Braves

By Baron

June 25, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

Ooowww, my eyeball!

By Robert

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

“Also, if Cox gets blame for this series does he get credit for going 6-3 against the Mets?”

Wonderful - he’s 6-3 against the Mets and the Braves are 4.5 games out.

So, by my calculation, if Cox were 11 and -2 against the Mets, that might be something worth crediting him for

And Shaun - Andru was in fact one of the best SLUGGING CF’s - in 2005. (the only time he’s been in the top 10%) - But you said HITTER.

Ted Williams was a hitter. Gary Sheffield is a hitter. Andruw Jones swings a baseball bat

By Robert

June 25, 2007 2:41 PM | Link to this

“We don’t need another Wilson Betemit giveaway.”

Excuse me? betemit is hitting .192. I’d say we needed to give him away, and we need to give away like him too (starting with Orr and Woodward)

By WNY

June 25, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

I read some tuff talk from the Braves faithful during the winter. I think now as I did then. You underestimated the Mets and over estimated your Braves. They’re not that good. Both The Mets and Braves hit some hard times during the last few weeks but at least the Mets were scoring runs. It looks like they’re coming out of their slump but I can’t say the same for your Braves……..GO METS!!!

By AthensBrave

June 25, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this

FIRE TERRY PENDLETON NOW!!!!!

By Robert

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

The reason that this year is worse than last year - is that by this point folks should realize last year wasnt an accident - but this organization still thinks that it can conduct itself the way it did when they had three future HOF starters to lead off the rotation and 5-8 future HOFers on the team every year.

This team isnt that deep and isnt nearly that good. They need to hustle and scramble. They need to play with maximum fire in their belly, every night.

They played with fire in their belly for the first week of the season, and then somehow cheap shotting the Cubs got them sparked up for another two games.

Fundamental and long lasting change needs to be implemented. And every year that goes by where the old ways remain entrenched is worse than the years preceding it

By Ron Roberts

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

I said it last blog and I’ll reiterate it. No one one move(or two moves, even) will improve this team. The best case scenario is to float or flop with what we have; Smoltz, Huddy and James are workable; we have to learn to pull Chuckie after 5, though, and just work with that. After them, I still say put Villareal in the rotation instead of wasting his 3.65 ERA in blowout games. We’re 4-22 in games he pitches in. Those two stats shouldn’t coincide. Kyle Davies has proven (at times) to be damned good and at times to be frustratingly immature. I say we might as well ride it out and see where he goes. If he can’t get it together, we can see how Lance Cormier comes along (this time).

Our offense won’t be as miserable as it has been. We shouldn’t be shipping off Yunel or Jarrod Saltalamacchia to try and obtain a bat or arm. Just fix what we can internally, hope (expect) improvement from Andruw, Francoeur, and McCann and see where that takes us.

If we succeed, great, we’re in the playoff hunt. If we don’t; great, we still have our prime prospects for the future and a LOT more money to build a World Series contender with for next season.

By eware

June 25, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

I’m not in support of a Buehrle trade, cause I think we’d have to give up Salty to get him. Or, maybe Escobar and Brandon Jones - something like that.

I don’t like giving up future Braves for a rent-a-pitcher. Unless we stand a 95 percent chance of signing him after the season, I say don’t do it.

I wonder how long before we see Matt Harrison - though I don’t want him up this year.

BUT, we have to do something, since we are definitely not a playoff team right now.

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 2:51 PM | Link to this

Shawn Payne , regarding your 12:30 to Robert …

To me, there’s no question that Anuruw could have been a good hitter … even now, he still has the potential to so be … his stepping up on occassion, shows that to be true … that he has been and is being mismanaged is even less questionable.

I agree with the importance of having common understandings of word group definitions … but even if we published an agreed upon book of standard usage, the problem would be totally resolved … we would always have our misunderstandings.

I think it’s a matter of perception … and the definitional spectrum runs from “all runs are being manufactured” to absolutely none”.

To me, “manufactured runs” are those that would not have scored, had the team simply played “station to station” baseball, employing something other than walks, home runs or outfield hits somewhere in the so doing.

To me, the Braves don’t do enough of that though some appear to be trying and I would think, and do actually expect, it’s where the team will find its identity, once it receives the sorely needed, same page leadership and direction for which it is hopefully searching.

To me, the extent to which a team attempts to generate such manufactured runs, coupled with their defensive effort, is a good indicator of the team’s spirit and helps define whether it is playing as a team or a collection of players wearing the same uniform.

To me, a team should attempt to manufacture runs whenever the opportunity presents itself, regardless of the level of its dependence upon them and, when few runs are being scored, the importance of such attempting is increased, rather than being lessened.

Tis true that you don’t need to score many if your opponent ain’t scoring any but, but to me, neither that nor the cost of tea in China have much to do with whether it’s going to rain or the importance of so trying.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

June 25, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Did you make it to AthFest to see the DBT? Haven’t heard any reports from anybody.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

“Only the loaded Tigers (.291) have hit for a higher road average in the majors, and the Tigers have been my pick to win the World Series since spring training began”

Except of course, for the day last week when your excuse for the Braves’ sorry performance against the Red Sox was claiming the Red Sox were so good that noone could beat them in a 7 game series

Do I need to pull the quote? Or would you throw a hissy like you did with N8?

By Tomahawkin' Again

June 25, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

DOB, you know what, this has been far worse than last June. Most of Braves Nation knew coming out of spring training last year that with that bullpen, pretty good chance the streak was done. But this year, there was so much optimism about the club in the spring and then 6 weeks into the season, they looked better than anyone could have imagined…24-12 and in 1st place. Even more frustrating, we absolutely OWN the Muts this year. They have to show life before the All Star Break. I with you DOB, forget Buehrle, if we do make the decision to trade in the next few weeks, go get Griffey, Texiera, etc…we need thunder in the middle of the line-up until Andruw gets his head out of his a@#.

By Lee

June 25, 2007 2:54 PM | Link to this

Of course attendance is going to start declining with this uninspiring type of play. The Braves had better come up with some nifty promotional nights

By AthensBrave

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

O’Brien, you missed a good Truckers show last night. They played a lot of old stuff mixed in w/ some new songs. There new songs are great. They also played “woman w/o whiskey, marry me, and zip city.” I think they’ll be all right w/o the cocky Isabell. If Burle is not the answer, then who do you see the Braves going after if anyway? I think Salty should be the only youngster tagged untouchable. He is a stud and I think he’s better than McCann.

By Arkansas Hillbilly

June 25, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

I think that loss to the Pirates ended our longest winning streak (5) of the season. What a let down.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 25, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

dobulldog, was smoltz talking about dob? and chris woodward could tell chipper a thing or two about the disabled list. woodward was on the dl for gastroenteritis in 2004. that’s right, gastroenteritis. guess journalist could say woodward gives as good as woodward gets. and has any braves player ever been on the dl for such a malady as gastroenteritis?

By 2007

June 25, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand why we give some of our better players “rest” when we are losing games, I understand the theory if we are winning the series 2-0 and Cox would give them game 3 off. If you want to get Escobar in the lineup stick him at first, dont sit Kelly Johnson and let Woodward play first that makes our lineup only 7 deep. The platooning must go and the better hitters must be in the game at this point of the season. So, im sorry Thorman/Woodward/and Orr. We even need to sit Diaz even tho he is one of the better hitters, because Willie does so much. Harris also says he feels comfortable at 2nd if we wanted to sit Kelly, then why not let Willie play second and stick Escobar or Salty at first and make McCann play? One more thing that bothers me, I hate going to games and rooting for the braves and people in our stadium telling me to shut up, this is a game people and you are supposed to root for you favorite team if you don’t like the atmosphere of a professional sporting event go to the D!#!@ aquarium!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If someone told another fan to shut up in Boston or Chicago they would be covered in Beer and hot dogs

By geauxbraves2000

June 25, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

I think the glassman (of course referring to CJ) needs to take some leadership in that Braves clubhouse. He walks around so docile. He needs to take a bat to a couple of water coolers or do something. He needs to wake up this team. Whatever it takes, wake them up. Take leadership like he’s supposed to. This team is a good team and if JS could pull off some deal for a decent SP, I think the Braves are very capable of rebounding and at least winning the WC.

Geaux Braves!!

By Chop Chop

June 25, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

DOB, thanks for reminding us of how bad this team is right now. It’s always comforting to know that my eyes aren’t deceiving me. Well, maybe not comforting.

Robert, sounds like you’ve had some of what Joe Morgan was drinking last night. We get it. The “slugger vs. hitter” argument is one that doesn’t even have to be made. That’s just another example of Joe Morgan nitpicking something Jon Miller said and annoying the nation’s loyal baseball viewers for a few minutes.

Changing subjects a little, I wanted to bring up fantasy baseball for a moment. I play on Yahoo! and have a couple of teams. Tim Hudson is on both of them because I felt like he would have a big year. It was looking pretty good, wasn’t it? I had Francoeur for a while, but I dropped him because he stopped hitting immediately after I picked him up. Yeah, I can be superstitious sometimes about Braves players on my teams. He’s still not hitting, so I guess I ruined his season. Sorry, Frenchy. I still have Andruw on both teams (I had him the last two years, so I’m not the reason why you suck this year, Andruw…). The only reason why he’s still on my roster is because I believe that he’ll start hitting and reward me in the next couple of months. I don’t want to play Juan Pierre and Reggie Willits every day for the rest of the season.

I am now issuing an ultimatum to you, Andruw. I can’t have dead wood (would be funny if some idiot in the league had Woodward, though) rotting on the bench, so either start hitting this week or you’re off my teams.

By Lee

June 25, 2007 3:01 PM | Link to this

C. Woodward’s last 15 games .080 average vs. A. Jones last 12 games .068 average. You gotta laugh to keep from crying.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 3:02 PM | Link to this

Robert,

Did you see that Andruw was in the top 6 in OPS among all CF in baseball 2003-2006 (maybe farther, I didn’t go back that far). I’d say that qualifies as one of the best-hitting CF in the game. To be clear, by hitter I mean contributes to wins offensively.

I’m not going to mess with the Cox argument with you, until you give valid arguments for your opinion. Not “Cox is a donkey” (or whatever farm animal you’re obsessed with) or not those washing-my-car-causes-rain arguments about Cox being the common denominator in the Braves losing in the post-season.

By Renegator

June 25, 2007 3:03 PM | Link to this

This team cannot execute the fundamentals. There is no excuse for a major league ball player to be unable to get a bunt down. Any how can all these players have no approach at the plate? I’m udderly amazed that Pendleton and McDowell still have jobs. What have they done positive for any players this year? McDowell hasn’t improved any of the Braves pitchers and this 2007 Braves team has the worst bunch of “Hitters” I have ever seen.

Please fire Terry Pendleton and Roger McDowell

By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

June 25, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

Well written O’Brien . The team quits and I pull the plug. Give me all the grief in the world , I’ll take it. The bullpen is the only bright spot , funny how that has worked out isn’t it ? John Schuerholz , what you are doing isn’t working. Time to reevaluate and ask yourself if you really think Mike Hampton will make a difference with the same team in 2008.

By flange1

June 25, 2007 3:05 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I have been reading all of the online gossip about Buehrle, what do you think it would take for the Braves to get him? From what I have read, I would guess Escobar and one of the 3 leftys at AA, Harrison, D. Smith, or JoJo Reys. Am i thinking correctly or am I shorting the Sox?

I agree with your main blog that he is not the pitcher he once was and I don’t think he is worth Escobar and a pitcher or more.

But I also don’t want the Mets to get him either.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 3:06 PM | Link to this

To continue the discussion:

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.

….

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 RyanSlade

June 25, 2007 3:12 PM | Link to this

It doesn’t matter what the rumors are saying, the braves are not going to make any big deals. Salty is staying, no decent starter is coming in and no new bat is coming. The braves will start playing a little better and JS will sit on his hands and not do anything. We will get to enjoy the likes of james, davies, buddy, etc, all year long. Third place will be where we end the season. Mark’em.

By Del

June 25, 2007 3:14 PM | Link to this

I have an idea.

If Cox and Pendleton,etc cann’t get this team going maybe us fans can. On Tues nite get out an advance notice that we want to create the most positive situation possible for our team through-out the entire nine innings. By that I mean chear each defensive out and wildly chear each defensive gem and do the same for the offense. Chear for every batter who gets on base and go nuts if they score. Don’t forget the pitchers either. Reward strikes and outs with loud appreciation. For one game only there should be NO booing, even if deserved. Regardless of the score keep this up throughout the entire game. Let’s take away the crutch that some of our team have used when they have said “it sure would be nice to play before a home crowd for a change”.

Let’s try it for one game and see if we cann’t break this gosh-awful slide that they are in!!

Comments??

By AthensBrave

June 25, 2007 3:15 PM | Link to this

Fellow Bloggers, I think most of us have unrealistic expectations of players on this Braves team, especially Francouer and McCann. McCann had one great year and Jeff has had two solid years. So, should we now expect them to play like all stars every year? Why do we think that…media, high draft picks, sucess in minors??? My point is that these guys haven’t proved they can substain success at the major league level, so we shouldn’t act so suprised that they’re struggling.

By N8.."some sort of bada#$"

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

“NEW BLOG IS UP. Bring your wrecking balls and bada#$ attitudes over.”

Don’t mind if I do. For the record, the second half of my moniker is copied and pasted, as to not misquote anybody. :-)

flange1

“To demote AJ to Richmond he would have to approve the move. That ain’t happening!”

Thus me saying:

“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.”

Take note of the “no control” part.

Lew

“Nathan-No Willie could never endure a slump that long.”

Well, I’m glad we agree.

By Braveheart

June 25, 2007 3:20 PM | Link to this

Time to reevaluate and ask yourself if you really think Mike Hampton will make a difference with the same team in 2008.

What difference would it make if they decided he would not Coach? They would have to pay him anyway. No one else is gonna want him. So, they should plan that he will be a part of the rotation and hope for the best. Thems are the breaks.

By Jersey Gil

June 25, 2007 3:21 PM | Link to this

Can any of you saw the interview last night?…..TP is the Future Skiper of the Braves…JS said it last night….So can’t fire him…..And DOB you prove my point last friday…the Braves not need any trade. Offense come in a circle…JS said it last night. And there not to many good pitcher out there.

By Kentavo

June 25, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

I can only hope that Cox is playing bums like Woodward to build a case study for getting rid of him. You know what I mean? I hope he is seeing what his guys can and can’t do and won’t continue to put guys in the wrong situations after he has a body evidence. I don’t know though. He seems unwilling to put together a lineup that utilizes the hottest hitters and best options. Chipper is back (or so we think). There’s got to be a lineup that can include Chipper, Diaz and Harris all at the same time. Gotta get Harris in the lineup for his speed alone to put some pressure on the opposing defense. I think Willie doens’t have to lead off and can be put down in the order like he was earlier in the year. Keep K.J. at lead off, he’s going to get hot again.

By Coop

June 25, 2007 3:22 PM | Link to this

I don’t agree that Harris should be in Center, but he most certainly should be playing in Left.

For the life of me I don’t understand how a guy like Woodward can have the same number of starts in the Detroit series as Harris had. In fact, Woodward played the entire game, and Harris was pinch hit for in his only start.

Match up, smatch up, if the guy is hitting, put him in the lineup; we can use all the help we can get!!

By Josh C

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

Pardon me, you left your tears in the cheap seats

And I’m afraid they got mixed up with mine

Wasn’t all that long ago we were just a game behind

I swear I think these boys, got together and made a pact

To disappear from our concience, and never make it back! Said,

Let’s fall to pieces together. Why should we all try so hard? Let’s fall to pieces together. Right here, in June we’ll drop far.

By Patrick

June 25, 2007 3:26 PM | Link to this

DOB,

What is the temperature of the teams’ feelings with Pendleton right now. I have never seen such a poor offensive group in my ten years of watching the Braves. Also, so many hitters have regressed under him. Francoeur, Andruw and McCann especially. Are there any whispers of him being the fall guy here?

By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

June 25, 2007 3:27 PM | Link to this

Shuan , one last time. It’s not one month , it’s been half a season. It’s all about a dead pull hitter who refuses to recognize the fact that the opposition has him dialed in. The scouting report is common knowledge and everybody knows how to get Andruw out. He is pulling off the ball , sapping all his power. He pulls everything to left field. Fastball up and away , breaking balls down and in , mix in a change up and Andruw will get himself out. It’s been that way for three months and it WILL NOT CHANGE BECAUSE ANDRUW WILL NOT CHANGE. did you see the ball he hit 380 feet foul last night ? It was a fastball off the plate and he still got so far out in front of it that he managed to pull the damn thing 30 feet foul down the left field line. Any decent hitter worth his weight would have went with it and ripped it down the right field line. Andruw is a hall of fame glove in CF and a triple A dead pull batter on the box. No more chatting with a tree stump , I’m out.

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 3:30 PM | Link to this

Man the horse fly’s really buzzing around today. So much sh!t in the last few days it’s no wonder. It always attracts ‘em. Apparently this is the lone fly you can attract with vinegar as opposed to honey.

DOB: Thanks for the blog. You’ve spelled it out quite nicely with those terrible, terrible stats. As for the Buerhle factor though, the choice really isn’t a matter of getting an ace, as I can’t think of a single ace that would be available (unless you return to the Oswalt for Woodward, Orr, and Paranto trade talk). Anyways, my point being, Hudson hasn’t been spectacular, but the Braves won more of his starts last season than any other starter we threw out there. If a trade is to bring in a guy that gives us at least that much of a chance, than maybe it isn’t all that bad. But, on the other hand, what good is a 4 ERA when the bats have all followed the leader down to the AJ level of crappiness? (I can’t believe Woodward is out hitting AJ on the season.)

Obviously this team can’t handle being blown out. They don’t seem to have the mental fortitude to play when things simply appear tough. The only guy out there hustling when the team is down by 5 runs is Thorman, but that’s just his nature. Renteria is as steady as they come, so I can’t really complain about him. But McCann, AJ, KJ, and Francoeur have just shut down for no good reason. I read their quotes, “We all know we need to do better…” yadda yadda yadda. Actions are louder than words and when you’re down by 5 and pulling up on slow grounders, you aren’t trying to do better, you’re quitting.

At least the bullpen hasn’t been the main culprit this season. I’d hoped that trading LaRoche would have provided a little more consistent line up. Obviously not. But who predicts a Scott Boras client, asking for Market Value, would have a .198 average on his walk year. What’s the Market Value these days for a CF that can’t hit for average or power, can’t get on base and can’t steel? Can’t be that high, but I’m sure Boras will twist some one’s arm.

This team needs a bat and a pitcher. The bench could be improved too, but that just requires firing Woodward. As it is now, we have 3 pitchers in the line up when AJ and Woodward play and only one of them is on the mound…

Here’s to hoping the team does something tonight besides setting a new record for suckitude.

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 3:34 PM | Link to this

Speaking of the Devil, it’s raining here in Nashville! Thunder suggests that I should make it quick and close down till it’s over.

The previous Blog is too long for me to closely read so let me just say if there are this which I should respond, please gently, provide me with a reminder.

To all those who said or thought nice things about me, regardless of whether we agree on things, I say thanks … and to the rest, while I might think that you could my grits, it wouldn’t be seemly to so say!

Two things …

Methinks thae we can win without Andruw, Chipper and John too! The problem is that this team, as well as most of you, don’t so think.

To me, that’s on of the biggest problems with the team … not thinking that they can … ‘cause what you think you can not, you won’t!

The other thing is … this team needs to quit thinking that it’s just bad luck when you hit the ball solidly but right at at a defender!

To me, when you do that, you’ve been bested … the object is to hit it where they ain’t. Anyone otherwise so thinking should not be allowed to think … or coach … or manage.

It’s more than idle rhetoric, it can be planned, it can be coached, it can be managed, it can be done!!

That’s what methinks, at least at the moment!

Pretty good storm … bye!

By Ron

June 25, 2007 3:35 PM | Link to this

Efrim on the last blog you said I said it is time for a fire sale!!! No I did not, I never said that, and if you do not believe me then look back at my previous posts!!! I said we either make small trades here on out or Make Big trades such as get another Good Starter, a Righty First Baseman, or Lefty does not matter, and A Lefty Reliever that can actually get a lefty out!!! Dont be puttin words in my mouth dude!!!!! No doubt I am Not sure if this team can compete, but I did say if we want to stay in contention we better start winning now, OR it will be too damn late!!!

By MarkDAWG

June 25, 2007 3:37 PM | Link to this

Let’s be honest…this team is a .500 team at best. They have two legit starters in Smoltz and Hudson. I’m tired of everyone saying…oh, James and Davies are young, blah,blah,blah. Folks our 3-5 starters are James, Davies, and Carlyle.lol…what a joke. James and Davies are at best #5 starters and Carlyle is at best a double A guy. Don’t forget we already used Redman(0-4record,11.63ERA), Lerew(0-2,7.71 ERA),L Cormier(our supposed best pitcher in spring training, 0-2 record,15.26ERA). If you include Davies(3-7, 5.42 ERA) and Carlyle(1-2, 6.11ERA) that gives our 4 and 5 starters a 4-17 record with a 7.17 ERA.GROSS.I know we have problems with hitting, but this starting piching is BAD!!!

By ChampDawg

June 25, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

OBrien— Other teams seem to be throwing good young pitchers at us. What have the Braves been doing in the draft and down on the farm. I haven’t seen the Braves bring in a really good young arm in a long long time.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist,

Teams that don’t get on base often and hit the ball hard often don’t score runs. I honestly believe it’s as simple as that because that’s what my eyes and the evidence tells me. I don’t think it could be coincidence that the highest run scoring teams in any year in history have been the teams with the most combined skill of getting on and hitting the ball hard.

All this stuff about hitting with runners in scoring position is all fine and dandy but it’s overrated. You can simply just look at who has the highest OBP and SLG/who can get on and hit it hard and that will tell you the best offenses.

The Braves have the worst OBP in baseball in June and the second-worst SLG. That tells us obviously they are getting on base and they aren’t hitting the ball hard (compared to every other team in baseball).

How ever they want to get on base and hit the ball hard is fine with me but the Braves aren’t going to score runs if they aren’t getting on and hitting it hard, no matter how much hitting-and-running or bunting or whatever they do.

By Braves Fan 79

June 25, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

Del: I have a idea, how about Bobby play his best players instead of giving games away! There will be plenty of time to rest players in august if were completly out of the playoff race. I dunno what bobby was thinking last night starting woodward. I mean seriously would any MLB manager in his right mind start a player with these stats: Woodward: 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! The Braves are a playoff worthy team, and should be around 10 games over .500 right now if we didnt throw so many games away by giving orr/woodcrap start after start….i mean how many 0-4’s u gotta see from them to see ITS NOT WORKING!! And the redmen experiment alone cost us about 5 or so wins at lest! Im tired of seeing bobby coach the team like its a split squad spring training game

By Lee

June 25, 2007 3:40 PM | Link to this

I have doubts about this team hitting their way out of a wet paper bag at the present time. I know A.J. couldn’t do it without falling to the ground. If they don’t score any runs tonight it is going to start to get really embarrassing.

By Is it over?

June 25, 2007 3:42 PM | Link to this

The most exciting thing this team has done all week is cause a little sissy-a**ed controversy. That is the biggest “play” the team has made all freakin’ week! Well, darn. I guess if they can’t actually play decent ball, they might was well start entertaining us with their catty little banter. What next? Wigs and heels to go with the routine? That might put people in the seats. Because this crap isn’t going to sell tickets.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL),

It’s been 138 PA’s for Harris, mostly vs. RHP. That’s the guy you want to replace Andruw with.

Sure, Andruw may stink all season. But I’d take my chances that he reverts back to his usual self before I would trust putting Harris in CF everyday and taking a chance that he’ll be as good as he’s been from here on out.

By N8.."some sort of bada#$"

June 25, 2007 3:45 PM | Link to this

Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

“Shuan , one last time. It’s not one month , it’s been half a season.”

Uh….nope. It’s almost been a FULL season.

Since July 1st 2006 (153 games) Andruw has 119 hits in 530 AB’s (.224), with 34 HR and 94 RBI. Hardly the numbers you’d expect from your alleged best player. And before any of you say “he’s not the best.” He’s making the MOST, that means that the Braves brass at one time considered him to be the best.

But don’t you worry, it’s just a slump, he’ll snap out of it, soon enough.

By jame

June 25, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

I’m not real big on going after Buehrle, though if JS pulls a Ramirez for Soriano type of trade, I guess I can’t complain.

Great Dylan tune, I’m going to see Guy Clark and Ray Wylie Hubbard tonight. hopefully I’ll come home to see a W1 rather than L6.

By StingerSplash

June 25, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

You’re listening to WDOB, playing the soft hits of the ’70s. That was Seals and Crofts’ “Summer Breeze,” requested for Andruw Jones’ swing. And now, the pop English duo Stealers Wheel had a hit with this one, “Stuck in the Middle With You,” requested by John Schuerholz and dedicated to the Braves fans…. (C’mon, I know there’s some “Reservoir Dogs” fans out there.) At least I got to hear “Liar” by the Rollins Band on my way to lunch today. Yes!

By WNY

June 25, 2007 3:47 PM | Link to this

Looks like it’s going to be a two team race……the Mets and Phillies. The braves fan base has already begun to jump off ledges because they can’t beleive a Braves team can lose the division two consecutive seasons. They’ve been in a state of denial and reality have begun to settle in. Clear the streets folks here they come.

By ncscoots

June 25, 2007 3:48 PM | Link to this

TPaul, the suckitude is close to red-lining, and some here are saying just go ahead, pop the clutch, and blow the engine. Let’s hope the Braves ease off a little and find the high groove instead.

By BravesFanInRockies

June 25, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

I’m not ready to write off the entire season yet, but can anyone offer a credible explanation why Pete Orr has not been sent down to make room for someone (Pena, whoever) who has some offensive talent?

Even under the best circumstances, a team with five bench players cannot afford to have two of those spots occupied by all-glove/no-hit utility players. (If Harris weren’t tearing it up, they’d have three of the five spots taken up by light-hitting glove guys.) This is not a very good offensive team. So why use up bench spots with automatic outs?

I don’t get it. I really don’t.

By flange1

June 25, 2007 3:49 PM | Link to this

To Coach and N8,

I think all of us agree that AJ is not hitting right now. We all agree that he will not listen to anyone especially TP to help fix his problems. So what do we do? In the last blog we agreed that we can not trade him, we can not send him to the minors, moving him up and down in the order has not worked, so our only option is to bench him.

Lew and Shaun both made reasonable arguements that a short benching is OK, but this 2007 Braves team DOES NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO SUCCEED if AJ is not in the lineup. Sure we could make a trade for Tori Hunter or Mike Cameron and bench AJ for the rest of the year, but we all know THAT AIN”T HAPPENING.

So we go it with AJ in the lineup. We can complain and bit#h about it, but that is really the only option we have.

By BamaBrave

June 25, 2007 3:50 PM | Link to this

The only silver lining I can find right now: the #@#%&#@ interleague schedule is over…

By ChampDawg

June 25, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

Here’s an interesting stat In the month of June, the Braves play 23 games and go 8-15. In those 8 wins, the starting pitching gets the win only half the time. Smoltz gets only 1 win the month of June, Hudson none. Over the last 30 games the Braves have won 11. Smoltz has 2 wins, Hudson 1… the fault doesn’t all lie with the 3-4-5 guys

By CMC

June 25, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for the blog today. Amazing how June ‘06 and June ‘07 are starting to resemble each other. The difference is that the bullpen blew a few late-inning leads last year. This year the team is getting beat coming out of the gates. Seems like the Braves are down before you can get settled into your chair with your beverage of choice. At this point, do you think that the team’s hot start was a fluke? Is this woeful streak a fluke? Or is this team somewhere in between and we should expect a .500 finish and not much better or worse? And do you think that AJ’s monumental downer of a year so far has affected some of the younger guys around him, i.e. Francouer, McCann, Thorman, etc? I’m with you in that it is inexplicable that this team is so bad at home, especially with younger players who should normally play better in front of the home crowd.

By BravesFanInRockies

June 25, 2007 3:54 PM | Link to this

COACH,

Re: Andruw and pulling the ball —

Dusty Baker said the same thing on ESPN over the weekend (albeit more diplomatically than you or I would have). He’s a natural pull hitter who’s gotten into terrible habits and shows no indication of adjusting.

So if TP is the heir-apparent, why not reassign him to another spot on the staff and hire, say, Don Baylor or someone else who’s had success as a hitting coach? (From my understanding, Baylor’s waiting for a call from a big league team.)

By MarkDAWG

June 25, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

BRAVES FAN 79, maybe sense Woodward is hit a sizzling .050 in his last 20 games is why he started at 1st lol…lol. I had a laugh with that on Fan79. I agree with your assesment on Cox. Why does he feel the need to “rest” players who just had a day off on Thursday. Orr and Woodward need to be GONE.

By Braves Fan 79

June 25, 2007 3:56 PM | Link to this

MarkDAWG: the Braves are NOT a .500 worthy team, as i claimed in previous posts we should be 10 games over .500 right now. Their coaching and player personell decisions thou have been less than average therefore making us a average team.

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 3:57 PM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist: True to form. I think, though, that was Smoltz’s intended message. Unfortunately, the team’s doing to horrible right now, the message isn’t correctly received. The team needs to stop worrying about who’s in the line up and who isn’t in the line up. They still have to take the field, they still need to win. They need to gitterdun in everyway shape and form. Part of the regular season is learning how to step up, so you’re ready for the post season. The early years this was apparent. But the last 10 years that spirit of fighting has been dying a slow, pointless death.

By AthensBrave

June 25, 2007 3:58 PM | Link to this

Why is everyone so suprised about the offense? The only proven hitters are Renteria and the Jones boys.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 4:02 PM | Link to this

“Did you see that Andruw was in the top 6 in OPS among all CF in baseball 2003-2006 (maybe farther, I didn’t go back that far). I’d say that qualifies as one of the best-hitting CF in the game. To be clear, by hitter I mean contributes to wins offensively.”

Yes Shaun, I did. He was in the top 10% for CF’s in OPS for one season - therefore he was one of the top CF SLUGGERS for all of one season

HITTERS dont have lifetime BA’s in the .260’s (or is it .250’s) and K/BB of 2/1

And Shaun I ask you - If Cox isnt responsible for how the players play, and it isnt his job to teach the players, and it isnt even his job to make sure the coaches are doing their job - then what exactly is Cox’s job that he is by your reckoning so genius at performing? - setting the postgame buffet?

By rammerjammer

June 25, 2007 4:06 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for the reality check on Buehrle. Someone’s gonna overpay mightily for him, and I hope it ain’t us.

I still like this team. Lots of good, young players. We’re just getting killed by AJ’s horrible, horrible season and the failure of every starter not named Smoltz to step up.

There’s not a GOOD quick fix for either of those problems. Just got to hope the history of AJ eventually kicks in and he starts hitting again, and hope Huddy and James can get consistently better.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 4:07 PM | Link to this

Hey Bob - I like your post about manufacturing runs.

One question - TO YOU, whose job would it be to make sure the team does the things you suggest?

And, TO YOU, if a manager isnt making sure his team is doing the little things to manufacture runs, then, TO YOU, wouldnt another manager, who WOULD do things, likely be BETTER?

By Double Deuce

June 25, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

One of the good things about having the Tigers come to town was to be able to see first hand their approach to hitting. First time thru the lineup see what’s working and what the opposing pitcher is trying to do, then adjust to it. With all the power the Tigers have, how nice it was to see them staying back and hitting the ball to the opposite field. James’ changeup had them off balance, and once they knew he wasn’t going to overpower them with his fastball he was toast. They just sat back and hit the ball to the opposite field, just like they did to Smoltz. If you enjoy baseball, even though it was the opposing team, it was nice to see. Play the game as a team, take what the pitcher gives you.

Conversely, you have Brave hitters trying to hit the ball as hard as they can and rolling over off speed pitches. There is a reason that Edgar and Chipper are the Braves best hitters. They both stay inside the ball, don’t try to pull everything, yet when pitched inside will pull the ball. Chipper never looks like he’s trying to hit for power. Even McCann, who’s obviously not hitting as well as last year, looks to stay inside the ball and he at least looks like he has a chance to make contact. I don’t know if its an organizational approach to see how hard you can hit the ball, but it’s not working. Maybe our young guys learned something from the Tigers’ approach. If not, nothing will change.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 4:08 PM | Link to this

N8,

What are the important numbers (to contributing to team offense)? What’s his OBP and SLG during that span?

By bravesfan

June 25, 2007 4:09 PM | Link to this

DOB is John Schuerholz just going to sit there and do nothing before it is surely to late to turn the season around or what? Why does Bobby Cox keep letting Woodward and Orr play they don’t even deserve to play in the MAJOR LEAGUES cause they are AWFUL.

By Berigan

June 25, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

We don’t have the patsies we used to have in the olden days. The Nationals are 14-14 against the NL east. Actually, the whole NL least is like this. The Mets are 15-14 , Phillies are 15-15, Braves are 188-18, and the only team in the least with a losing record against it’s rivals is the Marlins, 17-18.

So, were is the AAA team to get healthy against??? Too bad we can’t somehow play against the Braves! ;)

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 4:10 PM | Link to this

ncscoots: I see ‘em here. It’s been a long weekend for this blogger. (1 run in 5 games!?!) I thought I was down on the team, but coming back here and reading some of the postings has sobered me up quicker than coffee and an Advil. I’m disappointed with the play, the performance, the media fights, the lack of hustle, the quiter’s spirit I see in the way they run late in the game… But it is only June 25 and we are only 4.5 back. We’ve over come more in the past, so it’s still possible. Just wish the guys in the uniforms would wake up. There is still time to turn this ship around. But it ain’t going to turn with the “we know we’re bad” comments and media fights. It’s going to take them playing this game like they’re kids again … having a good time reminding all of us at home why it’s such a blast to play baseball.

By MarkDAWG

June 25, 2007 4:13 PM | Link to this

ChampDawg, while I agree that ALL the blame isn’t with the 3-4-5 guys, here is where I look for comparison. In my stats above I was speaking of the 4-5 guys stats…so if you include James as a “worthy starter” the 1-2-3 guys are 20-16 with a 3.81ERA while our barrage of 4 and 5 guys are 4-17 with a 7.17 ERA. So I think we have bigger fish to fry than worry about Smoltz and Hudson…or James(can’t get past the sixth) for that matter.

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

Robert,

My original comment was Andruw had been ONE of the better hitting CF in the game for the past few seasons. Top 6 in OPS qualifies as one of the best hitting, I’d say.

Batting average only measures hits in non-walk, non-sac AB’s. OBP and SLG are much more telling.

Cox job is strategy and setting the tone and keeping things in order. Yes, it’s helpful to teach but that’s more for the minors in the Braves organization it seems.

By jon barnes

June 25, 2007 4:16 PM | Link to this

A major problem with the Braves’ hitting of late is that too many of their players don’t stay on the ball through the swing. They too often pull off of it with huge looping swings resulting in poor contact and reduced plate coverage.

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 4:17 PM | Link to this

OK, I’m here. Where are the H’Orderves?

By jon barnes

June 25, 2007 4:18 PM | Link to this

I’d also like to see a majority of the Braves hitters step a bit closer to the plate, since they come off the ball as if to pull it way too often.

By T-Boy

June 25, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

I am a big Braves (#1) and White Sox (#2) fan living in Chicagoland, and I agree with DOB’s comments about Buehrle. While he has pitched well this year, he hasn’t shown me throughout his entire career — and certainly not since the beginning of 2006 — that he deserves a big contract, in the neighborhood of 5 years for $75 million.

The Sox fans here want them to pony up the big bucks, ala $75M, for Buehrle. I am against that and understand the reasoning for the Sox not offering him the big money. He’s just not that kind of pitcher to deserve that kind of money.

With that in mind, I wouldn’t trade much to get Buehrle if it looks like he won’t sign a long-term deal. And if the only way he’ll sign a long-term deal is at something like the 5 yr/$75M range, forget it. He’s not worth that kind of dough. He might prove to be, but he hasn’t so far, even though he’s had a nice career.

I vote that the Braves do not trade for Buehrle, and do not get in any bidding war for him after this season. Besides, he has always wanted to play for the Cardinals, his boyhood team, and I will be surprised if he does not sign with St. Louis after this season.

By Enough

June 25, 2007 4:22 PM | Link to this

I said it early in the year, but its the way the Braves are built. Depend to much on the homerun to produce runs. Need W. Harris leading off, with Escobar batting second. Get some speed at the top and start stealing some bases and moving runners into scoring position. Then go, Edgar, Kelly, Salty,Andrew, Frenchy and put McCann at first. They need to make a move for Griffrey if possible. They will rebound in July when Chip gets healthy and if they can bring in a real cleanup hitter.

By Bob

June 25, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

Welcome back Paladin. Hors Dooovers are in the club house I think.

By ncscoots

June 25, 2007 4:24 PM | Link to this

TPaul, tt won’t matter to some bloggers here even if the Braves do turn the season around. If they’re in first on September 1, we’ll get to spend a month listening to “first round exit” moaners. Same folks, same song, different verse.

No team with flaws, playing less than .650 ball, or less than a 10 game lead, or not going on to an 11-game postseason sweep, will ever satisfy some of our folks. Just the nature of the (blog) beast.

By Luther

June 25, 2007 4:25 PM | Link to this

Can’t listen to anymore of the pull hitter blame theory. Different hitters achieve sucess through different methods. Some people just hear Joe Simpson talk every night as if “going th other way” is the answer to everyone’s problems. Ted Williams may be the greatest hitter of all time and is also credited with being the cause of the “infield shift” or “Williams Shift.” Williams continued to pull the ball through the shift. Also, this continual blaming of Cox for the team not hitting is an absolute waste of time on this blog. I’m sure all the people who have played a lot of baseball on this blog used to say “man the coach really F’d us tonight” when they got shut out. No they would say “we need to hit the damn ball.”
I don’t think it is Cox’s responsibility to teach fundamentals at the major league level. What fundamentals are you talking about? Using the “alligator flap” to cover up the ball or how to lay down a sacrifice bunt, hitting the cuttoff? I really don’t think Bobby Cox should have to teach people who have played baseball for 20 years how to do that. Moving runners over, hit and run, these are not fundamentals, rather strategy.

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 4:26 PM | Link to this

Oh God. I actually liked Journalist Bob’s 2:51. What’s happening to me?

By Berigan

June 25, 2007 4:29 PM | Link to this

I like Terry Pendleton, I really do,(I remember him back to his Cardinal days) but Jersey Gil mentioned above that JS said TP IS the manager of the future, and that just sucks. Can anyone think of a hitter he has helped? I thought he had helped Frenchy be more patient, but that stopped. Thorman will be patient for like half an AB, then can’t wait any longer.

I know it wasn’t his style to be walk a lot,(Geez, just looked up his career OBP was .316!!!!!) but surely he can see the value of what teams like the Tigers, Yankees, and Red Sox get from grinding out long AB’s, wearing down an opposing teams pitching staff, more looks at what a guy is throwing, etc… If Terry can’t get thru to guys as a hitting coach, how is he going to do this as the Manager??? Honestly, he really should be let go at this point.

By macdwolfpack

June 25, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

Dave if those hitting numbers are this bad for this long, where do you put the blame, and where do you look for the solutions? When a team collectively hits this bad at home for this long one generally takes aim at the hitting instructor. What are your thoughts? Does he not get at least some of the blame? I look at the Braves over the period of time he’s been here and really don’t see anyone who’s significantly improved or had the hitting instructor get them back on track. Most have usually taken a long time and if they did work it out either sought outside help to remedy the situation or not gotten better. I don’t know the answer to these questions but was wondering what your thoughts were?

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 4:32 PM | Link to this

Buerhle isn’t that good, but if you all want an upgrade to the rotation, then you need to acquire a pitcher to slot right behind Smoltz and Hudson. If it isn’t Buerhle, then who is it? If the offense gets going, the pitching is going to need to be consistently good.

By Mark C.

June 25, 2007 4:33 PM | Link to this

I’ll take this June over last June. This year’s offense isn’t as bad as it has looked. Last year’s bullpen…ummmm…yeah it was as bad as it looked.

By Glass Half Full (GHF)

June 25, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

The problem with firing TP is that Joe Morgan, Terrence Moore, and many others would claim it was racially motivated. The same voices would also point out that Willie Harris is the only black player on the team and that he’s from the same town as Jackie Robinson (whatever that has to do with anything…alot of people are from the same towns).

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

Hey Bob, why don’t you and me and the limey, Patrick, get out of here and go get a Gin N’ tonic? I haven’t been so bored since I audited a class in Quantum Physics.

By DAP

June 25, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this

no this june doesnt feel quite as bad as last june…maybe because weve already been through last june. last june i had never in my entire life (im 22 years old) seen the braves lose that much.

the difference, as DOB pointed out, is that last june, pitching was the problem. this june, everything is the problem. even clubhouse squabbles, which i never thought id see from these guys, are bringing us down.

anyways, burhle the answer? heck no, there is no ONE answer. i do think burhle would be fine if we were hitting, but i wouldnt want to give up salty for him.

one last thing, and this is for LEW and whoever else projects francour to play center, ever. my question is…really? other than his rocket arm, i have never thought he was a spectacular outfielder…good, but not great, and i honestly think it would be a VERY BAD idea to put francour in center. please help me understand why thats not a really bad idea…thanx!

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

DOB, If AJ continues sucking at the current pace, will his possible suckiness possibly affect the Braves’ draft pick compensation for him if they offer him arbitration? And if AJ accepted arbitration, is it possible that he might lose? (as in not get a raise)

By DLW

June 25, 2007 4:37 PM | Link to this

Unfortunately Buehrle, Garland and/or Teixeira have to be the answer. We’re still too close to the Mets to give up on this season. Win now, otherwise who is going to care to come see the Braves next year and the year after. After 14 straight division titles, we don’t want 14 straight years without a division title.

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

Tonight’s lineup has Willie leading off in left, Renteria, Chipper, and Andruw cleaning up. Kelly’s batting seventh. Bobby said KJ has done absolutely nothing to deserve being dropped, but he’s trying to do something to shake things up and wanted to get back to their old lineup, or close, because Andruw is starting to swing better (Cox said this). And he hit Willie leadoff because he’s hitting .380 or whatever.

FORGOT TO INCLUDE ONE STAT in BLOG: Last year after the Braves went 7-24 with a .252 average from May 29 to July 1, they then went 11-2 with a .354 average, 125 runs and an absurd 35 homers in their next 13 games July 2-18.

Just sharing that fact with you.

By Kieran, Long Island Brave Fan

June 25, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

MarkDAWG : Good job with those 4 and 5 starter numbers… they truelly are staggering.

Personally I think you cannot get away with having your first basemen as your 8 hitter and thats exactly what Thorman is. Not having a big bat at firstbase is a serious problem and Thormans gotta go. I don’t want to hear about a 3for4 game once every week and a half or so, Your firstbasemen needs to fortify your lineup. I’m not going to sit here and pretend I have an answer. Sure, Salty is a logical option, and people are gonna chirp about Texiera, I’m not sold they’ll go there, but something needs to change.

Mcann, Francour, and Andruw, as putred as they look, cannot keep hitting this way, at least I sure hope not. McCann concerns me the most of the group because of his lack of Speed and poor defense at age 23. Even though we know they won’t do it, I think he’s your firstbasemen and Saltalamaccia Becomes the everyday catcher. Like I said, they wouldn’t do it after giving him that contract, but watchign the two players defensivly, it makes more sense to me then trading away Jarrod for a player thats assuredly going to leave after this or next season.

By the way, how about Bobby playing Escobar at Secondbase. Good to see. I didn’t think he’d go there after there was word that he wouldnt play tehre in the minors. Kelly’s had his struggles recently, but following the KJ charts I would say he’s just about ready to break out.

I would remind everyone again, if the Braves can keep their ehads aboce water on their upcoming West Coast trip, their schedule after the break is as easy as it gets. Check it out, its a great spot for them to turn it on.

By jason

June 25, 2007 4:38 PM | Link to this

This team is a joke. All hopes of winning this year is all used up. ATL plain and simple suck. Only one consistent starter, Only one consistent bat. Why in the F@#! is Woodward and Orr still on the team ? When will Salty play every day ? I have never seen a whole team in a slump. I have seen a few players, but neve the entire team. Detroit’s starting pichter last night threw nothing but fastballs. Only Freaking Fasrballs. ATL couldn’t even hit the ball when they knew what the heck was coming. This also brings up another point… Why can’t ATL develope pitching ? NO, Miller, Verlander, Ledzema, Papplebon, Carmona, Billingsley, etc, etc. That’s the real reason ATL don’t with divisions anymore. ATL has always won with pitching. We have none, and just think Smoltz will retire in the next year or to. Where will ATL be then ? Pathetic, about all I can say. I completely understand why fans don’t attend games. It made me sick to watch the Braves this past week. Absolutely no heart, no emotion. Nothing…

By Efrim

June 25, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

DOB

If Hudson is as bad as Mark Buerhle, and teams are about to deal a top prospect for him, then why don’t we trade Hudson who isn’t a pending free agent?

We could definetly receive two quality young players and get financial flexabilty.

Just trying to throw the idea out there, although I’m pretty sure if I was JS, I wouldn’t deal Hudson either.

By h_charles

June 25, 2007 4:39 PM | Link to this

DOB — Usually agree with you, but you are off here ia bit. Buehrle is a much better player than you credit for two reasons:

First, check his numbers THIS year. That is what matters (don’t believe me — I can sell you a great CF who has put pretty solid numbers over the last two seasons). He has been VERY tough. ERA in the mid 3s, which is fantastic.

Second, you must factor in HUGELY that he pithces not only in the AL, but the best divison in the AL, the Central. He has face the Tigers, Indidans, and Twins on a REGULAR basis, not to mention Boston, NY, etc. That is worth probably a full point to one and half points off the ERA if he were pitching in the NL Least.

The smartest thing any NL GM can do is trade for an AL central arm. Watch Maroth pitch 10 times better in STL. Watch Buerle dominate in the NL if he gets traded.

Lastly, you have to factor in the impact of the Mets getting him if we don’t. You can put the nail in the coffin if they land Buehrle.

By macdwolfpack

June 25, 2007 4:40 PM | Link to this

Right now we have much bigger problems than worrying about what Morgan or Terrence Moore has to say. Besides who in the hell even reads Moore, he’s played the race card so many times he has no credibility

By N8.."some sort of bada#$"

June 25, 2007 4:41 PM | Link to this

Shaun

“What are the important numbers (to contributing to team offense)? What’s his OBP and SLG during that span?”

You asked, so you shall receive….

OBP = .336 & SLG = .465

To put it in perspective for you, Renteria’s OBP during the same stretch is .364 and his SLG is .468.

This year KJ has an OBP of .377 and his SLG is .456.

Willie Harris (you know….the guy on the roster that ISN’T capable of replacing AJ) has an OBP of .438 and his SLG is .500.

Any other questions?

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 4:44 PM | Link to this

What’s Dallas Greene doing these days?

By Bob

June 25, 2007 4:46 PM | Link to this

Paladin,

Hooooah. Sounds good to me, although I am more of a bier (beer) drinker. Of course with this offensive juggernaut, I am willing to try anything.

The next 3 hours will be filled by screams and moans about tonights lineup anyway. Frankly nothing else has worked so I say give it a go.

By MBATL

June 25, 2007 4:47 PM | Link to this

Berigan, I thought JS went out of his way to avoid saying TP was the manager of the future for the Braves. He said that when asked, he’s given TP great references (I think TP interviewed for the Washington job?), and that he’d counseled TP on “what to look for” in taking a position.

He was complimentary of TP… what choice did he have since Morgan pretty much put a gun to his head… but I didn’t hear anything resembling “he’s the guy for us” in JS’ comments.

The other thing I thought about, listening to JS last night, was the comments about opting to sign Maddux over Bonds (and of course, Morgan insulted him again by disagreeing).

You got to make smart moves, but I’d like to see JS get back to what made the Braves a success… stellar starting pitching. Hard to do in one year, or 2, but if wants to leave a legacy, that’s what I’d like it to be.

By Tampaparrotthead

June 25, 2007 4:48 PM | Link to this

CHRIS WOODWARD NEEDS TO BE ON THE NEXT THING SMOKING TO (ENTER ANY MAJOR LEAGUE TEAM’S LOWEST MINOR LEAGUE AFFILLIATE HERE)!!

By Marc

June 25, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

I think TP has done a good job considering just about every hitter they have came up prematurily. It’s hard working with someone who never finished basic training.

He seems to have convinced AJ to stop falling on his a* too, he’s still hitting horribly, but we as we all know AJ is stubborn, so any difference is something.

Chipper and Renteria are vets who can fix themselves, and both have averages well over .300 right now, so no problems there.

Anyone you know who knows anything about baseball will tell you young offenses are prone to be streaky. That’s what our offense is, and just like we hit one run in the last five games, later this year we’ll have a five game span averaging 7-8+ runs a game.

That’s due to a young line-up, most of which called up before they should have been. It has little to do with TP.

By Berigan

June 25, 2007 4:49 PM | Link to this

By Glass Half Full (GHF) June 25, 2007 4:35 PM | Link to this The problem with firing TP is that Joe Morgan, Terrence Moore, and many others would claim it was racially motivated. The same voices would also point out that Willie Harris is the only black player on the team and that he’s from the same town as Jackie Robinson (whatever that has to do with anything…alot of people are from the same towns).

GHF, I am afraid you are right..but, we need to be PC and say Willie Harris is the only African-American on the team. Several black guys though….and several better minority choices to lead the team in the future as well…

By bravesfan

June 25, 2007 4:51 PM | Link to this

SO DOB what is the whole lineup? Wille H-LF Renteria-SS C,Jones-3B A,Jones-CF McCann-C Francoeur-Rf Johnson-2B Thorman-1B Hudson-P Is that correct?

By Stephen

June 25, 2007 4:52 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Since the pirates recently inquired to the availability of Salty, do you think a trade for Ian Snell or Tom Gorzelanny would be possible? They are both better than our 3-4 guys and could bolster the starting pitching by alot.

By BossLady

June 25, 2007 4:53 PM | Link to this

I agree with AthenBrave and Renegator. We need to fire Terry Pendleton immediately. Shouldn’t he recognize pitches and pitch patterns to alert the batter how to approach the ball. Jones and Baylor could spot a pitch from the dugout and our guys would hit them. Also, Roger McDowell seems to instruct more injuries than I have ever seen in the majors. If they follow his instructions, every one of the pitchers will be on the DL. If any of us did our jobs the way these two guys do we would have been fired long time ago. Be it Baseball or large Corporations you must produce to continue holding your position. I know I do. If my June numbers looked like TP & RMc I guarantee you that I wouldn’t be BossLady anymore. Who cares if they are good guys, stand up fellas. We get more success by production, not personalities. I don’t care how these people act or what they wear or how they live. Some of the nicest, best dressed and prompt arriving people have been let go due to low production. Liberty and John S. need to MAN UP ON THIS!!!

By IlliniBrave

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

Omigod! I’ve been out of town for a week and so I log on and try to catch up on the blog.

Well, some things never change, and some things get even worse. Now Robert is not only coninuing his annoying stalking of Cox, but he’s also talking to himself! Scroll up and you’ll see that almost a third of the posts are him - responding to HIMSELF!

DOB, I saw where you went off on N8 and Ron and Shaun. Thank you. Now can you just block Robert?!

And where is SJA and Jimmy and Wayne and SavannahBrave and Carolina?

By Marc

June 25, 2007 4:55 PM | Link to this

To add to me recent comment, I would say TP can judged a little more harshly if this line-up is still this streaky next season. I still believe it’s unfair to make a final judgement on him now though.

By Jason

June 25, 2007 4:58 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Did you hear Smoltz on 790AM this morning? Was that you he was calling out? He seems pretty p** with the media and am wondering were you the one that asked the questions about Chipper on Friday? Or were there other people asking? Just wondering —- he says he is not going to talk to the media anymore and has something planned for them on Wednesday.

Great job on the blog…love reading it every day!!!

By Chop Chop

June 25, 2007 4:59 PM | Link to this

h_charles, you might be overexaggerating just a smidge about Maroth possibly pitching “ten times better” in St. Louis than in Detroit, but you definitely have a valid point about Buehrle’s numbers improving if he comes over to the National League. The AL Central is a beast to deal with for a pitcher. The Braves actually pitched pretty well against the Indians, Twins and Tigers. I was shocked. I’m not saying the Braves should necessarily trade for the guy (which is mainly because the Red Sox, Mets, Dodgers and several other teams will be in the Buehrle Sweepstakes and the Braves would have to give up a lot to beat those teams out), but I definitely think his numbers are skewed by the division he plays in, not to mention the league.

By Berigan

June 25, 2007 5:00 PM | Link to this

MBATL, I missed a few innings last night, so it’s good to hear you say that. I just don’t see how he’s a good choice for us. Hitting sucks right now. Perhaps he has helped Willie or Diaz, but other than Edgar,Willie, Diaz, and Chipper, who is hitting at all right now? Something looks wrong with Kelly Johnson right now as well, can’t put my finger on it exactly, just looks like even his stance is wrong for trying to see, and hit a ball. Plus, I forget he didn’t play a game last year, so he may really be tired right now….

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

Hey Bob, hold up! The Boss Lady done put some words down and shook this place uppp! You tell ‘em, ma’am.

By Stephen

June 25, 2007 5:01 PM | Link to this

If we trade Salty for Buehurle, I hope we at least get than a 6 month starter. Why not go a head and offer a package for Buehurle and Dye or any bat that might help this anemic offense.

By MGL

June 25, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

MBATL, Berigan - I too did not hear JS say anything that would lead me to believe that TP is top of the list to replace Cox. I felt the same as MBATL, JS had to say something positive, and he said that TP was an excellent managerial candidate. Not that he was hired.

By BamaBrave

June 25, 2007 5:02 PM | Link to this

h_charles…Hudson was a stud AL starter, and look how he’s fared in the NL. Face it, folks…there’s no magic player. No magic arm can salvage this season..at least none that are available. There’s no team identity. In years past, Bobby Cox has, at least, defined the batting order by now, and the team then gets into a rhythm. We’re still shuffling the batting order, trying to find some combo that works! This is uncharted territory for all concerned…

By BossLady

June 25, 2007 5:04 PM | Link to this

Glass Half Full, Terrence Moore is a jack&&& and what he says is not respected in Atlanta. He simply has played that card too many times and it is no longer effective. Terry Pendleton has had ample opportunity to produce and show the major league what he could do not only the Braves but hasn’t to date. Firing people of any race is acceptable when you have the numbers to back your decision. If we were averaging .300 in batting, then, yeah let’s take at closer look. But when you have young impressionable hitters that are needing help and no improvements then you darn skippy he needs to go, and quickly. Joe Morgan can go and say anything he likes and look like a fool doing it with the horrendous numbers the Braves are putting up. That will be like me saying no one wants to buy anything to my VP and he says well okay that’s fine.

By Renegator

June 25, 2007 5:05 PM | Link to this

I keep giving Bobby the benefit of the doubt - but then he keeps putting Andruw in the clean-up hole.

Will he ever learn?

Doubtful!

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 5:06 PM | Link to this

I didn’t hear JS say TP IS the manager of the future. What I heard him say was, TP is a very good managerial candidate. JS was pretty smooth at giving non-answers to everyone of those ESPN questions.
ESPN: John, are you going to trade Andruw Jones right now?
JS: I think you’ve reported here, and many others have reported as well, that Andruw has no desire to be traded. Being a 10-5 player, he has the say on any possible trade. He has made it abundantly clear that he will not be traded. And we have no intentions of approaching him with any trade possibilities.
ESPN: Sounds like you have already written him off as not coming back next season..
JS: Absolutely not. We will do everything we can to bring Andruw back in a Braves uniform, but it wouldn’t be prudent to not have contingencies in the event AJ signs else where. The fact is, we are an 80 million.. 80 plus million, budget team.
ESPN: Terry is a great guy. Shouldn’t he be manager of the world? Is he going to be the Manager in 2009 when Cox retires.
JS: We hope Cox will stick around for a while, but we also know eventually he will retire. How soon that maybe is yet to be determined.
ESPN: When will Terry be Manager? He’s a good manager right?
JS: Terry is a… Terry has the appropriate skills and attitude to make a successful Manager at any level of the game. When the time comes to hire a replacement for Bobby we will have to evaluate the direction of the team. It could be an older manager would be a better fit, or it could be a younger manager would be a good fit. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.
ESPN: Bonds says he was almost a Brave and you didn’t want him, why?
JS: We had a choice of signing either Maddux or Bonds. We believed that pitching was the way to go so we went with a pitcher and won for 14 straight seasons.
ESPN: Well it’s hard to argue with that long string of success, but I think you were wrong.
ESPN: When we get back from these messages will go into the lack of African American players in baseball…. Oh yeah, Detroit just scored 4 runs. See ya.

Anyway, as you can see from my perfectly accurate posting of the ESPN interview with JS, he did not say he was the sure bet candidate. Just that he is a qualified individual. He could be the next manager though…
Someone earlier asked a great question… If Terry is in line to manage, why is he the hitting coach? Why not make him the bench coach and hire a new hitting coach to help this struggling team? But then you’d have to find some justification for firing the current bench coach and promoting the hitting coach when the most blatant team failure is hitting. The easy out would be to point to Woodward… just blame him for whatever. Hell, I do, and he doesn’t even work with me.

By MarkDAWG

June 25, 2007 5:07 PM | Link to this

DOB I am sick and tired of Bobby Cox with these politically correct statements. Usually I don’t turn on Cox, but this is an urgent time for this team and he gives statement like…**”Andruw is batting 4th tonight against the Nationals because he is starting to swing the bat well…what the f…ck is he talking about????? HE’S BATTING

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

How in the world does your brain say “those to which” and your fingers hear “this”? I know I should go to a good doctor but it’s safer to go to mine who tells me it’s not a problem, everybody does it. Bah humbug … should not be so easily excused … but, I do hope it will continue to be tolerated!

I see where Shaun Payne is trying to get back in our good graces, saying to Nathan and/or Coach … I’ll admit I’m ignorant. Son, you’re only as ignorant as you think you’re not for to me, and perhaps only me, there’s a difference between ignorance and being uninformed.

Shaun, publicly admitting that you have a problem is an important first step and I know it’s not easy … so we’re 1,000% with you and are here to help you take the second.

I see you just called my name … let’s see what the “new” Shaun has to say …

Well, at least I can see you were serious and on the mark with what you admitted to Robert and Coach!

Though I’m mystified as to how your post relates to anything I might have said … or at least intended to say.

We must have a minor misunderstanding … and in order for it not to become a problem, please tell me what it is you think I said that is to your response related.

Not addressing those elements that belabor the obvious, I am both amused and a bit bemused with the notion that you honestly look at both the games and the statistics in reaching your conclusion when you follow that up with You can simply just look at who has the highest OBP and SLG/who can get on and hit it hard and that will tell you the best offenses. Why bother with both when it only takes the one?

Now belaboring the obvious, it’s good to hit the ball hard when that’s what you’re trying to do; provided it’s where you’re trying to hit it … which is usually where somebody aint!

To me, most hitters and hitting coaches are content to stay with conventional wisdom of just concentrating on hitting the ball hard and attributing their failures to bad luck … they need to go farther, stepping out of the box … planning their attack and again, hitting it where they ain’t, unless the situation so demands.

That’s not just idle, humorous rhetoric, the last appositive that is … for an example, you hit it where they are when the run and hit is on … ‘cause that ain’t where they’re gonna be.

Don’t misunderstand me, I think your’s was a fine effort … as is much of what you post. Again, I just don’t see the revelance to what I was saying or trying to say.

By MarkDAWG

June 25, 2007 5:08 PM | Link to this

DOB I am sick and tired of Bobby Cox with these politically correct statements. Usually I don’t turn on Cox, but this is an urgent time for this team and he gives statement like…**”Andruw is batting 4th tonight against the Nationals because he is starting to swing the bat well…what the f…ck is he talking about????? HE’S BATTING

By rammerjammer

June 25, 2007 5:12 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Thanks for the lineup. I actually think it makes good sense. Not that anyone’s gonna hit, but the names and order you mentioned probably give us our best chance.

By Berigan

June 25, 2007 5:13 PM | Link to this

ever read something so weird, that you think that you have to be wrong about the facts??? From www.mlbtraderumors.com (Love the site for half truth trade rumors)

Let’s be realistic about Sosa, by the way. He has a .305 OBP. He’s having a terrible year, well below average for his position. Sosa is about the 200th best hitter in baseball right now, based on VORP. His performance has been roughly on par with that of Alex Cora. He has been out-hit by many pitchers. He is a sideshow and should not be starting for any team.

Clearly, he drinks from the same water as Shawn, and believes that hits, homers, and RBI’s are next to useless stats. So, I go look up Sammy expecting to see a .212 average or something to that effect. I see he has 13 HR’s, 59 RBI’s, and is hitting .246. That’s 31 HR, and 131 RBI’s over the full season!!! Steroid issue aside, who would you rather have as our cleanup hitter right now, Andruw or Sammy??? And if he feels this way about Sammy, what would he say about Andruw????????

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 5:17 PM | Link to this

he says he is not going to talk to the media anymore and has something planned for them on Wednesday

DOB: If this is in fact the case, let me know how that knuckleball looks up close. Every other time Smoltz “has something planed” the old goof has tossed a knuckleball up to the plate. I’m bummed I missed this interview.
I love Smoltz. I even love watching his Home Depot commercials. They just make me smile. It’s good to see the annual tradition of Smoltz swearing off the media hasn’t been cut out of the program. Now let’s just get that mid-season thunder going so the Braves can take back the lead. They’ll need to keep it rolling for the rest of the season though. Don’t want them going into the post season with the clutch in trying to change gears from relax mode to performance mode.

By MBATL

June 25, 2007 5:19 PM | Link to this

10Paul, you’re messing around, but you caught the “jist” of that interview perfectly. Well done!

By Stephen

June 25, 2007 5:20 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Since the pirates have inquired as to the availability of Salty, do you think a trade for Ian Snell or Tom Gorzelanny could be possible? They are both better than our 3-4 guys and could definitely bolster our starting pitching.

By woogidy

June 25, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

If Andruw coming out , it’s tonight. It’s Andruw Jones Signature Bat Night at the “Ted”.

By Savannah Guy

June 25, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this

If you are between swinging wrecking balls and throwing hand grenades, you may want to skip this little ditty. Not sure why I even wrote it…guess it was to myself and some of you. Anyway, it just came out and so in the spirit of fighting fire with…soft cheese…(with a little bite) I’m posting this for the roughest, toughest, meanest, ranting-est of you street-fighting motherless sons.

The Journey to October

We see our home team struggle and slump, so we blame Cox, the Coaches and ump. We target the players, the owners and press, but as tough as it seems we must not forget, that sometimes in sports, teams get in a mess.

The cause might be Andruw, the pitching or the moon, could be Chippers thumbs and toes or maybe just June. So bloggers will speculate, pontificate and complain, we hastily craft batting orders and pitching lineups too, I suppose there are some that have prayed for rain.

Try as we might, we won’t all agree on the roster, who plays, who sits and which talent to foster. Yet most agree, our troubles began on the mound, we have Smoltzy and Huddy, Soriano and Wicky, outside these few, opposing teams seem to pound.

With good starting pitchers so pricey and so few, the Bravos will struggle while we debate as we do. There’s just a minor detail that we fans tend to forget, first place is not a given, just by taking the field, and the pennant may elude us but it’s no reason quit.

So come all ye DOB denizens from near and afar, share your rosters and lineups, no matter how bizarre, mix in your music, your stories and Barbeque too, remember to enjoy the season as an imperfect journey, if your happiness hangs on wins, you don’t have a clue.

You may now retrieve your weapons.

By MarkDAWG

June 25, 2007 5:34 PM | Link to this

First of all, I’d like to send my thoughts and prayers to the Landers family and the other two young mens family’s that were involved in the accident while the North Oconee hoops team was in ‘bama. Also, my prayers are with Coach Smith’s family, My nephew plays baseball for the Titans and said that Coach Smith was beloved by the community

Now on to the joke we call the Atlanta Braves. I hope the team enjoyed those big crowds last week. It’s not looking for tonight…storming right now here in Cobb County, so that will drive some fans away. Of course the two worst teams in the East, yes we are worse than the Marlins, will be on the field tonight. An early start..7:05 should resulted in late arrivels.That should put the crowd at about 14,000 tonight…OOOHHHHHHWAIT. It’s A.Jones bat night. I think that will keep another 5,000 fans away. Andruw’s bats are like a contagious disease right now…make that crowd 9,000 attendence for tonight

By not the issue

June 25, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

I’m here to dispel the myth of the heroic athlete.DOB chastised a blogger resently for calling a player a wuss.He wrote, he laughed at a fan calling any pro athlete that or even questioning their toughness.BS pure and unadulterated BS.For all DOB knew the reader was a vet trying to raise a family by doing back breaking work only to miss sleep worrying about bills and sending their kids to bad unsafe schools. These athletes are always overpaid,often have bad attitudes,many miss work for reasons that would be laughable in the world most of us occupy.So let me say this to all the self important,overpaid,prima donna wussys…shut the fu** up and play or get a real job.

By Leo Mazzone's Barber

June 25, 2007 5:35 PM | Link to this

Wow. Just catching up on the old blog and two things are evident: 1. The Braves really suck. 2. This Shaun guy is really a moron.

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 5:40 PM | Link to this

I know this is going to bring down the wrath of God(or is DOB watching)on my head, but I have got to say it. Com’on guys, enoughs a ‘nough.

I read these posts, fresh ones like Boss Lady’s and Berigan’s aside, and I visulize you like a bunch of Tony Soprano look-alikes nodding your heads and saying, “Hey, that’s Right!” If it’s so fing right, was it just as right the other 28 times it has been said—in the last half hour. Cheese n’crackers! talk about beating a dead horse. You guys make it look like that ape in the scene from 2001-A Space Odyssey! There’s nothing left but bones you box-score-freaks. Let’s have some 0-r-i-g-i-n-a-l-i-t-y. Look it up.

By Berigan

June 25, 2007 5:41 PM | Link to this

I kinda, sorta get where Bobby is coming from. Andruw walked twice, got a single, and hit a loud foul ball. But, while batting 4th might give him a quick boost of confidence, he may go away from being more patient. I know, we need offense, but it would make more sense to have Andruw bat 7ht like LaRoche did for a good while. Pitchers don’t focus the same way on the 7th guy as they do the 4th, no matter how good you have been in the past. Let Andruw put his hitting shoes back on for awhile, then move him back up…but, I feel like most of us, we are merely tilting at windmills….

By MGL

June 25, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

Savannah Guy - A Wurlitzer class performance, Thanks!!

By RCL

June 25, 2007 5:43 PM | Link to this

It is time for some coaching changes folks. This team has too much raw talent and decent (well not really) pitching to be this bad.

If this were the Yankees or the Red Sox Terry & Roger would have been fired a long time ago.

The team needs a smack in the face and making these types of moves will get their attention.

The players and coaches on this team are coddled moreso than any other in the majors and b/c of it they fold under pressure and have not been able to win it all in 12 years.

Enough excuses - this team cannot manufacture runs, relies on 3 run homers or their starters pitching 8 shut out innings.

Fire a coach, make a big trade(s) and bench some free swingers for multiple games.

By Bob

June 25, 2007 5:44 PM | Link to this

I would suggest Orr to bat 3d and Chris Woodward to hit cleanup. Hell, who knows, it might work.

By MarkDAWG

June 25, 2007 5:46 PM | Link to this

NOT THE ISSUE…I agree!!.

By Caleb

June 25, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

I would much rather trade for John Garland from the white sox than Buehrle, though I don’t know if they would give him up.

By You Never Played

June 25, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

First off, trading for Buehrle would be a huge mistake. Even though I’m glad DOB pointed out why investing in Buehrle is a no winner, I’ve known this since the rumors began about Buehrle.

The Braves could be giving up a couple of great prospects to rent a guy who may not even want to sign with the Braves. Even if he does want to sign, what would it cost to sign him? Are we gonna pay premium price for a guy who in all actuality is not a staff ace?

Even with Buehrle, this team isn’t guaranteed a playoff spot. The Braves problems are much deeper than just one starting pitcher.

Mortage the future for a guy who may not even get you to the playoffs, who isn’t a real staff ace and whose price will only further cripple your chances of spending your budget for pieces that will get you back to the top. Or…. he could simply walk away after this year and maybe Salty and/or Escobar could be gone.

Again, the uninformed yell the loudest.

By Bob

June 25, 2007 5:48 PM | Link to this

:-)

By Berigan

June 25, 2007 5:49 PM | Link to this

By woogidy June 25, 2007 5:29 PM | Link to this If Andruw coming out , it’s tonight. It’s Andruw Jones Signature Bat Night at the “Ted”.

Is that Andruw’s problem this year??? He just needed to admit he was a bit light in the loafers??? Andruw, we don’t care!!!! If coming out helps you tonight, great, just hit!!!! ;)

By some guy

June 25, 2007 5:53 PM | Link to this

I refuse to watch another game until the Braves actually score a run.

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

MBATL: I blame any misspellings in that interview posting on Woodward.
Just read your response to the Terry Managing suggestion. It sounds like we heard the exact same thing. I’m glad. I didn’t know if it was just the beer messin’ with my head or what. JS was fantastic at falling for the race baiting questions.
I appreciated JS responding so politely and honestly about everything without tipping his hand on any moves of the team. He even went as far as to say: “Pardon me? Yes, sir.” when he didn’t hear a whole question.
“Yes, sir.” How often does a GM say that to an interviewer?

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 5:57 PM | Link to this

Just met Mark Richt in the dugout. Nice fella. Can’t believe how young he looks. He talked to Frenchy for about a half-hour in the dugout and by the cage, and I swear they could pass for brothers 10 years or fewer apart.

By Chop Chop

June 25, 2007 5:58 PM | Link to this

Let’s have a little music talk…

At the risk of offending Paladin (and because I can’t remember if anyone’s mentioned this before), I have to highly recommend Tesla’s Real to Reel album. I don’t really care for Tesla’s original music, but this is a cover album that is truly great. You’ve got covers of Led Zep’s Thank You, Deep Purple’s Space Truckin, The James Gang’s Walk Away…just to name a few. My personal favorite is the cover of UFO’s Rock Bottom because of these three words: dual lead guitars.

I haven’t been able to find it anywhere, but there’s a second CD that is only available at Tesla concerts. It includes covers of Sabbath’s War Pigs (managed to get that particular song), The Stones’ Street Fighting Man and many others. If it’s anything like the album in stores, it’s definitely a must-have.

Anyway, I never thought I’d say this about Tesla, but they rock. This is easy the best cover album I’ve heard since Metallica’s Garage Inc., folks. If you like rock, pick it up.

Okay, Tesla. Where’s my check?

By KevinM.

June 25, 2007 5:59 PM | Link to this

Dave I need a beer after reading your post on the top. What the Braves need right now is a Tim Hudson game were they score 12 runs and the dude from the Nationals hits a Chipper or a Rentereria with a pitch and this team gets p**. This team needs to have some fun and lighten up and get mad at the world and lets start with the Nationals. The Mets can be caught and passed and this team is loaded with offense and I say let Salty play 1st and bench Thorman. Its not that hard since Salty had two hits last night and hit the ball hard the other two times up as well.

By SaltyWoody

June 25, 2007 6:00 PM | Link to this

WHAT A BUNCH OF WHINERS

Sure, the Braves right now look like the Karate Kid trying to catch a fly with chopsticks for the first time.

But, stop whining about it.

First of all, it’s obvious that the Braves, themselves, are frustrated. So stop getting on them for not trying or mailing it in. You think a guy like KJ thinks “Well, it’s been half a season…and I’ve played well…so, that should just about do it?” You think Frenchy is telling himself to hit less homers and swing at more first pitches? You think Andruw is actively trying to go out and strike out as much as possible?

Secondly, how many times does DOB or anyone else have to scream that we’re still only a week’s worth of strong games and Mets losses from first? How many times do you have to be told that we just faced a pitching gauntlet unlike the universe has ever seen before?

How do these names, in succession, not help explain why we just got crushed:

Santana, Sabathia, Carmona, Schilling, Beckett, Tavarez (just kidding), Rogers, Verlander, and Miller

No one in the league has faced an assemblage of pitching that even comes close to that. And you know what else? All those pitchers are in a completely different league! It’s not like the Braves see them every day and can learn how to hit them. We got eight pitchers who could be a 1 or 2 starter on any team…and we got them in a row.

And the thing is? We actually won a couple against some of those guys.

I’m not trying to be the eternal optimist…we need to start hitting, our 4 + 5 starters need to step up.

But, come on. Hudson’s been markedly better than last year and is some run support away from having a stellar record. Our 2nd baseman, who we were worried might be terrible, has been one of the better leadoff hitters in the league. Left field (previously known as the black hole) has turned into production corner. Our rightfielder doesn’t miss a game (although, maybe he should take a day off). We have TWO outstanding catchers…not one, but two. And we have a bonafide ace in Smoltz, a guy who I would give the ball 102 times out of a 100 in a deciding game.

So what does this all amount to?

It amounts to a team that is a quick turn away from being incredible. And many or most of you need to realize this.

This is not last year. We have lost now. The mystique is gone. The entitlement is gone.

In it’s place, I hope, is some resolve and some grit.

The few things we need are Andruw Jones to at least regain a semblance of his compsure, for Chipper to be a leader and carry this team on his back if not with his bat, then at least with his attitude, and our 3/4/5 starters to pitch just slightly better than they have been.

If we get that, we’re 10-20 games over .500….and we win the eminently winnable NL, or at least make the wild card. And led by Smoltz and Huddie, we’re not a team I’d want to face in the playoffs.

So, please, stop complaining about the state of this team. And start supporting them when they actually need it. Don’t take them for granted…because it could be a heck of a lot worse (see Pittsburgh/Washington for examples).

By ernesto

June 25, 2007 6:01 PM | Link to this

How about the hard hittign line up of Orr Woodward Orr Woodward Orr Woodward, Orr, Woodward, Pitcher? And we use ghost runners (in the unlikely event we would need them).

Those guys suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Spinelli

June 25, 2007 6:03 PM | Link to this

Caleb: I agree with you 100% John Garland would be a much better option than Buhrle. I think he makes some pretty good money though but is signed for 2-3 years. I would also be interested in Noah Lowery or Sean Marshall.

By bravesfan

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

Ok the fans do not need to vote for the starters in the all-star game anymore. Edgar Renteria isn’t even in the top 5 in voting but Andruw Jones is 5th in outfield voting how does this happen I mean don’t yall think Renteria should make the all-star team?

By MarkDAWG

June 25, 2007 6:07 PM | Link to this

DOB did you tell Richt you were a KU guy?…GGGGGGGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAWGS…SIC EM!!!!!

By You Never Express Good Opinions

June 25, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

You Never Played = master of obvious, just like all most former athletes who become sports commentators. Waste 5 paragraphs telling us you agree with DOB? Thousand words wasted.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

“OK, I’m here. Where are the H’Orderves?”

Paladin must be Anruw, Wickman, or McBride in disguise

By DonCoburleone

June 25, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

“FORGOT TO INCLUDE ONE STAT in BLOG: Last year after the Braves went 7-24 with a .252 average from May 29 to July 1, they then went 11-2 with a .354 average, 125 runs and an absurd 35 homers in their next 13 games July 2-18.

Just sharing that fact with you.”

I remember that stretch… It started with the series in San Diego. I went to the 2nd game of that series when the Braves won 15-12 in 11 innings… Best baseball game I’ve ever been to…

It really is amazing what’s going on right now. It’s very difficult to watch an entire team slumping at the same time. Was only able to watch the Saturday game, but that was more than enough for me… Talk about frustrating! Having to watch Kyle Davies basically shut down the best offense in baseball while the Braves only score 1 (lucky) run.

By metsmanintheatl

June 25, 2007 6:08 PM | Link to this

your bravos are pathetic…still will finish 20 games behind this year’s WORLD CHAMPION NEW YORK METROPOLITANS!!

By Paladin

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

Chop Chop You do not offend me. You have a least introduced an original thought. However, I have no idea what you are talking about since to me “Rock” is Chuck Berry or a missile that you throw at wabbits.

By DonCoburleone

June 25, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

I’ve officially begun picking up whatever pitcher is going against the Braves in my fantasy league… Tonight it’s Jason Bergmann, tomorrow Mike Bacsik, and Wednesday Micah Bowie. I figure I could take my bad luck (in my fantasy league) and transfer it to the Braves opposing pitchers? Sounds like a good idea right?

By braveboyfromblairsville

June 25, 2007 6:11 PM | Link to this

common andrew/please at least bat your weight…we have not had a .300 hitter in the outfield in years…keep the faith!!!

By Robert

June 25, 2007 6:12 PM | Link to this

Shaun -

Andruw in the second half last year had a good OBP despite a poor BA - because he had a near 1/1 K/BB ration post-break, which was a deviation from his career numbers.

This year, his OBP is right about .300, which is awful, and his adjusted OPS is an 83 - where 100 is an average player

If Cox’s job is strategy, as you say (and I agree) then I contend that having such a player in the heart of the order is a mightyily flawed strategy

If Cox’s job is to set the tone (which I agree), then the club’s lack of hustle, lack of any inclination to adjust, and their wilting in the face of anything resembling dominant pitching, are all Cox’s fault

By Braves Fan 79

June 25, 2007 6:13 PM | Link to this

If were going to be cheap why didnt JS in the offseason sign someone proven like Sammy Sosa or Javy Lopez in the offseason, shure its a risk but id take that risk considering all we got in the offseason was GUARNTEED CRAP!! At least with sosa or lopez theres a 50/50 chance thell have 1 more good season left. Instead we sign veterans (woodward, wilson, redmen) who have ALWAYS SUCKED!! So there pretty much guarnteed to SUCK! The talent level is there on this team to be a playoff team, but we cant keep giving woodward, orr starts when there no better hitters than the pitcher.

By Paul In Richmond

June 25, 2007 6:15 PM | Link to this

Did Salty p** off Bobby Cox? Why else would he bat him between Andrew and Woodward?????

Wasted hits - that is all the poor guy could do. Waste his hits….

By phats fulmer

June 25, 2007 6:16 PM | Link to this

andrew is on my fitness program…remember the glory years?

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 6:18 PM | Link to this

Robert As a wag(before your time)said, “In a battle of wits, you would be weaponless”. Let’s call a truce before we have to prove—or God forbid—disprove that, shall we? Now, go play in the traffic.

By bravedawg

June 25, 2007 6:19 PM | Link to this

I have tried to be optimistic about the braves for the past month, but it is just painful to even turn them on anymore. There is no energy in the dugout, players make mistakes and act like its no big deal. I’ve loved Andrew in the past but he is struggling worse than anyone and seems to be joking around at the plate smiling not seeming to really focus. Chipper and Smoltz are arguing like little spoiled children. It just seems like somebody needs to light a fire, care for once, maybe get in somebody’s face, somewhere. Right now we are the nice braves that seem to have fun and not hurt anyones feelings. the one thing I respect about the mets (as much as I hate to say it) is that they have energy and a an arrogance about them, I hate watching that not being a Mets fan, but I bet Mets fans love it, it gives them a since of pride. Braves - PLEASE - give us and each other something to get on board about. The fans want to be louder than the Red Sox, Tigers and even Cubs fans, but for what. I’ve driven ten times from B-ham to watch games this year and other than Smoltz vs Maddux, it has been tough to stomach. I am a brave til I die, we are still with you guys, get arrogant and p** and turn this thing around. PLEASE!!! At least make a season of it. Dispite all the BS, i won’t jump off the bandwagon. Go BRAVES! Give me something to talk trash about with friends who support all those other joker teams in the majors. Right now, I got nothing!!

Sorry I needed to vent.

By CMC

June 25, 2007 6:23 PM | Link to this

DOB,

I met Coach Richt earlier this year when he attended an FCA banquet where I live. Really good guy. Soft spoken but gives a really good speech. He is very humble and doesn’t hesitate to use self-deprecating humor. I knew he backed up Jim Kelly at UMiami. But I didn’t realize he signed with Denver as undrafted FA. The day he arrived in Denver they traded for Elway. Dan Reeves cut him a week into camp. Then a year later he signed with Miami and threw next to Marino first day of camp. Didn’t make it there, either. So he had to compete with Kelly, Elway and Marino every step of the way. He’s turned out OK, though. You’re right - he does look young, and he’s a big dude. Didn’t realize that until standing next to him. Hey, how does he swing the bat? Maybe we can activate him tonight. Couldn’t hurt.

By AMG

June 25, 2007 6:25 PM | Link to this

Good Grief!!!

I go out of town for a few days and the Braves ony score one run?

I’ve said this before and I will say this again… this team is young and by that nature very inconsistant. The veterans must stay together and produce if this team is going to have success.

Good news?… there is a 10 game road trip coming up.

Is Pete Orr still on the team? Why is Woodward still on the team?

By Marc

June 25, 2007 6:26 PM | Link to this

I’m just glad none of you are GMs, lol.

By DonCoburleone

June 25, 2007 6:28 PM | Link to this

And DOB to answer your question about Mark Buehrle - No, I don’t think he is the “savior” some others do. BUT, at least he won’t give me that sick feeling I get when I find out Buddy Carlyle or Lance Cormier or even Kyle Davies is pitching that night. At least he has proven he can get major league hitters out on a consistent basis (for a FULL season) at some point during his career. Now I’m not saying go out and trade Salty to get him, but I would (without hesitation) give them Escobar, Lillibridge or Prado.

By AZBravoFan

June 25, 2007 6:32 PM | Link to this

I love the excuse that “we’ve hit a stretch of really good pitching”. Well if you manage to right the ship and make it to the post-season, what the hell do you think you’re going to see then? I was glad to hear Diaz say that it’s time for people to quit tipping their caps and start looking in the mirror. Otherwise it’s time to do what Oakland did a few years back: cut the dead weight and bring up the AAA guys.

By You Never Played

June 25, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this

You Never Express Good Opinions

And since you chose to find that post and it obviously offended you…. it’s equally obvious you never played.

As I stated yesterday, one need not have played to be informed and a good fan. Good fan does not mean you can’t question or disagree with management or the professional talking head here.

Some of the best talking heads never played, but at least they are informed, rational and have a grasp for reality.

You’re probably one of those who pulls your ideas on whats best for this team out of your…. well you know where they are coming from.

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 6:33 PM | Link to this

for those who haven’t seen it yet, full lineup: Willie, Edgar, Chipper, Andruw, McCann, Francoeur, KJ, Thorman, Hudson.

By Old Timer

June 25, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this

Smoltz had his opportunities. He quit because he was tired. Happy golfing bro.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 6:37 PM | Link to this

Salty/Woody-Careful Dude. You’re being entirely too reasonable and logical. They might just send out a lynch mob after you. Mets Fans-I wouldn’t be so quick to come here and give us grief. The Mets just finished a 3-14 stretch that showed many weaknesses we’ve been telling you all along that you have. You couldn’t even play as good as the Braves recently, so don’t go running your mouths about how you’ll run away with things. As bad as the rest of the division has played, if you were worth a sh!t you already would have run away with it all. You missed your chance. There’s still three teams sitting on your ugly NY @$$e$. Get used to it. You ain’t all that, either.

By Braves Fan 79

June 25, 2007 6:39 PM | Link to this

ernesto: as they say in the guiness commercials…..Brilliant! ill fax that lineup card over to cox, who seems to blindly draw names out of a hat to decide who plays anyways. I seriously doubt well need those ghost runners thou….unless of course woodcrap or orr get hit by a pitch.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 6:42 PM | Link to this

yeah-The Mets are so great, there’s eight teams in MLB (including 4 in the NL) with better records. I wouldn’t go bragging and thumping chests quite yet. You’ve got your own reasons to believe in despair.

By Lew

June 25, 2007 6:50 PM | Link to this

BravesFan79-I agree with you that the players you mentioned have not worked out, but Javy was so bad he couldn’t even stick with the Rockies. If he couldn’t hit there, what makes you think he’d be decent in Atlanta? He hasn’t been the same since he left for Baltimore. As far as Sosa goes, the guy hadn’t played ball for damn near two years and was less than great before then, also in Baltimore (The City Where Baseball Careers Go To Die). You certainly can’t blame JS for passing on them. They didn’t have much to recommend them, anyway.

By rupert

June 25, 2007 6:56 PM | Link to this

the next two series, nats and marlins, will determine the course of this season, win both series and the braves should be fine, win one lose one look for this to be a .500 team, lose them both….

By SaltyWoody

June 25, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

TIM HUDSON THREW TWO CONSECUTIVE BALLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THAT’S IT!!PACK IT UP!!!!!!THIS SEASON’S OVER!!!!

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 7:10 PM | Link to this

You guys _ Robert especially _ haven’t lived until you’ve seen Bobby Cox slamming a can of “Rock Star Energy Drink” before batting practice.

By flange1

June 25, 2007 7:21 PM | Link to this

Tenn Paul,

You nailed the jist of the JS interview with Joe Morgan. I was surprised Morgand didn’t say wow, tou are stupid!

Robert,

OK, AJ is struggling I ask you the same question I asked Nate and Coach, what should we do? Bench him? For How Long?

Give us some sort of recommendation, just don’t say AJ su#ks, we have been watching, we know how he has been hitting..

By Wayne in Utah

June 25, 2007 7:22 PM | Link to this

Ever notice how many players hit the skids a couple of years back, at around the time that steroids testing was started in earnest. Pitchers hit the skids, hitters lost their power, etc. Very curious…..

Go Huddy!

By Tomahawkin' Again

June 25, 2007 7:23 PM | Link to this

Don’t you just get the feeling that Hudson could pitch a no-hitter tonight…and the Braves would still end up losing? Foul tip strikeout, throw em out double play = sums up the month of June so far

By N8

June 25, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

SaltyWoody

Dude…that big, long “key” at the bottom of your keyboard is called the Space Bar. You should try to use it sometime. It makes your sarcastic posts easier to read, thus more enjoyable.

By Wayne in Utah

June 25, 2007 7:24 PM | Link to this

DOB Hard to envison that one!!!!

By SaltyWoody

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

DOB-tell me you didn’t just make up that scenario to be funny.

And please tell me you had a digital camera with you.

Now THAT’S something to put on a t-shirt.

By Bob, Journalist

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

Robert, methinks you’re begging the question! The following book may nor provide the desired answers, but I do so hope!

I see now why it’s been your style to be redundant, you cant count … that’s two or three questions, not one!

To me, the Ownership has the ultimate, overall responsibility for seeing that selecting the Executive Management of the company and providing it with the operating framework within which its objectives are to be realized.

To me, the General Manager has the ultimate, overall responsibility for for seeing that the directives of the Ownership are being effected. The Ownership decides what it wants from the Organization, the Executive Committee which in our case includes the General Manager, methinks … has the responsibility for determining “how” their objectives are realized, and seeing that it gets done within the provided framework for so doing.

To me, the field manager has the ultimate, overall responsibility for for seeing that the directives of the General Manager are being effected. The General Manager decides what, the Field Manager decides how.

The Field Manager has a staff, comprised primarily of administrators and coaches,to whom specific responsibilities are delegated … together with the associated required authority to insure that they can be effected; relative to implementing the Field Manager’s strategy for implementing the “what” received from the General Manager.

To me, Regardless of the level, if it ain’t getting done, regardless of what the “it” is … then whoever is responsible for “it” should be given increased direction for so doing.

If that doesn’t produce the desired result, then the person having given the increased direction should take the appropriate action … and held accountable for the appropriateness thereof.

We’re on the outside looking in … I don’t where things stand, relative to either the performance of duties or the corrective process at any level but I suspect it’s long been in motion.

The problem is complex with a new ownership that has inherited the existing situation and is thereby constrained.

Without question, there are those in management with vested interests and private agendas … it’s a “good ol’ boy” pork barrel network of the first order … thats what methinks, and I do to!

If Terry or Roger are not doing their jobs, either of them … and it’s adjudged by Bobby Cox that they can’t … then they should immediately be given different responsibilities and/or authority, or replaced.

And so it goes …

If the General Manager adjudges that Bobby Cox isn’t meeting his objectives, then it’s his responsibility to see that he does or is replaced … not at the end of this season or next … but as soon as it is so adjudged!

I assume that the Organization’s Executive Committee has the power and authority to hold the General Manager to the mark as well!

Delegation is good but with it comes the responsibility and accountability for seeing that the delegatee does his job.

We’re on the outside looking in … we should be patient, but unlike Mr. Stevenson, we shouldn’t be expected to wait quite so long.

Should they be depending on our apathy and love for the game … and continue to abuse the system, if that is what seeing … then I’m afraid we’re in for a long unpleasant journey … methinks they’re on the mark.

Still, we are in power, … there’s other things to do, other programs to see … other products to buy. Adam Smith’s not dead … ailing maybe, in a coma, but there’s still a heartbeat left!

By SaltyWoody

June 25, 2007 7:31 PM | Link to this

N8 noideawhatyou’retalkingabout,buddy,buti’lltrytofigureitout

By N8

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

The 4-8 hitters in our lineup are batting .247 collectively.

That’s not gonna cut it.

By N8

June 25, 2007 7:38 PM | Link to this

SaltyWoody

:-)

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 7:40 PM | Link to this

Robert, knowing that you’ll be the only to read the preceeding, let me say this … I’m not qualified to answer questions … just ask them, but …

To your first question … As for as I know, nobody has been given the job of making sure people follow my suggestions … I wish there was someone … would you be interested in the job?

As I, in my own mind, have defined run manufacture and the role it plays in the success of team play … the answer is an unequivocal … may be!

However, in this case, “… may be ” means yes!

Remember, the peril of so saying isn’t in what I’ve said but in what people will think I’ve said … and why.

As an aside, if you’re tuned in to the game you just saw or heard an example of negative run manufacture.

Remember too, there’s more than one moral to the “crying wolf” story … unnecessary redundancy weakens believability.

I’m tired of the empty, reassuring surface rhetoric … we either need to be given a better overview with adequate progress reports so that we better reach conclusions … or be given concrete evidence that progress is being made.

I’m not suggesting dissatisfaction with Bobby Cox or any member of his staff … but I am suggesting that if they are not doing the job with which they were entrusted, someone else should be given that job.

End of 2.5 … 0-0

By SaltyWoody

June 25, 2007 7:49 PM | Link to this

N8 I really am sorry…I just get overzealous in my condemnation of others. Plus, I caught a case of the Andruws…you know, can’t hit what I’m aiming for…

By N8

June 25, 2007 7:52 PM | Link to this

1 Run in our last 49 innings of offense.

YIKES.

By OddJob

June 25, 2007 7:54 PM | Link to this

Q —-What does a Braves fan say when his team’s pitching a shutout ? A —-We’ll get’em next time.

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

flange1, I’m a different Robert but methinks that AJ, as you say, should be benched for as long as required for him to learn to say “Yes Sir, Mr. Coach” instead of “I’m the star … a pull hitter; that’s just the way it is!”

Tell the official scorer that Tim still has a no hitter.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 7:57 PM | Link to this

“You guys _ Robert especially _ haven’t lived until you’ve seen Bobby Cox slamming a can of “Rock Star Energy Drink” before batting practice. “

You know, with all the barbs thrown here, that was just flat out funny.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

“OK, AJ is struggling I ask you the same question I asked Nate and Coach, what should we do? Bench him? For How Long?

Give us some sort of recommendation, just don’t say AJ su#ks, we have been watching, we know how he has been hitting..”

Until either

1. His replacement/s prove to be less productive than he has been or

2. Until he proves to his hitting coach that he has committed himself to fundamentally changing his approach at the plate and that the change will translate from the batting cage to the playing field

By N8

June 25, 2007 8:01 PM | Link to this

Yeah, that Willie Harris.

He’s a frickin slump WAITING to happen. Get that guy out of the lineup ASAP.

With a little work, and about 75 million dollars in the bank, he might too, become a .200 hitter. But he’s gonna have to get his hands dirty, earning it.

By N8

June 25, 2007 8:05 PM | Link to this

And here comes the KING of all rallies killed.

PROVE ME WRONG Andruw.

By OddJob

June 25, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

Q ——What does a Braves fan call the guy who has 1 rbi in a week ? A —- the offense.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

Bob - ok, I read your posts and here’s my thoughts

1. If a member of the staff isnt doing his job, then whether or not his direct superior can discern the poor performance doesnt change whether the poor performer should be replaced.

If McDowell or Pendleton aint doin their jobs right, they need to go. If Cox cant see that they arent doing their jobs right, then he needs to go

And so on up the food chain

2)I supposed that when you posted those questions, that as you wrote them you were thinking about them, and that as you thought aboput them, an answer, your answer, came to your mind

That isnt eloquent, but I think you’ll get my point

Dangit. Well at least Andruw advanced a runner.

By N8

June 25, 2007 8:08 PM | Link to this

I’ll take a fly ball to RF that advances the runner……for now.

At least he tried.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this

A RUN! A RUN!

WOOOOOO-HOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

By Paladin

June 25, 2007 8:12 PM | Link to this

I’m goin’ to bed. Take your shots.

By OddJob

June 25, 2007 8:13 PM | Link to this

A —- What does a Braves fan say when the team scores ? A —- Sorry I can’t remember.

By Stuart

June 25, 2007 8:14 PM | Link to this

I would love to get Mark Buerle, but I would rather have Garland if the braves were to have to give a prospect.

In judging Buerle, you have to look at the competion he is going against, which is probably the best in baseball. (about 1/2 of his games vs. the AL Central and home and away with NYY and BOS and the AL West). One would think he would do better against weaker competion. However, I saw Garland just destroy the yankees in person on a cold wet night at Chicago early in the season. I like him a lot, and he is under reasonable contract for the next couple or three seasons.

Offense was going to be a bit of an issue when the year started anyway. The braves back in spring were going to play more small ball and shorten games with the pen. The only reason the I dont think the braves should go for a bat is that it would go against how this team was built that and the offense is so freakin bad that it would be like pouring a cup of water on a forrest fire. Besides if McCann can just hit .280 and Andruw justs does something, and Cox would play salty, then the offense will get somewhat better. Pitching was going to carry this team and that is why they have to get some more.

PS Nice job McCann, finally got a run!

PS2 Another proven bullpen arm would be really nice too, the Oscar can be given a shot to start.

By Robert

June 25, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

We SCORED!!

Stop the presses. DOB - break into the broadcast

By P-Town Brave

June 25, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

DOB

How exactly could you yourself explain KJ batting 7th, but Andruw still batting up in the lineup at 4th? Granted it would be hard to bat everyone 8th bc there are so many guys struggling like Frenchy, McCann, Andruw, and Thorman, but only Thorman and Andruw have struggled all year, and McCann should have been DLed a long time ago.

Why not work in Salty 4 of 6 games/week…2 at C and 2 at 1b…I’d like to try and get Yunel some more time w/ KJ struggling a bit and I can see Bobby is doing that…

But with Willie only playing against RHP there will never really be any consistency at the top of the lineup. I’d almost think it’d be more efficient if we either placed Chipper or McCann in the 2 hole when Willie isn’t playing.

How do these look:
v LHP
1) K Johnson 2b
2) C Jones 3b
3) Renteria ss
4) Saltalamacchia 1b
5) Diaz lf
6) Francoeur rf
7) McCann c
8) A Jones cf

v RHP
1) Harris lf
2) McCann c
3) Renteria ss
4) C Jones 3b
5) Francoeur rf
6) Escobar 2b
7) Thorman 1b
8) A Jones cf

Would like to start getting Salty more everyday appearances at 1b, but looks like thats not going to happen no matter if Thorman slides again…Also, with the recent thoughts about Buehrle, I asked why wouldn’t we rather have Garland?

By Fred Secunda

June 25, 2007 8:17 PM | Link to this

DOB, Bobby whenever Bobby lets someone else start at second, he says he wants to get Kelly Johnson some rest. That’s a smart move because it keeps players fresh. But my question is, why on earth doesn’t he give Frenchy a day off? He could use a day off more than anybody as he hasn’t done ANYTHING offensively in more than a month.

And yes, I know Frenchy hates being out of the lineup, and he started all 162 last year. But if you’re Bobby, you say forget about passing Cal Ripken and take a breather, no?

By N8

June 25, 2007 8:19 PM | Link to this

Is anybody checking out the game on mlb.gameday?

If so, check out that pic of Langerhans.

YIKES. Doesn’t even look like him. Weird.

By Caleb

June 25, 2007 8:22 PM | Link to this

I’m not watching the game on tv, why did they pinchhit for Bergmann? Not that I’m complaining since he’s killed us this year, but was he hurt?

By P-Town Brave

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

I also agree w/ everyone else that a staff shakeup is pretty necessary..Maybe there was a reason we faltered in 06 and are again in 07…doesn’t seem like our hitting has progressed at all since TP got here and our pitching is just awful, and no, I’m not counting guys like Woodward or Redman bc they are far beyond the help stage…I just know that when Don Baylor was here, Andruw hit .303, and that when Leo was here, guys like John Burkett, Denny Neagle, Mike Remlinger, and Kevin Millwood all overachieved…so why couldn’t the same have been said for our new staff…seems that may also be a BIG problem that needs to be addressed!

By Robert

June 25, 2007 8:28 PM | Link to this

http://sportsline.com/columns/story/10236485

A list of one sportswriter’s 50 biggest jerks in sports history

Bobby Cox got an honorable mention

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

I just thought the You Never Express Good Opinions line … didn’t read who wrote it or even the associated post ‘cause I’m not in the mood for more negative thoughts but it did trigger some of my own.

It’s probably true that the opinions of most of us are not that well informed but, what pray tell is a good opinion, regardless of how well it’s experssed?

Methinks most of us think that our opinions are pretty darn good or we wouldn’t be so bold as to publically express them, even behind the mask.

Unless we can properly define a “good opinion”, I would suggest that before we go telling folks that their’s ain’t … we make sure that we in shallow water and know where all the rocks are.

By MBATL

June 25, 2007 8:29 PM | Link to this

Caleb, I think Bergmann was on a pretty strict pitch count, coming off the DL. He wasn’t gonna throw a lot of pitches tonight, no matter what.

By Ron

June 25, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

IlliniBrave Mind your own damn business!!!!!

By P-Town Brave

June 25, 2007 8:33 PM | Link to this

From my last post, I will also add that our hitters are now striking out way too much as there is a contact problem that needed to be addressed weeks ago by TP…hard to score any runs and get anything going on if you don’t put the ball in play. Also, we have a few too many pitchers who have really bad WHIPs. I target Carlyle at 1.46, Davies at 1.50, James at 1.53, and Paronto the worst at 1.66. This basically means that we don’t make contact at the plate and allow it plenty in the field. This especially hurts w/ the 4 pitchers I mentioned who have poor ability to keep the ball in the infield as well w/ slugging averages against of .528, .452, .469, and .413 along w/ a combined 32 HR given up…Thats just plain awful pitching and will not beat many teams at all as proven by the sub .500 record when this quartet is in the game.

By OddJob

June 25, 2007 8:35 PM | Link to this

I did some landscape photography when I lived in Colorado.There’s a photo of a lake and mountains at the top of this page.Who knows where it was taken ?

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 8:36 PM | Link to this

Hold ‘em Hudson. I’d like to get to that celebratory drink tonight instead of the begrudged-drowning-my-sorrows drink.

By The Truth Hurts

June 25, 2007 8:38 PM | Link to this

Caleb, Bergmann was probably on a pitch count. This is his first start since going on the DL in May for elbow inflammation.

I like the drop-down Hudson. Nice defense tonight, too.

This Traber guy is chewing up our lefties like Oliver Perez. Can we trade for him? Ha.

Don’t hear much about Chipper’s groin issues lately, do we?

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

What happened to Bergmann? He gives up a run to the Braves and he’s out? Sheeesh. Braves have been in a slump but this is a little bit high minded…

By OddJob

June 25, 2007 8:42 PM | Link to this

I know it was an intentional walk but I was half afraid Andruw would try to pull one of those to left.

By Ron

June 25, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this

P-Town Brave About Garland, you know why we won’t go after Garland? I dont think we have enough money for him!!! I dont know how much he makes, but I brought up Oswalt a few blogs back, and obviously his contract was WAY tooo much for us to take on, at least thats what people told me, so the answer to Garland is NO!!!

By P-Town Brave

June 25, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this

I also forgot to note that I had Chipper batting 2nd bc of his sub .200 avg w/ RISP. I figured if we put him in the 2 hole, guys like Renteria at the 3 and any combination of Diaz, Salty, or Frenchy could drive in more runs since they all have plus .300 averages w/ RISP and even McCann is getting up there at about .275

By Caleb

June 25, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this

Thanks for the responses, that makes sense.
Did I just read that right??? Andruw INTENTIONALLY WALKED??

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 8:44 PM | Link to this

In play run(s)

That’s what I like to see McCann!

By jbutler

June 25, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this

Hey Oddjob…I live up in Summit County, CO…where did you photograph? Its beautiful up here!! Expensive…but great! Sorry to get off track…

By Wayne in Utah

June 25, 2007 8:49 PM | Link to this

Caleb AJ was intentionally passed to set up the force out, after he had a three ball count.

By mr baseball

June 25, 2007 8:51 PM | Link to this

Any manager and/or pitcher dumb enough to pitch around Andruw to get to McCann deserves what just happened. Forget the lefty/righty nonsense, under the Mendoza line is under the Mendoza line.

Word of warning. Based on the past few games worked by Braves starters, this could be a nasty inning for Hudson. Get somebody warming up Bobby, not when the score is 4-2 with the bases loaded.

By cardvol

June 25, 2007 9:00 PM | Link to this

I’m not sure I want to be in JS’s shoes right now. Do you keep Escobar and/or Salty? You can’t have two very good catchers and keep them both happy. It’s only a stop-gap measure to play Salty at 1B. And, how do you get rid of Renteria, especially with Lillibridge and Andrus in the wings? But, let’s be honest if the hitting returns to some normality, a No. 3 pitcher might be the answer to at least get a wild card spot.

By gg

June 25, 2007 9:03 PM | Link to this

The time is now for a fire sale…ditch Chipper, Andrew, Huddy, Smoltz, Rentieria and get some top prospects in return. This season is done…at best a .500 season. Why not get rid of some payroll and start all over. I am a huge Braves fan and I am tired of setting for a sub .500 team-it’s not Cox’s fault but the time is now for a full-slated fire sale.

By Glass Half Full (GHF)

June 25, 2007 9:05 PM | Link to this

Here’s a trade proposal: Escobar and Wickman for jon Garland and Bobby Jenks.

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 9:06 PM | Link to this

Uh, Mr. Baseball, Traber was behind (unintentionally) in the count 3-0, with first base open, before he threw Andruw one intentional ball to walk him. I dare say most managers would do the same thing in that instance. It’s 3-0 with first base open. You want to just groove him a pitch and test that .200 average, or what? Sheesh….

Congrats, Robert, your Google (“Bobby Cox bad”) apparently works….

SaltyWoody, no, I absolutely did not make up that scenario with Cox. He’s sitting there with Lemke in the manage’s little cubbyhole auxilary office next to the dugout (a fridge and four TVs in there, inc. two widescreeens) and drinking a RockStar Energy Drink with his dip.

By The Grinch

June 25, 2007 9:08 PM | Link to this

I was about to go on a rant until they said Soriano was going to pitch the 8th. Maybe Bobby hasn’t lost it after all (at least tonight). Huddy’s done well, along with some great defense (Edgar got robbed on that last call)…nice to see McCann break out as well.

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 9:09 PM | Link to this

Jbutler, where do you live in Summit County? My sister lives in Lafayette (next to Boulder) and they own a condo in Frisco, right down the street from the lake. I go stay up there sometimes and we’re 10 minutes from Breck, 15 from Keystone, 10 from Copper and 30 from Vail. Pretty sweet.

By Savannah Guy

June 25, 2007 9:13 PM | Link to this

MGL Thanks for the good words on my 5:29 post. I thought it might be an arrow shot in the night sky.

I was a little bummed that the blog format rearranged the lines and ran them all together. So much for rhyme and rhythm.

By OddJob

June 25, 2007 9:15 PM | Link to this

jbutler I did work mostly in the western part of the state and in Utah.The photo of the lake and mts at the top of this page was taken at Maroon Bells just west of Aspen in the west Elk range.I lived on the S face of the Grand Mesa, looking south at the San Juan Mts.

By Mark

June 25, 2007 9:18 PM | Link to this

Dave,

Sorry if this has already been discussed, but the fact that Buerhle has pitched in the AL and Hudson in the NL has to be mentioned if you are comparing their stats against each other. You can automatically add at least a half a run to an ERA in the AL.

By The Grinch

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

DOB, surely you don’t want to introduce your sister to any of the heathens on this blog?!?!!

By OVERLORD

June 25, 2007 9:21 PM | Link to this

Finally i saw that a manager could be dumber than bobby……. why would someone intentionally walk AJ….. have this guys been on vacation? thanks nationals

By Bob

June 25, 2007 9:28 PM | Link to this

Overlord,

The guy already had a 3-0 count and an open base. And until tonight, BMAC hadn’t exactly been tearing the cover off the ball either.

By TennesseePaul

June 25, 2007 9:29 PM | Link to this

So with that K, AJ is now at 197.

DOB: At what point does Borass call and beg Bobby to bench AJ?
You’re killing my marketing angle Bobby. Please!

By jbutler

June 25, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this

DOB..we’re just outside Silverthorne, on the way to Green Mountain. My husband runs a snowmobile company outside Copper, and I used to work in Marketing at Copper (before our gaggle of kids came along) Beautiful/expensive…we’d love to be in Frisco - but those million dollar homes are a little more pocket change than we have lying around!!

By Wilson

June 25, 2007 9:36 PM | Link to this

DOB, other than Buerhle and Zambrano, what pitchers do you see as being available who have a somewhat reasonable price tag(relatively speaking)that the Braves may make a run at?

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 9:37 PM | Link to this

Sorry, Mark, but that add-a-half-run rule in the AL no longer applies, hasn’t for a few years. If you’ll research the past couple or three seasons, you’ll see how the disparity has been all but eliminated between the leagues.

Just look at the ERA leaders, team and individual, in the two leagues. In the AL, five pitchers had ERAs below 3.00 before today. In the NL, five (but none under 2.00, like Oakland’s Haren 1.78)

Buehrle isn’t in the AL top 10, not really that close to it.

The overall AL ERA was 4.43 before today, the NL 4.25. OK, game’s over. I gotta go. But you can check all the stats and see the disparity just ain’t what it once was, at all.

By Wayne in Utah

June 25, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

Do you guys know anything about baseball? I am talking about the ones who are calling out Washington for walking AJ.

AJ worked the count to 3-0, and with Renteria on second, they guy decided to walk him with two outs, to go for McCann and to enable the forct out. Or, would you rather your pitcher groove one for AJ??

Jeez….

By OVERLORD

June 25, 2007 9:38 PM | Link to this

i didnt see that at bat, but still, i would have launched 3 pitches down and away and im sure he would have kkkkkkkk. Anyway……. time to celebrate. We might pick up a game on the mets tonight. Goooooooooooo cards gooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 9:39 PM | Link to this

I knew if we were patient we’d win another game!

Go Braves!

By Shaun

June 25, 2007 9:42 PM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist,

Regarding your reply to my OBP/SLG post: my point was simply those are the thing that are good offense. These are the things that score runs—getting on base (or, yes, avoiding outs) and hitting the ball hard.

Yes, you need to hit it where they ain’t, but hitting the ball hard is how you do that at the major league level (hitting line drives, homers, hard grounders that find holes). Yes, speed and hitting the ball on the ground and bunting helps, but that’s very difficult to do at the major league level. Defenses are just too good and no player is good enough or fast enough to bunt perfectly or hit ground balls at exactly the right speed and spot to get hits solely with speed and placement…not in today’s game anyway.

By Wayne in Utah

June 25, 2007 9:44 PM | Link to this

Is Mark Bradley really that thick? I saw his answer to a fan’s question about trading AJ. After about 10 paragraphs, he finally got around to mentioning the 10-5 issue.

By OVERLORD

June 25, 2007 9:47 PM | Link to this

I think we will soon be watching AJ taking a sit more often and Salty more playing time at 1st, honestly i hope thorman climbs up to 260, i guess we couldnt ask for more out of him this year but we surely need him to start hitting. I would put brian at clean up and AJ behind him if he was not benched. But as he needs to be benched more often until he finds out his stroke (he needs to find it in batting practice not in real games) i would put francour behind him or even matt, maybe even kelly wouldnt be such a bad idea.

By woogidy

June 25, 2007 9:52 PM | Link to this

DOB, I don’t know about your assessment of Buehrle. If you look at his numbers this season, they are actually pretty good. His W-L record jumps out at you at only 4-4 but in only three of his starts has he given up more than 3 earned runs. Plus, He has gone 6+ innings in every start. The Braves desparately need a guy in the middle of the rotation to eat up some innings. He pitches in a tough division (yet he has not faced CLE, DET or MIN in any of his starts) and in a Band Box of a ballpark. The question for me isn’t should we go after this guy, it’s what should we be willing to give up for him. Last year was not good for him, but this season has been. He’s durable, throws strikes, eats innings… Players would get a boost if this guy gets added to the team right now as well.

By OVERLORD

June 25, 2007 10:01 PM | Link to this

As someone pointed out a few days ago, braves are not in the position to bench players that are hitting like crazy (willie and matt), same for salty as he should be used more, it is important that the guy plays more before playoff arrive, in case we get to the postseason.

Good to see tim pitch ok today, we r so close and so far away from success at the same time, i think it is very confusing for all of us. The performance of Kyle the other day is a clear indication we should not trade him just yet. Things wouldnt be so bad if cormier could perform in the 3rd spot. Maybe if he is better his second time around things would be different. I still dont think our problem is the offense, even after all the strugle, i think they just got tired or something after all the bad pitching performances. I still think that everything would be very very different with a #3 pitcher. Who would that be, maybe cormier, maybe kyle, maybe oscar, maybe james……..who knows, only time will tell. Guess everybody wants help to come from outside, there is a lot of question marks, but we will keep cheering for the braves and good luck and good games will catch up with us. Im certain of it….. Got to believe guys………GOOOOOOO braves!!!!!!!

By Lew

June 25, 2007 10:02 PM | Link to this

Great win tonight. McCann looks like the swing may be returning. I agree with Journalist Bob-we were bound to win at least one more. It’s really scary, though-In the past nine games, Andruw has one more hit than I do. Holy Cornelia and Yikes.

By Bob

June 25, 2007 10:13 PM | Link to this

Mike Maroth sure looked good for Cards tonight. 1 run and two hits. 25 Mets retired in a row, and they don’t even have Andruw in their lineup.

By Chris Benoit

June 25, 2007 10:15 PM | Link to this

I’m not here to talk about the past. I’m here to focus on the future.

By OVERLORD

June 25, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

I has to be very frustrating to have our 1-2-3 hitters hitting (talking about todays lineup) around .340 - .350 combined and not been able to score. I like willie as leadoff thats the best move cox has done in years (JOKING) i hope he keeps it. If he doesnt sits AJ i guess matt should stay in the bench as willie brings more avg and a leadoff to the lineup. Matt could hit 3rd an chipper cleanup as AJ sits down. That what i would do for the well of the team if i was bobby. at least until brian starts showing some power. Things r gonna start to get better soon, i can guarantee that. It was a good thing nats were next on the schedule after that interleague stuff. I cant imagen what would have happened if it was some top nl pitching team like the padres or something like that. Maybe this Smotlz-chipper thing will be our turn around point like the mcgriff case. GOOOOOOOOO braves!!!!!!!

By StingerSplash

June 25, 2007 10:16 PM | Link to this

DOB,

You want a great life story? Ask your Georgia beat writers about Richt, if you can. He’s a holy roller now. The key word - now. Friend of mine knows him and related Richt’s Miami/early coaching years to me and it’s jaw-dropping. Not a Georgia fan by any means but I have a newfound respect for him.

By Todd A

June 25, 2007 10:17 PM | Link to this

LOL…..ole Bobby is a hoot.Andruw gets one hit last night to bolster his average to a sizzling .199 and he is inserted back to clean up again.But….but…the playoffs are a crap shoot!!!!

By Bob

June 25, 2007 10:29 PM | Link to this

Greene Walk Off in 11th.

By N8

June 25, 2007 10:30 PM | Link to this

Our good ole’ buddy, Russ Springer just served up a gopher ball to Shawn Green.

Tanks Fer Nuttin Noonan!

By Stuart

June 25, 2007 10:42 PM | Link to this

DOB, I humbly disagree with your assesment of the two leagues. I know you saw what the AL Central did to the braves and the mets. When was the last time the NL beat the AL in the All star game? The AL is much tougher night in and night out. Maroth tied the Mets up all night, and he was a below average guy in the Tigers rotation.

I wouldnt give up the farm for Buerle or anything, but I think Escobar is reasonable. Escobar to me looks like the ‘sell high guy’ between him and salty. Before everyone jumps me, Escobar swings off balance and gets tied up inside. He also isnt as fast as I first thought. He is great in the field though, and has a gun. I dont particularly want to give him away, but to me he aint the answer in the future.

Another Buerle note, I wonder how many times that bullpen let inherited runners score after Buerle left. The ChiSox pen is worse than the braves pen last year and the braves pen last year hurt huddy bad and made his stats worse. I see the same thing with Buerle. I wonder if that has something to do with Buerle’s ERA.

Buerle is also, historically, an innings eater, which the braves need with someone like Chuck James in the rotation to take the pressure off the bully. The bullpen is in trouble if the SPs dont start going deeper into games.

By bravesfan

June 25, 2007 10:43 PM | Link to this

Well DOB if Mark Buehrle isn’t the answer who do you think is?

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 10:46 PM | Link to this

DOB seen 1800 games in 5 years. He the man.

How many of those games he piad for. And how many dates he take to the balllgaaame and to the crrowwwdd. Methink he got no fan perspective.

No soul.

He busy buyin’ Minoudo records. Me callen u outt, Beyatxh. Get uh live.

By fastasballs

June 25, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Andruw gets a hit last night & regains his clean-up spot, yet someone like Salty who is “really” swinging the bat well can’t break the line up more than once per week.

A win is a win. Hudson looked good tonight, he got a few up in the later innings.

Other than the sub Mendoza in the middle of the order I liked the line up. The night wouldn’t be complete without Pete Orr or Woodward making an appearance. I almost fell over laughing when Don Sutton referred to Orr as a guy every manager wants on their team. Maybe Sutton can stuff him in his carry on bag and take him back to DC when they leave Atlanta.

By The Grinch

June 25, 2007 10:47 PM | Link to this

Stinky(if that’s you), you’re a sick puppy. :-)

By jed

June 25, 2007 10:48 PM | Link to this

summit county? i lived in frisco for the fall years ago, before going to work at keystone. keystone sucked but frisco was just ungodly beautiful.

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 10:49 PM | Link to this

Does anyone out there know what love is?

By tlj

June 25, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

Guys, let’s face it the braves will be lucky to duplicate last year’s record. We have too many needs. Let’s get the season over with and plan for next year. I feel like a cubs fan.

Football season is just around the corner.

By Bob

June 25, 2007 10:51 PM | Link to this

Bravesfan, Koufax, Seaver, Maddux, Reviera, Aaron, Mathews and McGriff.

By HP

June 25, 2007 10:56 PM | Link to this

Baseball Tonight just announced their starting position players for the all-star game. It did not include Jose Reyes, David Wright, and Carlos Beltran. They are leading in NL All-star in their respected position as of June 25. Mets fans should understand that this is not a popularity contest. I agree with every pick that Baseball Tonight announced expect the shortstop starter be Edgar Renteria.

By Glass Half Full (GHF)

June 25, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Not that Noah Lowry is an ace, but he’s relatively inexpensive, a lefty, and signed through 2009 with an option for 2010. Matt Morris is more expensive ($10 mill), but he’s under contract through 2008. How about Jason Jennings?

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 10:58 PM | Link to this

Et Tu Grinche’?

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 11:04 PM | Link to this

I’ll tell you what love is.

By The Grinch

June 25, 2007 11:07 PM | Link to this

I was referring to the 10:15…and yes, me too; I admit laughing. Takes a sicko to recognize one. As for love, I have an answer I usually give folks who ask that but it would probably get me banned.

By Stinky

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

LOve is confronting your beloved with a lie.

‘How many beers did you have?’

‘8’, you say.

And she knows you have a beer lie handicap of +- 5 to 7 and she asks you again and you cop to ‘maybe 9’ and she brings you 5 or six half litre bottles o’ water to get hydrated and says goodnite and gives you a kiss.

Thats love.

And you can’t find that on a MInnuudoo CD.

By Double Deuce

June 25, 2007 11:13 PM | Link to this

Stinky Love is what my ex said she found while I was away:)

By David O'Brien

June 25, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

Stuart, I’m not disagreeing about the leagues, as far as the AL being far superior. Just disagreeing with you on the ERA differential. It ain’t what it used to be, my man. Look at the ERAs and you can’t disagree, or at least I don’t see how you can. The AL leaders are very comparable to the NL leaders, and team ERAs in both leagues don’t have the huge disparity they once had. That’s what I was talking about, not the leagues themselves.

So why would you add a half-run to an NL pitcher’s ERA when the league leaders are similar in both leagues, when the actual league average ERAs are so close now, and when there’s so much interleague play on top of everything else. There just isn’t the huge difference in pitching stats between the leagues that there was for so many years, for decades. That’s common knowledge now.

By Steve from OH

June 25, 2007 11:23 PM | Link to this

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Joe Blanton from Oakland. He’s young, he’s good (7-4, 3.19 ERA), and he eats innings. What’s not to like? He probably could be had at a more reasonabl.e price than Buehrle

By OddJob

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

Stinky love is a big insurance policy and bad brakes.

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 11:26 PM | Link to this

grinch, Stinky not in sinc wit yu. but i knoe that you are tru blue dued. not a small minded needy banisher who feers tuth.

Stinky’s top ten virtues::

100 beer 9 love 88 beer 7 hdrati9ng fluds 6hair of the dog 5 kindly women with big braeds 4 beer 3 water 1 berr

thank you thank yo[u beru much.

By Braves Fan 79

June 25, 2007 11:35 PM | Link to this

My dream scenario: the Braves are tied 1-1 in the bottom of the 9th, the bases are loaded with 2 outs. Bobby shows his senile old man side and decides to let the dangerous chris woodward hit “hes a gamer” says cox, “even thou he hasnt made contact with the ball in months i really am impressed with his ability to look good at the plate” “even thou hes hitting .050 in his last 20 games i still believe that hes about to break out….any week/er year now”.
Woodward then gets hit in the ankle with a pitch! Braves WIN! Braves WIN! The Braves gain another victory when its found out that woodwards ankle is broken from the pitch ending his short atlanta braves career. He will forever be missed by all the old senile people like cox and women who didnt know that a .050 batting average was a bad thing.

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

OddJob, you are jaded my friedn.

By Bob

June 25, 2007 11:37 PM | Link to this

Actually as bad as the NL appears, the Senior Circuit did much better than last year. In 2006 the AL won 158 to the NL’s 98. This year it was 137-115. NL Central and West did not get beat up nearly as bad as they did last year. Maybe, just maybe the pendulum is swinging back the other way.

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 11:48 PM | Link to this

Sincere apologies to Mama Carter … I just read one of my older book chapters and noticed a reference to her “string” remaining unbroken … of course it was her “chain” … the rewrite desk just got it wrong!

Savannah, your 5:19 was an interesting read, not as weighty as others, but easy to read and to enjoy … it did have a heavy duty high grade ending though … more than an opine, more than a posit … truth is truth … “if your happiness hangs on wins, you don’t have a clue!!!”

Robert, you’re next, followed by Shaun Payne!

By Ron

June 25, 2007 11:53 PM | Link to this

Steve from OH I agree with you about Blanton, but I seriously doubt they will trade him!!! Escobar Could be their SS of the Future, because Crosby is ALWAYS hurt!!! Sounds like a WIN WIN for both teams!!! He is a Much better pitcher than Buehrle!!!

By Bob, Journalist

June 25, 2007 11:54 PM | Link to this

Robert,

Why did you tie “They need to hustle and scramble. They need to play with maximum fire in their belly, every night” to the talent level of the team? The extent to which teams so do better defines the team than does its collective talent level, methinks. I would opine that to the extent to which they are not so doing, they are not a good team.

Methinks a good coach doesn’t leave players to their on devices unless they are performing to or exceeding expectations … then they become cheerleaders; offering encouragement, tips and occasional advice.

Robert, two clarifying appositive to what I’ve been saying, just for clarification … the fact that someone should be held accountable for the proper execution of their responsibilities … doesn’t mean that they should necessarily be replaced or reassigned if they are failing to adequately perform … only that they should be properly managed, regardless of their performance.

However, if a problem persists a one level, chances are about a million:1 that the that the solution aka “the real problem” is to be found at a higher level, usually one flight up.

Reviewing your points …

1. “If a member of the staff isn’t doing his job” … I disagree; methinks it does! If the direct superior doesn’t recognize what the staff member is doing as being unacceptable, then he is endorsing the status quo and, without uttering a word, shouting to the staff member “well done”, continue as you have been doing!

You’ve got the food chain thought down right but generally, you have to determine the highest level of the problem first and correct that before you can accurately determine what action needs to be taken below that level. Again generally, solving the higher level problem usually, within itself, solves the lower level problems.

For example, if the Executive Committee determines that the Field Manager’s coaches weren’t being given the necessary authority to do their jobs, they might well find the General Manager Guilty as Charged in not effectively managing the Field manager … resulting in a change in the way the General Manager performed or a change in General Managers.

Either way, the Field Manager, if he survived, would receive new leadership and direction, with emphasis on the delegation of proper authority to his staff.

You just can’t start at the bottom of a problem to fix it … you must start at the top. Hopefully, you aren’t missing the point that the fact someone isn’t doesn’t mean they can’t!

1. “I supposed that when you posted those questions” … I’m not sure what of your point or question. I thought, my second post about your questions actually did answer them … honest and true.

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 11:56 PM | Link to this

Bob, would you like to make a wager as to which league the World Series Champion will emerge from? My money is on the AL Champion.

By Stinky

June 25, 2007 11:58 PM | Link to this

Journalist Bob, What was your point again. Methinks you buried your lead.

By Bob

June 26, 2007 12:06 AM | Link to this

No Stinky, I would not. I did not give any hint that the AL would not win the WS, although it is certainly possible that they won’t. I simply stated that the NL did much better this year than last. I think a lot of it has to do with the improved pitching in the NL West. But I also think that the top 4-5 teams are in the AL (Tigers, R.Sox, Indians, Angels and maybe the As or Twins)

By Atlanta Braves stadium authority

June 26, 2007 12:08 AM | Link to this

A word of warning for anyone with outfield seats for tomorrow night’s game:please exercise extreme caution by bringing your kevlar to the game for protection.If you have small children,please leave them at home for this one.With Carlyle starting,we can’t guarantee anyone’s safety.Thank you.

By Stinky

June 26, 2007 12:13 AM | Link to this

Bob, Just Checking. You are sane, if anyone asks.

By teoa

June 26, 2007 12:37 AM | Link to this

I like what Bobby did with the lineup tonight with one obvious glaring exception.

Harris works well at lead off…first true lead off hitter the Braves have had since Furcal. And I think it’s good to get Edgar and Chipper back to their preferred spots. And if it’s not too big of a blow to his confidence, Kelly could really beef up the bottom half of the order.

Of course the whole lineup seems to hinge on the 4 spot lately though. How you put the worst hitter in baseball in the middle of your order is beyond me. (By the way, any manager who decides to intentionally walk sub-Mendoza Andruw should be fired on the spot.) The only good candidate I see on this roster for a 4 hitter right now is Salty. I really think it’s time to put him out there at first base for a week, let him hit 4th, and see what happens. If he can perform consistently at the level he’s shown so far, that would take a lot of pressure off the other young guys behind him. That might be all it takes for the hitting to fall in place.

As it is, the offense seems kind of like the bullpen from last year. Without an anchor (pre-Wickman), everyone was pressing. Once they found their closer, everyone else began to fall into roles. I realize that might be a stretch to ask a rookie to fill the cleanup role, but desperate times…

Anyway, glad McCann bailed the Braves out tonight. But I can’t say that I’m optimistic this is the start of some big offensive turn around unless Bobby’s willing to roll the dice. Thorman’s gotten a pretty good look now. Let’s see what Salty can do.

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 12:41 AM | Link to this

Shaun, just a quick note to the unsuccessful but relentless Christmas Stealer turned Super Hero … Grinch, Methinks even little Stinky is smarter than to be so bold as to don the same mask and wear the same soiled clothes.

Shaun Payne,

Your point was simply those are the thing that are good offense … no, your point is that those are indicators and that good offenses generally have good OBP/SLG values.

As a fan, do you think and cheer … “Come on boys, forget about everything else … just concentrate on your OBP/SLG!”

I don’t know, it might work … but, what about spirit and pride and taking advantage of opportunities … making things happen instead of letting it happen? … No, I guess not .. just hit it hard and hope for the best, after all the statistics show that that’s how it’s being done so it must be the best way to do it!

No, not me kid! … the fact that most folks hit under .300 and none hit .400 … doesn’t mean squat! You gotta give them leadership and direction and show them how to best the pitcher … and the defense … do that and whatever it takes to get them to believe in themselves and in their mates … do that and you’ve for yourself a team, a pretty good one would be my guess!

Oh yes, one thing you do have right, if you do that, chances are also pretty good that their OBP/SLG values will turn out fine.

As an aside, what’s this Yes, you have to hit it where there ain’t, but … that’s backing off your earlier assertion that prompted my post … the one that said it was simple and just a matter of … you wrote it, not me … now try reading it.

Of course I’m jerking your chain … it’s a fun thing to do … but, there’s more to the rhetoric than that, and I would hope that you’ll find a point or two somewhere in the onion that serves you well!

By Coach ( BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

June 26, 2007 12:46 AM | Link to this

Wow , we beat up on the lowly Nats and Andruw is back in the cleanup spot , what a hoot ! Willy leading off ? Say it ain’t so Bobby !!!!!!! but , at least Cox got it half right and thats an improvement. Andruw hasn’t had an RBI since June 9th , 14 games ago……..batting cleanup , yea baby !

By jed

June 26, 2007 12:51 AM | Link to this

i’m all in favor of acquiring starting pitching. either that, or we’re cooked this year. but with chipper’s fragility, how do we trade escobar? that’s no small question, in my view.

By gotigers72

June 26, 2007 1:31 AM | Link to this

Looks like Cormier is not going to be able to help this year. After his outing tonight at Richmond, I have to believe something major is wrong with his arm. That or he just can’t pitch except in Spring Training. His second really bad outing in AAA.

2 and 2/3 innings - 10 hits - 7 runs - 0 strikeouts. Go ahead and have your shoulder surgery and try to come back next year. Can’t believe you could be that bad in AAA and the games you pitched in the majors this year w/o something really being wrong with your arm/elbow/shoulder.

By The Grinch

June 26, 2007 1:38 AM | Link to this

Got distracted for a bit…Bob, if you meant what I think you did (which is by no means certain), I think I understand. Maybe. :-)

Teoa, good 12:37. Cox is too stodgy and conventional to go for it, but it makes sense. The argument that one is a veteran and a proven slugger while one is a young rookie is moot when the veteran quite obviously for whatever reason can’t hit his way out of a paper bag and hasn’t been able to for months while the rookie is hitting about .315 with power (much like the job description of cleanup hitter)whether he’s playing full-time, part-time, pinch-hitting or playing out of position. Much like Remmlinger with the righty-lefty thing, methinks many games will be lost due to someone’s inability to look at the obvious instead of the “book.” Not every manager’s enough of a dumb@$$ to walk Andruw to pitch to Brian. What’s the worst that can happen? Even if Salty goes into a heroic slump he’ll still be more effective than Andruw, and making the move at least gives the appearence that Bobby might be aware that Andruw isn’t hitting well enough to bat 4th. I’m honestly not sure he knows, else he would do something different at this point. G’night, all; much work to do on the morrow.

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 1:48 AM | Link to this

teoa, nice post! … thoughtful as always and though I don’t with everything, there’s more with which I do than don’t.

If not an unwelcome intrusion, my son wanted to know something about the name “Teoa” … what, when, where and how?

I too liked the direction of the lineup, also with your exception … Andruw would be batting 10th in the order and it would be Terry, not Bobby who decided when he was fit to return.

I think I would have Kelly in the second slot, followed by Edgar, Larry, Jeff, Matt, Brian, and Salty. However, Salty should be given the opportunity to show if and where he belongs in the line up; somewhere between third and sixth, methinks.

I can’t agree with you on the “intentionally walk” … it, like misplayed balls that are ruled hits, is a misnomer of the first order. Situationally, it’s open to debate as to whether it’s the right decision … but I think understandable after a 3-0 count and a base open.

McCann’s return to form … tonight was nice and we can hope … but, don’t get them too high … I liked his fundamentals last year, as did we all … but, if I remember, he didn’t hit for average in the minors, either.

As an aside, methinks, giving him a long term contract doesn’t appear to have worked as a gambit for the Delta poster boy, if that was it’s purpose … but that may well be a work in progress … and, if properly managed, the package should still prove advantageous for the Braves, regardless.

If Bobby’s rolling the dice, I hope he remembers where he’s at in the game he’s playing … a 7 or 11 is nice coming out, but, after that, you’ve got to make your point.

Methinks you did a good job of making yours!

By gotigers72

June 26, 2007 1:55 AM | Link to this

Woodward and Orr need to go. Orr is now in the one eighties, and Woodward ia fast approaching the Mendoza line, if he’s not already there. Outside of a starting pitcher, the area of most need is the bench. It’s downright pitiful. JS made 3 mistakes over the winter, picking up Redman, C. Wilson and Woodward. Nothing in their recent pasts had shown that were worthy of free agent contracts. The only one I can even remotely understand is Redman, because it came on the heels of the news of Hampton being out for another year. I guess JS and BC felt they needed a low priced lefthander for whatever reason. And believe DOB people, when he says it would be a big mistake to give up a good to decent prospect or prospects for Buehrle. He would not be much better than Redman. His career ERA is almost 4 [3.80], and outside of that one great year he had, he has never been anything besides a mediocre pitcher. Great game, bad game, great game, bad game, etc. Besides that, he’s in a walk year. Remember the last time the Braves rented somebody in their walk year? Yeah, JD Drew. Adam Wainwright would look good in the Braves rotation right now.

Can’t believe BC continues to insist on hitting a below the Mendoza line hitter in the cleanup spot. Can he not tell how messed up Andruw is. Needs to bat him 7th or 8th until he comes out of it. He has absolutely zero confidence right now. Took 3 pitches for strikes in that last at bat, 2 of which were in his happy zone. Prior to this humungous slump he’s now in, he would have hit both of those pitches about 450 feet. He can’t even hit pitcher’s mistakes right now, and when’s the last time he drove in a run? He had 2 chances tonight and didn’t get the job done. Put somebody hitting 4th that at least has a chance to drive in a run. You want to ask me if I’m so smart, who would I put there. My answer would be, anyone hitting over .250.

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 2:05 AM | Link to this

Grinch … it wasn’t in code and wasn’t meant to be buried deep inside the onion … I just thought it looked, sounded, and acted too much like Stinky to be the Kid himself … of course, Dame Agatha warned that the best place to hide was out in the open, for everyone to see.

Upon further reflection, a rose is oft best defined by something other than its name.

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 2:16 AM | Link to this

Robert, in my 11:54, the last paragraph should, as I’m sure you realize, should reflect that it was your second and not your first point to which I was referring.

I believe that what happened was that I copied your formatting and when I changed the syntax, it automatically reverted to 1 rather than remain at 2.

By teoa

June 26, 2007 2:31 AM | Link to this

Thanks, Bob. Regarding the name…I do a bit of screenwriting in my spare time, and teoa happened to be the acronym for the script I was working on at the time I made my first post here. Just something that was easy for me to remember. I get a little obsessed with these projects and use titles for screen names, passwords, etc. Sorry if that’s not quite the exotic family name story that you and/or your son may have been expecting.

Regarding the bit about firing a manager who intentionally walks Andruw…I wasn’t entirely serious, although I agree with the sentiment. One of the things that has surprised me about Andruw’s slump is how many good pitches he sees now. I don’t know how many times I’ve seen him get a fastball down the middle and not even come close. Other teams aren’t afraid to throw him something that should end up in the upper deck because they know he’s just going to take that awkward lunge at the ball and foul it off at best. If I pulled for another team that was playing against the Braves, I wouldn’t be the least bit concerned about throwing him a 3-0 fastball. I thought Washington did the Braves a huge favor — even considering the situation. Unfortunately, there’s no such thing as Andruw being “ahead” in the count right now. I’d rather see McCann up there 0-2 against a lefty with runners on, than Andruw flailing away at a 3-0 fastball. Wow, has it really gotten that bad? I think it has.

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 2:43 AM | Link to this

Greetings to you too Stinky … I’ve buried many things within these friendly confines … none of which were made from lead. However, you can say what you want and think what you will .. it ain’t going to get me to tell you where the treasure’s hid!

Goodnight Stinky, Miss Allen!

By jed

June 26, 2007 2:54 AM | Link to this

teoa—

i made this exact point about andruw tonight while watching the game w/a friend. throughout this slump—er, season— andruw’s had a million pitches to hit. hangers, fast balls down the middle of the plate, etc. it’s not that they’re pitching him tough—he just cant hit. it really is a bizarre situation/phenomenom—like steve blass, wohlers, rick ankiel…this slump started with poor mechanics and a stubborn attitude, but it’s now officially turned into a full-on head trip. smoltz’s old psychologist could help andruw far more now than pendleton could, and that’s no knock on TP.

By jed

June 26, 2007 2:59 AM | Link to this

and no, N8, “teoa” is not an acronym for the “the end of the whole frickin’ world!”

nice guess, though.

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 3:19 AM | Link to this

Thanks teoa … such a lovely name it is! My baby brother is a member of the Guild … wrote and was Executive Producer, Co-Director for “Beat The Drum” which was featured on Showtime last December. It was rather low budget but won at least 30 awards internationally … mostly best feature, including Cannes, among others.

It’s been said that he learned everything he knows from his big brother but in spite of that handicap, he turned out pretty good … the movie ain’t half bad neither!

Thanks also for the additional comments, you certainly don’t have to worry about receiving a Maggie’s Drawers.

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 3:27 AM | Link to this

Now Jed, be nice, there’s not a single “a” in that whole title you ascribed to Nathan … I’ll bet you just made that up to be mean!

By For What It's Worth

June 26, 2007 5:25 AM | Link to this

For the doomsayers and for the ostriches, for the observant and for the blind,

There’s something happening here

What it is ain’t exactly clear

There’s a man with a gun over there

Telling me I got to beware

I think it’s time we stop, children, what’s that sound

Everybody look what’s going down

There’s battle lines being drawn

Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong

Young people speaking their minds

Getting so much resistance from behind

I think it’s time we stop, hey, what’s that sound

Everybody look what’s going down

What a field-day for the heat

A thousand people in the street

Singing songs and carrying signs

Mostly say, hooray for our side

It’s time we stop, hey, what’s that sound

Everybody look what’s going down

Paranoia strikes deep

Into your life it will creep

It starts when you’re always afraid

You step out of line, the man come and take you away

We better stop, hey, what’s that sound

Everybody look what’s going down

Stop, hey, what’s that sound

Everybody look what’s going down

Stop, now, what’s that sound

Everybody look what’s going down

Stop, children, what’s that sound

Everybody look what’s going down

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 5:47 AM | Link to this

I’ve whined, opined and posited for a rather long time that members of the organization … Players, Field Management and higher up too … have us under periodic or even constant observation.

It wouldn’t surprise me none if some of them even participated, for fun and an occasional running of things up the flagpole … dollars to KKs.

Methinks that’s good! For us, for them, for everyone concerned, and even some not concerned … if perchance I’m on the mark, then this one’s for all of you!

We rant and we fuss, among ourselves and at you too … but we are a significant part of the die hard core that down deep supports that which you’re trying to do!

This fellow O’Brien should get serious consideration for whatever the highest medal it is that’s given for “above and beyond the call of duty”, even though he loves it and methinks he’s having a ball.

I don’t the organizational structure but I’m going to now repeat a suggestion that I’ve previously made … the team needs a secret weapon! The one I suggest is a full time, dedicated team psychologist, ranking member of the Field Manager’s senior staff … serving everyone associated with the team, from ball boys to players to the old man himself … not someone to do the usual sports psychologist stuff, though they could occasionally do that too … but a best friend to everybody, someone to talk to, a confidant and advisor for all.

Maybe you have one, maybe you don’t … but my guess is that the right man with the right responsibilities would do wonders for the organization and give you a significant advantage over those without such a potent secret weapon.

Conventional wisdom may well say that that’s been tried and failed … but success is not often found in conventional wisdom and anyway, I’ll bet it hasn’t been done right. It’s not always in the “what” but rather in the “who” and the “how” and the “why” and also the “when”.

I’ve got some other thoughts, others have too … my mind never sleeps … but the rest of me says it needs some for me to be at my best.

One’s enough for now … give it some thought … let us know what you think … we’d love to hear from you more often, really we would … we’re here to help … 24-7-365!

By Braveheart

June 26, 2007 7:03 AM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist, the best team psychologist is often an amateur psychologist, a team captain, an old vet secure enough in himself to listen to the kids and to impart words of wisdom to those who venture to take his position and lineup spot, respected enough in stature and dedication and performance for others to follow his example and to seek his counsel.

Never have been inside the clubhouse. I don’t have the first clue therefore about the team dynamics. The only potential leaders I could see are Chipper, Edgar, Andruw. Edgar may be too quiet. Chipper too laidback. Andruw too Andruw.

Thorman ain’t gonna be the leader. KJ either. Willie Diaz are fighting too hard to stick around and prove everyone wrong that they can’t exactly be a leader or amateur psychologist to others. Same goes for Salty and Yuni. Orr and Woodward would make great comic relief if they tried.

McCann of course could be that guy. But as people have pointed out here recently, how often is he going out to the mound without being prompted to calm down James when he starts getting beat up yet again in the fifth and sixth, how often did he do that with Hudson last year and this year, how often has he gone out there when adversity starts hitting Davies and made sure that he calmed the kid down so that he would not crumble under adversity yet again, have we seen him guiding this vast array of fifth starters through their troublesome starts?

Anyone could catch Smoltz, even a canned ham can. It’s not like Smoltz would end up with a 5.00 ERA if even Baby Seal ends up being the catcher. But even the other night against the Tigres, did he go out there in the fateful sixth and try to at least break the momentum for Smoltz? Especially now with Smoltz doing all the walking around the mound to keep his arm somewhat right, wouldn’t a good catcher and leader take the hint and get out there to have a fake visit or two every other inning or so to the mound to give Smoltz even more time to shake the arm around a bit. Especially when he is starting to get hit around which he might want to take as a clue that he needs to get out there and get Smoltz more time to make his arm feel right.

Is he scared of Smoltz? F that. Get in that man’s grill and tell him to either shake the arm around a bit if he needs to or forget about making dramatic excuses with the arm and get the guys out. Tell Smoltz that the shaking the arm around thing looks like he is setting up an alibi or patsy just in case things don’t go quite so right. McCann seems to be too concerned about himself and looking over his shoulder. He had a great game last night though….. FINALLY!

Frenchy looked like he was gonna be that guy two years ago. He came in and looked like he was going to rock the boat so hard, that all of the vets we did not want, would fall out. But now it seems Frenchy has been humbled, fallen in line with the vets. All domesticated now at the ripe age of 23 years old. Captain Caveman has put down his club. The wild stallion has been broken. Never looked like he was gonna be the amateur psychologist type any way. That would be a little too heady for him. But definitely thought he was going to be that rah rah jump on my broad back guy, because I will take you where ever I want to take you. As it turns out, they did jump on his back and ride him but now they tell him where to go instead of being led by him. I thought he was gonna be the Braves version of David Pollack. Guess I was wrong. I still say pull up those darn socks ‘cause that is where he first lost his way.

Maybe the Cowardly Lyin’ Lion is the leader. Maybe that really ain’t such a great thing. How many other daggers have been quietly planted in the backs of teammates that he won’t claim credit for? Those darn bulldogs and their imaginary knives……….. Imagine if they had reported all of your other stabbings? We’d know you as John the Butcher then.

Hudson is too much of a clown and has too many struggles.

Wickman probably never says anything to them except get in my belly!

They are probably too scared to even look at Soriano.

James would lead them halfway, then bang them all into a brick wall, and then fall off a cliff. When the rest would get upset, he’d say, oh well, I’m gonna go load some trucks, see you boys later.

Davies would lead them from time to time but when something went wrong, they would all follow his lead and turn into a bunch of neurotic, kvetching Woody Allens.

By Berigan

June 26, 2007 7:28 AM | Link to this

I didn’t sleep well Sunday night, so after the first 3 innings of no score, I decided to hit the hay for a bit. Imagine my happiness finding the Braves were up 4-1 in the 8th!!!! I hope I don’t have to keep sleeping thru most of the game to see the braves continue to win!!!

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 7:33 AM | Link to this

I’m also here for ya’. Write me at Box 1A, Sticksville, USA or call BR-549. I’m also interviewing for a Sancho Panza so I can get back in the field again. Damn windmills are growing like weeds.

By Robert

June 26, 2007 7:48 AM | Link to this

Well,let’s see if we can turn this into a streak

By Ron Roberts

June 26, 2007 8:05 AM | Link to this

Last night began a run where the Braves play 20 of 27 against teams with losing records.

If this team’s a legitimate contender, 20-7, 19-8 should be the goal, then. Unreasonable? Hell no; not if we’re contenders, right?

Going 20-7 in that span would put us at 58-45, a .563 winning percentage. That’s 91 wins - more than enough, I think to win the wild card, and hell, the way the East’s playing, maybe the division, too.

That’s if we’re contenders.

Dear Bobby Cox…please consider dropping Andruw Jones to 7th in the lineup until he has at LEAST a multi-hit game. Willie, Edgar and Chipper are setting the table and Andruw’s skipping the meal like Karen Carpenter. With Francoeur struggling, as well, it’s best to just put McCann in the cleanup spot and follow with Frenchy, KJ (unless Matt’s playing instead of Willie, in which case you’d have Matty here and KJ leading off, right?), then Andruw and Thorman. That way, pitchers will actually have to throw to Andruw, and he’ll get to see some real pitches and if Thorman’s pitched around (put on base), then he’s accomplished more than he is currently, right? Worst-case scenario, if these two are gonna whiff or groundout, I’d rather ‘em kill innings where they’d be less likely to kill a rally. Respectfually your fan, Ron.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 8:21 AM | Link to this

Ron Your’s are also posts that I read regularly. Yours 2 Braveheart. Usually, good stuff.

By TommyP

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

DOB: Common knowledge? What are you talking about?

COMMON KNOWLEDGE is the fact that if you achieve the same stats as a pitcher in the AL as someone does in the NL, the AL pitcher is more impressive.

The AL pitcher has to face the DH 4-5 times a game instead of an easy out the same amount.

Buerhle faces AL teams, DOB. Hudson faces NL teams. It’s common knowledge that the NL sucks as a whole.

You see a LOT of AL pitchers come to the NL and do better.

And also…you have to stop slanting your stats so much to prove your personal points.

I constantly read (and hear) you talk about Buehrle’s stats being so down “the past two years.” “He’s not the same pitcher he used to be if you look at the LAST TWO YEARS.”

Why do you insist on looking at the last 2 years with him?

Let’s face it. He had a career worst year last year. It COULD be considered a trend if it carried over to THIS year. But it hasn’t.

THIS YEAR, DOB: 3.39 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, 81 hits in 93 innings.

How is this not the same pitcher that he used to be?

Admit it…you goofed on this one.

By Gil in Mechanicsville

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

Good morning folks, As bad as things have appeared over the past few weeks, I am still not ready to give up on this team.

At the beginning of the season we all had high hopes but alas, the starting rotation became suspect when Hampton went down and then Redman failed. Cormier is still not right.

However the offense took up the slack for for a good bit and allowed the Braves to remain respectable. Now that has gone by the wayside and everyone is looking for wounded to shoot.

I am going to say this again for those of you who think it is your birthright to be in first place every year. THIS IS A VERY YOUNG TEAM!!!!! They are going to lose and slump and do all of those things that young teams do.

There is still time to turn this trend around. After watching the Braves fade in August year after year perhaps that is when they turn it around. Maybe the Braves are still a couple of years away from returning to their 1990’s form but for goodness sakes stop all this whining. It is just baseball. Get a life and realize the fortunes of Atlanta do not rest upon the shoulders of the baseball team.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 8:26 AM | Link to this

Oh, my God, I almost forgot Lew. He writes real good stuff. But, don’t disagree with him ‘else he’ll burn your a$$!

By The Grinch

June 26, 2007 8:32 AM | Link to this

Bob, journalist and Braveheart (that sounds like three people), all we keep hearing about is how Bobby’s the greatest manager ever because of how he keeps the team together. While no manager makes perfect in-game decisions all the time, there are at least 7-10 games every year that Bobby makes one or more critical moves where everyone, and I mean everyone stops in mid-sentence, shakes their head slowly and says “Huh?” (or worse) while we inexplicably lose. Everyone seems willing to put up with strategic ineptitude in exchange for a manager who is able to keep the ship righted psychologically from behind the scenes. “It’s his ability to handle players, to be a surrogate father/uncle, etc.” Well, if everyone is more or less in agreement that this team needs a psychologist or a leader of any kind to step up and take control of the team due to the condition it’s in, it means Bobby isn’t. Which begs this question: if Bobby isn’t in there for his baseball ability, and isn’t in there for his player-handling abilities and/or team cohesiveness, then what exactly the hell is he doing? Is this just like Richard Petty’s 1992 season where he just rode around in 25th all year and waved to the fans? I’ll buy that; the man’s earned a season or two of that without scorn or derision from me for his past accomplishments. But the people praising his ability as a leader at the same time as wondering who’s going to lead, why we’re still waiting on the 3-run homer when we haven’t had anyone hit one in 6-weeks (prior to last night) instead of doing what all other managers would do in that situation and revert to fundamental baseball, why someone who couldn’t hit Tina’s face with Ike’s hand is still batting cleanup while a .315 hitter sits on the bench day after day, etc. Either admit it, or quit wondering aloud. I am now off the soapbox. :-)

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 8:38 AM | Link to this

And Robert( my fingers are trying to pull back from the keys)as Braveheart has pointed out, when you get away from your obsesssions, you can write some good stuff. But, don’t let this go to your head, son, it is probably the only thing nice I will ever write about you.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 8:44 AM | Link to this

Damn, I never will get off here. GREAT! post, Grinch.

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 8:45 AM | Link to this

Bob, Journalist,

I’m assuming once a baseball player has been through little or pony leagues etc. growing up, has been through high school or college ball, and has been through two or three or four levels of minor league ball he has a pretty good idea of what he’s doing. To some that seems like a big assumption, but to me it doesn’t seem so big.

And as a fan I do cheer for the Braves to get on base and/or hit the ball hard.

Yes, of course OBP and SLG are indicators—they are indicators of how often a team gets on base and how many bases it accrues. And how often a team gets on base and how many bases it accrues is virtually synonymous with how many runs they will score.

I have yet to see or read about a high-scoring team that wasn’t good at one or the other or both. And I have yet to see or read about a team that allowed few runs that wasn’t good at keeping the other team from doing one or the other or both.

By h_charles

June 26, 2007 8:49 AM | Link to this

DOB — you can’t look at ERA between leagues to compare. You have to look at how AL pitchers have fared after switching to the NL. The AL has better hitters AND better pitchers.

Like I said earlier, Maroth would be a different pitcher in the NL. Anyone see him dominate last night?

Look at how much better some of the big AL arms have fared when switching leagues — Clemens, El Duque, Lowe, Lilly, etc.

There simply is no comparision between facing DH lineups like Boston, NY, Detroit and Cleveland versus the best lineups in the NL. Interleauge play confirms that each year.

The smartest thing any NL GM can do is look exclusively to the AL for their pitching needs.

By Coach (BRINGING THE WRECKING BALL)

June 26, 2007 8:54 AM | Link to this

Well spoken , Grinch. The Braves 14 wins and 20 losses against left handers tells me everything I need to know. They cannot hit lefty’s and that will always spell doom for a team.

By VaBravesfan

June 26, 2007 9:09 AM | Link to this

This goes in the “just wondering” category. I live in Virginia and don’t get many Braves games on TV or much coverage in the newspaper. Did Villareal do something to get on Cox’s poo-poo list? It seems like he pitches OK when he gets a chance.

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 9:10 AM | Link to this

The Grinch,

What has Bobby Cox done to hinder his team from playing fundamental baseball? And where’s the .315 hitter on the bench? Are you talking about Willie Harris who is playing leftfield and who has a career average of .255?

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this

“…couldn’t hit Tina’s face with Ike’s hand.” LMAO

Grinch If that is original you should give up yur day job and start writing for Leno.

By Rosalynn

June 26, 2007 9:17 AM | Link to this

Manah of you heah “the Hammah” and think of Hank Ahrun. Since Jimma has been building Habitat houses he has taken to callin’ himself the Hammah. Jimma now has all the Secret Suhvice boahs refuhin’ to him as Commanduh Jimma Hammah. Sometimes we plah submahreen commanduh at ouah house and sometimes we play at hammahin’ - just depends on Jimma’s mood.

What is all this business with hittin’ Andruh at clean-up? And what’s goin’ on with that boah Frencha? That last at-bat Frencha had last night was so funnah! That boah was swingin’ outa that boah’s shoes at balls that weah ovah his shoulda and some in the duht. He would not take a walk. And speakin’ of walkin’ - since when did Andruh have to walk to get on base? Andruh reminds me of Miz Lillian a lot, doncha think? Miz Lillian was just as stubbuhn as Andruh when she would set huh mind to be a pull hittah.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 9:21 AM | Link to this

VaBravesfan Villareal’s problem is that Bobby can’t come up with a “name” for him. Villy sounds too silly.

By Ryan Bauer

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

Steve in Ohio- Great point about Blanton, I would much prefer that trade to the one for Buherle, plus you’d have control of him for longer which is always a plus. Let’s hope Huddy started something last night.

By Shaun

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

h_charles and TommyP,

Let’s look at ERA+ for Buehrle and Hudson. This is ERA adjusted for league and park, with 100 being average, >100 being above average and <100 being below average.

2007

Buehrle - 134

Hudson - 122

2006

Buehrle - 93

Hudson - 91

2005

Buehrle - 143

Hudson - 125

Looks like DOB was right, Buehrle hasn’t been all that much better than Hudson.

Also, h_charles, it’s funny that you ignore one of the pitchers we are discussing when looking at the AL vs. the NL. Tim Hudson was better facing those AL lineups.

By The Grinch

June 26, 2007 9:30 AM | Link to this

Thank you, Paladin and Coach. No, Shaun, though Harris continues to do exactly what he’s asked to and do it well. I’m referring to Salty, who’s either on the bench or batting in between Woodward and the pitcher when he plays while Andruw either swings before the opposing pitcher lets go of the ball or stands and looks at three straight strikes like last night without even tensing. The man, for whatever reason, has pulled a Knoblauch on us and quite obviously forgotten how to hit despite that being almost impossible at this stage of his career. Keep in mind that up until a week or two ago I was one of the last ones left who said “He’ll break out of it; he always does.” Now I’m not so sure, and if he does he can just as well do it from the bottom of the order. Batting him 4th and Salty 7th, 8th or not at all is not justifiable, though I’m sure you’ll try. Hey, I like Andruw too, but I’d also liike the team to have the best chance to win and some moves are much more obvious than others.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this

Is “Rosalynn” one of jimmysmith’s many pen names? Only her/his hairdresser will tell.

By Efrim

June 26, 2007 9:46 AM | Link to this

We won last night. If we win tonight, that is two wins in a row. That is called a winning streak.

I truly feel that it is important that we sweep the Nats. Tonight is the key matchup. If we can win this one, than Smoltz should be able to close out a sweep tomorrow night.

This weekend’s series is going to be tough. Davies is horrible against the Marlins and Chuck won’t go more than 5. Hudson should win Sunday’s game, but it is against Dontrelle Willis. Thoughts?

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 9:48 AM | Link to this

William Wallace, the only thing wrong I can find with your post is that is was way too short! Good Opine!

However, while I think the qualities suggested by your comments are essential, I can’t agree with regard to the placing of an amateur of any kind … or even an average professional … in the position I was suggesting.

While the selection and responsibility scope would be the choice of them what’s doing the selecting, I would envision a true professional of the highest order, worth his weight in platinum and paid a little more … that is, the best money could buy.

My only “qualification” for setting such qualifications is that Daddy once took me to a game when I was small and told me that we couldn’t leave until the game was over! However, I’m sure it would take a truly well trained, highly talented person with keen perception and well developed skills to properly effect the complex responsibility matrix of the position.

Stated differently, it’s a very difficult, demanding job as I would envision it … and it would take an exceptional professional to do it as it needs to be done!

I think too that while team leadership from within the player ranks is vital, that it will naturally emerge through the process of becoming a team and finding its identity.

The leadership and direction with which methinks we should more concerned is that coming from the Field Manager and his staff … we’re not in a position to effectively judge but from the outside looking in, it doesn’t appear to be of the dynamic and aggressive, but well defined type that I would expect to be effected by those responsible for coaching and guiding such a youthful group of charges.

Actually, it less what methinks and more what me feels … as it’s much too complex to reach any solid conclusions from peeping in through the window and seeing mostly just they want us to see.

I promise to refrain from further serious thought and/or discussion so long as the Braves behave themselves and the bloggers do the same.

That is, after I take my wife’s serious suggestion that I come back to bed and get more than a 3 hour nap … Later

By The Grinch

June 26, 2007 9:53 AM | Link to this

Paladin, that restraining order prohibits Leno from returning my calls. Shaun, as for your question about fundamentals…oh, my. You know how people so often ask you if you actually watch the games? I’ve also noticed you never answer that. I’ll tell you what happened in the Detroit series. They didn’t just straight up pound us like Boston did; Leyland simply schooled Bobby in tactics. He knew with the way we were playing one or two runs would be all they would probably need to win, so they did things like steal second. Bunt the runner over to third. Get him home with a sacrifice fly. Perfectly excecute the hit and run. They did all that so well (and you may have noticed, swept us) that Joe Simpson (who is our announcer by the way) was practically pounding the table and saying things like “THAT’S how you play baseball; manufacture runs when you have to.” I honestly worried for his job security at one point, but who could blame him? Let’s take a pole: how many of us here besides Shaun were thinking excactly the same thing while it was happening? I’ll give Bobby credit; he did start Willie at leadoff last night and it darn near looked like it was supposed to for the 1st time since Fookie left (nothing against KJ; he’s effective but not soothingly traditional or fun to watch which is nice to have when everything else is frustrating). But in general? Please. I’m not by any means suggesting “manufacturing” runs is always the way to go; far from it. If you can score 8 runs a game via the long ball like we were at the beginning; do it. But if watching 5 games with 1 run total doesn’t key you into the fact that it’s time to maybe trade some outs for a couple of runs instead of outs for nothing, then you might just be a dumb@$$.

By Braveheart

June 26, 2007 9:54 AM | Link to this

Grinch, you bastard, don’t make me think like that. In Bobby I trust. Blind faith.

Paladin, Rosalynn is one of Grinch’s concubines. She’s for some of you elderly fellas.

By Lew

June 26, 2007 9:55 AM | Link to this

Shaun-You are aware that Hudson just pitched three games against the American League and lost all three, aren’t you? I’m not so sure that’s pitching better. Seems he’s 7-2 against the NL. Paladin-Glad you like my posts, but I shouldn’t strike fear in the heart of an ex-Marine. I’m really a teddy bear. Anyone can say anything they want-I just reserve the right to tell the idiots that’s what they are. If you don’t want to be Hammahd, as Miz Carter would say, then don’t utter ridiculous statements. You never do. But I’m not the one who holds a wrecking ball over the heads of the unwary, like the Sword Of Damacles. There’s someone else here who feels that’s his purpose in life.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 26, 2007 9:57 AM | Link to this

oh, the humanity!!! ajc.com’s headline writer has struck again!!!

Surgeon Removes Gall Bladder From Mouth

let’s hope it was not an atlanta brave!

By Lew

June 26, 2007 10:06 AM | Link to this

Just why is everyone so afraid of Dontrelle? The guy has slid over the past three seasons. He has steadily declined. The guy has added a full run per game to his ERA ever since that great season he had. He is only 7-6 this season with and ERA of 4.90. He has given up 110 hits and walked 44 in 98 IP. His whip is almost 1.6 and he has only struck out 67 batters. He’s not the stud he used to be. He’s mediocre.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 10:08 AM | Link to this

Braveheart I need no concubines. Like the late George Burns with a gorgeous blond on either side of him, saying, “The highlight of my day is a bowl of warm soup”.

By The Grinch

June 26, 2007 10:12 AM | Link to this

Braveheart, older chicks need love too. Time for a run to Home Depot; catch y’all in a bit. BTW, Shaun, I wasn’t calling you a dumb@$$ specifically; I just meant in general. I don’t think you’re stupid. Confusing and mind-bogglingly obstinate sometimes, but we are all of us flawed. :-)

By BossLady

June 26, 2007 10:14 AM | Link to this

BobJurnalist that is exactly my point Terry Pendleton and Roger McDowell, Field Personnel, have not met the requirements of Bobby Cox, Management, or John Schuerholtze, Executive. They each have not met the Ownership requirements. If JS and BC don’t do something soon **it always trickle down.

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 10:19 AM | Link to this

The Grinch,

Problem is, can’t even “manufacture” runs if you can’t get baserunners. Kind of hard to hit-and-run and bunt runners over with no runners.

Someone figure out how you can trade an out for a run—get a run with no one on—and you should have Bobby Cox’s job or any other job you want.

The Tigers out hit/walked the Braves every game of the series and out total based the Braves every game. This is why they won.

I’m all for stealing bases, sac bunting, etc. in the right situation. But it a team out hits you in every way possible, “trading” outs for runs is only going to speed up the process.

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this

The Grinch,

And, yes, I do watch the games. I try to catch most of every game and I’ve actually been to about 5 or 6 this season. I know it’s hard to believe.

By N8

June 26, 2007 10:27 AM | Link to this

“and no, N8, “teoa” is not an acronym for the “the end of the whole frickin’ world!””

Whew. Thanks for clearing that up for me. It was between that, and “Jed is his brother’s Uncle”.

Now I know which one is correct.

By Stinky

June 26, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

…pulled a Knoblauch… El Grinche’ est en fuego.

By ncscoots

June 26, 2007 10:40 AM | Link to this

Well, even I am starting to think Saltalamacchia should start getting some more ABs at 1B, and I don’t have nearly the man-crush for him that some here do. I still think Thorman will be a good major league hitter, but it’s getting tougher and tougher to believe that he will be so this year.

Just be prepared for ML pitchers to go bus driver on Saltalamacchia if he’s in there semi-everyday. Hey, he may be Albert-Pujols-in-waiting for all I know, but I think the likelihood is greater that his flaws get exposed with more playing time. But if the Braves plan to keep the guy, they may as well run him out there and let him get his bruises. I’d rather have Pena on the bench than the current baggers, anyway.

By CMC

June 26, 2007 10:49 AM | Link to this

DOB,

I was flipping back and forth between the Braves/Nats and Mets/Cards last night. Man, did Maroth look good in his debut!! Just wondering if the Braves had any interest in him. St. Louis got him for PTBNL. I know he wasn’t setting the woods on fire in Detroit, but a change in leagues and scenery may do him some good. He sure looked like a #3 in our rotation last night, and he probably came a lot cheaper than Mark Buehrle would. History shows that mid-summer SP acquisitions can be unpredictable, especially with pitchers changing leagues. For every Len Barker (Indians to Braves and not successful), there has been a Rick Sutcliffe (Indians to Cubs and led them to a division title). Is it a greater risk to acquire a pitcher from a different league or a position player????

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 10:51 AM | Link to this

The Grinch,

Here’s something else to consider when looking at “trading” out for runs:

Outs decrease your chances to score at worst and do nothing at best.

Here’s something from an article on hardballtimes.com:

Here’s an example: Bottom of the ninth, score tied, runner on first, no one out. The home team has a 71% chance of winning according to the Win Expectancy Finder (in this situation, the home team won 1,878 of 2,631 games between 1979 and 1990). Let’s say the batter bunts the runner to second. Good idea, right? Well, after a successful bunt, with a runner on second and one out, the Win Probability actually decreases slightly to 70% (home team won 1300 of 1,848 games), according to the WE Finder. The bunter hasn’t really helped or hurt his team; his bunt was a neutral event.

By Braveheart

June 26, 2007 11:06 AM | Link to this

Smallball as an offensive philosophy is bound for failure. Obviously. Everyone understands that. It’s not so much smallball though. It is the threat of smallball. Smallball & the threat of smallball can change defensive alignments. Bunts, stolen bases, hit and runs accompanied by threatened bunts, threatened stolen bases, and threatened hit and runs all change the way the defense plays you.

Up and in, closer to second, closer to the lines, outfield shaded in or left or right, the first baseman shaded to the line to cover the baserunner at first. If you rarely attempt to execute smallball, then the threat is gone and teams can play back and you have less chances to get hits because the defenders are able to cover more ground.

To me, it’s like basketball, you have to pound the ball inside and you have to bomb your threes. It’s hard to be successful shooting the three if the big man is not sucking the defense in to him. It’s hard to pound it inside if there is no one keeping the D honest and dragging them outside. A basketball player who can hit 40% of his three pointers will score more points than a big man who can hit 59.5% of his shots inside the key (assuming neither takes a foul shot which is silly to assume for a big man who just took 100 shots to score 119 points). So, why ever shoot inside? Just bomb threes all day. But of course if all you did was bomb three all day, a player with the ability to shoot 40% from three would probably shoot only 25 to 30% from 3 because the D would be up in his grill with no big man sucking them away and into the key.

In football, a good football team gains about 7 yards a pass and the very best of the best football teams gain at the very most only about 5 yards a run. SO, why ever run the ball? Maybe because if you pound the run, the defense gets sucked into the middle of the field, the safeties get sucked up to the line of scrimmage, and you can complete more passes outside and deep.

That was really a huge problem with the Falcons last year. Ignore whatever you think it is about Vick’s abilities as a passer. Their philosophy was to run alot but not to pound the run inside. It was all a cute cut blocking running style trying to get Dunn, Norwood, and Vick outside. All this did was stretch the D out to guard against the 3 fast runners. The D never got sucked up and in to the middle of the field. Thus they could guard against the run and guard the receivers and keep them in lockdown. Also, every passing play it seems consist of Vick rolling out. It is not shocking therefore that Crump is the best receiver on the team because he is the only middle of the field threat on the team. It is pretty easy to guard receivers when you can hang out on the outside and guard against the run and the pass out there. That is why Vick was decent with Reeves because the philosophy was based primarily upon pounding the ball up the middle and then play action passes. The receivers were more open on the outside and down the field because the D and secondary would get sucked up and in. AND DON’T TURN THIS INTO STUPID VICK CRAP. PUH-LEEZE.

That is the philosophy of Smallball. The execution and threat of it causes the D to be sucked up and in and thus causes more hits, more runners on, and more runners to score. When teams are evenly matched such as in the playoffs, the teams better able to do this give themselves an advantage which helps them win. In the regular season, an overall philosophy against inferior teams of hack and jack wait for the three run homer and pound them into submission will win games. But not so much against evenly matched teams and not so much when you yourself are the inferior team.

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this

Paladin, I can honestly assure you that, to the best of my knowledge, while contrary to popular belief or rumor, Journalist Jimmy Smith has no pen names that he has not himself identified for his audience, intentional or otherwise.

That’s not to say that the Blog’s second first lady isn’t a piece of work! Mornin’ Miss Rosalynn

Thanks Grinch!

Shaun Payne, we have different perspectives and definitional sets but I always believe that you believe what you post to be true!

That’s sincere! You’re tops in my book when it comes to honesty and sincerity … if you did something wrong, I don’t think we could find enough of your peers to form a jury, though if we could, it would most certainly be headed by the First Lady of the Blog!

Just one or two things before I really shut down … me and the computer!

While I’m sure that some players have a pretty good idea of what they’re doing … most don’t! I never knew what I did when I bowled, even with slow motion film to show me … I just did what I did and was among the best at so doing … but, I did know what I was trying to do … outscore my opponent … which required a plan, dependent on the opponent, lane conditions, the time left to go in the match and the score at that time.

I had a much better idea in golf though my talent level was lower. Tiger Woods has a very good of what he’s doing and if you don’t believe me, ask his golf coach … who explains what he’s doing, what they’re trying to accomplish and how to best go about so doing.

From my perspective, the more relevant points are that:

1. Having a pretty good idea ain’t good enough.

2. In team sports, it has to be a well coordinated effort … it’s not what you want to do, it’s what I want you to do … and maybe how I want you to do it.

3. Your job is to best the pitcher in such a way that you do what I want you to do.

4. My job is to decide what I want you to do and to make sure you understand that and that you’re well equipped and prepared to so do.

5. Certain things have to be decided in real time by you, without specific direction from me and the extent to which you are given such freedom depends on my confidence in your judgment, talent and level of expertise.

6. Our job is to work together to see that my plan is effected and we make our best effort to defeat the bad guys.

7. My job is to say jump, yours is to ask how high.

8. If you can’t do your job, then I’ll do mime … cause if I don’t, it’ll be us both and not just you who’s in the unemployment line!

You are the player, I am the Field Management collective.

Rest assured that I will always treat you with the dignity and respect I think you deserve … and if I didn’t think very highly of you, you wouldn’t be on the team in the first place. You will treat me with the dignity and respect I think I deserve and if you don’t, you won’t be on the team.

We have different perspectives … you like yours and I like mine.

By Braveheart

June 26, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

But Shaun is that number 71% if the other team is not scared at all about the potential threat of a bunt or the execution of smallball so that they change defensive alignments in response? You don’t always have to bunt to change the defensive alignment. Without the threat of the bunt, the D would play back and there would be less of a chance for the team to get a timely hit and less of a chance for them to score. Thus, that 71% figure would probably drop if you totally eliminated any smallball or, more importantly, the potential threat of smallball.

By TennesseePaul

June 26, 2007 11:14 AM | Link to this

The Mets know this. I think they are in the Buehrle discussions just in case the price plummets - if a bunch of teams are concerned about overpaying for a rental. They also want to make sure to raise the price for another team, especially since Atlanta has eyes for Buehrle

They also want to make sure to raise the price for another team… This is where JS can win long term. Let the Mets talk it up, then leave them standing there offering the farm for the guy. I’d love to see this turn into another Kazmir/Zambrano trade, hobbling the Mets future and preventing them from making another trade…

By Falcon's offensive coaching staff

June 26, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this

Say what?

By David O'Brien

June 26, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this

CMC, haven’t been able to confirm if Braves had interest in Maroth, but my guess is they did and the PTBNL was from too talented a pool for their tastes. In other words, Dave Dombrowski might have told them, we’ll trade him to you for one of these three prospects, from which we’ll choose later in the season. Or something along those lines.

Many times, such as in the case of the Langerhans trade, the PTBNL is a fringe guy with nary a chance to be an impact player. When the deal says, “PTBNL or cash considerations,” as in the case of Langy, that’s a good indicator it ain’t gonna be much of a player they get in return, if they get a player rather than a little cash.

But in the case of Maroth, my guess is it’ll be a solid prospect. Not an elite prospect, but a solid prospect.

By Efrim

June 26, 2007 11:32 AM | Link to this

DOB

Is Daniel Cabrera a possibility? What do you think? I think he would do better in the NL. He is a guy that would help for the future as well.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 11:35 AM | Link to this

Lew This is the first time that I have felt compelled, even inclined, to correct you, but there is no such thing as an “ex-marine”. On the drill fields and in the boondocks of Quantico, Paris Island and San Diego one—as Houseman used to say—earrnns that title, and you never give it up. SEMPER FI. But, let’s not have a falling out over this, ok?

To the rest of you: This is my last non-baseball comment until the next one.

By David O'Brien

June 26, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

Grinch, I agree with you about Andruw _ he should be hitting no higher than sixth or seventh until he has a sustained (at least a week, man, you can do it) of hitting .300 or so, showing real signs of coming out of this epic funk. Not two walks one night and a single and another “hit hard” ball the next. That’s not coming out of it. Sorry, it’s just not.

But I think, in fact I know, that Cox is desperately trying to get him out of his funk, and the team, too, and believes batting Andruw fourth, getting back to something like the former lineup, will somehow get them to snap out of this. Not saying I agree with his logic, because I don’t. But like I said, at this point he probably feels he’s tried everything else, and Andruw’s slumped just as mightily down in the order as he did hitting fourth, so why not?

Anyway … like you, I can’t remember seeing such a productive (though mediocre-batting average) hitter suddenly become so unproductive for an entire half season at age 30. To go from .265-45-125 RBI level to where he’s at now, for an entire half-season, with no injury to blame for it, is extremely unusual.

By Braveheart

June 26, 2007 11:37 AM | Link to this

Say what?

I’m sorry Jim Mora for talking way over your head about such a simple concept. Now go find some headphones. They are helpful to wear during games so you know what is going on out there

By Bob, Journalist

June 26, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

BossLady, and a good point it is … I’m not saying they ain’t but, I don’t see any strong evidence that they are either!

Methinks Small Ball is an ill defined, much abused term. Hopefully. no one thinks that the manufacture of runs is limited to “small ball”, regardless of its definition in its application … To me, it’s inane to think that a team shouldn’t be proactive in the making and taking advantage of its run production opportunities … and that the appropriate strategy to be effected depends on the situation.

By Braveheart

June 26, 2007 11:41 AM | Link to this

Shaun, you also can’t forget that smallball or the threat of it changes the way you are pitched to. For example, it is hard to bunt a fastball, especially a fastball up and in.

Thus, in smallball bunting situations, it is more likely that a hitter will see the fastball up and in. this has more potential to cause the bunter to bunt the ball up and pop out and not lay it down well. Now, if you are the type of hitter who threatens the smallball bunt, you are more likely to see that fastball up and in. Now, if you decide not to bunt, then you are in great position as a hitter because, if you got a little pop in you, and you catch up to the fastball up and in, then you can knock an extra base hit.

Also, if you are seen as the kind of hitter able to execute the hit and run, you are less likely to see that pitch on the outside part of the plate. That way you can better be able to focus on pitches inside. You are more likely to predict the pitch location which is key for you as a hitter. But if you are like Andruw and they know you are not a hit and run threat because you can’t take the ball the other way, then they can pitch you up, in, outside, inside, down, and all around, any which way they want causing you as a hitter to play guessing games and look more clueless than you should.

Pitch selection and location also changes if a potential stolen base threat is on base. Most catchers like high fastballs so that they can catch, stand, and peg the runner in one fluid motion. Thus, you are more likely as a hitter to predict pitch type and pitch location.

that is why smallball is important - the execution of it, the threat of it, and the potential of it completely changes defensive alignments and pitch types and pitch locations.

By bravesfan

June 26, 2007 11:44 AM | Link to this

From mlbtraderumors.com

Joel Sherman thinks the Mets are in on Buehrle for two reasons: in case the price surprisingly plummets, and to raise the price for Atlanta.

Adam Rubin says all veteran Sox pitchers are available - except Jon Garland.

So for all you people who want Garland I guess we are going to have to get Jose Contreras, Mark Buehrle, or Javier Vazquez. Unless we get a pitcher from another team.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Braveheart You make me long for fall and football ‘cause I know that game. You do your best to put a slobberknock on the guy across from you. Yes, I know that game!

By Lew

June 26, 2007 11:50 AM | Link to this

Paladin-I never served, so I’ll definitely defer to your superior knowledge and experience on the topic. I certainly didn’t intend to demean you or the Marines. I have a good friend that was exposed to Agent Orange in a previous skirmish, has suffered the consequences thereof, yet he still wears his Marine T Shirts as a Badge of Honor. I guess that says a lot right there, doesn’t it?

By David O'Brien

June 26, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

h-charles, this assertion of yours doesn’t make sense: “You can�t look at ERA between leagues to compare. You have to look at how AL pitchers have fared after switching to the NL. The AL has better hitters AND better pitchers.”

If they have better hitters AND better pitchers, why wouldn’t the ERA and opponents’ averages, etc., serve to balance each other out? Or do you not agree with the widespread belief that good pitching will generally stop good hitting?

And why are the ERA leaders in the AL so comparable to the ERA leaders in the NL? Is Buehrle simply not in the class of the AL ERA leaders?

Do you get what I’m saying? Why is Buehrle not closer to the ERA leaders in his league than Hudson is to the leaders in his league? Take a look at the adjusted ERA scale that Shaun offered this morning (yes, lightning just struck my house as I typed that).

You can’t just dismiss all stats that don’t support your assertion, h-charles. That’s a scale adjusted for parks, leagues, etc.

How ‘bout former Oakland ace Barry Zito? He sure is tearing up the NL, huh?

How ‘bout Mark Mulder, in his first season with St. Louis in 2005, when he was 16-8 with a 4.25 ERA, after posting ERAs of 4.27, 3.17, 3.06 and 2.95 in the previous four seasons in the AL with Oakland?

And by the way, Hudson in three years in the NL has never had a season like all the dominant seasons he had in the AL….

TommyP, no.

While AL pitchers are definitely at a disadvantage of facing the DH four times a game (that’s not open for debate, obviously), the leveling off, or the shrinking of disparity in ERAs and opponents’ average and homers, etc, between the leagues, can be attributed in recent seasons to the building of so many hitter-friendly parks in the NL, from Colorado to Philly to Houston to Cincinnati.

The vast majority of statistically hitter-friendly parks, including the gratuitously hitter-friendly parks, the ones where extra-base hit totals numbers are highest (Cincy, Philly, Colorado, Houston’s left field), are in the NL.

Would you rather face a DH four times a game as a pitcher, or pitch 6-8 games in the above-listed parks every season? Or perhaps twice that many (or more) if you happen to be an NL Central pitcher? Such unconventionally cozy ballpark dimensions have a lot more to do with inflated ERAs and homer totals in individual games than the presence of a DH, in my opinion.

By Lew

June 26, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

DOB-But the foul ball Andruw hit was in the upper deck. And he Almost had another ground ball single the other night. It really is scary when you consider that for the past nine games, Andruw only had one more hit than I did. But I’m not in a slump.

By Renegator

June 26, 2007 11:55 AM | Link to this

Grinch: Excellent post this morning - I agree with you 100%. The best example is Saturday’s game when we were trailing by one run in eigth. We got the leadoff man on 2nd with no outs. All Kelly Johnson had to do was execute a bunt to get the runner to 3rd and we most likely would have tied the game. However, Kelly Johnson could not execute the bunt and struck out instead. This killed the inning for us.

Now I know that it wasn’t Bobby up there with the bat trying to get a bunt down - but isn’t it the coaches and therefore the manager’s responsibility to make sure their players can execute basic baseball fundamentals? I mean, do they not practice bunting? Do they just spend all their time hitting BP homeruns? I mean, come on - the Braves cannot execute basic baseball fundamentals (look at the strke em out, throw em out double play in the 1st last night.)

It is ultimately the coaches and manager’s responsibility to make sure their players can execute basic baseball fundamentals.

By ncscoots

June 26, 2007 11:59 AM | Link to this

I guess I’m the only person on the blog who actually agreed with Bobby hitting AJ at cleanup last night, but I said a couple of weeks ago that I’d put him there and leave him…he either hits or he doesn’t. If he doesn’t, this season is in the tubes whether he’s not hitting at 4 or not hitting at 7, doesn’t really matter. If he’s gonna come out of it, I want him at cleanup from the moment he starts.

I think Edgar, Chipper, McCann, and Francoeur are more comfortable slotted where they were last night, rather than some of the lineups we’ve seen this year. Whether KJ or Willie leads off doesn’t really matter, IMO, as long as the other is hitting lower in the order…I think that gives the team more shots at continuing more rallies. Heck, hitting Saltalamacchia at 7 and one of those guys with good OBP in front of the pitcher sounds good to me.

But, hey, I’m guessing most of you are happy BC doesn’t call me for the lineup card, LOL.

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 12:03 PM | Link to this

DOB,

Any talk of the Braves trading for one of the lesser White Sox pitchers? Buehrle’s getting all the attention but there are other guys that intrigue me just as much or more.

By Ron Roberts

June 26, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

DO’B… Andruw’s struggles are for more than a half season, if you look back to last year. I guess I can understand seperating the two halves, though, considering a longer-than-usual offseason and spring training. I don’t even remember… how did he look this spring, anyhow?

And truth be told, he didn’t look bad in April this season. It’s just the last two months.

By rammerjammer

June 26, 2007 12:09 PM | Link to this

Andruw’s not going to suddenly become a better hitter by hitting sixth or seventh. That makes no sense. If it did, every slumping batter would be moved to the seventh spot and immediately snap out of it.

“Hiding” him down in the order doesn’t help, either, because you still need SOMEONE to hit for power and drive in runs and I don’t see any candidates.

No, you put Andruw in the position where he can (and historically, does) help you most. If he continues to stink, our season ends in September anyway.

By Ron Roberts

June 26, 2007 12:11 PM | Link to this

The reason you don’t keep Andruw in at cleanup is because you can put together a lineup at the top of the order that is getting on base and having Andruw at 4 gives opponents and out to wriggle out of jams. He’s a liability at cleanup, pure and simple. It does him no good, and it certainly does us no good.

By TennesseePaul

June 26, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Payne: Again with the over simplifications…
Outs decrease your chances to score at worst and do nothing at best.
What’s better, a runner at 1B or a runner in scoring position? Moving the runner up isn’t nothing. Looking at team wide stats in 9th inning situations is pretty limited. It doesn’t take into account the particular players in the given situation. The probabilities change of a runner scoring from first on a single, if the runner at first is McCann as opposed to Willie Harris. The team wide average covers over this fine detail. It’d be best to take a player by player approach. Who’s at the plate, who’s on base and who’s on the mound changes the probabilities in the situation.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

Lew Definitely no harm, no foul. Let it go.

New subject: Did you see where the top job, “Shipping Clerk”, has apparently been filled? It has been replaced with “warehouseman”. Times they are changing. I guess one of the bottom jobs would be hitting and pitching instructors for the Braves—last night’s aberration notwithstanding.

By Lew

June 26, 2007 12:12 PM | Link to this

I think we need three pieces to be successful this season (including, of course, our slumping players actually performing). We need a true number 2-3 pitcher, to start behind Smoltz and Hudson. This would place Chuckie at #4, which is rightfully where he should be at this point. It would also make Carlyle or the #5 pitcher less glaring when they were not on. We don’t need another “Ace”. We need another LH reliever. We can’t count on Ledezma, only. We need a RH power bat off of the bench. I think Jonny Gomes of the Rays would fit the bill. He plays OF, has worked out at first and has great power. He doesn’t play as often in TB because of their wealth of OF’s, so maybe should come cheap. I don’t think he makes much and should be club controlled for a while longer.

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 12:13 PM | Link to this

Renegator,

Actually, if Kelly Johnson had got the bunt down, and Renteria and Chipper did exactly what they did, the run would not have scored anyway.

I see what you’re saying, though. That’s a situation where a bunt wasn’t a bad idea but, then again, maybe it was.

The runner was already in scoring position with Johnson, Renteria and Chipper coming up and no outs. Why use up an out with a bunt? Let Johnson swing away and hope for a hit that drives in the run. With a bunt he has very little chance at a hit and no chance to drive in the run.

I would rather have three shots to drive in the runner from second than two shots to drive him in from third. There is a bigger difference between out situations than there is between base situations, i.e, there is a bigger difference between none and one out that there is between a runner on second and a runner on third.

By Lee

June 26, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this

I have never been sold on the idea that Buehrle is or will be the savior for the Braves this season. Especially if it means giving up Saltalamacchia for his services. Agree with everyone that says A.J. needs to be out of the clean-up spot. It would make too much sense for Cox to put Salty at 1st, bat him clean-up and drop A.J. to 7th in the batting order. Cox’s loyalty to his players sometime goes beyond logic. Cox’s question to A.J. should be “What have you done for me lately?”.

By Braveheart

June 26, 2007 12:18 PM | Link to this

I don’t like KJ being taken out the leadoff spot. I know he is not doing so hot right now. I know Willie has been incredible. BUt Willie will eventually go back to being Willie or at best a slightly improved version of WIllie.

When Willie cools off he is not a leadoff hitter, not even a number 8 hitter. He is best suited to be a super sub. But KJ when he gets more consistent will be an ideal #1 or #2 because he gets on base and has pop in his bat. I think this is short term thinking because Willie is hot, KJ is not, and KJ could not get a bunt down.

Amazing that a guy not getting a bunt down draws more ire and consequences than a lazy dog whose performance has dropped over the last year because all the years of lazy sloven work habits and dedication to the skill, craft, and conditioning required in the game have finally caught up to him.

KJ was doing the job he was asked to do better than AJ but KJ is the one dropped to seventh in the order. Go figure. All about poor execution of a bunt. Maybe that was right. But what about the guy who can’t execute any of the overall offensive philosophy of the team other than hack and jack which he ain’t even doing all that well with anymore?

By Ron Roberts

June 26, 2007 12:20 PM | Link to this

RammerJammer… you aren’t necessarily hiding Andruw at the 7 spot. You are however removing him from a spot in the lineup where he is doing damage - to his own team. At the 7 spot, you put him ahead of Thorman or Saltalamacchia. They’d have to pitch to him and not around him, thus getting him an opportunity to see pitches.

By Lew

June 26, 2007 12:21 PM | Link to this

Paladin-I wonder if the Shipping Clerk was filled by promoting a Bagger? Nah. Doubtful. They are, after all, Baggers. Right?

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

rammerjammer,

Well you could put McCann or Francouer or even Diaz in the cleanup spot.

As I suggested before, I think Diaz would be a fine option in the cleanup spot. He’s got a pretty good shot of getting a hit (.340 AVG) and he’s got a pretty good shot at getting an extra-base hit (.459 SLG), which I think is what you’d like to have in the cleanup spot.

One advantage of moving Andruw down would be to get a struggling hitter less plate appearances.

By rammerjammer

June 26, 2007 12:24 PM | Link to this

Andruw’s slump raises an intriguing issue. Assuming his funk lasts through the season, his market value has gone way down…perhaps to the point where his salary fits into the payroll.

Which begs the question…do you sign Andruw if you can afford him?

By David O'Brien

June 26, 2007 12:26 PM | Link to this

Shaun, I don’t know specifically which W. Sox pitchers they’re looking at, but I can say in general terms, they’re making an exhaustive search to find a solid middle-rotation starter without giving up a substantial piece of the future unless that starter is under their control beyond this season.

But I also think they’d give up a big-time prospect for a bigger-name starter, if they were able to land one without wrecking the payroll.

By David O'Brien

June 26, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

OK, if someone gets any of the following new three CDs released today (or already has an advance copy, etc), please provide a review: Ryan Adams, Nick Lowe and Marc Broussard.

I’ve heard the first two are excellent, and definitely will be getting the Ryan Adams by the end of the week. Heard it’s his best in a while, now that the old boy is settling down a bit (at 32, he’s reportedly not the careening hellion he was, perhaps even _ gasp _ sober, or so I read somewhere).

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 12:31 PM | Link to this

Braveheart Amazing that a guy not getting a bunt down draws more ire and consequences than a lazy dog whose performance has dropped over the last year because all the years of lazy sloven work habits and dedication to the skill, craft, and conditioning required in the game have finally caught up to him.

Not to correct you, Dude, but wouldn’t “lack of dedication…” work better? Otherwise, excellent post!

By Salty

June 26, 2007 12:32 PM | Link to this

A few observations/questions: 1. bunting - how does one make the ML if they can’t bunt…what are the minor leagues (coaches) for? Heck, what has the player been doing the past 15 or so years?!? 2. KJ - he led off three different innings last night, I believe (but check my record, I’ve been wrong before, in fact documented!) :-) 3. Clean UP - the past week, plus, I don’t think anyone was on base to ‘clean up’. Also, every inning, someone’s there to clean up, theoretically. 4. Pitching - it’s way better than last year…we ain’t scorin’. Talk about pressure on your pitchers. I’ll take my chances with the ‘hitting funk’ ending before losing one of the young studs for another arm.

By DC Braves Fan

June 26, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

DOB Any chance the Braves are looking at trading for a bat too (with our lack of runs, impatience, et. al.,)?

By DAP

June 26, 2007 12:37 PM | Link to this

LEW this is off-topic, but i asked you this yesterday, and i think you missed it. or i missed the response…either way, i was hoping youd tell me why you think francour can play centerfield? i really think that would be a huge mistake, because it seems like even in right field, alot of balls get over his head and fall for hits. i just dont think he is good enough to move off of the corner outfield positions. he is a good outfielder because of his arm and i guess his speed, but i dont think hes great when he runs, his arms and legs flail around everywhere, and he just doesnt look in control out there. everytime a ball gets hit in the air to right field i get tense, cause im afraid its gonna fall.

please, let me know why you think francour can play center in the future.

By Lee

June 26, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Which begs the question…do you sign Andruw if you can afford him?

I think the Braves should pass and let him move on to greener pastures. With the financial limitations with ownership involving the Braves, signing him to a long term deal could have lasting effects on this team for years to come.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 12:38 PM | Link to this

Lew As I said yesterday, and you have missed it, we need more 4-baggers and less “fore!-baggers. don’t you think?

By Renegator

June 26, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

Shaun: Its hard to say that with a runner on third (instead of second)that Renteria and Chipper would have done the same thing at the plate. They may have altered their approach at the plate in order to send a ball deep to an infielder or a fly ball to the OF thus scoring the run. Instead they had to try for an outfield hit to get that run in.

I see your point about having three chances at getting that runner in from second but I’m not even arguing the choice of a bunt there. I’m arguing the fact that the Braves players can’t seem to execute basic baseball fundamentals.

Kelly Johnson is a major league baseball player - has been for a couple of years now. I think it is unacceptable that he cannot execute a simple bunt. How many botched bunts have the Braves had this year? I don’t know off hand but I know there have been several. How many hit and runs have they not executed (I’ll conceed that this isn’t the easiest to execute) but plenty of other teams do it. We saw the Tigers executing it to perfection this past weekend.

Bottom line: Braves need better execution and that responsibility falls squarely on the coaches and ultimately the manager.

By AZBravoFan

June 26, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

How ‘bout batting Andruw 8th. Then at least when he gets one of his walks, the pitcher can bunt him into scoring position for the top of the order.

By rammerjammer

June 26, 2007 12:44 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts,

I agree Andruw is killing us, but the #7 batter sees worse pitches than the cleanup batter because there’s no one of significance hitting eighth. So they’ll just pitch around him and take their chances with the #8 batter.

Shaun,

I’ll borrow a thought from ncscoots. I think last night’s lineup had everyone where they need to be, where they fit best. I don’t have faith that McCann, et al, can do Andruw’s job for him at cleanup.

But even if they did, we still need Andruw to produce. Without his usual numbers, we are not a postseason team.

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

This is an important point in the “smallball” debate:

I would rather have three shots to drive in the runner from second than two shots to drive him in from third. There is a bigger difference between out situations than there is between base situations—there is a bigger difference between none out and one out or one out and two outs that there is between a runner on first and a runner on second or between a runner on second and a runner on third.

This is what I’m talking about when I say outs are move valuable than bases. It’s more important to not make an out/get on firstbase than it is to advance one base. You only get three outs but you can theoretically advance bases forever, as long as you aren’t making outs.

By Braveheart

June 26, 2007 12:47 PM | Link to this

Diaz sounds fine higher up in the lineup except that In his career, with RISP, Diaz is .250, .299, .347, .646. This year, he is .306, .308, .389, .697. In his career, with runners on, Diaz is .279, .335, .365, .700. This year, he is .356, .394, .407, .801. With no runners on, in his career, Diaz is .341, .364, .520, .884. This year, he is .330, .337, .490, .827. I don’t know if he is really a cleanup hitter. The bizarre statistical disparity does not make sense to me unless he presses too hard or something or if it is just one of those flukish things based upon small sample sizes. I would think his ability to hit the ball and hit it hard and for average would provide a great benefit to the team higher up in the order. The man has hit .331 in 456 at bats since becoming a Brave. Simply amazing.

By Renegator

June 26, 2007 12:48 PM | Link to this

Offense is now just as big an issue on this team as pitching. They said last night the Braves are now 12th in runs scored. I don’t know if that is NL only or all of MLB. I’d guess that’s NL only.

We need a bat - we wouldn’t need one if Andruw was performing at all

By fastasballs

June 26, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

I like Willie leading off, he has great speed & can bunt his way on or at least draw a few infielders a little close in just because of the chance he bunts.

I don’t expect him to hit .380 - .400 all year, but he not exactly getting bloop hits either. Just about everything he hits is a solid line drive. I think he’s a guy whose heart & determination exceeds his ability, but also HE listened to TP and became a better hitter because he’s not hardheaded like many on the team.

If Willie continues to hit well, leave him at the top of the order. KJ is a great RBI guy & solid hitter, but doesn’t bring to the leadoff spot what Willie does, IMO.

I would stack the top or the order with Harris, KJ, Edgar, Chipper & McCann. That’s 3 guys with high OBP in front of the RBI guys, McCann is coming around so I stick him at 5.

I guess the question is if Willie does well at the lead off spot does he stay in against lefties? If not the order has to be totally rearranged.

By Braveheart

June 26, 2007 12:54 PM | Link to this

thanx paladin

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 12:57 PM | Link to this

Renegator,

Johnson was trying to bunt against Justin Verlander. Not trying to make excuses but it’s not easy to bunt against a guy throwing that hard.

You know what else the Tigers executed to perfection—out hitting, out walking and out slugging the Braves, which was a lot more vital than executing bunts.

rammerjammer,

I agree that the Braves offense can only go so far without Andruw producing some. And I don’t know that it makes a difference where Andruw hits. But I’m one of those that thinks batting order makes only a minor difference throughout a season. (We won’t get into that.)

By Renegator

June 26, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Fastasballs: I wouldn’t say that McCann is coming around. He had two great hits last night. He is still only batting .250 with very few homeruns. I don’t think we are out of the woods with him yet.

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 12:59 PM | Link to this

Here’s a question Rob Neyer just answered over on espn.com:

Josh (NY): How much money has Andruw Jones lost off of his FA Contract next year due to his crappy play?

Rob Neyer: Not as much as you might think. For one thing, he’ll probably finish the season in the .240-.250 range. And for another, there are a lot of covetous teams out there…

By Chief

June 26, 2007 1:05 PM | Link to this

DOB- The Ryan Albums album is definitely one of the best in a while. A little more of a country overtone throughout several songs, than what’s on most previous albums, but it sounds awesome. Even the name of the album is cool….”Easy Tiger”. Highly recommended.

By Ron Roberts

June 26, 2007 1:07 PM | Link to this

RammerJammer… Andruw’s not getting pitches to hit now. I’d rather not concern myself with what he’d do at the 7 spot. It’s what he’s not doing at the 4 spot that’s of most concern to the Braves right now. He’s killing rallies and stifling our offense there more than he could at the back end.

By SaltyWoody

June 26, 2007 1:10 PM | Link to this

DOB I saw you mention Grace Potter on here the other day. Are you a fan? I went to college in VT and actually have met Grace a couple times (in addition to seeing her shows in VT, SF, and at Red Rocks), as she lived in the Waitsfield/Warren area, where a good friend of our family lives.
In any case, I was just curious if she’s really accruing a national following and has made it down to GA yet. Her sound has gotten really tight and mature over the last couple years.

Also, just read this: “SaltyWoody, no, I absolutely did not make up that scenario with Cox. He’s sitting there with Lemke in the manage’s little cubbyhole auxilary office next to the dugout (a fridge and four TVs in there, inc. two widescreeens) and drinking a RockStar Energy Drink with his dip.”

Now, does that mean he was dipping AND drinking rockstar? At once? If so, that’s about the coolest/most disgusting thing I’ve ever heard. Beer and dip? Gross, but ok. Rockstar and dip? Ummmm…does he kiss his wife with that mouth?

And, also, does that mean Lemke is part of Cox’s staff? I didn’t know he was…

By MBATL

June 26, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

fastasballs, I’d be real surprised if Willie leads off, or even starts, against lefties. We’ll find out tonight, I guess.

I agree with Shaun on the bunting strategy, especially with three of our best hitters (OBP-wise) coming up. Maybe KJ focuses on hitting to the right side if he gets a pitch that he can “direct”, but beyond that, take your chances on getting a hit.

The hit and run was just bad luck. Your best base stealer, fastest player, on 1st, and your best hitter (well, arguably) at the plate. Obviously, there’s the risk of a double play, but the odds have to be way against it.

I saw where the Braves were 0 for 23 with RISP during that 5-game, 1-run streak. That’s pretty much like putting a runner at 2nd for almost a whole game, and having a no-hitter thrown against you. There’s really no way to manage around that kind of slump, I don’t think.

That’s not a blanket defense of Bobby Cox, by the way - he’s had me scratching my head more than a few times this year - but to some extent, when your players can’t hit their way out of a paper sack, there’s not a lot of strategy that’s going to work.

By ncscoots

June 26, 2007 1:18 PM | Link to this

good grief, what is Rob Neyer using for a calculator? If AJ raises his average 50 points over the next 80+ games, you can start sizing the rings, LOL, and adding zeroes to his contract. I don’t know how many ABs he has had this season, but I’m guessing he’d need close to a .300 second half to sniff .250, wouldn’t he? I don’t know if even Scott Boras is visualizing THAT!

By MGL

June 26, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

The pitcher we need:

http://break.com/index/new-japanese-baseball-pitch.html

By rammerjammer

June 26, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

Ron Roberts, I agree Andruw is killing rallies. I just don’t think we have anyone else right now who’ll produce like Andruw did the last two years. And we need Andruw-like production from someone!

So I think our best bet for increased production is to hope Andruw, uh, increases his production.

Not an exciting solution, I grant you. But I don’t see a better one.

Of course, this is the offense we’re talking about. I believe our starting pitching is the more serious shortcoming.

Good starting pitching can overcome a multitude of scoring sins.

By Rosalynn

June 26, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Heah is a shout out to Juhnalist Bob, who is alwahs vera cohdial to me when I blog heah. The Braves need a ringah. When Jimma was leadah of the free wuhld we would often plah softball on the White House grounds. Billa would plah and Miz Lillian and Ama, and Chip, and Hamilton Juhdun and Joda Powell and some moah. Jimma would sometimes bring a ringah in to plah on his team. That boah looked a lot like Hank Ahrun but Ah could nevah tell foah suah. Anawah, that ringah would hit a homah and Jimma’s team would alwahs win. The Braves need a ringah like that. Bat him foath.

By Ron Roberts

June 26, 2007 1:31 PM | Link to this

Pitching is a concern, RammerJammer… but 1 run in 5 games… find me a staff that could make wins out of that and you’ll be on to something! :)

And I’ll have to disagree with you about keeping Andruw here just waiting on his productivity to come back. We’re getting close to the trade deadline and have to figure out if we’re buyers or sellers for next season fairly soon. A singles guy at cleanup yields two runs with the bases loaded. Andruw would yield us none these days. Two runs often change an L to a W.

By journalist jimmy smith

June 26, 2007 1:36 PM | Link to this

andruw is much like carolina lady’s john deere. work with it and hope it will get better. or, park it and get another mower that is more reliable.

By Mitchie-san

June 26, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

Two things to add….

If I was Terry Pendelton, I would be concerned for my job.

ANd I wish Bobby Cox would get as angry with this team as he does with umpires over ball and strikes. Sometimes you gotta show your a$$ to get your point across and to fire people up. I am getting a little tired of his sugar coating and using excuses. If I hear ” he hit the ball real hard” or ” he threw real well, he looked good” one more time I am gonna lose it. I am a happy Braves fan and have been for years, but this is getting difficult. I dont want to go back to the 80’s like I feel we are….

Whew, I feel better.

By Angry Ron

June 26, 2007 1:41 PM | Link to this

i was very optimistic coming into the season that we had a decent team. it’s turned into a descent team! we can only beat 500 or lower teams! sometimes, even they sweep us! the pitching stinks, the hitting is abysmal, bullpen is above average, bench sucks. i still have hopes for the braves, but wildcard is maybe it.

By cctusc1

June 26, 2007 1:44 PM | Link to this

I love hearing everything about Andruw and his lack of hitting THIS YEAR, BUT THE FACTS ARE IF YOU GO BACK TO THE LAST MONTH TO MONTH AND A HALF OF LAST SEASON, YOU WILL SEE THAT ANDRUW STOPPED HITTING THEN. So in fact, this slump started at the END OF LAST YEAR’S season and has continued this year. Folks, that’s not a slump, that’s a trend.

By rammerjammer

June 26, 2007 1:51 PM | Link to this

Ron, I think the 5-game skid was an aberration…nothing to base decisions on.

We can agree to disagree on the need for a 46 HR, 128 RBI season from Andruw or SOMEONE. I think we need it, and I don’t think Diaz can provide it.

By Billy Walsh

June 26, 2007 2:00 PM | Link to this

It is ludicrous to even mention that the Pendelton’s (considering some have even suggested that he would become manager when Cox decides to retire) job is in question. How much impact does a hitting coach have on a player? Sure they can offer advice or suggestions, but it is the player who has to swing the bat. Hitting coaches and pitching coaches are always made out be scape-goats when things are not going well. Dave, I agree with you on the whole ERA AL and NL thing. However, I do feel that pitchers in the AL East are at a significant disadvantage than the rest of the league. Imagine being a pitcher with the Devil Rays or Blue Jays and having to face the Sox and the Yanks twice a year. Dave, when do you think the suit in the front office is going to start making moves? You kidding, I am Queens Boulevard.

By DC Braves Fan

June 26, 2007 2:08 PM | Link to this

I don’t understand why Frenchy continues to get a “free pass” from everyone who’s bashing AJ. Granted his average is a little better, but from what I’ve seen, Frenchy has killed as many rallies as AJ has. With his swinging at the 1st pitch approach, he’s been popping them up or hitting into inning ending DP’s (actually McCann leads this category with 10 GIDP). I’m not trying to bash either player, just wondering why AJ has drawn the ire of bloggers while Francoeur, Thorman, McCann et. al., aren’t exactly “lighting it up.”

By Lew

June 26, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

DAP-I just disagree. I think his range is fine and he has a stronger arm than almost everyone in the league. I think Francoeur would be just fine in center. I don’t see why you think he is a poor right fielder. You can’t get to every ball that’s hit-even Andruw can’t. Francoeur has made excellent catches coming in on the ball, going into foul territory and at the wall. He has good speed, too and gets a good break on the ball. I fail to see why you think he’s not so good. Most of his errors come from airmailing his throws, not going after balls. He’s a more than solid defensive player-if not completely spectacular.

By Mitchie-san

June 26, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

Ok either the hitting coach’s job is not needed or its the easiest freakin job in baseball. Geez, pay me to say “you are dropping your shoulder”. Stop being a fan of Pendelton and realize that they cant hit and he certainly isnt helping.

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 2:23 PM | Link to this

ncscoots,

I honestly don’t know if it’s realistic for Andruw to hit .240-.250 but let’s see.

Over the past three seasons Andruw has average a little over 570 AB’s. So let’s say he has about 296 AB’s left this season (570-274, the amount he has this season).

137 hits over 570 is a .240 AVG.

143 hits over 570 is a .251 AVG.

He has 54 hits so he needs between 83 and 89 hits for a .240-.251 AVG.

He needs to hit about .280-.300 from here on out to hit .240-.250 on the season.

By Bert Lance

June 26, 2007 2:24 PM | Link to this

I knew it. Jimmy Carter was using taxpayer money to rig those games. Was this money declared? Were the proper amounts witheld? Was this money properly appropriated?

And I resigned for that man.

By Lew

June 26, 2007 2:26 PM | Link to this

Salty/Woody-Where did you go to school in Vermont? I live in Randolph. Just saw Grace in Lebanon, NH at the Opera House a few weeks ago and got to meet her after the show. Had a great time. They put on quite a show. She definitely rocks.

By jed

June 26, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

nobody took up my question last night/morning: how do you trade escobar for pitching when chipper is as fragile as he is? chipper goes down for a month and you’ve got what? prado at 3b? that would be a huge loss. i think they’re gonna end up surprising everyone and moving salty for a 2 or 3 pitcher with a signed & affordable longterm contract.

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 2:28 PM | Link to this

rammerjammer,

What we need is a .350 OBP/.500 SLG. I think Diaz could be reasonably close to that.

By Lew

June 26, 2007 2:30 PM | Link to this

Paladin-4 Baggers are a good thing-especially for a slumping team-It’s the Paper or Plastic boys or the d-baggers that need to go. They know who they are.

By ernesto

June 26, 2007 2:33 PM | Link to this

I think the Braves have to look at the Pitcher’s market htis year like they will be able to sign somone next year. What are we paying Andruw this year? 15 mil? That won’t get a top-nothc pitcher? It doesn’t sound like we’re going to re-sign Andruw (and even if he pulls out of the mega-slump, he’s always been mega-streaky - can a team really tie up 15-20 mil a year in a guy who is that streak? I know this team can’t. ) so wouldn’t we have some pretty good money to throw at a top-notch guy?

Invest in pitching, it’s the one thing we look like we’re not deep in organizationally.

By Lew

June 26, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

Mitchie-San-Are you still in Australia, Dude? I just read an article about Australian Bulldog Ants. You need to keep away from them. Fear Snakes apparently should be avoided, as well.

By DonCoburleone

June 26, 2007 2:35 PM | Link to this

I really think the Braves are on the verge of pulling the trigger on a deal. I bet tonights game is going to have alot to do with how soon a trade gets done. If Carlyle gets roped (again) tonight I think we see a trade before his next turn in the rotation (so basically before the end of the weekend)…

Lets face it, the Braves have a solid 1-2 in Smoltz and Huddy; a solid #4 in Chuck James and a league average #5 in Kyle Davies. WE NEED A #3! Carlyle is not a ML pitcher and neither is our “savior” Lance Cormier. Did anyone see his line yesterday for Richmond? Cormier pitched 2.2 innings and gave up 6ER’s, 10hits, 1BB and only struck-out 1. It’s time to wake-up and realize that we have ZERO internal options as far as starting pitching is concerned. So I say screw it, if we can get Buehrle without giving up Salty than do it! Then when Buehrle walks at the end of the year we trade Salty for a #3 who we will have under control for a few years. It’s time to get back to the good ol’ days - STARTING PITCHING, STARTING PITCHING, AND MORE STARTING PITCHING!!!

By BravesFanInRockies

June 26, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

DC,

Andruw gets the grief because a) he has been one of the elite hitters in the game for the past decade, hitting HR milestones faster than anyone in history (and getting paid to carry the offense, btw) and b) Frenchy is just in his second full season in the bigs.

Frenchy continues to cause me to pull out what hair remains on my head. But expectations for him are lower thanks to his youth and the fact that he hacked at everything his first season-plus w/the Braves.

I hope to be disproved, but he may remain an undisciplined hitter who will occasionally show some patience.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 2:38 PM | Link to this

Good stuff “Rosalynn” and “Bert Lance”. I was almost OBPed and SLGed out.

By DAP

June 26, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

LEW i guess its just my perception. i see him running down a ball with his arms and legs going everywhere, and even if he catches it, he just looks clumsy to me. also, when i see him try to play a ball off of the wall, he just looks silly sometimes.

i guess no one is going to be as smooth in the outfield as AJ, and anyone would be a step down from andruw in center, but i just dont see francour being sufficient in CF. my hope is that he will stay in right field and we will find someone else to play center next year if andruw doesnt sign.

By Jimbo

June 26, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

DC Braves fan…you’re right. There is plenty of blame that should go to Frenchy, McCann and Thorman. Its just that Andruw has been so horrific he has become a whipping boy. I think a lot has to do with his huge contract and what Boras will be asking for. Before this season most seemed to want him back, now that reality has set in its fun to dog him just like it was with Greedy Glav. I hope AJ is someone else’s problem next year.

By Ron Roberts

June 26, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

RammerJammer… are you projecting 46 homers and 125 RsBI out of Andruw Jones by season-end, then? Because we aren’t getting that out of him now. That means Andruw would need to hit 35 homers and knock in 83 RsBI in the Braves’ last 85 games of the season.

Ain’t happening. I’ll go out on that limb now.

I’m not saying this team, long-term, should have a hits-for-average hitter bat cleanup. I’m saying that, right now, a singles-doubles hitter would do more good for us than a strikeout-groundout slugger who’s slumping would in the 4 spot.

Managers do it all the time; they shake up their lineup to try and make something happen. They don’t usually stick with it.

By Mitchie-san

June 26, 2007 2:45 PM | Link to this

Yeah I am still down under. We got to spend four days in Sydney. I had a good time. Didnt see any Bulldog ants, though. (probably a good thing) I am back out to sea again somewhere down here…

By Jimbo

June 26, 2007 2:49 PM | Link to this

Frenchy’s batting style can be described as a “Fat Guy in a Bakery”. He can’t stop himself from grabbing at everything in sight. Frenchy is lucky to have a mope like AJ around to keep the heat off him. What’s going to happen when AJ is gone next year? Frenchy will have no where to hide.

By Ron Roberts

June 26, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

Not so fast, DonCorleone… we do have an internal option that’s worked for us before and would probably work again.

Oscar Villareal.

He is no worse than a solid 4-5 in the rotation guy. I’ll take a solid 1-2, two 4s and 5 over what we have right now. He is rocking a 3.55 ERA, and yet, because we only use him in blowout mop-up duties, we’re 4-22 in games he’s pitched. It’s a mis-use of his abilities to use him the way we do now. I’d start him. He was 1-0 with a 3.50 ERA last year in his four starts. The Braves won all four of his starts, by the way.

By ncscoots

June 26, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this

What is the deal with Lerew? I mean, is he still hurt, they want to just let him languish on the DL, did he mysteriously vanish to AAA, what? It’s got to be at least a month since he DLed. You would think the Braves would give him at least one shot with a healthy arm before exile. Especially with Cormier’s latest indicator.

By Lee

June 26, 2007 2:55 PM | Link to this

There is no one on this Braves team this year that is going to knock 46 hrs and have 125 rbi’s. I will go out on a limb and say that now.

By David O'Brien

June 26, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Good to hear on the Easy Tiger review. Next purchase, maybe tomorrow. Thanks.

SaltyWoody, I think it was RockStar, then crush the can, then a dip. I kid you not.

“Lemmer” just sits and talks with him every day down in the room. The other broadcasters stop by for a while, do the pregame show, etc, but Lemmer’s there early, just about every home game.

Alright, gotta finish my RockStar and cigar and get to the park.

By Braves Fan 79

June 26, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Any lineup that dosent have the names woodward or orr looks great on paper to me!

By Shaun

June 26, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

BravesFanInRockies,

Actually Andruw has never been one of the elite hitters in the game.

He’s never finished in the top ten in OBP and has only once finished in the top 10 in SLG. And he’s only once finished in the top 10 in Runs Created.

He’s been good for a CF but he’s never been an elite hitter.

Again, I think this is one of the reasons some fans seem to think different ways about Andruw. We know he’s one of the top defensive players.

On offense, in some years the homerun has overshadowed his somewhat mediocre skills in the important aspects of the game. In some years his mediocre skills in the important aspects has overshadowed the fact that he’s still one of the better hitting centerfielders in the game. Also, his batting average and strikeouts have overshadowed the fact that he has been a very productive player when you take position into account.

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 2:57 PM | Link to this

Hey Mitchie San, if you get up around the Tonkin Gulf, watch out for those sea snakes. They will come up in the head and—like some people on here—bite you in the a$$. Smooth sailing.

By The Grinch

June 26, 2007 2:59 PM | Link to this

Good lord! Someone please take this Home Depot “Commercial Revolving Charge” card away from me and strap it to an IED! Anyone want to buy a 140 year old house that just needs a few repairs? I may be forced to drink Milwaukee’s Beast the rest of the week. At least I got two “free” Braves tickets for spending x amount of money, though they decide who against and where I sit. I’ll probably be on top of the coke bottle watching the Pirates.

Lew, it is The Grinch’s job to determine whether or not certain people are qualified to open their pie-holes; for this task I use not the Sword of Damocles, but rather the mighty Sword of Doucheocles! There will be no wanton douchebaggery on The Grinch’s watch, lest the aforementioned blade (positioned as always on the neck of suspected morons, cretins and butt-munches) whistle down at frightening speed, severing the still-talking empty heads of the unqualified and making the Dayn Perry’s of the world poop their underoos. BY GOD I MEAN BUSINESS.

By rammerjammer

June 26, 2007 3:00 PM | Link to this

Ron, those were Andruw’s average numbers for the last two seasons and we’re missing that kind of production, whether it’s Andruw or someone else doing the producing.

Shaun, Diaz has already exceeded my expectations, but putting him in the middle of the lineup and expecting him to make up for what Andruw’s not giving us? I think that’s too much to expect.

By David O'Brien

June 26, 2007 3:04 PM | Link to this

NEW BLOG IS UP

By Paladin

June 26, 2007 3:08 PM | Link to this

Mitchie-san Fogive me for butchering your name but in my dotage I have forgotten all my Japanese except the words necessary to get laid. Somehow you never forget that.

By Kentavo

June 26, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Okay, gotta weigh in on the KJ/Buntgate controversy. Judging from what I saw, KJ tried to bunt on his own after 2 strikes. I believe Cox wanted him swinging and not bunting with the 0-2 count. That’s why Cox was p.o.’d.

By Kentavo

June 26, 2007 3:09 PM | Link to this

Okay, gotta weigh in on the KJ/Buntgate controversy. Judging from what I saw, KJ tried to bunt on his own after 2 strikes. I believe Cox wanted him swinging and not bunting with the 0-2 count. That’s why Cox was p.o.’d.

By SaltyWoody

June 26, 2007 3:17 PM | Link to this

LEW I went to Saint Mike’s…in Winooski. But, I spent a lot of time in the Waitsfield/Warren area skiing Sugarbush and visiting my parents’ friends who live there. Their daughter went to school with Grace when they were younger, I guess, and they had a bunch of great stories to share about her.

Great to see her doing so well, though. She’s really got a stage presence and a unique quality to her voice. And she ALWAYS comes home to VT and visits and remains very down to earth. And there’s a lot to be said for that, especially when she carries that same persona with her when she’s on tour, too.

Great tunes, very lively, lots of character to them. And there’s something undeniably sexy about a young lady with vocal chops and talent on the Hammond.

By bobbymahlon

June 26, 2007 3:52 PM | Link to this

I think Frenchy deserves as much blame as Andruw as neither one is batting in any runs lately. Jeff’s average is dropping rapidly as he is returning to his old habits of chasing bad pitches and fouling off or swinging and missing the good ones. It looks like he will always be a low average hitter and my biggest worry is where has his power gone. Maybe he needs some rest once in awhile. He has hit one home run since May 19th. If he and Andruw don’t start knocking in runs we are DEAD.