, please tell me. I’m trying to belive that what I am seeing on tv isn’t a true representation and this team actually gives a damn.

By Larry P

June 24, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

KICKHISASS SEABASS!!!

By HP

June 24, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

Does anyone think that Yankees will extend their nine consecutive division title this year. They are currently 11.5 games back. With the way Boston is playing this year, they have no chance to win the division. I think that they will not even make the playoffs this year.

By David O'Brien

June 24, 2007 11:40 PM | Link to this

COACH (ABANDON SHIP) wrote: “They are done ! Sorry fella’s , season’s over. See ya in 2008. the last 86 games of this 2007 season will nothing more than an exercise in frustration and futility.”

OK. Thanks for stopping by. No need for you to apologize, either. We’ll turn out the lights when the Braves are through playing these last 86 games. Enjoy the NBA draft and the two months leading up to college football. We’ll let you know if anything exciting happens at the ‘yard.

By Earnest Beans

June 24, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. -Ben Franks

Last year, Smoltz started a controversy by saying he might like to go to the Tigers. And then came the ‘homeboy upstairs’ remark. This year he ticks off Chipper.

It the slider we like. Not the mouth.

By jb

June 24, 2007 11:42 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Well said. I guess you can even count me in with the other right now. (although to my knowledge, I have never tried to say you have said something or that u have no idea what you are doing.)

I actually don’t get to see as many Braves games as I would like now that TBS doesn’t show as many games.

I prefer International Soccer. I absolutely love a 1-0 game. Any minute the game can change.

When I got back into baseball in 1991, TBS showed me the Braves. Here’s a team winning close low scoring games. Every inning and every pitch becomes exciting. Sadly, the bullpen last year ruined this for me. This year started great (I was pleasantly surprised.) It has gone down hill drastically and watching the Braves faithfully when I can for years, I do not see the signs it will get back.

The coaching does not relate to this team at all. I have to wonder how important Pat Coralles, Ned Yost, and Leo Mazzone were overall to the players. The players do not seam to make any adjustments during the game, between games, and I feel it has to do overall with the coaches.

Yes this is my team, I have a right to criticize it. You do a great job, and I would rather read your reports on the Braves than any other writer.

If I ever offend you with a rant, I apologize.

By Braveheart

June 24, 2007 11:44 PM | Link to this

Sometimes you gotta trade an Abreu like the Phils did last year to send the message and to change the dynamics and chemistry of the team.

By They Made Me!

June 24, 2007 11:45 PM | Link to this

I don’t see this team having a fire sale. If they were going to have a firesale, they would have had it last year.

Like the famous line in the movie….”a mans’ gotta know his limitations!” I hope Braves management knows this team’s limitations. They are not a playoff team. Adding one starter will not make them a playoff team.

Please don’t do something stupid and trade Escobar and Salty for a chance at reaching the playoffs.

What if they did reach the playoffs? They have already proven they are outclassed by virutally everyone in the AL. Don’t mortgage the future for a chance to get your butt whupped in the playoffs even if you have a chance to make it. (which you don’t)

By Savannah Guy

June 24, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

We’ll get ‘em next time. Oh. Polly Anna…where are you when we need you?

By Blake

June 24, 2007 11:47 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Not trying to get in the middle of this, but are you really not a FAN of the Braves? Not that it would make your opinion biased if you were. Just curious.

By Southbeachdietfreak

June 24, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

million dollar question… would you bench a player you’re paying $13.5 million(or whatever it is) in the final year of his contract to sit on the bench, if you though it would actually help the team win?

By A-ville Ranger

June 24, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

This is ugly as fat Elvis in a g-string.I really think a tipping point may have been reached.Tom Landry,Don Shula,etc even the greats reach a point of diminishing returns.Whatever happins I want to see a statue of BC next to Aaron’s at the Bobby,I mean Ted.

By Henry

June 24, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Long time since I checked in here.
Your last post was excellent, and I agree with almost everything you say. I mean, obviously, a horrific streak like this can’t continue, nor is Andruw a sub-.200 batter. This too shall pass, and if JS goes and gets us a starter, this team can still compete in a weak division in a woeful league.

I do agree with those who are ready to dump Woodward, however.

This little public spat between Hoss and Smoltz is pretty interesting. These guys have been teammates for 14 years and they’ve never done this before. And somebody here has to post and ask “how’s the mood in the clubhouse?” Hello? Geez.

I’ve always been a huge fan of Smoltz (and by the way, DOB, so are you, your claims to agnosticism notwithstanding; maybe you’re not a Braves fan per se, but you make it plain that you’re a big fan of both combatants in this clubhouse clamor), but is it just me, or is he becoming more mouthy this last couple of years? Last year he surprised Schuerholz with some comments, and this year his longest-standing teammate. And I note he didn’t apologize, although his claim to be misunderstood, I take it, doesn’t wash with you?

Henry

By jb

June 24, 2007 11:57 PM | Link to this

To answer the million dollar question,

Yes!!

In fact the Yankees do that (of course about every player they have makes about 13.5/ year.)

They benched 25 million man, A-Rod last year.

By Southbeachdietfreak

June 24, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

I live in Nats country, which means in addition to the stellar play of this Braves team, I get to listen to Don Sutton talk through it… beat that!!

Didn’t get the birthday present I wanted (Braves win). Still enjoyed it, though.

By serbok

June 24, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

MBATL Follow the yellow brick road. When you get to the part where dorothy, the Tin Man, Scaercow and the lion wakeup from their poppy induced dream let me know? Then maybe we can talk?

By Josh Holt

June 24, 2007 11:59 PM | Link to this

Been a rough stretch lately watching these Braves. They survived the first part of the season on insane 2 out hitting. Nowadays with two outs its just becoming out #3.

I didn’t think hitting was the problem, until this stretch. Davies pitched very well (he either pitches very well or very bad, some mediocre “quality” starts would be nice sometimes. That is, if they replace the bad starts…). Chuck James all season is breezing through the lineup twice, and the 3rd time around the opposing hitters are onto his changeup.

Kudos to Moylan today. He kept the damage to a minimum. Heck…he even got a sinker ground ball, which if the infield is back and luck goes your way could be a double play. No idea why Woodward was at 1st.

A few questions:

Why not start McCann and Salty today? How is Diaz defensively at 1st base? My guess is, not so good. Will Willie Harris get more chances to hit left handed pitching? What other options do the Braves have in the starting rotation?

By Larry P

June 25, 2007 12:01 AM | Link to this

Dob beats his pets, and they come running back. Then they lay on their backs, exposing their throats. Touching, really. Pitiful, but touching.

By Todd A

June 25, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

Leyland has a “who’s-who” list of experienced coaches on his staff.When you look at that staff compared to what Bobby has in his dugout,it comes as no surprise to see the Tigers making adjustments during the middle innings in all three games,yet we just continue to just hack away.LOL…btw,just like Bobby to go to the nose while on National TV.Is it Sept 2008 yet?

By Robert (Justice Is The Best)

June 25, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, that is a good point about Abreu. Everybody thought the Philies were done for the year when they did that but that was not case. Why? Well, because a young enthusiastic and hungary Shane Victorino took his place. Some of the younger players afraid to ruffle the feathers of the “veteran” even though they knew the “veteran” could have cared less whether they won or loss as long as he got his had to sit on their hands. But, when the veteran was gone they were able to play with passion and fire and step up to the plate.

I love Chipper and I love Andruw but this team plays and acts a lot more like them than they do Francoeur or McCann. Andruw just smiles and acts like everything is okay even when it isn’t. Chipper wants to win but doesn’t know what to do when winning doesn’t come easy and is too busy being the “big man on campus”. Look, it kills me to criticize Chipper but it is what it is. Does anyone think the majority of those guys really walked into that clubhouse and thought to themselves, “We really suck! We have got to turn this around. We just embarrassed ourselves on national television for the third time in five days”? No, they didn’t. They went in and laughed and joked around. Andruw smiled and was happy he finally got a hit. Chipper pretended that everything is fine with him and Smoltz even though you know in the back of his mind he wants to punch Smoltz’s lights out. Smoltz was lying through his teeth when he said that he wasn’t singling out Chipper. Who the hell was he talking about if he wasn’t talking about Chipper? Chipper is the only guy in the everyday lineup who has been in and out of the lineup? I have to say I lost a little respect for Smoltz because he didn’t stand by what he said. All he had to say was that he didn’t mean to upset Chipper and he was frustrated and didn’t mean to make the comments, which is what I think the truth is. But, instead he acted like life was rosey. It isn’t rosey. It stinks right now.

By MBATL

June 25, 2007 12:04 AM | Link to this

serbok, reread my post, and get back to me, okay?

By Miss Manners

June 25, 2007 12:05 AM | Link to this

Bobby Cox picks his nose. Openly. Blatantly. Knuckles-deep. Probing, twisting, turning, digging. Bobby is a nose picker. This is unseemly behavior. I would like to suggest Bobby keep his fingers away from his nose at all times and especially when a camera is trained on him. At least he is not a vulgar little twit - just a big ol’ baseball playing dummy sticking sausage fingers up his nose. With his nasal passages stuffed, it is a good thing that Bobby Cox is a mouth breather like JoeBrave. That’s how I feel and I don’t mind telling other bloggers. Manners are important.

By dylan@dylankight.com

June 25, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

Damn just damn…Dave don’t worry about these fellas and ladies they don’t see the marathon! THEY see a weakness and feed off of it like dogs. I haven’t posted in a while but I read daily and enjoy your musical pieces. We attended the same Ryan Adams & Cardinals badass double header at the Tabernacle last summer. I love my music and then Braves 2nd! This is the best place for Braves coverage because I get both. HA! Anyway best of luck with the crazy folks. I really appreciate your hard work and your interesting point of view keep it up!

By Dylan

June 25, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

Damn just damn…Dave don’t worry about these fellas and ladies they don’t see the marathon! THEY see a weakness and feed off of it like dogs. I haven’t posted in a while but I read daily and enjoy your musical pieces. We attended the same Ryan Adams & Cardinals badass double header at the Tabernacle last summer. I love my music and then Braves 2nd! This is the best place for Braves coverage because I get both. HA! Anyway best of luck with the crazy folks. I really appreciate your hard work and your interesting point of view keep it up!

By The Truth Hurts

June 25, 2007 12:07 AM | Link to this

DOB, I just gained a lot of respect for you after your last 2 posts. That and a nickel buys you absolutely nothing. But, you can call me “chief” one more time, when you think I’m critical, and I’ll just have to like it.

Schuerholz isn’t programmed to be right 100% of the time. He makes mistakes. However, I don’t totally disagree with what he said during tonight’s game. He called it a “rut” (offensively) and implied that things like this happen during the course of an interminable (my word) season. He’s absolutely right. Pitching, and you alluded to it again in a recent post DOB (your feeling that JS might get a starter), is THE killer for this team, especially now that Gonzalez is out and some as-yet-unproven guys have to account for that extra inning.

We’re done with the Murderer’s Row of Interleague schedules (how it pays to be a Philly this year). Things are obviously bad, but it strikes me as sensationalistic to start thinking of “firesales” when you’re 4.5 games out with 86 left. If we’re out of it in a month, then prices go up and you get more anyway. But we’re not there yet. I’m inclined to trust JS’s 40 years of baseball experience over every blogger/writer/baseball GM I read. Not to say he’s not accountable for bad calls, but Dombrowski drafted those young pitchers because the Tigers were losing 100 every year and had a top pick. Hard to miss on the consensus guy. Anyway, we’re still a few weeks away from making a big decision. It looks really bad now, but it looked really good last Summer when we were scoring in double digits in all those consecutive games, too.

By rupert

June 25, 2007 12:09 AM | Link to this

DOB, lowering the boom, Burhle a possibility or someone else off the radar? You think their horrendous play had anything to do with their own built in excuse about how tought the schedule was?

By bclontz

June 25, 2007 12:10 AM | Link to this

I was afraid when Andruw contracted that virus (can’t hit a lick bug)that it was gonna spread all over the team and shut them down! You’d think they’d use an anti virus with a team like this, because they are so susceptible to the bug! There’s a new virus blaster called ( Small Ball) that could help! That’s where you get a runner on base, bunt him over…..Oh! Heck! What am I talking about….that won’t work…..you gotta have a hitter (not a slugger) to get the base hit to drive him in….Scratch that! What are some of the symptoms of this bug? 1. Swinging at air! 2. Not making the opposing pitcher go deep in the pitch count! 3. Trying to hit 5 run homers! 4. Playing too much golf instead of hitting the batting cages! 5. Losing the minor league urgency! 6. Seeing the dollar $$$$$$$ marks instead of the faces of the fans! Our American past time has slowly become the road to riches for ball players and the trail of tears to those of us who really love and respect the game! Shame on you guys….If you don’t start remembering where you were, you’re gonna find yourselves wishing you could climb back up to the minors again! Because of rediculous salaries most kids won’t get to go to a big league game! You guys should be leaving thousands of free tickets for the families who can’t afford these over priced games. I’m about to lose all my respect for all of you…..And then you go out there and play like dead lice are falling off of you….Shame ! Shame! Shame!

By serbok

June 25, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

DOB Just a word, sounds like the “hood” is gettin to ya? Cant say I blame ya~ This is my first season of the blog. I enjoy it so far immensely. Like your level handed dealing with the “denizens” Good to see a post from you that expresses the way you feel about shyte that is beyond your control. I for one, havent seen any uh, shots that have either been down the right or left field line. Youre doin an awesome job IMo not that you need to hear that from me!! LOL Am a lil confused about you being a braves fan or JUST a Reporter?:o) Dont wanna start ummm Did you here the one about the reporter who walked into a bar with a cat on his/her left shoulder and a blonde on the other?

By JDG123

June 25, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this

If anyone has shown us his sullen side the last couple of years it is Chipper. Remember Remlinger’s remark last year about “ask Chipper why he did not catch the ball”? Remember Chipper’s inane comments about how exciting it would have been had Sammy Sosa hit a game winning home run against us in the playoffs against the Cubs?

I used to like Chipper but I see him as a cancer to this team. He is always sullen, sits alone, and shows no emotion or support for his team mates. He is the ultimate cold fish. I realize he has endured many personal problems but he needs to strighten out his professional approach or go ahead and retire.

I have a feeling that if secret ballots were to be cast by the Braves players and management, they would confirm my observations.

It is also sad to see Bobby Cox’s career ending like this. He has lost control of this team and suddenly looks so old and out of it. He and JS both need to step aside now that new management is running the show.

By Coach (ABANDON SHIP )

June 25, 2007 12:21 AM | Link to this

DOB , that was a great job of backing up. Well done. I do seem to remember you being the one who predicted this team would win the division.

By N8

June 25, 2007 12:22 AM | Link to this

Does anybody have any vaseline?

My backside appears to be about 12 inches wider, due to the reaming that DOB just gave me.

OUCH.

I will NEVER use quotation marks again, unless copying and pasting something you typed DOB.

Fire sale or not, if JS gives away the future of this team for Mark Buehrle, it’s a mistake.

“And the NL is terrible and wide open. If anyone is convinced that some team other than perhaps San Diego is really head-and-shoulders above the rest of the NL, well, you’re seeing something I’m not.”

Fair enough, and I don’t disagree with you. But since you are at the games “130-135 times out of 162, and watching all but about five of the others on TV when I’m off.”, you can’t possibly think that there is a “move” out there to be had, with what we have to offer in trade bait, that will clearly put us (with are MANY holes), in a position to be the better NL option over SD? Because I would think that common sense says that the Mets are gonn spend whatever it takes (Money and prospects), to shore up their team.

It’s not like we are a “Fred McGriff” away from running away with the NL East or the Wild Card. We are 2-3 starting pitchers, a LH relief pitcher that can GET LEFTIES OUT, a CF, a 1B, and one could argue a catcher away from being able to actually WIN A GAME, much less a playoff spot.

You said: “We’ll turn out the lights when the Braves are through playing these last 86 games.” to Coach.

Well by simple math (and looking at the standings), that tells me that we’ve played 76 games already, right?

Well since the 7-1 start, hell INCLUDING the 7-1 start, this team has not shown ANY consistancy, or even a sign of it, that would lead me to believe that they could win 4 out of 7 games to actually win a playoff series. Much less win a best of 5, followed by 2 best of 7 series.

L8R

By serbok

June 25, 2007 12:30 AM | Link to this

Larry P 12:01 post!!!! PRICELESS!!!!!!! LMAO!!!!!

By Sonny

June 25, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this

Hurting for hits, and Cox doesn’t play Johnson, Harris and McCann…stellar.

Also, my father and I were thinking about this after watching TWO young phenom pitchers in two days on the SAME FREAKING TEAM! When was the last time the Braves drafted and developed a young phenom pitcher in the last decade or two? Glavine almost two decades ago? I can’t think of one. DOB?

The Marlins have had about 3 that I can think of in the last 8 years and yet we seem to be severely lacking in that dept to say the least.

By Coach (ABANDON SHIP )

June 25, 2007 12:36 AM | Link to this

DOB has a very short memory. So , once again I must remind our journalist friend of just WHO PULLED THE PLUG ON THIS TEAM AT THE END OF MAY 2006 ? O Yea , that would be ME , MYSELF , and I !!!! I told you they were done last year and you didn’t listen. I’m telling you the same damn thing again and of course your still not listening. Don’t quit your day job O’Brien , poker ain’t your forte.

By tyyosh

June 25, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

Just back from the game. Got corporate dugout seats from our neighbor - what an unexpected privilege. Wow, you have to give some credit to the Tigers for their tremendous execution in the 6th. They just seem to have that edge that winners do (we had it ourselves for a few years, didn’t we). Their lineup is stacked with veterans. Their pitchers throw lots of strikes.

Fans started a Wave cheer in the 6th, and just as James was pitching the ball that hit the Tigers batter, the wave went right through his view behind home. I wonder if it distracted him or just for a millisecond changed his attention so that his mechanics were altered.

By Chop Chop

June 25, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

KU is overrated.

Holy Cornelia!

Anyway (laughing as I type, of course), the Braves aren’t out of the hunt. If they continue to play anything like this for much longer, they most assuredly will be. The wild-card should come out of the NL West this year, so the Braves have got to stay close to the Mets. The Mets were God-awful for 20 games while the Braves were playing poorly and were only up 1.5 games at the end of it. The Mets are up by 4.5 now, having extended the lead over the Braves by three games in three days. Anything past 7 or 8 at the All-Star break and I’m not going to lose any sleep over what happens the rest of the season. Of course, the Braves are massively overdue for some success, but the poor starting pitching makes it harder to believe that they can sustain any kind of run for long. Adding a good starter would obviously help. At least Bobby would only have two black holes in the rotation instead of three. That’s progress.

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 12:42 AM | Link to this

William Wallace, I didn’t see any inquiries about the -30- … but it’s true that the esteemed SSIScribe uses the fishwrap completion indicator in closing his posts. He’s not really old … a youngster I believe … but old in experience and wisdom.

Savannah Your acknowledgment and advice are appreciated reminders but not really necessary … for when nobody takes you too seriously, it’s a strong indication that it’s you who’s so guilty.

Part of it’s by design, part of it is not … I’m not sure about the mix. However, I would rather take myself too seriously than have others so do.

Actually, I try hard not to take me too seriously but frequently make a conscious effort for the persona to so do … but you know he likes his privacy, that’s why he wears the mask.

I’ve said before and will again so say, like Frenchy, Andruw, and others … I gotta be my persona.

As my persona has consented, I will tell you that we both think if you are always straightforward and express things where people easily understand … they’ll nod their heads, smile or frown, close their eyes and go back to sleep. Some might even say “amen to that”, but it basically goes in one ear and out the other, no no reason to use number three!

Throw in a little “noise”, say it in a non-conventional way … add a few layers for the many different audiences here in the neighborhood … give them reason to take pause and read it more than once … hopefully, you get a different result.

Maybe it works, maybe it doesn’t … I may not be very good at it … but that’s me objective! My objective too, most of the time.

By jbutler

June 25, 2007 12:45 AM | Link to this

Hey N8..thanks for the visual. Ick. So- this argument between Smoltz/Jones is ridiculous. Jones is a petulant little child who acts like a spoiled, overindulged whiner. I’ve always like Smoltz…from way back starting early 90s. But he was a hothead back then- he has matured to an extent- but anyone remember the rolling tantrum when he dislocated his pinky. Not exactly a cool-headed cat. I think he’s frustrated and then regretted saying anything. Either way..winning will clear this up.

By fastasballs

June 25, 2007 12:47 AM | Link to this

Andruw actually didn’t look too bad at the plate tonight. Best swings he’s had in weeks. I’m not holding my breath that it will continue. It’s funny the second that all eyes shift off of him onto the Smoltz/Chipper soap opera, he starts looking better. His problems are 100% between his ears.

Salty’s bat has to be in the line up every day. Is their a need to comment on Woodward? He’s joined the below the Mendoza crew. Including the pitcher there were 3 batters under or at .200 in tonights line up.

Was there a real need to start Woodward tonight? I know I wasn’t going to comment, but I can’t help myself. McCann should have sat yesterday since he caught the night game prior. Then tonight Salty could have played first, McCann caught & Woodwood could have gathered splinters.

We all know James is going to go five innings max before he loses it. Why not go ahead and pull him before the sixth? None of this would have mattered because the Braves didn’t score, but it makes more sense than letting him get in such a jam that 4-5 runs cross the plate. When James starts, Oscar or Moylan should be ready to go mid 5th inning. If James clears the 5th pull him, double switch if needed depending on the order due up so Oscar or Moylan can stay in the game for a few innings.

There have been 5 or so games that got away from James quickly. It’s become a pattern so plan for the pattern to continue & be ready instead of rushing to get guys ready while James continues to get whacked around.

By Chop Chop

June 25, 2007 12:50 AM | Link to this

N8, do you want DOB to watch the Braves with the cold indifference of a hopeless fan who has washed his hands of his favorite team? That’s not his job, dude. It’s our job to rip this team from stem to stern…or a columnist’s job.

DOB reports, we decide.

There’s a freaking T-shirt slogan for ya.

Bottom line is that I don’t want DOB to be as pessimistic about this team as I am. If he were a fan of the team, he wouldn’t be able to do his job well. He’d be wrapped up in his own agenda. He’d be without a job very soon because no one would want to deal with him annoying the pi$$ out of everyone before and after games over why they keep screwing up when “we” need to start getting our act together.

N8, my advice is to live vicariously (a damn fine word) through the other bloggers who come here and spout off about this sad lot and just roll like that from now on. DOB doesn’t have all the answers and he never will. The only way he can be effective is to be as impartial as he possibly can be.

By Ron

June 25, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

Damn!!! I do believe DOB is a little bit mad!!! My bad dude, did not mean to p!ss you off!!! I did not realize that my comment to you was that bad!!! But I looked over it again, and it did look worst than it was intendid to!!! Its all a misunderstanding, like what happened to Chipper and Smoltz!!!

By Coach (ABANDON SHIP )

June 25, 2007 12:57 AM | Link to this

My 11:11 post was the bait and yours truly swallowed hook , line and sinker ! I got myself a journalist to hang up on the wall and throw darts at the rest of the season. N8 , don’t take O’Briens garbage lying down. the crap flies in both direction’s and the one with the biggest shovel wins.

By serbok

June 25, 2007 12:59 AM | Link to this

dob Dont get me wrong` I would prefer unbiased reporting, I hope you continue to do as such.

By Sonny

June 25, 2007 1:00 AM | Link to this

DOB…nice post bro. I sometimes wonder why the hell we give a s** about some millionaire athletes that could give a s** about any of us. It’s like most of us males (sorry ladies) are hard-wired to be sports zombies, instead of sweating things that actually matter in our own lives. I hate it.

By Opie Taylor

June 25, 2007 1:06 AM | Link to this

Golly ! Gosh !! and Darn !! I could just jaywalk or something ! GOLLY !! GOSH !! AND DARN !!!

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 1:08 AM | Link to this

How’d ya’ll take it? I’d be stupid if I didn’t take it the same way!

Translation … it was obvious what John meant!

Somebody I know better not miss a start!

Translation … Let me make it obvious for you, so there’s no misunderstanding … Big Mouth had just better watch his step … I’ll get even!

Obviously there was a misunderstanding and I apologized to him!

Translation … Please, just let me read my carefully prepared written comments like I promised to do.

One run in 5 games!

Translation … none needed, it’s obvious! We told you it was just a misunderstanding … rest easy, everything is back to normal!

It was nice to hear the fans cheer and get excited in the ninth when Andruw almost hit a 5 run homer before striking out!

Seems to me like we may have some folks with problems who are in denial … at least Aybar supposedly getting treatment.

I’m just wolfin’, having a few moments of fun … hot tub’s a waiting.

However, while I hold with traditional conservative values, as a problem solver I opine … no, I posit that all problems are unique … most solutions aren’t worth the time or money it takes to arrive at them or the paper on which their written … because the problems themselves aren’t properly Identified or defined.

Even when they are, the solutions are usually less than desired because they’re based on conventional wisdom … the very thing that allowed you to get into trouble in the first place.

Most, if not all, solutions are experienced based but all problems are unique and you must go outside the box of conventional wisdom to find that unique answer that really doees the job!

Just as it is unwise to air your dirty leotards in public, it is equally unwise to deny the existence of the fire while your uniforms are still full off smoke … that’s what methinks!

By N8

June 25, 2007 1:11 AM | Link to this

DOB

For the record, I consider the term “fire sale” to apply to any team that sells at the deadline.

I don’t expect JS to trade away guys NOW. But the flip side of that is that if WE are not gonna sell in June, why on earth would other teams do that then? In other words, where is the alleged help gonna come from?

ESPN’s ticker said that the White Sox “expect” to trade Buehrle. OK….when? If all GM’s know that they’ll “get the most” for a guy at the deadline, why on earth would Ken Williams give up Buehrle in the middle of June, when he’ll probably get more for him at the end of July?

What I am/was getting at, is that AT THE DEADLINE if we are “out of it” (MY quote), we should be sellers, not buyers, IMO.

IMO, I am “guessing” that even Salty isn’t gonna bring us the player(s) neccesary to make a serious run right now. Unless I’m unaware of the Tigers having interest in a Verlander for Salty swap.

Mark Buehrle isn’t even a step up from Hudson, IMO, and I’m sure you know how I feel about him. We can’t even win the games Hudson starts, so how are we gonna win more games by adding a starter that is NOT any better than Huddy?

That’s not even getting into the silliness of trading Escobar, who I’m not convinced is gonna be able to make us forget Chipper anytime soon (perhaps he could reasonably replace Renteria). How (if he is) can he be “on the block” (not directly quoting anybody - just doing the Chris Farley “finger quotes” thing), with the unknown of Chipper’s health. Especially now that Smoltz has questioned his manhood, more than likely causing him to go all out, thus upping the possibility of a more serious injury.

Plain and simple, IMHO, this season hinges on Chipper’s health, Andruw being the Andruw of 2005 and McCann being the McCann of 2006. If either of those 3 things don’t happen we’re in trouble.

Here’s why I feel that way.

LF is what it is. Diaz/Harris platoon isn’t going anywhere.

CF is what it is. Either Andruw is gonna step up, or he’s not. But Bobby and JS have shown that he’s NOT coming out of the lineup anytime soon

RF is what it is. The up and down AB’s that IS Jeff Francoeur.

3B quite honestly, is what it is. Chipper when he can play, and Escobar (unless he’s traded and Aybar suddenly recovers), when Chipper can’t go. That is of course, on the ludicrous nights, when Bobby puts Orr at 3B. In that case, “what it is”, is an 0 for 4 night, with many men LOB.

SS more than likely is what it is. But if JS insists on adding more pitching, THIS is where I think our trade bait should come from. Call me what you want, but if Chipper stays healthy (big if), I believe Escobar could “come close” (again using the Chris Farley “finger thing” - NOT directly quoting anybody) to replacing Renteria’s bat, not to mention, he (Escobar) appears to be better defensively at this stage of Renteria’s career - though Edgar made two FANTASTIC plays today, if not three.

2B is what it is. I’ll assume, even with KJ’s resent struggles, that they didn’t work him at 2B all off-season for nothing. He isn’t going anywhere.

1B is where it gets interesting. Thorman or Salty… or Both? Trade either… or both? Who the hell REALLY knows what’s on JS/Bobby’s mind on this one?

CA is what it is. As you (DOB) has said many times. They didn’t sign him to a six year deal to bench him or trade him.

Smoltz is fine (if healthy).

Hudson is “fine” (my quotes), but not sure if he’s consistant enough to be a #2 in the rotation, especially at what he’ll be making next year. IMO, should be dangled at the deadline, even though I KNOW he won’t be.

Chuck is trying really hard apparently, to convince everybody that he belongs in the bullpen. Maybe he’s our LH reliever/long man? Lefties are hitting .266 against him, while righties hit .290. Hmmm.

Davies is a fricking mystery. I’m not sure whether to be down on him or McDowell for this one. Sure he’s young, but how can a guy go from looking like Maddux in the 1st inning, to looking like Mark Redman in the 2nd? YIKES.

5th starter? My guess is (unless a trade “bumps” - my quote - the order around), that the Ledezma era is about to begin, which is why that trade was made, IMO. I could be wrong, but anything but Buddy at this point (did I just say “but Buddy”?) Ooops.

Bullpen? Paronto needs to go get healthy, and if he doesn’t….then he needs to just GO. IMO, Soriano should be the closer, but I like the hard throwers in the 9th, that’s just me. Yates and Moylan are fine. Oscar is fine. Probably the best 5th starter option (maybe even the 4th starter), currently on the team. But I have to agree with Bobby (yeah, I know…hard to believe), he’s BEST role is what it is right now….long man. He has a rubber arm, and doesn’t complain about it. Good for him.

Sorry if I offended you. But I’ll say what I say to many others who “freak out” (just that Chris Farley thing again) on me, only because I know that YOU know what movie it’s from (at least I hope you do……

LIGHTEN UP FRANCIS!

By Lew

June 25, 2007 1:12 AM | Link to this

Nathan-You had that one coming. I’ve been telling you for months to take your medication. You should have listened to me. Serves you right if your hemorrhoids hurt for a couple of days.

By Coach (ABANDON SHIP )

June 25, 2007 1:26 AM | Link to this

Now , back to baseball. For three months we have witnessed a steady downward progression of hits , RBI , HR’S , team BA , OBP , runs per game and it’s across the board offensively. The team ERA has gone in the wrong direction. We still don’t have a fifth starter. Davies and James have not pitched up to their talent level and both have been inconsistent. Injury , lack of performance in key positions , depth and my least favorite : a team that is underachieving across the board. All these reasons are why this team cannot be fixed. Yea , I said C-A-N-N-O-T be fixed. There is a solution to all of this but I don’t think Braves nation is ready to hear it just yet. I’ll give it another month of this and wait until this team is firmly mired in third or fourth place with losing record and then I’ll give it to you straight from the hip.

By Serbok

June 25, 2007 1:32 AM | Link to this

Chop Chop Excellent 12:50ost!!! MBATL I was being sarcasic dude, You are the biggest “Homey” I have seen on this blog? I do enjoy your posts~ Please keep em up? However, man sometimes ya gotta “see” what’s goin on? I mean existentialism is what it is? When our team is not performing up to the ability the is readily apparent there must be a reason as to why? I mean, common man? Deadwood starting at any position? Or even being in the Ball park? Who takes the responsibility for such non-sense? Asking a player to bunt (which if the team practiced bunts?) would be the absolute correct call. However~ KJ hasnt bunted in more than a year would be my guess~ Who needs to take responsibility for this? Coach posted that BB is NOT a Team sport? My goodness how ridiculous? Since I started blogging on here, You have done nothing but praise Bobby or deny Bobby’s lack of management man. I appreciate your posts and always read them, However~ I always disagree with you~ lol Bobby Cox Sux We dont have maddox glavine avery millwood neagle and who ever else wright? Bobby has to show NOW that he is a REAl manager and not someone who just watches the game ! Unfortunately~ We are seeing that this guy is NOT A HOF manager! Just a VERY lucky man in life!

Clemmons made a relief appearance tonight? just heard that on espn~ ya think that woulda happened if he were a brave? Heck NO! Dont know yet why it happened 2nite~ Bobby is an old man who has forgotten more BB than you and I will ever know~ Unfortunately, WE rEmember more BB than he does:o( Sad but true:o(

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 1:39 AM | Link to this

Coach, you know I like and respect your posting efforts, same as I hope you do mine, most times anyway.

Chicken Little agrees with you but feels he should at least share in the receiving of such credit!

I find that the posts of some folks are like a broken watch …always gives the same time, and precisely correct, once per small hand cycle.

Other posters are more like my watch, always running … never precise, but usually close to the mark, 24 hours each day, though I sometimes think they live in a different time zone.

I know that today’s developments were a disappointment but you should stick around … things could still get exciting.

By Ron

June 25, 2007 1:54 AM | Link to this

Basically JS has one of two things that he can do: 1. He can just sit back and maybe make another minor pitching move or hitting move(like the Ledezma deal), or 2. He can go all out and trade for a good starter and go after another Bat such as Pena from the D-Rays and go after another Lefty in the Pen!!! Thats the Choices!!! You cant make one big trade for a starter and then not add a bat at first even if it is a small deal such as Pena!!! That would be defeating the purpose, unless we have that Starter for more than a year!!! You either go for it all or do not go for it all!!! SIMPLE AS THAT!!! It would be stupid to go trade good players for a Buerhle and then not add a Lefty reliever or a bat!!! Stupidity at its greatest if he does that!!! Personally I would not mind to see Ledezma get tried out at the #5 spot in the Rotation!!! Then either promote a Lefty from the Minors or go get a serviceable Lefty Reliever(we would not have to give up a good prospect that we would miss in the future). Then Start Thorman against Righties and Salty against Lefties!!! Is that sooo Damn hard to do!!! It might not work, but at least we would not be giving up Real Good Prospects that would help us in the Future for rent-a-players!!!

By jed

June 25, 2007 1:58 AM | Link to this

wow. i go to philly for a few days and all hades breaks loose. braves go to hell, chipper and smoltz start slapping at each other, and now N8, Coach and Ron form a confederacy of dunces and attack DOB. head mutineer N8 demands a fire sale weeks before the all-star break and while the team is still (reportedly) contending. Coach—much like a wrestler who switches from good guy to villain— even changes his parenthetical pseudonym to reflect his virulent fatalism. then, bug-eyed, proclaims he’s baited and landed a journalist at whom he will lob darts for the rest of the season. how long before bob, journalist starts quoting that poem where kipling says ‘if you can keep your head while everybody else is losing theirs, you’ll be alright’? well, it says something like that. never cared much for kipling. anyway, yall try & keep your heads okay?

By Trade Winds

June 25, 2007 2:14 AM | Link to this

trade for klesko to play first. he is only making 1.75 million.

By N8

June 25, 2007 2:16 AM | Link to this

Hey jed….

Who F@#!#in asked you.

“…N8 demands a fire sale weeks before the all-star break and while the team is still (reportedly) contending.”

1) I didn’t demand anything.

2) If you could read (do they still focus on “reading” when you’re taking 6th grade English for the 3rd time?), you’d see that I said: IF WE ARE OUT OF IT AT THE DEADLINE we should be sellers, and NOT sacrifice the future (Salty, Escobar, Reyes, Harrison) for a 2 month rental of Mark Buehrle. Which more than likely wouldn’t FIX anything.

3) I like this quote from you: “…and now N8, Coach and Ron form a confederacy of dunces and attack DOB.”

WTF are you talking about? Is it this line from DOB:

“N8, quit addressing me like you’re some sort of bada#$ or, worse yet, with your tone of na-na-na-na-na, na.”

That line is the biggest PIECE OF BS that DOB has ever typed on this blog. He obviously had a bad day. Too bad for him. I appologized to him for “offending him” (my quotes), in my last post. My guess is that I won’t read an appology from him though. Whatever.

Ooops. Did I just vent some frustration towards DOB, to Jed? Dang. I thought only multi-millionaire ball players were the only ones who did that.

By Coach ( O'Brien's NEMESIS)

June 25, 2007 2:35 AM | Link to this

Hey Bob , my Braves scored 1 run in the last 37 innings against two teams headed for the playoff’s. That should be a clue to all who know and understand the game. Jed , your swimming with the sharks and we smell blood in the water. Edward John Smith (Captain of the Titanic) could teach Bobby Cox a lesson or two about overconfidence in his field of expertise. Much like Smith , everything Cox knows about baseball is working against him.

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 2:38 AM | Link to this

The last time I checked, teams don’t win too many games when there are 3 players named Mendoza in the starting lineup; Jame is understandable but not the other two.

For those who wonder if I know the difference between their and they’re … I do, but there was no problem, just a little misunderstanding between my brain and my fingers.

Lost but not forgotten … foxfire has a mind of its own but this was intended to follow the “Dirty Leotards - Smoking Uniform” paragraph in my 1:08 …

It’s not beating a dead horse if there ain’t no Horse and there was no festering sore or fued … why even john admits it over with and it won’t be a problem the rest of the time that they’re teammates.

We’ll if it didn’t exist, I for one am glad it’s over with!!

John’s comments are most reassuring but I which he had told us how long he expects them to be teammates, given that there never was a ptoblem and it’s all over … and I’d like to know if the non-existent problem will reappear when they’re not. I really do!

Good Night Miss Allen

By AZBravoFan

June 25, 2007 2:50 AM | Link to this

This feels even worse than last June. At least last year we stayed in the game and even had some leads until the 7th inning. This year there is little hope from the first pitch on. Looks pretty grim. If Rick Pitino were here he’d say, “Fred McGriff is not walking through that door…Dale Murphy is not walking through that door….”

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 2:55 AM | Link to this

I jus read my last post and have no idea how “which” replaced “wish” … that’s the truth! That was actually written back around 2 hours ago … guess it’s my technique … put down the triggers and then go back and fill in the blanks.

Coach be nice and be fair … I never pretended to know and understand the game!

By Serbok

June 25, 2007 3:16 AM | Link to this

JED?

confederacy of dunces? Wow~ What an awesome book!!!!! To bad the guy died:o( Author that is~ So much potential for a sequel! Funniest damn book I ever read! Welcome my friend, To the confederacy of Dunces! Made me laff just thinkin of it:o) Thanx my friend:o)

By dirty job

June 25, 2007 3:23 AM | Link to this

will 2008 june be just as horrific?

despite being 4.5 back, this team is falling apart. from 24-12 to 38-38. a .500 record, bickering veterans, mediocre stats from aj/frency/mccann, injuries, no consistent 3-4-5 starter, losers of 5 straight, offense disappeared, 19-21 at home, next series against the nationals who braves have losing 4-5 record against this season.

yeeesshh….looking grim.

By Coach ( O'Brien's NEMESIS)

June 25, 2007 3:28 AM | Link to this

Bob , my apology. It wasn’t directed at you. My error , it’s 1 run in the last 46 innings. That’s being shutout in four of the last five games against two playoff caliber teams. It’s a clue as to the level of professional baseball that the Braves are currently at. Four playoff spots are available , seven other teams in the N.L have better records. The Braves rank eighth in pitching and offense , respectively. All pertinent clue’s as to the caliber of team we have.

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 4:54 AM | Link to this

Fell asleep watching John From Cincinnati on DVR (but it’s a good show; reflection of my lack of sleep night before, not the show). Anyway, just came down to turn off the computer and saw the last five or six posts.

JED, funny stuff, as always. Love to see the levity amidst the misguided fury of some. You and Grinch, Bob J. and so many, many others (like Dylan late tonight) always supply that and/or varied points of view, which is what makes this thing hum like it does and keeps it fun….

These kind of lines always seem to cut through the other clutter and tell me something of where someone’s coming from: “Dang. I thought only multi-millionaire ball players were the only ones who did that.”…

My Nemesis: Oh, if only my various true nemeses in this place over the past couple years were all so obvious and simple as the stuff that comes from you, I’d have not spent the many hours I have spent disagreeing with them. In comparison to those tough and sometimes maddening fellas, you’re something akin to lint. Or less.

By Coach (O'Brien's NEMESIS)

June 25, 2007 5:39 AM | Link to this

O’Brien predicted the Braves to win the division , lol. He couldn’t predict the sun to rise because if he did the universe would grind to a halt.

By Bill

June 25, 2007 6:02 AM | Link to this

I think the Braves of next year will be all together different. If they don’t trade at deadline there will be plenty of trading this off season. The reason why Salty is not playing 1st. base is because he is gone. JS knows he will be able to get alot for him by playing him at catcher only.These are the players I think will be gone by next season. Salty,James,Hudson,Renteria,Wickman.A.J. and possibly others. This will give the Braves a chance to retool whole team for the future, They know that they are going no place with the present day players.

By Berigan

June 25, 2007 6:04 AM | Link to this

I know what everyone is thinking…Where is Berigan??? And what does Berigan think about the current situation? Actually, most bloggers are saying, who the Bleep is Berigan?? ;) So many thoughts, so little time to put them to paper..or something.

Coach, yeah, I’m talking to you!!! So, still think my suggestion of trading McCann was the dumbest suggestion in months??? ;) Don’t worry, we will have his .260 BA, 15 Homer, 70 rbi bat for many years, while the Pirates, or A’s will get stuck with that loser, Jarrod Saltalamacchia(yes, I had to look it up to spell it) hitting a mere 25 HR’s, 100 RBI’s while hitting .290 for a decade.

But, the braves will have the last laugh when we get a young, cheap right handed version of Chuck James.(Or, we can get another ultra soft tossing lefty like Zack Duke, he sucks just fine)

J.S, just make sure whoever you get, that the guy CANNOT get a pitch above 90 MPH, so if he change ain’t fooling anyone, he can’t just throw one by a guy when he needs to. 95 + Fastballs must be a cause of global warming, cuz the braves fear them like the plague. Smoltz is grandfathered in , just don’t tell Bobby or J.S. that Soriano dials it up to 97 sometimes, or they will trade him for Trachsel.

Well, was going to say more, but my multi-tasking(Working, listening to Drowning Pool and trying to bash the Braves “braintrust”) has it’s downside. Fear not, I have had not sleep yet, but I have “Kittie” playing(early years ;) )so I will be up awhile yet…

By Serbok

June 25, 2007 6:10 AM | Link to this

Ayite now! gonna make me pull my keyboard out ~ and~ mash sum buttons!

i saw a werewolf with a chinese menu in his hand he was lookin for a place called LI Hung Phucks for to get a big dish of beef chow mein

By dd

June 25, 2007 6:36 AM | Link to this

Who cares?? I realized 5 years go that this team is dying and I told anyone that would listen. If you keep going you’re either a blind loyalist or you have plenty of disposable income. How much longer to football?? And, I don’t mean the Falcons. They are just as bad if not worse. Let Kearney go and then use the number 1 pick on the same position. It’s all about money folks. When you stop going and the stadiums are empty, that’s when you’ll see a winner in Atlanta.

By Steve

June 25, 2007 6:55 AM | Link to this

Great! Between their feud and Paris HIlton Imprisonment I was having trouble sleeping.

By Serbok

June 25, 2007 6:59 AM | Link to this

DD when you say not Falcons~ you lose me?

By Berigan

June 25, 2007 7:26 AM | Link to this

Oh, now I remember something else I was going to say. Ever notice how everyone and their brother says all teams are looking for pitching, need pitching? Well, they may say it, but…does Detroit need starting pitching? They traded Maroth to the Cards for a player to be named later. He was starting, but had a 5.00 Era. So, out he went to make room for Kenny Rogers. They also demoted from the starting rotation Chad Durbin, even though he was 6-3 with a 4.36 ERA in the DH league(I see he went 8 innings against the mets on June 8th, how many Braves starters have gone that far into a game???) Move away chump, we have Andrew Miller coming up.

Boston has Schilling, Dice-K, Beckett, Julian Tavarez(4-1 with a 2.81 ERA in June) and Tim Wakefield, 7-8 with a 4.52 ERA. They whine, what if Schilling is done? Well, we know that isn’t the case, but for the 3 starts he will miss, they have a choice of the Cancer survivor, 23 year old Jon Lester ,still toiling in AAA, or 25 year old Kason Gabbard , who made the Braves look silly in Boston(but then again, what lefty starter hasn’t made the braves look silly)but was sent right back down after doing that to us.

But, the greedy SOB’s might go after Mark Buehrle, just to keep other teams from getting him, plus, I guess you can always find a use for a 28 year old lefty starter,and money is simply not a concern for them. I guess he’d be their 4th guy…sigh…

Does Oakland need a starter??? Well, no…they have 4 main starters (14 or more starts) with an ERA under 4.00, with an ok 5th guy, Lenny DiNardo with an ERA of 2.35. Oh yeah, they have this guy Rich Harden. Who do you take out of the rotation for him? Well, they may just use him as a closer.

I’m sure I could find other teams that don’t really need pitching, but it’s too depressing.

By Ron Roberts

June 25, 2007 7:36 AM | Link to this

I’m just almost of the opinion that we’d be better served making some moves to bolster this team for next year, myself. There is no one move (or even two, frankly) that, to me, makes this team a World Series threat.

Outside of Smoltz, what starter gives you confidence? What starter, in your opinion (anybody) makes you feel like you have no worse than a 50/50 chance of winning that day’s game, outside of Smoltz? Maybe Hudson gives you the 50/50, maybe James, right? Maybe. Does adding one more starter (of any of the available arms out there) make the Braves a wild card or division title threat?

I mean, I guess we’ll know more as we approach the trade deadline whether we’re in a position to be buyers or sellers, but if we don’t go out and dominate the Nats and Marlins, then go 4-3 or 5-2 on the California trip, then I just don’t see how this team improves itself by making a move.

Hear me out.

This team could improve itself from within and not give up any prospects. I’m not saying these things will happen, but imagine, if you will….

1. Andruw Jones comes alive. It’d be like adding a free agent of huge impact. I know; he’s been bad for an entire year. I get that; I’m not saying it’ll happen… again, I’m speculating. Andruw coming around would have a huge impact that no other team we’re racing against could match with a trade.

2. Tim Hudson flips a switch and has another stretch like he did at the start of the year. Could happen. Will it? Not sure, but it could happen.

3. Our offense comes out of its funk. If Andruw (see above) carries his weight in the lineup, the rest just falls into place, frankly. But our table-setter, Kelly Johnson, has to come out of his funk, too.

4. Chuck continus to pitch no worse than decent and Kyle Davies settles into the groove we all know he’s capable of.

5. The braintrust gets it and promotes Oscar Villareal to the fifth spot in the rotation or Lance Cormier returns from his latest rehab stint healthy and pitches the way he did in spring training.

These are all very iffy propositions, no doubt. But I say we just stant pat and give up nothing to try and improve this team. Why give up Yunel Escobar or Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Brent Lillibridge to just make this team a playoff threat? We have all the potentials to do improve ourselves in-house, without giving up squat.

If we improve and succeed, then great! We’re a deeper team for having done so. If we don’t and fall short, then we’re still holding millions going into next season to bolster the team and have the aforementioned young guys waiting in the wings for their spot(s) on the Braves big league roster.

If I had to guess, I’d say we’re not making the playoffs this year. We have all the tools already to make it happen, but under-performances by Tim Hudson, Andruw Jones, and our 4/5 rotation spots are dooming us to failure. If Tim, Andruw and the 4/5 guys get it together, we’re dangerous-good. Either way, I say hold onto our guys unless somebody offers us a can’t miss young starter we’d have more than half this season to work with. Then just see what happens with what we have.

By Kaye

June 25, 2007 7:57 AM | Link to this

Smoltz and AJ are not the problem. This team is the problem. We need 2 more starters and a 1st baseman badly. We need Andruw to hit and Chipper to play. In otherwords, this team needs help. Chris Woodward? OMG get rid of him. Hes terrible and cant hit a lick.

How long will John S think this team is a playoff team. If they dont make some trades now, this team is heading for the bottom. They have never been able to hit and we need a true veteran presence in this lineup other then Smoltz. Its just to sick to watch anymore. I am really tired of seeing them swing at fences, at 1st pitch balls and just play not hit. Its gone on way to long. Thorman is not the guy we need at 3rd and Harris needs to play everyday. Diaz is a bench player. Man, dont they ever learn.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 7:58 AM | Link to this

“I simply stated who they’ve faced, and are you going to argue that it was four or five of the best AL pitchers in a 10-day stretch? No excuse, no bad luck, just fact.”

Why yes I will. Because Beckett, Verlander, and Bonderman are three of the AL’s best - but Miller, Tavarez, and a hurt Curt Schilling dont qualify for that distinction

1 run in 46 innings. There’s not a manager alive that wouldnt be held accountable for that, except in Kool-Aid land

Did you watch the game last night DOB?

Did you watch Polanco work from 0-2 to get a walk on the 11th or 12th pitch? Did you watch Magglio Ordonez execute a hit-and-run to perfection? Did you watch a pitcher execute a sac fly? )Or another slugger (Sheffield) hit a low-and-outside changeup right back up the middle for a run-scoring single?

Exzecution of fundamentals.

Meanwhile, tell me that after Andruw’s noisy strike leading off the 9th, that everyone in Fulton county not named Cox didnt know that he was gonna swing as hard as he could at whatever was thrown up there next pitch.

And did anyone notice we left yet another runner stranded at second after he had gotten there with noone out in the 8th?

Execution of fundamentals against a team that worries about whether they have sunglasses on their caps during bp.

Or did Cox think we hit the heck out of the ball again?

By Berigan

June 25, 2007 8:11 AM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, some good points above! You know, if/when Andruw does come out of this, it will be interesting to see what a difference it makes for the whole club. I don’t know why everyone from Kelly Johnson on down has slumped(Save Edgar and Chipper of course!!) and Andruw’s slump my be part of the reason McCann and Frenchy have sucked in June…but, if he really did go on a tear, it would just have to make a difference beyond his hits and RBI’s.

He did walk twice last night, right? And a single. That bodes well for the future. If he can convince pitchers he ain’t gonna swing at that way low outside pitch, they will get tired of walking him once, twice a game, and he will see some actual fastballs in the strike zone. Funny, pitchers are cruel, they seem to make their very best pitches to guys in slumps. How many times have you seen Ortiz, or Bonds get pitch, after pitch right down the middle of the plate??? I always think, no ya dope, outside corner, not waist high!!!! But, good hitters seem to have a combination of a good eye and a bit of pitcher fear working for them. Hang a curve to A-Rod, and it’s gone…you can relax with Andruw and make a great pitch, cuz you don’t have to fear him getting good wood on it…till now!!!

My bold prediction is Andruw has hit rock bottom, he is going up! .215 by the All star break, guaranteed! ;)

By brent a.

June 25, 2007 8:17 AM | Link to this

Here’s what I think is a decent quetion:

Why do the Braves seem to hit so much better on the road than at home, and . .

Why do other teams seem to know how to hit at Turner Field, while the Braves struggle?

For example (on part 2), it seems that some teams seem to know where the “jet stream” is in both left and right field, at TF, while the Braves often seem to have their hard hit balls fall short of the warning track.

Is there anything to what I am saying, or is it just my frustration?

I’ve mostly noticed this over the last 2 years, and as it turns out, these are the 2 frustrating years.

Thanks,

brent a.

By h_charles

June 25, 2007 8:19 AM | Link to this

Fight the good fight, DOB!!!

Blogs will always be filled extremes. Goes with the territory, I guess.

As to this teams current plight, it occured to me last night that we are suffering a bit from an extreme lack of experienced players in their prime. Offensively, everyone but Reneteria and AJis past it or not there yet. AJ is having the worst season of his career.

With the added injury of Chipper, we simply don’t have the experienced hitters to stop this snowballing freefall. We just have too many young guys that just don’t know how. The people they would look to for stability, Andruw and Chipper, just can’t provide it (doesn’t help when Chipper is cat-fighting with Smoltz).

Let’s hope a dose of mediocrity from Washington will cure this, but we haven’t exactly trampled that squad even before the collapse.

As to being a seller, even if we wanted to we couldn’t. We don’t have the players. The “purchases” desired are experienced, big contract stars who are producing, and we only have two — Renteria and Smoltz. Smoltz obviously isn’t going anywhere, and Renteria is the only thing holding together what little offense we have left. Without his stability in the lineup, we may not score until August.

I agree they will still likely move for a starter, but I think if it is going to happen it must happen VERY soon. Even thought the bats are the problem now, a big name rock added to the rotation may give the whole team a needed boost. Plus, we are dangerously close to slipping behind the Marlins and closer to last than first. Don’t want to dig too big a hole.

By brent a.

June 25, 2007 8:23 AM | Link to this

and one more thing …

I’ve been in Canada the last five days (where Russell Martin is Joe Dimaggio, by the way!) and so I’ll take the blame for the last five games.

Don’t blame Smoltz, Chipper, Bobby, DOB, or even Chris Woodward. Blame me. I left this team at its most fragile time.

About noon today, I’ll be crossing the border (after riding the “Maid of the Mist” this morning), and I fully expect my return to turn things around.

Yes, I know, Bergman is pitching tonight, but I trust that Huddy can go at least 10 scoreless innings and he’ll be sure to hit a home-run in the 10th inning before Ryan Langerhans beats him to it.

By Josh

June 25, 2007 8:25 AM | Link to this

Ron Roberts…

Not to start anything, but Hudson isn’t the problem. He’s thrown more innings than Smoltz, opposing hitters have a lower average, and they are both only walking about 2 guys per 9 innings. Frankly, we Braves fans are pretty spoiled on his first couple of performances this season. Now I do agree, he can flip a switch and become the Hudson of April well, that almost single handedly gets us out of our funk.

Well, that is, if we can manage to score a run or two.

I don’t know how Chuck James escapes the criticism though. He is not a #3 starter right now. He’s thrown 20 less innings than Hudson. He’s walking nearly 4 batters every 9 innings. His changeup is devastating the first two times through the order but, as Detroit proved last night, hitters can pick up on it. Maybe he should start mixing in that slider some, I don’t know.

Davies is the guy we’re trotting out there with the most potential, but, as someone else said, looking like Maddux one inning and Redman the next is not good. Hopefully he can start locating consistently and become the pitcher he should be.

Oh, that and Boston for whatever reason has Hudson figured out.

By Weekend Update

June 25, 2007 8:29 AM | Link to this

Flash! Exclusive to the AJC

*Chipper, Smoltz resolve controversy, Agree that team sucks

Chipper Jones and John Smoltz met yesterday with manager Bobby Cox in an attempt to resolve their differences. The players left the meeting realizing that they both were in agreement. Said Jones, “Smoltzie and I realized that this mess was caused by a simple misunderstanding. We both thought the guys on this team were capable of playing at the major league level. With the exception of Edgar, we realize we were wrong. Just a simple misunderstanding on our part.” Smoltz chimed in, “We realize that the young guys on this team have it tough. They are young, most have new wives or girlfriends. Do you realize the demands that puts on a young stud when he comes home? It’s evident from their play at home that they are worn out when they get to the ballpark! How else can you explain the difference between our road and home production! I’ve tried to stress to these guys that they are making their living playing baseball and that they should just reach over and pat that thing and go to sleep some nights instead of trying to set records in the bedroom. They need to learn that the records they should be concentrating on are on the field.” Added Chipper, “ I agree with John, but on the other hand, I can appreciate what the kids are trying to do. Look at me!”, Jones continued, “One day you get older and you realize all your parts aren’t working like they used to. I mean it was only yesterday that I was good to go the entire season. Now, I don’t know what parts are gonna work and what parts ain’t!” Standing in a corner of the room away from Chipper, Smoltz puts his glove over his mouth and giggles.

When asked about the situation involving Jones and Smoltz, Manager Bobby Cox responded with unusual candor. “Gee whiz, golly, gosh darn it,” said Cox. “When things are going like they are now, tensions are gonna run high. We’ve been here before, we’ll be here again. In fact, we may just stay here. It feels good. Sometimes you have to show tough love to these guys. But they are good kids really. The ball bounces funny sometimes. The cookie crumbles. Sometimes you eat bear and sometimes the bear eats you. If that ball rolls foul, it’s a different game. Is the pope catholic? Geez, can you believe Kelly Johnson actually told the AJC he cried when he proposed to his girlfriend? Whats up with that?”

The Braves begin a 3 game set at Turner Field tonight with the Washington Nationals. It’s “Ballgame Night” tonight at the Ted. All kids accompanied by an adult will receive a ballgame upon admission.*

By Gasper

June 25, 2007 8:33 AM | Link to this

Chipper SHOULD be a little sensitive about the injury talk. His body’s falling apart for some strange reason. He didn’t double in size from eating peanut butter.

By ChampDawg

June 25, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

Chipper and Smoltz I don’t have a problem with. They are the leaders on the team. Chipper misses a lot on games due to injuries but he means a lot to this franchise. Few may remember that Chipper gave up part of his salary (was in last year?) to help retain or sign some players. Smoltz is a warrior!! Period. The player that continues to irritate me is Andruw. OVERRATED!!!! Please get rid of this bore.

By Ron Roberts

June 25, 2007 8:42 AM | Link to this

Josh… the Dodgers figured Tim Hudson out in one game, and the Phillies looked horrible when he beat ‘em the first two times very early in the season. By their third time facing him, they tattoo’ed him.

But hey, holding good teams within reach in the game is what we’re supposed to get from Hudson. We almost always get that from Smoltz, no matter the opponent; not so with Hudson. Those are teams that big time starters are supposed to beat for us.

By The Grinch

June 25, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

My, my. I step out for a couple of days and look what happens. Let’s try this first: Everyone gather in a circle and hold hands while I break out the trusty accoustic guitar. Ready?

Kumbaya, oh, lord, kumbaya/kumbaya, oh, lord, kumbaya

Kumbaya, oh, lord, kumbaya/oh, lord kumbaya

Someone’s singing lord, kumbaya/someone’s singing lord, kumbaya

Someone’s singing lord, kumbaya/oh, lord kumbaya

Someone’s laughing lord, kumbaya/someone’s laughing lord, kumbaya

someone’s laughing lord, kumbaya/oh, lord kumbaya

Someone’s crying lord, kumbaya/someone’s crying lord, kumbaya

someone’s crying lord, kumbaya/oh lord kumbaya

someone’s praying lord, kumbaya/someone’s praying lord, kumbaya

someone’s praying lord, kumbaya/oh, lord kumbaya

No-one’s sleeping lord, ‘cause this is the Braves blog….etc Kumbaya.

OK, are we all settled down now? Then escuchen: Nobody can deny that this team sucks right at the moment. However, we’ve had a rash of injuries, players that haven’t lived up to their potential so far, and an absolutely brutal first half schedule. WE’RE STILL ONLY 4 GAMES BACK. We will make a blockbuster trade by or around the all-star break, this team will be dramatically improved by it, and our second half schedule is going to have far mopre games against the Pirates, Reds and Nats than it will the Red Sox, Tigers and Twins. Our second half schedule is among the weakest in baseball, and our team will be better. How far back were we at the all-star break in ‘91? 9 1/2 games. We also had a mixture of guys that were too young and too old. Did we manage to get anything done? Allrighty then: as Frank Zappa would say, shut up and play yer guitar.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 8:47 AM | Link to this

Robert,

This isn’t little league. Cox can’t do too much when his players aren’t taking good plate appearances. Sure, he can bench them, but there aren’t too many better bench options. I mean, with Andruw do you really want Cox to take a chance on putting someone like Willie Harris out there everyday when Andruw is the type player that could come out of it and become one of the better-hitting centerfielders in the league and Harris could revert back to just being a somewhat solid backup?

You take your chances with the most talented players you have. The Braves are just in a severe slump right now. I don’t know if it’s injuries or what but I don’t think it’s Bobby Cox. But of course you do because you haven’t been paying attention for the past 16 years.

By Jeff R

June 25, 2007 8:52 AM | Link to this

Does it matter, really, if Chipper and Smoltz fight like cats and dogs or go skipping off into the sunset together? Bigger issue is how this team has managed to slide to the .500 mark, give or take a game. No hitting and spotty pitching would be killing this franchise any other year. Given that the NL East, and the National League, generally, is mediocre, the Braves still have a shot in the second half, but only if they figure out te 4-5 starters and get the bats going. On paper, and given the team’s quick start, this team should be better performing. Pathetic.

By Will

June 25, 2007 8:55 AM | Link to this

If you looked up the word “punchless” in the dictionary it would have an Atlanta Braves logo next to it!! Terry Pendleton, what are you doing with your hitters because all i see across the board is guy after guy after guy flailing at bad pitches and being impatient. This is pathetic.

By cardvol

June 25, 2007 8:57 AM | Link to this

Why did Woodward bat the last two times? Was Harris, Thorman and McCann all injured? Why didn’t Pete Orr bat? Send Orr down and at least bring up Pena, so McCann and Saltalamacchia can at least bat or pinch-hit every game. Woodward can play all four infield positions, but he can’t freakin’ hit at all.

By H_charles

June 25, 2007 9:04 AM | Link to this

BTW — Anyone here that great interview with Chipper on Sirius just before Detroit came to town. Awesome stuff. Three big takeways, straight from the horse’s mouth:

1) Andruw is struggling for the same reasons we all thought. Swing is geared only to drive a pitch middle-in, so if it comes anywhere else he can’t hit it. He needs to adjust because nobody is pitching him there, and won’t start hitting until he does.

2) This team is a year or two away. He didn’t directly say this, but he said the goal this year was to improve 5-10 games this year and then 5-10 next year so “by next year we can be back to the type of team that wins division championships.” Translation: this team is just too young and inexperienced to win.

3) Andruw is going to re-sign with the Braves unless someone just throws ludicrous money at him. He loves it here and wants to stay (this part could be a sell job, but it was said).

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 9:07 AM | Link to this

WOW!! I just checked in to see what went on last night. Glad I wasn’t here, my brassknucks in the shop for re-soldering and all. But, I would like to pick up some loose ends.

Bob Thanks for reading my post and taking care of my light work—putting down Robert(the pennywhistle with the basoon mouth)for his “mouth” comment. Didn’t they make a movie about him(The Mouse that Roared) a few years back? Thought so.

Braveheart Paladin, I think the -30- Bob Journalist used in his post on the last blog is a homage to his buddy SSIScribe who has said that he is an old journalist and that the -30- means something in the journalism that I do not have the first clue about.

I don’t know what that is about, Dude, but to my knowledge, back in the dark ages, journalist’s used that as a sign-off. Some sort of signal to the print setters, I think. Anyway, that is the best I can do.

And finally, to those of you who want to get in a whizzing contest with DOB, don’t p1$$off the Pope! He is the headliner in this club and he can turn off your mike at any time. Just cool it, dudes. Shoveling s#$t against the tide is time-consuming and baaack-breaking work.

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 9:19 AM | Link to this

It’s spelled b-a-s-s-o-o-n. I wanted to get that in before Robert comes out from under his rock and corrects me.

By Train Wreck Bystander

June 25, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

Chuck James is one of the best 5-inning pitchers around. But when inning #6 rolls around, the wheels come off the wagon like clockwork.

If I am the bullpen coach, I have someone warming up at the top of the 6th regardless - either Moylan or Villareal. We know the implosion is coming; why not be ready?

When you see your car’s gas gauge drop down below 1/8, don’t you start looking for a gas station? Or do you wait until it sputters and dies to call AAA?

So frustrating to watch time after time.

=====

As for Buehrle, I think we have to offer Salty for him. The Mets want Buehrle too, and if we get him we get a quality arm and keep him away from the Mets. Double-win for us.

So, my Monday morning GM move is to:

(1) Trade Salty for Buehrle (2) Recall Pena to be McCann’s backup (3) Keep Escobar to be Chipper’s backup

By BamaBrave

June 25, 2007 9:29 AM | Link to this

Handsome Furs…thanks for the recommendation, DOB.

Last night, for once, watching a Braves game via ESPN was actually a relief… They’re so clueless about the team, they weren’t all that caught up in the Smoltz-Chipper thing. Gammons put it all in perspective by saying it was - in essence - frustrated veterans sniping and venting. That’s it. No hand wringing hysterics…no long eulogies about the demise of a once-great franchise. They seemed much more comfortable praising the Tigers as the greatest thing since sliced bread. Hard to believe that team lost the World Series last year, I must say…

By Lew

June 25, 2007 9:39 AM | Link to this

Berigan-You have trouble spelling Saltalamacchia? Hell, Dude, it’s spelled just like it sounds. Doom and Gloomers and Coach (My name is Really Nostradamus or Edgar Cayce, But I Have An Identity Crisis)-Now let’s see-we’ve lost 5 in a row and scored one run doing it. Yeah, we’re definitely doomed-likely to never score another run. Let’s just quit. It is certainly the thing to do when you’re 4 1/2 games out after 75 games with only more than half the season to go. Come on Y’all, Andruw is breaking out of it. He almost had two ground ball singles and a foul ball yesterday.

By ernesto

June 25, 2007 9:41 AM | Link to this

Y’know it seems like this run of mediocre/god-awful play started when we lost 3 of 4 to the Nats. Maybe we reverse this bad karma by beating up on said Nats. June Swoon2 has to end - tonight’s the night to start the turnaround.

We’ve got a 3 game series w/ Huddy and Smoltz and who knows Buddy Carlysle might turn in a decent outing.

By Ron Roberts

June 25, 2007 9:42 AM | Link to this

Train Wreck Bystander… you are absolutely right!

By Bill

June 25, 2007 9:45 AM | Link to this

It would be a huge mistake to trade Salty for Buerhle. He’s going to be a Cardinal next year. That would be giving Salty away.Let’s face it, there’s no hope for this team. Time to make wholesales changes. I’m a big Braves & B. Cox fan. This is the first time that I’ve seen him frustrated. Just the look on his face and in his eyes. It wouldn’t suprise me if he didn’t hang it up after this season. Has anyone noticed how big he has gotten. I don’t believe his health is good.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

BamaBrave,

Are they clueless about the team or could it be they have a better perspective of things, having been insiders for so long?

They know things go on between players on the same team and when a team is losing it may be more heated and may spill over into the sports pages.

By Braves Fan 79

June 25, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

Woodwards stats this year: 3 walks, .198 batting average, 1 HR, 1 Double, 6 RBI, in 49 games!!!!!!! Bobby….WTF are u thinking anytime u put this guy in the game!?? maybe its cause hes really been on fire lately considering in his last 20 games played hes hit a sizzling .050 yet u start him at 1st base! Great move man! im starting to think bobby just blindly draws names out of a hat on whos gonna play.

By Blaster

June 25, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Those dugout shots on tv last night were telling to say the least…everybody laughing and having a good time and BC with his brave finger up his nose trying to find his brain. Can you say P-A-T-H-E-T-I-C?

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

So, I’d like to think we can take 2 out of 3 from the Nats……

Right?

By jbutler

June 25, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Pretty new to the blog, but have to admit..what keeps it humming/clicking is to keep it in perspective. Weekend Update is hilarious…made my lilly white ears turn a little red. But - truly - N8..chill out. Get a hobby, take a laxative..this is for fun. Not therapy.

By McNugget

June 25, 2007 9:56 AM | Link to this

Andrew needs to get his hit together!

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 9:59 AM | Link to this

Train Wreck Bystander,

Only, I don’t think the bullpen coach has the authority to have pitchers warm up.

Also, I don’t think Salty will be traded for an older, expensive pitcher the Braves are almost sure to lose at the end of the season…unless the White Sox throw in a prospect or two (OF Ryan Sweeney, P Larry Broadway, P Kyle McCulloch?)

By Dick

June 25, 2007 10:07 AM | Link to this

Chipper has never been able to accept critisim. He is a rich, over paid, washed out ball player. BC benched the wrong players. He should bench every starter and if he saw starter laughing on bench, they would be seated for two games and run 50 extra laps.

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 10:09 AM | Link to this

I think this team can’t even take one game at a time.

They need to go 9-4 the next 13 games.

By David-ATL14

June 25, 2007 10:13 AM | Link to this

Great post at 11:24p last night DOB, this blog is overloaded with simpletons who know nothing about the game of baseball at any level much less MLB.

Several loud bloggers over and over, ad nauseaum that couldn’t lead a group of 10 year olds across the street without it being a cluster, think they actually know something about MLB.

Comedy of the highest order. Keep up the good fight DOB!

By Braves Fan 79

June 25, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

If this team was really this bad all this would be alot easier to take. We should be 10 games over .500 right now with the talent on this team. 2 bad managnment is for some reason giving .200 career batters like woodward and orr chance after chance after chance….i mean common bobby….49 games for woodward!?? And dont even get me started with all the chances they game Redmen….even thou we all knew he was washed up after his first start of the season.
We given away so many games this year its pathetic…and it all falls on cox. Id calculate weve probably lost 10 or so games at least just because we had orr or woodward coming to bat when we had men on base. (how many 0-4’s u gotta see before u know its not working bobby?) And everytime we started Redmen it was like waving the white flag ….so thats another 5 or 7 losses right there just on him.
Folks if this team was managed by the right person this is a PLAYOFF TEAM!!

By Lew

June 25, 2007 10:15 AM | Link to this

Has it occurred to anyone that our interest in picking up Buehrle and paying his salary for the balance of the season and giving up a top prospect for him may very well indicate the Braves intend to offer him a long term deal? All of our serious interest indicates Liberty is opening the purse strings. DOB even said as much the other day (unless I totally misread him-and I don’t think I did). If we had a bona fide #2 starter along with Smoltz and Hudson, James would be number 4, which is exactly where he should be. That would give us a pretty damn good rotation. I seriously doubt this hitless fiasco will continue indefinitely. A good pitcher like Buehrle and someone like Jonny Gomes of the Rays for a RH power hitter who can play first (the Rays worked him out there last year) and the outfield would help us immensely.

By JasonInMaine

June 25, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

It’s awesome to look at a boxscore at the end of June and see the following averages: .192, .198, .199. Yup, hard to figure why we get dominated by good pitching.

I know it is repetitive, but this team just finds ways to lose. It hits, but doesn’t pitch. It pitches, but doesn’t hit…or, it simply doesn’t hit regardless of what else is going on. Another top of the rotation pitcher is a great start to fixing this team, but it alone won’t do the trick. There are at least two other moves that need to be made. It is obvious that we need someone that can stay healthy and hit in the middle of the order as well as a LH reliever that can get lefties out. JS will have to work a LOT of magic to fix this squad.

I still think the foundation is there to compete next year and beyond, but Salty should and will not be traded for a rent-a-player like Buerhle. I am not opposed to trading him as he is blocked in the ATL, but it has to be for a young pitcher with potential top of the rotation stuff that the Braves will have for more than a few months.

Regards,

Jason

By Trade Winds

June 25, 2007 10:18 AM | Link to this

run 50 extra laps

run 50 extra laps

run 50 extra laps

run 50 extra laps

DO WHAT?!?!?!?!

LOL!

By Will

June 25, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

Totally agree about not trading Salty for Buerhle. That would be a huge mistake. Bottom line is with or without him the Braves are still not a playoff team. Keep trying, fight hard and you never know, but there is no reason to mortgage the future when you have no chance anyways.

By macdwolfpack

June 25, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

First the pressure gets to Smoltz, then the pressure gets to Chipper, and now oh my God it appears from this blog the pressure (or the fan base) is getting to Ole Dave. Hang in there Dave it will get better. It will require a bit of a shakeup on the Braves team but it will get better.

By Braves Fan 79

June 25, 2007 10:21 AM | Link to this

Forget the ol bobby theory of taking 2 out of 3….we need to start sweeping the teams were supposed to beat!

By We Have Mets the Enemy

June 25, 2007 10:23 AM | Link to this

Hey, Shaun, tell us again how Andruw’s going to snap out of his funk any game now! And how it’s not as bad as it seems, because Andruw’s so patient at the plate!

Is it written into Andruw’s contract that Woodward must be retained and must play often enough that his average remains below Andruw’s? Because last night Woodward had to suck even worse than he normally does to meet that (sub)standard.

It’s the only reason I can imagine why he batted twice late in the game against a righthander while several better options gathered dust on the bench.

I’m sure Robert could give me another reason, though.

By Renegator

June 25, 2007 10:29 AM | Link to this

Not so bold prediction: Braves lose two out of three to the lowly Nats.

Good news: June Swoon II ends this weekend (Sunday is July 1).

By hajj

June 25, 2007 10:31 AM | Link to this

Give AJ a break—He’s been a mainstay in CF for years—and just because he’s having an “off year” you go for the jugular. It seems like a pattern here with players of african descent—Justice, Smith, Gant…as soon as they make one mistake they gotta go. Would have never happened to DALE or Larry-aka Chipper the Hooter….come on, live and let live…..

By Ron Roberts

June 25, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

Lew, Seriously, bud…Mark Beuhrle’s made it no secret he’d like to play for St. Louis.

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 10:33 AM | Link to this

DOB

I understand why you disagree with N8 and Ron’s comments about the fire sale. It is still early and the Braves could have a very good July because their schedule is fairly easy. Look at the first 23 games until the Braves go to Shea to face the Mets. There is no reason they can’t go 15-8 during that stretch. But….

On the other hand, if the Braves can’t go say 8-5 (at least) the next 13 games, then why not look to deal some of our high priced players. Don’t you think we could get a ransom for Tim Hudson right now??? I understand we can’t deal Andruw and I get that we shouldn’t be trading away pitching talent. But don’t you think we could acquire some quality young arms for Tim Hudson right now. If Mark Buerhle who is a free agent at the end of the year is going to net Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz from the Red Sox, Joba Chamberlain or Ian Kennedy from the Yankees, then imagine what we could get for Tim Hudson who is owed 4 million for the rest of this year and 26 million over the next 2 years.

Yea I understand that would decrease the chances of us being competitive next year, but if the Braves continue to struggle, why not get young power arms and financial flexibility.

By Tomahawkin' Again

June 25, 2007 10:34 AM | Link to this

June Swoon the Sequel has made me totally change my vacation plans this upcoming weekend. I was going to go down to S Fla to see us play the Marlins, but I don’t want to be sitting in rain delays and watch us probably get swept. Someone talk me off the ledge…I was looking forward to 4 days/nights at South Beach. IMO, no trades until the All Star Break. The magic number is 6 games. If we’re less than that for a playoff spot, hit the accelerator and use the Baby Braves (Salty, Escobar, etc.) to get back the parts needed to make a run. More than 6 out, fire sale. Dump Hudson, Edgar, Wickman and reload for 2008.

By NO CHOP ZONE

June 25, 2007 10:35 AM | Link to this

To score or not to score…..That is the question. Hi there Lew! Have you missed me? What do you think about tonite? Will your braves put up a run or two?

By Weekend Update

June 25, 2007 10:37 AM | Link to this

Exclusive to the AJC

Saltalamacchia On Trading Block, Schuerholz Says

In what could only be deemed an unusual move, Braves GM John Schuerholz admitted that slugging Braves prospect Jarod Saltalamacchia was indeed being shopped to other major league teams. “The economics of baseball stink!” Schuerholz said. “The Atlanta Braves do not have an unlimited budget, but we feel we can still put a competitive product on the field. We just have to be smart in the way we spend our dollars.”

Although long rumored, Schuerholz finally shared with this reporter the philosophy behind what could only be considered an unusual process for deciding who stays and who goes.

“It’s all about the name,” Schuerholz said. “We have to consider saving money in any way or fashion we can. Do you know exactly how much it costs to have those player name strips stitched and attached to a players jersey? Well let me tell you they charge by the letter! In terms of expense, who do you think is the most expensive player in the big leagues to outfit for a game? That’s right, it’s Jarod Saltalamacchia!”

I noticed the GM was fidgeting now as he sat there and rolled 3 ball bearings around in his hand, his eyes blinking each time they clicked together.

“Pete Orr is this team’s MVP and don’t you forget it!” Schuerholz exclaimed in a loud voice. “Look at the beauty of that name! Three letters. Three beautiful little letters! If I had a team full of Pete Orrs’, this organization would have money to burn! Don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against reasonable names. I mean look at the Jones boys. Five letters… we can live with. Chuck James isn’t a risk either. Another name with five letters. I also have to tell you how happy I was with our pick of Travis Jones in the recent draft. We were very lucky that a Jones was available when we took him.”

When quizzed further, Schuerholz admitted that the future of current Braves Edgar Renteria and Jeff Francoeur might be in doubt. “Saltalamacchia may just be the start,” the GM said. “if things don’t turn around, we may have to resort to trading some of the shorter names.”

When asked who the Braves may be targeting, Schuerholz was again very open. “Toma Ohka may be the best option we have right now. We’re still looking very hard for just the right fit. Another factor is, what clubs are capable of taking on such a huge name as Saltalamacchia? You would have to rule out the Pittsburgs or KC’s, they just don’t have the budget. I only see teams like the Yankees, Mets, Angels, or Dodgers as having the financial means to deal with a name like Saltalamacchia.”

As the interview ended, I think I heard Schuerholz mutter, “I wonder if Ed Ott is still playing?”

By Ron Roberts

June 25, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

We’d have to sweep the Nats and win the first two against the Marlins just to go 13-14 for the month, fellas (and Carolina Lady). Ouch.

FYI… the Nats throw lefties at us in two of three games. Yikes! Not that it matters; we aren’t hitting anything from any direction these days.

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 10:39 AM | Link to this

Bob* I know this is becoming somewhat “personal” between us, but I have to add this: I didn’t call him out in front of the troops. I called him out in front of his peers. I think you will agree that there is a difference. And, after I think more about it, I think that is the point that **Braveheart(and others)have been making. If Smoltz had the cajones(and I think he does)to call Chipper out, he should have done so in the clubhouse and not in the press. I guess that makes me a born-again believer. HEAL!!

By TheCutMan

June 25, 2007 10:44 AM | Link to this

Until someone comes on here that IS on the inner circle of the Braves, which isn’t likely to happen, we’re all guessing at what’s in the works for many issues including future moves.

In the meantime, we can vent, we can talk about it, shout about it, but in the end, we don’t know. It’s those rare looks behind the curtain that give indications of what’s really going on or about to happen and those moments are all too rare.

I think a journalist or beat writer following the team has to be impartial in his/her statements regarding the Braves. No argument.

It’s the old school of WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, and HOW? being addressed as the facts are reported without fan type bias or being speculative beyond the lines of good journalism. I get that.

So, what does a good covering journalist do in addition to reporting the facts and pointing out things we can all see for ourselves? For openers, tell me something I don’t know.

Do a sidebar interview with McCann’s Dad to get a better understanding of what Brian can do to get back his 2006 hitting form.

Provide me a list of all the usual suspect starting pitchers in MLB who might be available for trade and ask fellow journalists covering those teams what the price might be for the current team to part with said pitcher?

To be fair, I’ve seen some of this type of work in the past, vis a vis, the Smoltz interview a couple of weeks ago and some firsthand reporting of the environment present during Chipper’s inpromptu ‘news conference’ in answering the Smoltz statement.

I’d like to see more of that, please.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this

Efrim,

No way a team would give up their top pitching prospects for Tim Hudson. Yes, Hudson’s a decent pitcher. He’s owed $26 million over the next 2 seasons, a decent price, but there is no reason for a team to give up two great prospects for him. That would just limit their ability to possibly sign or trade for an even better, more expensive pitcher.

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 10:48 AM | Link to this

Sorry about my previous post. An old man got too bold.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 25, 2007 10:53 AM | Link to this

yesterday started out most pleasantly. journalist jimmy smith enjoyed a nice breakfast and then church services. when jimmy smith returned home, jimmy smith enjoyed the licorice sticks baby seal gave this journalist for father’s day. most enjoyable. all was well and journalist was feeling good. journalist decided then to do a good deed.

oh, the humanity! sometimes things are not what they seem. take chipper and smoltz, for example. not a problem at all. dob should take note that things do not always go as planned. to wit: this journalist made a trip yesterday to the home of anne cox chambers. the purpose of the visit was to deliver a nice canned ham and put in a good word for dob. as baby seal and jimmy smith approached the door to the anne cox chambers mansion, good feelings were abundant. baby seal rang the doorbell and jimmy smith stood there clutching a nice, canned ham with a card praising dob. when the door opened it was not anne cox chambers! it was a butler! imagine that, a butler! big guy, about 6’ 11” with almost no body fat, very nice manners and very charming. lurch-like but not quite lurch. baby seal stated that jimmy smith had business with anne cox chambers and then mentioned dob. the butler perked up when hearing the name dob. soon, anne cox chambers appeared at the door and just as jimmy smith opened jimmy smith’s mouth to say, “hello, anne cox chambers” - anne cox chambers screamed and slammed the door shut! the canned ham was caught in the heavy door and destroyed. ham juice fell everywhere. oh, the humanity! this was not at all what jimmy smith had planned. jimmy smith and baby fled the scene.

upon reflection, it seems that anne cox chambers may have been frightened of jimmy smith and baby seal. jimmy now realizes that smith’s teeth and gums were all black from licorice and seeing this and a small, heavily whiskered, seal on the porch may have been unsettling to anne cox chambers.

don’t worry, dob, jimmy smith will be going back today to set things right.

now, baseball … it is good that the american leaguers are gone. the braves were clearly outmatched by the competition. putting the poorest players in to face game-breaking situations seems not to be working for bobby cox. still, we should expect to see more of the same.

By ncscoots

June 25, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this

I don’t know if the Braves are done, as some have suggested. But they don’t have half-season pennants in MLB, so I guess they’ll just have to play the last 81 and we’ll see what happens.

But to categorically announce the team as finished is premature, unless you think the team is actually playing to its talent level, i.e., they are a .500 team and no better. I happen to disagree with that.

I don’t think the offensive malaise will continue all season; I do think the young pitchers already in place will improve with experience; I do think Schuerholz will make a move or moves to improve the team. So it doesn’t take Karnak to predict they’ll play better in the second half than the first.

Whether they will improve enough to make the playoffs depends as much on the other teams in the race as the Braves, but it appears to me that the Braves need to win ~50 games in the second half to make it. For those who think the team is incapable of that, then your opinion is that they’re done. My opinion is that it’s eminently doable.

If that makes me a homer, so be it. But both pennant race history and Braves history says such a run is well within imagination.

By Doug B

June 25, 2007 10:55 AM | Link to this

Someone once said, “Change doesn’t occur in the absence of conflict, but in the constructive handling of conflict.”

When I first John Smoltz’s comments, I heard them say “The team has to perform whether or not Chipper, or anyone for that matter, is in the line-up.

When I first saw Chipper Jones’ reaction, I felt like he misunderstood, but I also felt I could see why he interpreted it that he was being charged wasn’t busting his tail and finding ways to stay on the field. The phrasing on Smoltz’s comments were obviously seen as a slight to Jones.

Life is full of these misunderstandings and the struggle to straighten them out is often marked with avoidance, or seeking alternative means to address them.

It still often comes down to having face to face meetings, often with some mediator or facilitator to deal with the issues.

Smoltz and Jones have been team-mates a long time. I trust them when they say they have indeed worked out the misunderstanding.

Now if the team can just reclaim its winning attitude.

By Jeff

June 25, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

1 freakin run in 5 games. I’ve seen little league games w/ more excitement. College Football, please come sooner!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Lex Luthor

June 25, 2007 10:56 AM | Link to this

How about a $5000 fine for any batter that falls down after wiffing? If they get the hat trick they sit the next game. If they do it twice, DL them because they’re medically obese and bring up someone from the minors for 15 days.

By Train Wreck Bystander

June 25, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

AJ is coming around - he’s not hitting like we all know he can, but he is drawing walks. There’s just no one behind him to move him over.

Why not try AJ in the 2 spot for a couple of nights…? Let Chipper move him over.

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 10:58 AM | Link to this

Shaun,

Well, lets see what a team gives up for Mark Buerhle. If a team gives up a good young player for him, then the Braves would definetly get two young players for Hudson. 13 million isn’t alot of money for a guy of Hudson’s ability. I know, he isn’t that good, and you would probably have to deal him to a NL team. But still, its worth a try IF the Braves completely fall out of it by the deadline.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 11:05 AM | Link to this

RonRoberts-Maybe so. The point I was trying to make was that we may have the bucks to spend for someone a bit more long term than a rent a player. It doesn’t necessarily have to be Buerhle. Personally, I think a solid number three starter, a LH reliever and a RH power hitting IB-OF (Jonny Gomes?)is what we need. I seriously doubt this hitting slump is going to be a season long occurrence. It happens (unless you have a bunch of bruisers like the Red Sox or the Tigers). It is inconceivable to me that Andruw’s slump will continue throughout the entire season. This may be his worst stretch ever, but he has had some bad ones previously. He always breaks out. I think the worst you can say about Davies and James is that they have been inconsistent. They haven’t sucked every time out like Redman. They are young pitchers-inconsistency is a way of life. Like I’ve pointed out in the past, Glavine and Maddux were much worse at this point in their careers. Quite honestly, James is further along at this point in his career than Glavine was. Now I’m certainly not saying Chuckie will ever achieve what Glavine has, but he still has started out his career in much better shape. Hudson needs to keep his mechanics in check. He also needs to eat some high energy food about the 4th inning. It will keep him from fading Your fifth staer is usually not going to be that consistent, anyway, so Carlyle may be serviceable if the rest of the staff straps on their leotards. I just think any dismantling of this team is the height of absurdity-also just throwing in the towel. Things may go as Coach (I Am The Definitive Prophet) claims they will, but this doesn’t mean it’s time to hang it up, either. This team is NOT the DRays or the Royals. Life is certainly not THAT bleak-despite what the Doom And Gloomers may have us believe. Has anyone noticed the insect problem has returned? Still having those wet dreams after your 3-14 stretch No Brain Zone?

By Train Wreck Bystander

June 25, 2007 11:09 AM | Link to this

And a $500 fine for swinging at the first pitch, while we are at it.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 11:12 AM | Link to this

Shaun, I hate to break this to you, but Andruw Jones has NEVER been one of the better-hitting center fielders in the game.

Last night, down 5 runs in the ninth, the scheduled hitters were Jones, Salty, and Woodward - Nice chance we have of mounting even a threat of a comeback when 2 of your 3 scheduled batters are .200 hitters. And Salty looked no better - hacking at every low diving pitch like he was trying to be a left-handed Andruw

I get so sick of hearing that there is nothing Cox can do. How come every other manager can at least try something (such as teaching some fundamentals to begin with) but Cox, the greatest manager of all time, the frickin genius, of all managers, Cox is helpless when his players slump and let him down

The three game series with the Tigers was a clinic - a team whose star players do the little things and do them right

Did they three run homer us? No, they manufactured runs - plenty of them

Of course, it didnt help that 3 runs have to plated before the light bulb flickers in genius’ empty skull and he decides it might be time to warm up a reliever.

If there’s nothing Cox can do, then maybe it’s time to replace him with someone who just might could do something - dontcha think?

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

I notice on the top of this page where one of the top jobs is a “shipping clerk”. God, I’m glad I am retired!

In the meantime, I don’t know whether that fishy smell in here is from jimmy smith’s baby seal, or whether it is Robert’s new cologne but let’s leave some windows open and go outside and smell some roses on this beautiful day. Then, we can return, refreshed, and start anew. Game?

And Weekend Update that was funny stuff!

By Lew

June 25, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this

EFrim-If you trade Hudson, who would you replace him with next year that would be any better for $13 million?

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

OK, I was down on this team (1 stinking run in 5 games?!), but after reading all these “life long fans” close the book on the team and go crying home I realized I’m not that down on the team.

The only problem I have right now is, this isn’t a team. This is a bunch of guys wearing the same uniform standing on the field. They aren’t playing as a team, they aren’t acting like a team and they aren’t relating as a team. There used to be several things that would happen… Cox would hold a meeting and chew them out and get ‘em all fired up and they’d get on a streak and play well. Veteran players called out the young guys and lead by example. Veteran players rarely made public any feelings of matters of the heart between other veteran players. What happened to these traditions?

This past week has been a disaster. It was the most important, toughest part of the schedule to date, and the Braves handled it by gripping, complaining, fighting, and choking. They began with a sweep and ended with a sweep and only won 3 games out of the 12 they played. 1 stinking run in 5 games?! This team has some dirty laundry to do before they start winning and I stop drinking. And, I for one hope they do it soon.

Lastly, what the f-ck is Woodward doing on this team? At the least, Orr can run fast, so I can kind of understand that. But Chris f-cking Woodward is absolutely useless. I understand the need for veterans. I can see it clearly these days. Good veteran leadership is needed, but lacking on this team. Woodward doesn’t even fit that bill. He is an utter waste of time. I’d say cut him and bring up Pena, but we need a functioning, helpful, successful, winner, veteran on the bench, so perhaps a trade? I don’t know. But, if we can’t find a capable veteran replacement, then Pena is the next best thing. At least he is affordable, home grown, switch hitting catcher/3B/LF/1B and whatever else they got him doing at AAA. Just get rid of Woodward soon. At least then I can lay off the hard stuff…

Braves, it’s the Nats next. Don’t embarrass yourself anymore. Get the sweep, head out of town, and I’ll see you in LA.

By BamaBrave

June 25, 2007 11:17 AM | Link to this

Whoever gets the $500 per first-pitch-swing is gonna be able to buy a new BMW 645 by Sunday…

By Lew

June 25, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this

Paladin-Good Morning. A shipping clerk is still a step up from a bagger and we sure have plenty of them running around loose, here, don’t we?

By Braveheart

June 25, 2007 11:28 AM | Link to this

On 790 this morning, Smoltz blames “bulldog” reporters. How lame and insulting to himself, to the reporters, to Chipper, to his teammates, and to the fans. He thinks we all are stupid.

Do yourself a favor Smoltz. Keep signing those hometown discounts. You would not be able to handle true “bulldog” reporters who twist your words like they do in other cities.

You are a big fish in a small pond who wants to run his mouth whenever he wants but still act high and mighty and above it all. Blaming “bullddog” reporters when you really only deal with fair and balanced reporters in this town is as weak as clock radio speakers. Are you gonna boycott the media that covers your team now Smoltz? Really, all 5 of them? Is that what you are threatening? Really, Smoltz?

How about this, Smoltz? Next time, don’t stab a teammate in the back in front of everyone, then claim that you did not do it. Then don’t insult your teammate and tell him that there is no knife in his back and don’t tell him that you did not put it there. Then don’t tell your teammate that he threw the sucker punch at you because he falsely believed that there was a knife in his back that was actually in his back. Then don’t blame “bulldogs” for putting an imaginary knife in your teammates back. Then don’t tell the rest of us we did not see and hear you do it.

Smoltz, you did it. There certainly is an argument to be made that you should have done it. But don’t pretend you did not do it when you did it.

The more you speak about this Smoltz, the more respect I lose for you as a man.

Chipper acted like a child in his response Saturday night but was the real man last night who let you get away with the lie about not putting the knife in his back.

It’s too late to save face about that but maybe you can save some about this really wimpy threat to boycott the Atlanta media.

By BamaBrave

June 25, 2007 11:34 AM | Link to this

Effin’ A, Braveheart…

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Lew, I can conceivably see Andruw staying in his funk until this season is lost and the Phillies have a 10 game lead. He’s not dealing with his impending free agency very well since Jason Stark crawled into his brain and took a dump. He’s always been a bit of a head case, anyway.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

N8 - You’re gonna have to forgive DOB if he gets touchy. Sometimes facts get in his way :P

I tell ya - the mark of a genius is how he comes thru in the clutch when the chips are down.

Awe inspiring performance from our virtuoso manager this past week. He not failed to do anything to stimulate the bats, he took the one bit of emotional energy the Braves have shown since Andruw Jones had to miss a tee time because of a late-running doubleheader and managed to make sure it was snuffed out

By Lew

June 25, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Braveheart-I actually thought Smoltz was talking to Chipper at first, but on further reflection, his words could have been taken a couple of ways. In response to team wide moaning and wailing because Chipper was hurt (Oh The Humanity! Chipper is hurt and we can’t win without him), suppose he was telling all his other teammates that it shouldn’t matter who was in the lineup-that it was not an excuse and it was up to them to strap on the leotard, regardless. That kind of changes things a bit, don’t you think? Maybe it was a misunderstanding.

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Lew,

Well, it depends on who we receive in terms of prospects. Say we dealt him to the Red Sox for Jon Lester and Jacoby Ellsbury. I doubt the Red Sox would do it, but lets just say for arguements sake. Lester goes into the rotation as our #3. So we have Smoltz Free Agent, Lester, James and Davies. Ellsbury would be our CF next year after Andruw leaves. I think We should gain some financial flexibility with Andruw and Wickman leaving so if we have say 18 million to spend, then Carlos Zambrano would be the pitcher to sign to a long term deal. Smoltz Zambrano Lester James and Davies as well as getting the CF that we need to replace Andruw next year. Its LONG SHOT. It won’t happen. But trading Hudson for a young starter and young CF is something they should think about if we fall say 10 back of the wild card.

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this

Train Wreck, you say AJ’s “coming around.” Are you being serious? Three walks and a single in two games is “coming around?” Man, I guess that says something for how low the freakin’ bar has been dropped, if that’s coming around.

He’s 3-for-44 with four walks, 12 strikeouts, zero extra-base hits and zero RBIs in his past 12 games, and he’s “coming around?” Wow. That’s all I can say to that. Wow….

BY the way, on this day in Braves history, 1953: The Braves sign 17-year old Joey Jay from Middletown, Conn., making him the first Little League player to make it to the major leagues.

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 11:43 AM | Link to this

Francoeur’s had a few singles in his last couple games, but I just noticed he’s had no extra-base hits in 11 games and one homer, four doubles and a .225 average in 120 at-bats over his past 31 games, with a .260 OBP and .283 slugging percentage in that span.

By flange1

June 25, 2007 11:45 AM | Link to this

Braveheart,

I missed Smoltz on 790 this morning, but IF he suggested that the media caused his words to be misunderstood, he should go back and read them again. I agree that Chipper should not have mouthed off in the press, but I agree with Chipper that Smoltz’s comments were directed at Chipper.

This is in my opinion a typical Smoltz cop out. He has a problem with his mouth and then he blames someone else. This is not the first or last time it will happen.

If he avoids the Atlanta media, he is an idiot. The Atlanta Media trats him like he is king. Who is he talking about in the Atlanta Media? Is he talking DOB? Reread all that DOB said about the Smoltz - Chipper verbal spat and DOB did his best NOT to fuel the fire. If he were in NY or Phille he would have made Smoltz look like a real whiner.

Hopefully all of this will blow over and we can worry about baseball and not this drama crap…

By Lew

June 25, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Stinky-You may be right, but did you see the foul ball he hit last night?

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 11:49 AM | Link to this

DOB,

Check McCann as well. I think his overall OPS is 698.

By teoa

June 25, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Okay, let me get this straight…

One day Chipper is hurt and considering going on the DL (again). Smoltz inadvertently(?) calls out Chipper, and as a direct result, Chipper decides to “rush” back and play the next day instead of missing 15 days! As it turns out, Chipper is not only healthy enough to play, he is healthy enough to hit a HR off of one of the best pitchers in baseball. Afterwards, Chipper is angry at Smoltz for pushing him to play.

Uh, am I missing something? Shouldn’t Chipper be thanking Smoltz rather than attacking him in the press?

It’s easy to see why one of these players is the winningest pitcher in post season history, and the other collects his $11 mil, announces that he doesn’t need a trainer, and plays 80 games a year.

Well, since Chipper didn’t do it, I would like to thank Mr. Smoltz for forcing Chipper to contribute to the team Saturday since Chipper does not seem to recognize that this is what he is paid to do. Smoltz’s comments, intentional or not, were long over due in my opinion.

By Wayne in Utah

June 25, 2007 11:53 AM | Link to this

Lew Excellent 10:15 and 11:05 posts. Agreed totally. I think there are some other arms out there that might be equally available.

I rather enjoyed Dave’s reaming of some nay-sayers last night. It’s like some bloggers are on a total roller coaster ride, and their universe rises and falls with a single win sometimes.

It IS a long season. I have avoided the blog recently, as I just tire of all the whining when things are not going well.

BTW Lew Dale arrived on Saturday, and my two sons still at home were SO excited, more so than I was, and I was thrilled. EXCELLENT JOB!! Within a week, he will have found a prominent place on my home office wall, near pix of my children and my other Braves stuff. Thanks again for the honor and the excellent work!

DOB Thanks for the fine work!

By Lew

June 25, 2007 11:56 AM | Link to this

Efrim-I can’t really argue with your logic, but I think with Brandon Jones and Lillibridge coming up I think we have the outfield problem dealt with (at least I’m fairly certain Lillibridge has been mentioned since we have middle infielders). Maybe it’s time to go to a speed approach, anyway. Yes, we should have some financial leeway (though maybe not as much as some think), but I’m real concerned how much any free agent pitcher is going to cost this offseason (see Ted Lilly and Jason Marquis and add many $$$$$). I’m also not certain Zambrano is who we would want. I don’t think he’s a “Braves Type” player and isn’t exactly excelling under pressure this year..

By DC Braves Fan

June 25, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

GET JUNIOR NOW! The guy drove in more runs in last night’s game alone, than the Braves have in the last 5 games.

Who says we don’t need a bat?? Our lineup doesn’t strike a fear in anyone right now. We need a McGriff-like trade that could put a charge into these guys. Griffey could be that guy.

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 11:57 AM | Link to this

Thorman’s slugging percentage is higher than Frenchy, McCann or Andruw this year.

By Train Wreck Bystander

June 25, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

Yes, I really do think AJ is starting to come around.

He’s also got only 2 strikeouts in the past 5 games.

Now, I am not about to suggest he is going on a homer binge. Not at all. But I will take any nugget I can find.

By Braveheart

June 25, 2007 12:00 PM | Link to this

flange1, i also hope he is not calling out DOB. I think DOB was very, very fair about it all and just reported what was said. he could have blown this into a jeter and arod saga if he wanted to. A bulldog reporter would have manufactured a history of bad blood between the two and made a whole soap opera out of it all. That did not happen - not even from the columnists like Schultz or Bradley or Moore who also could have easily run with the story. sometimes though I think we all here on the blog put DOB in a tough spot because of the things we all say which can be imputed to DOB because it is his blog and resentment can happen towards DOB I guess because of it.

By DAP

June 25, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

i NEVER thought this would happen to this team. everyone is playing way below expectations right now, and it seems like its been going on forever. i wish there was an answer other than they have to hit, but thats pretty much it!! right now, there is nothing john s. or cox can do. their players have to perform.

andruw should be batting 10th.

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Lew,

He is pitching a lot better as of late. Last four starts he is 3-1 and has lowered his ERA from 5.38 to 4.27. Zambrano is very good. I don’t know if he is 18 million a year good, but the Braves are going to run into a big problem this offseason when they need to upgrade the starting pitching, get another middle reliever and a centerfielder. I don’t think they have the money or resources to do so. Salty needs to be our 1st baseman next year, so I don’t think you could trade him.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Wayne-I’m glad you like your Wurlitzer-The first Wurlitzer Award For Poetry ever presented, no less. Who will the next Wurlitzer Winner be? Will it be our new blogging Queen Carroll Rogers, for her cutting edge columns and blogs in relief of DOB? Will it be Robert, winning The Wurlitzer Award for Unmitigated Obsession? Well, really I doubt that one. Will it be Nathan winning The Wurlitzer for Browbeating and Brain Numbing Posts? Will it be Braveheart for his novel length diatribes? Or our Buddy Joe Brave winning the Wurlitzer for Most Colorful Language on a blog? Only Willard Wurlitzer and The Wurlitzer Selection Committee know for sure. Time will certainly tell. Hey, it is more profitable than winning T Shirt of The Day Honors. At least you actually win something.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Efrim-Exactly. That’s why I’d just as soon keep Hudson and try to find a number 2-3 starter rather than a high priced spread like Zambrano. I’m certain pitching prices are going to be out of this solar system this offseason. We may not be able to replace Hudson for the money he will be due, much less upgrade him. I’d rather push him to number three and get a real number two guy. It would be much cheaper than Zambrano and Smoltz is our Ace, anyway. I’m really less worried abot an outfield replacement. I think Francoeur in center with Brandon Jones and Lillibridge to round things out will work fine. We still have Diaz and Harris, I would imagine. Besides, I think picking up Jonny Gomes would be a good, inexpensive move to give us another outfielder-one with lots of power. I know he’s been worked out at first, too. The Rays considered him a 1B option last year, though he never played in a game at first.

By flange1

June 25, 2007 12:23 PM | Link to this

Efrim,

Do you really want Zambrano and his drama queen antics? I would pass on him!

By flange1

June 25, 2007 12:29 PM | Link to this

Braveheart,

I agree that DOB probably does take a lot of flack for the crap that is written on this blog, even though he didn’t write it and probably disagrees with it.

If Smoltz blames him for something that someone said on this blog, then he is even dumber than I give him credit for.

And in rereading his position, I guess I can see Lew’s point about calling on the troops in the game to perform. I just don’t think that is what he was meaning when he said it!

By John

June 25, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

When I read quote, I perceived it to mean that Smoltz meant that they needed to figure out how to play well regardless who was out of line-up. It seemed he was saying that they didn’t need to let down or make excuses when a key player was injured. I think Chipper should have called John and asked what was meant rather than having the quote “explained” to him by others. In his attempt to be responsive to reporters, he made a mistake. Perhaps responding that he would talk to Smoltz and get back to the reporters after would have been better.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I hate to break this to you, but Andruw Jones has NEVER been one of the better-hitting center fielders in the game.

Let’s see, 2006 he was 5th in OPS among all CF, 2005 he was first, 2004 he was 6th, 2003 he was 5th.

He’s never really been one of the best hitters in all of baseball but he has been one of the better hitting centerfielders.

Also, I don’t know if the Tigers’ manufactured runs or not. Depends on what you mean by manufactured. They scored 12 runs in the series, which isn’t a huge amount. Cleveland scored 11 and the Braves won that series; I doubt you would have said the Indians manufactured runs and put on a display that series. You don’t need to score a lot when your opponent only scores once.

Also, if Cox gets blame for this series does he get credit for going 6-3 against the Mets? Of course not because if the Braves win, it’s the players. If the Braves lose it’s Bobby Cox. Right, Robert?

By journalist jimmy smith

June 25, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

bulldog reporter, huh? tenacious? smells a story and sinks the teeth right in and won’t let go? get quotes from the source: “uh, yeah.”

it seems quite a compliment to be called a bulldog reporter. now s** reporter, lap dog, collie, schnauzer, poodle, all would be uncomplimentary - but bulldog reporter sounds to be a very fine pronouncement. all bloggers must be proud of dobulldog. tee shirt idea has already been submitted by baby seal.

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

Lew,

Isn’t Lillibridge a SS?

By MGL

June 25, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Playing as a team - It would be nice to see the players in the dugout up at the rail, cheering their team-mates on the field rather than sitting on the bench joking while half the “team” takes a beating on the field.

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

Efrim, Lew: I think you guys are forgetting, we’ll be getting Hampton back from the DL. That’s just as good as signing a free agent pitcher! No need to make any trades or FA signings. Just bank on Hampton coming back and pitching like a Cy Young winner.

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 12:33 PM | Link to this

flange1, your 11:45 post was on the mark. Smoltz started stuff last year with the ‘homeboy upstairs’ remark and talking about his desire to possibly play for the Tigers. If he didn’t enjoy speaking to the media so much, maybe his occasional gaffes wouldn’t make headlines.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 12:39 PM | Link to this

Braveheart,

I’ve always felt Smoltz has a little more of an ego than a lot of people seem to give him credit for. I think he’s more Curt Schilling than Dale Murphy.

That said, I respect Smoltz (and guys like Schilling) as much as any athlete around. Part of what makes them good it that competitive drive to want to be the best and want the focus on themselves; the ego. That attitude is what drives them to want to pitch 162 games a year if they could.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 25, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

journalist named a very nice little dog and journalist was censored!!!

this little dog is a s-h-i-h-t-z-u and it is a most agreeable little dog but being called a s-h-i-h-t-z-u reporter would not be a good thing.

s**, t**-mouse, van d**, lots of bad words make it but a little dog, a tiny bird, and a neat lettle beard are all forbidden here. go figure.

By JCM

June 25, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

TennesseePaul, you may be the only guy in this town (Hampton included) who ever expects to see Mike Hampton put on a professional uniform ever again.

By Lee

June 25, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

Maybe the Braves should sign Zambrano next year. Even though he is a major jerk he has the guts to get in the face of players and tell it like it is. He also apparently will belt whip players if necessary and maybe that is what some of these underachievers need on this Braves team. At least it would spark a little excitement into their games.

Every time Woodward starts a game I refuse to watch it. It is an insult to professional MLB players and any fan that has a half a$$ knowledge of the game of baseball for this guy to be in uniform.

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 12:45 PM | Link to this

I want Hampton and Chuck James battling for the 5th starters spot next spring training.

Meaning we need to acquire 2 pitchers.

Lew- Yea, We probably won’t deal Hudson, and I agree he is more a #3 than a #2 starter. But I don’t know where we can get a #2 starter without dealing Salty. And I really don’t want to trade him unless its for like Ian Snell or Jered Weaver.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

Efrim-Yes, he is, but there has been talk of moving him to center. He has a lot of speed. Now, I can’t find that they have actually played him there, but I do know Brandon Jones could handle one of the outfield positions and Francoeur will be fine in center. Is still think Gomes would be a good, cheap pickup as well. Besides, we still have Diaz and Willie Harris. Didn’t you know that Willie is the full time answer to all of our problems? Many people here think so, anyway. Ten Paul- I know you mention Hampton in a sarcastic manner-I hardly blame you. But I’m not going to count on him for anything. No disappointment that way and anything he contributes will make us happy. At this point, I’d just as soon he retires, though I wouldn’t really blame him for trying to make a comeback

By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

June 25, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

If Joe Torre started a player and left him in the lineup (Andruw) while said player hit .131 for the month of June , George Steinbrenner would fire him so fast his head would spin. Cox answers to no one. Everything Cox knows about baseball is working against him.

By Ralph

June 25, 2007 12:51 PM | Link to this

I want thank AJC for letting the fans air out our frustration about the Braves, I don’t know what other newspaper does that. If nothing else, AJC, lets us express our satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the way the Braves are playing. Letting the fans air out whatever they want helps us remained fans. We may write some laughable things (which remained me of watching the Braves bat) and some stilly things (which remained me of watching the Braves play) but all in all we mean well. So you can see, that fans and the Braves aren’t that much different, with the exception that its up to us to pay to watch (what right now appears to be a bunch of crowns play) and them to collect (what right now appears to be a bunch of crowns play). when the collectors play like the senior citizen night out,(meaning the players), the payee (meaning the fans) won’t payee anymore. Whether the Braves players or organization read this, or not,(and they should, there are some very good ideas) who cares. The Braves front office should know how good or bad things are, if they don’t, than clean out the front office, they are making money under faults pretences, and you can included the players. Right now the Braves have no idea on what they are doing wrong, it’s up to us the fans to lead them to victory, HA. How about that…. after you’ll finish with the shovel hand it down.

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 12:52 PM | Link to this

We need to go 9-4 the next 13 games before the break.

47-42 in 89 games. 73 games remaining. Lets go 40-33 in those games and we finish 87-75. Wild card. So simple. Just go do it. Of course, the 9-4 in the next 13 games is going to be difficult unless we go 5-1 against the Marlins and Nats.

By N8 is Gr8

June 25, 2007 12:55 PM | Link to this

I’m sorry N8 went off on DOB and then DOB pummeled N8. Fans are frustrated with the team and they take it out on the wrong folks sometimes. Are y’all cool now? DOB, aren’t you glad you DIDN’T give N8 your cell number a couple weeks ago?

N8 is definitely right about this though: a trade for one McGriff-like player isn’t going to get this team another world championship. Let’s admit that, including you JS, and resolve that whatever the front office does at the deadline has 2008 in mind. We don’t need another Wilson Betemit giveaway.

P.S. No, I’m not N8.

By Over Andy

June 25, 2007 12:58 PM | Link to this

Even though we’re blogging in the world of the “printed word,” sometimes said printed word does not reveal all.

I heard the Smoltz interview. I didn’t rely on the printed word. I love the printed word. I spend lots of time in the world of the printed word, but the actual Smoltz (hear it for yourself) interview didn’t seem to in any way call Chipper out.

Smoltz stated flatly that he didn’t want to hear anymore about who was in the lineup and who wasn’t. He said the guys who are in the lineup are going to have to step up. He praised the guys in the lineup for busting it out there, but still laid it on the line that they were going to have to step up no matter who was not in the lineup. Smoltz was clearing frustrated himself.

Chipper is getting a bit thin skinned. He’s hurt again. And again. And again. He has been slammed repeatedly in this forum even before the season began. There were bets as to how many games he would miss this year. Chipper heard this before the season from the media and didn’t act too happy to have the “no play Chipper” label attached to him. I think I remember DOB even speaking of Chipper’s displeasure at people doubting his durability.

Now it has come to pass. Chipper is hurting again and I’m sure he is very frustrated about it. He’s probably also a bit defensive. I think he took Smoltzs’ comments the wrong way. I know I didn’t take them that he was calling Chipper out.

Chipper being hurt is a reality. Chipper getting hurt time and time again and in different areas is a reality.

The team has to learn to play and win without Chipper if they are to succeed. Chipper will be on the DL again this year, bank on it.

What Smoltz said was nothing but speaking the truth. The team has to learn to live without Chipper in the lineup.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 1:00 PM | Link to this

Coach (I Think The Wrecking Ball Just Busted Me In The Head)-Yeah, the place to break Andruw out of his slump is definitely on the bench where he can fix his swing. As far as Steinbrenner-Right. His declarations have lead to major success the past 7 or 8 years, haven’t they? A Billion dollars in payroll and nothing to show for it. I’d sure want to use him as an example of how things should be done.

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 1:01 PM | Link to this

Lew: Spot on. But I do look forward to KC’s off season dissertations on the matter. Where is KC anyway? I truly do miss his optimism. We could really use some of it to make it through June Swoon 2: The Sequel.

JCM: Hang around for a while. We encourage it. Eventually the smooth dry wit dispensed here will be refreshing, especially in times such as these.

1 stinking run in 5 games?!?

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 1:02 PM | Link to this

Efrim, Lillibridge is a SS, but played outfield initially in college at Washington. There’s been some talk of possibly moving him to OF with Braves, because he’s got such good tools (speed, hit for average, good baseball sense, etc) and they’re so deep at SS.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL),

Who do you suggest Cox replace Andruw with?

You expect Willie Harris to hit like Andruw did in 2005 or 2006?

Andruw is struggling but he’s got talent and he makes a lot of money. You can’t just bench him in favor of a player who has been a fringe-type for most of his career.

I’m all for giving Andruw more days off than he’s used to if Cox feels that it may help him but you don’t just bench a player like Andruw.

By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

June 25, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

Chris Woodward is in a Braves uniform because that is the best that the Atlanta Braves can afford.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

Flange-I thought it was a rip at Chipper, myself, but it could be read both ways.

By N8

June 25, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

“I’m sorry N8 went off on DOB and then DOB pummeled N8.”

Let’s get this straight. I never “went off on DOB”.

OK. I made a comment, used quotation marks where I shouldn’t have (with NO HARM intended mind you), THEN DOB “pummeled” me.

Let’s not get what transpired, confused.

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 1:16 PM | Link to this

DOB

So what do you think on my plan of winning 9 of 13 before the break then winning 40 of the 73 games after the break. So easy right?

By Braveheart

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

Let’s get this straight. I never “went off on DOB”. OK. I made a comment, used quotation marks where I shouldn’t have (with NO HARM intended mind you), THEN DOB “pummeled” me. Let’s not get what transpired, confused.

How Smoltzian you were in your denial.

By Lew

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

Nathan-Stocked up on Preperation H, are we? Dude, you’ve had that one coming for a long time. Take your medicine like a man and find a soft pillow to sit on.

By N8

June 25, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

“I’m all for giving Andruw more days off than he’s used to if Cox feels that it may help him but you don’t just bench a player like Andruw.”

Which is why after 20 more games of Andruw hitting around .200, and the Braves being lucky to play .500 ball during that stretch, the homers will STILL be saying: “Hmmm. NOW we’re 10 games out. Boy. Andruw better turn it around soon, or we’re in trouble. I’m not worried though. Andruw’s PAST says that he’s good, so he’ll get it figured out soon enough.”

Or something like that.

(Please note, that the above “quote” was intended as satire, and wasn’t actually a direct quote that anybody said. Simply a hypothetical scenario)

By Bill at Accounttemps

June 25, 2007 1:25 PM | Link to this

Serves Chipper right — he should know better than to believe anything written in the fish wrapper (AJC). They’re the ones who originally (and erroneously) reported the insinuation that never was. Too bad — two great players brought to distraction by lazy reporting.

By Luv 2 Hate Me

June 25, 2007 1:28 PM | Link to this

I remember the year we were 10 games out of first then we traded for Fred the crime dog. We are still in the thick of it. Only 3 1/2 games out. I know we’ll get it together after the All Star Game. They are putting a trade together for White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle….So help is on the way. Stay tuned!!!

By Jersey Gil

June 25, 2007 1:30 PM | Link to this

Hello everyone…first i want to say to Lew that he was correct on friday went he post that the Braves was not scoring run…and i respond that the Braves was #6 in scoring at that time…wow what a weekend,….in three day Atlanta went from #6 to #12 in the league in scoring…i guess lew have a crystal ball and saw this coming…..I was watching a movie Sunday “The Natural”…Did any one remember that guy that came in to the club house to help the Team(The Phyco guy) and Said “Lossing is a decease” and is contegeuos…ahh…but it cure” I ever saw in my life a whole team go to a slump like that..i guess always is a first time for everything. We need a Roy Hubbs type of guy from the minor or from anywhere…. Keep dreaming….

By Lew

June 25, 2007 1:33 PM | Link to this

Nathan-And just who would you play i Andruw’s place? Willie Harris who can’t hit left handed pitching? Oh wait. Willie Harris is now a superstar-I forgot. And just why should we look at Harris record in the past? It doesn’t make any difference looking at Andruw’s past performance, does it? Dude, no matter how bad Andruw has been and no matter how good Harris has performed, I’d still take the chance that Andruw can turn it around rather than Harris becoming Ted Williams. If you want to get real technical here, we won’t win a damn thing without Andruw hitting. Willie Harris outperforming his wildest dreams won’t get us any closer to where we need to be. Andruw plays and he will or won’t be successful-that’s the bottom line. Willie ain’t no saviour.

By Keith Helms

June 25, 2007 1:35 PM | Link to this

And now, the facts. First, the immediate previous owner care nothing about producing a winner. The current owner has already proved the same. The Braves franchise is nothing other than a tax write-off. they know that no winning equals no fans equals no profits equals huge tax savings. You have to expect winners like Jones and Smoltz to break sooner or later. Andruw along with a few of the younger players not signed to long contracts would be well advised to kiss the braves good bye.

By We Have Mets the Enemy

June 25, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Don’t sweat it, N8. When a professional reporter gets down in the gutter over something one of the know-it-alls says on this blog, it diminshes the reporter. It’s demeaning for him, not you, N8. You can’t come off looking any worse, because like the rest of us, there’s nowhere to go but up.

By flange1

June 25, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

Braveheart,

How Smoltzian you were in your denial.

Now that is a classic line…

By patrick

June 25, 2007 1:38 PM | Link to this

i watch the games here over in glastonbury england every night and its obviosuly turning into 2006 all over again.DOB, i am a realistic fan and realize that are financial situation is goign to keep us from making and big moves and it amzes me how many knuckleheads on here think of the braves like a rotissrie club and what not. My personal problems are with cox and scheurholtz..i get sick and tired of the bull###T that comes out thier mouths.How come they treat this club like its 1998 and it will all be ok…..Its not going to ever be like that in atlanta again under the current MLB financial standards.What we can do to make things better on the current roster and lineup? I believe that the lineup has to be KJ,RENTARIA,CJONES,MCANN,AJONES,SALTAMCANCHIA,FRANCOUR,HARRIS,,,,,,,,You have to ride it out with andruw and why that FAT %%% cox continues to tweak with 1-2-3 is beyond me……Now i know SALTY has been the thorn in a side DOB convo on this thread since his call up………THE BIGGEST MISTAKE in the lineup has been the willingness to keep playing THORMAN every nite…….He is clueless and hes mediocre at first no matter wht the errors might say hes terrible and has no future in the big leagues with a swing like his…..Even russ branyan can play 3b and 1b and of and he will hit you twice the hrs thorman will even though hes a 200 plus stikeout man…….If he doesnt want to play Salty than play DIAZ or call someone up…What has this man done to be in lineup on july 1………..my rotation stays the same with carlye out and i give some shots in the organzation…..cant hurt to see what you have and what really boggles my mind is with this payroll declingin year in ,year out thse great prospects we have will spend thier early years with us and the meat of thier career later on so what does it matter if you try them young?

By Lew

June 25, 2007 1:39 PM | Link to this

The bench is as good a place to get out of a slump as a Debtor’s Prison is for getting out of debt. Neither one works very well.

By The Grinch

June 25, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

It looked to me like Smoltz was ripping Chipper. It also looked a bit cowardly of him to back off that. But it also exposed Chipper as a fraud by making him get off his behind and play(well) instead of going on the DL. He ought to be embrassed. As for the pitching/hitting problem, I think trading Salty for a couple of months of Buerlhe(?) would be a tragic mistake. JS should go in one of two directions in my opinion; spend big and get rid of whatever combination of Salty, Escobar, Harrison, Reyes, Renteria, Wickman, etc. needed to to aquire a genuine ace we’d have control over for a while and a big cleanup bat to get this lineup going. Say Oswalt and Griffey, or something similar, so we’d have a genuine shot at the WS. Either that, or make a couple of middling moves with mid-level prospects to get a decent #3 or #4, and just let this season play out however it does and try to develop our young talent for the future. But trading Salty for a #3 or #4 we won’t even get to keep just to win an extra 5-8 games this season is the height of stupidity.

By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

June 25, 2007 1:42 PM | Link to this

Shaun , right on. Keep drinking the kool aid. leave Andruw in the lineup and keep on losing which is exactly what Bobby Cox will do. If it ain’t broke , don’t fix it and if it is broke , well the Braves still should not fix it because Andruw is making 13 plus million per season. Brilliant ! The real head scratcher is this. When Andruw is gone after this season , Brandon Jones and Gregor Blanco will be competing for centerfield in 2008 but the Braves won’t speed up the inevitable.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

Jersey Gil-No crystal ball in my life. I wish I had been wrong. I just check out the last ten games and lend little credence to season stats until the season’s over. I knew the Braves’ hitters were slumping and not likely to break out against Detroit’s excellent pitching staff. It didn’t take a crystal ball, believe me. But I know, just as well, the Braves are better than this recent stretch indicates and will break out of it. I would hate to be the opposing team who gets their brains kicked in when we do break out of this team wide slump.

By flange1

June 25, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

N8,

I agree with Lew. Diaz and Harris are nice bench players who are overperforming so far this year. I would love to see the Braves pick up a LF or bring up Brandon Jones and them the bench is in better shape.

But what are we to do with AJ? We can’t trade him or send him to the minors without his approval. He has been dropped in the order and after the first game, that has not meant anything. He has taken a day off, we could give him a couple of more days off, but to send him to the bench and put Harris AND Diaz in the outfield is not a viable solution.

I think you have to play him.

And Lew, the Jonny Gomes thing is a great idea.

I agree that we have more than 1 hole to fill, but picking up Gomes would help the bench. The LH relief pitcher will be a bit tougher. The starter will be the toughest.

By Bill

June 25, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

It’s almost time to deal: Trade Wickman to Cleveland for prospect. Trade Thorman,James and prospect to Texas for Texiaeira. Salty & prospect to Pittsburgh for Gorzelaney & McCutchen. Hudson to Bo Sox for Bucholtz and Ellsberry. Trade Renteria in off season to free up payroll. Texiaeira will make up for the loss of AJ. If the Braves could get any of this group, it would be a great start. A young and promising team.

By malcom in the middle

June 25, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this

White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle. That will be a good addition. He might be what we need to get things back on track!

By N8

June 25, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

Lew

“Nathan-And just who would you play i Andruw’s place? Willie Harris who can’t hit left handed pitching?”

Last time I checked, Andruw isn’t doing so hot against RIGHTIES or LEFTIES.

“Dude, you’ve had that one coming for a long time.”

I actually don’t disagree with you. However, having said that, I’ve said MUCH worse things than that, with MUCH more malace intended. So what gives?

“Dude, no matter how bad Andruw has been and no matter how good Harris has performed, I’d still take the chance that Andruw can turn it around rather than Harris becoming Ted Williams.”

I have NEVER suggested that Willie Harris will become Ted Williams. However, ignoring a guy that’s hitting around .380, while CONTINUING to put Andruw in the clean-up spot while he’s hitting .200 is MUCH MORE IDIOTIC than claiming Harris might become Ted Williams, any day of the week?

I actually suspect that Harris won’t be in a Braves uniform after this year, SOMEBODY is gonna give that guy a job, and more than likely overpay him, while doing so. But it won’t be us. Hell, we couldn’t even afford to keep Daryl Ward. LOL! So why not ride out whatever success Harris can give us in the short term.

But whatever. Just keep rooting for Andruw to turn it on. Hope you brought something to eat and drink, though, because it’s gonna be a LONG wait you’re in for.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 1:49 PM | Link to this

Patrick-Glastonbury? Cool. Can you lend us Merlin or King Arthur for a while? We can use the help. Maybe Merlin could charm Andruw’s bat (or turn it into a Hawthorne Bush). At this point in time, anything’s worth a try,

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 1:50 PM | Link to this

N8,

See Lew’s 1:33 post. The Braves have to play AJ because 1) they aren’t going to win without him hitting anyway (might as well run him out there), 2) he’s making a lot of money, and 3) there’s no guarantee anyone else on the roster can make a significant difference in his place.

The only way they would or should not play Andruw is if they somehow acquired another CF capable of being one of the top 8-10 CF in the league.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Maybe benching Andruw is a bad idea. Maybe a Crystal Cave would work better.

By flange1

June 25, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

Grinch,

I agree with you, either trade big or small but don’t trade Salty for a rental.

Coach,

I know you know everything, so what do we do with Andruw? You want to cut him? bench him? what? I can’t wait for your response!

By Keith Helms

June 25, 2007 1:53 PM | Link to this

To patrick from England— cox and Shuerholz are being “politically correct”. That is what most people in this country are in their speech. The one and only correct definition of “politically correct” is “a filthy, good for nothing Liar who has no redeeming value”.

By Luv 2 Hate Me

June 25, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

What alot of people don’t realize is these young guys have been called for a reason. Trade Bait. Showcasing their talent for another team. So people don’t get attached to the new faces because they will be traded for pitching & maybe an outfielder.

By John from Jackson, GA

June 25, 2007 1:55 PM | Link to this

I fight with my female co-worker all the time and it never makes the news. No one cares but us two and we don’t even really care that much.

By N8.."some sort of bada#$"

June 25, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Lew

“I would hate to be the opposing team who gets their brains kicked in when we do break out of this team wide slump.”

I’m not sure this team would win a “father/son” contest right now, much less kick anybody’s brains in, anytime soon.

Whaddya know? The lowly Nats are coming to town. I have that feeling that the “true” team will show up for this series. Most of you will STILL be in denial when it’s done, though.

By Jersy Gil

June 25, 2007 1:56 PM | Link to this

Lew i believe you…I hope that break Out come tonight…Back to NL League, enough with that bull#### of the Interleague. I think the Braves have a lot of Talent to break this one soon. If anyone saw the interview with JS in ESPN last night…the question was about Bobby Cox Replacement in the future…and JS told that TP is ready for Managerial position not even with the Braves but with any MLB team.

By Wayne in Utah

June 25, 2007 1:59 PM | Link to this

I have jumped back on for a few minutes. Lew your point is spot on. We go nowhere without Andruw turning it around, and AJ will not break out of this horrendous slump riding the pine.

Not to contradict some statements I have made in the past. I am not opposed to benching him for a few days. (not just a single rest day) I would also not be opposed to keeping him 6-7th in the lineup until he started to show serious signs of a turn around.

Kenny Williams sounded like today might be the day for a Buehrle deal. I am torn on this one. If we can get him for anyone but Salty or Escobar, (and maybe BJones, so as not to alienate my friends here!), I make the deal. I am not sure why so many are negative on him. Maybe it’s because of other summer rentals, and they are afraid we will give up too much for a summer rental.

One thing is for certain, the ChiSox WILL get a decent package for him, as there are few pitchers available.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

Nathan-I predict that Harris’s .380 average will drop like a rock if he has to face LHP. He’s playing WAY over his head now-Way Over. If I had to put real cash on it, I’d put my money on Andruw’s bat waking up way before I’d put it on Willie Harris hitting .380 playing full time. Besides, look at what Harris has done and it still hasn’t gotten us anywhere. I repeat, if Andruw does not hit, we will not win. It is really that simple. Putting him on the bench is foolhardy at best. It is the one place he will never break out of his slump. You don’t swing the bat, you won’t hit the ball. Pretty damn simple-even for the Naysayers to comprehend. And yeah-you’ve had it coming for a long time. If you really post as you do to stir things up, like you claim, then you need to deal with what results. Rub your @$$ and move on. Adjust your leotard. Maybe you need a bigger leotard. This one’s strangling your thought process. Oh yeah-You might have put it on upside down. Better go check.

By Heidi

June 25, 2007 2:03 PM | Link to this

everyone should just lay off of Chiper, it’s not his fault he is so fragile.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL),

Who do you see on the roster that I’m not? I don’t see anyone capable of being above a fringe level CF. Why sit a guy making what Andruw makes when no one else would make a significant impact on the Braves chances?

Not saying someone else on the roster won’t play better from here on out but I doubt anyone would be good enough to take a chance that Andruw won’t come out of it.

By Over Andy

June 25, 2007 2:07 PM | Link to this

It looked like. It read like. It seemed like.

Who actually heard the Smoltz interview?

I promise you I haven’t read the interview that I heard in it’s entirity yet! Only bits of what Smoltz said has been written. The first time I even considered there was a controversy was when I heard Chippers response after Saturday’s game.

I’m as guilty as anyone else, but many people here aren’t even reading what other bloggers are saying. They want to get something off their chest and if they don’t see their name in bold where someone is agreeing or challenging them, they don’t even bother reading a post.

Chipper fans are taking offense. Smoltz fans are defending him. No one seems to care what the truth is or the context of the words.

I’m not surprised, many people here just half-read what their eyes see. Unfortunately, many times people with the least factual or incomplete info are the people who scream the loudest.

By N8.."some sort of bada#$"

June 25, 2007 2:11 PM | Link to this

Shaun

“The Braves have to play AJ because 1) they aren’t going to win without him hitting anyway”

Let’s see. They’ve managed to play .500 ball without him hitting so far. But you’re right. No way in hell we can with without him, meaning that if he signs elsewhere in the offseason, JS should just wave the white flage for the next 50 years. Keep in mind that the ONLY world series we won, was before Andruw was ever called up, and Andruw (to my knowledge) hasn’t secretly played for the other 7 organizations that have won the 11 WS since we did in 1995.

“2) he’s making a lot of money”

Oh by all means, compound one mistake with another. If Hampton SUCKS next year, how long do you think he’ll stay in the rotation?

“3) there’s no guarantee anyone else on the roster can make a significant difference in his place. The only way they would or should not play Andruw is if they somehow acquired another CF capable of being one of the top 8-10 CF in the league.”

Where exactly would a guy hitting .379 end up in CF rankings, anyhow? Because Willie Harris could go 7 for his next 147 he would *HAVE THE EXACT AMMOUNT OF HITS AS ANDRUW DOES NOW. Willie has 47 hits in 124 AB’s. Andruw has 54 hits in 271 AB’s.

No matter how far over his head, you think Willie is playing, you can’t for a minute think he would endure a slump of that length, do you? For one, Bobby would NEVER let the slump last that long before he’d throw him on the bench. Second, with his current (THIS SEASON - not his past) approach at the plate, a slump of that nature would never occur.

By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

June 25, 2007 2:15 PM | Link to this

Hey Lew ! let me get this straight , you would rather have the current Liberty media corp. as ownership over Steinbrenner ? Hold on for a second while I get down on the floor and howl with laughter…………….. OK that felt good. Yo Flange , Andruw can’t be traded , can’t be sent down to the minors and the idea of releasing him is sheer stupidity on a scale of massive proportions. He will garner draft picks for the Braves when he sign’s elsewhere , release him and the Braves lose those draft picks and they still have to pay him. Again , sheer stupidity. The Bench is the logical choice but try telling that to Bobby Cox. Call up Brandon Jones or Gregor Blanco , send Pete Orr packing and bench Andruw. That’s the logical choice , but it won’t happen.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 2:17 PM | Link to this

N8,

The true team that’s the third-worst in the NL?

What a team does against a particular opponent tells us little about their overall abilities? The 1998 Yankees were 5-6 against the Angels and 6-6 against the Blue Jays.

Not sure what everyone is in denial about. I think most reasonable people believe this team is still in the playoff hunt, which is true. As O’Brien said last week, any team that finishes above .500 has a chance in the NL. Look at April and the first half of May to see what this team is capable of.

By N8.."some sort of bada#$"

June 25, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

“It is the one place he will never break out of his slump.”

I agree, the bench aint’ gonna fix his slump. I bet some AB’s at Richmond would.

It’s really too bad that the team (you know Andruw’s boss), paying the 14.5 million dollars to him this year, has no control of sending him to the minors to work out of his slump. Damn players union.

Instead they just have to insert him into game after game after game after game. Praying and hoping he breaks out of it.

By AZBravoFan

June 25, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

Did everyone get a load of Joe Morgan’s bogus analysis of Andruw’s swing last night? He compared his 2006 swing with this year’s swing and declared that they were basically the same. Therefore the problem must be mental. While I’m not arguing that Andruw is not a headcase at the plate right now, I wonder when Joe’s 2006 video was pulled from. Because we all saw this stuff happening the second half of last year, when he was taking those wild hacks and going down on one knee. A more interesting comparison would have been to take video from mid-2005 when Andruw carried the team through all those injuries and kept them in the race. Betcha you’d find a difference there.

By Dylan w/o the dead

June 25, 2007 2:19 PM | Link to this

I keep reading that we should expect schuerholz to make a move to bring in another starter before the all star break what I wonder is there any chance that we could bring in a struggling american league bat like a Konerko someone that isnt living up to expectations in their current situation in hopes that a change of scenery will snap them out of it? Could a move be made to take pressure of off andruw it seems that at least a small part of his struggles are mental. it could be he is worried about his contract or having to move maybe its about his desire to prove himself as the best centerfielder in the game I am not a psychologist but I do know if I had to choose right now between andruw and tori hunter in center for the braves next season I would take tori and feel like I have upgraded the spot majorly even though I would bet andruw gets the bigger contract.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 2:21 PM | Link to this

Nathan-I’m not in denial. I am fully aware of the monumental suckiness displayed team wide for a fairly long period of time. However, that doesn’t mean I’m ready to throw in the towel. I learned a long time ago that you have to fight to the last possible breath before you give in. I repeat-This is not the DRays or the Royals. We aren’t ten games back like the Yankees. We don’t have the Red Sox ahead of us in the standings. We aren’t in the AL Central. We are 4 1/2 games behind the Mets. We are 1 1/2 games behind the Phillies-BFD. I repeat, BFD!! Neither the Mets or the Phillies have run away with anything, DESPITE our horrendous play-have they? My God, the Mets are a whole 5-5 in their past ten games. The Phillies are 5-5 in their past ten games. This is hardly awe inspiring play on their parts, either. Keep in mind that the Mets just lost 14 of 17 games. You don’t think they can do it again? Neither the Mets or the Phillies have any better pitching than we do and a lot less in the way of minor league players to use for the acquisition, thereof. Lastings Milledge? Yeah, right. Teams are lined up around the corner to hand off their star pitching in return for the next Rap Idol, aren’t they? The Phillies don’t even have Milledge. The Marlins hope their young pitchers still have arms left after Joe Girardi’s tenure. I just fail to see why I should wring my hands, gnash my teeth, moan, wail and cry Uncle just because you think life won’t turn around. Actually, I tend to think that is more YOUR problem than anything the Braves may face. Go ask Smoltz, Chipper or the Braves brass if THEY have given up. Believe me, I’ll just sit up and watch you ask them. I don’t want to be within their striking distance when you get their answer. You just go ahead and spout your doom and gloom. If it makes you feel better or more superior to have that kind of negativity in your personal outlook, you’re welcome to it. I’ll pass, Thank You.

By ncscoots

June 25, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

jeez, if Smoltz and Chipper have let it go, why can’t the blog? Over. Done. Move on.

nathan, I think you’ve covered every flaw of the Braves in great detail, and have enumerated each of them often enough that even the Kool-Aid drinkers get your drift. Any chance we could get you to relax a little until you find something NEWLY negative to hammer? :-)

By Yars

June 25, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

I agree with some of you about Woodward. Sure, he can play OF & all the IF positions, but he can’t hit. He always looks overmatched at the plate. I’d take Prado over Woodward. However, I am not going to blame Woodward for the reason the Braves are 4.5 games out. With the exception of Renteria, Harris, & Diaz, & I guess to some extent Chipper, nobody else is hitting. KJ is too streaky, Frenchy & Andruw are swinging at everything, McCann is playing at 85%, Thor swings for the fences every at bat, & after Smoltz & Hudson, the starting rotation looks pathetic. Chucky James *throws nothing but junk, *Davies has the makeup to be a solid starter one day, just not this season. Carlyle is a AAA journeyman pitcher, & Cormier won’t be much of an asset the rest of the way. Bobby should give Villarreal a spot start & see what he does. I can’t see JS making a trade for a big name starting pitcher. Buehrle is over-rated. It sure would be nice getting another power bat in the lineup. Griffey is having a solid season & is the type of player than can win games for you with the 2 or 3 run HR. Too bad Adam Dunn makes too much $$$ as well.

By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

June 25, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this

Shaun , are you totally ignorant or just plain stupid ? You want to keep a guy who is hitting below the mendoza line (.199) for the season. A player who has hit .131 in the month of June with six RBI. Andruw has left more runners on base in the month of June than he has RBI for the entire season. keep drinking the kool aid , it will kill whatever brain cells you have left.

By Wayne in Utah

June 25, 2007 2:29 PM | Link to this

Nate, your arguments are so frickin ridiculous, that it is getting close to the time to disregard your posts.

Who says that no team can win without Andruw? Nobody said that! We are only stating that THIS 2007 ATLANTA BRAVES TEAM can’t win it all without Andruw contributing, as the team is currently constituted. Willie, bless is heart, is doing great. When he proves over a half a year that he can hit lefties, and is able to keep his average above 300 HITTING ALL PITCHING for the year, then I would entertain he is more than a platoon player. He is a singles hitter. He WILL NOT put us over the top this year. He is helping. BUT, for now, he is not the difference, if he were, we would be on a 10 game winning streak.

Grow up.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 2:31 PM | Link to this

Coach(The Wrecking Ball Knocked Me Senseless)-I never said I would prefer Steinbrenner to Liberty Media as a team owner. What I did say was that Steinbrenner’s declarations and his solutions to Yankees recent frustrations haven’t worked at all, despite spending like he was the U.S. Senate and I would not use him as an example of how anything should be done. However, you never do pay much attention to what anyone other than yourself has to say, so it doesn’t surprise me you screwed up in your lack of comprehension.

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 2:36 PM | Link to this

NEW BLOG IS UP. Bring your wrecking balls and bada#$ attitudes over.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

N8,

That’s some rather simplistic logic, don’t you think?

1) Without Andruw next season, I’m sure Schuerholz will acquire a player better than anyone that could sub for Andruw right now. It’s not all about Andruw, as to why they shouldn’t bench him. It’s also about who’s on the roster right now who could replace him.

And when the Braves built up a lot of their wins, Andruw was doing something to help the team—drawing walks at a more frequent rate than he had at any time in his career.

And when the Braves won their World Series they had Marquis Grissom in center not a Willie Harris type guy.

2) Again, it’s not just that he’s making a lot of money. It’s that he’s making a lot of money, he has the potential to turn it around and none of the other cheaper options are going to be all that much better. You have to take a chance that your expensive guy is going to do what he’s done in the past if the cheaper options aren’t likely to be all that great.

3) I think Andruw has the potential from here on out to play at least as good as Willie Harris (or some other outfielder) is likely to play from here on out. It may or may not happen but I would take my chances that Andruw is going to get better before I’d take a chance that Harris is going to hit .379 with a .938 OPS from here on out.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

Nathan-No Willie could never endure a slump that long. Only a slump for six years and over 900 AB’s where he registered a .238 career BA. No, there’s no way he could POSSIBLY be bad. He’s batting .379, after all. Of course, he rests every other day and doesn’t have to face LHP which he has hit .201 against his entire career. Yeah, he’s the answer. There sure is the possibility of him hitting four HR’s in a three day period, but that could never happen with Andruw now, could it. YOu must have your leotard on backwards, Dude. You’re talking out your rectum.

By Renegator

June 25, 2007 2:43 PM | Link to this

The Braves need to sign Griffey. I know there are financial constraints but they need to make it happen. This team is built for the homerun and no one is hitting them. However, Griffey is hitting homeruns like crazy. This team needs Andruw, McCann, and Francouer to hit some homeruns and it just isn’t happening this year. Plus, Griffey can replace Andruw next year.

By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

June 25, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

Lew, I used Steinbrenner is an example of an owner who would hold his manager accountable. You are the one who took the conversation out of context , I just returned the favor. You screwed up and why the hell am I even bothering to chat with Shaun , why ?

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 2:48 PM | Link to this

Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL),

Maybe I’m a little of both. I wish I was as wise as you seem to be. You seem to know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Andruw will continue hitting this badly. I guess I am ignorant and stupid—I can’t see into the future like that.

Either that or I’m ignorant and stupid that I can’t judge a player based on less than one month like you can.

I’ll admit I’m ignorant—I don’t know what Andruw is going to do. I’ll take my chances that he’ll turn it around and be halfway decent before I run a player like Willie Harris out to CF everyday. With all due respect to Harris, he’s never shown he could be what Andruw has been (aside from 138 plate appearances so far this season) and he’s never been one of the best defenders in any major league he’s played in.

I suppose ignorant people are those who can’t make assumptions and can’t act like they can see into the future.

By flange1

June 25, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

Coach,

That is what I thought you would say! I agree that a SHORT benching might help, but I agree with Lew that without Andruw playing well, the Braves have no chance.

N8,

To demote AJ to Richmond he would have to approve the move. That ain’t happening!

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

I’m back. I smelled the roses and they smelled like s#$t. Probably the fertilizer. Speaking of which: N8 what have you been drinking?

A belated Good Morning to you too, Lew. And, I think we need more 4-baggers and less “fore”-baggers. Whatayou think?

Finally, you know the Braves are in trouble when they start getting advice from cricket players. Just kidding, Patrick. Welcome to the blog.

By Braves Fan 79

June 25, 2007 3:11 PM | Link to this

I dunno how anyone defends bobby when he refuses to kick this guy off the team and gives him start after start.

Woodwards stats this year: 3 walks, .198 batting average, 1 HR, 1 Double, 6 RBI, in 49 games!!!!!!! Bobby…..WTF are u thinking anytime u put this guy in the game!?? maybe its cause hes really been on fire lately considering in his last 20 games played hes hit a sizzling .050 yet u start him at 1st base! Great move man! Another brilliant stratigic move by the best manager to ever grace the earth! I love ya bobby for all youve done for this team…but man your getting old and senile. Maybe its time to let TP take over. At least then maybe well have some in game strategy and change things up.
This teams record would be alot better if Bobby wasnt obsessed with letting orr and woodward get there at bats, and his giving redmen chance after chance after chance. (i say if not for these bad decisions wed be a good 10 games over .500 right now.) I just dont think bobby gives our team the best chance to win because night after night were not putting the best possible team on the field. Just my take on it all.
I mean common…a guy hits .050 in his last 20 games and u give him a start on NATIONAL TV!??? How embarassing to a once proud franchise. You know Leland had to look at the Braves lineup and say hey thats a automatic 2 outs in a row.
Owell like always ill be watching tonights game hoping for a spark, a change, maybe my dreams will come true and well dump woodward and trade for Roy Holliday. One can dream right?

By DAP

June 25, 2007 3:32 PM | Link to this

LEW said “Come on Y’all, Andruw is breaking out of it. He almost had two ground ball singles and a foul ball yesterday.”

halarious! i like your additude on the subject. keepin’ it positive!

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

Patrick: It was one of your countrymen who sang, “Fools and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun”. Look out, Robert will be asking you for a lunch date.

By tim

June 25, 2007 3:39 PM | Link to this

this team reminds me of the wizard of oz. they are all like the tin man no heart.hey bobby you got the stones to put fatboy andrew on the bench and let him and his agent strike a deal from their. and why haven’t you moved chipper to first like 5 yrs ago ?

By Dick

June 25, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

i say lets bring in Michael Vick.He can play center field and baseball during the summer will keep him out of the dog house and dog pin.

By N GA BOB

June 25, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this

WELL, i”ve been tring to gwt my two cents in for weeks but I must be being too hard on the AJ and the AJC won’t publish my stuff. Rave on!!!!!!!!!!

By Ripdog

June 26, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this

Awww, how touching. Nothing like man love.